US2934250A

US2934250A - Poultry freezer tray

Info

Publication number: US2934250A
Application number: US711399A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer W Stotz
Original assignee: RIVER RAISIN PAPER Co
Current assignee: RIVER RAISIN PAPER Co
Priority date: 1958-01-27
Filing date: 1958-01-27
Publication date: 1960-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 1977-04-26

Description

April 26; 1960 E. w. STOTZ 2,934,250

POULTRY FREEZER TRAY Filed Jan. 2?, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J7me? 14/6702 1,

April 2 19 0 E. STOTZ 2,934,250

POULTRY FREEZER TRAY Filed Jan. 27, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 2 2 /7716? 14/6102:

April 26, 1960 Filed Jan. 27. 1958 E. W. STOTZ I POULTRY FREEZER TRAY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENroR. J7me? 14/ 6') v71,

I iinit POULTRY FREEZER TRAY Elmer W. Stotz, Monroe, Mich., assignor to River Raisin Paper Company, Monroe, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 27, 1958, Serial No. 711,399

9 Claims. (Cl. 229-6) The present invention relates to cardboard containers and more particularly, to improved containers WhlCh .may be readily stacked while providing for circulation including a sheet of die-cut material folded and held in assembled relation without the need for staples or other separate retaining means.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved cardboard container having posts disposed at the corners thereof which extend above the wall portions intermediate the posts and are adapted to support additional similar containers so that the containers may be stacked while permitting the circulation of air through the containers.

It is a further object of the present invention to'provide an improved container of the above mentioned type adapted for use in supporting material to be frozen such, for example, as poultry, and to which a cover may be readily applied for suitably closing the container when it is removed from the freezer or when air circulation through the container is no longer required.

Other and more detailed objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification, the appended claims and the accompanying'drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a broken elevational view showing a stack of containers constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the containers illustrated in Figure 1; V

Figure 3 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 2, taken substantially along the line 33 thereof;

Figure 4 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 2, taken substantially along the line 4--4 thereof;

Figure 5 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 4, taken substantially along the line 55 thereof;

Figure 6 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 4, taken substantially along the line 6-6 thereof;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a sheet of cardboard or other material after being die-cut and scored ready for folding to form a part of the container;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a sheet of cardboard or other material after being die-cut and scored ready to be folded and combined with the sheet illustrated in Figure 7 to provide the container construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive;

Figure 9 is a broken perspective view showing a portion of the container and illustrating one stage in the folding of the sheet to form the assembled container;

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the container with its cover in place;

2,934,230 Patented Apr. 26, 1-960 Figure 11 is a plan view of a container constructed according to amodified form of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 11, taken substantially along the line 12-12 thereof;

Figure 13 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 11, taken substantially along the line iii-13 thereof;

Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the container illustrated in Figures 11 through 13, inclusive, with its cover in place;

Figure 15 is a broken perspective view of a portion of the container illustrated in Figures 11 through 13, inclusive showing one stage of the folding and assembly of the container;

Figure 16 is a plan view of a sheet of cardboard or other material after being die-cut and scored ready to be folded to form the construction illustrated in Figure 11; and,

Figure 17 is a plan view of a sheet of cardboard or other material after being die-cut and which forms a part of the partition of the container illustrated in Figure 11.

Referring, to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 8, the sheet 20 there illustrated may be formed of solid or corrugated paperboard and has been die-cut and scored preparatory to forming it to provide the container 22 illustrated in Figures 1 through 9, inclusive. The container 22 illustrated in these figures also includes a reinforcing and partition sheet 24 illustrated in Figure 7 which is die-cut and scored preparatory to assembling with the sheet 20 in the formation of the container 22. The sheet 20 illustrated in Figure 8 includes a bottom 26, end walls 28 at opposite ends thereof and separated therefrom by score lines 30, and side walls 32 at-opposite sides thereof separated therefrom by score lines 34. Each side wall 32 has projections 36 at opposite ends thereof and has a pair of centrally disposed score lines 38 disposed generally centrally of the sides 32 and extending between the projections 36. and parallel to 'the score line 34 at which the side 32 connects to the bottom 26. At the opposite ends of the side walls 32 the projections 36 are provided with notches 37. Outwardly of the score lines 38 are side wall portions 40, each of which has a centrally disposed notch 42 and a pair of spaced locking projections 44. 7

Each end wall 28 has extensions 46 at opposite ends thereof and separated therefrom by score lines 48, Each of the extensions 46 also has a locking projection 50 at its outer end and an aperture 52 of similar size adjacent to-the score line 48. Also, at the side of each extension 46 adjacent to the side walls 32 is a V-shaped notch 54. From the inner end of the notch 54 a pair of score lines 56 extend parallel to the score line 48 to the opposite side of extension 46. The extensions 46 also include, outwardly of the notch 54, a score line 58 which extends acrossthe extension parallel to the

lines

48 and 56, and another score line 60 which extends from the inner end of the notch 54 at right angles to the

score lines

48, 56 and 58, outwardly to the outer end of the extension 46. The end walls 28 each have a pair of notches 62 providing projections 64 at opposite ends thereof and co-operating with score lines 66 extending between the inner'ends of the notches 62 and parallel to the score lines 30 at the connection of the end walls 28 with the bottom 26 to define end wall portions 68. These end wall portions '6 8 and the end walls 28 are provided with hand grip aper; tures 70. The bottom 26 is die-cut to provide tabsf72 adjacent to the score lines 30, the connection of the tabs 72 to the bottom being scored as indicated at"7'4 In spaced relation to each corner of the bottom j26,the sheet 20 is provided with locking portions 76 formed by spaced parallel die-cuts 78 extending across the-score lines 30 and the opposite ends of which are connected by score lines 80.

Referring to Figure 7, the sheet 24 includes spaced bottom portions 82 interconnected by a centrally disposed partition portion 84 defined by three spaced parallel .t-ransver'sely extending score lines 86. At opposite sides of the bottom portions 82, the sheet '24 has side wall, flanges 88 separated from the bottom portions 82 by score lines '90. Adjacent the score lines 90 the bottom portions 82 are provided with apertures 92.

To form the container illustrated in Figure 2, the sheet 24 illustrated in Figure 7 is folded along the score lines 86 and 90, the flanges 88 being folded upwardly relative to the bottom sections 82 and the central partition portion 84 being folded to provide the double thickness partition 84 clearly illustrated in cross section in Figure 4. The side walls 32 of the sheet 20 illustrated in Figure 8 are folded upwardly about the score lines 34 and the folded sheet 24 is placed over the bottom 26 centrally between the ends thereof and with the flanges 88 between and engaging the side walls 32. The side wall portions 40 are then folded inwardly about the score lines 38 against the inner surface of the flanges 88 and the projections 44 on the side wall portions 40 are moved into the apertures 92, thus securely holding the bottom reinforcing and partition sheet 24 in place. The partition 84 is received in the notches 42 to securely hold the sheet 24 against movement longitudinally relative to the sheet 20. The extensions 46 on the end walls 28 are then folded upwardly about the score lines 46 and the end walls 28 are folded upwardly about the score lines 30. The lower portion of each extension 46, outwardly of the notch 54, is then folded upwardly about the score line 60 as is clearly illustrated in Figure'9, permitting this lower portion of the extension to be passed over the top of the now assembled side wall 32. The extension 46 is then folded inwardly along the score line 56 and the portion below the score line 60 is moved downwardly to elminate the fold about the score line 60 and the outer portion of the extension is then folded about the then vertical score line 58. As the folds about the

score lines

48, 56 and 58 are completed, the projection 50 is moved into the notch 37 of the side projection 36 and into the aperture 52, and it will be seen that the extension 46 then co-operates with the projection 36 on the side wall 32 and with the projecting portion 64 of the end wall 28 to provide a triangularly shaped post at each corner of the container. Each extension 46, in addition to being held in assembled position by the engagement of the projection 50 in the aperture 52, is further secured in position by snapping the adjacent locking portion 76 upwardly and inwardly out of the planes of the bottom 26 and side 28, from the position illustrated in Figure 9 to the position best illustrated in Figures 3 through 6, in which it securely holds the extension 46 in assembled position. The assembly of the container is completed by folding the end wall portions 68 inwardly about the score lines 66 and moving the locking tabs 72 upwardly out of the plane of the bottom 26 to the positions best illustrated in Figure 3. In this position the apertures 70 are aligned .as illustrated in Figure 3 to provide hand grips.

These containers 22, by virture of the strong corner post construction provided at each of the four corners, may be readily stacked, as illustrated in Figure 1 and when so stacked, air may readily circulate to the contents of the containers because of the reduced height of the side walls and end walls intermediate the corner posts. These containers are particularly useful for freezing food. As an example, two large turkeys may be placed in a container constructed as above described and the containers stacked in freezing compartments. When the containers are removed from the freezing compartment, a suitable cover such as the cover 94, illustrated in Figure 10, may be placed over the container audit will be supported on the corner posts.

As illustrated in Figure 10 at 96, a place may be provided for marking the weight of the contents of the container and the cover 94 may be formed with shallow ends 98 so that the marking may be read while the cover is in place.

Figures 11 through 17, inclusive, illustrate a modified form of the container which may include readily removable partitions and does not include an auxiliary or reinforcing bottom sheet such as the sheet 24 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 10, inclusive.

Referring to Figure 16, the sheet there illustrated may similarly be formed of a suitably solid or corrugated paper-board and includes a bottom 126, end walls 128 at opposite ends thereof and separated from the bottom 126 by score lines 130, and side walls 132 at opposite sides of the bottom 126 and separated therefrom by score lines 134. The side walls 132 have projections 136 at their opposite ends which are provided with notches 137 disposed at the ends of the side walls 132. The side walls 132 are also provided with generally centrally disposed score lines 138 extending between the projections 136 and parallel to the score'lines 134 which are at the juncture of the sides 132 with the bottom 126 outwardly of the score lines 138 and side wall portions 140. The bottom 126 is die-cut adjacent the score lines 134 to provide tabs 144.

The end walls 128 are provided with extensions 146 at their opposite ends which are separated therefrom by score lines 148 and are provided with projections 150 at their outer ends. Adjacent the score lines 148 the extensions 146 are provided with apertures 152 which are similar in shape to the shape of the projections 150. Each of the projections 146, at the side thereof adjacent the side walls 132, has a V-shaped notch 154 and is provided with a score line 156 extending from the inner end of the notch 154 across the extension 146 to the opposite side thereof and parallel to the score line 158. Each extension 146 is also provided with a third score line 158 disposed outwardly of the notch 154 and parallel to the

score lines

156 and 148.

Each of the end walls 128 has its central portion cut down as indicated at 162 to provide projections 164 at its opposite ends. Adjacent to each of the four corners of the bottom 126, is a locking portion 176 formed by a pair of spaced parallel die-cuts 178 which extend across the score lines 130, the opposite ends of which are connected by score lines 180.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 11 through 17, inclusive, a pair of partition members 182 may be die-cut from the portion of the sheet 120 outwardly of the side walls 132, as is shown in Figure 16. A third partition member 184 is illustrated in Figure '17 and is provided with notches 186 for assembly of the partition members 182 therewith in a conventional manner, these members 182 being provided with co-operating notches 188. r

In forming the container, the side walls 132 are folded upwardly about the score lines 134 and the side wall portions are folded inwardly about the score lines 138 against the then lower portions of the side wall 132 and the locking tabs 144 are pressed upwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 12.

The end walls 128 are then folded upwardly about the score lines 130 and the end wall extensions 146 folded inwardly about the score lines 148. During this movement, the end wall extensions 146 are also folded about the score lines 156 to move the side wall 132 into the V-shaped notch 154 so that the bottom portion of the end wall projection 146, outwardly of the notch 154, is received inside the side wall 132 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 15. The folding of the end wall extensions 146 about the score lines 148, 156 and 158 is then completed so that the projection is moved through the notch 137 and into the aperture 152. To hold the projection 150 in the aperture 152 and maintain the end wall extension 146 in the folded position illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13, the adjacent locking portion 176 is then snapped upwardly and inwardly from the position illustrated in Figure 15 in the planes of the bottom 126 and end wall 128, to the position illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13. The

partition members

182 and 184 may then be assembled and placed in the container in the position illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13. In this embodiment of the invention, the weight of the contents of the box may be marked in a place provided on the outer surface of the end wall 128 and a cover 194 of generally conventional construction may be provided with an aperture 196 through which the marking on the container may be viewed.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the partitions illustrated may be eliminated or modified in any desired way to provide the desired compartments. A container of the above described construction, with the partition members illustrated, may be used, for example, to contain six medium sized chickens.

The above references to chickens and turkeys with reference to these containers are, of course, for illustrative purposes only.

While only two specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising a single sheet of die-cut material providing a bottom, side walls at each side of said bottom, end walls at each end of said bottom, extensions at certain of the ends of said walls scored and folded and co-operating wth the adjacent portion of said certain of said ends to form posts extending upwardly from the four corners of said bottom, and means holding said extensions folded in said post form, the ends of said walls other than said certain of said ends having projections about which said extensions are folded and which form a part of said posts.

2. A container as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said extensions has a slot adjacent to the wall from which it extends and has a locking portion at its end which is received in said slot when said extension is folded to said post form and wherein said projections have notches aligned with said slots and receiving said locking portion when said extension is folded to said post form.

3. A container as defined in claim 1, wherein each said extension is divided by said scoring into three parallel sections extending transversely of the wall from which the extension extends and wherein said posts formed by said extensions are triangular in shape.

4. A container comprising a single sheet of die-cut material providing a bottom, side walls at each side of said bottom, end walls at each end of said bottom, extensions at certain of the ends of said walls scored and folded and co-operating with the adjacent portion of said certain of said ends to form posts extending upwardly from the four corners of said bottom, and means holding said extensions folded in said post form, each of said extensions having a slot adjacent to the wall from which it extends and hav- 6 ing a locking portion at its end which is received in said slot when said extension is folded to said post form.

5. A container comprising a single sheet of die-cut material providing a bottom, side walls at each side of said bottom, end walls at each end of said bottom, extensions at certain of the ends of said walls scored and folded and co-operating with the adjacent portion of said certain of said ends to form posts extending upwardly from the four corners of said bottom, and means holding said extensions folded in said post form, said extensions at the sides thereof adjacent to the ends of said walls other than said certain of said ends having V-shaped notches, each of which receives a wall adjacent to the wall carrying the extension in which it is formed.

6. A container as defined in claim 5, wherein each of said extensions are scored to provide score lines extending transversely thereof including a score line extending from the inner end of said V-shaped notch to the side opposite to the side in which said notch is formed and another score line extending from the inner end of said notch at right angles to said score line out to the outer end of said extension.

7. A container comprising a single sheet of die-cut material providing a bottom, side walls at each side of said bottom, end walls at each end of said botttom, extensions at certain of the ends of said walls scored and folded and co-operating with the adjacent portion of said certain of said ends to form posts extending upwardly from the four corners of said bottom, and means holding said extensions folded in said post form, an auxiliary bottom sheet overlying at least a portion of said bottom and having upwardly extending flanges overlying the lower portions of the inner surfaces of said side walls, said auxiliary bottom sheet being lanced adjacent said flanges to provide locking edge surfaces and said side walls of said single sheet being scored parallel to said bottom to provide inner wall sections having locking projections, said inner wall sections being folded inwardly over said flanges to engage said locking projections with said locking edge surfaces.

8. A container as defined in claim 7, wherein said auxiliary bottom sheet has a scored and folded portion providing an upwardly extending partition extending across the container.

9. A container as defined in claim 8, wherein said partition extends between said side walls and said inner wall sections are notched to receive said partition during said folding of said inner wall portions inwardly over said flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,471,478 Feigelman Oct. 23, 1923 1,494,531 Corcoran May 20, 1924 1,653,116 Parks Dec. 20, 1927 2,844,293 Whitney July 22, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 276,043 Great Britain Aug. 15, 1927 725,809 Great Britain Mar. 9, 1955 533,395 Canada NOV. 20, 1956