US2939624A - Dome pack container - Google Patents

Description

June 7, 1960 R..K. wlLsoN DOME PACK CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 19, 1956' lunllmll: llll "mmm".lllllu-w.

umlllllllllll Hummm ...Imm :nllllllilllll mmm June 7, 1960 R. K. w|| soN DOME PACK CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, 1956 Ii. Wilson, 5?(

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DOME PACK CONTAINER Roy K. Wilson, Jacksonville, Fla., assignor to St. Joe lpleil Company, Jacksonville, Fla., a corporation of Filed Dec. 19, 1956, Ser. No. 629,324 7 Claims. (C l. 229-43) This invention relates to paperboard containers, and more particularly pertains to a novel container cover. The invention is specifically directed to a container and container cover folded from single blanks of corrugated paperboard and the like which are adapted for use inV packaging vegetables, fruits and the like and which provide for dome packing of the container.

.A general object of this invention is to provide a contamer cover having a flat outer top and a dome-shaped mner configuration permitting the dome packing of produce in the container while protecting such produce from pressure from above.

In the produce trade, it is 'desirable to dome pack containers with produce, such as tomatoes, so as to give the impression of an over full container. Containers so packed, when the contents of the `open container bulge above the top edge, are known to be much more marketable than containers not dome packed. Various attempts have been made to adapt corrugated paperboard cartons to dome packing of tomatoes, oranges, and like fruits and Y vegetables, but such attempts have resulted in constructions which are either too expensive, in which the produce is subject to damage, in which stable vertical stacking of closed containers is difficult" or not possible, and in which packaging and closure of the container is difficult and costly.

Further objects of this invention accordingly are to provide a dome pack container of unusual sturdiness, characterized by triple thickness side and end panels of the box body and at least a double thickness cover member including a reinforced inclined inner dome panel.

A specific object of the inventionis to`provide in the cover for a container a reinforcing member Whichl serves additionally as a ilush hand hold. A further specific object of the invention is to provide a dome pack cover which can be easily assembled by folding alone, from a single, one-piece blank of corrugated paperboard without additional fastening elements; which may be economically produced, which is light in weight, and which is provided with self-locking means cooperative with the container body to securely lock and retain the cover on the body during handling.

A United States Patent of the container shown in Fig. 1 demonstrating the method of releasing the cover-locking detents; v

` Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cover taken during erection thereof;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming the cover in accord with the invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the container body taken during erection thereof; and v Fig. 8 is a plan view of a blank embodying the invention for forming the body portion of the container.

The container as seen in Fig.l 1 includes a rectangular body 1 formed from lan integral folded blank of corru-, gated paperboard or like material and comprises a flat single thickness bottom portion 2 joined along bottomr end fold lines, such as fold 3, to upstanding outer end panels 4 and 5. The end` panels, with side wall panels, such ias the inner side wall panel 6 seen in this view, complete the open top container body 1. End panel flap 7 vand end panel inner ap 8 lie inwardly of and against' outer end panel 4 providing a triple thickness end Wall A9', Iand opposite end wall 10 isfsimilarly constituted. Outer end panels 4 `and 5 of end walls 9 and 1,0 respectively are cut through to provide respective elongated rectangular slots 11 and 12, which serve to receive the inwardly upvwardly projecting cover Vlocking detents=13 and A14 respectively when the container is assembled'.

Dome pack cover 15, shown closed and locked on con-.

line 19 to downwardly projecting outer end ange 20:,

The outer end anges are folded inwardly at their lower edges along respective cover ange fold lines 21 and 22 to form cover flange edges 23 and 24 respectively; VThe cover flange Yedges are joined` respectively along linner'-v The novel features which are believed to be character- Fig 2 is a perspective view showing the cover and body of thecontainer of Fig. 1 in exploded open positions;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the erected container cover; 1 ,'Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the upper right hand end end-ange fold lines 25 and 26 to. respective inner end flanges 27 and 28. Itis important to note that the inner end flanges extend upwardly'from thev cover flange edges a distance less than the distance between the cover iian'ge. Yedges and cover panel 16, or, in Vother words, less Ythan the height of the outer end flanges. Respecti've dome fold i lines 29 and 30 join the respective uppermost edgesof the inner end flanges to inner dome panels 31 and32 respectively. The inner dome panels extend fromtheirrespective dome folds inwardly and inclinedly toward the under surface of cover panel 16 which the dome panels contact intermediate the ends of the cover panel. It will be noted that the `aforementioned construction provides an oppositely disposed pair of wedge-shaped air cushions or pockets 55 between the dome panels and thecover panel, the base or larger end of the pockets being adjacent the inner end flanges of the dome pack cover. This allows produce such as the tomatoes indicated `at 37 to be dome packed inthe containerbody, to be properly maintained as packed, and to be protected from pressure from above. j

Respective downwardly extending tongue members or tongues 33 and 34 are struck from co'verpanel 16 near respective opposite ends thereof and are-folded along respective tongue base fold lines and extend downwardly to engage the respective inner dome panels thereby providing bracing means between the cover panel and the dome panels. The U-shaped openings resulting therefrom furnish a depressed hand hold at each end of coverv 15. The elongated cover locking detents 13 and 14 are struck from the respective inner end flanges of thecover, projecting therefrom inwardly and upwardly toward the container body and, in Fig. 1, are shown lockingly Vert-v Patented June 7, 196() gaged in respective slots 11 and 12 of the container body.

As seen in Fig. 2, cover panel 16 has downturned outer side flanges 35 and 36. Inner dome panels 31 and 32 are each provided with a pair of oppositely disposed downturned inner side flanges, inner side flange 39 or" dome panel 31 and inner side ilange itl of dome panel 32 being visible in Fig. 2. This construction provides substantially double thickness cover side walls 41 and 42.

Ta-b extension 43 of tongue 33 is shown fittingly engaged in notch or perforation 44 which is cut or apertured through: inner dome panel 31. A similar tabrrextension45 is provided for tongue 34 and engages perforation 46 in dome panel 32 as shown in Fig. l. k

Bottom portion 2 of the container body is extended to form opposite -upstanding outer side wall panels 7 and 48 which in turn extend into inner side wall panels 6 and 49. -End panel flaps 7 and 52 are oppositely dis posed extensions ofy innerV side wall panel 49, end wall flap 52 lying between outer end panel 5 and end panel inner flap-54 which is an extension ofinner side wall panel 6 thereby constitutingl end wall 1u. End wal-l 9 isof similar construction constituting end panel fiap 7 lying` between outer end panel 4 and end panel inner flap S', the latterbeing a folded extension of inner side wall panel `6. This construction of the Side end wallsof the container body provides relatively thick upper edges due to triple thickness of the walls. A plurality of vents 50 are provided in the side and end walls of the container body as desired to prevent spoilage of perishable produce, packaged therein. Elongated handle holes 51 and 51 are cut through respective body end walls 9 and 10 'below slots 11 and 12 respectively.

Fig. 3 illustrates the construction of the depressed cover hand hold formed by folding tongue 34 along itsbase fold line 69 downwardly into engagement with inner dome panel 32. The tongues, such as tongue 34, together with the cover locking detents, such as detent 14, provide a rigid upper end structure when the cover is locked on the container body. .It will be understood that the lower edges 34 of tongue 34 contact the upper surface of inner dome panel `aZwhen tab extension 4S is engaged in per foration 46. The openings created in cover panel 16 by the struck out tongues together'with `the exposed outer surfaces of the tongues ywhen engaged with the dorne panels provide smooth hand engageable coverk depressions for hand holds which have been found to be convenient in the handling of packed containers, especially when stacking is required, permitting particularly, the pulling of theV container in an endwise direction toward the person.

As best seen in Fig. 4 cover l5 may be removed from container body 1 by inserting the ngers shown at 70 under one of the cover flange edges, such as edge 23, pulling the cover wall slightly out and lifting it upwardly. This operation disengages cover locking detent 13 from its locked position in slot 11 of -the container vbody as shown'in Fig. `l, to its disengaged or free position shown in Fig. Li thereby freeing the cover for retrieval from the container body. The fingers may be inserted up under either of the cover end walls in the manner shown by bowing endv wall 9 slightly inwardly and bowing cover end wall 60 slightly outwardly. lt will be further understood that it is unnecessary for the fingers to engage the cover locking detents to free them from their respective slots, the outward rnovement of the cover end wall and mward movement of the body end wall being sulicient to effect disengagement. Cover-outer-end flange 18 and cover-inner-.end flange 27 enclose vend flange flaps or coversend-wall flaps 56 and 57 which are folded eXtensionsfofcover-outer-side llanges 35 and 36 respectively. It will be seen that' end llanges 18 and 27 together with cover-end-wall aps 56 and 57, constitute an end wall 60 of lthe cover which finds its counterpart in opposite c'overcnd wall 61 (seen in Fig. l) and that outer end flanges 18 and 20 form with cover panel 16 a generally U-shaped cover assembly for telescoping over the rectangular box body.

The steps involved in erecting the cover are best seen in Fig. 5, wherein the cover is shown in inverted posi` tion for erection, the near half being shown completely erected in accord with the following described steps, and

, the far half being shown during erection. Initially, the

cover-outer-side flanges 35 and 36 `are folded upwardly from cover panel 16 and end flange flaps 56 and 57 vare folded inwardly to extend along cover end fold line 17. Then outer end flange 18 is folded upwardly along cover end fold line 17 and cover flange edge 23 is formed bewardly and back toward inner end ange 27 along dome fold line 2.9' to allow the inner dome panel and its attached inner side flanges Vto tit within the cover-outer-side anges. Inner dome panel 31 is'now folded into the cover, and, in its final position, contacts the edges 33' of tongue 33,

, which has already been folded upwardly along tongue base fold line 63, tab extension 43 vliittingly engaging perforation44 of the inner dome panel. Innerside Yflanges 38 and 39 now lie along the far half of outer side flanges 35 and 36 Vrespectively and the upper surface of dome panel 31 adjacent edge S8 thereof, seen exposed in Fig. 5, contacts the inner or under surface of cover panel 16 intermediate its ends. Inner side` flange edges 33 and 39 now contact inner side angeedges 40' and'SS Yof Vinner side flanges 40 and 53 respectively, shown in erected position in the near half of Fig. 5, and edge 58 of dome panel 31 contacts edge 59 of dome panel 32 which tends to maintain the cover in the erected position of Fig. 2.

1n erecting the container body the steps involved are best understood with reference to Fig. 7` wherein the near half of the body is shown fully erected and the far halfV is shown during erection. First, the outer end and outer side panels are bent upwardly from the bottom portion. Thus outer end panels 4 and` 5 are raised as are outer side panels 47 .andV 48. Side panel flaps 64 and (best seen in Fig. 8) of outer end panel 5 are bent inwardly until their bottomi edges lie along the respective bottom side fold lines between bottom portion 2 and outer side panels 47 and 48. Inner side panel 49 is already in its erected position as are its inwardly bent attached end panel flaps 7 and 52. Side panel flaps 66 and 67 (best seen in Fig. 8) are inwardly folded extensions of outer end panel 4 and correspond to side panel flaps 64 and 65 of outer end panel 5. To complete the container body, inner side wall panel 6 and its appended upwardly- -folded inner end panelfflaps 8 and 54 are folded inwardly over the upper edges of side panel flaps 64 and 66 and into the container body. When inner side wall panel 6 is folded to lie against side panel flaps 64 and 66 end panel flaps 8 and 54, which have been folded toward each other, may be bent outwardly until they contact end panel flaps 7 and -52 respectively, thereby maintaining'the container body in erected position.

The blank for the cover shown in Fig..6 vhas its parts identified with the same characters employed in connectionwith the respective corresponding parts of the erected ory partly erected cover of Figs. 1-5. Scored fold lines are indicated by broken lines whereas the cut or slit portions are indicated in full lines.

The central portion ofthe blank forV the cover comprises a rectangular cover panel 16, outersidefange panels 35 and 36 extending respectively from opposite long edges of cover panel 16and outer-end-ange panels 13 and 20 extending from the respective opposite shorter edges of cover panel16. The edges'of cover panel 16 are delined by broken lines which indicate respective fold lines alo-ngwhichthe outer side .andjend flange panels are folded to form the outer side and endanges in erecting theV cover. v the cover end fold line, scored, on lthe blank, at which outer-end-lange panel 18 joinscover panel 16. Innerend-flange panel 28 is joined to outer-end-angefpanel 20 by cover-flange-edge panel 24 which is formed between cover llange fold line 22 and Vinner-end-tlan-gefold line 26, the latter two fold lines `being scored o'n the blank. Inner dome panel-32 is joined to inner-'endflange panel 28 along appropriately scored domeV fold line 30 and is provided with perforation Y46 near dome fold line 30. Inner-side-flange panels 40 and 53 are joined to inner dome panel 32 along scoredfold lines 71 and 72 respectively. Cover-end-wall flaps-"62V and 63 are seen severedfrom inner-side-ange panels S3 and 40 respectively and `from outer-end-liange panel 20, coverilange-.edge panel 24 and inner-end-ange panel 28. Cover-'end-wall nap 62 is joined to outer-side-ange panel 35 by scored fold line 73 and cover-end-wall ap 63 is similarly joined to outer-side-flange -panel 36 by scored fold line 74.

Tongue 34 and its appended tab` extension 45 are seen Y 'joined to .cover panel 16 by scored tongue base fold line 69, the remainder of the tongue and its `tab'extension being severed from cover panel 16.7 A similar construction is followed in cover locking detent 14 ywhich is joined For example-"fold line 17 indicates.

their respective ends cut onv a bias to provide a ittedcorner arrangement when the triple walled body is fully erected. V

The handle Vholes in the container body as erected are indicated in the blank at 51 in outer end panel 4 and in panel are aligned with the respective vents of the next.

adjoining panel forming the triple thickness walls.

While-only certain preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and describedrby way of illustration, many modications willoccur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, desired thatit be .understood that it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such modiications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

to inner-end-ange panel 28 by scored detent 'fold linev 76, f the remainder of the detent being severed from the innerend-flange panel.Y The construction of lthe opposite end of the cover blank is 'similarly arranged, outer-end-ange panel 18 being joined to cover panel-'T16 along scoredY cover end fold line 17 Yand inner-end-tlange panel 27 being joined to outer-end-llange panel 18 by cover-end-edge 23 formed between cover flange-fold line 21 and inner-endange fold line 25. Inner-end-ange panel 27 is joined to inner dome panel 31 by scored dome fold line 29. Cover-end-wall flaps 56 and 57 yare joined to outer-sideange panels 35 and 36, respectively. Inner-side-flange panels 38 and 39 are joinedrto respective opposite sides of inner dome panel 31. Perforation 44 is seen in inner dome panel 31, cover locking detent 13 in inner-end-ilange panel 27, and tongue 33 with its appended tab extension' 43 is seen in cover panel `16, the construction of each be-` scored fold lines being indicated by broken lines and the severed portions being indicated by fulllines.

The central portion of the blank for the body comprises a rectangular bottom portion 2, outer side wall kpanels 47 .and 48 extending respectively from opposite long edges of bottom portion. 2, and outer end panels 4 and 5 extending from the respective opposite shorter edges of bottom portion y2. 'Ihe edges of bottom portion 2 are defined by broken lines which indicate respective -fold lines along which the panels are folded in erecting the body. Side panel flaps 66 and 67 are joined only to respective opposite sides of outer end panel 4. Similarly, side panel aps 64 and 65 are joined only to outer .end panel `5.

Outer side wall panel 48 is joined to inner side wall panel 49 by scored double fold lines 77 and 78, the area between such double fold lines constituting the upper side edge of the body wall as erected and indicated at 79 in both Figs. 7 and 8. `This arrangement is duplicated in scored double .fold lines 80 and 81 deiining upper side edge 82 between 'outer sidewall panel 47 and inner sider j What is claimed as new and what it isdesired to secure` by Letters Patent .of the United States is:

l. A cover adapted to telescope over the open top of'a container body, said cover .comprising a flat top panel having rbounding edges, two underlying panels hav- Ying inner edges in'contact with the under surface of said top panel inwardly of said bounding edges, said underlying panels having outer edges substantially aligned below said bounding edges, spacing means attaching said underlying panelsat their said outer edges to said top panel at its'said bounding edges in spaced aligned positions with respect thereto, and a reinforcing element for one of said underlying panels, said element contacting said top panel inwardly of its said bounding edge and extending downwardly from said top panel and engaging aportion of said one panel spaced between said edges of said one panel. Y

2. In combination, a rectangular container body having upstanding end walls, a cover, said cover including a flat rectangular top panel'and a pair of outer end ilanges each extending downwardly from and joined to a respective opposite end of said top panel, a pair of inner dome panels underlying said top panel and each having `an inner edge contacting theundersurface of' said top panel and an opposite outer edge disposed adjacent a respective said outer end llange, a pair of inner end ilanges each lying substantially ilat against a respective outer end ilange and joining a respective said outer end llange to the outer edge of a respective said inner dome panel and maintaining the respective outer edge ofsaid inner dome panel spaced a predetermined distance below said top panel, Veach said inner dome panel including aportion adjacent its outer edge, each said portion contacting the upper edge of the respective body end wall when said cover is closed on the body and maintaining said top panel spaced by substantially said predetermined distance from the upper edges of the body walls, a pair of outer side flanges each extending downwardly from a respective side of said top panel, a pair of oppositely disposed inner side anges joined to each said inner dome panel and lying substantially flat against a, respective said outerV opposite end of said top panel, a pair of inner dome panels underlying said top panel and each having an inner edge contacting the undersurface of said top panel and an opposite outer edge disposed adjacent a respective said outer end dange, a' pair of inner end anges each IV lying substantially flat against a respective outer end flange and joining a respective said outer end flange to thegouter edge of a respective said inner dome panel and maintaining the respective outer edge of said inner dome panel spaced a predetermined distance below said top f panel, each said inner dome panel including aportion adjacent its outer edge, each said portion contacting the upper edge of the respective body end wall when said cover is closed on the body and maintaining said top panel spaced by substantially said predetermined distance from the upper edges of the body walls, a pair of outer side flanges eachV extending downwardly 'from a respective side of said top panel, a pair of oppositely disposed inner side flanges Vjoined to each said inner dome panel and lying substantially ilat against a respective said outer side flange, and a pair of tongues Vstruck from said top panel adjacentV respective ends thereof and extending downwardly into engagement with a respective said inner dome panel, each said tongue terminating downwardly in a tab extension locked to the respective inner domeV panel.

4. In combination, a rectangular container body having upstanding end walls, a cover, said cover'including a flat rectangular top panel and a pair of outer end flanges each extending downwardly from and joined to a respective opposite end of said top panel, a pair of inner dorne panels underlying said top panel and each having an inner edge'contacting the undersurface of said top panel and an opposite outer edge disposed .adjacent a respective said outer end flange, a pair of inner end flanges each lying substantially flat against a respective outer end flange and joining a respective said outer Vend flange to the outer edge of a respective said inner dome panel and maintaining the respective outer edge of said inner dome panel spaced a predetermined distance below said ytop panel, each said inner dome panel including a portion adjacent its outer edge, each said portion contacting the upper edge of the respective body end wall when said cover is closed on the body and maintaining said top panel spaced by substantially said predetermined distance from the upper edges of the body walls, a pair of outer side flanges each extending downwardly from a respective side of said top panel, a pair of oppositely disposed inner side flanges joined to each said inner dome panel and'llying substantially flat against a respective said outer side flange, a pair of tongues struck from said top panel adjacent respective ends thereof and extending downwardly into engagement ywith a respective said inner dome panel, each said tongue terminating downwardly in a tab extension locked to the respective inner dome panel, and a pair of cover locking detents each struck from a-re spective said inner end flange and having an inwardly displaced upper edge, each said body end wall having a slot registering with said upper edge of said detentwhen said cover is closed on said body.

5. In an elongated substantially rectangular blank for forming a container cover, the combination comprising a top panel, a pair of outer-endilange panels each joined to said top panel along respective opposite end fold lines thereof and extending therefrom by the same predetermined distance toward a respective end of the blank, said outer-end-ffange panels terminating outwardly in second fold lines, said blank extending toward each respective end of the blank by a second distance less than said predetermined distance beyond said second fold lines and forming a pair of equally proportioned inner-end-flange panels each joined alo'ng a respective one of said second fold lines to the respective said outer-end-flange panel, a pair of inner domepanels each joined along a respective third fold line to the outer' edge of a respective said innerend-flange panel and terminating in a dorne panel terminal edge, a pair of hand engageable tongues hingedly attached to said topv panel adjacent respective ends of said top panel, said tongues being defined by respective generally U-shaped cuts made through said top panel with the legs of the U-shaped cut extending toward the respective adjacent end of the top panel, each said tongue comprising a -tab extension from its said edge, each Vsaid inner dome panel being apertured to receive a respective one of said tab extensions, a pair of outer-side-flange panels each joined to said top panel along respectiveV opposite side fold lines thereof and extending therefrom respec-` tive distances equal to said predetermined distances, and a pair of inner-side-flange panels joined to 'each of said inner-dome panels along respective opposite dome side foldY lines thereof, each said inner-side-ange panel exending outwardly from its'inner dornerpanel adjacent s aid terminal edge thereof a distance substantially equal to said first predetermined distance and extending outwardly adjacent saidthird fold line of itsrespective dome panelja distance substantially equal to said second distance and Vbeing of tapered shape in plan view.

6. A telescoping cover for a container body having' an opening, said cover comprising a flat outer top panel bounded by opposite side edges and opposite end edges, downw-ardly extending parallel side flanges attached to said top panel along said side edges thereof, and like respective end extensionsv attached to said top panel along saidI end edges'ithereof and each extending downwardly therefrom at right angles thereto a predetermined t distance to formY respective end flanges and each said extension being folded back on itself inwardly andjupwardly'along respective Y'fold lines, said .fold lines constituting the respective lower edges ofv said end flanges, each said extension extending upwardly from its said fold line parallel to the innervface of the respective end flange a distance less than said predetermined distance and beingl there folded inwardly along a respective second fold line and each further extending from said second fold line inwardly and inclinedly within said side flanges toward saidtop panel and contacting the under surface of said top panel substantially midway between said end edges thereof.

7. A telescoping cover for a. container body having an opening, said cover comprising a fiat outer top panel bounded by opposite side edges and opposite end edges, downwardlyV extending parallel outer side flanges attached to said top panel along said side edges thereof, like respective end extensions attached to said top panel along said end edges thereof and each extending downwardly therefrom at right angles thereto a predetermined distance to form respective end flanges and each said extension ybeing folded back on itself inwardly and upwardly along respective fold lines, said fold lines constituting the respective'loweil edges of said end flanges, each said extension extending upwardly from its said fold line parallel to the inner face of the respective end flange a distancev less than said predetermined distance and being there folded inwardly along a respective second fold line and each further extending from said sec- 0nd fold line inwardly and inclinedly upwardly within said side flanges toward said top panel and contacting the under surface of said top panel substantially midway between said end edges thereof, the inwardly'and upwardly inclined portions of said extensions extending from said second fold lines to said under surface of said top panel constituting respective inner domelpanel por-v tions, each said inner dome panelportion having opposite side edges respectively inwardly adjacent to a respective said side flange, and a respective inner side flange joined to each of said side edges of each of said innerdome panel portions and lying substantially dat against the inner face Yof the respective adjacent outer side flange. A

References Cited the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS Y Y 2,195,070 Backert a Mar. 26, 194() 2,456,841 Rushing L Dec. 2,-1, 1948 2,468,951 Barter May 3, 1949 2,683,561 Rice Iuly'13, 1954

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