US2950039A

US2950039A - Receptacle

Info

Publication number: US2950039A
Application number: US708097A
Authority: US
Inventors: James C Wilson
Original assignee: Owens Illinois Glass Co
Current assignee: OI Glass Inc
Priority date: 1958-01-10
Filing date: 1958-01-10
Publication date: 1960-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 1977-08-23

Description

Aug. 23', 1960 Filed Jan. 10. 1958 l f l J. c. wlLsoN RECEPTACLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 AU8 23, 1960 I J. c. wlLsoN 2,950,039

' RECEPTACLE Filed Jan. 10. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ff's A/sm/ J. C.- WILSON Aug. 23, 1960 RECEPTACLE 0 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. l0, 1958 INVENTOR.

RECEPTACLE .lames C. Wilson, Jacksonville, Fla., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Owens-Blinois Glass "Company, Toledo, hio, a corporation of Qlio Filed Jan. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 703,097

'6 Claims. (Cl. 229-14) The present invention relates to a receptacle. More particularly, the present invention relates -to a generally tubular receptacle having a novel and closure arrangement.

Liquids, particularly those in the category of food products, for example, molasses, soft drink concentrates, etc., are usually shipped in containers fabricated of glass or metal. These materials, of course, are inherently quite expensive in and of themselves. In addition, their 'use entails considerable indirect expense, such as shipping costs due to the weight thereof, clerical help in keeping track of returns, and labor costs in resterilization of the container formed thereof. The advent of flexible plastic film-like materials which are impenetratable by liquids suggests that liquid food products could be satisfactorily contained therein for a fraction of the cost associated with containers formed of glass or metal. The use of such materials would provide a throw-away container for the product. Obviously, of course, these film-like materials such as polyethylene, when lled with liquid, require an outer receptacle for supporting the film-like bag and its contents. Corrugated board and solid fiber `board suggest themselves from an economical point of VView as likely candidates for such an outer receptacle or shell. Unfortunately, however, up to the present time, there has not been produced a really satisfactory receptacle for this purpose. In brief, it has been found Vthat receptacles of these materials have been lacking inLstrength, particularly when stacking is attempted. It has further been found that the top and bottom of such receptacles are particularly subject to breakdown, so that injuries to the bag result, leading to loss of the contents.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a supporting receptacle for liquids contained in a bag or envelope fonned of synthetic materials such as polyethylene, the vinyls, etc.

it is a particular object of this invention to provide such a receptacle which incorporates a novel end closure arrangement Which includes reinforcement and cushioning arrangements, and may, as well, provide for dispensing of the contents.

lt is also an object of this invention to provide such a receptacle which may be fabricated of relatively inexpensive materials, is of relatively simple-construction, and may be conveniently assembled.

These and other objects of this invention kwill become apparent to those skilled inthe art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the annexed sheet of drawings, on which there is presented for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments of this invention.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a sidefelevational view of the receptacle of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the receptacle.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, but with the portion intermediate the ends thereof cut away.

Patented Aug. 23, 1969 fie Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. 3, but illustrating another embodiment according to this invention.

Fig. 5 is a Vplan view of the yblank for forming the receptacle of Figs. 1 to 3 of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank used in forming a partitioning member incorporated into an end of the receptacle of Figs. l to 3 of this invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan View of a blank used in forming a receptacle embodying yet another feature according to this invention.

Fig. 8 is a view illustrating an intermediate stage of the assembly of the blank shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a further stage in the assembly.

Fig. l0 is a sectional side elevational vi'ew taken on the line 1h-1t? of Fig. 9.

Fig. 1l is a plan view of a blank for forming a par-titioning member in accordance with a further embodiment of this invention shown in Fig. l2.

Fig. l2 is a sectional side elevational view o-f the bottom portion of the receptacle `according to the embodiment of Figs. 7-10.

Fig. 13 is a sectionalview taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. l2.

Basically, the present invention comprises a generally tubular receptacle adapted to be formed of relatively stiff, sheet-like material, said receptacle defining in section a generally un-iform polygon, a load-carrying parti* tioning member adapted to tit snugly within the receptacle at an end thereof, closure panels integrally a part of the principal tubular body, and ap extensions, foldably secured to said closure panels, adapted to form an internal bridge-like support for said partitioning member.

Referring now more specially to the drawings:

Attention should first be directed to Fig. 5, where there is shown a blank 11 for forming the principal tubular body member 10, shown in Figs. l and 2. The blank is composed of generally

rectangular side panels

12, 13, 14, 1S, 16, and 17, arranged in side-by-side relationship and foldably secured in a series in which the individual panels are separated by score lines 18, serving as fold lines. A glue flap 19 extends laterally from the panel 17, which flap may be, by adhesives or staples, attached to the panel 12 in a customary manner to form the general tubular receptable shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each end of the

side panels

13 and 16 are provided ywith foldably secured trapezoidal panels 20. These panels 20 may be folded into a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the tubular receptacle to thereby together span the otherwise open end of the receptacle. A flap extension 21 is foldably secured to each of the trapezoidal panels 20, and is separated therefrom by a fold line 22. When the receptacle is erected, these flap extensions will project interially into the receptacle, as described more fully hereinafter.

Side wall panels

12, 14, 15, and 17 have foldably secured to each end, triangular tabs 23 and, in addition, contain at one end adjacent the base of the triangular tabs, circular holes 26. These circular holes serve as linger holes for the one erecting the tubular receptacle. The triangular tabs 23 are separated from the adjacent trapezoidal panels by slots 24, .thereby permitting these triangular tabs to be independently folded in the manner desired. The free edges 25 of all of the triangular tabs 23 are inset slightly with respect to one corner of the side panel member to which they are secured for a purpose explained more fully hereinafter in a discussion of the manner of erecting the receptacle.

In Fig. 6, there is shown a blank 31 for forming loadcarrying a partitioning member for the ends of the tubular receptacle. The partitioning member is composed of a central portion 32 which Vdefines a hexagon, thereby permitting it to iit snugly within the tubular receptacle. Flaps 33 extend outwardly from each side of the hexagon 'and are foldable about score line 34. Four of the aps contain a circular aperture 35, as shown, each of which being positioned so as to register with the holes 26 in the -principal body member. It may be appreciated that two 'such partitioning Vmembers 31 may be utilized if it is 4'desired to provide the feature of this invention at both ends of the tubular receptacle.

The receptacle of the invention is easily assembled, as follows: First, as indicated hereinbefore, the principal tubular receptacle is formed by overlapping glue ap 19 over a portion of the side panel 12, Aand fastening it in a customary manner. A liquid-proof adhesive is desirable in connection with the liquid products which may possibly involve any condensation and accompanying moisture.

Next, the partitioning member 31, with its flaps 33 folded in perpendicular relationship, is inserted into the end of the tubular receptacle, flaps first, with the plane surface of the hexagonal portion 32 facing the open end of the receptacle, and with the

holes

26 and 35 in registry. Next, the triangular tabs 23 of member 11 are folded over in a vposition normal to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle. Finally, the trapezoidal panel members are folded over so :that the score lines 22 almost contact each other, and the ap extensions 21 are pushed interially into the receptacle through the space between the free edges 25 of the triangular tabs 23. This feature, with respect to the triangular tabs, may be adjusted carefully so that there is defined a very narrow opening for the ap extensions 21. It may be seen, as shown in Fig. 3, that the free edge portions 2S of the triangular tabs 23 approach each other, but do not quite contact each other. Most desirably, they do contact the inner surface of the flap extensions 21 and help in preventing lateral deiiection of the ap extensions 21. In erected form, the tlap portions 21 at one end of the tubular construction lie in iiush supporting contact with each other, and the free ends thereof support the partitioning member 31 at the otherwise vulnerable central portion, thereby preventing sag. The flaps 33 of the partitioning member Contact the side walls of the hexagon, and their free edges rest on the bases of the triangular tabs or the minor base of the trapezoidal closure panel, maintaining the partitioning member in spaced relationship. The partitioning member is inserted in such fashion that the holes 35 in the flaps will register with the holes 26 in the side walls, thus permitting the one erecting the box to insert his iingers therein to aid in the proper positioning of the flap extensions 21. The partitioning member 31, in the above-described assembled position, is thus adequately supported to function as the load-carrying bottom of the receptacle.

Another embodiment of a. receptacle according to this invention is shown in Fig. 4. In this View, a receptacle construction in a side elevation View reveals an additional flap extension 21a foldably secured to the flap extension 21. The ap extension 21a is folded to assume parallel juxtaposed relationship with respect to the iiap extension 21. This feature, in eiect, provides a double thickness leg extending in-to the receptacle for additional support of the partitioning member 31. When this embodiment is incorporated into a receptacle construction, the amount of inset of the free edges of the triangular tabs 23 is carefully selected to provide just sufficient space for four thicknesses (two sets of the juxtaposed flap extensions 21 and 21a) of the wall, as generally identied by the numeral 41. This just-described feature, in conjunction with the finger holes discussed hereinbefore, permits the person erecting the receptacle to snap flap extension 21a into contacting relationship withvthe flap 21 and within the space betweenthe free edges of the triangular tabs 23 so that the receptacle will be more or less self-locked against accidental opening. Thus, is maybe appreciated that the relatively stiff characteristic of the material of construction-will, bythe jexpedient described, maintain \theFtrap1ezoidal panels 20 in closing relationship, as shown When one end of the receptacle has been closed as discussed hereinbefore, the polyethylene bag or envelope may be placed Within the receptacle, the contents inserted therein, the other end of the bag heat-sealed or otherwise closed, and this end of the receptacle closed in the same fashion as discussed hereinbefore.

In another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a receptacle construction which includes a scheme having particular utility in those situations where it would be desirable to utilize the receptacle as a dispenser of the liquid contents. Blanks slitted and scored so as to provide the above feature are shown in Figs. 7 and l1. In Fig. 7, 4there is shown a blank S0 composed of a linear series of

rectangular panels

51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56, attached to each other and adapted to fold about score line 57. Glue iiap 58 is foldably secured to panel 56 for a similar purpose to that discussed in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 5.

Panels

52 and 55 have depending therefrom, about a fold line S7,

trapezoidal closure panels

59 and 60. A flapextension 59a is foldably secured to panel 59, and, in turn, a flap extension 59b is foldably secured to flap extension 59a. Flap extensions 60a and 60h are similarly secured to trapezoidal panel 60. The remaining sides, namely, 51, 53, S4, and 56 have triangular tabs 61 foldably secured thereto at the bottom. These are separated from the adjoining trapezoidal panel by slits 61a. There are iiaps and tabs foldably secured at the upper edge of the blank 50, but, as these form no essential part of the present embodiment, they Will not be discussed. Side panel 52 is provided with a slit 62 adjacent the attachment of trapezoidal closure panel 59. This slit defines a cult-out area serving as a swingable door 64 which is foldably secured to the side panel 52 about fold line 63. Finger holes 65 at the base of

side panels

51, 53, 54, and 56 permit the person erecting the box to reach the interior.

One form of partitioning member which may be Very desirable in connection with the present embodiment is shown in blank, knock-down form in Fig. 1l, and is identified by numeral 70. This blank contains a score 72 enclosing a central panel 71 of polygonal conguration. The polygon as shown has twice as many sides as the receptacle which may be formed from the blank shown in Fig. 7. A number of tiaps 75 are foldably secured to the periphery of the polygonal panel 71. Each of these is provided with a score line 76 perpendicular -to a corner of the polygon and serves to lend foldability to the iiaps. The panel 71 is provided with an aperture 74 adjacent an edge of the panel. The contour of the peripherally extending flaps is controlled so as to provide an opening 77 in the ap continuity. 'I'he opening 77 is adjacent the aperture 74. Additional openings in the flap continuity are provided at 78, 79. These openings are essentially V-shaped notches diametrically opposite to each other. Finger holes 80 are provided in the flaps on either side i of the V-shaped

notches

78 and 79. While the partie tioning member just described is most desirable in accordance with this invention, as explained hereinafter, i-t may be appreciated that for some purposes a partitioning member as shown in Fig. 6 may be used.

The erection of the receptacle according to this embodiment is shown in successive stages in Figs. 7, 8, 9, l0, and l2. Starting with the blank 50, the

panels

59 and 60 and triangular tabs 61 are folded about fold line 57 to a position normal to the remainder of the blank. Next, the side panels are folded about the score lines lseparating them as shown in Fig. 8, care being taken, however, that the triangular tabs 61 overlie the

trapezoidal panels

59 and 60. As the folding in this manner continues and the flap extensions 59h and 6019 approach each other, the flap extensions are folded about the score line separating panel 59 from extension 59a, and panel 60 from extension 60a. This folding is carried out so that the flap extensions project interially into the tubular receptacle. When the side panels have been folded into a closed figure as shown in Fig. 9, the glue ap 58 may be attached to the side panel 51 by gluing, staple, or other suitable arrangements. Next, the flap Yextensions 59b and tb are folded about the score line separating them, respectively, from the extensions 59a and 60a so as to bend downwardly toward the base described by the triangular tabs 61 and the trapezoidal

closure panel members

59 and 60. At this stage, the construction of the receptacle is illustrated in Figs. 9 and l0.

The partitioning member 70 is now prepared for assembly by folding the flaps perpendicular to the plane of the panel 71, and this folded assembly is pushed, ilaps first, down into the interior of the tubular construction with the aperture 74 adjacent the door 64 in the outer receptacle, and the

holes

80 and 65 in registry. The

notches

78 and 79 are carefully positioned so as to enclose the end portions of the bridging support formed by the liap extensions 59a, 59b, and 60a, 60b. This particular feature maintains the flap extensions 59b and 60h in theposition shown in Fig. 12, and prevents them from moving apart. Thus, the supporting function of the bridging assembly of Hap extensions is' insured against collapse. The arrangement of the flaps 75 of the partition member to the side wall panels and to each other is best shown in Fig. 13. In particular, it will be noted that the fact that the partitioning member in this embcdiment, being composed of twice as many sides as the sides of the outer receptacle, effects a slight bowing outward of the side wall panels. Fold line 76 adds in this bowing outwardly, as it lies in surface abutment with the side wall panel.

The receptacle according to the embodiment described above is of extreme utility for containing a iiexible, filmlike bag containing a liquid, which liquid is desirably dispensed in selected portions. Thus, a bag or envelope of the foregoing type is frequently modiiied by incorporating at the bottom end thereof a dispensing arrangement including a nipple and a length of liexible tubing. The bag or envelope as described, and containing any desirably dispensed liquid, may be positioned down into the receptacle so as to rest on the partitioning member 70. The nipple at the bottom of the bag may be directed through the aperture 74 and the coil of exible tubing stored in the chamber formed between the partitioning member 70 and the closure panel members. The door 64 provides ready access to the coil of tubing so that it may be withdrawn for dispensing of the liquid. It may be pointed out that the receptacle according to this embodiment has been particularly designed so that the partitioning member is not perfectly parallel with the bottom closure arrangement of the receptacle, but, in fact, is slanted downwardly toward the edge containing the aperture 74. This' permits complete draining of the container. The size of the flaps 75 about the periphery of the partitioning member may be selected to provide this feature to any desired degree.

It may be noted that the embodiment as shown in Fig. 13 is of particular utility for the use described. Thus, it may be appreciated that an appreciable head of liquid must be supported by the receptacle. This head will frequently tend to force the liquid and the bag down into spaces between the outer periphery of the partitioning member and the side walls of the outer shell. By forming the partitioning member to have twice as many sides as the outer shell, the side panel members are bowed slightly outward against their natural inclination to spring back. Accordingly, such spaces are avoided, and the bags do not tend to slip down and be pinched to breakage and loss of contents.

Very satisfactory receptacles in accordance with this invention have been formed from corrugated board. For providing the maximum in stacking strength, the receptacles are formed with the direction of corrugations of the board parallel with the longitudinal axis of the receptacle. Obviously, however, other sheet material having the characteristic of being relatively stiff may be used advantageously in forming receptacles according to this invention.

Furthermore, other modications may be resorted to by persons skilled in the art. and it is not intended that this invention be limited to the embodiment illustrated and described, except 4as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A tubular receptacle having a polygonal cross'- section being formed of relatively stiif, sheet-like material, said receptacle comprising a main body member comprising a linear series of foldably connected side wall panels assembled into closed configuration; a partitioning member adapted to fit snugly within said body member adjacent the lower end thereof, and said partitioning member being provided with an aperture; iiaps foldably secured to selected portions of the periphery of said partitioning member, said just-mentioned aps being constructed and arranged to define diametrically disposed notches; closure panel members extending foldably from two opposed side wall panels in said series, said closure panels additively spanning said end to constitute a closure therefor, and thereby forming a lower compartment beneath said partitioning member; a bridging support for said partitioning member formed by a ap extension on each of said closure panel members, said liap extensions being folded to project inwardly into said receptacle in face-to-face relationship and together supportingly contact said partitioning member, said bridging support having its end portions spatially confined by said notches;` and means providing manual access to the interior of said lower compartment.

2. The receptacle as claimed in claim l, wherein the dimension of liaps attached to said partitioning member varies whereby the said partitioning member is not normal to the longitudinal axis of said receptacle.

3. The receptacle as claimed in claim l, wherein the partitioning member has twice as many sides as said body member, whereby the side panels of said body member are bowed slightly outwardly.

4. A tubular receptacle having a polygonal crosssection and being formed of relatively stiif, sheet-like material, said receptacle comprising a main body member comprising a linear s'eries of foldably connected side Wall panels assembled into closed configuration, one of said panel members having an opening adjacent an end thereof; a partitioning member adapted to fit snugly Within said body member adjacent the ysaid end and being provided with an aperture adjacent said opening; flaps foldably secured to selected portions of the periphery of said partitioning member, said just-mentioned flaps being constructed and arranged to define diametrically opposed notches; closure panel members extending foldably from two opposed side wall panels in said series, one of said side wall panels being the same as" contains the said opening, said closure panels additively spanning said end to constitute a closure therefor; and a bridging support for said partitioning member formed by a pair of relatively foldable ap extensions on each of said closure panels, said aps on each of said closure panels projecting respectively upwardly to contact said partitioning member and then downwardly to contact the closure, said bridging support describing an inverted V in section, and the end portions of said bridging support being enclosed by said notches.

5. The receptacle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dimension of aps attached to said partitioning member variesl whereby the said partitioning member is not normal to the longitudinal axis of said receptacle.

6. The receptacle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the partitioning member has twice as many sides as said body member whereby the side panels of `sa-id body member are UNITED STATES PATENTS Thoke Nov. 21, 1933 8 Daley Dec. 10, 1935 Walther Nov. 9, 1937 Simons June 2, 1942 Talbot Apr. 27, 1943 Gardner Feb. 8, 1944 Crane Oct. 12, 1948