US3014408A

US3014408A - Collapsible carton periscope

Info

Publication number: US3014408A
Application number: US739812A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Harold F Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-06-04
Filing date: 1958-06-04
Publication date: 1961-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 1978-12-26

Description

Dec. 26, 1961 H. F. MILLER, JR

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON PERISCOPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 4, 1958 4 2 U; u 7 E m w n m M w M WW5 aw hilwm n 9:... u w. E H u INVENTOR. HAROLD F. MILLER, JR.

4 9 ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 26, 1961 H. F. MILLER, JR

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON PERISCOPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1958 IlllllllrlllllllllllllllllllllllllIlllll INVENTOR.

HAROLD E MILLER, JR.

Dec. 26, 1961 E JR 3,014,408

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON PERISCOPE Filed June 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 g1 a a 1 92 92 92 "3 1 5 FREE: 5] Q i INVENTOR.

HAROLD F. MILLER, JR.

3,614,408 CQLLAFSEBLE tCARTON PERISCGPE Harold F. Miller, .lr., 182 Lyncroit Road,

New Rochelle, NX. Filed dune 4, 1958, Ser. No. 739,812 6 Claims. (Ql. Eid-dd) This invention relates to a collapsible carton for the packaging of merchandise and more particularly to a collapsible carton suitable for being converted into a portable, telescopic, periscope.

An object of this invention is to provide a container for merchandise, that is easily converted into a portable periscope after the removal of the merchandise therein;

A further object of the present invention is to pro vide a container, destined for the retail consumer trade, that allows the user easy accessibility to the contents of the container for removal of so much of the contents as desired.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container that allows the retail purchaser to open and lock the container many times, retaining the neat, compact look of an unopened container.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container that allows easy locking of the container in its closed position after the contents have been partially removed, thus protecting the remaining contents against accidental spilling of its contents, and keeping out dirt or dust.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton which is simple in construction and easy to form, and which is provided with improved means for the placing of mirrors in accurately parallel position for converting the empty container into a periscope.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container easily converted into a periscope requiring no special fastening means for securing the mirrors of the periscope in their correct position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a carton structure convertible into a telescopic periscope from cardboard blanks adaptable to mass production, at relatively low cost.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiment thereof, illustrated in the drawings which form a part hereof. In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a blank employed toform the inner sleeve of the container;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a blank employed to form the outer sleeve of the container;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the container in a partially assembled position showing the top flap in a partially closed position;

3,id,ih3 Patented ec. 26, iQfil As is well understood in the art, this carton can be made of any suitable material available for this purpose including various types and grades of cardboard.

The illustrated embodiment as disclosed in FIGURES 1 through 5, is made from blanks shown generally at it and 11, which when assembled provide the inner and outer sleeves of the container respectively. Blank it? is scored or otherwise provided with fold lines 12 which divide the blank longitudinally into four panels l3, l4, l5 and lid, with

panels

13 and 15 having the same width and similarly

panels

14 and 16 having the same width. On the longitudinal free end of panel 13, and defined by a score line 29, is a flap 17. At the bottom of panel 14, and defined by a score line 18 is a flap 19. On the top end of panel 14 and defined by a score line 21 is an elongated flap 22, divided into two

sections

23 and 24 by a score line 26. Section 23 of flap 22 forms the top of the container and has a length substantially equal to the width of

side panels

13 and 15. Section 24 of flap 22 forms the mirror support and has a mirror 25 attached thereto. At the outermost edge of flap 22, and defined by a score line 27, is a sub-flap 28 having tabs 2% and 31 at opposite edges.

Tabs

29 and 31 are foldable along

score lines

32 and 33 respectively. Panel 16 is formed with a perforated line 34 at its upper end enclosing a substantially rectangular area. The material within the perforated line 34 can be easily detached, leaving an aperture 34a therein. Below perforated line 34 panel 16 has two diagonal slits therein, 36 and 37, converging downwardly for a purpose to be described later.

The outer sleeve of the carton is formed from blank 11 shown in FIGURE 2. Blank i1 is substantially similar in all respects as blank iii in FIGURE 1, except that it does not have bottom flap l9 and that blank 11 is about of an inch larger in every dimension than the blank in FIGURE 1. The same numerals are used in FIG- URE 2 as in FIGURE 1 to designate similar parts, except the numerals in FIGURE 2 are primed.

To assemble the inner sleeve blank it? is folded along the longitudinal score linesiZ to form a rectangular elongated housing and fiap 17 underlying the area adjacent the longitudinal edge of panel is glued or otherwise secured thereto. Extending flap 22 is folded inwardly along score line 21 to provide a cover for the rectangular housing. Flap 22 is folded inwardly until section 23 of iiap ZZ is at right angles to panels l3, l4, l5 and 16.

The mirror supporting flap 24 of flap 22 is further incovers the perforated line 34 and tab ends 2-9 and 31 FIGURE 4 shows a cross section of the assembled container having merchandise therein;

FIGURE 5 shows the empty container assembled for use as a telescopic periscope;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the blank employed to form the inner sleeve of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the blank employed to form the outer sleeve of this embodiment;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a mirror unit used with interfit with slots 37 and 3d respectively for anchoring flap 22 in position, as shown in FIG. 3. It should be noted that in the assembled position the exposed surface of mirror 25 abuts the outer face of the sleeve and is protected against any but the most severe direct blows.

The outer sleeve 11 is partially assembled. Blank 11 is folded along longitudinal score lines 12 to form a rectangular housing and flap1'7' underlying the longitudinal edge of panel 16' is glued or otherwise secured thereto.

The inner sleeve of the container is tilled with the material it is to hold. If the merchandise is food or powdery material, it may be desirable to enclose it first within a wax or inner seal bag. When the desired amount of material is placed therein, the inner sleeve is slidably received into the non-mirror end of the outer sleeve partially formed from blank 11, being certain that the mirrors are placed on opposite sides from one another asshown best in FIGURE 4. When the inner sleeve is fully inserted within the outer sleeve, flap 19 is on the inner sleeve bent outwardly substantially 180 degrees, along score line 18 over upper edge 41) of panel 16 of the outer sleeve, so that the face of flap 19 is juxtaposed to the upper portion of front face 16' as best seen in FIG- URE 4. When folded in this position flap 19 anchors the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve preventing the inner sleeve from sliding out until released. Flap 22' is then bent inwardly along score line 21' about 90, so that portion 23 covers the free end of the container. The mirror portion 24' of flap 22' is bent inwardly along score line 26 juxtapositioning the mirror 25' to the perforated rectangular outline 34 on the outer face of panel 16'. Tab ends 29' and 31 are interfitted with slots 37' and 36' respectively, anchoring flap 22 and securing the two sleeves against relative movement with respect to each other.

As shown in FIG. 4 the container can be used with any number of different products carrying them in the same manner. The container allows easy accessibility to the contents, and allows the container to be reused many times if the contents are only partially used. The container always presents a neat appearance.

After the contents have been removed, tab 19 is swung back 180 to its original position and the inner sleeve is removed from the outer sleeve. Tab 19 is again folded outwardly 180 juxtapositioning its outer face to the outer face of panel 14. The end of the inner sleeve with tab 19 attached is slidably received into the non-mirror end of the outer sleeve of the carton having mirrors arranged on opposite sides as shown in FIGURE 5. Flap 19 acts as a tensioning wedge to increase the friction between the inner and outer sleeves, preventing any relative movement to one another once the sleeves have been positioned by the user. The

rectangular perforations

34 and 34 are on opposite sides. The material enclosed by the

perforated lines

34 and 34 is removed by gently tearing along the perforations, so that apertures 34a are formed therein.

To correctly position the mirror 25, the flap 22 is bent inwardly 96 degrees along score line 21 as previously described, until section 23 of flap 22 covers the opening of the container. The mirror supporting flap 24 is bent upwardly along score line 26 forming an acute angle to the outer face of section 23 of flap 22. The edge formed by score line 25 is pushed past the top edge 46 of panel 16 and section 23 of flap 22 is pivoted inwardly about score line 21 until the inner face of section 23 is juxtaposed to the inner top portion of panel 14, and the edge formed by score line 27 rests against the top edge of panel 16, with flap 24 extending beyond edge 37 of panel 16, as best shown in FIGURE 5. Mirror 25 rests at a 45 angle to panel 16 due to the mirror being the hypotenuse of a right angle, isosceles triangle. Mirror 25, mounted in the 45 position shown in FIGURE faces the rectangular aperture in panel 16. Mirror is similarly positioned in the outer sleeve substantially as described above.

When the periscope is assembled the viewer holds the periscope in a substantially vertical position and looks through the lower aperture as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 5, whereby he observes images transmitted by the

mirrors

25 and 25', The height of the periscope can be varied easily when desired, by sliding the sleeves relative to one another permitting the viewer to look over relatively high obstructions such as at parades or other public events.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 through 11, there is shown another form of this invention. Blank 86 is the inner sleeve of the carton, and consists of four connected panels, 87, 88, 89 and 91, which are defined by score lines 92. Panel 87 is formed with a pair of perforated circular lines 93 near its lower end with the centers of the circles one line perpendicular to score line 92. When are a pair of substantially parallel slits 97 and 98. Slits 97 and 9S taper inwardly at their ends in panel 87. Between slits 97 and 98, and parallel to score line 94 are a series of score lines 99, 101 and 102. Score line 99 joins the lower ends and score line 102 joins the upper ends respectively of slits 97 and 98 as shown in FIGURE 6. On the lower end of panel 88 and defined by score line 1113 is a flap 104 having a notch 16% cut out from the outer corner adjacent flap 96. Panel 38 is formed with perforated lines 106 enclosing a narrow elongated shape running diagonally upward from the lower corner abutting panel 87. The center line of the elongated shape enclosed by line 106 is at an angle of 45 to the score line 1103. Panel 91 is formed with a perforated line 107 having a similar shape as line 106, but oppositely faced. The perforations 196 and 107 are such a type that they can be easily pushed out by hand forming elongated apertures 1136a and 107a respectively for a purpose to be described later. On the lower end of panel 89 and defined by a score line 108 is a flap 111 having a rectangular shaped notch 110 out from the unattached end. Cut 110 is slightly larger than the distance between slits 97 and 98 and is positioned similarly along the edge of flap 111 as slits 97 and 98 are along flap 96. On the lower end of panel 91 and defined by a score line 109 is a flap 112 having a rectangular notch 115 cut from its corner as shown in FIGURE 6. On the longitudinal end of panel 91 and defined by a score line 113 is a flap 114.

The blank of the outer sleeve of this embodiment is shown in FIGURE 7, and indicated generally at 116, and consists of four

connected panels

117, 118, 119 and 121 which are defined by score lines 122. The dimensions of blank 116 are of an inch larger in every dimension over blank 86. On the lower end of

panels

117, 118, 119 and 121, and defined by a score line 123, are

blanks

126, 127, 128, and 129 respectively, and similarly on the upper end of these panels and defined by a score line 124 are

flaps

131, 132, 133 and 134 respectively. Panel 118 is formed with a perforated line 136 enclosing a narrow elongated area running diagonally downward from the upper corner abutting panel 119. The perforations allow easy removal by hand pressure of the enclosed material providing an elongated aperture 136a. The central line of the elongated area lies at a 45 angle from score line 124. Similarly panel 121 has a perforated line 137 enclosing an elongated area substantially similar to 136, except that it is oppositely faced therefrom. Panel 119 is formed at its upper end with perforated line 138 enclosing a substantially rectangular area. The perforations allow easy removal of the material enclosed by line 138 forming a large rectangular aperture 138a. Along the longitudinal free side of panel 121 and defined by score line 138 is a flap 139.

To assemble the inner sleeve of the carton, blank 86 is folded along score lines 92 to form a rectangular housmg. Flap 114 underlays the area adjacent the longitudinal edge of panel 87 and is secured thereto by an adhesive or other securing means.

Flaps

104 and 112 are folded inwardly substantially 90 along score lines 163 and 109 respectively, so that they lie at right angles to their respective panels. Similarly, flaps 96 and 111 are folded inwardly substantially 90 along

score lines

94 and 108 respectively in a manner that flap 96 overlays a flap 111 and flap 96 is secured thereto, by adhesive or other means.

For assembling the outer sleeve, blank 116 is folded along .score lines 122 and flap 139 underlies the longitudinal edge of panel 117, and is glued or otherwise secured thereto.

Flaps

132 and 134 are bent inwardly about 90 along score line 124 so that they are at right angles to

panels

118 and 121 respectively. Similarly, flaps 131 and 133 are folded inwardly along score line 124, in such a manner that flap 133 underlies flap 131 and the two flaps are secured thereto.

A generally rectangular mirror 141 is attached to a sup- AM a port 142. Support 142 may be of the same material used for the carton and has the same width as the length of the elongated slots 106, M7, or 136, 137. At opposite ends of mirror support 142 and defined by

score lines

143 and 144 are

flaps

146 and 147 respectively having preferably pressure sensitive adhesive material thereon suitably protected. Flaps 14s and lid-7 have their corners beveled as seen in FIGURE 8. Two mirror units are required for each periscope. For ease of manufacturing and assembling slots 166, N7, 136 and 137 have the same length, thus allowing the mirror units to be similar.

The contents that the carton is to hold is placed in the inner sleeve assembled from blank 86, together with two flat mirror units, as shown in FlGUREll. The inner sleeve is slidably received by the open end of the outer sleeve partially assembled from blank 87. When the inner sleeve is fully within the outer sleeve, the

bottom fiaps

127, 128, 126 and 129 of the outer sleeve are folded inwardly in a manner substantially similar to that described above for the

flaps

131, 132, 133 and 134, except that flaps 126 and 128 are secured in such a manner as to allow easy opening in a manner known to the art. In general, suitable directions placed on the outer flap 126 instruct the user that this end of the container should be opened only.

In order to remove the contents the user will separate carefully flaps 126, 127, of the outer sleeve, slide out the inner sleeve and use the contents as desired. After all the contents have been removed, together with'the two mirror units, the opened flaps'lZ, 127, 128 and $.29 of the outer sleeve are folded inwardly about score line 123 so that their respective inner faces abut the inner face of the panel that they are attached to. The open end of the inner sleeve formed from blank 86 is slidably received into the open end of the outer sleeve with its flaps folded inwardly. The folding back of flaps 126,127, 128 and 129 creates sufiicient friction between the two sleeve sections to hold them in any desired position relative to each other. The material within the elongated,

perforated lines

106, 107, 136 and 137 are removed as well as the material within the circular perforated lines 93, forming the eye holes 930. Similarly a rectangular aperture 138a is formed by removing the material within the rectangular perforated line 138 in the outer sleeve.

Mirror support 142 is slidably received in the elongated slots Hide and 1657a in such a manner that the mirror 141 faces eye holes 93a as shown in Figure 9. In a similar manner mirror support is received by slots 135, 137, with the mirror facing the rectangular aperture 138a. With mirror supports M2 positioned in the slots 135a and 137a respectively flaps 14-6 and 147 are bent along

score lines

143 and 144 respectively. The material protecting the contact adhesive on the flaps 146 and 1 37 is removed and the flaps secured to the side of their respective sleeves by pressure. In a similar manner mirror 141 is positioned in slot 136a and 13% facing rectangular aperture 138a in the outer sleeve as shown in FIGURE 10. An inward pressure is exerted along the fold line 94 between the elongated slits 97 and d8 forming a space for receiving the nose of the user as shown best in FIGURE 9. The nose piece projects into the interior of the sleeve into the space provided by the

notches

109, 116 and 115.

A novel structure is disclosed that achieves dual purposes. It provides a strong, durable container for merchandise to be sold therein as Well as providing a novel collapsible telescopic periscope obtainable from the empty carton. The entire volume of the container is usable for receiving mechandise and yet the mirrors used to convert the empty container into a periscope are easily and accurately placed in such a simple manner that small children could set up the periscopic telescope. If it is desired to forego the telescopic feature of the periscope, the container can be made from a single blank combining the features described above.

From the above description it will be seen that those skilled in the art can provide specifications which are within the scope of the subject matter as disclosed, and for this reason protection is provided by the scope of the claims as distinguished from the scope of a single embodiment herein disclosed.

What is claimed is:

l. A tubular container of rectangular cross-section when erected and converting into a periscope structure comprising an inner and outer sleeve, having the inner sleeve telescopically received by the outer sleeve, each sleeve having four elongated walls interconnected by fold lines, a flap foldable inwardly from one end edge of said inner sleeve, another flap foldable inwardly from one end edge of said outer sleeve, each of said flaps having an end closing section and a mirror supporting section adjacent said end closing section, means for securing said first mentioned flap to said wall of said inner sleeve opposite said wall attached to said second flap, means for securing said mentioned flap to said wall of said outersleeve opposite said wall attached to said flap, whereby said respective ends of said sleeves are closed, each of said flaps adapted to be pivoted through the opening of said respective sleeves for juxtapositioning the end covering section of said flap to the adjacent inner surface of said wall to which said flap is attached and resting the edge of said mirror supporting section of said flap adjacent the end edge of said opposite wall so that the mirror supporting section of each flap is at a 45 degree angle to said wall to which said flap is attached, said wall of said outer sleeve opposite said flap connected wall having an area adapted to be removed for forming an aperture adjacent the same end as said flap, said wall of said inner sleeve opposite to said flap connected wall having an area adapted to be removed forming an aperture adjacent the same end as said flap, means for anchoring said inner sleeve to said outer sleeve upon said inner sleeve being fully inserted therein, and means cooperating with said sleeves for frictionally holding said sleeves in operative position when telescopically received for use as a periscope.

2. A tubular container of rectangular cross-section when erected and converting into a periscopic structure comprising an inner and outer sleeve with said inner sleeve telescopically received by said outer sleeve, each sleeve having four elongated walls interconnected by fold lines,

a flap foldable inwardly from one end of said inner sleeve and overlying said end for closing one end of said inner sleeve, each wall of a pair of alternate walls of said inner sleeve having an elongated narrow area to be removed for forming slots therein adjacent the same end as said flap with the center line of each of said elongated areas on a line substantially 45 degrees to an edge of its respective wall and parallel to each other in the containers open condition, the remaining wall of said inner sleeve which has its fold line adjacent the portion of said elongated area closest the flap end of said sleeve having an area adapted to be removed for forming an aperture adjacent the same end as said flap, a flap foldable inwardly from one end edge of said outer sleeve and overlying said end for closing said end, another flap foldable inwardly from an edge at the opposite end of said outer sleeve and overlying said opposite end for closing said end, each wall of a pair of alternate walls of said outer sleeve having an elongated narrow area to be removed for forming slots therein adjacent one end thereof with the center line of each of said narrow areas on a line substantially 45 degrees to an edge of its respective wall and parallel to each other in the containers opened condition, the remaining wall of said outer sleeve which has its fold line adjacent the portion of said elongated area closest to the end having an area adapted to be removed for forming an aperture therein adjacent the same end as said elongatedarea, a mirror support adapted to be received by each of said pair of elongated slots upon removal of the material of the area, a mirror attached to said mirror support, and means cooperating with said sleeves for frictionally holding said 7 sleeves in operative position when telescopically received for use as a periscope.

3. A tubular container of rectangular cross-section when erected, adapted to be converted into a telescopic structure comprising an inner and outer sleeve with said inner sleeve telescopically received by said outer sleeve, each sleeve having four elongated sections arranged in side-by-side abutting relation and interconnected by fold lines along their longitudinal edges, means securing the non-abutting longitudinal edges of the outermost sections together to form said open-ended rectangular tube, a flap foldable inwardly from one end of said inner sleeve and overlying said end for closing said one end of said inner sleeve, each of a pair of alternate sections of said inner sleeve having an elongated narrow area adapted to be removed for forming slots therein adjacent the same end as said flap with the center line of each of said elongated areas lying substantially 45 to a respective longitudinal fold line and parallel to each other in the containers open condition, the remaining section of said inner sleeve which has one of its fold lines adjacent the portion of said elongated area closest the flap end of said inner sleeve having an area adapted to be removed for forming a viewing aperture therein adjacent the same end as said flap, a flap foldable inwardly from one end edge of said outer sleeve and overlying said end for closing said end, another flap foldable inwardly from an edge at the opposite end of said outer sleeve and overlying said opposite end for closing said end, each of a pair of alternate sections of said outer sleeve having an elongated narrow area to be removed for forming slots therein adjacent one end thereof with the center line of each of said narrow elongated areas lying substantially 45 to a longitudinal fold line and parallel to each other in the containers opened condition, the remaining section of said outer sleeve which has one of its fold lines adjacent the portion of said elongated areas closest to an end having an area adapted to be removed for forming an aperture therein adjacent the same end as said elongated areas, a pair of mirror supports each adapted to be received by one of said pairs of elongated slots upon removal of each of said elongated areas, a mirror centrally attached to said support and facing said viewing aperture, and means cooperating with said sleeves for frictionally holding said sleeves in telescopically operative position for use as a periscope.

4. A container as in claim 3, wherein each of said mirror supports is substantially rectangular in shape having a pair of fold lines dividing said mirror support into three areas with the center area having substantially the same length as the outer dimensions of said container, so that upon said mirror support being received by each of said pair of elongated slots the central area of said mirror support is interiorly disposed within said container between said sections in which said elongated slots lie and upon the outer sections of said mirror support being folded substantially 90 along the fold lines said mirror support is locked in position.

5. A container as in claim 4, wherein said end portions of each of said mirror supports having pressure-sensitive sticking means on the end areas for fixedly securing said mirror support in said sleeves upon said end portions of 8 said mirror support being folded substantially along said fold lines.

6. A container of rectangular cross-section when erected adapted to be converted into a per-iscope structure comprising an inner and outer sleeve with said inner sleeve telescopically received by said outer sleeve, each sleeve having four elongated sections interconnected by fold lines along their abutting longitudinal edges, a flap foldable inwardly from one end of said inner sleeve and overlying said end for closing one end of said inner sleeve, each of a pair of alternate sections of said inner sleeve having an elongated narrow slot therein adjacent one end of said inner sleeve with the center line of each of said slots lying substantially 45 to a longitudinal fold line and parallel to each other in the containers open condition, the remaining section of said inner sleeve which has its fold line adjacent the portion of said elongated aperture closest an end of said inner sleeve having a pair of spaced apart circular apertures therein, said pair of circular apertures having their centers in a plane transverse to a longitudinal fold line and passing through substantially the midpoint of said elongated slots, a flap foldable along a score line inwardly from the edge of said last mentioned section at the same end as said elongated slots, a pair of spaced apart tapered slits centrally disposed between the longitudinal fold lines of said last mentioned section adjacent the flap edge and continuing across said score line into said fiap, whereby said area between said slits can be displaced to make an aperture to receive the nose of the viewer, a flap foldable inwardly from one end edge of said outer sleeve and overlying said end for closing said end, another flap foldable inwardly from an edge at the opposite end of said outer sleeve and overlying said opposite end for closing said end, each of an alternate pair of sections of said outer sleeve having an elongated narrow area to be removed for forming slots therein and adjacent one end thereof with the center line of each of said narrow areas on a line substantially 45 to an edge of its respective wall and parallel to each other in containers opened condition, the remaining section of said outer sleeve which has its fold line adjacent the portion of said elongated area closest to the end having an area adapted to be removed for forming a sight aperture therein adjacent the same end as said elongated areas, a pair of mirror supports, each adapted to be received and retained by each of said pairs of elongated slots upon removal of the respective areas, a mirror centrally attached to said mirror support, means cooperating with said sleeves for frictionaily holding said sleeves in telescopically operative position for use as a periscope.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 656,496 Appleton Aug. 21, 1900 2,155,164 Harris Apr. 18, 1939 2,426,911 Williamson Sept. 2, 1947 2,635,506 Chairnson Apr. 21, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 653,549 France Nov. 9, 1928 534,542 Belgium Jan. 15, 1955