US3044615A

US3044615A - Carton for windshields

Info

Publication number: US3044615A
Application number: US794309A
Authority: US
Inventors: William F Richardson
Original assignee: Flex O Lators Inc
Current assignee: Flex O Lators Inc
Priority date: 1959-02-19
Filing date: 1959-02-19
Publication date: 1962-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1979-07-17

Description

July 17, 1962 w. F. RICHARDSON 3,044,615

CARTON FOR WINDSHIELDS Filed Feb. 19, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. M/fiam F/fib/rardsm A/m'wey y 1962 w. RICHARDSON 3,044,515

CARTON FOR WINDSHIELDS Filed Feb. 19, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'I/IIIIII/IIII/I y 17, 1962 w. F. RICHARDSON 3,044,615

CARTON FOR wmnsumws Filed Feb. 19, 1959 5- Sheets-sheet 5;

United States Patent 3,944,615 CARTQN FOR WINDSLDS William F. Richardson, Carthage, Mo., assignor to Flex- O-Lators, lnc., Carthage, Mm, a corporation of Missouri Filed Feb. 19, 1959, Ser. No. 794,309 15 Clm'ms. (ill. 206-62) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in shipping and storage cartons, and has particular reference to a carton especially adapted for the shipping or storage of Windshields.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a carton having means whereby a windshield is supported therein firmly and securely in cushioned pads or supports, in widely spaced relation from all of the outer walls of the carton.

Another object is the provision of a carton of the class described which is particularly adapted to receive windshields of widely variable configurations, especially as to the shape of the end portions thereof.

A further object is the provision of a carton of the class described including a pair of channel-shaped pliable and padded slings or stirrups, each adapted to be fitted about one end portion of a windshield, and to conform closely to the shape thereof, and supports fixed in said carton to which the ends of each of said slings or stirrups are affixed.

Still further objects are the provision of a carton of the class described which requires a minimum of material in addition to the carton walls themselves, and into and from which the windshield may be inserted or removed conveniently and quickly.

Other objects are simplicity and economy of construction, efficiency and dependability of operation, and adaptability for use in the shipping and storage of articles other than Windshields.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a carton embodying the present invention, with a windshield mounted therein, taken on line -II of FIG. 2,

'FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line lllIll of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the windshield supporting inserts, shown removed from the carton,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line V-V of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line VI-VI of FIG. 2, with layers of the sling slightly separated for clarity,

FIG. 7 is a face view of the parts shown in FIG. 6, with layers thereof broken away to illustrate the construction thereof,

FIG. Sis a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a slightly modified form of construction,

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 showing another modified form of structure in which the windshield supporting pads are formed from portions of the carton blank,

FIG. 10 is a lay-out view of one-half of the blank used to form the structure shown in FIG. 9, and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, showing still another modified form of construction.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views and the numeral 2 applies generally, in the species of my invention shown in FIGS. 1-7, to a rectilinear container or carton of ordinary construction, formed of corrugated cardboard, fiberboard, or the like.

ic e Although the specific-construction thereof is not pertinent to these species of the invention, carton 2 as shown includes a front wall 4, rear wall 6, and a pair of end walls d. Foldably connected to each end wall 8, respectively at the upper and lower edges thereof, are a pair of inwardly extending flaps lit. Foldably connected to front wall 4 and rear wall 6, respectively at the upper and lower edges of each, is a flap 12. Flaps are folded inwardly over end flaps l0 and form the top and bottom walls of the carton. The flaps 12 at the top and at the bottom of the carton meet at the longitudinal centerline of the carton and are joined by adhesive tapes 14 or other suitable means to seal the carton, as best shown in FIG. 3. Flaps 12 could also be of such width as to overlap each other, and be glued or stapled together.

It will be seen that the carton 2 is elongated, as is the Windshield 16 to be supported therein and that the major dimension of the windshield is arranged parallel to longitudinal axis of the carton. Most Windshields of modern" design, however, are of quite irregular shape. The central portion 13 thereof is usually curved at least slightly in a horizontal plane, and the extreme end portions 20 thereof are usually swept rea-rwardly more sharply in a curve of shorter radius. Moreover, while the top and bottom edges of the windshield may be generally parallel or nearly so, the edge configuration of the end portions 20 is normally quite irregular, and is subject to wide variations. It is a prime object of this invention to provide a carton which will support properly a wide variety of Windshields despite these variations of configuration.

The windshield is supported in the carton by means including a pair of inserts each designated generally by the numeral 22 and disposed within said carton respectively at opposite ends thereof. Each of said inserts, as best shown in FIG. 4, is formed of a single length of corrugated cardboard, fiberboard or other suitable material, folded to present an end panel 24 coextension with and lying against the adjacent end wall 8 of the carton, a top panel 26 and a bottom panel 28 extending inwardly respectively from the top and bottom edges of end panel 24 and lying respectively against the top and bottom end fiaps 10 of the car-ton, and a pad or head 30 at the inner end of each of panels 26 and 23. Each bead 30 is of triangular cross-sectional contour with one base thereof resting against the associated

panel

26 or 28 and an apex thereof projecting toward the opposite side of the car-ton, and being of such length that its opposite ends bear re- I spectively against the front wall'4 and rear wall 6 of the carton. As best shown in FIG. 5, beads 30* are formed by the extended end portions of

panels

26 and 28, each of which is folded along a series of parallel lines to form, in sequence, a panel 32 forming one wall of the extending apex of the pad, a panel 34 forming the other wall of said extending apex, a panel 36 lying flat against the associated

panel

26 or 28, a panel 38 lying against the inher surface of panel 32 and extending about half-way to the apex of the bead, a panel 4% parallel to panel 36 and disposed about half-way between the apex and panel 36, and a panel 42 lying against the inner surface of panel 34 and having its free edge engaging panel 36.. The various panels forming the bead may be glued, stapled or otherwise secured in position if desired, but this is not essential since, as it will appear, the windshield itself will hold all of the panels in proper relation. Each of the beads or pads 30 carried by each insert 22 has" a notch 44- formed in the apex thereof, said notch being cut to the depth of panel 46 of the bead, also as best shown in FIG. 5. i

The beads 30 carried by one insert 22 are adapted to receive respectively in the notches 44 thereof the upper and lower edges of the windshield, adjacent one end of windshield, and the beads of the other insert 22 similarly stresses and strains incident to localized support.

engage the upper and lower edges of the windshield adjacent its opposite end, as best shown in FIGS. 1-3. Each end of the windshield is further supported by a pliable sling or stirrup 46, the construction of which is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown, it comprises a length of spring wire formed in a series of loops spaced longitudinally of the sling, successive loops 48 and 59 being disposed respectively in planes spaced apart transversely of the sling and joined by connected portions 52 to form a skeleton channel. This skeleton channel is covered inside and out with padding layers 54 which may constitute strips of thick, soft pulp paper or other suitable material, and by an outer sheath 56 which may constitute a tough kraft paper or other suitable material. The sheath, it formed of paper, is preferably creped or wrinkled to give the sling added flexibility or pliability.

in use, a sling 46 of the proper length is cut and fitted over the edge of the windshield around each end portion thereof as indicatedin FIGS. 6 and 7, the channel-shaped configuration of the sling permitting the sling to be applied in this manner. It will be understood further that the looped wire frame of the sling is so tensioned as to grip the windshield frictionally between the walls of the channel shape. The carton top is then opened, upper carton flaps 10 and 12, and upper insert flaps 26, being folded outwardly. The windshield 16 is then lowered into the carton, glue having been first applied to the lower end portion of each sling 46, until said lower end portions of the slings are engaged respectively in the notches 44 of the two heads 30 supported by the bottom of the car-ton. Said slots are proportioned to receive the sling very snugly therein. The previously mentioned glue forms a cemented connection 58 between the slings 46 and beads 39. Glue is then applied to the upper end portions of the slings, and upper insert flaps 26 are folded inwardly until the notches 44 of the beads 30 carried thereby respectively engage the upper ends of the two slings as shown, the glue then forming a cemented connection 6% therebetween. Closure of the ear-ton may then be completed by folding upper carton flaps in and i2 inwardly, and applying the upper tape 14. 7

Thus it will be apparent that a carton having several advantages has been produced. The windshield is prevented from shifting in a direction parallel to its major dimension by slings 46, since the slings are secured in beads 30, and since the beads themselves are prevented from shifting toward the end walls 8 of the carton by panels 26 and '28 of the inserts 22,

panels

26 and 28 being seated against said end walls. The slings themselves are sufiiciently pliable to conform to the end configuration of virtually any windshield, despite irregularities and I variations of such configuration, so that they will support the windshield uniformly around its ends, without the The wire frames of the slings impart thereto a rigidity of cross-sectional form, and also a frictional gripping ac-' tion against the glass, which prevent the slings from slipping off the edges of the windshield under any circumstances. Moreover, with the wires arranged as shown, they do not materially affect the pliability or flexibility of the slings. The beads 30 prevent the windshield from moving either forwardly or rearwardly, or upwardly or downwardly, since the beads are prevented from moving in any of these directions by their direct engagement with the outer walls of-the carton. The

panels

32 and 34, which are the prime edge supports of the windshield, support the windshield in spaced relation from the outer carton walls, and are sufficiently flexible to provide the necessary resilience of support to permit normal handling of the carton without danger of breaking the windshield. The sloping inclination of these panels, which results from the triangular shape of the bead, also contributes to the desired flexibility or yieldability of support. Additional edge support for the windshield is provided by the internal panel 40 of the head, which is supported in spaced relation from the base panel 36 by

panels

38 and 42. The triangular configuration of the beads is considered to have the further advantage that they require less material than other shapes, and also that with this shape the various panels forming the bead cannot become disarranged relative to each other once the windshield has been inserted, even if said panels have not been glued or otherwise fastened together, or even if such fastening should become loosened. Other advantages of the carton are that the windshield may be inserted or removed without special or unusual tools or apparatus, and very quickly and conveniently.

In the modification of the invention shown in FIG. 8, it will be understood that the insert and bead arrangement is substantially identical to that shown in FIG. 4, corresponding parts thereof being indicated by corresponding primed numerals, except that the beads 3d, instead of being formed integrally with the top and bottom panels 26' and 28 of the insert 22', are formed of separate sheets of cardboard or the like, and are afiixed to the free ends of the panels 26' and 28 by staples 62 or any other suitable means. This structure, while functionally identical with that shown in FIGS. 1-7, is considered to possess an advantage, of economy in that when beads are required having notches 44' variously positioned and proportioned to accommodate Windshields of different configurations, only the beads need be changed rather than the entire inserts. t

In the modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the beads 30", which correspond to beads 30 of FIGS. 1-7 and bear corresponding double primed numerals, are formed integrally with the end flaps 10 of the carton. FlG. 10 shows a laid out cardboard blank for forming one half of the carton shown in FIG. 9, it

being understood that the blank for forming the other half of the carton is identical to that shown. The panels 32", 34", 36", 38", 40", and 42." for forming each head 31)" are formed as extensions of end flaps 10'.

In the modification of my invention shown in FIG. 11, the carton itself is identical to that shown in FIGS. 13, and separate beads 30' identical to that illustrated in FiG'. 8 are secured to the innner ends of end flaps it} by any suitable means such as staples 64. The two species of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 are considered to possess an advantage over those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8 in that they do not require separate inserts to carry and support the beads. They do, however, require cartons of special configuration in that they must have flaps 1i) arranged as shown, whether the beads are aifixed to or integral with said flaps. The species of FIGS. 1 and 8, on the other band, do not require special cartons since inserts 22 will operate in conjunction with any carton of the proper size regardless of its construction, and this is also considered to be advantageous under certain circumstances.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, it will be readily apparent that many minor changes of structure and function could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: t

1. A carton for Windshields comprising an elongated hollow rectilinear container having top, bottom, side and end walls, a pair of support beads disposed within said container and extending horizontally across said container in spaced apart relation from one end thereof respectively against the top and bottom walls of said container, a second pair of support beads similarly disposed adjacent the opposite end of said container, the edge of each of said support beads having a notch formed therein, means supporting each of said support beads against movement toward the adjacent end of said container and supporting it against the adjacent top or bottom wall of said container, and a pair of pliable slings, the ends of each of said slings being afiixed respectively to the support beads adjacent one end of said container, said sling being of sufficiently short length that when depending freely from its ends toward the corresponding end wall of said -con' tainer it is supported out of engagement with said end wall.

2. The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said support beads extend transversely to the general plane of the windshield, and are of such length that the opposite ends of each bead bear respectively against opposite walls of said container, whereby longitudinal movement of said beads in said container is prevented.

3. The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said support beads are formed of resiliently yieldable material.

4. The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said beads is of triangular cross-sectional contour with a flat side thereof supported by a Wall of said container and an apex thereof projecting inwardly in said container, the notch of said bead being formed in the projecting apex portion thereof, the base of said notch being spaced apart from the flat side of said bead which bears against the container wall.

5. The structure as recited in claim 4 wherein said bead comprises a sheet of foldable, resilient material folded along lines longitudinal to said bead to define a series of panels, said series comprising in sequence a first panel based on said container wall, second and third panels defining the projecting apex of said triangular bead, a fourth panel based on the inner surface of said first panel, a fifth panel lying against the inner surface of said second panel and extending only part way to the apex defined by said second and third panels, a sixth panel parallel to said first and fourth panels, and a seventh panel lying against the inner surface of said third panel, the free edge of said seventh panel engaging said fourth panel, said notch being formed in the portions of the second and third panels adjacent the joinder thereof, the base of said notch being aligned with the wall formed by said sixth panel.

6. The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said slings is of channel-shaped cross-sectional contour whereby it may be fitted over the edge of a windshield around an end thereof.

7. The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said slings is of channel-shaped cross-sectional contour whereby it may be fitted over the edge of a windshield around an end thereof, the end portions of said sling being engaged and secured in the notches of the associated support beads.

8. The structure as recited in claim 7 wherein each of said slings includes an internal wire frame of channel shape with padding layers thereover, said frame being tensioned to urge the walls of said channel toward each other, whereby to grip an edge portion of said windshield frictionally therebetween.

9. The structure as recited in claim 7 wherein each of said slings constitutes a length of spring wire formed to present a series of loops, alternate loops being disposed respectively in parallel planes spaced apart transversely of the axis of said sling, whereby said loops together with the wire portions connecting them define a skeleton channel, the wire being tensioned to urge the loops defining the respeective walls of said channel toward each other, and padding layers of pliable material covering said chanhe].

10. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means supporting the beads against movement toward the adjacent ends of the container constitutes a pair of inserts positioned respectively at the opposite ends of the container and each constituting an end panel bearing against one end of the container, and top and bottom panels extending inwardly respetcively from the upper and lower edges of said end panel toward the opposite end of said container, said top and bottom panels being respectively directly adjacent the top and bottom of said container, and wherein the pair of beads adjacent each end of the container are attached respectively to the inner edges of said top and bottom panels of the associated insert.

11. The structure as recited in claim 10 wherein said beads are integral with and form a part of said inserts, being formed by folding the inner portions of said top and bottom insert panels along lines transverse to the direction of extension of said panels.

12. The structure as recited in claim 10' wherein said beads are formed separately from said inserts, but are permanently aflixed to the inner edges of said top and bottom insert panels.

13. The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said container is formed of foldable material and includes internal flaps extending inwardly from the upper and lower edges of each end wall thereof, and wherein each of said beads is attached to the inner edge of each of said fiaps.

14. The srtucture as recited in claim 13 wherein each bead is integral with the associated flap, being formed by folding the inner end portion of said flaps along lines transverse to the direction of extension of said flap.

15. The structure as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said beads is formed separately from its associated supporting flap, but is permanently affixed thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,216,105 Balfe Oct. 1, 1940 2,337,468 Hilger Dec. 21, 1943 2,536,397 Schlegel Jan. 2, 1951 2,603,349 Van Antwerpen July 15, 1952 2,681,733 Welshenbach June 22, 1954 2,684,153 Freiberg July 20, 1954 2,741,362 Cortright Apr. 10, 1956