US3206097A - Cellular carton - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 14, 1965 R. M. HOLMES CELLULAR CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1962 FIG. 1

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CELLULAR CARTON Filed March 8, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. RAYNOR M. HOLD/5 @MM 4 MW ATTORNE S Sept. 14, 1965 R. M. HOLMES CELLULAR CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 8, 1962 FIG. 6

FIG. 7

INVENTOR. RAYNOR M. HOLMES FIG. 8

75\D Min.-

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,206,097 CELLULAR CARTON Raynor M. Holmes, Newark, N.Y., assignor to Riegel Paper Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 178,295 8 Claims. (Cl. 22928) The present invention relates to cartons of paperboard and like material, and is directed more particularly to a novel and improved erectible cellular tray and to a novel carton incorporating the tray. The invention is directed specifically to the provision of a novel improved Cellular carton structure, formed of paperboard or like sheet materials, and usable for packaging eggs, in particular, and other like articles.

In accordance with one of the specific aspects of the invention, a novel cellular tray structure is provided, Which can be erected quickly from a fiat, substantially rectangular blank of sheet material, such as paperboard, without requiring the use of adhesives or other fastening means to secure the structure in erected condition. In this respect, in a typical egg carton, for example, provision is made for a large plurality of independent cells, typically a dozen, and the applicants invention enables such a tray structure to be formed in a swift, expedient and automatic manner from a blank of flat material, with self-interlocking means being provided to secure the individual elements of the tray structure in assembled relation.

In accordance with the above aspect of the invention, a fiat, substantially rectangular blank of paperboard or similar sheet material is cut and scored in a central longitudinal area to provide a plurality, typically seven, of transverse divider elements, which may be folded at right angles to the principal plane of the blank to form spaced cell dividers. The outer longitudinal areas of the blank, on opposite sides of the divider elements, are provided with parallel, longitudinal crease lines, whereby each outer longitudinal portion may be bent to form a V- shaped bottom structure and a longitudinal partition panel. In erecting the carton, the partition panels, which are formed by the marginal edge areas at opposite sides of the blank, are brought together in back-to-back relation, and the individual transverse dividers are received in upwardly opening slots in the partition panels. The entire assembly is then automatically locked in its erected form by mutually interlocking means on the transverse divider elements and the upwardly opening slots in the partition panels. The improved tray structure not only affords maximum utilization of the sheet material, but is capable of being erected quickly and permanently without adhesive or other external fastening elements.

In conjunction with the above-stated aspect of the invention, the improved carton incorporates an additional feature of specific novelty for etfecting automatic interlocking of the various structural elements of the carton when the blank is erected. To this end, each of the foldable divider elements is arranged for cooperation with a vertical supporting edge formed by a slot in the erected partition panels, such that the inherent resilience of the paperboard material, tending to return the divider elements toward the original plane of the blank, urges the divider elements firmly against their respective supporting edges. Moreover, selected ones of the partition panel slots are provided with overhanging hook-like locking tabs arranged, when the divider elements are in assembled positions, to overlie the top edges of divider elements in the selected slots and thereby positively interlock the carton structure in its assembled or erected condition.

As another specific aspect of the invention, a novel and improved cellular tray is provided which, with a mini- "ice mum utilization of sheet material, aifords maximum support and protection for eggs or other articles contained in the tray. More particularly, the new tray structure incorporates a pair of outer bottom wall panels, which extend upward and outward from the bottom extremity of the tray structure and are provided in the area of each cell of the tray with tongue-like side support elements projecting upward and outward beyond the normal limits of the bottom wall panel. In accordance with the invention, the projecting side support elements are formed by so cutting the blank of sheet material that the edge extremities of transverse divider elements lie adjacent the upper longitudinal edges of the outer bottom wall panels. In addition, marginal edge extremities are cut from the transverse divider elements and left integrally associated with the outer bottom wall panels. Accordingly, when the tray is erected, the integral side support elements form, in efiect, continuations of the outer bottom wall panels. The described novel arrangement affords greater protection and support for the contained articles by putting to substantial, effective use for side support purposes otherwise relatively non-functional marginal extremities of the divider elements.

Another specific feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a tubular carton, incorporating the tray described above, which is so related dimensionally to the tray as to afford improved and superior protection for the contained articles. More specifically, the carton comprises a cellular tray incorporating upwardly and outwardly extending bottom Wall panels and projecting side support elements, substantially as above described, and a tubular cover whose interior width dimension is somewhat greater than the width dimension of the principal bottom wall structure of the tray but somewhat less than the width of the extremities of the side support elements. Accordingly, when the tray is inserted longitudinally into the tubular cover, the outwardly projecting side support elements are deflected inward in a manner to afford substantial cushioning of the tray within the tubular cover.

As another specific aspect, the invention is directed to the provision of a novel and improved closed carton, comprising a cellular tray for a plurality of articles, a tubular cover for the tray, and a novel end closure for the cover, the end closure being separable from the cover to permit longitudinal removal of the tray and including a narrow tear strip along the top wall to afford visual access to the tray, even when the tray is fully inserted in the cover. The tear strip, while being sufiiciently wide to provide the desired visual access (i.e., /2 inch) is sufiiciently narrow in relation to the total length of the tubular cover that its removal does not noticeably affect the advertising or other information desirably printed on the top wall of the tubular cover. The improved closed carton is particularly desirable from the standpoint of affording a maximum of desirable area for presenting an advertisement or other message.

For a better understanding of the above and other desirable and advantageous features of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank of paperboard or other sheet material cut and scored to form a cellular tray according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the blank of FIG. 1 in a partially erected condition.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an erected cellular tray formed with the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with parts broken away of a closed carton made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the closed carton of FIG. 4 with a tear-away end wall removed therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the closed carton of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of a modified form of closed end carton, with end flaps of the carton illustrated in a partly opened condition;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the closed end carton of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further modified form of closed end carton.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, the reference numeral 10 designates a generally rectangular blank of sheet material, advantageously paperboard, which is cut and scored in an advantageous and novel manner according to the invention. Thus the blank is scored longitudinally along parallel, interrupted lines 11 to form a central longitudinal area, generally designated by the numeral 12, and opposed, outer longitudinal areas, generally designated by the numeral 13.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the central longitudinal area 12 of the blank is cut transversely along a plurality of lines 14, 15, being thereby divided into a plurality of transverse sections. The cuts 14 terminate a short distance inward from the longitudinal score lines 11, and short, diagonal cuts 16 intersect with the cuts 14 and extend on out to the score lines 11. A plurality of diagonal cuts 17, 18 extend back inward from the outer ends of the cuts 14, at an angle of about 45 degrees, and join with the ends of short, transverse score lines 19. The arrangement is such that the diagonal cuts 16-18, together with the transverse scores 19 and longitudinal scores 11, form a plurality of generally triangular gusset elements 21.

As will be described hereafter in more detal, a plurality of arcuate cuts 22, 23 are provided along the edges of the central longitudinal area 12, and these arcuate cuts, together with the transverse cuts 14, and diagonal cuts 16, form a plurality of transverse divider elements 2427. In the specific blank illustrated, which is designed to provide a tray with 12 article-containing cells, a total of seven divider elements is provided, which may be utilized to form six subdivisions of the tray. At the lefthand side of the blank, as illustrated in FIG. 1, there are formed a series of divider elements 24, 25 of substantially identical size and shape, the elements 25 being foldably connected to the material of the blank by means of a pair of gusset elements 21 at opposite sides of the respective dividers, and the end divided 24 being connected by a pair of generally rectangular gussets 21a, formed by transverse scores 19a and short longitudinal cuts 17a. An opposed pair of half-size divider elements 26 is formed by the cut 15 together with an associated pair of the transverse cuts 14, and the lastmentioned divider elements are likewise connected to the body of the sheet material by triangular gusset elements 21. At the righthand end of the blank, there is formed a divider element 27 similar to the divider elements 24 but projecting in the opposite direction, when in flat condition in the blank, the element 27 being connected by gussets 21b.

Each of the divider elements is notched inwardly at 28, along a central longitudinal line, at both its bottom edges, and the dividers 25 are, in addition, notched at 29, along a central longitudinal line, at their top edges.

The outer longitudinal portions 13 of the blank are bottom wall panels, having reference to the positions occupied by the respective panels in the erected tray struc-- ture. A plurality of transverse openings advantageously may be provided in the blank, extending across the inner bottom wall panels 33 to receive elements of automatic erecting machinery. If provided, the slots are located adjacent the fold line of each divider element, toward the top edge. Thus, in a partially erected carton, the slots will be located below the dividers, and erecting elements may be projected upward into contact with the dividers, to erect them or to hold them in erected positions.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention,the partition panels 34 are provided with a plurality of outwardly opening slots 36-39 which, in the erected structure, open upwardly to receive the respective divider elements 2427. The slots 36, 39, at opposite ends of the partition panel, are straight, vertical slots of similar configuration but opposed orientation, and each is provided with an outwardly facing abutment surface 41. In the erected structure, the abutment surfaces 41 are vertical, for effecting vertical support of the end divider elements 24, 27, as will be described further.

The partition panels also are provided with three like slots 37 of a special, more or less V-shaped configuration, which are formed to provide vertical abutment surfaces 42 and hooked portions 43, opening to the left in FIG. 1. Each of the slots 37 is recessed directly in front of the hook 43, to accommodate reception of a divider element 25 as hereinafter described. A pair of additional slots 38 in the partition panel are positioned for the reception and support of the half-size divider element 26 and advantageously these slots are of more or less V- shaped configuration and are provided with interlocking hook means 44 and upright abutment surfaces 45.

The upper portions of the various slots are substantially widened to facilitate reception of the divider elements as the tray is erected, as will be described in further detail.

divided by parallel, longitudinal score lines 30,31 to form connected pairs of bottom wall panels 32, 33, and the extreme outer marginal portions of the blank, outside the score lines 31 form partition panels 34, to be described in more detail. For descriptive reference, the bottom wall panels 32 are referred to as the outer bottom wall panels, while the panels 33 are referred to as the inner Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the improved cellular tray of the invention is erected by first folding the several divider elements 24-27 at right angles to the plane of the blank, substantially as shown in FIG. 2. The divider elements remain foldably connected to the material of the blank by the pairs of small gusset elements 21, along the score lines 19, 19a. 'And, as one of the advantageous features of the invention, the score lines 19, 19a are located a predetermined distance (e.g., about one-fourth inch) above the bottom edges of the divider elements, so that portions 24a-27a of the respective elements 2427 project partly downward, below the gussets, in the erected carton.

Following the first erecting step illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer longitudinal portions of the blank are folded downward and inward about each of the respective score lines 11, 30, 31, such that the outer bottom wall panels 32 extend downward and slightly inward from the score line 11, the inner bottom wall panels extend upward and inward from the score line 30,-and the partition panels 34 extend vertically upward in back-to-back relation from the score lines 31.

As the tray structure is erected, the lower portions of the respective divider elements 2427 are received in the open upper ends of the slots 36-39 in the partition panels. In this respect, the hinge axes of the respective divider element-s are substantially aligned with the slots 36-39 to accommodate proper entry of the elements into their respective slots during the erecting operation.

When the divider elements are fully seated in their respective slots, the assembly is locked in its erected condition by the swinging of the divider elements 25, 26 under and into interlocking relation with the hook portions 43, 44 of the slots.

In accordance with one significant aspect of the invention the orientation of the various abutment surfaces 41,

42, 45, provided in the slots 36-39, is such, in relation to the orientation of the dividers to the blank that the inherent resilience of the material, tending to return the erected dividers to fiat positions, urges the dividers against the respective abutment surfaces. Thus, in the case of the divider elements 25, 26, the resilience of the material urges the dividers under and into structurally interlocking relation with the hook portions 43, 44, such that the tray is locked in its assembled or erected condition.

The tray structure thus described is particularly advantageous from the standpoint of being easily and quickly erected in an effectively permanent manner, without the use of adhesives or other fastening means.

One of the significant structural features of the new tray resides in the fonnation of tongue-like side support elements 47, 47a for each cell or compartment of the tray. Thus, referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing the arcuate cuts 22, 23 defining the side edges of the divider elements 24-27 form arcuate, tongue-like side support elements 47, 47a, which remain integrally attached to the upper edge of the outer bottom wall panel 32 between interruptions in the score line 11. When the tray is erected, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side support elements 47, 47a remain in the plane of the associated bottom wall panel 32 and thus, in the completely erected carton, extend upward and outward along each compartment of the tray to form a partial side wall. In this respect, it will be noted that the material removed from the edge extremities of the divider elements to form the side support elements 47, 47a has no significant effect upon the utility of the divider elements, since the edge extremities thereof are largely nonfunctional when the tray is used for holding eggs or similar articles.

In the erected tray structure, as illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, the downwardly projecting lower portions (e.g., 25a in FIG. 6) of the divider elements extend substantially into contact with the bottom wall panels 32, 33, to provide substantial additional structural support for resisting crushing or bending forces applied to the tray. In addition, the projecting lower portions 24a-27a provide efficient division of the tray cells, as is desired for many applications. As shown in FIG. 6, the upwardly and inwardly extending inner bottom wall panels 33 advantageously extend to a level above the lower edge extremities of the projecting divider portions Z ta-27a, and the notches 28 therefore are made sufficiently wide at the base to avoid interference between the erected divider elements and the wall panels 33.

In accordance with another specific aspect of the invention, the novel tray structure above described, having side support elements projecting upward and outward from the upper edge of its bottom wall structure, is cooperatively assembled with a tubular cover to provide an assembled, compartmented carton of special utility, providing particularly effective protection for eggs and similar fragile articles. In accordance with the invention, a tubular cover 48 is provided, which is of generally rectangular cross-section, as indicated in FIG. 6. The top-to-bottom internal dimensions of the cover are such as to closely accommodate the erected tray while the internal side dimensions of the cover are specially related to the basic bottom wall width of the tray and to the width of the tray measured between the extremities of the side support elements 47. Specifically, the internal width of the cover advantageously is slightly wider than the basic bottom wall width of the tray, as measured between the upper edges of the outer bottom wall panels, but slighly less than the maximum tray width as measured between the extremities of the normally extended side wall support elements 47, 47a. Accordingly, when the tray is inserted into the tubular cover the side wall support elements 47 are deflected slightly inward to provide substantial cushioning for the tray within the tubular cover. Further, when the tray is withdrawn from the cover 6 the side support elements serve to provide effective support for the articles within the various cells of the tray.

Advantageously, the new carton structure, including its tubular cover, has normally sealed ends, at least one of which is adapted for removal or opening, so that access is had to the tray by withdrawing it longitudinally from the cover at one end. In a particularly advantageous form of the new carton structure, the tubular cover is permanently sealed at one end, while the opposite end is provided with a tear-away closure structure affording manual access to an end of the tray and also visual access to the top of the tray to insure its removal and re-' placement in :the proper orientation.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 4-7, a particularly advantageous form of the new tubular cover comprises foldably connected front, bottom, back, and top walls 49-52 secured in the form of a rectangular tube by means of a glue flap 53 which is foldably connected to the top wall 52 and adhesively or otherwise secured to the top margin of the back wall 51. At the righthand end of the tubular cover, as illustrated in FIG. 4, there are provided suitable, permanently secured closure flaps (not specifically illustrated) which permanently close that end of the cover. The opposite end of the carton is provided with top and bottom flaps 54, 55 extending from the top and bottom walls of the cover, and side flaps 56 extending inward from the front and back walls of the cover. Typically, the side flaps extend inward into substantially abutting, but not overlapping relation, the bottom flap 55 is folded upward over the face of the side flaps, and the top flap 54 is folded downward into partially overlapping relation with the bottom flap 55. At least the top and bottom flaps 54, 55 are adhesively secured and, advantageously, the side flaps 56 are likewise adhesively secured to the bottom flap 55 to provide a solid end wall structure.

In accordance with the invention, the four flaps forming the removable end Wall structure are removably secured to the respective walls of the tubular cover along tearing scores 57-60, as indicated in FIG. 4, so that the entire end wall may be removed as a unit from the sealed carton.

To facilitate removal of the end wall structure, designated generally by the reference number 61, there advantageously is provided a removable tear strip 62 which, in accordance with one specific aspect of the invention, is formed along the end margin of the top wall 52 of the cover. The tear strip 62 is formed by a tearing score 63 which extends transversely along the top wall 52 and V61? tically downward along the glue fiap 53. At the side of the top wall opposite the glue flap, a short diagonal tearing score 64 is provided which connects the score 63 with the score 57.

The portion of the tearing strip formed by the glue flap 53 advantageously is left unsecured, and thereby forms a lifting tab 65. The tab 65 is easily engaged by the fingers and freed from the body of the glue flap 53 to facilitate tearing back and removing the tear strip 62.

In order to open the novel carton of FIGS. 4-7, the lifting tab 65 is gripped and lifted, and the tear strip 62 is drawn forward and removed to expose the upper edge of the end wall structure 61. The entire end wall may then be gripped along the top edge by the fingers and torn free of the tubular cover, along the tearing scores 58-60, leaving an open ended carton structure as indicated in FIG. 5. The filler tray, shown partially withdrawn in FIG. 5, advantageously is substantially flush with the open end of the tubular cover, but is readily accessible for removal as will be understood.

One of the particularly advantageous featuresof the carton structure thus described resides in the dual function of the tear strip 62 in providing manual access to the upper edge of the end wall structure, for effecting its removal, and subsequently providing visual access to the tray within the cover so that the orientation of the tray can be observed. All this is accomplished while leaving the top surface of the carton substantially entirely intact, so that any advertising or other message provided thereon is substantially undisturbed by opening of the carton.

A modified form of carton closure is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein the carton is provided with top and bottom closure flaps 70, 71 and side closure flaps 72, 73, all permanently hinged to the respective top and bottom and front and back walls of the tubular cover. Adjacent their hinge lines, and advantageously about midway between their top and bottom edges, the side flaps 72, 73 are provided with keystone-shaped locking tabs 74 hinged along their narrow edges and extended outward substantially to the hinge lines of the side flaps. Similarly, the top and bottom flaps 70, 71 are provided with keystone-shaped locking tabs 75 which substantially correspond to locking tabs 74 and are adapted to directly overlie the locking tabs 74 when the carton end is closed by folding over the top and bottom flaps 70, 71.

To releasably close the carton ends, the aligned locking tabs 75, 74 are pushed inward, substantially as indicated in FIG. 9, so that the locking tabs 75 become interlockingly engaged in the openings provided by the locking tabs 74 in the side flaps.

The carton of FIGS. 8 and 9 can be opened by drawing upward and outward on the overlying top flap 70, and then drawing outward and downward on the exposed bottom flap 71. Normally, the locking tabs 75 are not destroyed by opening so that the carton end structure is reclosable, if desired.

Of course, where desired, the carton may be adhesively closed at both ends, as indicated in FlG. 10, in which case the carton is opened by simply tearing open the adhesively secured flaps. Usually, in such cases, only a narrow strip 76 is adhesively secured, to accommodate relatively easy opening of the sealed ends.

The improved tray structure of the invention incorporates certain features of significant advantage in respect of its ability to be erected in permanent form without adhesives or other external securing means. Thus, by reason of a particularly advantageous interlocking construction, a multiple cell tray having a double V-shaped bottom and other desirable structural characteristics can be formed by simply cutting, creasing, and folding a substantially rectangular blank of sheet material. In addition, the structure of the tray is such as to provide for an advantageous form of side support, by so cutting the blank as to form tongue-like side supporting elements for each cell of the tray from otherwise substantially nonfunctional marginal areas of transverse divider elements.

' Th tray construction of the invention incorporates a particularly advantageous structural arrangement, comprising a plurality of transverse divider elements arranged to reception in vertical slots in a central partition structure and urged by the inherent resilience of the sheet material into proper cooperative relationship with supporting surfaces along the slots. Moreover, interlocking means are provided in conjunction with some of the divider elements and slots, oriented such that the resilient restoring tendencies of the material automatically urge the dividers into locked relationship with hook-like portions of the receiving slots, so that permanent and positive assembly is provided automatically when the tray is erected.

An advantageous feature of the new tray structure resides in its use in conjunction with a tubular cover whose interior width is somewhat greater than that of the basic bottom wall structure of the tray but somewhat less than the maximum width of the tray, as measured across the extremities of the tongue-like side support elements mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The arrangement is such that, when the tray is inserted longitudinally in the tubular cover, the projecting side support elements are pressed inward in a manner to provide substantial cushioning for the tray within the tubular cover and improved side support for the articles contained in the tray.

The invention alsoprovides novel end opening arrangements for the tray and cover combination, particularly with respect to the carton end structure illustrated in 'FIGS. 4 and 5. 'In that particularly advantageous form of the invention, the end wall of the carton is exposed by removal of a tear strip 62, whereupon the entire end wall can be torn away readily from the remainder of the cover structure. The tear away strip 62, in addition to exposing an edge of the end wall for easy removal thereof, provides visual access to a top portion of the tray received within the cover, so that the orientation of the tray is always apparent to the user. The tear away strip may be quite narrow (e.g., /2 inch) in relation to the total length of the cover (e.g., 11 inches), so that removal of the tear strip does not significantly dist-nub printed material provided on the top wall of the cover.

it should be understood, however, that the specific forms of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An erectible glueless, low-cut cellular tray for a plurality of eggs or the like formed of a generally rectangular blank of sheet material and comprising,

(a) a plurality of transversely disposed and vertically oriented divider elements fol-dably connected along limited opposite end portions to spaced pairs of gusset elements lying in a predetermined intermediate horizontal plane, said divider elements extendmg upwardly to a predetermined top horizontal plane,

(b) an outer pair of longitudinally disposed bottom Wall panels integrally connected along longitudinal told lines to said gusset elements and extending downward and inward below said predetermined plane,

(c) an inner pair of longitudinally disposed bottom wall panels foldably connected along the lower edges of said outer bottom wall panels and extending upward and inward below said predetermined plane,

(d) the connected pairs of inner and outer bottom wall panels forming a pair of adjacent V-shaped bottom structures the apices of which lie in a predetermined bottom plane,

(e) a pair of independent longitudinally disposed partltion panels foldably connected to the upper edges of the inner bottom wall panels and extending upward and through said predetermined plane in backto back relation,

(f) said partition panels having slots therein extending downward from the upper edges of the partition panels for the reception of said vertically oriented divider elements, .and

(g) interlocking means associated with at least certain of said divider elements and said partition panels for locking said certain divider elements in assembled relation with said partition panels.

'2. Thetray of claim 1, in which '(a) said interlocking means comprise horizontally proectlng hook-like elements formed by certain of the slots in said independent partition panels adjacent the upper edges of said partition panels.

(b) said hook-like elements extending in overlying relatton to said certain divider elements, and

(c) said hook-like elements being so oriented with respect to said certain divider elements that the resilrent restoring force of said sheet material urges said certain divider elements into interlocking relation to said hook-like elements said interlocking relation of said hooklike elements and said divider elements thereby tending to maintain said independent partition panels abutted in said back-to-back relation.

3.- A closed carton comprising (a) :a tubular cover of generally rectangular cross section and of predetermined internal width, and

(b) a cellular tray slidably receivable in said tubular cover and having a non-rectangular cross section,

() said trayh-aving substantially rigid principal walls for supporting articles and relatively resilient side support elements and cell forming elements extending upward and outward from said principal walls.

(d) said tray having a width measured across said substantially rigid principal walls less than the predetermined internal width of said tubular cover, and

(e) said tray having a width measured across the extremities of said relatively resilient side support elements greater than the predetermined internal width of said tubular cover,

(f) said relatively resilient side support elements being restrained and urged inward upon slidable insertion of said tray into said tubular cover while bearing outward against said cover walls to hold said tray firmly therein.

'4. The closed carton of claim 3, in which i (a) said principal tray walls are of double V-sh-aped configuration and form the bottom wall structure of said tray, and

(b) said side support elements extend from the upper edges of the outermost principal walls.

5. The carton of claim 3, which includes (a) closure means for closing the ends of said tubular cover,

(-1)) the closure means at one end of said cover being removable and including a limited end portion of the top wall of the cover, whereby an end portion of the tray is visible through the top of the co er upon removal of the closure means.

6. An erectible cellular tray for a plurality of eggs or the like and a tubular cover therefor,

said tray formed of a generally rectangular blank of sheet material and comprising (a) a plurality of transversely disposed and vertically oriented divider elements folda'bly connected along limited opposite end portions to spaced pairs of gusset elements lying in predetermined intermediate horizontal plane, said elements extending upwardly to a predetermined top tray plane,

(b) an outer pair of longitudinally disposed bottom tray wall panels connected along longitudinal vfold lines to said gusset elements and extending downward and inward below said predetermined planes,

(c) an inner pair of longitudinally disposed bot tom tray wall panels foldably connected along the lower edges of said outer bottom wall panels and extending upward and inward below said predetermined planes,

(d) the connected pairs of inner and outer bottom tray wall panels forming a pair of adjacent V- shaped bottom structures, the apices of which lie in a predetermined bottom plane,

'(e) a pair of longitudinally disposed partition panels foldably connected to the upper edges of the inner bottom tray wall panels and extending upward through said predetermined intermediate plane in back-to-back relation,

(i) said partition panels having slots therein extending downward from the upper edges of the partition panels for the reception of said vertically oriented divider elements,

(g) interlocking :means associated with at least certain of said divider elements and said partition panels for locking said certain divider elements in assembled relation with said partition panels, and

(h) a plurality of longitudinally spaced side support elements connected along the upper edges of said outer bottom tray wall panels and extending upward and outward therefrom,

(i) said side support elements being located between spaced pairs of divider elements and comprising sections of sheet material cut from said divider elements said tubular cover being of generally rectangular cross section and comprising,

(j) ioldably connected top, bottom and side cover wall panels,

(k) the internal width of said tubular cover being less than the width of the tray at the extremities of the opposed pairs of side support elements but greater than the width of the tray measured at the upper edges of the outer bottom tray wall panels.

7. An erectible cellular tray for a the like and a tubular cover therefior,

said tray formed of a generally rectangular blank of sheet material and comprising (a) a plurality of transversely disposed and vertically oriented divider elements foldably connected along limited opposite end portions to spaced pairs ot gusset elements,

(b) an outer pair of longitudinally disposed bottom tray wall panels connected along longitudinal fold lines to said gusset elements and eX- tending downward and inward,

(c) an inner pair of longitudinally disposed bottom tray wall panels foldably connected along the lower edges of said outer bottom tray wall panels and extending upward and inward,

(d) the connected pairs of inner and outer bottom tray wall panels forming a pair of adjacent V-shaped bottom structures,

(e) a pair of longitudinally disposed partition panels foldably connected to the upper edges of the inner bottom tray wall panels and extending upward in back-to-back relation,

(f) said partition panels having slots therein extending downward from the upper edges of the partition panels for the reception of said vertically oriented divider elements,

(g) interlocking means associated with at least certain of said divider elements and said partition panels for locking said certain divider elements in assembled relation with said partition panels, and

(h) a plurality of longitudinally spaced side support elements connected along the upper edges of said outer bottom tray wall panels and extending upward and outward therefrom,

(i) said side support elements being located between spaced pairs of divider elements and comprising sections of sheet material cut from said divider elements,

said tubular cover being of generally rectangular cross section and comprising |(j) ioldably connected top, bottom and side cover wall panels,

50:) a glue flap foldably connected to the top cover Wall panel and .adhesively secured to the adjacent side wall panel along the upper edge area of its outer surface,

(l) an end portion of said glue flap comprising an end extremity of said tear strip and being readily releasable from said adjacent side cover wall to provide a tab for engaging said tear strip,

'-(m) the internal width of said tubular cover being less than the width of the tray measured at the extremities of opposed pairs of side support elements but greater than the width of the tray measured at the upper edges of the outer bottom tray wall panels,

(n) a removable end wall structure secured along plurality of eggs or 1 1 tear lines to the end edges of said tubular cover, and (o), a tear strip removable from the top and edge area of said tubular cover to expose an edge of said removable end wall and a portion of the tray within the cover. 7

8. A sealed end carton for eggs and like articles, comprising V (a) a tubular cover having foldably connected top,

bottom and side wall panels,

(1)) an article receiving and supporting tray slidably received in said cover and removable from an end of the cover,

(a) closure means for the ends of said tubular cover,

(d) the closure means for at least one end comprising an end wall secured to the end edges of the cover along tear lines,

(e) a tear strip comprising a transversely disposed,

narrow end area of the top wall of said cover,

(f) said tear strip being removable from said top wall to provide visual access to the top end area of said tray and to provide manual access to the upper edge of the removable end wall for engaging said wall to effect its removal, and

(g) a glue flap fo ldably connected to the top wall panel and adhes-ively secured to the adjacent side wall 1 2 panel along the upper edge area of its outer surfaces,

(h) an end portion of said glue flap comprising an end extremity of said tea-r strip and being readily releasable from said adjacent side wall to provide a tab for engaging said tear strip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,412,779 4/22 Degginger 229-28 1,676,872 7/2'8 Schurmann 22-9-29 2,004,326 6/35 Inman 229-29 2,133,946 10/ 38 Bloomer.

2,154,195 4/39 Benoit 22-929 2,349,707 5/44 DEsposito 229'39 2,367,008 1/45 Davidson 229-38 X 2,547,892 4/5'1 Stevens 229-5-1 X 2,946,498 ,7/ 60 Williamson 229-28 2,983,427 5/61 Glaser 22'928 3,084,842 4/63 Beech 2292.5 3,097,785 7/63 Meyers 22951 FOREIGN PATENTS 400,843 11/ 33 Great Britain.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN ERECTIBLE GLUELESS, LOW-CUT CELLULAR TRAY FOR A PLURALITY OF EGGS OR THE LIKE FORMED OF A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BLANK OF SHEET MATERIAL AND COMPRISING, (A) A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED AND VERTICALLY ORIENTED DIVIDER ELEMENTS FOLDABLY CONNECTED ALONG LIMITED OPPOSITE END PORTIONS TO SPACED PAIRS OF GUSSET ELEMENTS LYING IN A PREDETERMINED INTERMEDIATE HORIZONTAL PLANE, SAID DIVIDER ELEMENTS EXTENDING UPWARDLY TO A PREDETERMINED TOP HORIZONTAL PLANE, (B) AN OUTER PAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED BOTTOM WALL PANELS INTEGRALLY CONNECTED ALONG LONGITUDINAL FOLD LINES TO SAID GUSSET ELEMENTS AND EXTENDING DOWNWARD AND INWARD BELOW SAID PREDETERMINED PLANE, (C) AN INNER PAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED BOTTOM WALL PANEL FOLDABLY CONNECTED ALONG THE LOWER EDGES OF SAID OUTER BOTTOM WALL PANEL AND EXTENDING UPWARD AND INWARD BELOW SAID PREDETERMINED PLANE, (D) THE CONNECTED PAIRS OF INNER AND OUTER BOTTOM WALL PANELS FORMING A PAIR OF ADJACENT V-SHAPED BOTTOM STRUCTURES THE APICES OF WHICH LIE IN A PREDETERMINED BOTOM PLANE, (E) A PAIR OF INDEPENDENT LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED PARTITION PANELS FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPER EDGES OF THE INNER BOTTOM WALL PANELS AND EXTENDING UPWARD AND THROUGH SAID PREDETERMINED PLANE IN BACKTO-BACK RELATION, (F) SAID PARTITION PANELS HAVING SLOTS THEREIN EXTENDING DOWNWARD FROM THE UPPER EDGES OF THE PARTITION PANELS FOR THE RECEPTION OF SAID VERTICALLY ORIENTED DIVIDER ELEMENTS, AND (G) INTERLOCKING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST CERTAIN OF SAID DIVIDER ELEMENTS AND SAID PARTITION PANEL FOR LOCKING SAID CERTAIN DIVIDER ELEMENTS IN ASSEMBLED RELATION WITH SAID PARTITION PANELS.

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