US3306516A

US3306516A - Box

Info

Publication number: US3306516A
Application number: US427361A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Leonard F Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-01-22
Filing date: 1965-01-22
Publication date: 1967-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 1984-02-28

Description

Feb. 28, 1967 F. TAYLOR, JR 3,306,516

BOX

Filed Jan. 22, 1965 FIGJ.

2 Sheets-$heet 1 Feb. 28, 1967 F. TAYLOR, JR

BOX

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22. 1965 3,306,516 BOX Leonard F. Taylor, Jr., 3113 Kimberly Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63120 Filed Jan. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 427,361 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-36) from their assembled relation. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a box of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a blank from which the FIG. 1 box is assembled;

FIG. 3 shows the FIG. 1 :box in an intermediate stage of assembly;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows another stage in the assembly of the FIG. 1 box;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view taken on FIG. 5.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

A box of this invention, shown generally at 1, can be assembled from the blank shown in FIG. 2 which is made of cardboard or other suitable materials. Box 1 comprises a bottom 3, two side walls 5, two end walls 7 and a top 9 having two end sections 11. Sides 5 and ends 7 are integral with bottom 3 and sections 11 of the top are integral with the ends 7.

The blank from which the box is assembled has a first pair of parallel score lines 13 at the intersection of bottom 3 and sides 5 and a second pair of parallel score lines 15 at the intersection of bottom 3 and ends 7. Sides 5 and ends 7 are swung upwardly about

score lines

13 and 15 in assembling the box. The blank is scored at 17 along each end of both box sides 5 to form pairs of ears 19. An ear 21 is formed along the top of each box side 5 by score lines 23. Bars 19 and 21 are swung into the box by bending along the

score lines

17 and 23.

Each of the ears 19 has a tab 25 defined by a score line 27 extending angularly from score line 17 and by a staggered slit 29. Slit 29 has an end portion 29a coextensive with score line 17 and joined to its other end portion 29b by a center portion 290 which is substantially perpendicular to the score line 17. End portion 29b of the slit is at an angle to the score line 17 and score line 27. Tabs 25 are forced into the box during assembly of the box ends 7 as explained hereinafter.

There is an elongate slot 31 in each of the cars 21 which line 77 of United States Patent 0 3,306,516 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 is preferably parallel to and closely adjacent the score lines 23. Slot 31 may be coextensive with scores 23 if desired. The ends of slots 31 are spaced from the ends of cars 21 and these slots are used for holding top 9 closed.

Ends 7 are separated from top sections 11 by score lines 33 which are substantially parallel to the score lines 15. The blank is scored at 35 between

scores

15 and 33 to define lower end panels 37 between

scores

15 and 35 and upper end panels 39 between

scores

33 and 35. Holes 40 in end panels 39 provide handles for carrying the box.

At the side edges of each end panel 39 are tongues 41 separated from end panels 39 by score lines 43 about which the tongues are folded during assembly of the box. One edge 45 of tongue 41 is arcuate and constitutes the inner and upper portion of the tongue in the assembled box. Another edge 4-7 of tongue 41 is substantially perpendicular to the adjacent edge of end panel 37 in the blank and this edge constitutes the lower end of the tongue in the assembled box. The center portion of each tongue 41 is joined to a panel 39 by a neck so that the edges of

tongue end portions

49 and 51 are free from end panel 39. Ends 49 and 51 of tongue 41 constitute the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the tongue when the box is assembled. As shown in FIG. 2, the score lines 35 extend across box ends 7 between the lower ends of the necks joining panels 39 and tongues 41 so that they are su statially in line with the upper end of tongue portions 51 in the assembled box.

Each top section 11 has a score line 53 spaced from and substantially parallel to the score lines 33 to define outer top panels 55 and inner top panels 57 in the assembled box. Projecting from the side edges of each top panel 57 are a pair of flaps 59 which are separated from the top panel 57 by score lines 61. Each flap 59 has a curved edge 63 which constitutes the lower outer edge of the flap in the assembled box. A straight edge 65 of each flap constitutes. the inner edge of flaps 59 in the assembled box. Each flap 59 is joined to top panel 57 by a neck at one end of the flap, there-by providing an end portion 67 of each flap which is free of the top section 11. The end portions 67constitute the outer ends of flaps 59 in the assembled box. As shown in FIG. 2, the score lines 53 extend across the top sections'between the inne portion of ends 67 of the flaps 59.

To assemble the box from the FIG. 2 blank, sides 5 are first swung upwardly about score lines 13 until they are generally parallel to each other and perpendicular to bottom 3 of thebox.

Bars

19 and 21 are then folded inwardly on score lines 17 and. 23 until they are substantially perpendicular to the sides 5 of the box. The outer surfaces of cars 19 will then be substantially coplanar with the scores 15 of the blank. Then the lower panels 37 of the box ends are pivoted about score lines 15 and swung first to the position shown at the right side "of FIG. 3 and then to the position shown at the left side of FIG. 3. During this movement of panel 37 the ends 47 and the free end portions 51 of tongues 41 are guided through the staggered slits 29 in ears 19, thereby forcing tabs 25 inwardly into the box about the score lines 27. See FIG. 4 and the left side of FIG. 3.

End panel 39 is then swung upwardly about the score lines 35 so that

end panels

37 and 39 are substanitally coplanar. This moves edge 45 and end portion 49 of tongue 41 into the box. Tabs 25, when deflected, bear against the tongues 41 biasing them toward the sides of the box. The score line 35 is adjacent the lower end of slit end 29a as shown in FIG. 4 and the necks joining the tongues 41 to end-s 7 are substanitally the same length as the end 29a of slit 29 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus when the free end 49 of tongues 41 pass through the upper end 2% of the staggered slits 29, the tongues are deflected by tabs 25 toward the box sides 5 to their FIG. 6 position. This permits the tabs 25 to at least partially return to their normal position in the plane of ears 19. The end portions 49 and 5.1 of the tongue 41 are then positioned so that their edges abut the inner surface of cars 19 at the intersection of the ears and sides 5. The

tongue end portions

49, 51 are above and below, respectively, of the end portion 29a of slit 29 and are displaced laterally from slit end portion 2%. Before the tongues 41 can be withdrawn from ears 19, the tabs 25 must be forcibly deflected and the end portion 49 of the tongues moved into the plane of end 2% of slit 29. Thus this interlocking structure prevents inadvertent removal of the tongues 41 from cars 19 and holds the box ends 7 on the sides 5.

Next the

panels

55 and 57 of top section 11' are moved to the position shown at the left in FIG. 5. Top panels '55 then overlie the bottom 3 and are positioned immediately above the ears 21. As panels 55 are moved into place the curved ends 63 of flaps 59 enter slots 31 in ears 21. Next panels 57 and flaps 5? are pivoted about the hinge line 53 to move flaps 59 into the box through slots 31 to their FIG. 5 position. During this movement the panels 57 of top sections 11 are lowered so-that they are substantially coplanar with panels '55. The two top sections 11 substantially close the top of the box.

Portions of tongues 41 and flaps 59 are in side-by-side relation as shown at the right side of FIG. 5. When slots 31 are spaced inwardly from the score lines 23 and slit portions 29a is along score line 17 as shown in FIG. 2, the flaps 59 are guided to the inside of the tongues 41. This relation can be reversed by adjustment of the position of slots 31 and slit 29.

As shown in FIG. 7, the top panels 55 overlap the ends of slots 31. This locates the score lines 53 adjacent the ends of slots 31 so that as the flaps 59 are swung into the box, the ends 67 of the flaps 59 swing to a position between the ends of the slots 31 and the box ends 5 so that the box top sections 11 cannot be lifted vertically but must be swung about the hinge line 53 for opening the box. This provides interlocking engagement between flaps 59 and the ends of cars 21 and prevents inadvertent opening of the box.

With the box thus assembled the interlocking connections between the top sections and cars 21 and between the end panels and the ears 19 hold the box assembled and substantially prevents inadvertent disassembly of the box. These interlocking connections betwen the various parts of the box eliminate the need for gluing, taping, stapling or otherwise securing various portions of the box together, thereby saving steps in assembly and eliminating the cost of these fastening means. The box can be used for a wide variety of products including bottles of beer or other liquids, meat, fruit and other merchandise.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A box construction comprising a box bottom, two sides and two ends, a set of ears projecting inwardly into the box from the ends of each of the box sides, each of said ears having a staggered slit defining a tab in the ear, the lower end portion of each slit extending along the intersection of the box sides and ears and the other portions of the slit being offset from the lower end por= tion and located entirely in said ears, a set of tongues at each side edge of each of the box ends, the tongues projecting into the box through the slits in the ears thereby interlocking the ears and tongues, the tabs being de flectable by the tongues as they enter the box, each of said box ends being integral with the box bottom, the box ends being scored between the tongues to define lower and upper end panels, and the tongues being free from the box ends beneath the scoring wherein the lower panels of the box ends are placed against the ears and the upper panels and the tongues are then swung upwardly about the scoring for inserting the tongues throughthe ear slits forinterconnecting the box sides and ends, said box comprising a second set of ears projecting into the box from the upper edge of the box sides, each of the ears of the second set of cars having a slot therein, and a box top joined to an end of the box and having two flaps at side edges thereof projecting into the box through the slots in said second set of ears when the top is closed.

2. A box construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein the edges of the upper and lower ends of the tongues at the ends of the box are free from the box ends, the upper end of said tongues abutting the cars at the inter= section of the box sides and the set of ears above said lower end portion of the slits.

3. A box construction as set forth in claim 2 wherein the tabs in the cars at the ends of the box bear against the tongues on the box ends, thereby forcing the tongues out of alignment with the upper end of the slits and preventing inadvertent removal of the tongues through the slits.

4. A box construction comprising a box bottom, two sides, two ends and a top, an ear projecting inwardly into the box from the upper edge of each of the box sides, each of said ears having an elongate slot, the box top comprising two sections extending from the box ends to the center of the box, a pair of flaps at each side edge of one top section, a second pair of flaps at each side edge of the other top section, the first and second pairs of flaps projecting into the box through the slots in the ears for interlocking the pairs of flaps and the ears, thereby holding the top closed, an end portion of each of said flaps being free from the top sections and each top section being scored across the section between the inner ends of the free portions of the flaps to define inner and outer panels on each top section, the score lines being substantially in line with the ends of the slots in said ears wherein the outer panel of each top section can be placed flat against the ends of said ears and the inner panel of the box sections and the second pair of flaps can be first elevated above the box for positioning of the outer panels and then swung about the score lines for inserting the pairs of flaps into the box for closing the top of the box, the free ends of the pairs of flaps being swung to a position between the ends of the slots in the ears and the box ends, thereby interlocking the flaps and earsfor holding the top sections closed, and tongues at the sides of the box ends interlocking with pairs of ears projecting inwardly into the box from the ends of the box sides.

5. A box construction as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pairs of ears at the ends of the box sides have staggered slits through which said tongues project for interlocking the box ends and sides, the lower end portion of each slit extending along the intersection of the box sides and the ears at the ends of said sides, the other portions of said slits being offset from the lower end portion and located entirely in said ears at the ends of the box sides.

6. A box construction as set forth in claim 5 wherein the edges of the upper and lower ends of the tongues are 3,306,516 5 6 free from the box ends, the upper end of said tongues 2,718,998 9/1955 Bemiss 229-35 abutting the ears at the ends of the box sides above and 2,955,737 10/1960 Arneson 229-35 below one portion of the slits in said ears. 2,982,464 5/1961 Wingate 229-35 References Cited by the Examiner 5 FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 724,849 2/1955 Great Britain.

504,824 9/1893 Cook 229-36 1,600,260 9/1926 Walter 229 36 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. 1,894,226 1/1933 Ross 229-36 D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner.

2,493,176 1/1950 Whitehead 229-36 X 10

Claims

1. A BOX CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A BOX BOTTOM, TWO SIDES AND TWO ENDS, A SET OF EARS PROJECTING INWARDLY INTO THE BOX FROM THE ENDS OF EACH OF THE BOX SIDES, EACH OF SAID EARS HAVING A STAGGERED SLIT DEFINING A TAB IN THE EAR, THE LOWER END PORTION OF EACH SLIT EXTENDING ALONG THE INTERSECTION OF THE BOX SIDES AND EARS AND THE OTHER PORTIONS OF THE SLIT BEING OFFSET FROM THE LOWER END PORTION AND LOCATED ENTIRELY IN SAID EARS, A SET OF TONGUES AT EACH SIDE EDGE OF EACH OF THE BOX ENDS, THE TONGUES PROJECTING INTO THE BOX THROUGH THE SLITS IN THE EARS THEREBY INTERLOCKING THE EARS AND TONGUES, THE TABS BEING DEFLECTABLE BY THE TONGUES AS THEY ENTER THE BOX, EACH OF SAID BOX ENDS BEING INTEGRAL WITH THE BOX BOTTOM, THE BOX ENDS BEING SCORED BETWEEN THE TONGUES TO DEFINE LOWER AND UPPER END PANELS, AND THE TONGUES BEING FREE FROM THE BOX ENDS BENEATH THE SCORING WHEREIN THE LOWER PANELS OF THE BOX ENDS ARE PLACED AGAINST THE EARS AND THE UPPER PANELS AND THE TONGUES ARE THEN SWUNG UPWARDLY ABOUT THE SCORING FOR INSERTING THE TONGUES THROUGH THE EAR SLITS FOR INTERCONNECTING THE BOX SIDES AND ENDS, SAID BOX COMPRISING A SECOND SET OF EARS PROJECTING INTO THE BOX FROM THE UPPER EDGE OF THE BOX SIDES, EACH OF THE EARS OF THE SECOND SET OF EARS HAVING A SLOT THEREIN, AND A BOX TOP JOINED TO AN END OF THE BOX AND HAVING TWO FLAPS AT SIDE EDGES THEREOF PROJECTING INTO THE BOX THROUGH THE SLOTS IN SAID SECOND SET OF EARS WHEN THE TOP IS CLOSED.