US3345920A

US3345920A - Process for closing containers

Info

Publication number: US3345920A
Application number: US406628A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence A Jordan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-10-26
Filing date: 1964-10-26
Publication date: 1967-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 1984-10-10

Description

OC. 10, 1967 C A, JORDAN PROCESS FOR CLOSING CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 26, 1964 F/AG. 2

INVENTOR. CLARE/VCE A. JORDAN AT-roA/ef United States Patent Oiiice 3,345,920 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 3,345,920 PROCESS FOR CLOSING CONTAINERS Clarence A. Jordan, Madison, Wis., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture Filed Oct. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 406,628 2 Claims. (Cl. 93-36) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 'Fhis invention relates to -a process for securing the closure of the aps of conventional corrugated boxes, especially those constructed of triple wall corrugated liberboard, which has strong springback tendencies. The invention is carried out by providing, in the inner flaps, slots aligned with the juncture of the outer flaps, attaching pressure sensitive tape to the inner surfaces of the inner ilaps, extending the tape through the slots in the inner aps and between the outer iiaps, and then attaching the tape to the outer surfaces of the outer flaps.

A non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license in the invention herein described throughout the world for all purposes of the United States Government, with the power to grant sublicenses for such purposes, is hereby granted to the Government of the United States of America.

Triple wall container board is a combination of three corrugated sheets, said sheets being separated and sandwiched by liners. The flaps of boxes constructed from thi-s material exhibit a strong tendency to spring open after being closed.

Generally, pressure-sensitive tape tends to slip and loosen under continuing stress applied to the plane of the surface to which it is adhered. This characteristics, in combination Iwith the strong spring-back tendency of the aps of triple wall corrugated boxes, has made pressuresensitive tape closure of these boxes by conventional means practically impossible without using excessive amounts of tape. Other closure devices such as hoo-ks or staples tend to damage the container.

An object of this invention is to provide a practical and convenient method for fastening container aps in a closed position.

Another object is to utilize the inherent strength of the inner flaps of a conventional fiberboard container by providing access to 'anchorage surfaces thereon for pressure-sensitive tape.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a nondestructable, reusable closing and securing process for conventional berboard containers.

These and other objects which will become apparent to those skilled in the art will yappear hereafter in the detailed description and in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a iiberboard box in an open state with adhesive coated strips applied to flaps thereof in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of overlapping flaps of a triple wall corrugated container, said flaps being secured with an adhesive coated strip in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container in FIG. l, the inner and one outer flap thereof being completely closed and the other outer flap being partially closed, with adhesive coated strips being applied in accordance with this invention.

With reference to the drawings and to the characters marked thereon, FIG. l illustrates a rectangular

container comprising sides

11, 12, 13, and 14,

outer aps

15 and 16, and

inner aps

17 and 18, said inner ilaps being provided therein with

slots

19 and 20. Lengths of adhesive coated strips, such as iilament reinforced pressure

sensitive tape strips

21, 22, 21', and 22 are provided, one

portion

23 and 24 of said strips being attached to the innermost surface 25 of the

inner flaps

17 and 18 on both sides of the

slots

19 and 20 with said lengths of adhesive coated strips being Isubstantially perpendicular to said slots, and the

other portion

26 and 27 of said strips being extended through said slots and remaining unattached until closure of the inner and outer aps.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the

slots

19 and 20 in the

inner flaps

17 and 18 are orientated such that said slots coincide with the juncture created by the adjoinin-

g edges

28 and 29 of the

outer aps

15 and 16 when all of said flaps are in a closed position. The

slots

19 and 20 may be cut during the manufacture of the container, r may be provided just prior to closure.

In order to close and fasten the container, the

inner aps

17 and 18 yand

outer iiaps

15 and 16 are folded inwardly in a conventional manner, the

free ends

21, 22, 26, and 27 of the adhesive coa-ted strips protruding from the top side of said inner aps being brought ou-t between the

adjoining edges

28 and 29 of the outer aps, pulled tight and securely adhered to the top surfaces of said outer ilaps.

It will be `seen from the above description that a reusable, economical and convenient method for the closure of boxes has been attained which prevents sensitive tape from loosening and allowing the flaps to spring open.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed 1. In containers having their inner and outer aps, a process for lfastening the flaps in a closed position which comprises providing slots through inner tiaps in alignment with the concourse of outer flaps, attaching one end of adhesive coated strips to the innermost surface of said flaps, extending the free ends of said adhesive coated strips through said slots and said concourse during the closure of said flaps, and aiixing said free ends to the outermost surface of said aps.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said slots are openended at the free edges of said inner flaps.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,987,545 1/1935 Alexander. 2,828,905' 4/ 1958 Frizzell 229--47 XR BERNARD STICKNEY, Primary Examiner,

Claims

1. IN CONTAINERS HAVING THEIR INNER AND OUTER FLAPS, A PROCESS FOR FASTENING THE FLAPS IN A CLOSED POSITION WHICH COMPRISES PROVIDING SLOTS THROUGH INNER FLAPS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CONCOURSE OF OUTER FLAPS, ATTACHING ONE END OF ADHESIVE COATED STRIPS TO THE INNERMOST SURFACE OF SAID FLAPS, EXTENDING THE FREE ENDS OF SAID ADHESIVE COATED STRIPS THROUGH SAID SLOTS AND SAID CONCOURSE DURING THE CLOSURE OF SAID FLAPS, AND AFFIXING SAID FREE ENDS TO THE OUTERMOST SURFACE OF SAID FLAPS.