US3356284A - Carton structure - Google Patents

Carton structure Download PDF

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Publication number
US3356284A
US3356284A US515339A US51533965A US3356284A US 3356284 A US3356284 A US 3356284A US 515339 A US515339 A US 515339A US 51533965 A US51533965 A US 51533965A US 3356284 A US3356284 A US 3356284A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
carton
locking
locking flange
section
flange
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US515339A
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English (en)
Inventor
Lake Connie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mobil Oil AS
Original Assignee
Mobil Oil AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mobil Oil AS filed Critical Mobil Oil AS
Priority to US515339A priority Critical patent/US3356284A/en
Priority to BE691569D priority patent/BE691569A/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3356284A publication Critical patent/US3356284A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/32—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for eggs
    • B65D85/324—Containers with compartments made of pressed material

Definitions

  • a molded egg carton comprising a top section and a bottom cellular section integrally connected together along a longitudinal hinge-line, and a pair of longitudinally extending locking flanges integrally molded to each of the respective carton sections, said flanges being located along the longitudinal edge of said top carton sections and said bottom cellular section remote from said hingeline and adapted for interlocking relationship whereby said carton sections may be releasably locked together when said carton is in a closed position.
  • the present invention relates to improvements in egg cartons and more particularly to an integral means for releasably locking together the cover and bottom sections of the carton.
  • the locking feature of the cartons of the present invention offer distinct advantages over the prior art locking means for such cartons as hereinafter discussed.
  • extraneous means e.g. adhesive materials such as glue or tape.
  • adhesive materials such as glue or tape.
  • Such an arrangement sutfers from the disadvantage that once the carton has been opened it is inconvenient and diiicult, if not impossible, to again effect a locking closure thereof Without reapplying said adhesive means.
  • This drawback i.e. lack of a readily reusable and easy opening, releasable, locking mechanism in earlier carton structures, has been partially solved by certain prior art cartons which employed locking means that are built into the carton as 4an integral part thereof.
  • Such means comprise projecting tab or lug members adapted for insertion into mating recesses or slots to secure the top and bottom sections of the carton in a closed relationship.
  • locking means have not met with complete success for various reasons, chietly the amount of manipulation required in opening and again in reclosing and locking the cartons. Additionally, such prior .are locking means failed to give a suciently positive locking action whereby inadvertent opening of said top and bottom sections often resulted.
  • the present invention provides a molded egg carton, having a top cover section and a cell-containing bottom section, a bracing and locking flange which is integral with the cellular bottom section of the carton and which flange telescopes slidingly upwardly into locking engagement with means provided in the cover section as the cover is brought down toward the bottom section for closure of the carton.
  • Said means comprises .a locking flange integral with a side margin of the cover section thereby providing an interlocking member for engagement with the bottom locking flange when the carton is in a closed position.
  • a wide variety of materials may be employed in the fabrication of the carton structures of the present invention, for example, molded paper pulp, pasteboard, plastic, and the like.
  • a preferred material has been found to be thermoplastic foam such as, for example, foam polystyrene, although other polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and the like are also useful.
  • foam polystyrene although other polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and the like are also useful.
  • a single preferred embodiment of the present invention is presented, for purposes of illustration, in the attached drawings showing an egg carton as embodied f Patented Dec. 5, 1967 herein produced by match molding from a sheet of polystyrene foam.
  • the invention may be incorporated in other modified carton forms as hereinafter described.
  • FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a molded carton in an open position.
  • FIGURE 2 isa bottom plan view of a molded carton of the present invention in an open position.
  • FIGURE 3 is a view in transverse vertical section of the open carton along the line corresponding to line 3-3 of FIGURE l.
  • FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the carton in section showing the relationship of the carton locking means as the carton sections are being drawn into closed relationship.
  • FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the carton in section when the carton sections are in a closed position.
  • FIGURE 6 is an end-elevational view of the carton taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 4.
  • FIGURES 7 and 8 lare fragmentary Iviews in vertical section along lines 7-7 and 8 8 respectively of FIG- URE 5.
  • FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section along line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.
  • the carton construction of the present invention comprises a top section 11 and a bottom cellular section 12, integrally hinged at 13 along a common longitudinal margin of each of said sections.
  • the cellular bottom section 12 comprises a series of egg receiving cells 14.
  • bottom cellular section locking ange 15 which extends substantially the entire length of said bottom cellular section 12.
  • Bottom locking flange 15, normally positioned in a horizontal plane, is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of connecting hinge 16 whereby, when the carton sections are in a closed position, said bottom locking ange is rotated about the hinge axis 16 to a substantially vertical position inside of the front wall of said top carton section.
  • the carton top section 1I comprises front wall 17, joined to rear wall 18 by side wall members 19 and 19', respectively.
  • Bottom longitudinal edge 20 of rear wall 18 is continuously joined to a longitudinal marginal edge of the bottom cellular section 12 by integral hinge member 13.
  • the front wall 17 of top section 11 has integrally hinged, along the bottom longitudinal edge 22 thereof, top locking ange member 21 which extends substantially the entire length of said front wall bottom edge 22.
  • Top locking flange member 21, which normally extends in a horizontal plane is rotatable around the longitudinal axis of integral hinge 22 whereby when the top and bottom cellular sections are in closed relationship, top locking ange 21 is in a substantially vertical position adjacent to the inside surface 23 of front wall member 17.
  • the upper edge of bottom locking flange 15 has a longitudinally extending projecting ridge 24, which projects away from the carton interior when the carton sections are in a closed relationship.
  • Ridge 24 may extend continuously across substantially the entire length of the upper edge of bottom locking flange 15, as shown in FIGURE 2 or it may be discontinuous, consisting of a series of discontinuous or unconnected protrusions extending intermittently along the edge of bottom locking ange 15.
  • bottom locking flange member is rotated about integral hinge 16 to an upstanding or vertical position as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 5.
  • carton top section 11 is rotated around integral hinge 13 towards closing relationship with bottom cellular section 12.
  • top locking flange member 21 is rotated about integral hinge 22 whereby said flange is positioned adjacent the inside surface l23 of front wall 17 of top section 11.
  • top locking flange 21 As a result of the release of pressure being exerted against top locking flange 21 by projecting rib 24 which was previously forcing said top locking flange inwardly against surface 23, ridge 24 is now cammed over the edge 26 of top locking flange 21 whereby said projecting rib is adjacent the inside wall surface 23 of front wall member 17 along the upper edge thereof as illustrated in FIGURE 7.
  • bottom locking flange 15 and top locking flange 21 Since there is a natural tendency for integrally molded bottom locking flange 15 and top locking flange 21 to assume their normally substantially horizontal position as illustrated in FIGURE 3, a positive interlocking of the flange members results, bottom locking flange 15 having a tendency to press outwardly against the surface of top locking flange 21 and top locking flange 21 having a tendency to press inwardly against the surface of bottom locking flange 15 in contact therewith.
  • edge 26 of top locking flange 21 abuts the base of ridge 24 of bottom locking flange 15 and when opening forces are applied in a downward direction, as for example by the weight of eggs contained in cells 14 when the carton is filled with product, the carton sections remain firmly locked in a closed position.
  • top locking flange 21 When it is desired to open the carton, the edge 26 of top locking flange 21 must be disengaged from the base of ridge 24 of bottom locking flange 15. This may be quite easily accomplished by merely exerting, simultaneously, a slight upward and outward pressure against the exterior surface of longitudinal hinge 22 while grasping the cartons cellular bottom section 12. This results in edge 26 of top locking flange 21 pivoting about ridge 24 of bottom locking flange 15, integral longitudinal hinge 22 allowing flexure of top locking flange 21 as it rotates about hinge l22 and as the carton sections are being rotated about integral hinge 13 to an open position.
  • the movement of the locking flanges during the opening of the carton sections is illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 8.
  • bottom locking flange member 15 When carton sections 11 and 12 are in closed position, the upstanding bottom locking flange member 15, as aforediscussed, is positioned interiorly of the closed carton sections.
  • bottom locking flange member 15 does not contact the inside surface of the top of cover section 11 when the carton is closed, flange 15 may be constructed so that it is extended to engage the inside surface of top section 11 whereby flange 15, in addition to performing a locking function may also serve to brace the top of cover section 11 thereby resisting compression forces exerted on the top and bottom carton sections which may be encountered during handling of the closed carton.
  • flange 15 prevents lateral movement of the top and bottom carton Sections by the tendency of its lateral edges to abut against the inside surface of sidewalls 19 and 19 of top section 11 when such lateral force may be applied to the carton, as for example forces encountered during normal shipping and handling operations.
  • cover section sidewalls 19 and 19 and 17 and 18 are of scalloped shape, featuring longitudinally spaced outwardly curved, or recessed bays 27 formed by frusto-conical sectional sur faces molded in the sidewalls of the cover section to increase the egg room in the cover section above the egg cells 14 of the bottom section.
  • Intermediate said bays 27, which are generally in alignment with the recess portions of cells 14, are inwardly projecting abutting ledges 28 which abut against abutment ledges 29 intermediate cells 14 ywhen the carton sections are in a closed position.
  • bottom locking flange member 15 is characterized in that it may have a scalloped shape featuring longiincreased.
  • outwardly curved bays 30 formed by frusto-conical sectional surfaces molded in bottom locking flange member 15 whereby the egg room in the area adjacent the inside of upstanding bottom locking flange 15 when the carton is in a closed position is increased.
  • abutment ledges 31 are formed whereby, when the carton sections are closed and the bottom locking flange 15 is in a vertical position abutment ledges 31 and 29 come into contact thereby supporting said bottom locking flange 15 away from crushing engagement with the eggs retained in cells 14.
  • Top locking flange member 21 may likewise assume the scalloped shape as illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 featuring longitudinally spaced outwardly curved or recess bays 33 formed by frusto-conical sectional surfaces molded in said top locking flange.
  • the surface thereof presents frusto-conical projections 33 for mating engagement into the frusto-conical recesses 34 present in the exterior surface of bottom locking flange 15 when it is in a vertical position. It will be apparent that such an arrangement, i.e.
  • top locking flange 21 and bottom locking flange 15 are in side by side relationship, it is not necessary that when the carton is in a closed position, the top and bottom locking flanges should be in immediately, adjacent face to face contact.
  • Said locking members may be spaced apart somewhat whereby, although there is no face to face contact as illustrated in the drawings, such spacing of the contacting surfaces of the locking flanges will not adversely affect the locking arrangement of the present invention.
  • scalloped configuration of the locking flanges and sidewalls of carton top section 11 is only a preferred embodiment of carton structures which may employ the unique locking features of the present invention.
  • the surfaces of the locking flanges may be flat or planar as well as the surfaces of the sidewalls of the top of the cover section and still allow functioning of the carton locking means of the present invention as hereinbefore discussed.
  • ridge 24 of bottom locking liange may be discontinuous, that is, a plurality of projections may be spaced along the upper edge of bottom locking iiange member 15 rather than a continuous ridge, said projections being adapted to engage edge 26 of top locking flange member 21 when the carton is in a closed position.
  • a molded egg carton comprising a top section including a cover having a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls; and a bottom cellular section having a front side, a rear side and tWo ends and connectively hinged to said cover along the margin of the rear side of the bottom section to the margin of the rear side of the cover, the improvement which comprises a locking arrangement for securing said top and bottom sections in a closed relationship, said locking arrangement comprising (l) a bottom locking flange having (a) one of its longitudinal edges hinged to the longitudinal edge of the front side of said bottom cellular section, and (b) an opposite longitudinal edge; spaced-apart recesses located along the length of said bottom locking ange, said recesses being characterized by having a locking ridge located substantially adjacent to said opposite longitudinal edge; and (2) a top locking flange having (a) one of its longitudinal edges hinged to the longitudinal edge of the front wall of said top section; and (b) an opposite longitudinal edge, said top locking ange being positionable inside of the front
  • a molded egg carton in accordance with claim 1 wherein when said carton is in a closed position, said recesses located along the length of said bottom locking flange project inwardly toward said connecting hinge; and said projections located along the length of said top locking flange project inwardly toward said connecting hinge.
  • a molded egg carton in accordance with claim 1 which is formed of foam polystyrene.
  • top locking ange contains frusto-conical projections and the bottom locking ange contains frustoconical recesses, said projections and recesses being adapted for mating engagement with one another when the carton is closed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
US515339A 1965-12-21 1965-12-21 Carton structure Expired - Lifetime US3356284A (en)

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US515339A US3356284A (en) 1965-12-21 1965-12-21 Carton structure
BE691569D BE691569A (is") 1965-12-21 1966-12-21

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3531044A (en) * 1969-03-17 1970-09-29 Theodore C Baker Combined paperboard and plastic egg carton with self-locking cover
FR2050165A5 (is") * 1969-06-12 1971-03-26 Mobil Oil Corp
US3580479A (en) * 1966-08-29 1971-05-25 Continental Can Co Molded pulp egg carton
US3672693A (en) * 1969-07-11 1972-06-27 Dennis Douglas Weir Egg carton
US4625905A (en) * 1983-04-01 1986-12-02 Mobil Oil Corporation Hinged cover carton
US4742953A (en) * 1983-04-01 1988-05-10 Mobil Oil Corporation Hinged cover carton with inboard locking extensions
US6276531B1 (en) 2000-03-01 2001-08-21 Pactiv Corporation Molded fiber nestable egg tray packaging system
EP1454846A1 (de) * 2003-03-06 2004-09-08 Omni-Pac Ekco GmbH & Co. KG Verpackungsmittel Eierverpackung mit einer Verschlusseinrichtung
US8999415B2 (en) * 2012-01-12 2015-04-07 Tekni-Plex, Inc. Tri-fold egg carton for jumbo eggs
WO2019164908A1 (en) 2018-02-26 2019-08-29 Pauwels David Methods for preparing cannabis hurd fiber, purified cannabis hurd fiber, and articles containing the purified cannabis hurd fiber

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2600130A (en) * 1945-12-03 1952-06-10 Shellmar Products Corp Egg carton
US2777629A (en) * 1955-09-30 1957-01-15 Birmingham Paper Company Folding carton with self-locking cover
US2974847A (en) * 1957-10-24 1961-03-14 Diamond National Corp Packages or cartons for eggs and other fragile articles
US3116007A (en) * 1962-10-26 1963-12-31 Container Corp Container with interlocking tray and cover
US3207409A (en) * 1962-09-04 1965-09-21 Diamond Int Corp Molded pulp egg carton
US3223306A (en) * 1964-04-20 1965-12-14 Eugene M Alsman Carton with dual locking flaps
US3264120A (en) * 1963-05-01 1966-08-02 Dow Chemical Co Meat package

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2600130A (en) * 1945-12-03 1952-06-10 Shellmar Products Corp Egg carton
US2777629A (en) * 1955-09-30 1957-01-15 Birmingham Paper Company Folding carton with self-locking cover
US2974847A (en) * 1957-10-24 1961-03-14 Diamond National Corp Packages or cartons for eggs and other fragile articles
US3207409A (en) * 1962-09-04 1965-09-21 Diamond Int Corp Molded pulp egg carton
US3116007A (en) * 1962-10-26 1963-12-31 Container Corp Container with interlocking tray and cover
US3264120A (en) * 1963-05-01 1966-08-02 Dow Chemical Co Meat package
US3223306A (en) * 1964-04-20 1965-12-14 Eugene M Alsman Carton with dual locking flaps

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3580479A (en) * 1966-08-29 1971-05-25 Continental Can Co Molded pulp egg carton
US3531044A (en) * 1969-03-17 1970-09-29 Theodore C Baker Combined paperboard and plastic egg carton with self-locking cover
FR2050165A5 (is") * 1969-06-12 1971-03-26 Mobil Oil Corp
US3672693A (en) * 1969-07-11 1972-06-27 Dennis Douglas Weir Egg carton
US4625905A (en) * 1983-04-01 1986-12-02 Mobil Oil Corporation Hinged cover carton
US4742953A (en) * 1983-04-01 1988-05-10 Mobil Oil Corporation Hinged cover carton with inboard locking extensions
US6276531B1 (en) 2000-03-01 2001-08-21 Pactiv Corporation Molded fiber nestable egg tray packaging system
EP1454846A1 (de) * 2003-03-06 2004-09-08 Omni-Pac Ekco GmbH & Co. KG Verpackungsmittel Eierverpackung mit einer Verschlusseinrichtung
US8999415B2 (en) * 2012-01-12 2015-04-07 Tekni-Plex, Inc. Tri-fold egg carton for jumbo eggs
WO2019164908A1 (en) 2018-02-26 2019-08-29 Pauwels David Methods for preparing cannabis hurd fiber, purified cannabis hurd fiber, and articles containing the purified cannabis hurd fiber
US10947668B2 (en) 2018-02-26 2021-03-16 David Pauwels Methods for preparing cannabis hurd fiber, purified cannabis hurd fiber, and articles containing the purified cannabis hurd fiber
US12188180B2 (en) 2018-02-26 2025-01-07 David Pauwels Purified medicinal cannabis non-hemp hurd fiber, and articles containing the same

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Publication number Publication date
BE691569A (is") 1967-06-21

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