US3415585A

US3415585A - Storage container

Info

Publication number: US3415585A
Application number: US601762A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nelson J Morris
Original assignee: Weyerhaeuser Co
Current assignee: Weyerhaeuser Co
Priority date: 1966-12-14
Filing date: 1966-12-14
Publication date: 1968-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1985-12-10

Description

Dec. 10, 196.8 N. .1. MORRIS 3,415,585

STORAGE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 14, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 x vi w INVENTOR. lYfZS'O/Y J. MORE/5' pMc-W I ATTORNE vs Dec. 10, 1958 N. .1. MORRIS 3,415,585

STORAGE CONTAINER Admin...

INVENTOR. Afl 5'0/Y J. MORE/8 ATTORNE rs Dec. 10, 1968 N. J. MORRIS 3,415,585

STORAGE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 14, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. NEL 50/V J. MFR/5 Dec. 10, 1968 N. J. MORRIS STORAGE CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 14, 1966 "l mm m w NJ.

I & M cm aroma 5Y5 Dec. 10, 1968 N. J. MORRIS 3,415,585

STORAGE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 14. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR- NELSON J. MORRIS United States Patent 3,415,585 STORAGE CONTAINER Nelson J. Morris, Houston, Tex., assignor to Weyerhaeuser Company, Tacoma, Wash, a corporation of Washington Filed Dec. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 601,762 17 Claims. (Cl. 312--261) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container having a tray slidably mounted within a box which fully encloses the tray. The box may have its cover flaps folded over or be provided with additional internal liners for stacking strength. The tray has a number of internal partitions which are held upright within the tray. A ramp inclines downwardly toward the front of the tray between each of the partitions. The container may be used for storing reels.

This invention relates to a storage container having high strength characteristics. More specifically, this invention relates to a storage container having high strength characteristics and having easy access features for the retrieval of articles stored therein.

In recent years, many industries have provided an abundance of data in field of sales, marketing, research, planning, etc., for present and future use. In order to make proper use of this data, it is required that elaborate information retrieval systems be devised.

Because this data is transferred onto microfilms, magnetic tapes or the like, it is required that adequate storage space he provided. If the data is put on magnetic tapes, it is required that the tape be wound onto a metal or plastic reel which is then put into a metal or plastic cylindrical storage container. These containers are then placed in a room and arranged in such a manner to quickly be retrieved when it is needed.

In the past, it has been the practice to store these cylindrical storage containers on metal racks along one wall of a vault or other type of storage room. These racks had several tiers with metal dividers between two parallel spaced apart arms to hold the storage container in an upright position so that it could be easily removed as needed. Special attention must be made in storing these containers because of the danger of fires and dust. If the magnetic tapes are exposed to dust, their use is limited. Moreover, the metal racks which store the cylindrical containers take up a lot of excess room which is expensive since such space could be put to some other use.

The present invention replaces the racks with a number of containers which may be stacked several high. The container has an outer, fully enclosing body member and an inner slidable tray. The body member has reinforcing elements formed either by folding back some of the flaps of the body or by inserting additional liners within the body. This allows the cartons to be stacked several high. The slidable tray has within it a number of partitions for separating the reels stored within the tray. The partitions are held upright and the tray has an inclined ramp between the partitions to allow the reels to roll forwardly by gravity for easy retrieval within the container. The fully enclosed container protects the reels from dust and other elements.

An object of this invention is to provide a storage container having high strength characteristics for storing articles such as cylindrical containers containing magnetic tapes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a storage container having high strength characteristics having easy access to the interior thereof for quick retrieval of the articles stored therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a storage container having high strength characteristics so that the storage containers can be stacked one on top of the other with each storage container having a mechanism slidably mounted within the container to provide easy retrieval of all the articles within the container and a gravity system for individual articles.

These and other objects and advantages will become manifestly clear to those skilled in the art when taken in conjunction with the detailed description and drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the storage container blank of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the tray blank of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the reinforcing liner blank of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the partition holder blank.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the ramp blank.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the partition members blank.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the spacer blank.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the set up storage container blank.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the assembled storage container blank with the assembled liner blank being inserted therein.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective vie-w of the tray blank in a partially assembled condition.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the assembled wedge blank.

FIGURE 12 is an exploded perspective view of all the parts that go within the assembled tray blank.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the assembled container blank with all parts therein.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the assembled container blank with parts broken away and shown in cross section to illustrate internal details.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the tray having all parts therein.

FIGURE 16 is a sectional schematic View illustrating the manner in which magnetic tapes are stored within the assembled storage container.

Referring to the drawings, the storage container blank 1 is illustrated in FIGURE 1 and is provided with a plurality of horizontal score lines 2 which divide the blank into a bottom panel 3, a side panel 4, a top panel 5, and another side panel 6 and a glue flap 7. The vertical score line 12 is provided to form

bottom closure flaps

8, 9, 10 and 11, each being separated by a slot in the usual manner. A vertical score line 13 is provided to form bottom front closure panel 14, top front closure flap 15, and front

side closure flaps

16 and 17. The front side closure flap 16 is divided by a fold line 19 to provide a second panel 16 While the side front closure panel 17 is likewise divided by a fold line 18 to provide a second panel 17'. The

panels

16 and 17 are each provided with

additional fold lines

21 and 20 for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. Each of the front closure flaps are divided from each other by the usual slots. The bottom front closure panel 14 is provided with an elongated slot 22 which receives a closure lock hereinafter set forth and top front closure panel 15 is provided with a knob 23 which is attached to the closure lock.

The tray blank 24 is illustrated in FIGURE 2 and comprises a bottom panel 25 and side panels 26. The

panels

25 and 26 are hingedly connected to each. other by score lines 27. Hingedly connected to the bottom panel 25 is a rear panel 28 and separated therefrom by a score line 34. The panel 28 is divided into two

sections

28 and 28 by a pair of

score lines

29 and 30. The outer portion of the panel 28 is provided with extensions 32 which are adapted to fit into slots 31 formed in the bottom panel 25. In this manner the

panels

28 and 28 will be folded adjacent to each other in the assembled condition. Reinforcing flaps 33 are provided on the rear portion of the side panels 26 and are separated therefrom by

score lines

34 and 35. The reinforcing flaps 33 are separated from the rear panel 28 by a out line 44. The front portions of the side panels 26 are provided with curvilinear edges 36 which join fold lines 43' which separate glue flaps 42 from the side panels 26. A front panel 37 is provided and is divided into two

sections

37 and 37 by a pair of

fold lines

38 and 39. The outer extreme portions of the panel 37 is provided with extensions 41 that fit into slots 40 formed in the bottom panel 25. In this manner the

panel portions

37 and 37 are folded adjacent each other along the fold lines 38 and 39 in a manner as hereinafter set forth. As is illustrated, the glue flaps 42 are separated from the

front panels

37 and 37 by cut-out portions 45.

The liner blank 46 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 3 and is provided with a top panel 50 and a pair of side panels 49. The

panels

49 and 50 are separated from each other by fold lines 48. Reinforcing panels 51 are hingedly connected to the outer portions of panels 49 by fold lines 47. In this manner the reinforcing panels 51 can be folded to adjacent the side panels 49 in a manner as hereinafter set forth.

A partition holder blank 53 is illustrated in FIGURE 4 and consists of a plurality of transverse fold lines 54 to divide the blank 53 into a series of panels 55. Slots 56 and 57 are formed in the blank coaxial with each other so that upon folding the blank 53 in a manner as hereinafter set forth, the slots 56 and 57 will register.

A reel supporting ramp blank 58 is illustrated in FIG- URE and is provided with a top panel 60 and side supporting panels 59 divided therefrom by fold lines 61. A support tab 62 is hingedly connected at 63 to the top panel 60. As is illustrated, the side support panels 59 diverge outwardly away from the front portion 60' of the top support panel 60.

In FIGURE 6, the partition member 64 is illustrated having upper edge 66 and a lower edge 65 that are parallel with respect to each other. The upper and

lower edges

66 and 65 are joined together by curved end edges 67. The partition members 64 are adapted to fit into the slots 56 and 57 in the partition holding blank 53.

A wedge blank 68 is illustrated in FIGURE 7 and consists of a plurality of score lines 69 on each end thereof which divides the blank into

end enlargement members

78 and 79 with a panel 70 therebetween. The enlargement members are illustrated in FIGURE 11.

In assembling the storage container of the present invention, the storage container blank 1 is folded along score lines 2 to form a regular slotted container with the glue flaps 7 adhered to the side panel 6. The set up assembled storage container blank 1 is illustrated in FIG- URE 8 and indicated at 73. The

panels

17 and 16 are folded with respect to the

panel

17 and 16 along

score lines

18 and 19. The top closure panel is provided with an opening 71 to receive a T-shaped locking key 72 which is connected to the knob 23. The transverse portion of the T-shaped locking key is adapted to fit into slot 22 to close the front portion thereof. After the blank 1 is set up into a condition as illustrated in FIGURE 8, the back end is closed by folding flaps 9 and 11 and then flaps 10 and 8 are adhered thereto to close the rear portion.

Next, the liner blank 46 is folded along fold lines 47 and the panels 51 are adhered to the side panels 49. Then the liner is folded along fold lines 48' to present a generally U-shaped configuration as illustrated in FIGURE 9. The portions 52 of the liner blank 46 provides a cut-out portion so the folded

panels

16 and 17 will fit on the interior of the container 73 and are coplaner with the re- 4 inforcing panels 51. The size of the cut-out portion 52 is selected so as to fit the folded

sections

17, 17 and 16, 16. The reinforcing liner 74 provides additional stacking strength for the storage container due to the double side wall thickness thereof.

The tray blank 24 can now be folded into a set up condition by folding the side panels 26 along fold lines 27 as illustrated in FIGURE 10. The reinforcing glue flaps 33 and 42 are folded 90 with respect to the side walls 26 and then the

rear panels

28 and 28 are folded along

score lines

34, 29 and 30 so as to envelop the reinforcing flaps 33 therein. The members 32 are then extended into the slots 31 to completely close the rear end thereof. The front wall panels 37 and 37' are likewise folded along

score lines

43, 38, and 39 in a manner as illustrated in FIGURES l0 and 12. As is conventional, the

flaps

33 and 42 may be adhered to the

panels

28 and 28 and

panels

37 and 37. The completed set up tray blank is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 12.

Next, the partition holding blank 53 is folded along score lines 54 in a manner so as to roll up on itself in such a manner so as to provide the slots 56 and 57 in register and then the blank is stapled together as at 80' or may be adhered. The rolled up partition holding blank 53 is then positioned adjacent the front Wall 37 and 37' in a manner as illustrated at 80 in FIGURES 14 and 15. The partition blanks 64 are now inserted into the slots 56 and 57 and held in that position so as to form partitions in the assembled tray blank 75. The reel supporting ramp blanks 58 are now folded along fold lines 61 and the supporting tab 62 is adhered to the side walls 59. The front portion 60 of the ramp is positioned adjacent the trailing edge of the partition holding blank 80 and is engageable therewith. The rear portion of the set up supporting blanks 76 are engageable with the panel 28 of the set up tray 75.

The set up tray with its contents therein can now be placed within the storage container 73. However, the

side panels

17 and 17' and 16 and 16 are folded along

fold lines

20 and 21 and folded adjacent the

side panels

4 and 5 as illustrated in FIGURE 14. The assembled tray blank with the parts assembled therein can now he slid into the container as illustrated in FIGURE 14. In this manner, reels such as illustrated in FIGURE 16 at 81 can be placed between the partition members 64 and ready access can be made thereto by merely removing individual articles or sliding the tray with respect to the container 73.

Next, the wedge blank 68 is folded along score lines 69 upon itself to provide enlargements 78 and 79- at the rear and front portion thereof to provide a wedge-shaped set up wedge member 77. The

enlargement portions

78 and 79 are connected to each other by the panel member 70. The set up condition of the wedge-shaped member is illustrated in FIGURE 11. The contents of the container can now be placed between the partitions as illustrated in FIGURE 16. In this instance, reels such as magnetic tapes encased within plastic containers are placed between the partitions 64. The wedge-shaped member 77 is now placed upon the upper portion of the reels to engage and wedge against the reels to hold them in position. The bottom closure panel 14 is now folded up adjacent to the container 73 and then the top closure panel 15 is folded down adjacent the panel 14 with the T-portion 72 extending into the slot 22 in panel 14 and turned by knob 23 to lock the container and contents therein. The completely assembled container with the contents therein is now ready for shipment. When it is desired to permanently store the container 73 with the contents therein, it is preferred that the wedge member 77 be removed so that the reel members 81 can be readily removed from the container. The reels 81 are removed from the containers by merely turning the knob 23 and opening the

front panels

14 and 15, removing individual articles and pulling the assembled tray 75 from the container 73 for removal of all the articles.

By providing the gravity forward movement of back reels and sliding relationship between the trays 75 and the set up container 73, a plurality of containers 73 can be stacked one on top of the other one, yet access to the bottom container 73 is readily obtained.

While specific details of a preferred embodiment have been set forth above, it will be apparent that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will therefore be understood that what has been described herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: a container for storing articles provided with top, bottom, and side walls; each of said walls being provided with front and rear end closure flaps hingedly connected thereto; tray means within said container and slidable with respect to said container; said tray means being provided with a plurality of upright partition means; means to hold said partition means within said tray means; and ramp means between said partition means extending upwardly from the front of said tray means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the front side wall closure flaps are each provided with fold lines at the mid-portion thereof so that the front side closure flaps can be folded upon itself and then folded within the container to provide stacking strength for said container.

3. In combination: a container for storing articles provided with top, bottom, and side walls; each of said walls being provided with front and rear end closure flaps hingedly connected thereto, tray means within said container and slidable with respect to said container; said tray means is provided with bottom and side panels hingedly connected to each other and front and rear panels hingedly connected to the bottom panel; said rear panel being provided with a pair of fold lines at the mid-portion thereof so that said rear panel can be folded upon itself to provide a double wall thickness; the outer portion of said rear panel being provided with extensions; and slot means provided in the bottom panel to receive said extensions on the rear panel; said front wall being provided with a pair of fold lines at the mid-portion thereof so that said front Wall can be folded upon itself to provide a double wall thickness; the outer portion of said front wall being provided with extensions that are extendable into slots formed in the bottom panel to lock the front panel in a set up condition; said front wall portion thereof being only a fraction of the height of said rear wall portion; and reinforcing flaps on the front and rear portions of the side walls extendable between each of the front and rear folded panels; said tray means being provided with a plurality of upright partition means; means to hold said partition means within said tray means; and ramp means between said partition means extending upwardly from the front of said tray means.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the front side wall closure flaps are each provided with fold lines at the mid-portion thereof so that the front side closure flaps can be folded upon itself .and then folded within the container to provide stacking strength for said container 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said partition means are in the form of elongated panels having upper and lower parallel edges connected together by curvilinear edges.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein the partition means are in the form of elongated panels having upper and lower parallel edges connected together by curvilinear edges.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said partition holding means is provided with elongated slots to receive the partition means and hold the same upright within said tray; said partition holding means being positioned adjacent to the front wall of said tray.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said partition holding means is provided with elongated slots to receive the partition means and hold the same upright within said tray; said partition holding means being positioned adjacent to the front wall of said tray.

9. 'In combination: a container for storing articles provided with top, bottom, and side walls; each of said walls being provided with front and rear end closure flaps hingedly connected thereto, tray means within said container and slidable with respect to said container; said tray means being provided with a plurality of upright partition means; means to hold said partition means within said tray means; and ramp means between said partition means extending upwardly from the front of said tray means; said ramp means is provided with a top panel and a pair of side panels hingedly connected to said top panel and a support tab hingedly connected to the rear portion of said top panel; said ramp means being engageable with the training edge of said partition holding means and extending in a generally upwardly direction to support articles within said container.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein said ramp means is provided with a top panel and a pair of side panels hingedly connected to said top panel and a support tab hingedly connected to the rear portion of said top panel; said ramp means being engageable with the training edge of said partition holding means and extending in a generally upwardly direction to support articles within said container.

11. In combination: a container for storing articles provided with top, bottom, and side Walls; each of said walls being provided with front and rear end closure flaps hingedly connected thereto; tray means within said container and slidable with respect to said container; said tray means being provided with a plurality of upright partition means; means to ihold said partition means within said tray means; and ramp means between said partition means extending upwardly from the front of said tray means; a liner means positioned intermediate said tray means within said container and said container side walls.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said liner means is provided with a top panel and side panels; said side panels being provided with a fold line intermediate the ends thereof so as to be folded adjacent each other to provide a double wall reinforced side wall.

13. A subcombination; comprising: tray means having bottom and side walls hingedly connected with respect to each other; front and rear walls hingedly connected to the bottom wall; a plurality of partition means positioned within said tray means; partition holding means mounted adjacent the front wall of said tray means for holding said partition means in an upright position; and ramp means mounted between said partition means and extending in a generally upwardly direction from said front wall.

14. The subcombination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said front wall is provided with a pair of panels folded upon each other and locked in position by extensions in tegral with said front wall and extending into slots through the bottom panel and wherein said rear wall is provided With a pair of panels hingedly connected to each other along its intermediate portion and locked into position by extensions integral with the rear wall and extending into slots through the bottom panel.

15. The subcombination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said partition means is an elongated structure having upper and lower parallel edges connected by curvilinear edges.

16. The subcombination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said partition holding means is provided with slots to receive said partition means and is mounted adjacent to and enagageable with the front wall of said tray means.

17. The subcombination of claim 13 wherein said ramp means is provided with a top wall hingedly connected to side walls and a support tab hingedly connected to said 7 8 top panel wherein one end of said panel is of a greater 2,649,348 8/1953 Calhoun et a1. t 206--44.12 2,918,342 12/1959 Tarte 312-20 X height than said other end; said reinforcing tab being hingedly connected to said top panel at the highest end thereof.

References Cited 5 JANIES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,565,993 12/1925 Fitzpatrick 312-17 2,257,536 9/1941 Roycroft 211-126 3,325,050 6/1967 Wanamaker 211126 X