US3547256A - Package for lightbulbs and the like - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Hubert V. Bolding Memphis, Tenn. [21] Appl. No. 817,666 [22] Filed Apr. 21,1969 [45] Patented Dec. 15, 1970 [73] Assignee Eastex Packaging, Inc.

Oak Brook, 111. a corporation of Delaware [54] PACKAGE FOR LIGHTBULBS AND THE LIKE 9 Claims, 16 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. C1 206/46; 229/14, 229/39 [51 Int. Cl B65d 5/04, 865d 25/12, B65d 85/42 [50] Field of Search 206/46(Fragile),

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,160,816 6/1939 Barnes 229/14 2,320,396 6/1943 Ringler.... 206/46 3,182,885 5/1965 Maio 206/46 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney .lohn R. Walker lll ABSTRACT: Paperboard carton means particularly adapted for packaging lightbulbs or other fragile articles. The paper board carton means of the invention includes a square-sectioned tubular body adapted to longitudinally axially receive a lightbulb article. The carton means includes a parallel pair of partition panels defining corresponding confronting openings adapted to frictionally removably engage opposite side surfaces of the bulbous portion of a lightbulb or the like. The carton means is particularly designed to be mechanically automatically folded and formed into a diagonally flattened configuration and is adapted to be mechanically automatically erected and packaged with the lightbulb article by an automatically operative lightbulb packaging machine. The carton means of the invention includes a pair of tab portions operative for (l) causing the flattened semierected lightbulb carton body to be continuously urged toward an open squared configuration; (2) for causing the carton body to be locked in a fully open squared configuration; and (3) the tab portions serve as paperboard base structure for bearing descriptive or advertising indicia pertinent to the packaged article or lightbulb. A second embodiment of the carton is shown wherein there are two pairs of tab portions, with one pair being at one end of the carton and the other pair at the opposite end of the carton.

PATENTEU 0501 5 I970 SHEET 3 BF 4 INVEN'I'OR. HUBERT BOLDING PATENTED 1150151910 35471256 SHEET [1F 4 U N) v o IZ::3-\ R? U v 2 LL.

INVIz'N'l'OR. HUBERT V. BOLDING BY W Maw/E- PACKAGE FOR LIGI-ITBULBS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention It relates to paperboard carton manufacture generally and particularly to paperboard carton means adapted for packaging lightbulbs, radio tubes or other such articles.

2. Description of the Prior Art In packaging lightbulbs or other such articles by automatically operative machine means the carton is first semierected or folded and adhesively bonded to form a diagonally flat tened carton which is then fed into the lightbulb packaging machine. Such a packaging machine squares the tubular body part of the flattened carton and prepares the carton for receiving the lightbulb which is thrust and packaged in the squared sleevelike carton body. U.S. Pat. No. 3,1 15,290 illustrates prior art lightbulb carton structure adaptedfor use in packaging lightbulbs by means of such packaging machines. US. Pat. No. 3,182,885 illustrates also a carton adapted for packaging lightbulbs or other such articles. 7

In automatically operative machine packaging and carton erecting apparatus a problem of particular import is in machine stoppage resulting from a misformed or mishandled carton blank. It is particularly important in operation of the high speed packaging machines that the cartons be quickly positively uniformly opened to a squared disposition consecutively without a semiformed carton blank lodging in or stopping operation of a machine. This stage of the packaging operation particularly was subject to stoppage by a misaligned or deformed box blank which resulted in the machine having to be stopped and cleared of such material. Also, the lightbulb package may not be properly square and this detracted from its appearance and also its ease of packaging. In certain prior art lightbulb cartons, the carton is maintained in a square erected configuration by the lightbulb article contained or packaged or was maintained in a square configuration by top flap closure means. US. Pat. Nos. 290 and '885 each include flap type closure means functioning for maintaining the lightbulb carton in a squared configuration-Also, in certain prior art lightbulb carton structures, the advertising or descriptive indicia is subject to soiling which detracts from the appearance of the merchandise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The carton blank means of the present invention includes a pair of oppositely operative tab means functioning for urging the semierected diagonally flattened carton to a squared disposition and functions particularly for initially urging the carton from its flattened disposition to a square disposition. Also, the taps function for maintaining or looking the carton in a squared disposition irrespective of whether a lightbulb article is contained in the carton. A packaged lightbulb may be removed from a carton without affecting the square linearity of the carton and the carton is maintained in a square disposition by the oppositely projecting tab portions and without relying on flap type closure means for maintaining a square carton. The pair of tap portions of the carton structure of the present invention functions also as paperboard base structure for imprinting or bearing descriptive or advertising indicia; the tap portions are arranged generally in the interior of the carton and are not subject to collecting dust or soiling by handling. The indicia imprinted on the tab portions is readily visible and without opening flaptype closure means or the like. In addition, the carton is so folded that the smooth or finished side of the blank becomes not only the exterior side of the carton but also a portion of theblank becomes the confrontingly arranged interior surfaces of the partitions which hold th lightbulb. These confrontingly arranged surfaces are preferably colored blue so that the lightbulb has a more pleasing and brighter white appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view ofthe obverse side ofthe carton blank. FIG. 2 is a view of the reverse side of the carton blank.

FIG. 3A-3E illustrate variousstages of the erection of the carton blank means of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical plane cross-sectional view taken as on the line IV-IV of FIG. 3E.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal plane sectional view taken as on the line V-V of FIG. 3B, but with the carton expanded to an intermediate or partially erected disposition.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lightbulb and carton package combination.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the lightbulb package.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a vertical plane sectional view taken as on the line lX-IX of FIG. 7. 7

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a second or modified embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the blank of FIG. 10 after being formed into a package and shown with a radio tube received therein. 3

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken as on the line XII-XII of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The carton blank, indicated by numeral 11, preferably is formed of thin dense paperboard material and is generally elongate rectangular in configuration (see FIGS. 1 and 2). For purposes of clarity in description, blank 11 will be considered as being demarcated'along a longitudinal centerline indicated X, X. Carton blank 11 includes transversely extending fold lines 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 arranged consecutively from left to right as viewed in FIG. 2 and demarcates the blank respectively into a binding flap 29, a first partition portion 31, a first web portion 33, a second partition portion 31', a second web portion 35, and first, second, third, and fourth side panel portions 37, 39, 41, 43. Blank 11 includes also a corresponding pair of tab portions 45, 45 interconnected respectively by fold lines 47, 47 with partition portions 31, 31 Partition portions 31, 31 include respectively structure defining openings or apertures 49, 49' each preferably generally rectangular in configuration.

Box blank 11 preferably has three pairs of areas that are adapted to be respectively bonded together by adhesive means as glue or the like. These areas are preferably as follows: First adhesive areas 33, 33" provided respectively on first web 33 and side portion 39 on the reverse side of carton blank 11. The liquid glue or other adhesive is preferablyprovided on the area 33 for adhesively bonding first web 33 to side portion 39 in the erection of the carton blank. It will be understood that the glue on the area 33 will be bonded to the area 33", which preferably does not contain glue. Second adhesive areas 29', 29" are provided respectively on the obverse side of binding flap 29 and the reverse side of side panel 435. The liquid adhesive is preferably provided on area 29' which will adhere to the area 29" to bond flap 29 to side panel 43. Third adhesive areas 35, 35" are provided respectively on the reverse side of fourth panel 43 and the obverse side of second web 35. The liquid adhesive is preferably provided on the area 35 which will adhere to the area 35" to bond second web 35 on side panel 33 in the erection of carton blank 11. The glue or adhesive is preferably applied to the areas 33, 29' and 39 by suitable means, not shown, on the carton machine.

Preferably, the obverse side surface (FIG. I) of box blank 11 is smoothly finished or calendared, or is fitted with a laminatingly bonded sheet of liner material for providing smooth pleasing outer surfaces of the erected carton and for providing smooth finish surfaces (preferably colored, as with the color blue, for a purpose later to be described) on the confronting surface areas of box carton partition panel portions 31, 31. The obverse side surfaces respectively of tab portions 45, 45 are preferably covered with calendared sheet material and may be imprinted simultaneously with the outer surfaces of the box blank exhibited by side panels 37, 39, 41, 43.

Carton blank 11 is adapted to be semierected into a diagonally flattened disposition by an automatically operative carton blank folding machine. FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate "somewhat sequentially the steps in forming the box blank into a disposition as shown in FIG. 3E and FIGS. 4 and 5. In erect- 'ing box blank 1 1 into the semierected disposition shown in FIG. 3E, the following steps preferably are carried out:

, Box blank 11 is arranged as shown in FIG. 3A with its reverse side facing upwardly and with tab portions 45, 45 and openings or apertures 49, 49 arranged leftward. Tab portions ,45, 45' each are folded 180 downwardly along respective fold . lines 47, 47 and into parallel contiguous relationship respecsomewhat of an accordion-type fold with partition panel 31 being contiguous with side panel 37 and with web portion 33 and partition panel 31 overlying partition panel 31.

Tab portions 45, 45', partition portions 31, 31', binding flap 29, web portions 33, 35, and side panel 37 are then pivotally moved together 180 rightward along fold line 23 and to a disposition -whereat first partition portion 31 rests on side panel 41 and an adhesive bond is formed by bonding engagement of the glue on first web adhesive area 33' with area 33" of side panel 39 (see FIG. 3D). Side panel 43 is then pivotally moved 180 leftward along fold line 27 and over side panel 41 (see FIG. 3E). Pivotaliy moving side panel 43 substantially simultaneously forms an adhesive bond between adhesive areas 29, 29" of binding flap 29 and side panel 43, and adhesive area 35, 35" of second web 35 and side panel 43.

. It will be noted that all portions of blank 11 are manipulated except side panel portions 39, 41 during the above described board material at fold lines 47, 47' (see FIGS. 4 and Tab portions 45, 45 tend to urge the flattened semierected box blank 11 to a thickened configuration and such that is particularly advantageous in processing by lightbulb packaging machines.

.FIGS. 69.illustrate the carton 11" in a fully erected disposition and as packaging a lightbulb article L having a bulbous body portion B, a neck portion N, and a socket engaging portion S. Box blank 11" when in a fully erected disposition includes a tubular or sleevelike square-sectioned body portion Sfformed by side panel portions 37, 39, 41, 43. First web portion 33 is laminatingly bonded on the inward surface of side panel 39 and partition panels 31, 31' parallel extend symmetr'ically between first and third side panels 37, 4!. Partition panels 31, 31 engage opposite lateral surface portions of lightbulb body B; oppositely protruding lateral portions of lightbulb portion B project slightly into aligned apertures 49, 49' of partition portions 31, 31' and with lightbulb neck portion N being received between the parallel partition portions (see FIGS. 7-9).

Tab portions 45, 45 are restrained against further pivotal movementby engagement respectively with the inside surfaces of side panels 37, 41. Tabs 45, 45' are configured in longitudinal extension for snugly fitting between side panels 39, 43jand configured in transverse dimensions for permitting resiliently sprung movement of approximately 75; each tab portion 45, 45' preferably is of transverse dimension permitting a respective tab portion to be resiliently sprung approximately 75 outwardly from its supporting partition panel 31*, 31' and for causing substantially a locking action in maintaining the carton body 51 in a square disposition. The socket portion S of lightbulb L projects axially outwardly from tab portions 45, 45 and is shielded by carton side panel portions 37;, 39, 41', 43' (see for example, side panel portion 39' in FIG. 9).

Lightbulb article L may be removed from erected carton 11 in the following manner (refer to FIG. 9): Tubular carton body 51 is grasped by one hand and the lightbulb is pressed upwardly by finger pressing on lightbulb socket portion S. Pressing upwardly on the lightbulb disengages bulbous body portion 8 from apertures 49, 49 and moves the lightbulb upwardly and outwardly from the carton body. The user may then grasp the bulbous portion B of the lightbulb and manipulate as desired. To insert the lightbulb in carton 11", theuser has only to axially move the lightbulb neck portion downwardly between partition panels 31, 31 and detent lock bulbous portion B in apertures 49,49.

Preferably, the obverse side surfaces of confrontingly arranged partition panels 31, 31' are colored bright blue or other such bright color for enhancing theappearance of a lightbulb contained in carton 11". This is particularly desirable when the lightbulb to be contained in the carton is coated or painted and readily picks up or reflects light from the colored partition panel. The light reflected from the partition panel on the lightbulb provides a very pleasing packaging feature. Also, since the obverse side surface of tab portions 45, 45' face outwardly (downwardly in FIG. 9), the tab portions may readily be imprinted with desired advertising or descriptive indicia as carton blank 11 is being formed. lndicia formed on tab portions 45, 45 is readily visible when viewed toward the socket end of lightbulb L (as viewed upwardly in FIG. 9) and the indicia is shielded from dust and handling by projecting portions of tubular body panels 37', 39', 41, 43.

The modified embodiment shown in FIGS. 10l2 is substantially the same as the first embodiment heretofore described except that there are two pairs of tabportions rather than one pair and the opening which receives the article is I preferably symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal centerline of the blank rather than being offset as in the first embodiment. The second embodiment is particularly adapted for packaging heavier articles or for packaging fragile articles such as radio tubes and the like and is illustrated with a radio tube R.

The portions in the second embodiment of FIGS. l012 which correspond to the portions of the first embodiment are indicated by the same numbers with the addition of the suffix a and the assembly of same will be readily apparent from the description of the assembly of the preferred embodiment. The only additional elements are the tabs 46,46 which are respectively disposed on the opposite ends of the partition portions 310 and 31 'a from the tab portions 450 and 45'a. It should be pointed out that in the assembly of the carton the tabs 46 and 46 are folded along the fold lines 460 and 46'a inwardly toward tab portions 45a and 45a.

Iclaim:

l. Paperboard carton blank means configured for fonning an open ended erected carton adapted for packaging an article, said carton blank means being generally elongated rectangularly and having fold lines extending transversely across the carton blank and demarcating said blank means consecutively from one end edge thereto intoa narrow binding flap, a first partition portion, a first web portion, a second partition portion, a second web portion, and first, second, third and fourth side panel portions, and at least a pair of tab portions includ ing first and second tab portions connected respectively on longitudinal fold lines to corresponding lateral portions respectively of said first and second partition portions, and means defining relatively large openings respectively in said first and second partition portions adapted to receive portions of the packaged article.

2. The paperboard carton blank means of claim l-which includes third and fourth tab portions connected respectively on longitudinal fold lines to portions of said first and second partition portions opposite from said first and second tab portions.

3. Open ended paperboard carton means erected from a paperboard carton .blank adapted for packaging an article comprising first, second, third and fourth vertical square-arranged side panels, first and second partition panels arranged substantially parallel and extending between said second and fourth side panels, a first web portion integrally interconnecting said first and second partition panels, first adhesive means laminatingly bonding said first web portion on the inward surface of said second side panel, a second web portion integrally interconnecting said first side panel'and said first partition panel, a binding flap integrally connected with said second partition panel extending oppositely from said first partition panel, second and third adhesive means laminatingly bonding respectively said second web portion and said binding flap on horizontally spaced apart surface portions of the inward surface of said fourth side panel, at least a pair of tab portions including first and second tab portions inwardly divergingly arranged and integrally connected respectively along proximal fold line portions with the first and second partition portions, and having respectively distal edge portions engaging confronting inward surfaces of said first and third side panels, and further with said first and second partition panels each including structure defining an opening, and with the opening structure respectively of the pair of openings of said first and second partition panels being correspondingly opposingly arranged and adapted to frictionally embrace oppositely facing lateral surface portions of a part of said article.

4. The paperboard carton means of claim 3 which includes third and fourth tab portions inwardly divergingly arranged and integrally connected respectively along proximal fold line portions with the first and second partition portions opposite from said first and second tab portions, and having respectively distal edge portions engaging confronting inward surfaces of said first and third side panels. I

5. In combination, paperboard carton means and an article packaged thereby, the carton means including first, second, third and fourth side panel means defining'a generally square tubular open ended carton body, first and second partition panel means arranged in the interior of said tubular body means spanning said second and fourth side panel means each including structure defining an opening, the structure of the pair of openings defined in said first and; second partition panels frictionally embracing oppositely facing lateral surface portions of a portion of said article, at least a pair of tab portions including first and second tab portions integrally supported from the upper marginal boundaries respectively of said first and second partition panels and extending divergingly, and with the lower marginal free edge portions thereof being resiliently urged outwardly oppositely and into engagement respectively with the confrontingly arranged inward surfaces respectively of said first and third side panel means, each tab portion being foldably connected to a respective partition panel and resiliently urged pivotally by virtue of the resilient character of the paperboard material of said carton means, each tab being restrained against pivotal movement by a respective side panel and at an angle between said tab portion and its associated supporting partition panel, the outwardly oppositely resiliently urged first and second tab portions being operative for causing the carton body to be urged toward a squared,configuration from a flattened configuration and for causing locking action respectively between the partition panels and the side panels and for maintaining the tubular carton body in a square configuration.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which is included a second pair of tab portions integrally supported from the lower marginal boundaries respectively of said first and second partition panels and having the same characteristics as said first pair of tab portions.

7. The paperboard carton means and article combination as defined in claim 5 wherein the confronting surfaces respectively of said first and second partition panels each are calendared or finished smooth and reflect light to the surface of the article.

8. The paperboard carton means and lightbulb article combination as defined in claim 7 wherein the outwardly facing surface of at least one tab portion of said tab portions of said each of said tab portions lies substantially in a single plane.

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