US3570747A - Carton and latch construction - Google Patents

Carton and latch construction Download PDF

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Publication number
US3570747A
US3570747A US789856A US3570747DA US3570747A US 3570747 A US3570747 A US 3570747A US 789856 A US789856 A US 789856A US 3570747D A US3570747D A US 3570747DA US 3570747 A US3570747 A US 3570747A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
carton
common
edges
adjacent
latch means
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
US789856A
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English (en)
Inventor
Roderick F Mckenna
Robert Mccormick
Howard A Rohdin
Don Tucker
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Packaging Industries Inc
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Packaging Industries Inc
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Publication date
US case filed in Georgia Northern District Court litigation Critical https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Georgia%20Northern%20District%20Court/case/1%3A15-cv-01316 Source: District Court Jurisdiction: Georgia Northern District Court "Unified Patents Litigation Data" by Unified Patents is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Packaging Industries Inc filed Critical Packaging Industries Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3570747A publication Critical patent/US3570747A/en
Assigned to PHILADELPHIA NATIONAL BANK, THE reassignment PHILADELPHIA NATIONAL BANK, THE SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: P I, INC.
Assigned to PI, INC., PACKAGING INDUSTIES GROUP, INC., PI CORPORATION, PI, INC., PACKAGING INDUSTRIES, INC. AND PACKAGING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, INC. reassignment PI, INC., PACKAGING INDUSTIES GROUP, INC., PI CORPORATION, PI, INC., PACKAGING INDUSTRIES, INC. AND PACKAGING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, INC. RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PHILADELPHIA NATIONAL BANK
Assigned to MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC., A CORP. reassignment MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC., A CORP. SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC.
Assigned to PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC., A DE. CORP. reassignment PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC., A DE. CORP. LICENSE (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Assigned to PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC. A CORP. OF DELAWARE reassignment PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC. A CORP. OF DELAWARE RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC.
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

  • an egg carton or similar article made of foamed polystyrene or like material comprising a top portion and a bottom portion hinged along one side and releasably fastened along the other side and/or ends by one or more latching means.
  • the bottom portion of the carton having the egg cells is molded such that a plurality of vertical protrusions are formed along its edge, each protrusion having an outwardly projecting hook at its upper end. These hooks lock into catches or detents molded into the wall of the top portion.
  • the latching means do not extend beyond the edges of the carton and thus do not increase its width or length. Further means are provided to resist opening when the cartons are stacked.
  • RODERICK F McKENNA ROBERT McCORMICK HOWARD A. ROHDIN DON TUCKER M244, W,
  • closure means include protrusions at various points along the edges of the cartons, and the overall dimensions of the cartons are thereby increased. This prevents the cartons from being readily stacked in accordance with standard size packaging requirements, decreases the stability of the carton stacks, and increases the amount and cost of the raw material from which the cartons are manufactured.
  • a recent innovation in the manufacture of egg cartons is the use of foamed polystyrene in sheet form as the material for the carton.
  • the sheet of uniform thickness, is thermoformed, i.e., pressed under heat, between mating dies to the desired shape.
  • the ready compressibility and elasticity of the this material when warm enables complex shapes with large surface area to be formed from a blank having less surface area.
  • One form of carton that may be produced from foamed polystyrene is described in copending application Ser. No. 743,673, filed Jul. 10, 1968, for Protective Container and Method of Sealing and Opening Thereof, in the names of Bambara and Rohdin, and assigned to the present assignee.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide an improved latching means for an egg carton, which latching means does not protrude beyond the sides of the package and requires no extra material for its formation.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide such an improved egg carton that lends itself to ready production on conventional machinery.
  • the carton blanks are thermoformed of foamed polystyrene with the carton bottom having the egg cells formed with a plurality of raised si semicylindrical portions extending perpendicularly outward of the edge between pairs of cells.
  • each of the semicylindrical portions are cut vertically inside of the finished edge of the carton to form one-half of the latch means.
  • Mating latch parts are molded along the edges of the top of the carton so that when folded shut, the latch parts, all of which are inside of the finished edges of the carton, firmly hook together.
  • the latch means may be located along the iongitudinal edge of the carton or at its ends or both.
  • the cartontop To resist opening when racked, elongated depressions in the cartontop are formed which, when the carton is closed, will bear against the tops of the posts between clusters of the egg cells. This gives added rigidity to the carton.
  • the carton may be heat staked or sealed after filling at the contacting portions along the edges between adjacent egg cells where no latches are formed.
  • the resultant construction provides a firm, strong egg carton that may be securely closed without bulky latching means requiring added material or extending. beyond the edges of the carton. It may be readily and uniformly stacked and resists opening when twisted during handling.
  • the improved latch means by requiring no openings to be made in the carton, does not weaken the carton and thereby extends its life.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the egg carton of the inven- I tion in a partially open position
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view-of the egg carton of FIG. 1 in the fully open position
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse section through the latch means of the carton in closed position
  • FIG. is a section similar to that of FIG. 3 with the carton partially open, and showing in dotted lines the relationship of an adjacent bottom portion as formed on the blank;
  • FIG. 5 is a partial elevation of the bottom part of the latch means taken from the direction indicated by the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a partial plari view of the closed carton
  • FIG. 7 is an elevation of the closed carton showing the latch means in closed position
  • FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal section through a closed carton illustrating another form of antiracking means.
  • FIG. 9 is a broken top view of a carton showing latching means at the ends and along one side.
  • an egg carton ll embodying the invention consists of a top portion 12 and a bottom portion 13 both of generally rectangular shape.
  • the carton preferably is made of a plastic substance, such as foamed polystyrene, which can be thermoformed.
  • a plastic substance such as foamed polystyrene
  • an any suitable moldable material may be used.
  • Sheet material that can be mechanically folded or cut is also suitable and the carton can be manufactured on machinery of the type currently used in the industry.
  • the bottom portion 13 contains a series of egg receiving cells I4, shaped and dimensioned to accommodate eggs of any of the standard sizes, with vertical projections or posts 30 formed between each cluster of cells.
  • the top portion or lid 12 has a generally flat upper wall 15, sloping sidewalls l6, and sloping end walls 17. The dimensions of the top portion are such that when the carton is closed and latched, the eggs in the carton are snugly held in the cells.
  • the top and bottom portions are hinged together along corresponding longitudinal edges 18.
  • the hinge may be continuous formed by crimping along a line separating the two portions of the carton which are thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic material, or it may be discontinuous, The latter, as shown in the above-mentioned copending applica' tion, may be obtained by making a series of short cuts along the crimped common edge.
  • the lath latch means 21, the three of which are shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, are formed in the top and bottom portions of the carton, adjacent to but interiorly of the mating edges 24, 28 so that they do not extend beyond the carton when closed. As seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2, they are positioned between pairs of cells 14 where sufficient material is available to form them without increasing the size of the blank. Openings 26 along the transverse edgesof the cartons may be provided to permit air circulation and to allow limited viewing of the contents.
  • Each latch meansZl comprises a hook 22 and an inwardly extending bulge or detent 23 which engage one another.
  • the hook is molded in the bottom portion of the carton and constitutes the horizontally extending upper segment of a vertical protrusion 25 extending perpendicularly from the edge 24.
  • a pair of bottom portions are integrally joined edge-to-edge and the protrusion 25 extends horizontally between the respective bottom portions.
  • the detent 23 in the top portion is molded into the sloping wall 16 at locations aligned with the hooks 22 in the bottom portion.
  • the detent is in the form of a rounded bulge extending inwardly of an expanded portion 27 of the sidewall 16.
  • the lateral dimension of the detent 23 is such as to fit readily between the sides of the protrusion 25 beneath the hook 22.
  • the detent 23 slides overt over the top of protrusion 25 and into engagement with the hook 22.
  • the resiliency of the material also allows it to be readily reopened by grasping the top and bottom portions and pulling apart.
  • the indentations 29 formed along the wall 16 to correspond to the separations between the egg cells aid in gripping the lid.
  • latch means 21 have been in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 as being located along longitudinal edge, they may be otherwise positioned. In addition to the longitudinal edge, latch means may be formed at each transverse edge of the carton, such as shown in FIG. 9.
  • the hinge 18 may also be replaced by one or more latch means to allow the lid 12 to be completely removed, if desired.
  • vertical posts 30 are located in the bottom portion of the carton approximately along its longitudinal center line and between clusters of adjacent egg-receiving cells 14. These posts, in conjunction with elongated ribs 31 formed in the cover piece of the top portion 12 along its longitudinal center line, serve to increase the strength and rigidity of the closed carton, thereby to better protect its contents, and also act to resist opening when twisting forces are applied during racking.
  • the ribs 31 contact the posts 30.
  • the rigidity provided by this structure also serves to resist the twisting forces which tend to open the cartons during racking.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of such structure.
  • a depression 32 is formed in the top of each post 38 and each rib has a plurality of downwardly extending pips 33 which fit into the depressions.
  • the posts 30 not only support but also positively engage the elongated ribs of the top portion. This arrangement provides more resistance to racking forces which tend to twist the top and bottom portions of the carton apart.
  • the above-described carton may be readily made with conventional thermoforming machinery. If desired to protect the contents after filling, the carton sections may be heat staked or sealed together along the mating edges 24, 28, as indicated at 36 in FIGS. 6 and 7. This will resist casual or accidental opening of the cartons and will indicate to the purchaser, if opened, that a carton or its contents may have been tampered with. The purchaser will of course, be able to open the or sealed carton by pulling apart without interfering with continued functioning of the latch means.
  • a carton for containment of eggs comprising a bottom portion formed with a plurality of egg-receiving cells and vertically extending posts between adjacent cells, a top portion having sidewalls and formed to fit over and contain eggs placed in said egg cells, said bottom and top portions meeting when closed in respective pairs of common outer edges, said common edges meeting in a common horizontal plane and definin the outer dimensions of the carton in said plane, latch means or e releasably securing the top and bottom portions together along one pair of common outer edges, said latch means comprising a hollow vertical protrusion formed in said bottom portion inside said common edge thereof, said protrusion being located between a pair of adjacent egg cells and comprising generally vertical extensions of the walls of said adjacent egg cells merging into a joint portion at their upper ends, said wall extensions and said joint portion terminating in a common vertical plane disposed inwardly of said common outer edge and exposing the hollow interior of said protrusion, the joint portion thereby providing a hook extending outwardly towards and terminating terminating interiorly of the edge
  • each of said posts between adjacent egg cells includes a depression formed in its uppermost surface, and said top portion includes an elongated, downwardly extending rih, said rib being provided with projections adapted to be snugly received in the depressions in said posts.
  • a carton as described in claim 1 wherein said means for securing the top and bottom portions together along a pair of common outer edges opposite to said common outer edges adjacent said latch means comprises hinge means.
  • a carton as described claim 1 of generally rectangular shape wherein said top and bottom portions meet and provide four pairs of common outer edges, and wherein said latch means are provided adjacent more than one of said pairs of edges.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
US789856A 1969-01-08 1969-01-08 Carton and latch construction Expired - Lifetime US3570747A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US78985669A 1969-01-08 1969-01-08

Publications (1)

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US3570747A true US3570747A (en) 1971-03-16

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US789856A Expired - Lifetime US3570747A (en) 1969-01-08 1969-01-08 Carton and latch construction

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US3570747A (fr)
DE (1) DE2000715A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2027931B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB1259583A (fr)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4015766A (en) * 1975-01-27 1977-04-05 Aktieselskabet Brodrene Hartmann Package of fiber material or other resilient material for receiving fragile articles, particularly eggs
US4335813A (en) * 1981-05-13 1982-06-22 Packaging Corporation Of America Carton for fragile articles
US4625906A (en) * 1983-04-01 1986-12-02 Mobil Oil Corporation Eighteen cell hinged-cover carbon thermoformed from plastic sheet
US4742952A (en) * 1986-08-06 1988-05-10 Packaging Corporation Of America Composite carton
US5102034A (en) * 1982-03-22 1992-04-07 Arnaldo Amabili Egg container
US5860528A (en) * 1997-03-14 1999-01-19 Emery; Roy William Hinged container with separately moulded cover and tray
US20070017845A1 (en) * 2003-10-08 2007-01-25 Hanka Tietschert Package with retainment means
US7775364B1 (en) * 2009-12-01 2010-08-17 Interplast Packaging Inc. Grasping closure system for container for frangible items
US20140042169A1 (en) * 2011-02-22 2014-02-13 Brødrene Hartmann A/S Egg Package
AU2014101488B4 (en) * 2012-08-31 2016-12-01 Multisteps Pty Ltd A Produce Container
USD784128S1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2017-04-18 Tekni-Plex, Inc. Lid for an egg carton
USD784129S1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2017-04-18 Tekni-Plex, Inc. Lid for an egg carton
USD786675S1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2017-05-16 Tekni-Plex, Inc. Lid for an egg carton

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2245176C3 (de) * 1972-09-14 1981-10-08 Aktieselskabet Broedrene Hartmann, Lyngby Verpackung für zerbrechliche Gegenstände, insbesondere Eier, in Gestalt eines Schaukartons
GB8415715D0 (en) * 1984-06-20 1984-07-25 Sharp A J Container

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2591446A (en) * 1947-12-12 1952-04-01 Shellmar Products Corp Egg carton
US3245600A (en) * 1963-11-01 1966-04-12 Paul D Friday Lid lock carton
US3258186A (en) * 1964-04-13 1966-06-28 A & E Plastik Pak Co Container with cam-latching top
US3258187A (en) * 1965-03-29 1966-06-28 A & E Plastik Pak Co Carton with cam-latching lid
US3396895A (en) * 1967-03-27 1968-08-13 Kennesaw Plastic Company Egg carton and label
US3471078A (en) * 1966-12-22 1969-10-07 Brodrene Hartman As Packing of fibre mass or other resilient material for eggs and other fragile objects

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1492185A (fr) * 1966-06-27 1967-08-18 Galaxie Emballage pour oeufs

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2591446A (en) * 1947-12-12 1952-04-01 Shellmar Products Corp Egg carton
US3245600A (en) * 1963-11-01 1966-04-12 Paul D Friday Lid lock carton
US3258186A (en) * 1964-04-13 1966-06-28 A & E Plastik Pak Co Container with cam-latching top
US3258187A (en) * 1965-03-29 1966-06-28 A & E Plastik Pak Co Carton with cam-latching lid
US3471078A (en) * 1966-12-22 1969-10-07 Brodrene Hartman As Packing of fibre mass or other resilient material for eggs and other fragile objects
US3396895A (en) * 1967-03-27 1968-08-13 Kennesaw Plastic Company Egg carton and label

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4015766A (en) * 1975-01-27 1977-04-05 Aktieselskabet Brodrene Hartmann Package of fiber material or other resilient material for receiving fragile articles, particularly eggs
US4335813A (en) * 1981-05-13 1982-06-22 Packaging Corporation Of America Carton for fragile articles
US5102034A (en) * 1982-03-22 1992-04-07 Arnaldo Amabili Egg container
US4625906A (en) * 1983-04-01 1986-12-02 Mobil Oil Corporation Eighteen cell hinged-cover carbon thermoformed from plastic sheet
US4742952A (en) * 1986-08-06 1988-05-10 Packaging Corporation Of America Composite carton
US5860528A (en) * 1997-03-14 1999-01-19 Emery; Roy William Hinged container with separately moulded cover and tray
US20070017845A1 (en) * 2003-10-08 2007-01-25 Hanka Tietschert Package with retainment means
US7775364B1 (en) * 2009-12-01 2010-08-17 Interplast Packaging Inc. Grasping closure system for container for frangible items
US20140042169A1 (en) * 2011-02-22 2014-02-13 Brødrene Hartmann A/S Egg Package
US8991604B2 (en) * 2011-02-22 2015-03-31 Brødrene Hartmann A/S Egg package
AU2014101488B4 (en) * 2012-08-31 2016-12-01 Multisteps Pty Ltd A Produce Container
USD784128S1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2017-04-18 Tekni-Plex, Inc. Lid for an egg carton
USD784129S1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2017-04-18 Tekni-Plex, Inc. Lid for an egg carton
USD786675S1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2017-05-16 Tekni-Plex, Inc. Lid for an egg carton

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2000715A1 (de) 1970-07-30
FR2027931A1 (fr) 1970-10-02
FR2027931B1 (fr) 1974-05-03
GB1259583A (fr) 1972-01-05

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PI, INC., PACKAGING INDUSTIES GROUP, INC., PI CORP

Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:PHILADELPHIA NATIONAL BANK;REEL/FRAME:004449/0188

Effective date: 19850322

AS Assignment

Owner name: PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC., A DE. CORP., MAS

Free format text: LICENSE;ASSIGNOR:MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004661/0978

Effective date: 19860929

Owner name: MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC., A CORP., MASS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004661/0972

Effective date: 19860929

Owner name: PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC., 130 NORTH STREET

Free format text: LICENSE;ASSIGNOR:MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004661/0978

Effective date: 19860929

Owner name: MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC., 60 HICKORY DR

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004661/0972

Effective date: 19860929

AS Assignment

Owner name: PACKAGING INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC. A CORP. OF DEL

Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:MARINE MIDLAND BUSINESS LOANS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:005758/0215

Effective date: 19910429