US3589553A

US3589553A - Molded plastic container

Info

Publication number: US3589553A
Application number: US816907A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Culver; Charles W Ridge
Original assignee: CULVER IND Inc
Current assignee: CULVER IND Inc
Priority date: 1969-04-17
Filing date: 1969-04-17
Publication date: 1971-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-29

Abstract

A one-piece molded plastic container as a carrying case or carton for bottles and the like having a collapsible construction which permits the container to be readily collapsed into a number of forms for shipment, storage, cleaning and reuse.

Description

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Robert Culver Rossburg;

Charles W. Ridge, Middletown, both of, Ohio Apr. 17, 1969 June 29, 1971 Culver Industries, Inc.

Ansenia, Ohio MOLDED PLASTIC CONTAINER 10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 220/111, 220/102, 229/52 lnt.Cl 865d 5/46,

[50] Field of Search 220/1 11, 102, 1 12, I13, 1 14, l 15; 229/52 B, 28

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,525,686 10/1950 Kowal 220/111 3,178,052 4/1965 Bromley 220/102 3,359,873 12/1967 Carle et a1. 220/102 X Primary ExaminerDavid M. Bockenek Attorney-Wood, Herron & Evans ABSTRACT: A one-piece molded plastic container as a carrying case or carton for bottles and the like having a collapsible construction which permits the container to be readily collapsed into a number of forms for shipment, storage, cleaning and reuse.

PATENTEU JUN29 IQYI sum 2 BF 3 PATENIEfiJuwzslen 3 389 553 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTORS.

MOLDED PLASTIC CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Molded rigid plastic cartons or bottle carriers are known as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,283,947 and No. 3,045,862. These types of rigid carriers however have one major disadvantage in that they are not collapsible. Consequently, in storage and shipment by the manufacturer, they present the undesirable feature of wasted space. This undesirable feature has also prevented complete acceptance of rigid plastic cartons-by retailers and consumers. Moreover, while most known rigid plastic cartons are somewhat durable, they are not easily cleaned primarily because the rigid compartments have comers and surfaces which are normally inaccessable to cleaning brushes. In addition, as illustrated by these patents, the most common types of rigid plastic carrying cases comprise two separately molded parts, a basket portion and an attachable handle. These multicomponent parts usually rely upon snapping tabs to hold them together, with the tabs bearing the load of the basket, and it is not uncommon under use conditions for these tabs to loosen or fail.

Collapsible plastic cartons have been proposed. In general, they have one or more deficiencies. The usual collapsible plastic cartons are not one-piece and they possess the same disadvantages as the multicomponent rigid cartons just mentioned. Cleaning problems still attend known so-called collapsible or semicollapsible structures because they do not collapse to a form which can easily be thoroughly cleaned. Those carton structures which tend to be more completely collapsible usually lack strength or the number and location of hinges, particularly at critical loading areas, reduce the life of the carton.

Thus, heretofore, in brief, there have been no satisfactory proposals for a one-piece molded plastic carton or carrying case having the advantages of a complete rigid unit which is adapted to collapse for shipment, storage, cleaning or reuse. Moreover, heretofore, there has been no satisfactory onepiece plastic carton or carrier which has the capability of collapsing into a number of structural forms to facilitate various modes of shipment, storage and reuse depending upon space requirements or other factors. There is a need for such a carton which embodies these characteristics, and yet is of simple but sound construction thereby affording ease of manufacture and extended usage without failure. like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a new concept in one-piece molded collapsible plastic containers made from rigid, durable plastic material. This invention also provides a unique onepiece plastic container structure which is collapsible into a number of structural forms for ready storage and/or transportation in a manner heretofore unachieved by other plastic cartons of the rigid type. Moreover, the plastic container according to this invention is collapsible into a structural form which permits complete exposure of all its surface areas for cleaning in a manner heretofore unobtainable by known rigid plastic cartons. Even with its highly advantageous features of structural flexibility, the container structure is durable and ex ceedingly safe for use in containing or carrying articles such as glass pop bottles and the like.

One form of the invention is a one-piece molded plastic carrying case for bottles comprising a generally rectangular bottom wall and a pair of tubularlike members in adjacent relationship each having a generally rectangular open-ended receiving compartment. Each rectangular compartment has a sidewall, a pair of end walls and a central wall having an integral handle portion. The compartment walls are integrally connected at the opposite side margins by four vertical flexible hinges. The central and end walls of each compartment have free top and bottom margins to permit collapse along the vertical hinges. Each of the sidewalls is integrally connected at its bottom margin to opposite margins of the bottom wall by a marginal flexible horizontal hinge. In the carrying case use position, the central walls are in face-to-face relation with one another to provide the tubularlike members in adjacent relationship. This structure is collapsible from its use position along the vertical hinges of the compartment walls and the marginal horizontal hinges of the bottom wall'into a substantially flattened form.

In a preferred form, the central panels of each of said compartments have integrally molded cooperating means for selectively locking the central panels in face-to-face relation with one another. This locked structural position is sometimes referred to herein as the use or bottle carrying position where the container is in the shape of a generally rectangular two, four, six or eight-pack configuration. In the eight-pack configuration, the carrying case for bottles, the tubularlike members are divided by three integrally molded vertical crosspanels. The cross-panels are integrally hinged along vertical lines between the central wall and sidewall of each tubularlike member and spaced apart from the end walls to form individual compartments for the article carried.

In another of its aspects, a preferred carrying case structure further comprises a rectangular bottom wall having a flexible medial integral hinge extending the full length of the bottom wall between opposite margins thereof. When this feature is incorporated into the structure just discussed, and the central panels are locked in face-to-face relation with one another, the medial hinge of the bottom wall permits collapse of the carrying case. Alternatively, as above discussed, the central walls can be unlocked and separated from their face-to-face relation and the container may be collapsed by folding along the flexible vertical and horizontal hinges. Thus, when the bottom panel is provided with an integral medial hinge, the container structure can be collapsed into multiple collapsed positions.

One-piece molded collapsible plastic carrying cases embodying the structure above discussed, wherein the locking means locks the central panels, provides structural stability. In this form, the bottom wall has proved adequate support for carrying or containing the articles disposed in the open-ended compartments without further support being given to the bottom wall. However, in another aspect of this invention, integrally molded means are provided for selectively locking the end walls of each compartment at their bottom margins to the bottom wall. This has the additional advantage of maintaining the overall rectangular configuration of the carrying case and,

in addition, provides further support for the load-bearing bot-.

tom wall of the container, overall structural stability and balance. 7

Thus, by reason of its unique structure, the container of this invention can be opened and its tubularlike compartment members can easily be cleaned due to their readily accessible interior surface structure. Unlike known rigid cartons, there are no basket corners and relatively inaccessible surfaces which are difficult to clean. Moreover, the carton can be collapsed from a use or carrying position without having to disengage its central walls whereby its storage is facilitated in a differcnt form covering less surface area. Stacking problems heretofore associated with rigid cartons are thus eliminated or substantially reduced with the unique collapsing features of this inventive structure. The carton can be fabricated of rigid plastic material which is extremely durable and by reason of the unique construction can be maintained in a clean state without special cleaning equipment.

Other disadvantages and embodiments of this invention will become apparent in view of the following description with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a one-piece collapsible plastic carrying case of this invention its normal use position on a reduced scale;

FIG. 2 is an exploded partial view of a vertical hinge connection between a cross-panel and a sidewall of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is top view of FIG. 2 showing the flexibility of the molded hinge;

FIG. 4 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and demonstrates a locking means for removably connecting the bottom wall with the end walls at their margins;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the carton shown in FIG. 1 in an open position illustrating the interior thereof on a smaller scale;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the carton shown in FIG. 5 in a collapsed position;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are end and side views, respectively, of the carton shown in FIG. 1 on a reduced scale, collapsed from its normal use position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7 showing a snap button locking means for the central wall handle portion;

FIG. 10 is a top view of FIG. 1',

FIG. 11 is a top view of FIG. 1, showing the carton partially collapsed;

FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12..

The invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a molded plastic carrying case of FIG. 1 that is adapted to receive eight bottles in two parallel rows of four bottles each. The onepiece plastic carrying case 20 of FIG. 1 comprises a generally rectangular bottom wall 21 and a pair of tubularlike member, generally at 23, 23, in adjacent relationship during normal use in the bottle carrying position of FIG. 1. The structural relationship of bottom wall 21 and

tubularlike members

23, 23 is shown best in FIGS. 5, 12 and 13.

The bottom wall 21 has an integral flexible medial hinge 22 extending substantially parallel to opposite margins of wall 21 and over its full length. Each tubularlike member 23 has a generally rectangular open-ended receiving compartment 23A as envisioned with particular reference to the outer periphery of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13. Compartment 23A comprises a sidewall 26, a pair of

end walls

27,27 and a central wall 28 having an integral handle 29. Handle 29 comprises cooperating hand-bearing openings formed in the central walls 28. The

compartment walls

26, 27, 28 are integrally connected at their opposite side-margins by four vertical flexible hinges 32. The central wall 28 and end walls 27 have free top and bottom margins as indicated generally at 34 and 35, respectively, in FIGS. 6 and 12. These

free margins

34, 35 are essential, along with flexible vertical hinges 32, to permit collapse of compartments 23A and carrying case 20. Each sidewall 26 is integrally connected at its bottom margin to opposite margins of bottom wall 21 by a marginal flexible horizontal hinge 36. The central walls 28 of each compartment 23A are in face-to-face relation with one another as shown in FIG. 1 in the normal use or bottle carrying position. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 12, it is understood that hinges 32 and 36 permit collapse of carrying case 20.

In the illustrated carrying case 20, an eight-pack" structural arrangement is provided wherein the compartments 23A are divided by vertical cross-panels 37 which are integrally connected between each central wall 28 and corresponding sidewall 26 at opposite side margins of panels 37 by vertical flexible hinges 38. The cross-panels 37 are evenly spaced apart from end walls 27, to form individual compartments for the articles carried, and have free top and bottom margins like end walls 27 (this is not shown but is appreciated with reference to FIGS. 6 and 12).

Referring to the bottle carrying position of FIG. 1, the integral central walls 28 of the carrier 20 are locked in face-toface relation by integrally molded cooperating lock means or two button snaps shown generally at 41 having a mushroom button 42 and cooperating cone-shaped hole 43. Button snap 41 is shown in cross section more particularly in FIG. 9. Also in bottom wall 21 are integrally molded end lugs 45 for selective locking engagement with the slits 46 in the end wall 27 of compartments 23A. This is shown in FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that the snapping buttons 42 lock the hinged pair of tubularlike members 23 together to form the eight-pack and the bottom wall lugs 45 engage the slits 46 of the end walls 27 of the pairs of tubular members 23 to selectively lock the bottom wall 21 to the sidewalls 26. These locking means provide for overall carton stability and balance. It is to be emphasized, however, that these locking means are presently preferred embodiments of this invention, but it is envisioned that such means, particularly the bottom wall locking means, may be eliminated and still provide a useful structure. In the event of eliminating both locking means, the case 20 is held by hand in the carrying position by hand-bearing openings formed in central walls 28 and articles carried in tubularlike members 23 fill out the eight-pack configuration.

The carrying case 20 is collapsed from its locked or use position and flattened into a form represented by the end and side views of FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively for storage, transportation or reuse. With reference to FIG. 11, compartments 23A can be readily collapsed by applying pressure to the end walls 27 of case 20 thereby automatically disengaging the bottom wall lugs 45 from walls 27 and thereafter collapsing walls 27 along the flexible hinges 32 and 38 toward their respective center walls 28 while the bottom wall 21 folds outwardly along its medial hinge 22.

The case 20 can also be collapsed into another form for cleaning as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12 and, then further completely flattened as shown in FIG. 6. When this type collapse is desired, the central walls 28 are separated causing the button snaps 41 and lugs 45 to disengage. The compartments 23A pivot on hinges 36 into a substantially horizontal position shown in plan view of FIG. 5. The tubular members 23 can easily be cleaned in this position. Also, in this open position, the tubular members 23 can be collapsed by folding the sidewalls 26 and central walls 28 towards one another along the integral hinges 32 in opposite directions to flatten the case 20 into an extended open position as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The container of this invention is constructed of durable plastic material preferably of the thermoplastic type such as polyethylene or polypropylene which can be formed by molding techniques such as injection molding techniques. The thicknesses of such materials which provide rigidity and durability to the walls and panels of the containers are usually on the order of about 0.0056 inch for polypropylene for example. The integral hinges are reduced in thickness and, for the mentioned wall thicknesses of polypropylene, can be in the range of about 0.0012-21 inch or about one-fifth the thickness of the walls. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinges can be provided by reducing the thickness of plastic in a tapering, arcuate manner to give strength to the flexible hinge. Of course, thicknesses to provide the desired wall rigidity, strength and hinge flexibility can vary over a wide range depending upon materials used.

Certain other features of a preferred container of the invention have been illustrated in the drawings. The diagonal openings 48 in the central walls 28 are provided to save material and to embody protective cross-straps 49 to avoid contact of the articles carried with one another such as glass bottles, thereby avoiding breakage. Voids 50 spaced along the horizontal hinges 36 primarily function as aids in folding the walls along hinges 36.

Thus, the container illustrated in the drawings demonstrates the unique multicollapsible structure of a preferred form of a bottle carrying case in accordance with the principles of this invention. The container can be conveniently collapsed from its use position, as shown in FIG. 1, without having to unlock its walls, thereby storage is facilitated in a form covering a minimum amount of surface area and cross-sectional area. This permits easy storage either in the sonsumers closet or as mentioned in the retailers storage room or racks, without wasting space. Moreover, by reason of the containers multicollapsibility, it can be opened by unsnapping the locking elements and in this position can be thoroughly cleansed. It will be appreciated that in the opened extended position of the carton, as illustrated in FIG. 5, that all the surfaces of the structure, including the interior surfaces of the hollow tubular members, are exposed for cleaning. Accordingly, unlike known rigid canons, there are no basket comers or relatively inaccessible surfaces which are difficult to clean. in addition, the carton can be stored and shipped in this extended open position by collapsing the tubular members in the manner illustrated and discussed above with reference to FIG. 6.

It is to be understood that there are other modifications which will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art in view of the above disclosure and these are within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a one-piece molded collapsible plastic container, the combination comprising,

a generally rectangular bottom wall, and

a pair of tubularlike members in adjacent relationship each having a generally rectangular open-ended receiving compartment comprising a sidewall, a pair of end walls and a central wall, said compartment walls being integrally connected at their opposite side-margins by four vertical flexible hinges, each said sidewall being integrally connected at its bottom margin to opposite margins of said bottom wall by a marginal flexible horizontal hinge, said central walls in face-to-face relation with the other central wall, said vertical flexible hinges and said flexible horizontal hinges permitting collapse of the container.

2. The container of claim 1 further comprising integrally molded means for selectively locking said central walls in face-to-face relation.

3. The container of claim 2 further comprising said bottom wall having a flexible medial integral hinge extending substantially parallel to said marginal horizontal hinges over the full length of said bottom wall, said medial hinge permitting collapse of the carton when said central wall members are locked in face-to-face relation.

4. The container of claim 1 further comprising said central walls having integrally molded cooperating means for forming a handle.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein said means comprise cooperating hand-bearing openings formed in said central walls.

6. The container of claim 3 further comprising integrally molded means for selectively locking said end walls at their bottom margins to said bottom wall.

7. A one-piece molded collapsible plastic carrying case for bottles and the like comprising,

a generally rectangular bottom wall having a flexible medial integral hinge extending the full length of said bottom wall between opposite margins of said bottom wall,

a pair of tubularlike members in adjacent relationship each having a generally rectangular open-ended receiving compartment comprising a sidewall, a pair of end walls and a central wall, said compartment walls being integrally connected at their opposite side-margins by four vertical flexible hinges, said central and end walls having free top and bottom margins, each said sidewall being integrally connected at its bottom margin to said opposite bottom wall margins by a marginal horizontal hinge, said central walls in face-to-face relation with one another,

integrally molded cooperating means in each of said central walls for forming a handle, and

integrally molded means for selectively locking said central walls in face-to-face relation, said hinges permitting collapse of the carrying case.

8. The plastic carrying case of claim 7 further comprising integrally molded means for selectively locking said end walls at their bottom margins to said bottom wall to prevent, when desired, said hinges from permitting collapse of the carrying case.

9. The plastic carrying case of claim 7, said compartment further comprises at least one cross-panel integrally connected between said side and central walls at opposite-side margins of said panel by vertical flexible hinges, said crosspanel evenly spaced apart from said side walls and having free partment further comprises three cross-panels.

Claims

1. In a one-piece molded collapsible plastic container, the combination comprising, a generally rectangular bottom wall, and a pair of tubularlike members in adjacent relationship each having a generally rectangular open-ended receiving compartment comprising a sidewall, a pair of end walls and a central wall, said compartment walls being integrally connected at their opposite side-margins by four vertical flexible hinges, each said sidewall being integrally connected at its bottom margin to opposite margins of said bottom wall by a marginal flexible horizontal hinge, said central walls in face-to-face relation with the other central wall, said vertical flexible hinges and said flexible horizontal hinges permitting collapse of the container.

7. A one-piece molded collapsible plastic carrying case for bottles and the like comprising, a generally rectangular bottom wall having a flexible medial integral hinge extending the full length Of said bottom wall between opposite margins of said bottom wall, a pair of tubularlike members in adjacent relationship each having a generally rectangular open-ended receiving compartment comprising a sidewall, a pair of end walls and a central wall, said compartment walls being integrally connected at their opposite side-margins by four vertical flexible hinges, said central and end walls having free top and bottom margins, each said sidewall being integrally connected at its bottom margin to said opposite bottom wall margins by a marginal horizontal hinge, said central walls in face-to-face relation with one another, integrally molded cooperating means in each of said central walls for forming a handle, and integrally molded means for selectively locking said central walls in face-to-face relation, said hinges permitting collapse of the carrying case.

9. The plastic carrying case of claim 7, said compartment further comprises at least one cross-panel integrally connected between said side and central walls at opposite-side margins of said panel by vertical flexible hinges, said cross-panel evenly spaced apart from said side walls and having free top and bottom margins.

10. The plastic carrying case of claim 9 wherein said compartment further comprises three cross-panels.