US3829005A

US3829005A - Folding container with folding closure ends

Info

Publication number: US3829005A
Application number: US00268829A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Hackenberg; W Tyrseck; C Berry
Original assignee: ROBERTSON PAPER BOX CO
Current assignee: RAND-WHITNEY ROBERTSON PAPER Corp
Priority date: 1972-07-03
Filing date: 1972-07-03
Publication date: 1974-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-13

Abstract

A four-sided folding container rectangular in section when setup, and having four folding closure end flaps at each end, with each container end being closed by infolding a designated first end flap thereat into closed position, then infolding the two end flaps next adjacent to the first end flap, and finally infolding the remaining end flap, and each of these first end flaps is dimensioned substantially to fit the adjacent open end of the set-up container when in its closed position, and has opposite side ears, while the container is at its ends provided with slits into interlock with which the ears on the respective first end flaps snap when the latter reach correct closing position in the course of their infolding. Each first flap may also be provided with a folding end tongue which an inward folding of the remaining associated end flaps is tucked between the latter.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Hackenberg et al.

[ Aug. 13, 1974 FOLDING CONTAINER WITH FOLDING CLOSURE ENDS [73] Assignee: Robertson Paper Box Company,

Inc., Montvile, NJ.

22 Filed: July 3,1972

21 Appl.No.:268,829

3,459,358 8/1969 Adams 229/37 R Primary ExaminerWilliam T. Dixson, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Bruce l-l. Bernstein Attorney, Agent, or FirmWalter Spruegel [5 7 ABSTRACT A four-sided folding container rectangular in section when set-up, and having four folding closure end flaps at each end, with each container end being closed by infolding a designated first end flap thereat into closed position, then infolding the two end flaps next adjacent to the first end flap, and finally infolding the remaining end flap, and each of these first end flaps is dimensioned substantially to fit the adjacent open end of the set-up container when in its closed position, and has opposite side ears, while the container is at its ends provided with slits into interlock with which the ears on the respective first end flaps snap when the latter reach correct closing position in the course of their infolding. Each first flap may also be provided with a folding end tongue which an inward folding of the remaining associated end flaps is tucked between -11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl. 229/39 R, 229/14 BL [51] Int. Cl 365d 5/10, B65d 5/62 [58] Field of Search 229/14 BL, 87 R, 39 R, 229/38, 37 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,252,462 8/1941 Howard 229/87 R 2,306,328 12/1942 Biberthaler 229/39 R 2,479,456 8/1949 Arthur 229/14 BL 3,257,068 6/1966 Wright 229/87 R the latter. 3,443,739 5/1969, Adams 229/39 R 3,451,611 6/1969 Adams 229/37 R 9&1 I i l 9*? i 57.7 1 9 4 1 I l"/& k i 6 20 i 96 l /8 agasvoos PATENIEDAUE 1 31974 SHEEF 2 OF 2 FOLDING CONTAINER WITH FOLDING CLOSURE ENDS This invention relates to folding containers in general, and to folding containers with folding closure ends in particular.

The invention is concerned with folding containers of square or rectangular section when set up, and having folding end closure flaps which lend themselves especially, though not exclusively, for finish-wrapping the containers on mere closure of these, flaps, with the latter having to that end attached, and usually glued, thereto end portions of a sheet of wrapping material, usually of the gift-wrap variety, which is also attached to each container and completely envelops the same, so that on mere set-up of such prewrapped containers and closure of their ends the containers will have the typical appearance of, and be for all practical purposes, giftwrapped containers. A prewrapped folding container of this type is shown in the Patent to Wright, No. 3,257,068. However, while this prior container is entirely satisfactory in most respects, it is lacking in a few, but important respects. Thus, while this prior container has the appearance of a gift-wrapped container by virtue of the decorative appearance of the wrapper material, it falls short of deceivingly simulating a typically hand-wrapped container, owing to the infold pattern of the end closure flaps which leaves the wrapper ends on the closed end flaps folded and overlapped in a manner that is not as neat as, and is in marked contrast with, wrapper ends that are folded and overlapped by store personnel in generally accustomed hand fashion. Further, and far more important, in folding the end closure flaps of this prior container into overlap with each other for closing the container, the finger pressure applied to these end flaps for this purpose may, and will all too frequently, result in overfolding of one or more, and particularly the innermost, of these end flaps into the interior of the container, which either leaves the closed container end with unsightly, and in handwrapping missing, wide gaps between overlapped wrapper ends that strongly suggest a highly objectionable opening to the interior contents of the container, or prompt the one closing the container to reopen such a glaringly inadequate end thereof and more carefully close it again which makes this a task more laborious than neatly folding an open wrapper end closed in accustomed hand fashion.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a folding container of this type which has all the advantages, but none of the aforementioned shortcomings, of the prior container, yet entails no greater cost, and requires for quick and neat closure of its ends even less human dexterity and feel, than this prior container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding container of this type of which the end flaps at each container end are, for closure, foldable inwardly in a preassigned and inescapable sequence, with sure position in which it fully covers the container end thereat but does not project into the interior of the container. Thus, by virtue of the interlock with the container of this first inwardly folded end flap, the latter is effectively stopped from inward overfolding, and also stops the subsequently folded end flaps as effectively from being overfolded, on closure, and even particularly quick and forceful closure, of these end flaps. Moreover, this first end flap thus locked in its closed position also effectively resists inward collapse of all closed end flaps from any other cause.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a folding container of this type, of which the closure end flaps, besides being held against inward overfolding and also collapse as aforementioned, are also arranged so that on their inward folding or infolding for closure, wrapper ends, if attached thereto, will follow these end flaps and fold and overlap in the eyepleasing manner in which wrapper'ends are folded and overlapped against a closed container end in generally accustomed hand fashion, i.e., the first infolded wrapper end beyond one side of the container will be partly overlapped by the next infolded wrapper ends beyond 'the opposite container sides next adjacent to the one container side, and the last infolded wrapper end beyond the remaining container side will partly overlap all previously infolded wrapper ends.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding container of this type, in which the aforementioned interlock with the container of the first infolded closure flap in its closed position at each end of the container is quite positive and particularly firm against inward give or collapse of this first closure flap and, hence, of all closure flaps in their closed position. This is achieved in exceedingly simple and inexpensive manner, by providing this first closure flap, preferably at or near its end opposite to its hinge joint with the first container side with which it is continuous, with opposite side ears, and providing the. container with slits, and preferably narrow slots, in two opposite container sides next to the first container side and near, and preferably at, the hinge joints between these opposite container sides and their closure flaps, so that on infolding the first closure flap the side ears thereon will increasingly thrust against the adjacent and still open closure flaps and, in consequence, will quite forcefully snap into register and, hence, particularly firm interlock with these slots when this first closure flap reaches its correct closed position. This forceful snap of the side ears into register with the slots, while effectively stopping the first closure flap from overfolding, also affords an unmistakable indication to the one closing the container that this closure flap is properly closed and requires no further manipulation. While this ear-and-slot type interlock between the first closure flap and container is exceedingly simple and inexpensive, as well as particularly firm, and, hence, highly desirable for these reasons, its exposure to view on certain kinds of containers maybe objectionable, in which case such objection may readily be overcome by prewrapping these containers so that the wrapper not only covers the slots and thus hides them from view, but also has over these slots entirely adequate give to yield unnoticeably to slightly protruding ears thereat.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a folding container of this type, in which inward collapse of the closed end flaps into the interior of the container from any cause other than their overfolding in closing is effectively resisted in a manner alternative to the aforementioned snap interlock of the first infolded closure flap with the container. To this end, this first closure flap is provided, at its end opposite to its hinge joint with the respective container side, with a projecting and initially coplanar tongue that is foldable about this flap end, with this tongue being progressively folded out of the plane of the first closure flap and into lap with the still open and last-to-infold or last" closure flap opposite to the first closure flap when in the course of infolding the latter the tongue comes into contact with this last closure flap, whereby on finally infolding the last closure flap the same will take along the tongue and thereby infold and tuck it between this last closure flap and the two closure flaps next below and previously infolded to their proper closed positions. With this arrangement, the first closed end flap is at and near its end opposite to its hinged end firmly anchored to the other closed end flaps thereabove, so that this first end flap will, by virtue of its anchorage to the other closed end flaps and also support at its hinged end, strongly resist inward collapse. It is, of course, entirely feasible and in many cases preferred, to provide a folding container of this type which embodies not only the feature of the tucked-in tongue, but also the aforementioned feature of snap-interlock of the first infolded end closure flap with the container, thereby avoiding overfolding of the end flaps in closing, as well as achieving the ultimate in resistance of the closed end flaps to inward collapse from any cause.

Further objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in the art from the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a blank for a folding container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the folding container in knocked-down condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the folding container in set-up condition, but with an end thereof still open;

FIGS. 4 to 6 are fragmentary perspective views similar to FIG. 3, but showing progressive steps in closing the end of the container;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged fragmentary sections taken substantially along the lines 77 and 8-8 in FIGS. 6 and 4, respectively; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a blank for a modified folding container.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 2 to 6 thereof, the reference numeral 10 designates a folding container having folding closure ends 12, and being in this instance also prewrapped. FIG. 2 shows the container 10 and its closure ends 12 in folded or knocked-down condition. FIG. 3 shows the container in set-up condition with one of its ends open, while FIG. 6 shows the set-up container with one of its ends closed.

The container 10 and closure ends 12 are formed of a blank 14 of cardboard or the like (FIG. 1), having longitudinal, and in this instance parallel, score lines 16, and spaced transverse score lines 18 which intersect the opposite ends, respectively, of the score lines 16 and divide the blank 14 into an intermediate section 20 and opposite end sections 22, while the score lines 16 divide the intermediate blank section 20 into exemplary four side panels 24 to 30 and a side flap 32 which are to form the container 10. One of the blank end sections 22 is in the form of four end flaps 34 to 40 and a side flap 42, and the other blank end section 22 is also in the form of four end flaps and a side flap which in size and shape are identical with the end flaps 34 to 40 and side flap 42 and, hence, are denoted by the same reference numerals, except that the suffix a has been added to them. Thus, with the end flaps 34 to 40 and side flap 42 being identical with their

counter parts

34a and 42a, a detailed description of the end flaps 34 to 40 and side flap 42 will suffice.

The end flap 34, which is continuous with the side panel 24 along the score line 18 therebetween, is of generally rectangular outline, being substantially of the width w of the associated side panel 24, and of a length l, with the end flap 34 having in this instance an end extension in the form of a tongue 44 which is coplanar with the end flap 34 and continuous therewith along a score line 46. The tongue 44 is trapezoidal in outline, having opposite base lines of which one is formed by the score line 46 and the other by an end edge 48, and oppositely, and in this instance equally, inclined side edges 50.

The end flap 36, which is continuous with the side panel 26 along the score line 18 therebetween, is trapezoidal in outline, having opposite base linesof which one is formed by the associated score line 18 and the other by an end edge 52, and

opposite side edges

54 and 56 of which edge 54 is square and the other edge 56 is inclined, preferably at approximately 45 to the associated score line 18. The end flap 36 is of a length shorter than the length l of the described end flap 34.

The next end flap 38, which is continuous with the side flap 28 along the score line 18 therebetween, is also of trapezoidal outline, having opposite base lines of which one is formed by the associated score line 18 and the other by an end edge 58, and opposite side edges 60 which are oppositely, and preferably equally, inclined at approximately 45 to the associated score line 18. The end flap 38 is in this instance of the same length as the described end flap 36.

The last end flap 40, which is continuous with the side panel 30 along the score line 18 therebetween, is in size and outline identical with the end flap 36, having

opposite side edges

62 and 64 of which edge 62 is square and the other edge 64 is inclined the same, but oppositely, as the side edge 56 of the end flap 36. The end flap 40 is in this instance also of the same length as the'end

flaps

36 and 38.

The side flap 42 is continuous with the side flap 32 along the score line 18 therebetween, and is in this instance of a length somewhat in excess of that of the end flaps 36 to 40.

With the present container being in this instance prewrapped, there is suitably secured, conveniently by gluing, to the outer face of the blank 14 a rectangular wrapping sheet s especially, thoughnot exclusively, of the gift wrap variety with a decorative design d on its outer exposed face. The wrapping sheet s covers all side panels 24 to 30 and the end flaps 36 to 40 and 36a to 40a in their entirety, and also partially covers the

remaining end flaps

34 and 34a. The wrapping sheet s extends with a left side margin lm thereof into overlap with, and is glued to, the side flaps 32, 42 and 42a over part of their width, leaving the remaining width of these side flaps non-wrapped (FIG. 1), while a right side margin rm of the sheet s of approximately the width of the left side margin lm thereof extends beyond the adjacent side edges e of the side panel 24 and

end flaps

34 and 34a. The wrapping sheet s extends with its opposite end edges 66 preferably somewhat beyond the adjacent end edges of the end flaps 36 to 40 and 36a to 40a, and to the end edges 68 of the

side flaps

42 and 42a.

To form the folded container, the right side margin rm of the wrapping sheet s (FIG. 1) is folded over the side edges e of the side panel 24 and

end flaps

34 and 34a into overlap with, and preferably also glued to, the inner faces of the latter, whereupon the blak I4 is folded about one or two score lines 16, in this instance the

score lines

16 and 16", to bring half of the side panels and end flaps into superposition on the remaining half thereof so that the side flaps 32, 42, 42a and sheet margin lm thereon are overlapped by the adjacent side margins of the side panel 24 and

end flaps

34, 34a and the sheet margin rm thereon, with these overlapped parts being glued to each other (FIGS. 2 and 3).

To set-up the folded container with its ends open, the opposite side edges thereof, i.e., the

score lines

16 and 16" (FIG. 2), are simply thrust against each other so that the side panels and therewith coplanar end flaps will unfold into the set-up container of exemplary rectangular section (FIG. 3), with the wrapping sheet s completely enveloping, and hence hiding from external view, the side panels 24 to 30, and extending beyond the open container ends as identical wrapper ends which completely envelop the respective end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a, except the non-wrapped end portions of the

end flaps

34 and 34a. Thus, the wrapper end 70 beyond the adjacent open container end 72 (FIG. 3) completely envelops the end flaps 34 to 40 except the non-wrapped end portion 74 of the end flap 34, and this wrapper end 70 is in the form of a circumferentially continuous sheet of a cross-sectional outline in approximate continuation of the rectangular outline of the wrapper on the set-up container (FIG. 3), owing to its lengthwise continuity with the wrapping sheet on the container and its described attachment to the end flaps 34 to 40.

To close the open ends of the set-up container, the respective end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a are folded inwardly about their respective associated score lines IS in identical preassigned, and also unmistakable, order. Thus, to close the open end 72 of the set-up container (FIG. 3), the end flap 34 is first folded inwardly, or infolded, into the closed positionin FIG. 4 in which the same completely covers the open container end 72. In thus infolding the end flap 34, the part 76 of the wrapper end 70 attached thereto follows and, in consequence folds portions 78 of the adjacent parts 80 of the wrapper end 70 around the

inclined side edges

56 and 64 of the

respective end flaps

36 and 40 and loosely against the inner faces of the latter in a fashion like, or similarly as, shown in FIG. 4. Next, the end flap 36 may be infolded into closed position on top of the closed end flap 34 (FIG. 5). In so doing, the part 80 of the wrapper end 70 attached to the end flap 36 is taken along, thereby neatly tucking the folded wrapper portion 78 on the inner face of the end flap 36 between the latter and the closed end flap 34, and also folding a portion 82 of the remaining part 84 of the wrapper end '70 around the adjacent inclined side edge 60 of the end flap 38 and loosely against the inner face of the latter in a fashion like, or similarly as, shown in FIG. 5. The end flap 40 is next infolded in exactly the same manner as described in connection with the end flap 36, whereby another portion 86 of the part 84 of the wrapper end 70 is folded around the other inclined side edge of the end flap 38 and loosely against the inner face of the latter (FIG. 5). Instead of infolding the end flaps 36 and 4t) successively as described, it is just as convenient, and even quicker, to infold both end flaps 36 and 40 simultaneously. Finally, the remaining end flap 38 is infolded into closed position on top of the other closed end flaps 36, 40 and 34 (FIG. 6). In so doing, the end flap 38 takes along the thereto attached part 84 of the wrapper end 70, thereby neatly tucking the folded wrapper portions 82 and 86 on the inner face of the end flap 38 between the latter and the closed end flaps 36 and 40 (FIG. 6). The container end 72 is now completely closed, and the opposite container end may next be closed by infolding the other end flaps 34a and 40a in exactly the same manner and sequence described in connection with the end flaps 34 to 40, with the other closed container end looking exactly like the closed container end in FIG. 6.

In thus infolding the end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a into their closed position, the container is completely gift-wrapped, as much as though the container had no wrapping sheet attached to it and were, after closure of its end flaps, wrapped in a separate sheet by an experienced handler who takes particular care in neatly folding the wrapper ends against the closed container ends in generally accustomed hand fashion for their appearance like or similarly as in FIG. 6. In fact, by virtue of the attachment of the wrapper ends to the end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a and the described configuration of these end flaps, the folded closed wrapper ends have the same neat and well-balanced appearance on container after container, with their appearance being at least as neat and well-balanced as wrapped ends which are folded and closed by hand with the greatest of care and in generally accustomed fashion.

With at least the topmost end flaps 38 and 38a among the closed end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a having a natural tendency to spring at least partially open, it is advisable to lock these end flaps 38 and 38a in their closed position in any feasible manner, as by applying a short piece of adhesive tape across the closed end flaps 38, 34 and 38a, 34a, or tie a decorative ribbon around the container and thereby even further accentuate the gift appearance of the container.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, provision is made to hold the end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a against inward collapse into the interior of the container on subjection to external forces in their closed position. To this end, the end flaps 34 and 34a are provided with the already described end tongues 44 and 44a (FIGS. 1 and 2). These tongues 44 and 44a may be left coplanar with the respective end flaps 34 and 34a on the folded container so that on initial set-up of the container (FIG. 3) and in the course of subsequently infolding the end flap 34, for example, the coplanar tongue 44 on the latter will with its end edge 48 contact the adjacent open end flap 38, whereby this tongue 44 will be compelled to fold about its score line 46 and into lap with the open end flap 38 during the remainder of the infolding of the end flap 34 into its closed position (FIG. 4). The next adjacent end flaps 36 and 40 are then infolded into their closed position on top of the closed end flap 34, care being taken not to overfold the end flaps 36 and 40 and thereby force them and the closed end flap 34 into the interior of the container. On finally infolding the last end flap 38 into its closed position, the same will take along the tongue 44 by folding it further about its score line 46 and tuck it between the closed end flaps 36, 40 and the closed end flap 38 (FIG. 7), with the tongue 44, by virtue of being snugly sandwiched between the closed end flaps 36, 40 and 38, exhibiting quite appreciable resistance to inward collapse of the closed end flaps 34 to 40 into the interior of the container on subjection to external forces. Of course, the tongue 44a on the opposite end flap 34a will similarly resist inward collapse into the interior of the container of the other closed end flaps 34a to 40a on subjection to external forces.

In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, provision is made positively to stop the firstto-be-closed end flaps 34 and 34a in their closed position on infolding them and thus obviate their overfolding even on particularly quick and forceful infolding of the same. To this end, the end flaps 34 and 34a are provided with opposite

coplanar ears

90, 92 and 90a, 920 which in this instance are opposite side ears extending to the score lines 46 and 46a of the respective end flaps 34 and 34a (FIGS. 1 and 2), and the

side panels

26 and 30 and associated end flaps 36, 36a and 40, a are over end lengths of their respective score lines 18 between them provided with slits, and preferably narrow slots, 94, 94a and 96, 960. Thus, on infolding the end flap 34, for example, the

side ears

90 and 92 will increasingly thrust against the inner faces of the respective adjacent open end flaps 36 and 40 and, in consequence, will forcefully snap into register and interlock with the

respective slots

94 and 96 when the end flap 34 reaches its correct closed position (FIGS. 4 and 8). The end flap 34 is thus locked rather firmly in its closed position, and it also stops the other end flaps 36 to 40 from being overfolded on their infolding into closed position, besides resisting most effectively inward collapse of the closed end flaps 34 to-40 into the interior of the container on subjection to external forces. Of course the other side ears 90a, 92a on the opposite end flap 34a and the therewith coordinated slots 94a, 96a will secure the same described advantage as the

side ears

90, 92 on the end flap 34 and therewith coordinated

slots

94, 96.

It will be noted in FIG. 8 and also in FIG. 4 that the exemplary wrapping sheet s covers and, hence, hides from view the

slots

94 and 96 and also the

side ears

90 and 92 in interlock therewith, and these will remain covered by the wrapping sheet and, hence, hidden from view when all end flaps are closed.

While in the described exemplary folding container of FIGS. 2 to 6, the end flaps to be infolded first are provided with opposite side ears which snap into interlock with slots in the container when these end flaps reach correct closing position in the course of their infolding, it is fully within the ambit of the invention to provide a modified folding container of which each of these end flaps is provided with only one ear. FIG. 9 shows fragmentarily a blank 14!; for such a modified container. The blank 14b may be identical with the blank 14 of FIG. 1, except that the same lacks a wrapping sheet and also lacks opposite side ears and a tuckin tongue on each of the end flaps 34b. Instead, the end 46b of each end flap 34b is provided with a single tongue-like ear b, and the side panel 28b is along each of its associated score lines 18b provided with a slit 100. Thus, in forming the modified folding container from the blank 14b in a manner similar to that described in forming the folding container of FIG. 2 from the blank of FIG. 1, the ears 90b on the end flaps 34b will snap into interlock with the respective slits 100 when in the course of infolding these end flaps 34b they reach correct closing position on the respective open ends of the set-up container.

What is claimed is:

l. A flat folding container, having four side panels mutually joined along first parallel score lines about which they are turnable for set-up of the container with its ends open and the side panels disposed rectangularly to each other, and opposite identical sets of end cover flaps of which each set provides four flaps continuous with said side panels, respectively, along second score lines extending along the adjacent ends of the respective side panels and normal to said first score lines, with said flaps of each set being infoldable about their associated second score lines from open position, in which they are substantially coplanar with the respective side panels, into closed position in which they are in covering relation with the adjacent open end of the set-up container with a first flap innermost and the remaining flaps resting on top of said first flap, said first flap of each set providing a cover part of rectangular outline, and at least one ear part on said cover part remote from the associated second score line and coplanar with said cover part, with said cover part being dimensioned substantially to fit the adjacent open end of the set-up container in the closed position of said first flap, and the side panel next to said ear part of each of said first flaps in its closed position having a slit aligned with said car part in the closed position of said first flap, with said ear part projecting outside the rectangular outline of said cover part to an extent such that on closure of said first flap said ear part will snap into interlock with said slit.

2. A flat folding container as in claim 1, in which said cover part of each of said first flaps has a straight end spaced from and parallel to the associated second score line, and opposite sides extending from the latter to said straight end, and said first flap has two of said ear parts on said sides, respectively, of said cover part thereof and extending to said straight end, with the ends of the side panels next to said ear parts, respectively, in the closed position of said first flap having said slits, respectively, into interlock with which said ear parts snap on closure of said first panel.

3. A flat folding container as in claim 2, in which said slits are slots.

4. A fiat folding container as in claim 2, which further provides a substantially rectangular wrapping having an intermediate length secured to the outer faces of said side panels and completely enveloping the latter, and opposite endlengths extending beyond the opposite ends of the side panels and foldable against the adjacent closed flaps, so that said wrapping externally covers said slits and therewith interlocked ear parts of the respective first flaps.

5. A fiat folding container as in claim 4, in which second and third ones of said flaps of each set next to said first flap thereof are, in their closed position, lying on top of said first flap in its closed position, with with said second and third flaps being of substantially identical size and trapezoidal outline, each having short and long parallel base lines of which the long base line is formed by the associated second score line, and opposite side edges of which one is inclined to said base lines and the other extends substantially normal to said long base line from the end thereof remote from the side panel with which said first flap is continuous, and the remaining fourth one of said flaps lying, in its closed position, on top of said second and third flaps in their closed position, withsaid fourth flap being of trapezoidal outline, having opposite long and short parallel base lines of which the long base line is formed by the associated second score line, and substantially equally but oppositely inclined side edges, said second, third and fourth flaps being between their respective base lines of a length less than that of said first flap between its associated second score line and its straight end so that said second and third flaps are out of overlap with each other in their closed position, and said wrapper endlengths are in the form of circumferentially continuous sheets of a cross-sectional outline in approximate continuation of that of said intermediate wrapper length on the container, with said wrapper endlengths being secured to the outer faces of the flaps of the respective sets so that on closing said flaps in the order described the associated wrapper endlengths will be folded and closed in imitation of orderly handfolding them for closure, and said wrapper endlengths being of sufficient lengthwise extent completely to cover all exposed portions of the closed flaps.

6. A flat folding container as in claim 2, in which second and third flaps of each set next to said first flap thereof are infolded into closed position in which they lie on top of said first flap in its closed position, and are dimensioned to be out of overlap with each other in their closed position, and the remaining fourth flap of each set is infolded into closed position in which it lies on top of said second and third flaps in their closed position, and said first flap of each set has at said straight end thereof a tongue foldable into and from coplanar extension with said first flap about a score line along said straight end, whereby on turning said first flap into its closed position and folding said tongue into lap with the adjacent fourth flap in its open position, the latter will, on its closure, take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap.

7. A flat folding container as in claim 6, in which said tongue on said first flap 'of each set is initially coplanar with said first flap and non-folded, so that on initial closure of said first flap said tongue will contact the adjacent fourth flap in its open position and thereby be folded into lap with the latter, and said fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap.

8. A flat folding container as in claim 5, in which said first flap of each set has at said straight end thereof a tongue foldable into and from coplanar extension with said first flap about a score line along said straight end, whereby on turning said first flap into its closed position and folding said tongue into lap with the adjacent fourth flap in its open position, the latter will, on its closure, take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap, with said tongue being dimensioned to be completely covered by said fourth closed flap when tucked 9. A flat folding container as in claim 8, in which said tongue on said first flap of each set is initially coplanar with said first flap and non-folded, so that on initial closure of said first flap said tongue will contact the adjacent fourth flap in its open position and thereby be folded into lap with the latter, and said fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap.

10. A flat folding container having four side panels mutually joined along first parallel score lines about which they are turnable for set-up of the container with its ends open and the side panels disposed rectangularly to each other, and opposite identical sets of end cover flaps of which each set provides four flaps continuous with said side panels, respectively, along second score lines extending along the adjacent ends of the respective side panels and normal to said first score lines, with said flaps of each set being infoldable about their associated second score lines from open position, in which they are substantially coplanar with the respective side panels, into closed position in which they are in covering relation with the adjacent open end of the set-up container, the flaps of each set being designated first, second, third and fourth flaps, of which said first flap is to be closed first and is dimensioned substantially to fit the adjacent open container end when in its closed position, with said first flap having a straight end spaced from and parallel to the associated second score line, said second and third flaps are next to said first flap and are to be closed next and in their closed position lie on top of said first closed flap, with said second and third flaps being dimensioned to be out of overlap with each other in their closed position, and said fourth flap is to be closed last and in its closed position lies on top of said second and third closed flaps, and said first flap of each set has at said straight end thereof a tongue foldable into and out of coplanar extension with said first flap about a score line along said straight end, whereby on turning said first flap into its closed position and folding said tongue into lap with the adjacent fourth open flap, said fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap.

11. A flat folding container as in claim 10, in which said tongue on said first flap of each set is initially coplanar with said first flap and non-folded, so that on initial closure of said first flap said tongue will contact the adjacent fourth flap in its open position and thereby be folded into lap with the latter, and said fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap.

Claims

1. A flat folding container, having four side panels mutually joined along first parallel score lines about which they are turnable for set-up of the container with its ends open and the side panels disposed rectangularly to each other, and opposite identical sets of end cover flaps of which each set provides four flaps continuous with said side panels, respectively, along second score lines extending along the adjacent ends of the respective side panels and normal to said fIrst score lines, with said flaps of each set being infoldable about their associated second score lines from open position, in which they are substantially coplanar with the respective side panels, into closed position in which they are in covering relation with the adjacent open end of the set-up container with a first flap innermost and the remaining flaps resting on top of said first flap, said first flap of each set providing a cover part of rectangular outline, and at least one ear part on said cover part remote from the associated second score line and coplanar with said cover part, with said cover part being dimensioned substantially to fit the adjacent open end of the set-up container in the closed position of said first flap, and the side panel next to said ear part of each of said first flaps in its closed position having a slit aligned with said ear part in the closed position of said first flap, with said ear part projecting outside the rectangular outline of said cover part to an extent such that on closure of said first flap said ear part will snap into interlock with said slit.

3. A flat folding container as in claim 2, in which said slits are slots.

4. A flat folding container as in claim 2, which further provides a substantially rectangular wrapping having an intermediate length secured to the outer faces of said side panels and completely enveloping the latter, and opposite endlengths extending beyond the opposite ends of the side panels and foldable against the adjacent closed flaps, so that said wrapping externally covers said slits and therewith interlocked ear parts of the respective first flaps.

5. A flat folding container as in claim 4, in which second and third ones of said flaps of each set next to said first flap thereof are, in their closed position, lying on top of said first flap in its closed position, with with said second and third flaps being of substantially identical size and trapezoidal outline, each having short and long parallel base lines of which the long base line is formed by the associated second score line, and opposite side edges of which one is inclined to said base lines and the other extends substantially normal to said long base line from the end thereof remote from the side panel with which said first flap is continuous, and the remaining fourth one of said flaps lying, in its closed position, on top of said second and third flaps in their closed position, withsaid fourth flap being of trapezoidal outline, having opposite long and short parallel base lines of which the long base line is formed by the associated second score line, and substantially equally but oppositely inclined side edges, said second, third and fourth flaps being between their respective base lines of a length less than that of said first flap between its associated second score line and its straight end so that said second and third flaps are out of overlap with each other in their closed position, and said wrapper endlengths are in the form of circumferentially continuous sheets of a cross-sectional outline in approximate continuation of that of said intermediate wrapper length on the container, with said wrapper endlengths being secured to the outer faces of the flaps of the respective sets so that on closing said flaps in the order described the associated wrapper endlengths will be folded and closed in imitation of orderly handfolding them for closure, and said wrapper endlengths being of sufficient lengthwise extent completely to cover all exposed portions of the closed flaps.

7. A flat folding container as in claim 6, in which said tongue on said first flap of each set is initially coplanar with said first flap and non-folded, so that on initial closure of said first flap said tongue will contact the adjacent fourth flap in its open position and thereby be folded into lap with the latter, and said fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap.

8. A flat folding container as in claim 5, in which said first flap of each set has at said straight end thereof a tongue foldable into and from coplanar extension with said first flap about a score line along said straight end, whereby on turning said first flap into its closed position and folding said tongue into lap with the adjacent fourth flap in its open position, the latter will, on its closure, take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap, with said tongue being dimensioned to be completely covered by said fourth closed flap when tucked in.

9. A flat folding container as in claim 8, in which said tongue on said first flap of each set is initially coplanar with said first flap and non-folded, so that on initial closure of said first flap said tongue will contact the adjacent fourth flap in its open position and thereby be folded into lap with the latter, and said fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap.