US3907108A

US3907108A - Carton for shotgun or the like

Info

Publication number: US3907108A
Application number: US482855A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Charles P Weimer
Original assignee: International Paper Co
Current assignee: International Paper Co
Priority date: 1974-06-25
Filing date: 1974-06-25
Publication date: 1975-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-23
Also published as: CA1035326A

Abstract

A carton for a two piece shotgun having a bottom, end, front and rear walls, a top panel extending partway across the carton, vertical panelling attached to the top panel dividing the carton into two compartments which house the two pieces of the weapon; panels attached to the vertical panelling overlying the carton bottom and extending to the rear wall; and a cover overlying the top panel. The carton has features which (1) minimize movement of the weapon parts (2) protect the delicate parts of the weapon, and (3) strengthen and reinforce the carton. For example, axial movement of the barrel is minimized by a transverse abutment formed by the vertical panelling against which a projection on the barrel rests. The projection also fits in a slot in the vertical panelling which reduces upward movement of the barrel. Tilting of the barrel is minimized by sandwiching it between the rear wall and vertical panelling. A cushioning panel cut from the top panel is between the top panel and the weapon, adjacent the bolt handle to support the top panel and prevent the bolt handle from puncturing it. Cushioning flaps between the barrel and the vertical panelling protect the non-barrel portion of the weapon. The carton is braced by a panel which overlies the carton bottom and is cut from the top panel and a vertical panel.

Description

United States Patent Weimer, Jr.

[ Sept. 23, 1975 CARTON FOR SHOTGUN OR THE LIKE [75] Inventor: Charles P. Weimer, Jr., Plainfield,

Conn.

[73] Assignee: International Paper Company, New

York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: June 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 482,855

[52] 0.8. CI 206/317; 206/45.14; 229/14 C; 229/27 [51] Int. CL... B65D 5/44; B65D 5/48; B65D 5/50; B65D 85/20 [58] Field of Search 229/14 C, 16 R, 16 D, 27, 229/29 D, 44 R; 206/45.14, 45.19, 317, 491, 521, 44.1 1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,743,351 l/l930 Horowitz 206/45.14 X 2,060,513 11/1936 Marx 229/27 2,783,929 3/1957 Delaney.. 229/27 X 3,156,351 11/1964 Small 206/317 3,220,632 11/1965 Persson... 206/45.l4 X 3,539,089 11/1970 Osberg 229/27 3,746,156 7/1973 Austin, Jr. et al. 206/45.14

Primary ExaminerWilliam 1. Price Assistant ExaminerSteven E. Lipman Attorney, Agent, or FirmLawrence W. Flynn [57] ABSTRACT A carton for a two piece shotgun having a bottom, end, front and rear walls, a top panel extending partway across the carton, vertical panelling attached to the top panel dividing the carton into two compartments which house the two pieces of the weapon; panels attached to the vertical panelling overlying the car ton bottom and extending to the rear wall; and a cover overlying the top panel.

The carton has features which (1) minimize movement of the weapon parts (2) protect the delicate parts of the weapon, and (3) strengthen and reinforce the carton. For example, axial movement of the barrel is minimized by a transverse abutment formed by the vertical panelling against which a projection on the barrel rests. The projection also fits in a slot in the vertical panelling which reduces upward movement of the barrel. Tilting of the barrel is minimized by sandwiching it between the rear wall and vertical panelling. A cushioning panel cut from the top panel is between the top panel and the weapon, adjacent the bolt handle to support the top panel and prevent the bolt handle from puncturing it. Cushioning flaps between the barrel and the vertical panelling protect the non-barrel portion of the weapon. The carton is braced by a panel which overlies the carton bottom and is cut from the top panel and a vertical panel.

64 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 0f6 3,907,108

/0 F/G-I 2-5 'r57 US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of6 3 ,907,108

N ii! A RN. ux bl m mm & MW a" m V mm 2 ww mm NW m w NM mm WW!I N v Q uw Q w mw Ill I NW m Q Q H HH NWL! L 0Q v mm US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of6 3,907,108

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 4 of6 3,907,108

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 shw 6 of6 3,907,108

% Q a E wm CARTON FOR SHOTGUN OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION single piece pre-scored blank from which the carton is formed. The carton,.for example, provides a strong, du rable container for a disassembled two piece, gas operated automatic single barrel shotgun. Typically, such a shotgun consists of two distinct parts l a barrel and (2) a non-barrel portion. The exterior of the non-barrel portion is for the most part made of wood and usually includes a wooden stock at one end, a pistol grip, a receiver, a trigger and trigger guard, a bolt mechanism and projecting bolt handle, a gas tube and, at the other end thereof, a wooden forestock portion adapted to receive the barrel when the shotgun is assembled. The more delicate and fragile parts of the weapon such as the bolt, trigger, receiver, gas mechanism and the wooden portions thereof are included in this non-barrel portion. The barrel normally contains an integral externally projecting hollow radial ring which is adapted to fit over the gas tube of the non-barrel portion when the shotgun is assembled. 7

Various carton arrangements for packaging weapons such as rifles and shotguns in either an assembled or disassembled state have been described in the prior art. See, for example, US. Pat. Nos. 2,121,982, 2,487,528 and 3,156,351. In cases where the barrel and nonbarrel portion are packaged in a disassembled condition, it has been the common practice to provide some type of separate compartments for these members. In such cartons, the elongated barrel compartment is usually considerably longer than the barrel itself. The metal barrel is fairly heavy, e.g.,'2.to pounds and has a marked tendency, unless restrained, to move back and forth axially during transit and handling of the carton, where it repeatedly'slams against the end walls and other parts of the carton, eventually damaging the carton structure. To alleviate these problems, various fillers, inserts, padding, etc/have been placed at one or both ends of the carton between the barrel ends and the carton walls to prevent or minimize the axial movement of the barrel and reinforce the end Walls.

In some prior art cartons, the barrel is also free to tilt or move transversely to its axis, repeatedly colliding with the elongated sidewalls of the barrel compartment, often damaging these walls and the more delicate components of the non-barre] portion located in the adjoining compartment. In many cartons the barrel can also move up and down, repeatedly banging against the top and bottom of the'carton.

A further problem in some prior art cartons is caused by the projecting bolt handle of the non-barrel portion. The bolt handle has a tendency to puncture the carton panels adjacent to it 'when these panels are forced against the bolt handle during transit or handling of the carton. I

A further problem of some prior art cartons has been the collapsing or crumbling of the carton across its short dimension when the carton was subjected to compressive forces during transit or handling.

It is a general object of this invention, therefore, to provide a carton for a weapon such asadisassembled shotgun which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art cartons.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a carton wherein movementof the barrelwithin the carton is restrained by features which form an integral part of the carton structure.

It is another object of the invention to provide a carton wherein portions of the barrel compartment of the carton are reinforced by integral parts of the carton structure in order to minimize damage to the carton and the more delicate non-barrel portion of the weapon located in the compartment next to the barrel compartment.

It is another object of this invention to provide a carton wherein the projecting bolt handle of the weapon is prevented from puncturing the carton panelling.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a carton reinforced across its short dimension by an integral part of the carton structure.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this entire specification and the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the carton of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objectives are accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by a single piece carton having a bottom with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along its first edge to the front wall and extending partway across the carton where it terminates short of the rear wall in a second discontinuous edge; vertical panelling attached to this discontinuous edge dividing the carton into front and rear compartments which house, respectively, the non-barrel and barrel portions of the weapon; inner bottom panels attached to one or more of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom of the carton and extending from the vertical panels to the rear wall; and a cover panel joined to the rear wall and overlying the top panel.

The discontinuous edge of the top panel includes seg ments at each end angled with respect to the first edge of the top panel and an intermediate segment generally parallel to the first edge. A portion of the parallel edge is more'distant from the first edge than the remainder and, as a result, the vertical panel attached to this more distant portion forms in the rear or barrel compartment of the carton a transverse abutment or stop. The vertical panelling dividing the carton into its two compartments contains a slot adjoining the abutment, with the abutment preferably forming a side edge of the slot.

The barrel is located in the rear compartment, with one end flush against an end wall and the external radial ring on the barrel inserted in the slot in the vertical panelling and resting against the abutment in thebarrel compartment. The vertical panel forming the abutment is reinforced by another panel. attached thereto in facing relationship, preferably with the side of the vertical panel nearest the front wall.

If the barrel attempts to move axially, it is restrained in one direction by striking the carton end wall with which its one end is flush. Movement in the other direc tion is restrained as the barrel ring strikes the trans verse reinforced abutment or stop in the barrel compartment. The slot in the vertical panelling serves several purposes. First, as just discussed, axial movement of the barrel is restrained by the ring striking the side edge of the slot. The top edge of the slot also limits the upward movement of the barrel within its compartment by limiting the upward range of movement of the barrel ring which is inserted in the slot.

Tilting of the barrel, or-movement transverse to its axis, is maintained by tightly sandwiching the barrel between the rear wall and the vertical panel which forms the transverse abutment in the barrel compartment. The barrel is thus maintained substantially immobile during transit and handling of the carton, positioned against the rear wall of the carton generally parallel with the rear wall.

In one embodiment, the panel which reinforces the vertical abutment panel is maintained in facing relationship with the abutment panel by a locking panel attached to the reinforcing panel which is slit in two to form from one half a locking tab which passes through a cut-out portion of the more distantparallel edge of the top panel and is folded against the face of the vertical abutment panel where it is tightly sandwiched between the vertical abutment panel and the barrel. This holds the locking tab in place and maintains the reinforcement panel to which it is attached in facing relationship with the vertical abutment panel so that the transverse abutment in the barrel compartment comprises two generally vertical panels instead of one, for added strength in restraining the axial movement of the barrel.

A cushioning panel is cut from the top panel in prox imity to the bolt handle of the non-barrel portion of the weapon. This cushioning panel is attached on one edge tothe top panel and is adapted to be folded underneath the top panel where it is sandwiched between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the bold handle. The cushioning panel acts as a pillar or post to prevent the top panel from collapsing onto the upwardly projecting bolt handle during handling or transit of the carton and thereby undesirably puncturing the top panel and other panels which may overlie the top panel. The thickness of the pillar formed by the cushioning panel therefore is usually about equal to or greater than the projecting height of the bolt handle. In one embodiment of the invention, the cushioning panel comprises a plurality of interconnected panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other to form a stack of the panels which is disposed between the top panel and non-barrel portion in proximity to the bolt handle to support the top panel.

To cushion and reinforce the end walls and the vertical panelling separating the barrel from the more delicate non-barrel portion, cushioning flaps are attached to the side edge of one or both end walls which is closest the rear wall. These cushioning flaps are generally disposed between the barrel and the end walls and/or vertical panels at each end of the carton where they cushion impacts of the barrel against the end walls and- /or vertical panels.

To provide additional bracing across the narrow diamension of the carton, a reinforcing panel is cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is joined. This reinforcing panel is attached along one edge to the inner bottom panel so that it is integral with the inner bottom panel, overlying the bottom of the carton and extending from its attached inner bottom panel to the front wall. This provides a unitary reinforcement panel across the entire width of the carton which gives added strength to resist,

compressive forces applied across the short dimension of the carton during transit and handling.

The more delicate non-barrel portion of the weapon is located in the front compartment with its top adjacent the frontwall of the carton. The top of the stock at one end of the front compartment is virtually flush with the front wall of the carton while at each end of the front compartment, the underside of the stock and forestock is virtually flush against the vertical panelling which separates the front and rear compartments. The non barrel portion is prevented from moving longitudinally in its compartment since each end thereof is flush against an end wall of the carton. Tilting or rotation of the non-barrel portion is'prevented since movement in one direction would be halted by the underside of the stock striking the vertical panelling which divides the carton into two compartments, while movement in the other direction would be halted by the combination of the top of the stock striking the front wall of the carton and the underside of the forestock striking the vertical panelling.

There is thus provided a strong, sturdy carton in which the barrel and non-barrel portion remain relatively immobile during transit and handling as the result of the features which form an integral part of the carton. Moreover, puncturing of the carton by the bolt handle is prevented and the more delicate non-barrel portion andother delicate portions of the carton itself are reinforced and cushioned against the adverse effects which can result from movement of the heavy metal barrel during transit and handling of the carton.

The carton of the invention is described more fully below in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof which is shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a single piece pre-seore, blank used to prepare the carton of the invention. FIGS. 2-6 show sequentially the formation of the blank into a carton and the loading of a disassembled shotgun in the carton.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the partially assembled blank of FIG. I, wherein the carton has been erected to the point where it is ready to receive the disassembled barrel and non-barrel portion of a shotgun.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the carton of FIG. 2, with the non-barrel portion of the shotgun in place in the carton adjoining the front wall thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially cut away for clarity, of the partially assembled carton with the top panel folded into place to divide the carton into two elongated compartments, with the non-barrel portion of the shotgun having been previously placed in the covered front compartment adjoining the front wall of the carton (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 showing the emplacement of the barrel in the uncovered rear compartment of the carton adjoining the rear wall of the carton.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 showing the completely assembled carton containing the disassembled barrel and non-barrel portion of the shotgun therein.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4 (barrel not yet placed in the carton).

FIG. 7a is the same view as FIG. 7 taken along the line 7a-7a of FIG. 5 (with barrel now placed in the carton).

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIGS. 4 and 7 (barrel not yet placed in the carton).

FIG. 8a is the same view as FIG. 8 taken along the,

line 8a8a of FIGS. 5 and 7a (with the barrel now placed in the carton).

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 99 of FIG. 4 (barrel not yet placed in the carton).

FIG. 9a is the same view as FIG. 9 taken along the line 9a-9a of FIGS. 5 and 7a (with the barrel now placed in the carton).

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 1010 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 1111 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 12-12 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, the pre-scored corrugated paperboard blank 10 from which the carton is formed contains an elongated rectangular bottom panel 11 having a centrally located elongated cut'out 12a at each of its short edges. Foldably attached to the opposite longer edges of panel 11 are an elongated front wall panel 12 and an elongated rear wall panel 13. Corner connection panels 14 are foldably attached to opposed side edges of the front and

rear wall panels

12, 13.

At each end of the bottom panel is a multi-panelled end wall unit comprising an outer end wall 15 foldably attached to the shorter edges of the bottom panel 11 and an inner end wall 16 foldably attached to inner end wall 15 through a thin intermediate shoulder panel 17. Each inner end wall 16 contains along one edge a cen trally disposed locking tab 16a adapted to mate with the cutouts 12a of bottom panel 12 in the erected carton. Cushioning flaps 18, 19 are foldably attached to the side edge of each inner end wall 16 closest to the rear wall 13, with flap 18 divided into a short portion 18a and long portion 1817 by fold line 180.

An elongated top panel 20 is foldably attached along a first straight edge 21 to the front wall 12. Panel 20 is a unitary irregularly-shaped panel having a second discontinuous edge generally designated as 22 which is opposite edge 21. Edge 22 includes first and second

angled segments

23, 24 at each end thereof which angle inwardly from each end of panel 20 toward its straight edge 21 to form generally trapezoidal portions at each end of the top panel. As shown in FIG. 1, segment 24 is somewhat longer than segment 23 and is interrupted by the panel 53. Edge 20 further includes third and

fourth segments

28, 29 intermediate

angled segments

23, 24 which are generally parallel to edge 21 to form generally rectangular portions midway on the top panel. However, parallel edge 28 is more distant from edge 21 than parallel edge 29 and contains a thin elongated cut-out portion 32 at its side closest to the longer angled edge 24.

Thus the discontinuous edge 22 of the top panel 20 has four distinct segments, two angled 23, 24 and two parallel 28, 29 with respect to opposite edge 21. These four segments divide the top panel into four distinct portions, the two trapezoidal portions at each end between edge 21 and

edges

23, 24, respectively, and the two intermediate rectangular portions between edge 21 and

edges

28, 29, respectively.

The top panel 20 further includes two elongated cut outs 33 in straight edge 21 and a locking panel 34 foldably attached to each end thereof. Panel 20 also contains a cushioning panel 36 cut from the intermediate rectangular portion between

edges

21 and 28 which is foldably attached along an edge 37 to panel 20, and comprises a plurality of panels 38 foldably attached to each other in series so that panels 38 can be folded one on top of the other in the erected carton to form a stack of the panels.

Attached to the discontinuous edge 22 of the top panel 20 are a plurality of

vertical panels

40, 41, 42, 43, with

panels

40 and 43 attached to

angled segments

23, 24, respectively, and

panels

41, 42 attached to

parallel segments

29, 28, respectively. Panel 43 is interrupted by the panel 53. The side edge 44 of vertical panel 42 closest to adjoining vertical panel 41 is partly cut away to provide a slot or opening 45 between edge 44 and adjoining panel 41.

Inner trapezoidal

bottom panels

48, 49 are foldably attached to

vertical panels

40 and 43, respectively, with inner rectangular bottom panel 52 foldably attached to vertical panel 41.

A vertical reinforcing panel 56 is foldably attached to vertical panel 42. A locking panel 60 is in turn foldably attached to panel 56 and contains therein a slit 61 dividing the panel 60 into a small portion 62 and a large portion 63. Portion 62 is joined to panel 56 through a thin intermediate shoulder panel 57.

A horizontal reinforcing panel 53 is cut on three sides thereof from l top panel 20 between

edges

21 and 24 and (2) the attached vertical panel 43 to which the inner bottom panel 49 is attached. Panel 53 remains attached to inner bottom panel 49 forming an extension thereof.

A top cover panel 65 having; foldably attached locking panels 66 at each end thereof and locking tabs 67 along its unattached long edge is joined to the rear wall 13 of the blank.

The carton is prepared for loading by folding the front and

rear walls

12, 13 upwardly into an erect vertical position and then folding corner connector panels 14 on each side of the carton toward each other until they are at 90 degrees to panels l2, 13 (see FIG. 2). Outer end walls 15 are next folded upwardly into an erect vertical position flush against the outer faces of panels 14. Cushioning flaps 18, 19 are then folded inwardly against their attached inner end walls 16 after which inner end walls 16, with the

flaps

18, 19 now out of the way, are folded downwardly over the inner faces of corner connector panels 14- to sandwich panels 14 between the inner and outer end walls l6, 15 with the thin shoulder panel 17 overlying panels 14, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 12. Locking tabs 16a on the inner end walls 16 are then inserted in the cut-outs 12a of bottom panel 12 to lock the end walls in place and assure the integrity of the wall and corner structure of the carton.

The carton is now as shown in FIG. 2, open and ready for loading. The non-barrel portion 70 of a disassembled two-piece shotgun (FIG. 3) is then placed in the carton with its top 71 adjoining the front wall of the carton. The non-barrel portion consists of the stock 72,

pistol grip 73, a receiver 74 containing the trigger guard and trigger 74a and a fore-stock 75. The receiver 74 contains the bolt mechanism of the shotgun to which is attached an upwardly projecting bolt handle 77. The non-barrel portion 70 is placed in the carton so that the top 78 of the stock 72 is against the front wall 12 at the end of the carton where angled edge 23 of the top panel 20 is located. The top 79 of the receiver 74 is also against the front wall at the part where parallel edge 28 of the top panel is located. The nonbarrel portion 70 occupies substantially the entire length of the carton so that it is not free to move longitudinally in the carton. Each end 80a of the non-barrel portion 70 adjoins the end walls of the carton.

Once the non-barrel portion 70 is properly positioned as in FIG. 3, the individual panels 38 of cushioning panel 36 are folded one on top of the other to form a stack of panels which is then folded against the underside of the top panel 20 so that when the top panel is folded downwardly to cover the non-barrel portion, this stack (see FIG. 10) is located between the top panel and the non-barrel portion 70 in proximity to the bolt handle 77 to act as a pillar which prevents the top panel from collapsing onto the projecting bolt handle and being punctutcd. The locking panels 34 at each end of panel are next folded toward the inner face of panel 20 until they are perpendicular to panel 20.

The top panel is then folded inwardly over the nonbarrel portion 70 (FIG. 4) until it is generally parallel with the bottom panel, with the locking panels 34 against the inner walls 16 at each end of the carton.

Vertical panels

40, 41, 42 and 43 are then folded downwardly toward the bottom panel 11 to divide the carton into a front compartment covered by the top panel 20 containing the nonbarrel portion 70, and an uncovered rear compartment (see FIG. 4).

Vertical panels

40 and 43 are flush against the underside of the stock 72 and forestock 75, respectively, in substantially parallel alignment therewith. The inner

bottom panels

48, 49 and 52 are then folded toward the rear wall 13 and ex tend between the vertical panels to which they are attached and the rear wall, overlying the bottom panel 11 as shown in FIG. 4.

As vertical panel 43 and attached inner bottom panel 49 are brought into position, the horizontal reinforcing panel 53 is lowered onto the bottom panel and slid under the non-barrel portion 70 in compartment 81 where it extends between panel 49 and the front wall, as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The combination of

panels

49 and 53 provides a unitary horizontal reinforcing panel across the entire short dimension of the carton which makes it better able to withstand compressive forces.

Prior to folding vertical panel 42 into place, the reinforcing panel 56 is folded against the face of panel 42 nearest the front wall 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) so that

panels

42 and 56 are in facing relationship. The small portion 62 of the locking panel 60 attached to panel 56 is then inserted through the cutout 32 in edge 28 of the top panel 20, and folded downwardly against the face of vertical panel 42 closest the rear wall 13, as best shown in FIG. 8. The large portion 63 of panel 60 is folded toward the front wall 12 and is disposed beneath the portion of top panel 20 between edges 21 and 28 (see FIG. 8) where it is sandwiched between panel 20 and the non-barrel portion 70.

Cushioning flaps 18, 19 are then positioned against

vertical panels

40, 43 respectively, as shown in FIG. 4, to reinforce these panels.

It can be seen in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9 that vertical panel 42 and its reinforcing panel 56 are more distant from the front wall than the adjoining portions of

vertical panels

41 and 43 because the edge 28 of the top panel to which vertical panel 42 is attached is more distant from edge 21 than

edges

29 and 24. As a result,

panels

42 and 56 form a transverse reinforced abutment or stop in the rear compartment more distant from the front wall 12 than adjoining vertical panels. The cutout portion along edge 44 of panel 42 provides a slot 45 in panel 42 as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. One side edge 44 of the slot 45 is formed by the abutting vertical panels 42 and 56 (FIGS. 8 and 9).

At this point, the barrel 80 is laid in the rear compartment as shown in FIG. 5. Barrel 80 has an external radially projecting hallow ring 81 (FIGS. 5, 6, 8a, 9a, 11 and 12) adapted to slide over the gas tube in the nonbarrel portion when the shotgun is assembled. The thicker end of barrel is placed flush against the smaller portion 18a of the cushioning flap 18 (FIGS. 5 and 12), forcing portion l8a'flush' against the locking panel 34 and end wall 16 (FIG. 12). The thinner end of the barrel falls somewhat short of reaching its adjoining end wall so that the barrel does not occupy the entire length of the rear compartment and therefore would ordinarily be free to move axially in this compartment. To prevent this, the projecting barrel ring 81 is inserted into the slot 45 in vertical panel 42 and rests against the reinforced projecting transverse abutment or stop formed in the barrel compartment by

vertical panels

42 and 56 as best shown in FIGS. 5, 8a, 9a and 12. Thus any attempt by the barrel to move axially in .either direction would be restrained in one direction by portion 18a of the cushioning flap and the adjoining end wall structure, and in the other direction by the reinforced abutment or edge of slot' 45 which is formed by

panels

42 and 56. Y

The top edge 450 (see FIG. 7a) of slot 45 also minimizes any upward movement of the barrel in its compartment since this edge will exert .a downward force against the barrel ring 81 should the barrel attempt to move upward.

The barrel directly-adjoins the rear wall 13 (FIGS. 8a, 9a and 12) and is substantially parallel with rear wall 13 as well as front wall l-2.-This parallel arrangement is maintained as the result of the barrel being tightly held midway along its length betwen vertical panel 42 and the rear walll3 (see FIGS. 9a and 12). Thus tilting of the barrel off its axis is prevented.

It can now be appreciated that the barrel is held relatively immobile in the carton during transit or handling by integral portions of the carton. Consequently, damage to the carton and to the more delicate non-barrel portion 70 caused by movement of the heavy barrel is avoided. I

It can also be observed that every point on the vertical panelling dividing the carton in two which is touched by the barrel is reinforced. Thus, vertical panel 40 is reinforced by portion 181) (FIG. 12) of the cushioning panel disposed between it and the barrel. Similarly, vertical panel 42 is reinforced by cushioning flap 19 disposed between it and the barrel. The

panels

18, 19 provide additional cushioning and reinforcement at key points in the vertical wall structure which divides top of panel 20 with extensions 66 sliding between the inner end wall 16 and the locking panels 34 of top panel 20 (FIG. 12). Tabs 67 are then inserted in the locking notches 33 of panel 20 to lock the cover panel in place and complete the assembly and loading of the carton. v i v I As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, vertical panel 40 and the portion of panel 20 between

edges

21 and 23 form a protective compartment for the stock 72 of the nonbarrel portion. Vertical panel 41 and the portion of panel 20 between

edges

21 and 29 form a protective compartment for the pistol grip 73. Vertical panel 42 and the portion of panel 20 between

edges

21 and 28 form a protective compartment for the receiver 74. Vertical panel 43 and the portion of the top panel between

edges

21 and 24 form a protective compartment for the forestock 75.

The non-barrel portion 70 is held immobile (see FIG. 12) in its protective front compartment since longitudinal movement is precluded by the close fit of the ends of the barrel portion with the end walls. Rotational or tilting movement is prevented by the top 78 of. the stock 72 striking the front wall and the bottom side 90 of the forestock 75 striking vertical panel 43, or by the bottom side 78a of the stock 72 striking vertical panel 40. Thus as viewed in FIG. 12, the top 78 of the stock would collide with the front wall 12 while the bottom 90 of the forestock 75 would collide with vertical panel 43 to limit clockwise movement of the non-barrel portion, while the collision of the underside 78a of the stock 72-with vertical panel 40 would limit counterclockwise movement. I

As can now be appreciated, the barrel and non-barrel portions of the shotgun remain relatively immobile during transit or handling of the carton because of the restraints imposed by integral parts of the carton itself. The threat of the bolt handle puncturing the carton is removed and the vertical panelling dividing the barrel from the more delicate non-barrel portion has been strengthened and cushioned to do a better job of protecting the non-barrel portion. Furthermore, the carton has been considerably strengthened across its short dimension by double bottom panelling extending between the front and rear wall.

To further protect the barrel and non-barrel portions of the shotgun, protective tubing, padding or cushioning can, of course, be used, although due to the highly protective nature of the carton of this invention, these additional precautions are not normally required.

The detailed and specific information presented above was by way of illustration only, and such alterations and modifications thereof as would be apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the scope and spiritof the invention,-bearing in mind that the invention is defined only'by the following claims.

It is to be understood that various terms appearing in those claims which describe a blank, such as bottom panel, top panel, vertical panel,-inner bottom panel, cushioning panel," reinforcing panel," horizontal reinforcing panel, locking panel, and the like were used simply as a convenient means for distinguishing between the numerous panels of the blank.

These terms were selected on the basis of the orientation and function of the panels in the fully erected carton. Thus, for example, the vertical panels" recited in e the blank claims refer to the orientation of these panels in the fully erected carton, and not-to their orientation in the blank where they, like: the other panels, are flat or horizontal, as shown in FIG. 1.

What is claimed is:

l. A carton blank comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge including an intermediate segment which is substantially parallel to the first edge;

vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, the vertical panel attached to the parallel segment of the edge having a cut-out portion therein which is substantially perpendicular to the parallel segment of the edge and is adapted to form a slot in the vertical panelling when the blank is erected into a carton; and

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

2. The blank of claim 1 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall.

3. The blank of claim 1 wherein a portion of the parallel segment is more distant from the first edge of the carton than the remaining portion, and wherein the cut-out is located at the juncture of the vertical panels attached, respectively, to the more distant portion and the remaining portion of the parallel segment.

4. The blank of claim 1 further ineludinga cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge, said cushioning panel located between the first edge of the top panel and the parallel segment of its second edge.

5. A carton blank comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge including first and second segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and third and fourth segments intermediate the first and second segments which are substantially parallel to the first edge, the third segment being more distant from the first edge than the fourth segment;

vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel;

a reinforcing pane] attached along a first edge thereof to the vertical panel joined to the more distant third segment of the top panel; and

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the remaining vertical panels.

6. The blank of claim 5 further including a cover panel attached tothe front wall.

7. The blankof claim 5 wherein a portion of the third parallel segment is cut away, further including a locking panel attached to a second edge of the reinforcing panel opposite its first edge, said locking panel slit along a line generally perpendicular to the second edge of the reinforcing panel.

8. The blank of claim 5 wherein at least one of the vertical panels attached to a. parallel segment of the second edge of the top panel contains a cut-out portion therein at the juncture of the vertical panel attached to the third and fourth parallel segments, said cut-out adapted to form a slot in the vertical panelling when the blank is erected into a carton.

-9. The blank of claim 8 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall.

10. A carton blank comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge;

a cushioning panel cut solely from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge which is substantially perpendicular to the first edge of the top panel, said cushioning panel comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other;

vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel; and

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

11. The blank of claim further including a cover panel attached to the front wall.

12. The blank of claim 10 wherein the discontinuous edge of the top panel includes an intermediate segment generally parallel to the first edge, and wherein the cushioning panel is cut from the portion of the top panel between its first edge and said parallel intermediate segment.

13. The blank of claim 12 wherein the discontinuous edge of the top panel includes segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and wherein the reinforcing panel is cut from the portion of the top panel between its first edge and one of its angled segments.

14. A carton blank comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel;

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels; and

a horizontal reinforcing panel cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is attached, said reinforcing panel being attached along one edge to said inner bottom panel.

15. The blank of claim 14 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall.

16. A carton blank comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge including segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and a segment intermediate the angled segments which is substantially parallel to the first edge;

a cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge, said cushioning panel located between the first edge of the top panel and the parallel segment of its second edge;

vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, the vertical panel attached to the parallel segment of the edge having a cut-out portion therein adapted to form a slot in the vertical panelling when the blank is erected into a carton; and I inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

17. A carton blank comprising:

a bottom panel with end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed edge including an intermediate segment thereof which is substantially parallel to the first edge and whose distance from the first edge differs from that of an immediately adjoining segment; and

vertical panels attached to the parallel segment and said adjoining segment of said opposed edge.

18. The blank of claim 17 wherein at least one of the vertical panels has a cut-out portion therein.

19. The blank of claim 18 further including a reinforcing panel attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

20. The blank of claim 19 further including a cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge.

21. The blank of claim 20 further including inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

22. The blank ofclaim 21 further including a cover panel attached to the rear wall.

23. A carton blank comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge including first and second segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and

, third and fourth segments intermediate the first and second segments which are substantially parallel to the first edge, the third segment being more distant from the first edge than the fourth segment, a portion of the third segment being cut away to form a slot therein;

a cushioning panel cut from the top panel between its first edge and third parallel segment, said cushioning panel attached along one edge to the top panel and comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other;

vertical panels attached along a first edge to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, the vertical panel attached to the third parallel segment of the toppanel having a cut-out portion along its edge closest to the vertical panel attached to the fourth parallel segment; 7

a reinforcing panel attached to a second edge of the vertical panel which is joined to the third parallel segment of the top panel;

a locking panel attached to a second edge of the rein forcing panel opposite its first edge, said locking panel being slit along a line intersecting second edge of the reinforcing panel;

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels;

a horizontal reinforcing panel cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is joined, said reinforcing panel being cut from the top panel between its first edge and an a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge including segments at each end which are angled with respect to the first edge, and a segment intermediate the angled segments which is substantially parallel to the first edge;

vertical panels attached along a first edge thereof to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment, the vertical panel attached to the parallel segment having a cut-out portion which provides a slot in the vertical panelling; and

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending between the bottom panel and the rear wall.

26. The carton of claim 25 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

27. The carton of claim 25 further including a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion having thereon an external radial projection and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, the barrel portion being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear walls and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and the vertical panel attached to the parallel segment of the top panel, with one end thereof adjoining an end wall of the carton and its projection inserted in the slot in the vertical panelling, the non-barrel portion being located in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall.

28. The carton of claim 27 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

29. The carton of claim 27 further including a cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge, said cushioning panel folded underneath the top panel and located between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the bolt handle.

30. A carton comprising: 7

a bottom panel with end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed edge including a first segment thereof which is more distant from the first edge than an adjoining second segment thereof;

vertical panels attached to the first and second segments of the opposed edge of the top panel dividing the carton in front and rear compartments, the vertical panels forming an abutment in the rear compartment;

a barrel of a weapon having thereon an extenal' radial projection, said barrel being located in the rear compartment with its projection engaging the abutment; and a non-barrel portion of a weapon being located in the front compartment. 31. The carton of claim 30 wherein at least one of the vertical panels contains a cut-out portion into which the barrel projection is inserted.

32. The carton of claim 30 further including a reinforcing panel attached to at least one of the vertical panels in facing relationship with said vertical panel to reinforce the abutment.

33. The carton of claim 30 wherein the non-barrel portion of the weapon contains a projecting bolt han dle, further including a cushioning panel and disposed between the non-barrel portion of the weapon and the top panel in proximity to the bolt handle.

34. The carton of claim 30 further including inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

35. The carton of claim 30 further including a cover panel attached to the rear wall, overlying the top panel.

36. A carton comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed second edge;

a cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto;

a vertical panel attached to the second edge of the top panel, said vertical panel dividing the carton into two compartments;

a barrel portion of a weapon being located in one of said compartments; and

a non-barrel portion of a weapon having a projecting portion thereof being located in said other compartment, said cushioning panel being located between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the projecting portion thereof.

37. The carton of claim 36 wherein said cushioning panel comprises a plurality of attached panels folded one on top of the other.

38. The carton of claim 36 further including inner bottom panels attached to the vertical panel, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the vertical panel to the rear wall, and a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

39. A carton comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge including two intermediate adjoining segments one of which is more distant from the first edge than the other where they adjoin;

vertical panels attached along a first edge to the dis-' continuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment;

a reinforcing panel attached to the vertical panel which is attached to the more distant parallel edge of the top panel, and in facing relationship with said vertical panel, to form with said vertical panel -a reinforced-abutment inthe rear compartment;

and

40. The carton of claim 39 further including a cover pane], attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

41. The carton of claim 39 further including a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion having thereon an external radial projection and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, the barrel portion being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear wall and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and the vertical panel attached to the more distant segment of the top panel, with one end of the barrel adjoining an end wall of the carton and its projection against the reinforced abutment in the rear compartment, the nonbarrel portion being located in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall.

42. The carton of claim 41 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall overlying the top panel.

43. The carton of claim 41 wherein the vertical pan elling of the carton further includes a slot adjoining the reinforcing abutment in which the projection of the barrel portion is inserted.

44. The carton of claim 43 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

45. The carton of claim 41 further including a cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge, said cushioning panel folded underneath the top panel and disposed between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the bolt handle.

46. The carton of claim 41 wherein each of the two intermediate adjoining segments of the second edge of the top panel is substantially parallel to the first edge of the top panel.

47. The carton of claim 46 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

48. The carton of claim 41 wherein the reinforcing panel faces the side of its attached vertical panel closest the front wall, and wherein the more distant second edge of the top panel is cut-away at one end thereof to form a slot, further including a locking panel attached to the upper edge of the reinforcing panel and split into portions, one portion passing through the slot in the second edge and overlying the surface of said attached vertical panel closest the rear wall, where it is sandwiched between said vertical panel and the barrel of the weapon.

49. A carton comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge;

a cushioning panel cut solely from said top panel and attached thereto along one edge which is substantially perpendicuiar to the first edge of the top panel, said cushioning panel comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other;

vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment; and

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the vertical panels to the rear wall.

50. The carton of claim 49 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

51. The carton of claim 49 further including a disassembled two-piece weapon-consisting of a barrel portion and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, the barrel being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear wall and sand wiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and one of the vertical panels, the non-barrel portion being in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall, and wherein the individual panels of the cushioning panels are folded one on top of the other to form a stack located under the top panel and between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the bolt handle.

5 2. The carton of claim 51 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

53. The carton of claim 51 wherein the discontinuous edge of the top panel includes an intermediate segment generally parallel to its first edge, and wherein the cushioning panel is cut from the portion of the top panel between its first edge and said parallel segment.

54. A carton comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed dis continuous edge;

vertical panels attached along a first edge to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment;

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the vertical panels to the rear wall; and

a horizontal reinforcing panel cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is joined, said reinforcing panel attached along one edge to said inner bottom panel, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the inner bottom panel to the front wall.

55. The carton of claim 54 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

56. The carton of claim 54 further including a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion and a non-barrel portion, the barrel portion being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear wall and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and one of the vertical panels, the non-barrel portion being in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall and overlying the horizontal reinforcing panel.

57. The carton of claim 56 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

58. A carton comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end iwalls and a front and rearwall;- w H :l i i a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed'discontinuous edge;

vertical panels attached along a first edge to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear com partment;

a barrel portion of a disassembled weapon located in i the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear walls and sandwiched between the rear wall and one of the vertical panels;

a non-barrel portion of the disassembled weapon located in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall;

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending beneath the barrel from the vertical panels to the rear walls; and

a cushioning flap attached to at least one end wall along the side edge of the end wall closest the rear wall, said flap disposed between the barrel portion and the vertical panels.

59. The carton of claim 58 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

60. A carton for a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a cushioning panel cut from said top panel and attached thereto along one edge, said cushioning panel comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other;

vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment;

the barrel being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear wall and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and a vertical panel;

the non-barrel portion being in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall, wherein the individual panels of the cushioning panels are folded one on top of the other to form a stack located under the top panel, and between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the bolt handle; and

61. The carton of claim 31 wherein the discontinuous edge of the top panel includes an intermediate segment generally parallel to its first edge, and wherein the cushioning panel is cut from the portion of the top panel between its first edge and said parallel segment.

62. A carton comprising:

a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall;

a top panel attached along a front edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge 1-8 including first and second segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and

third and fourth segments intermediate the firstand second segments which are substantially paral lel to the first edge, the third segment being more I distant from the first edge: than the fourth segment,

i a portion of the third segment being cut-away to form a slot therein;

a cushioning panel cut from the top panel between its first edge and the third segment of its second edge, said cushioning panel attached along one edge to the top panel and comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other;

vertical panels attached along a first edge to the second edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment, the vertical panel attached to the third segment to the top panel having its edge which adjoins the vertical panel attached to the fourth segment cut-away to form a slot therein;

a reinforcing panel attached to a second edge of the vertical panel which is joined to the third segment of the top panel, said panel being in facing relationship with that surface of the vertical panel to which it is attached closest to the front wall, to form with said vertical panel a reinforced abutment in the rear compartment of the carton;

a locking panel attached to the vertical reinforcing panel along a second edge of the reinforcing panel opposite its first edge, said locking panel slit into portions along a line which intersects the second edge of the vertical reinforcing panel, with one portion extending through the slot in the third segment of the top panel and overlying the face of vertical panel attached to said third segment closest the rear wall;

inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the vertical panels to the rear wall;

a horizontal reinforcing panel cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is attached, said reinforcing panel cut from the top panel between its first edge and the first segment of its second edge, and attached along one edge thereof to said inner bottom panel;

a cushioning flap attached to each end wall along the side edge of the end wall closest to the rear wall, and located between the rear wall and the vertical walls; and

a cover panel attached to the rear wall, overlying the top panel.

63. The carton of claim 28 further including a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion having thereon an external radial projection and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, the barrel being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear wall and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and the vertical panel attached to the third segment of the top panel, with one end of the barrel adjoining an end wall of the carton, the projection on the barrel portion being inserted in said slot in the vertical panel attached to the third segment of the top panel and resting against the reinforced abutment in the rear compartment, the nonbarrel portion being located in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall, the panels comprisand the vertical panelling, the cushioning flap at the other end wall of the carton being disposed between the barrel and the vertical panelling.

64. The carton of claim 60 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 2 3,907,108

DATED I September 23, 1975 lNV ENTOR(S) Charles P. Weimer, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

At column 17, line 57, "31" should be 60 Signed and Scaled this Twelfth D y of April 1977 [SEAL] AUG- t.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner nj'larems and Trademarks UNITED STATE 5 PATENT OFFICE Patent No.

Dated September 23, 1975 Invent0r(8) Charles P. Weimer, Jr.

[SEAL] A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer 5 "maintained" should 26, "punctuted" should Sl, "betwen" should be 66, before inner" should 6, "edges" should be 6, after "panel" should 54, "28" should be Signed and fiealcd this sixth D y of January 1976 C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner oj'Parems and Trademarks

Claims

1. A carton blank comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge including an intermediate segment which is substantially parallel to the first edge; vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, the vertical panel attached to the parallel segment of the edge having a cut-out portion therein which is substantially perpendicular to the parallel segment of the edge and is adapted to form a slot in the vertical panelling when the blank is erected into a carton; and inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

4. The blank of claim 1 further including a cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge, said cushioning panel located between the first edge of the top panel and the parallel segment of its second edge.

5. A carton blank comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge including first and second segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and third and fourth segments intermediate the first and second segments which are substantially parallel to the first edge, the third segment being more distant from the first edge than the fourth segment; vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel; a reinforcing panel attached along a first edge thereof to the vertical panel joined to the more distant third segment of the top panel; and inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the remaining vertical panels.

6. The blank of claim 5 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall.

7. The blank of claim 5 wherein a portion of the third parallel segment is cut away, further including a locking panel attached to a second edge of the reinforcing panel opposite its first edge, said locking panel slit along a line generally perpendicular to the second edge of the reinforcIng panel.

8. The blank of claim 5 wherein at least one of the vertical panels attached to a parallel segment of the second edge of the top panel contains a cut-out portion therein at the juncture of the vertical panel attached to the third and fourth parallel segments, said cut-out adapted to form a slot in the vertical panelling when the blank is erected into a carton.

9. The blank of claim 8 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall.

10. A carton blank comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge; a cushioning panel cut solely from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge which is substantially perpendicular to the first edge of the top panel, said cushioning panel comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other; vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel; and inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

11. The blank of claim 10 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall.

14. A carton blank comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge; vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel; inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels; and a horizontal reinforcing panel cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is attached, said reinforcing panel being attached along one edge to said inner bottom panel.

16. A carton blank comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge including segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and a segment intermediate the angled segments which is substantially parallel to the first edge; a cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto along one edge, said cushioning panel located between the first edge of the top panel and the parallel segment of its second edge; vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, the vertical panel attached to the parallel segment of the edge having a cut-out portion therein adapted to form a slot in the vertical panelling when the blank is erected into a carton; and inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels.

17. A carton blank comprising: a bottom panel with end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed edge including an intermediate segment thereof which is substantially parallel to the first edge and whose distance from the first edge differs from that of an immediately adjoining segment; and vertical panels attached to the parallel segment and said adjoining segment of said opposed edge.

22. The blank of claim 21 further including a cover panel attached to the rear wall.

23. A carton blank comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, and having an opposed discontinuous edge including first and second segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and third and fourth segments intermediate the first and second segments which are substantially parallel to the first edge, the third segment being more distant from the first edge than the fourth segment, a portion of the third segment being cut away to form a slot therein; a cushioning panel cut from the top panel between its first edge and third parallel segment, said cushioning panel attached along one edge to the top panel and comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other; vertical panels attached along a first edge to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, the vertical panel attached to the third parallel segment of the top panel having a cut-out portion along its edge closest to the vertical panel attached to the fourth parallel segment; a reinforcing panel attached to a second edge of the vertical panel which is joined to the third parallel segment of the top panel; a locking panel attached to a second edge of the reinforcing panel opposite its first edge, said locking panel being slit along a line intersecting second edge of the reinforcing panel; inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels; a horizontal reinforcing panel cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is joined, said reinforcing panel being cut from the top panel between its first edge and an angled segment of its second edge, and attached along one edge to said inner bottom panel; and a cover panel foldably attached to the rear wall.

24. The blank of claim 23 further including a cushioning flap attached to at least one end wall along the side edges of the end wall closest to the rear wall.

25. A carton comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge including segments at each end which are angled with respect to the first edge, and a segment intermediate the angled segments which is substantially parallel to the first edge; vertical panels attached along a first edge thereof to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment, the vertical panel attached to the parallel segment having a cut-out portion which provides a slot in the vertical panelling; and inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending between the bottom panel and the rear wall.

30. A carton comprising: a bottom panel with end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed edge including a first segment thereof which is more distant from the first edge than an adjoining second segment thereof; vertical panels attached to the first and second segments of the opposed edge of the top panel dividing the carton in front and rear compartments, the vertical panels forming an abutment in the rear compartment; a barrel of a weapon having thereon an extenal radial projection, said barrel being located in the rear compartment with its projection engaging the abutment; and a non-barrel portion of a weapon being located in the front compartment.

31. The carton of claim 30 wherein at least one of the vertical panels contains a cut-out portion into which the barrel projection is inserted.

33. The carton of claim 30 wherein the non-barrel portion of the weapon contains a projecting bolt handle, further including a cushioning panel and disposed between the non-barrel portion of the weapon and the top panel in proximity to the bolt handle.

36. A carton comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed second edge; a cushioning panel cut from the top panel and attached thereto; a vertical panel attached to the second edge of the top panel, said vertical panel dividing the carton into two compartments; a barrel portion of a weapon being located in one of said compartments; and a non-barrel portion of a weapon having a projecting portion thereof being located in said other compartment, said cushioning panel being located between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the projecting portion thereof.

39. A carton comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge including two intermediate adjoining segments one of which is more distant from the first edge than the other where they adjoin; vertical panels attached along a first edge to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment; a reinforcing panel attached to the vertical panel which is attached to the more distant parallel edge of the top panel, and in facing relationship with said vertical panel, to form with said vertical panel a reinforced abutment iN the rear compartment; and inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending between the bottom panel and the rear wall.

40. The carton of claim 39 further including a cover panel, attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

41. The carton of claim 39 further including a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion having thereon an external radial projection and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, the barrel portion being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear wall and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and the vertical panel attached to the more distant segment of the top panel, with one end of the barrel adjoining an end wall of the carton and its projection against the reinforced abutment in the rear compartment, the non-barrel portion being located in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall.

43. The carton of claim 41 wherein the vertical panelling of the carton further includes a slot adjoining the reinforcing abutment in which the projection of the barrel portion is inserted.

49. A carton comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge; a cushioning panel cut solely from said top panel and attached thereto along one edge which is substantially perpendicular to the first edge of the top panel, said cushioning panel comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other; vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment; and inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the vertical panels to the rear wall.

51. The carton of claim 49 further including a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, the barrel being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear wall and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and one of the vertical panels, the non-barrel portion being in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall, and wherein the individual panels of the cushioning pAnels are folded one on top of the other to form a stack located under the top panel and between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the bolt handle.

52. The carton of claim 51 further including a cover panel attached to the front wall, overlying the top panel.

54. A carton comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge; vertical panels attached along a first edge to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment; inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the vertical panels to the rear wall; and a horizontal reinforcing panel cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is joined, said reinforcing panel attached along one edge to said inner bottom panel, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the inner bottom panel to the front wall.

58. A carton comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge; vertical panels attached along a first edge to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment; a barrel portion of a disassembled weapon located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear walls and sandwiched between the rear wall and one of the vertical panels; a non-barrel portion of the disassembled weapon located in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall; inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending beneath the barrel from the vertical panels to the rear walls; and a cushioning flap attached to at least one end wall along the side edge of the end wall closest the rear wall, said flap disposed between the barrel portion and the vertical panels.

60. A carton for a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a first edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge; a cushioning panel cut from said top panel and attached thereto along one edge, said cushioning panel comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other; vertical panels attached to the discontinuous edge of the top panel, said Vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment; the barrel being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear wall and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and a vertical panel; the non-barrel portion being in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall, wherein the individual panels of the cushioning panels are folded one on top of the other to form a stack located under the top panel, and between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the bolt handle; and inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the vertical panels to the rear wall.

62. A carton comprising: a bottom panel with attached end walls and a front and rear wall; a top panel attached along a front edge to the front wall, said top panel extending part way across the carton and having an opposed discontinuous edge including first and second segments at each end thereof angled with respect to the first edge, and third and fourth segments intermediate the first and second segments which are substantially parallel to the first edge, the third segment being more distant from the first edge than the fourth segment, a portion of the third segment being cut-away to form a slot therein; a cushioning panel cut from the top panel between its first edge and the third segment of its second edge, said cushioning panel attached along one edge to the top panel and comprising a plurality of attached panels adapted to be folded one on top of the other; vertical panels attached along a first edge to the second edge of the top panel, said vertical panels dividing the carton into a front and rear compartment, the vertical panel attached to the third segment to the top panel having its edge which adjoins the vertical panel attached to the fourth segment cut-away to form a slot therein; a reinforcing panel attached to a second edge of the vertical panel which is joined to the third segment of the top panel, said panel being in facing relationship with that surface of the vertical panel to which it is attached closest to the front wall, to form with said vertical panel a reinforced abutment in the rear compartment of the carton; a locking panel attached to the vertical reinforcing panel along a second edge of the reinforcing panel opposite its first edge, said locking panel slit into portions along a line which intersects the second edge of the vertical reinforcing panel, with one portion extending through the slot in the third segment of the top panel and overlying the face of vertical panel attached to said third segment closest the rear wall; inner bottom panels attached to at least one of the vertical panels, overlying the bottom panel and extending from the vertical panels to the rear wall; a horizontal reinforcing panel cut from the top panel and an attached vertical panel to which an inner bottom panel is attached, said reinforcing panel cut from the top panel between its first edge and the first segment of its second edge, and attached along one edge thereof to said inner bottom panel; a cushioning flap attached to each end wall along the side edge of the end wall closest to the rear wall, and located between the rear wall and the vertical walls; and a cover panel attached to the rear wall, overlying the top panel.

63. The carton of claim 28 further including a disassembled two-piece weapon consisting of a barrel portion having thereon an external radial projection and a non-barrel portion containing a projecting bolt handle, the barrel being located in the rear compartment parallel to the front and rear walL and sandwiched in close fitting relationship between the rear wall and the vertical panel attached to the third segment of the top panel, with one end of the barrel adjoining an end wall of the carton, the projection on the barrel portion being inserted in said slot in the vertical panel attached to the third segment of the top panel and resting against the reinforced abutment in the rear compartment, the non-barrel portion being located in the front compartment with its top adjoining the front wall, the panels comprising said cushioning panel being folded one on top of the other and located under the top panel between the top panel and the non-barrel portion of the weapon in proximity to the bolt handle, and wherein a portion of the cushioning flap at one end wall of the carton is disposed between the end wall and the end of the barrel while the other portion is disposed between the barrel and the vertical panelling, the cushioning flap at the other end wall of the carton being disposed between the barrel and the vertical panelling.