US797209A - Banana-crate. - Google Patents

Description

No. 797,209. PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905. A. M. MEYER & P. COSTA. BANANA CRATE.

lAPILIOAION FILED MAR.11,1905.

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" SllllllFS PATENT OFFICE.

ANTON M. MEYER AND PETER COSTA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOS, ASSIGNORS TO GINOCCHIO, COSTA t COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, lLLlNOll, A FIRM.

BANANA-GHT..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug'. 15, 1905.

To all whom, it may concern:

Beitknown that we, ANTON M. MEYER and PETER Cos'ra, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of lllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Banana-Crates, of which the 'following' is a specification.

The object of this invention is to providea strong and serviceable and at the same time inexpensive banana-crate of the class which is ordinarily used to make a single shipment of bananas and afterward destroyed. lt is essential in the emliloyment of crates of this temporary character that they should be eX- ceedingly cheap to manufacture and at the same time adapted for an easy and convenient transfer of the fruit during and after shipment, and the banana-crate of the present invention is intended to provide a suitable means for closing and at the same time supporting a bunch of bananas, which closure can be readily adjusted and when adjusted will serve the double capacity of sealing the crate and positioning the bunch of bananas therein.

Theinvention consists in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

ln the drawings illustrating the invention, Figure l is a side elevation of the crate, showing a banana-stem projecting therefrom; Fig. 2, a sectional elevation of the same, showing` the Hap-cover raised; and Fig. 3, the top half of Fig. l.

rlhe crate is preferably constructed of a eylindrical body a, of paper-board or similar stiff substance, having around its top an outer hoop and around its bottom a similar outer hoop c, and the crate is closed at its lower end by means of a bottom (Z of wood or similar substance. 'lhe crate is preferably reinforced around its center by means of a hoop a, and the seam in the body is reinforced by means of a strip of material f, which is riveted or otherwise secured to the overlapping edges of the body.

AAt the top of the crate is an inner ring or hoop f/, to which is secured a cover-Hap 71 which consists of two sections vf, each of the sections h avingl an enlarged lower endj, which is secured to the hoop g, and an upper or inner end which is tapered to a point, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower or outer edge of each of the sections of the flap extends substantially half-way around the hoop or ring, so that the two sections together are of a size to extend completely around the upper open edge of the crate.

In use a bunch of bananas is inserted into the crate, preferably allowing the stem [to project above the top of the crate. after which the interior of the crate is preferably filled with straw or similar soft packing, which serves to protect the bananas during shipment. ln order to close the crate, the tapered ends 7': of the sections of the cover-flap are brought together, as shown in Figs. l and 3, and tied into a knot m around the projecting banana-stem. This tying of the ends draws the sections of the cover substantially smooth and fiat, as shown in Figs. l and 3, and at the same time holds the banana bunch [irml y centered and prevents its displacement or knocking against the sides of the crate, thereby preserving the bananas from injury. At the same time the flaps when tied in this manner form a neat, tight, and smooth closure for the end of the crate, preventing the escape of the straw or other packing and likewise preventing'the withdrawal of the banana bunch. This method of closing the crate enables the closure to be effected without the necessity of employing cord or similar fastening for securing the cover and the banana-stein, thereby simplifying` the operation of closing the crate and dispensing with thc necessity of employing additional means for properly centeringthe banana-stem. The projection of the stein furthermore serves as a suitable handle for lifting the crate, which enables the crate to be maintained in a vertical position when lifted, which prevents the bananas from being' thrown to one side of the crate and beingI bruised or injured. .lhellap or cover can be constructed of the cheapest grade of cloth, which enables the crate as a whole to be manufactured at extremely low cost, which is a feature of great importance in the art to which the present invention relates.

Although we have described our invention in connection with a crate in which the banana-stems project upwardly, it will be understood that we do not intend to limit ourselves to this construction. On the contrary, we contemplate using our invention, especially the flap-cover, in any and all positions to which it may be applicable, and this without regard to the presence or absence of feaand provided at its upper end with a flexible tures not expressly mentioned in the Claims. ap-oover Consisting of two sections, each seo- Vhat we regard as new, and desire to setion having a tapered end for closing the Cure by Letters Patent, isi cover by drawing together and knotting the l. A banana-Crate Closed at its lower end tapered ends, substantially as described.

and provided at its upper end with a tapered ANTON M. MEYER.

Hap-Cover Consisting ofl two sections adapted l PETER COSTA. to have their ends drawn together and knotted, i fitnessesr substantially as described. l WM. P. BOND,

Q. A banana-crate closed at its lower end i fALKER BANNING.

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