USRE19143E - Egg carton - Google Patents

Description

L. BENOIT Re. 19,143 I EIGG CARTON April 24, 1934.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original F iled Oct. 24. 1927 April 24, 1934. LfiBNon Re. 19.143

EGG CARTON Original Filed Oct. 24. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 If fl fizz/6 1111217": I

'E 072 1967? xi" W WM L. BENOIT EGG CARTON April 24, 1934.

Original Filed Oct. 24, 1927 5 sheets sheet 3 Reissued -Apr. 24, 1934 I-Re. 19,143

19,143 EGG oAa'roN Leon Benoit, Chicago, Ill. Original No. 1,768,022; dated June 24, 1930, Serial No. 228,304, October 24, 1927. .-'Application mreissue June 22, 1932, Serial No. 618,816

This invention which relates to certain improvements in a knock-down carton for eggs and like commodities is particularly concernedwlth features which facilitate the assembly of the car- 5 ton components, enhance the strength and utility thereof, and assure a more serviceable construe.-

tion. These several phasesof my 'inv'entionwill.

be explained at length in the specification and claims to follow, and are set forth in detail in the accompanying drawings which illustrate certain embodiments of the invention in the manner following I, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improved carton in a size and form-which presents four .15 cells or compartments;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof; I v I Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the carto in knock-down form;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail showing the cen- Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a carton havingthe general cover construction of Fig. 7, but equipped 30 with a modified fastening means;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a cross wall showing the interlocked blank in cross .section, this construction-being of a modified type; Fig. 10.is a detail in section taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 which is view similar to Fig. '9 shows a further modification in the interlock of the blank with the cross wall;

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view taken on line 40 12-12 of Fig. 11;

a still further modification in the construction of interlock for the blank and cross wall;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 12; y

- Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail showing one notched edge of a cross wall which provides an interlock for the blank which is shown in cross section; ,4 a

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 15; Figs. 17 and 18 are fragmentary views showing two further modifications in the notched interlock construction adjacent one edge of the cross wall; and

tween the fold and bends 21 provide a vertically several folds are to be made, so as to facilitate Fig. 13 which is a view similar to Fig. 11 shows Fig. 19 is a transverse section through the. car-" ton showing a further modified construction in which the covers are mterlocked with a cross wall so as to be held thereby inclosed position.

The carton herein shown and described is of 60 that type which utilizes a blank A which is formed Q into bottom; side walls, and covers, and'in' con- -iunction therewith apluralityof-cross-walls B which provide ends and intermediate partitions. The blank is folded upon itself at 20 in its middle region and is also bendable at other points as indicated at 21, 22, 23, and 2.4. The general form of the blank so folded is that of the letter W. The folds 22 occupy lowermost positions, the folds 23 are adjacent the upper .edge of the carton, and the folds 24are adapted to occupy'substantially a center position when the'blank is'closed, over to provide covers for the carton. The bends 21 are disposed between the center and bottom folds 20 and 22, as shown. The sections of the blank beextending double wall 0. Between the bends 21 and 22 are oblique sections d, between the folds 22 and 23 are other. sections e, and between the folds 23 and 24 .cover sections 1. Joined to each cover section at the fold 24 is a flap a. 'In addition the blank is adapted to' be further bent, when the carton is closed up, along the line 31 which de- .fines between itself and the fold 23 one additional section h which is substantially vertically disposed. In the manufacture of a blank having' the characteristics noted, the material, preferably a commercial fibrous product, may be scored or otherwise weakened along the lines" where the the operation of bending the blank to the form described.- I l The blank is further provided upon opposite sides ofits center fold with two' sets of aligned slots 35 which extend between the bends-31 and 21.-' In line with these slots are openings 36 ar ranged in a row along the centerline of the blank. When the blank is folded upon itself along its center line, as shown in Fig. 1, these several open- 7 ings take onthe form of semi-circular notches. 100 The cross wall components are preferably of the form which is shown best in Fig. 2. Each of these walls is of generally rectangular contour having an upper edge 40 and abottom-edge 41, with adjacent rounded corners 42'. The side edges or ends of these walls may extend vertically as at 43 from the bottom, and are'notched at-44 so that the remaining upper portion 45 of the side edges are inset and slanted outwardly to a slight. extent, if desired Each of the notches 44 is defined in part by a lug 46 which proceeds upwardly from the upper end of the edge 43.

The cross walls are furthercharacterized in each instance by a vertical slot 50 in the center region which extends downwardly from the upper edge 40. This slot is of peculiar formation, in that its opposite edges extend closely in parallel relation in the lower portion, but in its upper portion displacement.

one edge 51 is obliquely inclined to provide an enlarged of flaring entrance for the slot. The opposite slot side is provided with a lug 52 extending partly across the entrance of the slot. The juncture point 53, where the oblique edge 51 meets with the vertical edge of the slot, is substantially tangential to a line a:-y drawn between the lug 52 and the lower slot end (see Fig. 4)

The operation of assembling the cross walls B in the carton blank A may proceed as follows: The carton is first doubled upon itself along the fold line 20 so as to bring the two sets of slots 35 into register. The cross walls are then inserted into position within these slots the length of which exceeds the vertical dimension of the cross walls, and ,the latter are then shifted lengthwise of the blank slots so as to bring the double walled section 0 down against the lower end of the cross wall slot 50. During this movement the double walled section 0 of the blank is required to bend, as shown in Fig. 5, due to the obstructing position of the lugs 52. In the final position, the parallel edges of the slots 50 afford support to opposite sides of the double walled section e such that it is held against tilting, and the lugs 52 project into the recesses 36 to prevent a reverse movement of the blank relative to the cross walls with a consequent separation of one from the other. With the walls assembled into the blank in this manner, the parts are interlocked securely against For convenience in packing and shipping, the walls may be turned flat against the blank, as suggested in Fig. 3. In this knockdown condition the carton occupies but very little space. It may be set up for use by bending the blank along the folds 22 which has the effect of bringing up the sections e and h until the latter are hooked into the notches 44. In this position, the lugs 46 act to retain the blank in a setup condition with its upper sections j and 9 opened out to permit insertion of eggs or other commodities into the cells defined by the blank sections (1 and e and. the intervening cross walls. As these cells are filled, the obliquely disposed sections d and ewill be bowed out in conformity with the contour of the eggs or other commodities so set in place, with the. result .that the bottom folds 22 will be slightly lifted above the lower cross wall edges 41. The upper portions of the blank consisting of the sections f and 9 may thereafter be folded over the top of the carton, the sections meeting substantially along the center fold 20 so as to permit insertion of the two flaps g vertically into the slots 50 along one side of the double walls c. This insertion takes place upon the sides of the slots 50 which are provided with the obliquely disposed edge 5 1, as appears clearly in Fig. 6.

The carton herein shown and described by way of exemplification is of the double row form; that is, its folds are so disposed in relation to the type of cross walls used as to present two rows of cells. Manifestly the length of these rows will be determined by the dimensions of the blank, and the number of compartments or cells will depend upon the number of cross walls which are used. In the construction shown. where the blank is bent to substantially W formation, two such rows are provided, but this may be increasedby duplicating the folds wherever necessaryto add rows to whatever number is desired. In such instances, the essential features of the invention will remain unchanged both as regards the formation of the blank and of 'the cross walls which co-operate therewith.

It is possible to vary the construction in numerous particulars from that which has already been described. For example, in Fig. 6, which shows the covers closed down upon the cartons, a fastening device 60 may be extended through the flaps g and double walls 0 at opposite ends of the carton. When this is done, the covers will be secured to each other, and also to the carton as well, thus ensuring against loss of articles contained within the carton.

It will be noted that when the carton is placed upon a table or other plane surface, it will rest upon the lower edges 41 of the cross walls. As the blank sections d and e are required to bow outwardly in conformity with the contour of articles placed within the cells, the lowermost folds 22 will be lifted slightly. For this reason, the eggs or other commodities are held in a suspended position slightly off of the surface on which .the carton is placed. Adequate protection to the eggs or other contents is thus afforded from the bottom side of the carton. Should it be desired to give to the upper sides of the eggs'or other contents protection further than that which is imparted by the covers 1 resort may be had to the construction shown in Fig. '7. I have shown' here one of the covers sodimensioned as to extend clear across the carton top, its associated flap g being extended down into the notches 44 of the cross walls. The section h on the opposite blank edge is of such size that the fold 23 will be positioned appreciably beyond the proximate fold 24 of the other cover. The section 1' which is joined to this longer section h extends over the other cover section from which it is separated by an appreciable distance, and the flap g is adapted to be folded down upon the outer side of the section It connecting with the under cover I.

Any suitable fastening means such as staples 61 may be extended through each flap g and the proximate section 71. so as to lock the double covers in the position shown. By reason of this construction I provide an enhanced protection for the carton contents, the outer cover being adapted to withstand any shocks received in handling and the lower cover to hold the eggs or other contents spaced away from such points of shock. If desired, the covers shown in Fig. 7 may,

as suggested in Fig. 8, be secured by a tongue and slot connection which includes tongues 62 provided in the one cover component adapted for insertion through slots 63 in the other com- .ponent, so as to provide a detachable form of for insertion through the slots 65 of the cross walls when the latter are assembled in position within the blank. By this means the cross walls are held inplace by means supplementary to the lugs 52 which project over the double walls of the blank.

Figs. 11 and 12 suggest a construction wherethe same as the ones firstdescribed. In addi'-'. tion, however, I may provide each cross wall with a lug 72 extending into its slot 59 adapted to lie within aslot 73 formed in the doubled -wall section 0 of .the blank when the carton com ponents are assembled. By this construction two sets of interlocks are utilized, each independent of the other, although mutually supplementary.-

It is possible also to modify in various ways the construction of the notches which are provided in the ends or side edges of the cross walls assuggested, for example, in Figs. 15 to 18 inclusive. In the iirst'of these figures, the notch- 44 is formed adjacent a. lug 75 having a headwith an overhanging shoulder 76 adapted for insertion into a slot '77v which is formed in the blank'sectionh adjacent one end of the s 't 35, but removed therefrom. Preferably the'sl t 77; is wider than theslot to facilitate insertion,

of. the shoulder 76. When the blank and cross walls are assembled, the section hlis bent into position, so that the blank portion 78 which'lies between the two'slots '77 and 35 may occupy a position below the shoulder '76 of the lug head. The connection thus. provided is in effect an interlock with the lug acting as a hook to pre-' vent disassembly.

The notch 44 of Fig. 1''! is disposed'below an overhanginglug 80 projecting from the side edge of the cross wall. Such a lug is adapted to lie within the slot 77 in the blank, when made according to the showing of Fig. 15, the blank portion 78 being disposed within the, notch'and being confined therein by a lug 81. v

A combination of the ideasset forth in Figs.

' 15 and 1'7 is suggested in.Fig. 18 wherein the cross wall is provided with a lug 82 projecting into the notch 44 for insertion through the slot 77 in the blank. In addition, a lug 83 extends upwardly past the lug 82 and slightly inwardly so as to require a flexing of the blank section h before the latter can be interlocked with the cross wall.

The manner in which the carton covers are secured in place may follow the showing of Fig. 6, or, with slight modification, be constructed as per Fig. 19. In this latter example, the slot 50 in its lower portionis provided withan undercut notch 85 wherein may be received the turned edges 86 of the two cover flaps g. These turned edges tend to spring outwardly and after.

being forced into position within the notch will resist opening movement of the covers. 'I is is a simple form of self-locking cover construction which may be found advantageous for certain purposes. 1

The features of my invention, as set out in the precedingdescription, tend to a more certain and secure assembly of the carton components. Without the provision of locking means by which to prevent accidental displacement of the cross walls from the blank, the use 'of the present the cross walls at these carton will be attended with certain disadvanta'ges. This tendency of the blank to separate from the cross walls is particularly noticeable before'the covers are closed down. During the operation of filling the carton, the upper portions of the blank will be. extended outwardly somewhat, as illustrated in Fig. 1, in which position it is important that the blank should remain engaged with the side edges of the cross wall. By the notch constructions which I have shown and de'scribedany separation of the blank from I 'pointsis' effectively prevented. -I claim: I

'1. An egg holder in which is comprised a blank having plural sets of aligned slots, the blank being folded upon itself along a'line between two sets of slots, and a plurality of cross walls each having a slot proceeding inwardly fromone edgeadapted for insertion through the'slots of the blank,,each cross wall being provided with means partially obstructing the entrance to its own slot adapted to overlie an edge of the blank whereby to retain the cross walls in'interlocked relation therewith.

'2. An egg holder in which is comprised a blank having two sets of al'gned slots, the blank beingfolded upon itself between the two sets of slots and having notches in itsfolded'edge in line with v the slots, and a plurality of cross walls each provided with a slot extending inwardly from one edgeadapted for insertion within the slots of the blank,- each cross wall having means partially obstructing the entrance to 'itsown slot adapted to lie withinthe notch adjacent the'folded edge of the blank when the cross walls are moved to final position relative to the blank.

3. A holder in which is comprised a blank folded upon itself to provide double walls and provided ffurther with two sets of slots on opposite sides of the fold-and a cross wall adapted for insertion within the slots of the blank, each cross wall being provided with a slot extending inwardly from an edge which is disposed adjacent the folded edge of the blank, the entrance to the slot in the cross wall being flared in one direction and having an obstruction extending partly thereacross from the opposite side whereby the double walls of the blank when received within the slot I tending inwardly from one edge thereof and pro- .vided with means partially obstructing the entrance to said slot, each cross wall, when moved to a. final position in the blank, being adapted to present its obstructions through thecut in the double walls of the blank whereby to interlock the cross walls therewith.

5. In an egg holder, the combination of a blank which is folded upon itself 'and provided on opposite sides of the fold with plural sets of aligned slots and a plural ty of slotted cross walls adapted for insertion within the slots of the blank for interlocking therewith, there being formed in opposite edges of the cross walls notches each having means projecting thereinto, and the blank being foldable for engagement within said notches, the

projecting means co-acting with the blank to lock the same in said notches.

6, In a holder, the combination of a folded blank having aligned sets of slots, and a plurality of slotted cross walls adapted for insertion within said slots for interlocking with the blank, there being notches formed in opposite edges of the cross walls together with projecting means partially obstructing the entrance to said notches, the blank being further provided with openings into which the said projecting means may enter, the blank being adapted for cooperation with said notches whereby to be interlocked therewithin.

7.'A holder in which is comprised a foldable blank having slots therein, a slotted cross wall insertable within the slots of the blank for interlocking therewith, one side of the blank being foldable around one end of the cross wall and across the top edge thereof adjacent thereto, and the other side of the blank being foldable around the opposite end of the cross wall across the top thereof remote therefrom and down upon the cross wall end first named, the two portions of the blank so extended across the top of the cross wall being spaced from each other, and means for securing the two edges of the blank in fixed relation when so folded.

.8. A holder in which is comprised a plurality of slotted cross walls, and a blank interlocking with said cross walls, the blank having one side foldable over the cross walls adjacent thereto, and having its other side also foldable over the cross walls but in spaced relation thereto, and means for securing in fixed relation the two blank sides so extended over the cross walls.

9. In a holder, a blank folded upon itself to provide double walls having registering slots, there being a notch inthe fold in line with the slots, and a cross wall insertable through the slots of the blank, the cross wall being provided with a slot extending inwardly from one edge thereof for receiving the double walls of the blank, the edges of the cross wall slot being closely parallel throughout their inner portion whereby to support the blank laterally on opposite sides, and in the outer slot portion one of said edges being inclined away. from the other whereon is formed a lug projecting into the widened slot entrance affording a partial obstruction at such point, the blank being movable into the slot past such obstruction only by a bending of its double walls which in final position are supported by the parallel edges of the slot, the lug being then disposed within the notch adjacent the blank fold whereby to interlock the blank and cross wall.

10. A holder comprising a slotted folded blank and a plurality of cross walls insertable through the slots in said blank; said cross walls having means engaging the end of a slot in said blank whereby to support said blank thereon, one of said members being additionally slotted and the other of said members having means extending transversely through said second slots and cooperating with said first mentioned means for effecting an interlocking of the cross walls and blank for preventing disassembly of the same.

11. A holder comprising a blank folded in the general form of the letter W with oppositely inclined slotted walls, a plurality of cross walls insertable through the slots in said inclined walls and having means engaging the end of a slot in said blank whereby to support said blank thereon, one of said members being additionally slotted and the other of said members having means extending transversely through said second slots and cooperating with said first mentioned means for effecting an interlocking of the cross walls and blank for preventing disassembly of the same.

12. A holder in which is comprised a blank bent in the general form of a letter W with oppositely inclined slotted bottom sections meeting at an elevated point centrally of the carton, aplurality of cross walls having their lower portions inserted through the'slotted' bottom sectionsof the blank and provided with edge notches for engaging therewith to support the bottom sections, one of said members being additionally slotted and the other of said members having means extending transversely through said second slots and cooperating with said first mentioned means for effecting an interlocking of the cross walls and blank for, preventing disassembly of the same.

13. An egg holder comprising a longitudinally creased and bent blank provided with a longitudinal series of transverse slots aligned transversely in groups of at least three slots, and a plurality of cross walls,'each cross wall cooperating with a group of slots by means of two upwardly facing notches formed on the edge thereof for supporting the blank thereon by engagement with two of said slots, said'cross" walls being formed to provide edge means extending transversely through the third slot of each groupand cooperating with said other engaged slots and notches to secure said wrapper and each respective cross wall against relative movement.

14. In a collapsible egg holder, foldable trough members arranged side by side and having op positely inclined slotted bottom sections meeting in a ridge centrally of the holder, 2. plurality of cross walls each having a plurality of slots adapted for insertion through the slots of the trough members-and each cross wall being further provided with laterally extending means partially obstructing the entrance to each of said slots adapted to interlock respectively with the ridge and outer sidewalls of said trough members.

15. A collapsible egg holder in which is comprised a blank which is folded longitudinally upon itself along a line to form a longitudinal partition the walls of the folded portion being oppositely inclined to provide with the blank spaced trough portions, and a plurality of slotted cross walls adapted to embrace the blank adjacent the fold within the slots of the cross walls, each cross wall being formed with means pivotally connecting itself to the blank at spaced points longitudinally of the holder and holding said cross walls against downward movement,

16. A collapsible egg holder comprising a slotted blank, the blank being folded longitudinally upon itself along a line to form a central partition the walls of the folded portion being oppositely inclined to provide with the blank sides and bottoms of laterally spaced trough portions, and a plurality of slotted cross walls adapted to embrace the blank adjacent the fold within the slots of the cross walls, each cross wall being further provided with means pivotally connect- 19,143 Y a a folded portion being oppositely inclined to proted portions of the blank, each cross wall, being vide with the blank sides and bottoms of trough further provided with means pivotallyconnectportions which are spaced centrally of the holder, ing itself to the blank at spaced points longiand a plurality of slotted cross walls adapted to tudinally of the holder and remote from the slots 5 embrace the blank adjacent the fold within the therein and holding said cross walls against slots of the cross walls, and having means for downward movement. interlocking engagement withv the inclined slot- LEON BENOIT.

yrs

Images