US2963210A - Container with rigidizing corner structure and process of erecting same - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 6, 1960 Filed Feb. 29, 1956 J. E. GILLMORE, SR CONTAINER WITH RIGIDIZING CORNER STRUCTURE AND PROCESS OF' ERECTING SAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hiv-armer,

Dec- 5, 1960 J. E. GILLMORE, sR 2,963,210

.CONTAINER WITH RIGIDIETNG coRNER STRUCTURE AND PROCESS OF ERECTING SAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 29, 1956 /mwrmer J//N E. 6HL/MORE, 5R.

By E LW-0240.9.

Dec. 6, 1960 J. E. GILLMoRE, sR 2,963,210

CONTAINER WITH RIGIDIZING CORNE STRUCTURE n AND PROCESS 0F ERECTING Filed Fb. 29, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a fw FIGJZ lla /a United States Patent i CONTAINER WITH RIGIDIZING CORNER STRUC- TURE AND PROCESS OF ERECTING SAME John E. Gillmor-e, Sr., Tampa, Fla.

Filed Feb. 29, 1956, Ser. No. 568,668

1 Claim. (Cl. 229-31) The invention is applicable to shipping containers which `are vertically stacked in transit and storage and consequently require high stacking strength or top load test and also to receptacles such as cartons which.may be assembled by automatic machines.

More specifically, the invention relates to a novel structure for connecting the adjacent ends of the walls of a rectangular shaped paperboard receptacle in rigidified, locked right angular relation to each other and to the bottom panel of the receptacle. The structure comprises a rectangular shaped corner connecting member substantially equal in length and width to the height of the walls, divided into substantially counterpart right triangular sections by a diagonal score forming a common hypotenuse extending from the juncture of the bottom panel and the adjacent walls to the opposite corner of the connecting member. A vertical side of one of the triangular sections is integrally attached to the side of one wall while the horizontal side thereof is free and in substantially coplanar relation with the upper edge of the said wall. The Vertical side edge of the other triangular section is integral with the side of the adjacent wall and its horizontal side is provided with a rigidifying flap having a locking projection on its outer free end. The triangular sections are folded inwardly about the diagonal score into juxtaposition and the folded sections positioned flatwise against the inner face of the said adjacent wall. The rigidifying flap on the outer free end edge of the corner member is folded inwardly `and downwardly atwise against the juxtaposed triangular sections with the locking projection thereon inserted in a locking slot in the bottom panel, completing a locked, reinforced, rigid, 4-ply corner structure.

The invention is especially applicable to relatively shallow collapsible shipping containers for fresh tomatoes `and other fresh fruit and vegetables but is not limited to packaging these commodities. The container for these purposes is preferably constructed of container board and provided with a releasably locking telescoping cover to permit inspection of the containers in transit, the body of the container providing a convenient tray for displaying the contents at the retail sales level. For even greater stacking strength, in addition to that provided by the novel corner structure, the side walls may carry flaps foldable about their upper edges inwardly and downwardly over the corner structure with projections on their outer edges inserted in locking slots in the bottom panel, forming a S-ply reinforcement to the end margins and corners of the side walls of exceptionally high stacking strength or top load.

The invention is also especially useful in the construction of relatively small cartons and particularly carton trays made of single ply boxboard usually designated as carton stock. The trays are especially adapted for packing select fresh fruit and vegetables, and readily and rapidly set up from collapsed form by fully automatic machines.

An object of the invention is to provide a shipping ice container of high stacking strength comprising a 'body section and a releasably locking telescoping cover wherein the side and end walls of the body are connected together in right angular relation by a corner member folded on its self along a diagonal score and positioned flatwise against the inner face of the side margin of one wall. The corner member has a rigidifying ilap integral with its outer free end edge folded in flatwise relation over the folded sections thereof, firmly locking and rigidifying the side and end walls in right angular relation by a projection on its free outer edge engaged in a matching slot in the bottom panel.

Another object is to provide a shipping container comprising a body section and a cover member, wherein exceptionally high stacking strength is provided by va folded corner connecting, reinforcing `and locking member positioned on the inner face of the end margin of the side wall and a flap integral with the upper edge of the side wall folded downwardly in atwise relation over the folded corner construction with projections on its outer free edge secured in locking slots in the bottom panel.

Still another object is to provide a one-piece tray made of boxboard of one or more plies which may be rapidly and automatically assembled from collapsed form, the tray comprising a bottom panel with side and end walls connected together in right angular relation by inwardly folded corner members integral therewith, enclosed and locked in folded relation against the inner face of the side margin of an end wall by an inwardly folded ap on the outer free end edge of the corner member having a projection on its outer edge extending into a locking slot in the bottom panel.

Another object is to provide a one-piece tray formed of boxboard of one o-r more plies having side and end walls secured together in right angular relation by a connecting corner member scored diagonally to define counterpart triangular sections, the corner member being folded inwardly about the diagonal score with one triangular portion thereof adjacent the end wall spot glued to the inner face at the end wall, the folded corner member being securely locked atwise against the inner face of the end wall by an integral flap on its outer free end folded atwise over the positioned cornermember with a locking projection on its outer end engaged in a bottom panel locking slot.

The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter de# scribed and claimed. In the accompanying drawings which form p-art of this specification and wherein like numerals and symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur.

Fig. l is a plan View of the blank forming the body section of a preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank forming the cover member for the body section;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a partially assembled body section with the corner members of one of the side walls shown in the process of folding;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the body section showing the corner member folded in place with the locking flap attached thereto in the process of folding into position over the corner member;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the `inside of a corner of the body Section with the locking flap on the corner member in locked position;

Fig. 6 is la horizontal sectional view of one corner of the body section shown in Fig. 3 taken in the direction of the arrows 6-6; 1

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of one corner of the body section shown in Fig. 3 taken in the direction of the arrows 7-7;

Fig. 8 is -a perspective view of the partially assembled cover blank of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the fully assembled body section and cover positioned preparatory to combining;

Fig. 1() is a perspective view of the closed container with a portion broken away to show the locking construction;

Fig. 11 is a veritcal sectional view of the closed container illustrated in Fig. l taken in the direction of the arrows 11--11;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the blank of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the blank of Fig. 12 with the side walls and corner connecting yand reinforcing members folded inwardly iiatwise over tbe bottom panel and end walls for shipment;

Fig. 14 is ya perspective View showing the initial stage of erecting the collapsed tray shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the side and end walls fully erected in right angular relation to the bottom panel;

Fig. 16 is a perspective View of the tray with the reinforcing and locking flaps in releasably locked position;

Fig. 17 is a horizontal section of the corner of the tray shown in Fig. 16 taken in the direction of the arrows 1717, and

Fig. 18 is a vertical section of a corner of the tray shown in Fig. 16 taken in the direction of the arrows 18-18.

A body blank A comprises a bottom panel Sil defined by double longitudinal scores S1 and transverse scores 52. The longitudinal scores 51 also define the bottom edges of side walls 53 and end w-alls 54. The side and end Walls have corner connecting members 55 intgeral with their side edges, the connecting members being divided into counterpart triangular sections 57 by diagonal scores 56 while the outer free end edge of the corner member is provided with a reinforcing and locking flap 59 foldable about the double score 58. A locking projection 60 is formed on the outer free edge of the locking ap 59.

The side walls 53 have a locking slot 61 in their upper margins with its upper boundary parallel to and spaced from the top of the wall and have their upper edge defined by a double score 62 which also provides the hinge line of a reinforcing flap 63 which is provided with locking projections 64 on its outer free edge. The side edges of the side wall flaps 63 are separated from the locking flap 59 by slots 65. The bottom panel has siots 66 for receiving the projections 60 and 64 in the assembled position of the blank with spring tabs 67 which releasably lock the projections in position.

A cover blank B, Fig. 2, has a cover panel 70 defined by longitudinal scores 71 and transverse scores 'i2 which also define the inner edge of the side cover tianges 73 and end cover ianges 74 respectively. Longitudinal double scores 75 define the fold line of side wall iiaps 76 which have locking projections 77 on their outer edges and slots 78 which define the side edges of locking flanges 79. The cover panel 70 has locking slots Si! for receiving the flange flap projections 77 which are held in releasably locked position by spring tabs S1. Flaps 82 are foldable about the continuation of score 71 and are separated from the side flanges 73 -and fiange flaps 76 by slots 83.

The body blank A, Fig. 1, may be conveniently assembled by folding the end walls 54 upwardly in right angular relation to the bottom panel 50 and likewise bending the side walls 53 upwardly in right yangular relation to the end walls while simultaneously folding the triangular sections 57 of the corner member 55 inwardly about the diagonal score 56 atwise on each other and against the inner face of the side walls 53. The reinforcing and locking flap 59 is then folded downwardly and inwardly over the folded triangular sections and the locking projection 60 inserted in the bottom panel locking slot 66, securing and rigidifying the corner member in the position described. The side `wall aps 63 are next folded inwardly and downwardly over the folded corner member with the locking projections 64 inserted in the bottom locking slots- 66 and releasably secured in this position by the spring tabs 67. The described progressive stages of folding the blank A are illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

The fully erected body section of the container is thus provided with a 5ply rigidifying reinforcement structure at each end margin of the side walls, providing exceptionally high stacking strength or resistance to top load. The arrangement of the parts forming the 5ply reinforcement to the corners and end margins of the side walls is shown in the sectional views, Figs. 6 and 7.

The blank B forming the telescoping cover of the container is assembled by folding the end walls 74 upwardly in right angular relation to the bottom panel 7 as shown in Fig. 8 with the end wall flaps 82 folded right angularly inwardly. The side walls 73 are then folded upwardly in right angular relation to the end walls 74 and to the bottom panels 70 and the side wall flaps 76 folded inwardly and downwardly over the end tiaps 82 with the locking projections 77 inserted in the locking slots 8G in the cover panel. The completely assembled body blank A and cover blank B are shown in the exploded View Fig. 9. When the cover is telescoped over the body section, the locking flanges 79 of the cover engage the upper longitudinal boundary of the side wall openings 61, thereby securely locking the cover to the body section. The cover may be released from the body section for inspection of the contents or other purposes by pressing one of the side walls 53 inwardly at or near the lower boundary of the slot 61, thereby disengaging the cover locking fiange 79 from the locking slot 61 in the side wall.

The container is readily and rapidly assembled with-- out the use of glue, staples or any other extraneous means. In a particular useful form of the container, the

body section is relatively at, for example the height ofthe Walls being just suiiicient to retain a single row of' selected tomatoes. This and other fruit and vegetables are frequently subject to inspection in transit or 'at the wholesale markets. Such inspection may be made with ease by releasing the cover from its locked relation with the body member as described. The container answers lali requirements of top load strength for stacking 20 or more of the loaded units for truck or rail transportation and storage. The body section also provides an excellent means for displaying the contents in the retail markets.

The blank C of Fig. 12 illustrates a modified form of the invention for providing a rectangular tray which may be readily and rapidly assembled by either manual or automatic means. The bottom panel 162 is defined by longitudinal scores and transverse scores 101. These scores also define the bottom edges of side walls 103 and end walls 104. The adjacent end edges of the side and end walls are connected together by corner members 105, integral on their end margins with the side wall and on their side margins with the end walls. Diagonal scores 106 divide the corner member into substantially counterpart triangular sections 167 and 108 while the outer end edge of the connecting member has an integral flap 110 hinged about a double score 109, the flap having a locking projection 111 on its outer free edge.

Locking slots 112 are provided in the end margins of the bottom panel 102 'adjacent the fold lines 101. An end wall flap 114 is hinged to the upper edge of the end walls 104 along score 113 separated from the reinforcing and locking flap 110 by slits 115.

The tray is preferably preassembled by the manufacturer by spot gluing the triangular sections 107, as vshown at 116, flatwise `against the inner face of the Iend margin of the end Wall 104 and then folding the side walls 103 and the triangular sections 108 with their attached reinforcing and locking flaps 110 atwise over the bottom section 102, the end walls 104 and the end wall aps 114 respectively, with the flaps 110 extended outwardly in the plane of the side walls, as shown in Fig. 13. The tray is preferably shipped to the user in the described collapsed form.

The tray may be rapidly erected at the point of use from the collapsed form, preferably by automatic means, by raising the side walls 103 as shown in the initial stage of erection in Fig. 14 into right angular relation with the bottom panels whereby the end walls 104 are automatically likewise drawn into right angular relation with the bottom panel and the side walls through the action of the triangular section 108 with respect to the glued triangular sections 107 all as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. The rigidifying and locking flaps 110 are then folded inwardly and downwardly flatwise over the previously folded triangular sections with the locking projections 111 engaging the locking slots 112 in the bottom section. This completes the assembly of the tray. The corner structure of the tray is fully illustrated in the horizontal and vertical sections of Figs. 17 and 18 respectively.

The tray is especially useful in packaging select fresh fruits and vegetables for which purpose the tray may be wrapped in cellophane or other transparent iilm affording an attractive display package. Trays for the described purposes are usually made from single ply boxboard or carton stock wherein the novel corner connecting member with its reinforcing locking ap insures a relatively strong, rigid end structure.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are illustrative and not restrictive and it is also to be understood that the invention may be susceptible of embodiment in other modified forms, and that all such modifications which are similar are equivalent hereto come within the scope of the apparent claim.

What I claim is:

In a collapsible rectangular paperboard receptacle comprising a bottom with upstanding connected together opposed pairs of side and end walls, each side wall being of substantially similar dimensions and connected at its lower end by a fold line to the bottom and which fold line terminates at the juncture of a fold line which connects the end walls to the bottom, each side wall having a flap hingedly connected thereto at its upper end and having spaced locking projections at its free edge, the dimensions of each side wall :Hap being substantially that of the side wall, each side wall being connected to its respective end wall at the corners by a substantially rectangularly shaped tab of substantially the same height and width of the side and end walls, each of the said connecting tabs having a diagonal score which extends from the said juncture of the fold line of the respective side wall to a diagonally opposite corner of this tab, each of the tabs being folded on its diagonal line into overlapping relationship and forming inner and outer tab portions and with the respective inner tab portion being in contact with an adjacent portion of each side wall, each of the inner tab portions having hingedly connected therewith at the upper end thereof a reinforcing and locking ap which has three free edges, and there being a locking projection at a free end of each of the reinforcing and locking flaps, the dimensions of each of the locking flaps being substantially the width of each side wall but of considerably less length than the side wall and `in overlapping contacting relationship with an adjacent outer tab portion with the said projection of each of the reinforcing and locking flaps in an adjacent slot in the bottom closely adjacent the connection of the side wall with the bottom, and the side wall flap infolded over and contacting the reinforcing and locking aps and with the spaced projections thereof being also in the spaced slots.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,494,531 Corcoran May 20, 1924 1,776,134 Scruby Sept. 16, 1930 2,217,503 Bergstein Oct. 8, 1940 2,536,530 Bergstein Jan. 2, 1951 2,551,814 yRushing May 8, 1951 2,750,100 Greisman June 12, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 63,012 Norway Apr. 20, 1939 62,959 Norway Oct. 28, 1940

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