US3043487A - Box for photographic materials - Google Patents

Description

July 10, 1962 FIG.[

FIG.2

I. H. FOWLE BOX FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS July 10, 1962 Filed Oct. 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 2 I I I l/ I X/ 8 4 22b/: N /22Q lzb/ |/l '20,

INVENTOR. IRVING H. FOWLE BY m. M

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T TORNEY United States Patent poration of Delaware Filed Get. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 849,501 2 (Iiaims. (Cl. 229-6) This invention relates to improvements in boxes or containers and in particular to boxes of the type employed to package sensitive photographic elements such as light sensitive films and plates.

The construction of boxes or containers suitable for packaging light sensitive photographic materials presents certain unique and specific problems. For instance, it is, of course, absolutely necessary that such containers be completely light proof since, otherwise, sensitive plates would become fogged. However, such containers must also be easily opened in the darkroom. This means that the construction of the box must be such that it is readily opened and the contents readily removed using only the sense of touch. Furthermore, it is highly desirable that any unused film can be replaced in the box without any intricate or involved sealing procedure toexclude light along creases or folds.

Although boxes of various types and construction are known which are fairly practicable, it is believed that the present construction provides a box having all the novel features and requirements for the above stated uses.

It is, therefore, the purpose and object of this invention to provide a box for sensitive photographic materials embodying the aforementioned desirable features.

A further object is to provide a box for sensitive photographic materials which is composed of a few simple parts which is easy to assemble.

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, constituting a part of this application and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same and in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the box in the fully open position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inner telescoping lid and body member in an open position with the cover in a substantially upright position relative to the body member;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the folding box showing the inner telescoping lid in a partially open position and the cover in a position substantially perpendicular to the body member;

FIG. 4 shows the inner telescoping lid closed over the body member and the cover in a partially open position; and

FIG. 5 is a side view in section of the closed box.

Referring now to the drawing, designates the tray which comprises a base 11 and three upright rigid side walls 12, 12a and 1217, respectively. The tray 10 is adapted to receive or hold the contents of the box. The fourth side wall 14 of the tray 10 is foldable along the score lines .16 and 18 respectively and is integral with the base 20 and the side walls 22, 22a and 22b of the inner telescoping lid 24. Reference numeral 24 designates the inner telescoping lid which has the same construction as the tray in that it has a base 20 and the rigid side walls 22, 22a and 22b. The fourth foldable side wall 14 of the tray 10 is common to the tray and telescoping lid being joined to the tray along score line 16 and to the lid along score line 18. The side walls 12a and 12b of the tray are separated from the side walls 22a and 22b of the lid by cut out portions 33a and 33b having a width "ice equal to the Width of the common foldaole side wall 14. Said cut out portions, as is evident, permit folding of the lid into the tray. The cover 26 comprises a base 28 and rigid depending side walls 30, 30a, 30b and 3%. A hinged joint 32 connects the upper edge of side 39 of the cover 26 to the lower edge of side 12 of the inner telescoping lid 24. The construction of the hinge joint 32 comprises a flexible strip such as paper or cloth or similar material securely bonded to the outer surface of side 12 and the lower surface of base 11.

The operation of the box is as follows:

Any sensitive material, susceptible to fogging in the manner described above, is placed in the tray 10 and the inner telescoping lid 24 is closed over the side walls 12, 12a and 12b of the tray 10 as indicated in FIG. 4-. The cover 26 is then folded to closed position by pivoting along the hinged joint 32.

When it is desired to remove the contents from the box, the aforesaid operation describing the closing of the box is carried out in reverse order.

The score lines 16 and 18, the purpose of which is to facilitate the closing and opening of the box are preferably formed by shallowly incising the box material with a sharp cutting edge.

A highly important and valuable feature of the box is the fact that the cover can be completely opened while leaving the inner lid 14 tightly closed thus preventing exposure of the contents of the tray if the cover is inadvertently opened in the light.

The box is readily constructed of economic material and is furthermore simple to use. When the box is fully opened and placed on a level surface, the tray 1t) is inclined from the cover 26 toward the inner lid 24 as shown in FIG. 1. This feature is especially valuable in a darkroom since the inclined body tray is instantly identified by touch so that the sensitive photographic elements can easily be removed or replaced in total darkness. This inclination, under darkroom conditions, of the tray 10 enables a darkroom operator to distinguish, by the sense of touch, the inner lid 24 from the cover 26. Consequently, the lid is not mistaken for the cover when closing up the box.

I claim:

1. A rectangular box of light-tight construction for the packaging and handling of light-sensitive photographic sheet material comprising a tray having a base and rigid side walls extending perpendicularly therefrom on three sides, a lid including a base and rigid side walls extending therefrom perpendicularly on three sides, a side wall common to both said tray and said lid, said wall being formed integral with said base and scored whereby said lid may be closed to telescopically fit inside said tray and a cover including a base and side walls adapted to fit over said tray and closed lid, said cover being hingedly supported at the bottom edge of said tray, whereby upon placement of said box on a level surface with the cover fully opened, said tray assumes an inclined position for easy access to said light-sensitive material.

2. A box as defined in claim 1 wherein said hinged support comprises a flexible adhesive strip attached to one side wall of said tray and to one side wall of said cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 913,054 Robbins Feb. 23, 1909 1,851,518 McGovern Mar. 29, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 717,950 Great Britain Nov. 3, 1954

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