US2136761A - Collapsible package - Google Patents

Description

1938-v J. w. SIMMONS I COLLAPSIBLE PACKAGE Filed April 9, 1936 Jacrfif W 517717110715 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 1 UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of loose cooperage and is a continuation, as to all common subject matter, of my prior application Serial No. 66,274, filed February 28, 1936.

The present invention is concerned with collapsible packages of the knockdown type, principally employed as shipping containers for fruit andthe like, and has as an object the provision in such packages of an improved wall and bottom construction wherein the bottom is detachably engageable between the walls.

Another object is the provision of a loose cooperage knockdown package wherein the side walls are permanently connected in mutually foldable relation by pre-tied flexible binding elements secured to the walls and extending transversely across and between their top and bottom edges and providing supports for a detachable bottom.

A further object is the provision in such a package of a novel interlocking engagement of side wall sections with a detachable bottom and detachable transverse panels; Other objects will be apparent from the description to those skilled in the art.' 1

The present disclosure constitutes a practical embodiment by which the invention is reduced to practice. It is to be understood that the structural details thereof may be varied as desired so long as they remain consistent with the scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a perspective view of the partially opened blank comprising the side walls and lid as permanently connected by prefixed flexible binding elements.

Figure 2 is a top face perspective view of the detachable bottom section.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the complete package as service assembled.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the assembled package. a

In detail the package comprises a pair of Wall sections Weither of plane or slat construction permanently connected in mutually foldable relation by means of flexible binding elements 5, here shown as binding wires, appropriately secured to the outer faces of the walls in pre-tied relation with respect to the package as service assembled, and which binding elements extend entirely around the package across and between the top and bottom edges of the walls adjacent each end'and at the middle. The lid L is of proper dimensions to cover the top of the package and is stapled or otherwise permanently attached at one end to one of the end binding elements which passes over the top face of the lid providing a loose hinge connection. At its othe1 end the lid carries fastener members 6, here shown as flexible wire bails, adapted to engage beneath the other end binding element and to be "5 bent back thereover to secure the lid in place, the intermediate portion of the lid overlying the middle binding element, as shown in Fig. 3.

Each wall carries on its inner face cleats 1' secured thereto at each end and at the middle. in These cleats have their ends flush with the top and bottom edges of the walls and are grooved longitudinally to provide guides for receiving slidable end panels 8 and a center partition panel 9. In the form as here shown the cleats are each formed of pairs of parallel strips of triangular cross section, the component elements of each pair being spaced apart sufficiently to provide the guide grooves for the associated panels.

The bottom section B of the package is detachable. It comprises a flat section of either plane or slat construction. provided at each end and the middle with grooved cleats I0 identical with the wall cleats, and in registry therewith when the bottom is assembled. The ends of cleats l0 and the underlying portions of the bottom are cut away to provide guide recesses or seats I l shaped to conform to the cross sectional shape of the wall cleats whatever such shape may be.

In assembling the package, the walls are opened to upright position and the lid swung up. The bottom is then tilted and may be inserted through anend to engage the seats II with the wall cleats whereupon the bottom is moved into a position between and perpendicular to the side Walls and resting on the underlying flexible binding elements, the under face of the bottom being flush with the lower edges of the walls. The panels 8 and 9 are then inserted from the top in the wall cleat grooves and are slid down to seat their bottom edges in the grooves of the bottom cleats. After filling, the lid is swung down into place and the fastener bails 6 are engaged with the adjacent end binding element 5 to secure the lid in closed position.

It is a feature of the invention that the edge areas of the respective panels provide tenons en-, gaging in the mortises formed by the cleat grooves so that the assembled structure is interlocked at the wall and bottom joints. In the form. herein illustrated the outer sections of the triangular end cleats I provide bevelled end posts, as do the bottom end cleats. The triangular cross-sectional construction of the cleats throughout provides end a loose hinge connection with one of said binding elements.

2. A sectional collapsible package comprising opposed side walls, flexible binding elements secured thereto and extending transversely across and between their top and bottom edges, longitudinally grooved cleats carried by said walls, a bottom detachably insertable between said walls ,to rest 'on said binding elements, cleats on said bottom and grooved in registry with the wall cleats-and detachable panels insertable in all said cleat grooves and providing tenons joining said walls and bottom.

3. Acollapsible package comprising opposed sidewall sections, tied flexible binding elements secured theretoand extending across and between their top and bottom edges, a bottom detachably insertable between said walls to seat on said binding elements, and end panels detachably engageable with said walls and bottom.

4. A collapsible package comprising opposed side wall sections, tied flexible binding elements secured thereto and extending across and between their top and bottomedges, a bottom detachably insertable between said Walls to seat on said binding elements, end panels detachably engageable with said walls and bottom, and a lid hinged on one of said binding elements between the walls.

5. In a collapsible package, opposed side walls, cleats thereon and provided with grooves longitudinally thereof, a bottom extending between said walls, said bottom having its edges recessed to engage over said side wall cleats, cleats on said bottom and provided with longitudinal grooves in registry with the wall cleat grooves, and panels insertable in all said grooves to interlock said Walls and bottom. a

6. In a collapsible package, opposed side walls, flexible binding elements tying said walls to gether, a cleat on each said wall and substantially triangular in cross section, a detachable bottom insertable between said walls perpendicular thereto, a cleat on said bottom in registry with the wall cleats, said bottom and bottom cleat being notched in conformity with the shape of the wall cleats to engage thereover, and panel means insertable between said Walls to engage all said cleats.

JACK W. SIM IONS.

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