US2868365A - Convertible receptacle for shipping and display - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1959 R. E. PAIGE 2,868,365

CONVERTIBLE RECEPTACLE FOR SHIPPING AND DISPLAY Filed Oct. 4, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.7

INVENTOR. Richard E. Paige I BY - ATTGRNEY Jan. 13, 1959 R. E. PAIGE 2,368,365

CONVERTIBLE RECEPTACLE FOR SHIPPING AND DISPLAY Filed Oct 4, 1954 v s Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.I2 L 2 25 '24 20 21 *9 INVENTOR.

Richu rd E. Paige ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1959 R. E. PAIGE 2,853,365

CONVERTIBLE RECEPTACLE FOR SHIPPING AND DISPLAY Filed Oct. 4, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Richard E. Paige 71%;, fjm

ATTORNEY Patented .lan. 13, 1959 "ice CONVERTIBLE RECEPTACLE FOR SHIPPING AND DISPLAY My invention is an improved storage and shipping receptacle, and particularly a vessel for containing merchandise, and adapted to be quickly transformed into a device for advantageously exhibiting the contents to prospective buyers.

The chief object of this invention is to provide such a receptacle in which the merchandise can be securely packaged; and which merely by bending and properly disposing some of the parts, can at once be converted into a structure for prominently displaying all of the articles which have been stored therein.

. Another object is to provide a receptacle that can be made of a blank or sheet of cardboard or other flexible material, cut and scored so that all portions thereof can be bent to set up the receptacle and entirely close it, after it has been filled; some of said portions being capable of additional bending when the receptacle has been opened to impart to it; in an easy and simple manner, a form suitable for display purposes.

' A further object is to provide a receptacle of such design that it can at once, virtually by manipulation only and with just an ordinary cutting implement, such as the blade of a knife, be converted into a very strong and durable exhibiting unit that will attractively present the merchandise to the eye when the dealer offers it for sale.

An additional object is to provide a convertible shipping and storing vessel which can be produced at a minimum extra cost and will efiectively serve all the uses for which it is intended.

Other objects are set out in the following detailed de scription, and all the novel features are defined in the claims. The drawings illustrate some preferred embodiments of the invention, but the constructions actually shown are examples only; and variations of structure in minor respects may be adopted without really changing or omitting any of the essential characteristics of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a sheet of cardboard of the required outline, cut and scored, to enable it to be set up in the form of the receptacle.

Figure 2 i a perspective view of the receptacle as it appears in final form to receive the merchandise.

Figure 3 is a perspective of the receptacle as it is in the process of transformation into a display stand.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the receptacle when the transformation is completed.

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing thereceptacle prior to conversion and indicating the manner of conversion.

Figures .6 and 7 show details of a partition for the receptacle for packing it.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank similar to Figure 10 for a modification; and

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, showing further the construction of said modification.

At the present time, in the liquor industry and other lines, tens of millions of dollars are spent every year to partition, package and ship vast numbers of bottles containing beverages. Once the cases and the merchandise have safely reached the retail store, they are either discarded as waste or used by the retailer as. delivery boxes for his own convenience.

it is a Well known fact that this time the liquor goods industry can only afford to give displays to about ten percent of their retail outlets. The rest of the ninety percent purchase goods in such small quantities that the usual costly display material cannot be afliorded for such accounts. This leaves ninety percent of the retail outlets without any adequate means of sales promotion for the store. This invention aims to take the liquor cases that are now being shipped, and by a simple manipulation, to turn them into effective counter display stands upon which the bottles may be shown to advantage. It is well known that bottles which are on a counter stand or on display, far outsell bottles that are left on a shelf for the dealer to hand to a customer. The reason for the quicker sales is that being so convenient to the buyer, there is a tendency toward what is known in the trade as impulse sales.

My invention will utilize a standard container which has additional score lines impressed into the board. These additional score lines will not reduce the strength and cannot be folded while in transit, which is a great advantage. Naturally, if any score lines were put in the box which weakened it for shipping, the purpose of the improvement would be defeated.

lit has long been the practice in the retail liquor shops for a dealer to take a case cutter or knife, cut three sides of the corrugated box, throw back the cover on its fourth remaining hinged side, and then removed the bottles. He will be required to do thesame with this invention.

Once the bottles are removed, the usual partitions are then taken out. Next, the dealer cuts the top free except along the front, and folds portions of the case so as to provide shelves which are so supported and strengthened that they will not collapse, but will easily bear the weight of bottles which the dealer stands upon them.

One of the important features of this invention is that it utilizes the natural score lines of the box as part of the display.

Another feature of the invention is to utilize the line in which outer parts or flaps of the box come together to make the top of the case. This line is used as a line of fold.

An additional feature of the invention is the use of slots in each top under the outer flaps on the top of the case so that a line of fold across the top can allow bending without rupturing the inner flaps of the top. This relieves double thickness and allows the necessary bending of the top to take place.

While the receptacle or case is produced with corrugated cardboard the drawings show the case made of plain flat board, which also can be used, for the sake of convenience and clearness.

For the receptacle presented in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, a flat blank ll, of cardboard, for example, rectangular in configuration, has longitudinal score lines 2 between which are transverse score lines 3. The lines 2 are within the long edges of the blank, and the lines 2 and 3 mark 01f on the blank rectangular portions 4 and 5 and similar portions 6 and 7, the portions 4 and 5 being relatively wide to serve as the sides of the receptacle; while the smaller portions 6 and 7 make the ends thereof. The portions of the blank between, the lines 3 and the parallel long edges have cuts 8 extending inward from said edges, each cut being in line with one assasee 3 of the score lines 3. The cuts it and lines 3 mark off extensions or flaps 9, one of which is hinged to each end of each portion 4 and 5; and narrower flaps 10, one of which is hinged to each end of each portion is and 7. At the outer edge of the portion 6, for example, is a flap or tab 11, withanother score line at its junction with the portion ti.

' When the receptacle or case is given its shape, the blank is bent downward with respect to the plane of the drawings along the score lines 3, and the flap if is secured by adhesive or metal fasteners 12 the opposite end of the blank along the edge of the portion With the portions 4 and 5, t5 and 7 respectively parallel, the flapslltl are first bent over, and the flaps 9 are then bent down upon the flaps iii to make the closed bottornof the box or receptacle. The flaps or se-cti 9 and iii} are secured together by metal fasteners or adhesive, so that they are permanently connected. Before the receptacle is closed at the top a network of long partitions M and transverse partitions is inserted the interior is thus divided into, say, twelve square C(Jll'h partments of equal size. When an article of merchandise is inserted in each compartment, the top flaps and Ltd are made fast and the receptacle is ready for shipment.

For converting the receptacle into a display stand, the front portion 4 is given an extra score line lid in such position asto be near and parallel to the bottom of the receptacle when it is set up. In the top flap 9 another transverse score line ll is impressed near the junction of the rear top flap 9 with the back 5. The line between the opposing ends of the extensions 9 on the top provides an additional transverse score line 2th at the middle of the top, as the extensions 9 are made of equal length and just large enough to close the bottom and top. Also in each end 6 and 7 is a pair of diagonal score lines Zll and 22 extending from the ends of the line upward and rearward to the edges of the top along said ends.

One diagonal line 21 of each pair reaches the top just behind the middle score line 20, and the other line 22 lies about midway between the line 21 and the front 4 e of the receptacle.

When the dealer wishes to exhibit the contents of the box he makes a cut with a knife along each end 6 and 7 at the top from front to back, and along the back between the ends right under the top of the receptacle at the level of the line A--B, indicated on Figures 2 and 9. He then lifts the top and bends the upper part 23 of the front 4 inward along the score line 18-. This movement of the portion 23 of the front 4 swings outward the triangular strips 24 and 25 marked off by the diagonal lines 2]. and 22,. as shown on Figure 3; lifts and then pulls down the forward half 26 of the top, which bends along the line 2% On further bending the part 23 of the front 4 above the line 18 becomes horizontal, the strips 2 and 25 are pulled down and distended till they lie flat against the inner faces of the ends 6 and 7 of the receptacle and the forward half 26 of the top becomes vertical. See Figure 4. The strip 27 along the rear of the top near the back 5, is turned down and the strip 28 between the line 19 and the middle line 29 is arranged to be horizontal, with the strip 27 reinforcing the rear edge. The end of the diagonal line 21 reaches the top just at the rear of the line 2t and about as far from the line 26) as the width of the reinforcingwstrip 27. In final position the part 23 of the front is fully horizontal and the forward half 26 at the top becomes vertical, with most of the rear half horizontal. and the reinforcing strip 27 vertical and in contact with the rear side 7 of the box. The strip 28 then becomes an upper shelf between the ends 6 and 7 for one transverse row of the articles in the receptacle, and the horizontal part 23' of the front becomes a wider shelf below the shelf 28* for two transverse rows of the merchandise. The ends 6 and 7 project above both shelves 23 and 2%.

The receptacle is thustransformed at once by cutting 4 the edges along the top and back and bending the parts into place as above described.

When the receptacle is filled the partitions 13 and 14 are useful to keep the separate articles from colliding and breaking; and when the receptacle is converted to exhibit the merchandise one of the partitions 14 is put inside to prop the upper shelf 23. The partitions 14 have vertical notches 16 in their upper edges and the partitions 13 have similar notches 17 in their lower edges, and the partitions lid and 13 are interconnected by means of these notches in the usual way. The partition 14 for. supporting the upper shelf 23 is bent into zigzag formation and placed between the shelf 23 and'the bottom, as indicated on Figures 4 and 5.

The receptacle illustrated in Figures 8 to 12 inclusive, which are views of the same nature as Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, respectively, show a similar receptacle modified so that the top shelf is lower and requires no prop under it. In this form the front 4 again has the transverse score line 13; and the foreward half 28 of the top or upper extension if of the back of the receptacle has a score line 29 near the front 4, and marking off a transverse strip 3i). Each diagonal score line 21 has its upper end just back of the transverse line 20 at the middle of the top, as before, and each diagonal score line 22 has its upper extremity between the line 2!} and the front side 4. When the ends and back are again out along their upper edges and the upper part 23 of the front 4 is moved down and inward to horizontal position between the ends 6 and 7, to serve as the lower shelf, the strip 30 becomes vertical and the portion 26 of the top or of the forward extension fit between the lines 29 and 20 becomes horizontal to serve as the upper shelf of the stand. The rear half or eaxension 9 which was attached to the upper of the back 5 is disposed in upright position against theinncr face of the back 5 of the receptacle. The wide ends of this extension make firm contact with the inner faces of the ends 6 and 7 and the upper shelf is thus stiffened and prevented from sagging or tilting. The upper shelf will again take a single row of merchandise, and the lower shelf is wide enough for a double row from one end of the case to the other.

In both designs of the receptacle the triangular webs 24 and 25 in final positions lie flat against the inside faces of the ends and abut the vertical portions 26 and 3t and function as locks to maintain the display stand formation. The upper shelf in each stand being held rigidly in place by the props afforded by the partition 14, or the wide vertical strip formed by one extension 9 which extends ilush along the edge at the top of the back 5 and presses tightly at its extremities against the inside surfaces of the ends 6 and 7, a very strong and stiff unit results. The parts of the top and portion 23 which'are moved in between the ends 6 and 7 are a little longer than the inside distance between said ends; therefore a tight fit is obtained and collapse of the shelves when loaded is effectually prevented.

The convertible receptacle can be made of ordinary cardboard, corrugated cardboard, or other flexible sheet material, and is well calculated to serve to the best ad vantages all the purposes of this invention.

While the receptacle is described above as having sides 4 and 5 and ends 6 and 7, the ends 6 and 7also may obviously be regarded as sides of the receptacle, in the sense that all such portions present lateral faces between the top and bottom.

To facilitate conversion of the receptacle into a display stand, the inner flaps 10 which are under the flaps 9 of the top, must also be creased or scored at 31 to register with the opposing edges of the outer flaps 9. Also there must be such score lines in 10 to register with the score lines 19 and 29 in the flaps 9 the cuts 01' score lines indicated at 1% and 29a in Figures 1 and 8 in the extensions 10 for the top register with the lines. 19 and 29 respectively, so that when the strips 27 and 30' are art-eases bent, as shown in Figures 3 and 11, parts of the flaps can also be bent down, said flaps being torn if necessary along the cuts up to the junctions ofrthe flaps 10with the portions 6 and 7.

Having described my invention what I believe to be new 1s:

l. A shipping receptacle having top, bottom, two, ends and two sides said receptacle being securely closed at all points, said top having relatively movable sections with opposed edges parallel to the upper edge of one side, one of said sections having a score line parallel to said upper edgefsaid side having a score line below said upper edge and parallel thereto, said score lines and i said edges defining portions shaped and capable of bend ing inward to provide shelves at different levels in the receptacle at the front and rear thereof, said ends having diverging score lines extending from the extremities of said score line in the side tothe tops of said ends and defining foldable webs to support one of said shelves.

2. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sides said receptacle being securely closed at all points, said top having relativelymovable sections with opposed edges parallel to the upper edge of one side, one of said sections having a score line parallel to said upper edge, said side having a score line below said upper edge and parallel thereto, said score lines and said edges defining portions shaped and capable of bending inward, some into position parallel to the top and some perpendicular thereto to make shelves in the receptacle at the front andrear thereof, said ends having diverging score lines extending from the extremities of said score line in the side to the tops of said ends and defining foldable webs to support one of said shelves said shelves being at unequal height above said bottom.

3. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sides said receptacle being securely closed at all points, said top having relatively movable sections with opposed edges parallel to the upper edge of one side, one of said sections having a score line parallel to said upper edge, said side having a score line below" said upper edge and parallel thereto, said score lines and said edges defining portions shaped and capable of bending inward, some into position parallel to the top and some perpendicular thereto to make shelves in the receptacle at the front and rear thereof, said ends having diverging score lines extending from the extremities of said score line in the side to the tops of said ends and defining foldable webs to support one of said shelves said shelves being at unequal height above said bottom, said perpendicular portions reinforcing the inner edges of said shelves.

4. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sides, and having a transverse score line in a side, transverse score lines in the top and score lines in both ends adjacent said side, said score lines in said side and top marking oif portionsfor shelves, and the score lines in the ends being diagonal and marking oif triangular webs connected to each other and disposed adjacent said sides for locking saiclshelves in position.

5. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sides, and having a transverse score line in a side, transverse score lines in the top and score lines in both ends adjacent said side, said score lines in said side and top marking ofi" portions for shelves, and the score lines in the ends being diagonal and marking ofif 65? score lines in the ends being connected to each other and marking oif webs for locking said shelves in position, said webs being triangular with their bases adjacent said top.

7. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sides, and having a transverse score line in a side, transverse score lines in the top and score lines in both ends adjacent said side, said score lines in said side and top marking off portions for shelves, and the score lines in the ends being diagonal and marking ofi webs for iocking said shelves in position, said last-named score lines being connected to each other and disposed adjacent said sides and extending from the ends of said score line in each side upward and rearward to the edges of said top, said webs being triangular with their bases adjacent said top.

8. A shipping receptacle having a top, hottomdtwo sides and two ends, said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sides having a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end to end, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center and another score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center of the top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallel to the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable triangular webs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said score line in said side and the top, so that'when the said portion is cut free from the ends and the top is cut free except along said side, said top and said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends along the front and back of the receptable, the webs then supporting the shelf containing said portion.

9. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends, said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sides having a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end to end, the top having one transverse score line adjacent'the center and another score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center of the top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallel to the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable triangular webs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said core line in said side and the top, so that when the said portion is cut free from the ends and the top is out free except along said side, said top and said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends along the front and back or thereceptacle, the webs then supporting the shelf containing said portion, the other score line in the top being adjacent said opposite side.

10. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends, said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sides having a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end to end, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center and another score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center of the top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parailel to the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable triangular webs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said score line in said side and the top, so that when the said portion is out free from the ends and the top is out free except along said side, said top and said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends along the front and back of the receptacle, the webs then supporting the shelf containing said portion, the other score line in the top lying between the score line adjacent the center and the rear of the top.

11. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends, said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sides having a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end to end, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center and another score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center of the top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallel to the score line in 6' the side, the receptacle having ioldable webs at each endadja'cent the portion of said side between said score line in said side and the top, so that when the said portion is out free from the ends and the top is cut free except along said side, said top and said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends along the front and back of the receptacle, the webs then supporting the shelf containing said portion, the other score line in the top lying between the score line adjacent the center and the rear of the top, said webs having the form of inverted triangles with their bases at the top.

12. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sides having a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end to end, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center and'another score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center of the top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallel to the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable webs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said score line in said side and the top, so that when the said portion is cut free from the ends and the top is cut free except along said side, said top and said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends along the front and back of the receptacle, the webs then sup porting the shelf containing said portion, the other score line in the top lying between the score line adjacent the center and the rear of the top, said webs having the form of inverted triangles with their bases at the top, and hinge-connected to said ends, said portion, and each other.

, 13. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends, said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sides having a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end to end, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center and another score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center of the top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallel to the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable webs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said score line in said side and the top, so that when tie said portion is cut ree from the ends and the top is cut free except along said side, said top and said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends along the front and back of the receptacle, the webs then supportin the shelf containing said portion, said webs having the form of inverted triangles with their bases at the top.

14. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends, said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sides having a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end to end, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center and another score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center of the top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallel to the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable webs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said score line in said side and the top, so that when the said portion is cut free from the ends and the top is cut tree except along said side, said top and said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends along the front and back of the receptacle, the webs then supporting the shelf containing said portion, said webs having the form of in-' verted, triangles with their bases at the top, and hingeconnected to said ends, said portion, and each other.

15. A combined shipping box and display unit comprisingtwo side and two end walls hingedly connected and respectively parallel, and cover flaps at the top and bottom edges of'each wall, said flaps being secured in overlapping position for shipping, a score line extending across one side wall and terminating at the end walls, each end wall having two score lines extending up from the extremities of the aforesaid score line to the top of said end walls, one inclined at a predetermined angle and the other at approximately twice said angle to the adjacent junctions of the end walls and said side wall, two of said flaps at the top of the box having a dividing line between them and one having a score'line in it and parallel to said side walls, said first-named side wall when cut free above the score line therein from theend walls and cover flaps when the cover flaps are cut free except along said first-named side wall permitting the first-named side, Wall and cover flaps to be bent into shelving between the end walls of the box, the portions between the inclined lines being foldable inward to support a shelf. 16. A combined shipping box and display unit having two parallel side walls and two parallel end walls, and

top and bottom flaps to be sealed for shipping, the end walls and one side wall having five score lines in all, one of said score lines being in said side wall adjacent and parallel to its lower edge, said end walls having two of said score lines each, inclined from the score line in said side wall at different angles toward said top, two of said fiapsmaking the top cover having a line dividing them, said line being parallel to said one side wall, one of said flaps at the top having a score line parallel to said side walls, said flaps of the cover, when cut free except along the said side wall, and said one side Wall when out free above the score line therein from the end walls being rnov'able into positions forming shelving between said ends, and the portions in the end walls along said inclined lines being foldable inward into positions to support a shelf.

17. A box comprising joined portions forming two sides and two ends, flaps joined to the sides and ends to form top and bottom, one side having a transverse score line parallel and adjacent to its lower edge, two of the flaps being side by side in position for the top, and one of said two flaps having a score line parallel to said side, said ends each having diagonal score lines inclined at different angles and extending from the score line in theside toward said top, one such diagonal line terminat ing adjacent the opposite edges of said flaps and the other between one side and said opposed edges, said diagonal lines marking 01f triangular webs with their bases at'the tops of the end walls. 9

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 927,538 Hothersall July 13, 1909 1,764,216 Laubenheirner June 17, 1930 1,916,647 Walker July 4, 1933 1,926,793 Richards Sept. 12, 1933 2,178,730 Stein Nov. 7, 1939 2,727,619 Paige Dec. 20, 1955

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