US2907510A - Carton - Google Patents

Description

O. L. VlNES Oct. 6, 1959 CARTON Filed June 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGQI a I INVENTOR 3m Oscar L. Vines BY 4 h wt w fwm /w ATTORNE 5 FIG. 2

CARTON 2 Sheets- 2 Filed June 14, 1955 INVEQ Vine BY I I f M i-o Ey sfl W1 ailllll I lfnri United States Patent '0 CARTON Oscar L. Vines, New York, N.Y., assignor to Continental Paper Company, Ridgefield Park, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey This invention relates to folding cartons, and more particularly to a carton construction wherein a latching tongue portionof one panel of the cartonis received in a coextensive opening in a Second panel ofthe carton.

Folding cartons fabricated of sheet material such as paperboard are widely used for packaging a variety of articles. In such cartons it is frequently necessary to position one panel of the. carton substantially normalv or perpendicular to another panel of the carton, and to secure the two panels in this relative position by engaging a latching tongue portion of the first panel in a coexten sive opening in the second panel. For example, in a useful carton construction I have devised, a hinged panel or fold section of the carton is swung into a final position substantially normal to and in contact with a second panel of the carton, the hinged panel having a projccting tongue portion adapted to extend into and throngh a coextensive opening in the second panel when the two panels arein their final position normal-to one another. I have found, however, that under eertain conditions of se e projecting t gue p rti n of thehi d pane of my carton tends to become dislodged from the open- 3 is uniquely formed to permit ready entry LQf the modified lflllgue portion thereunto and tov prevent-withdrawal of. the tongue portion therefrom when in-Jiitsfinal position with respect to the second panel. a

Specifically, my invention relates to. a carton construction wherein, during :ercction of the carton," a hinged panel is swung into a final position substantially normal to and in contact with a second panel, the hinged panel having a projecting tongue: portion adaptedto extend inn) and through 'a coextensive opening in the second panel when the two panels a'rexin their final positionnormalzto one another. My improvement in this carton construction comprises. providing the sides of the pro jecting tongue portion ofthe-hinged panel with laterally extending ear portions, and forming the coextensive Opening in thelsecond panel from'two longitudinally 'disposed cut lines and a laterally disposedcut' line exten'ding betweenthelongitudinally disposed cut lines, said out lines together defining a resilient flap l in the second panel positionedin the arcuate path ofthe tongue portion'gof the "hinged panel. Thelong'itndinally disposed cut lines in the top panel are providedwith coextensive 2,907,510 Patented Oct. 6, 1-959 latching tongue portion. The laterally disposed out line is positioned with respect to the inboard extremities of the two longitudinally disposed cut lines so as to define .a resilient flap portion therebetween that is readily deflectable from the plane of the second panel. When the hinged panel approaches its final position with respect to the second panel, the latching tongue portion of the hinged panel bears against the deflectable portion of the second panel thereby forcing it out of the plane of its panel and permitting the lateral ears of the tongue portion to enter and extend through the plane of the second panel adjacent the relatively widely spaced coextensive inboard portions of the longitudinally disposed cut lines. When the hinged panel reaches its final position with respect to the second panel, the latching tongue portion extends :through the coextensive opening in the second panel adjacent the relatively closely spaced extremities of the convergent portions of the longitudinal cut lines so that the ears of the tongue portion engage the surface of the second panel opposite the main body portion of the hinged panel. Thus, the latching tongue portion of the hinged panel cannot be withdrawn from the coextensive opening in the second panel in course of usual use and handling of the carton.

A particularly-useful application of my improvement in carton constructionis in connection with a five-sided ,berry box I have devised. Accordingly, my invention will be described in conjunction with thiscarton con struction and in conjunction with :the drawings of which Fig. l is a plan view of a cartonblank from which a fiv -s ded carton isformed, the hinged end wall panels of the blank being provided with latchingtongue portions having laterally extending cars. and the bottom wall panel being provided with one form of coextensive tongue receiving openings pursuant to my invention;

Fig.2 is a perspective viewof the partially erected carton formed from the blank of Fig. 1; i a Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partiall erected carton showing another form of coextensive tongue-receiving. opening in the bottom panel;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing the hinged panel of Fig. 3 in its final position; and Fig. 5. is a fragmentary perspective view of a partially erected carton showing still another form or coextensive tongue-receiving opening in the bottom panel of the cartonz t Thefive-sided-open top carton or berry box to which my inventioniis particularly applicable is formed from a accompanying substantially rectangular piece of sheet material such as paperboard provided with appropriate cut lines, fold lines and-glue strips as described. The substantially rectangular blank 10' is formed with a plurality of spaced parallel fold .linesll extending longitudinallyacross the blank and defining serially afirst side panel '12-,a top panel 13, a second side panel 14, a bottom panel 15 and a glue panel 16. The top panel 13 is formed witha pair of fold sections .17. that, whenfolded downwardly into theerected carton, become the. two end walls'thereof, leaving the top ofthe cartonsopen' toview. Th-e fold sections 17 are defined by a pair of fold. lines 18 extending laterally across and substantially parallel inboard portionsijspac'ed apart 2 4 a distance slightly greater than the extreme span 'of the ears'of the latching tongue 'portion, me nt me; provided with coextensive and convergent outboard puftiflns t s bsar em i oi h ch a eras d apart aaista'nce less than'theextreinespan of the ears 'of 'tlie the top. panel 13, a pair of channel-shaped cut lines 19 .disposcd longitudinallyin the adjacent portions of the side panels 12 and14, and a out line 20 extendinglaterally across the top panel from onelongitudin'al out line U to the other and positioned between the fold lines 18.

' The -laterally disposed outline Ztiis so configured that it def nes along abutting edges of the two; fold sections 17 a plurality of latchingtong ue po rtions'f'z 1, tlilatching ongu po i ns 2i i g ith l terally extending ears 21a. Each fold "section" 17 is providedwith wing ,fere withthe ready erection .of the carton.

portions '22 formed from the side panels 12 and 14.

These wing portions 22 are defined by the channel-shaped out lines 19, the proximate fold line 11, and the lateral cut line 20 andare attached to the associated fold section '17 along the said longitudinal fold lines 11.

The side panels 12 and 14 are advantageously provided with auxiliary portions 12a and 14a respectively which form foot portions on which the carton standswhe'n it is fully erected. In such case an" auxiliary longitudinal fold line 11a is provided in the side panel 14 to facilitate erection of the carton. The bottom panel 15 of the cartonblank is formed with coextensive openings adapted to' receive the latching tongue portions 21 and laterally extending ears 21a of the hinged fold sections 17 when the carton is erected. Each of the said coextensive openings formed in the bottom panel are defined by two longitudinallydisposed cut lines 31 connected by a laterally disposed cut line 32 which together define a resilient flat-portion 33 of the bottom panel. Other openings in the bottom panel 15 defined by the channel-shaped cut lines 23 are provided to receive the lower ends of vided :with. auxiliary foot portions 12a-'and-'14a, respectivelyythe: glue strip 25 must be. spaced an appropriate distance inboard of the longitudinaledg'e of the side panel 12.as shown in Fig.1 of the drawing. In addition, in suchcase glue is also applied in a strip 26 along the auxiliary-portion 14a of the side wall panel 14 as shown in- Fig. 1,. care. being taken to avoid applying'glue to any part ofthe bottom'panel 15, and in particular to any of the cutout por'tionsthereof that' might as aresult'inter- The side wall panel 14 of .the 'carton blank is then folded about the'fold line 11a, and theside wall panel 12 is folded about the proximate lateral fold line 11, the glue strip 25 thereon adhering to the glue panel '16 of the carton.

The fold sections 17 of the toppanelare then folded downwardly and inwardly into the interioriofthefolded and glued carton blank to form the end walls of the erected carton. A semi-erected carton one ofzthe fold sections of whichhas thus been folded to form anend wall is shown in Fig. 2.. As each fold section l7 -is pressed into the interior of the carton, the wing portions 22 thereof are automatically folded inwardly and up wardly until they are at right angles to the mainv portion of the fold section 17. As the fold section 17 comes into the bottom panel 15 (modifications of whichopenings are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Figs. 3 and 4, and Fig.5) are defined by two longitudinally disposedcutlines. 31 connected by a laterally disposed cut line 32which together define a resilient flap portion'33 of the bottom panel... Moreover, in each of the modifications of my invention shown in the drawings, the two longitudinally disposed cut lines 31 portions and ends {1 extending ears of the latching tongue portions 21. The cut lines 31 and 32 are so positioned on the bottom panel 15 that, as the hinged fold section 17 swings in an arcuate path towards its final position approximately perpendicular or normal to the bottom panel, the latching tongue portion 21 thereof first strikes or touches the bottom panel between the coextensive inboard portion 34 of the cut lines 31. Further arcuate outward travel of the hinged section 17 causes the tongue portion 21 to depress the resilient flap portion 33 of the bottom panel 15, which in turn permitsthe lateral ears 21a to enter and pass through the plane of the bottom .panel adjacent and between the coextensive inboard portions 34 of the longitudinal cut lines 31. In this connection it is important to note that the inboard portions 34 of the coextensive cut lines 31 must be long enough (at least about 10 times the thickness of the paperboard from which the carton is made) to permit readydeflection of the resilient flap 33'by the tongue portion 21. Thus; the latching tongue,

portion 21, and in particular the laterally extending ears 21a thereof, readily. enter and extend through the coextensive opening in the bottom panel 15 of the carton.

As the hinged fold section 17 swings further toward its final position with respect to the bottom panel 15, the

bottom edge of the tongue portion 21 slides off the outboard edge of the resilient flap portion 33 allowing the flap'to spring back toward its initial position in the plane of the bottom panel. When it reaches its aforesaid final position, the outermost surface of the latching tongue portion'21 comes to ,rest against the outboard'edge of the coextensive opening in the bottom panel 15 which eflectively prevents further outward movement of the hinged section 17. I Similarly, inward arcuate movement of the hinged fold section 17 is checked by the edge of the resilient flap 3 3 that bears surface of the tongue portion 21.

When the hinged fold section 17 is' in its aforesaid final position, the latching tongueportion 21 is positioned between 'the convergent outboard portions 35 of the coagainst thev innermost extensive 'cu't lines 31'. -jThe main body portion of the hingedsection 17, of course, is disposed abov'e'the plane of the bottom panellS, and the laterally extending ears 21a of the tongue portion 21 are disposed below the plane ofthe bottom panel opposite thereto. The'*convergent portions 35 of'the cut lines 31, being spaced appreciably closer together than the extreme span of the lateral ears 21a,elfecti-vely'preveiit withdrawal of the latching tongue portions 21 vertically from the coextensive openings in the'bottom panel 15. Thus as outward, inward and-vertical movement of the hinged fold section 17 with respect to the-bottom panel 15 is etfectively prevented,thevdislodgment of the -'latching. tongue portion 21 from its final positionin 'the'c'o'extensive tonguereceiving opening prevented. .7 Ashereinbefore noted, the foregoing description of .'my:invention' is pertinent :to all of the modifications thereofs'hown in the drawings. In the specific modification showniin Figs. 1 and 2, the laterally disposed out line 32 connects the outboard extremities of the two longitudinally disposed-cut lines 31.1.Thus, when the hinged section 17 approaches its :final: position approximatelynormal to. the ,bottom panel, and the bottom' edge of the,tongue portion 21 slides oif'the outboard edge of are provided withcoextensive and substantially parallel outboard extremities of which are spaced apart a distance appreciably less thanthe extreme .span of the laterally the resilient flap .33,= the flap 33 springs back toward its initialposition-in the plane of thebottom panel. ;How- .ever, due to the: pre ence. of, the-tongue portion 21 in the openingin'the bottom panel," the outboard edgeof V the flap 33 binds against the innermost, surface of the tongue portion before it canreturn. all the way to: its aforesaid initial position. 1 The tongue portion 21 is therefofre wedged lfirmly against the outboard edge pithe coextensive dpening. in the bottom panel, by the action or (the, resilient flap. 33 thereagainsti. ry As n result, the tongue .P'Q n .1 l 'eg i e a let P inthe bottom panelisalso eflfectively tion of said coextensive opening so that it is practically impossible to dislodge the tongue portion therefrom without destroying the carton.

In the modification 'of my invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the laterally disposed out line 32 connects the two longitudinally disposed cut lines 31 at a point approximately intermediate the inboard and outboard extremities of said longitudinal cut lines 31. A weakened fold line 36 connects the outboard extremities of the longitudinal cut lines 31. The fold line 36, the convergent outboard portions 35 of the longitudinal cut lines 31 and the lateral out line 32 together define a fold section 37 that folds downwardly about the fold line 36 to form an opening in the bottom panel in which the tongue portion 21 is readily received. When the bottom edge of the tongue portion 21 slides oil of the outboard edge of the resilient flap 33 as shown in,Fig.I,4, the tongue portion strikes the fold section 37 rather sharply causing the fold section to snap downwardly to form the aforesaid opening inthe bottompanel. Further outward arcuate travel of the hinged fold section 17 allows the ends of the Wing portions 22 to snap into the opening 23 provided for that purpose and thus maintain the tongue portion 21 between the convergent portions 35 of the longitudinally disposed cut lines 31. As a result,

the tongue portion 21 cannot be dislodged or withdrawn from the coextensive opening in the bottom panel in the courseof ordinary use and handling of the carton.

In the carton construction shown in Fig. 5, the laterally extending out line 32 is channel-shaped and is disposed so that it connects the inboard extremitiesof the'two longitudinally disposed cut lines 31. The channel-shaped configuration of the out line 32 defines the resilient flap 33 the outboard edge of which is positioned approximately intermediate the inboard and outboard extremities of the longitudinal cut lines 31, as in the case of the modification of my invention shown in Fig. 3. Moreover, the outboard extremities of-the longitudinal cut lines 31 are connected by a weakened fold line 36 as inthe preceding \case. The fold line 36, the channelshaped cut line Y32 and the longitudinal cut lines 31together define acrescent-shaped fold section 38 adapted to be folded upwardly as shown in Fig. 5 to form an opening in the bottom panelin which the tongue'portion 21 can be received. The fold section 38 is folded upwardlyas shown, either manually or by automatic machinery, before the hinged fold section 17 is swung into its final position. The hinged fold section is then pressed into its aforesaid final position precisely as in the case of the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Although my invention has been described with particular reference to the unique five-sided berry box of my devising, it is apparent that it can be applied with equal success to any carton construction in which a latching tongue portion of a hinged first panel enters and extends through a coextensive opening in a second panel,

in the manner described herein. In all events, for satisfactory performance the hinged first panel must be free to swing in an arcuate path so that the latching tongue portion thereof will bear against the second panel without impediment. For example, in the carton blank shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the longitudinal fold lines 11 forming the boundary between the top panel and the two side panels 12 and 14 are advantageously modified so that the portion of these fold lines extending across each foldfsection 17 converge slightly toward each other as be seen that I have devised an important and valuable contribution to the art to which it relates. a

I claim:

1. In a foldable carton construction whereilti during erection of the carton, a first panel, hinged about an-axis parallel toand spaced from the plane of a second Panel, is swung into a final position substantially normal to and in edge-on contact with the second panel, the hingedpanel having a projecting tongue portion adapted to extend into and through an opening in the second panel when the two panels are in their final position substantially normal to one another, the improvement which comprises providing the sides of the projecting tongue por.- tion with laterally extending ear portions, and forming said coextensive opening in the second panel from twg longitudinally disposed cut lines and a laterally disposed out line extend between said longitudinally disposed cut lines, said longitudinally disposed cut lines having co; extensive substantially parallel inboard: portions spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the extreme span of the ears 'of the latching tongue portion and further having coextensive and convergent outboard portions the outboard extremities of which are spaced apart a dis.- tance appreciably less than the :extreme span of the ears of the latching tongue portion, the laterally disposed out line being positioned with respect to the inboard extremities of said longitudinally disposed cut lines so thata porr tionof the second panel between the longitudinally dis-. posed cut lines is readily defiectable from the plane of the second panel as the hinged panel approaches its final position with respectto the second panel and the latch ing tongue portion of the hinged panel bears against said deflectable. portion of the second panel, thereby permitting the laterally extending ears of said tongue portion to enter and pass through the plane of the second panel adjacent the coextensive inboard portions of the longitudinally disposed cut lines, the ears of the latching tongue portion being disposed on the side of the second panel opposite to the main body portion of the-hinged panel 'when said hinged'panel is in its said final position. a

2. In, a foldablecarton construction wherein, during erection of the'carton, a first panel, hinged about an axis parallel to and spaced from the plane of a second panel, is swunginto a final position substantially normal to and in edge-on contact with the second panel, the hinged panel having a projecting tongue portion adapted to extend into and through a coextensive opening in the second panel when the two panels are in their final position sub Stantially normal to one another, the improvement which comprises providing the sides of the projecting tongue portion with laterally extending earportions, and forming-the coextensiveopeningin the second panel from two longitudinally disposed cut lines and a laterally disposed ther having coextensive and convergent outboard portions the outboard extremities of which are spaced apart a distance less than the extreme span of the ears of the latching tongue portion, the centralportion of said laterally disposed cut line being spaced an appreciable distance outboard of the inboard extremities of said longitudinally disposed cut lines, whereby the latching tongue, portion of the hinged panel forces said resilient flap portion of the second panel out of its normal position in the plane of its panel when the hinged panel approaches its final position with respect to the second panel, and whereby said resilient flap springs back toward its normal position when the latching tongue portion of the hinged panel is in its final position with respect to said second panel.

a 7 I 3. 'In a toldable carton construction wherein, during erection of the carton, a first panel, hinged about an axis parallel to and spaced from the plane of a second panel, is' swung into a final position substantially normal to and in edge-on contact with the second panel, the hinged panel having a projecting tongue portion adaptedto extend into and through a coextensive opening in the'secnd panel when the two panels are in their final position normal to one another, the improvement which comprises providing the sides of the projecting tongue portion with laterally extending ear portions, and forming the coextensive opening inthe second panel from two longitudinally disposed cut lines and a laterally disposed out line connecting said longitudinally disposed cut lines, said longitudinally and laterally disposed out lines together defininga resilient flap portion disposed in the arcuate path of travel of the latching tongue portion of the hinged panel, said longitudinally disposed cut lines having coextensive substantially parallel inboard portions spaced apart adistance slightly greater than the extreme span of the ears of the latching tongue portion and further having coextensive and convergent outboard portions the outboard extremities of which are spaced apart a distance less than the extreme span of the ears of the latching tongue portion, said laterally disposed cut line connecting the two longitudinally. disposed cut lines approximately intermediate the outboard and inboard extremities of said longitudinally disposed cut lines, the second panel being further provided witha lateral fold line connecting the outboard extremities of said longitudinally disposed cut lines, said lateral fold line together with said laterally disposed outline and the outboard extremities of said longitudinally disposed cut lines defining a fold section, whereby the latching tongue portion of the hinged panel forces said resilient flap portion of the second panel out ofits normal. position in the plane of its panel when the hinged panel approaches its final position with respect to the second panel, and whereby said resilient flap springs back to its'inormal position in the plane of the second panel whenv the latching tongue portion o f'the hinged panel is in its final position with respect to said second panel. 1

4. In .a, foldable carton construction wherein, during erection of the carton, a first panel, hinged about an axis parallel to and spaced from the plane of a second panel, is swung into a final position substantially normal to and in-edge-on contact with the: second panel, the hinged panel having a projecting tongue portion adapted to extend into and through a coextensive opening in the second panel when the two panels are in their final position normal to one another, the improvement which comprises providing the sides of the projecting tongue portion with laterally extending ear portions, and forming the coextensive opening in the second panel from two longitudinally disposed cut lines and a channel-shaped laterally disposed.

out line connecting the inboard extremities of said longitudinally disposed cut lines, said out lines together defining a resilient flap disposed in the arcuate path of travel of the latching tongue portion of the hinged panel, said longitudinally disposed cut lines having coextensive substantially parallel inboard portions spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the extreme span of the ears of the latching tongue portion and further having coextensive and convergent outboard portions the outboard extremities of which are spaced apart a distance less than the extreme spanof the ears of the latching tongue portion, the central portion of the laterally disposed cut line being spaced an appreciable distance outboard of the inboard extremities of said longitudinally disposed cut lines, said out lines together defining a resileint flap disposed in the arcuate path of travelof the latching tongue portion of the hinged panel, the second panel being -=further provided with a lateral fold line connecting the outboard extremities of said longitudinally disposed cut fines, said lateral fold line together with said channel-shaped out line and said longitudinally disposed cut lines defining a crescent-shaped fold section adapted to fold about said lateral fold line, whereby the latching tongue portion of the hinged panel forces said resilient flap portion of the second panel out of its normal position in the plane of its panel when the hinged panel approaches its final position with respect. to the second panel, and whereby said resilient flap springs back to its normal position in the plane of its panel when the latching tongue portion is in its final position with respect to said second panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 682,306 Woolsey Sept. 10, 1901 885,159 Keys .Apr. 21, 1908 1,195,358 Hullings Aug. 22, 1916 1,394,134 Aberle Oct. 18, 1921' 1,573,149. Engel Feb. 16, 1926 1,670,498 Einson May 22, '1928 2,527,702 Buttery Oct. 31,1950 2,630,265 Hellawell Mar. 3, 1953 2,636,661 Cox Apr. 28, 1953 2,640,589 Foster et a1. June 2, 1953 2,679,970 Saidel June 1, 1954 2,718,998 Bemiss Sept. 27, 1955 i I FOREIGN PATENTS Italy Dec. 19, 1949

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