US3411696A - Carton and blanks for making same - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 19, 1968 R. M. AYER ETAL CARTON AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 11, 1966 35 INVENTOR:

RONALD M. AYER MELVILLE T. FARQUHAR 4m, flnu, Wg

Nov. 19, 1968 R. M. AYER ETAL ,6

' CARTOQJ AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME Filed on. 11. 1966 5 sheets-sheet 2 RONALD M. AYER MELVILLE T. FARQUHAR monusxs Nov. 19, 1968 R. M, AYER ETAL 3,411,596

CARTON AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME Filed on. 11, 1966 s Shets-Sheet s m A m a A 5, m L J A v 2 a u a i... .ll. m m

33 L/sa.

MEN-r0115. RONALD MAYER MELVILLE T FARQU-iAR Nov. 19,1968 R. M. AYER ETAL 3,4ll,696--.-r

CARTON AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME I '5 Sheets-She et 4 Filed 06t- IL 1966 twmon RONALD MAYER I MELVILLE 1'. FARQUHAR 1963 R. M. AYER ETAL CARTON AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 11. 1966 HAR EYS

0 U v m8 WYA mA W M A U m V NL OE R fl Y B United States Patent "ice CARTON AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME Ronald M. Ayer, Indianapolis, Ind., and Melville T. Farquhar, Bon Air, Va., assignors to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 585,931 8 Claims. (Cl. 229-40) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a substantially tubular carton for supporting dish-like container means having peripheral flange means within such carton. The carton has a pair of vertical side wall means arranged in parallel spaced apart relation and has foldable flap means provided in each side wall means and adapted to be folded inwardly within the carton so that the top edges of such flap means are arranged essentially horizontally and support the dishlike container means in suspended relation with the peripheral flange means resting on the horizontally extending top edges.

This invention pertains to cartons and more particularly to a substantially enclosed carton having integral means for supporting and/or hermetically sealing container means therewithin in a protected manner.

Many types of products such as ball bearings, food products, and the like, are presently sold in containers which are hermetically sealed to provide optimum protection for such products and the sealed containers are then placed in separate packages for subsequent handling. Such presently used containers and packages are comparatively expensive and do not provide optimum protection for the product.

In addition, in marketing highly competitive food products such as margarine, for example, such margarine is often sold in dish-like container means, or the like, which may also be used as a serving dish for such margarine. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a carton within which one or more dish-like containers of margarine, or other food product, can be inexpensively packaged and supported without likelihood of damage to either the dishlike container or the margarine.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an improved carton for supporting container means containing products of all types therewithin wherein such carton is inexpensive to produce and simple to assemble and use.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved carton which performs the dual function of providing an improved seal for container means carried therewithin while supportingsuch container means (of the type particularly adapted for carrying ball bearings, food products, and the like) in a protected position within such carton.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved carton of the character mentioned which utilizes sealing means to hermetically seal such container means integrally within a tubular enclosed carton having open ends wherein such sealing means also supports such container means within such cart-on.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved dual function carton of the character mentioned in which such sealing means comprises hot-melt adhesive means.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved substantially tubular enclosure means defining a carton having the general configuration of a parallelepiped for suspending container means therewithin, such 3,411,696 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 carton providing optimum protection for such container means and for the contents thereof in an inexpensive manner.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such improved carton particularly adapted for suspending dishlike container means therewithin, such dish-like container means comprising peripheral flange means having lower supported surface means adapted to be engaged by flap means comprising such carton to hold the dish-like container means in suspended relation.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved carton of the character mentioned for suspending dish-like container means and utilizing foldable flap means which is foldably connected to vertical side wall means comprising such tubular enclosure means of such carton, whereby such flap means is folded about vertical hinge means to extend generally transverse to associated side wall means and thereby enable lower surface means of peripheral flange means comprising the dish-like container means to be supported on top horizontal edge means of such flap means.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved carton of the character mentioned having a pair of parallel spaced apart side wall means comprising such tubular enclosure means and comprising a plurality of such fiap means in each side wall means with each flap means being defined by U-shaped cut means provided in the associated side wall means.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such improved carton in which each flap means provided therein as described above extends the full height of its associated side wall means and thereby provides column-like support for container means carried in the carton while also assuring bottom and top wall means of such carton are supported in a noncollapsing manner.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method of supporting and hermetically sea-ling container means having access opening means within a tubular carton.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such improved method wherein a suitable blank used to form such carton is formed around such container means in a simple and efficient manner;

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method of supporting container means within a carton in a suspended manner utilizing space between corresponding wall means of such container means and such carton to isolate such container means and its contents in a protected manner.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved carton and an improved method of packaging container means within a carton having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved blanks for making such improved carton, or the like.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved carton of this invention adapted for carrying a single exemplary dish-like container means or containertherewithin and showing, by dotted lines, such dish-like container suspended within the carton.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view with parts broken away particularly illustrating the carton and dish-like container of FIGURE 1 and the manner of supporting such dishlike container on flap means foldably connected to vertical side wall means of such carton.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the carton and dish-like container illustrated in FIGURE 1- of the drawings.

FIGURE 4 is an end view of such carton and dishlike container.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG- URE 1 illustrating the dish-like container carried within such carton partially removed.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the blank used to make the carton of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the improved tubular carton of this invention adapted for carrying a plurality of two dish-like container means or containers therewithin and illustrating, by dotted lines, the arrangement of the two dish-like containers within such carton.

FIGURE 8 is an end view of the carton and dish-like containers illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view on the line 99 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the blank used to make the improved carton of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view with parts broken away schematically illustrating an improved method of forming an exemplary carton of this invention around associated container means and also showing the use of sealing means to seal such container means to top wall means of the completed carton.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view on the line 1212 of the completed carton assembly of FIGURE 11.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for providing an improved carton for packaging ball bearings, food products such as dish-like container means containing margarine, or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide a carton for supporting or packaging containers of all types and for packaging other products where it is desired to protect and/or hermetically seal such products in an optimum manner.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the examplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGURES 1-6 of the drawings an improved carton designated generally by the numeral is illustrated, as well as an improved blank, shown in FIGURE 6, for making such carton. Carton 20 is particularly adapted for supporting dish-like container means such as a dish or container 21 of margarine, for example, therewithin in suspended relation.

Carton 20 in this example of the invention has the A or side walls designated by the numerals and 31. Walls 22, 23, 30 and 31 define substantially tubular enclosure means within which container 21 of this example is uspended.

Each side wall 30 and 31 has flap means shown as a plurality of flaps foldably connected thereto and preferably provided as an integral part thereof. Each flap in side wall 30 and 31 is adapted to be folded inwardly generally transverse (i.e. generally laterally across) to its associated wall means 30 or 31.

Side walls 30 has a plurality of two similar flaps provided therein each designated by the numeral 32 and each adapted to be folded inwardly within tubular carton 20. Each flap 32 has a base portion defined by score means shown as a score line 33 which extends substantially vertically and each flap 32 is folded in a hinged manner about its score line 33 so that it extends generally transverse to its associated wall 30.

In a similar manner, side wall 31 has a pair of flap means or flaps therein each designated by the numeral 34. Each flap 34 has a base portion defined by a score line 35 and each flap 34 is folded in a hinged manner about its score line 35 so that it extends generally transverse to side wall 31 and within carton 20.

Each flap 32 and 34 is defined by sustantially U-shaped cut means or a substantially U-shaped cut and 41 respectively. Each U-shaped cut 40 and 41 is made in its associated side wall 30 and 31 with its parallel legs arranged substantially horizontally so that upon folding flaps 32 and 34, defined by cuts 40 and 41, about their associated score lines, horizontally extending top edge means or a horizontally extending top edge is provided on each flap 32 and 34.

Each horizontally extending top edge of flaps 32 and 34 defines a supporting surface upon which supported surface means of container 21 is supported in suspended relation as will be presently described.

As seen particularly in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, each dish-like container 21 has sealing surface means defining access opening means or an access opening in the top thereof comprising a lip or flange 43 extending around the top peripheral edge of such container. The top surface of flange 43 lies essentially in one plane and is adapted to be sealed or held against bottom surface means or the bottom surface of top wall 22 of carton 20. Flange 43 has a lower surface 44 which is adapted to be supported by flaps 32 and 34.

Container 21 is thus inserted within carton 20 so that the lower surface 44 of its flange 43 is engaged by and supported on the top horizontally extending edges of flaps 32 along one side of carton 20 and by flaps 34 along the opposite side of carton 20 and the top surface of flange 43 is held against the bottom surface of top wall 22.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings the height of container 21 and the corresponding height of carton 20 is such that the bottom of container 21 is suspended above the inside surface of bottom wall 23 to provide a space therebetween as shown at 45. This suspension of container 21 above bottom wall 23 assures that container 21 is carried in a protected manner and that the space provided at 45 effectively isolates the bottom of container 21 to prevent objects from striking thereagainst and causing damage that would be unsightly upon subsequently using container 21 as a serving dish for the margarine carried therein.

The dimensional configuration of outwardly projecting flange 43 and the manner of positioning container 21 within carton 20 also provides protection against damage around the sides and ends of container 21 so that in effect the walls of container 21 which could be bumped and damaged are isolated within tubular carton 20. Of course, the top is held against top wall 22 of carton 20; however, an object striking therea-gainst would only provide a recess in the margarine which would not be objectionable.

Each flap 32 and 34 extends substantially the full height of its associated side wall and it will be seen that upon folding such flaps inwardly they are positioned so that their top edges engage surface 44 of flange 43 to suspend container 21 within carton 20 while their bottom edges engage the inside surface of bottom wall 23. This arrangement, in effect, provides a column-like support for supporting container 21 within carton 20. In addition flaps 32 and 34 support walls 22 and 23 in a noncollapsin-g manner, i.e. prevent bottom wall 23 from being urged against the bottom of container 21 while also supporting top wall 22 'from being pushed inwardly.

Carton 20 can be formed in any suitable manner and made from any suitable foldable material. It is preferably formed from the blank illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. Blank 50 is made of card board, or the like, and may have one or both sides thereof laminated with metallic !foil, such as aluminum-containing metallic foil, or the like, suitably colored, embossed, imprinted, or remaining plain as desired.

Blank 50 is of economical construction and consists essentially of a rectangular sheet of foldable material having a series of parallel spaced apart rectilinear score or fold lines 51, '52, 53, and 54 defining bottom wall 23 extending beyond score line 51, side wall 31 extending between score lines 51 and 52, top wall 22 extending between score lines 52 and 53, side Wall 30' extending between score lines 53 and 54, and an extension fiap 55 extending beyond score line 54. Flap 55 provides a closure flap for carton and is suitably fastened as by glue, or the like, to bottom wall 23 to define an essentially tubular structure comprising carton 20 and having open ends as indicated at 24 and 25 in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

Side wall has a pair of integral flaps provided therein each designated by the numeral 32 and each formed by U-shaped cut means or a substantially U-shaped cut 40. A score line 33 defines the base portion of each flap 32 and is provided in blank 50 so that it extends between the terminal ends of the parallel legs of each U-shaped cut 40.

lU-shaped cuts 40 are preferably arranged in side wall 30 so that the base portions of such U-shaped cuts are arranged adjacent each other and the open ends thereof extend in opposite directions. This arrangement enables the load of container 21 to be supported at comparatively widely spaced locations along side wall 30 to provide better support for container 21.

in a similar manner side wall 31 has a pair of flaps each designated by the numeral 34 provided therein and each defined by a U-shaped out 41 similar to each U-shaped cut 40 provided in side wall 30. A score line designated by the numeral is provided between the terminal ends of the parallel legs of each U-shaped cut 41 and enables the associated flap 34 to be folded thereabout into the tubular enclosure defined by the exterior walls of carton 20. U-shaped cuts 41 are arranged in side wall 31 in a similar manner as cuts in side wall 30 and for the previously explained reason.

As will be appreciated from FIGURE 6 of the drawings, blank is formed without waste and utilizes a minimum amount of blank material. Furthermore, the resulting tubular carton 20 defined from blank 50 is of optimum simplicity and is easy to assemble.

In this example of the invention blank 50 preferably has metallic foil, such as aluminum foil, designated by the numeral 48, laminated to its interior-forming surface. Upon folding blank 50 about its score lines 51-54 the metallic foil is provided on the interior of carton 20 and provides a moisture impervious barrier immediately adjacent container 21.

In some applications of this invention it may be desirable to seal the top surface of flange 43 against metallic foil 48 defining the bottom surface of top wall 22 and where this is achieved an improved seal is provided for the product within container 21, even if container 21 has its own separate sealed top.

FIGURE 11 of the drawings illustrates an improved method of forming previously described blank 50 to define carton 20 in position in surrounding relation about an associated container 21 while also applying and utilizing sealing means to seal the top surface of flange 43 against the aluminum foil 48 comprising the inside surface of bottom wall 22 of assembled carton 20. The completed carton 20 as assembled by the method of FIGURE 11 and showing container 21 sealed in sus pended relation there-within is illustrated in FIGURE 12 of the drawings.

The sealing means used between the top sealing surface means or top sealing surface of flange 43 and the bottom or inside surface of top wall 22 is preferably a hot-melt adhesive means designated by the numeral 49 and may be of any known suitable type. Adhesive 49 not only assures that the open top of container 21 is sealed but also cooperates with flaps 32 and 34 in side walls 30 and 31 respectively to hold container 21 in a protected manner within tubular carton 20.

In the exemplary method illustrated in FIGURE 11, a suitable sheet material 60 is provided in roll form as shown at 61. Sheet material 60 has metallic foil 48 suitably laminated to its lower surface (as viewed in FIGURE 11) and is suitably cut and scored, as will be presently described, to form a plurality of blanks 50'.

Elongated sheet 60 of this example has a width which corresponds exactly to the length of substantially rectangular blank 50 and the other dimension or width of each rectangular blank is defined by knife means engaging and cutting elongated sheet 60 after each blank 50 is suitably cut and scored intermediate its peripheral outline.

The free end of sheet material 60 is passed between a pair of stabilizing rolls each designated by the numeral 62 and is then passed through a cutting and scoring station designated generally by the numeral 64. The intermediate cuts and scores comprising each blank 50 are made at station 64 so as to define a series of suitably spaced and interconnected blanks 50.

The cut and scored sheet is then passed over roll means shown as a roll 65 for applying sealing means or an adhesive, such as hot-melt type adhesive 49, on the exposed surface of metallic foil '48. The adhesive is designated by the numeral 49 in both its liquid form and its applied form.

Roll 65 has suitable pattern means such as a suitably contoured brush, or the like, for applying adhesive 49 to the inside surafce of top wall 22 in a pattern corresponding to the sealing surface means defined by the top surface of flange 43 of container 21. In this example the pattern is substantially oval as shown at 66. Roll 65 is suitably constructed and rotated so as to apply adhesive pattern 66 on each blank 50 as it is moved thereacross.

The liquid adhesive 49 is carried in a suitable reservoir 70 which utilizes a doctor blade 71, or the like to assure gmlly the proper amount of adhesive 49 is applied against The elongated sheet 60 with the required intermediate cuts and scores required for each serially interconnected blank 50 and with its applied adhesive 49 is suitably positioned as by a pair of turn rolls each designated by the numeral 73 and moved to a pre-assembly station shown at 75 where each container 21 is suitably aligned and moved so that the top surface of each flange 43 engages substantially oval pattern 66 of adhesive 49.

The apparatus used to accomplish this positioning and holding of each container 21 with its top in sealed relation may be of any known suitable type. Of course, by working with the elongated sheet, at station 75, having the interconnected blanks 50, it is easier to provide alignment using suitable automatic equipment, if desired.

Elongated cut and scored sheet 60 with containers 21 positioned and held thereunder is then moved to a cutting station 77 where it is cut to finally form the proper width blanks 50. A knife '80 which is driven by an actuator 81 suitably connected thereto is used to provide the required cuts.

A notching knife 82 is also suitably provided to form the side edges of the closure flap -55 of each blank 50. Knife '82 is also suitably connected to an actuator '83 and knives and 82 are preferably controlled to move in umson.

With each container 21 held against the inside surface of top wall 22 as defined in an associated blank 50', the blank is in effect formed around container 21 at a final station indicated at 78. It will be seen that blank 50 can be formed by moving component portions thereof in a direction transverse the direction of material flow and this, of course, lends itself to the use of automatic equipment.

Thus, it will be seen in the fragmentary sectional view of FIGURE 12 that dish-like container 21 does not require a separate sealed top because carton provides a seal therefor as well as suspending container 21 in a protected position within carton 20 with a space at 45 and a similar space adjoining each side wall of container 21 as previously described. Furthermore, adhesive 49 cooperates with " flaps 32 and 34 to support container 21 in a stronger manner.

Although a method has been disclosed above for making blank 50 and then forming such blank around a container held or sealed thereagainst, it will be appreciated that each individual blank 50 may be suitably precut and then assembled around an associated container 21 as shown at station 78.

Another embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 7l0 of the drawings. The embodiment of FIGURES 7-10 illustrates a carton which is basically similar to carton 20 of FIGURES 1-6 with the exception that in this latter embodiment the resulting carton is adapted for carrying a plurality, illustrated as two in this example, of dish-like container means therewithin.

As a result of this basic similarity between carton 20 and the carton of FIGURES 7-10 the carton of this latter embodiment will be designated by the same numeral as in the previous embodiment followed by the letter designation A. In addition, similar component parts will be designated by the same numeral as before and also followed by the letter designation A and not described again in detail.

Carton 20A is shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawings in perspective view and illustrates a pair of dish-like container means, each designated by the numeral 21, suspended therewithin. Containers 21 shown in carton 20A are identical to the container suspended within carton 20.

Carton 20A also has the general peripheral configuration of a parallelepiped and has a top wall 22A, a bottom wall 23A, a pair of side walls 30A and 31A, and a pair of open ends illustrated at 24A and 25A. It will be apparent that the basic carton 20A is similar to carton 20 with the exception that it is longer to accommodate the two dish-like containers 21 inserted therewithin.

Side wall A has a plurality of integral flap means or flaps foldably connected thereto each designated by the numeral 32A and each having a score line 33A defining its base portion. A pair of spaced apart flaps 32A is provided to engage the peripheral side edge means of each container 21 along each side thereof.

Thus, with the insertion of two dish-like containers 21 within carton 20A a plurality of four flaps 32A. are provided to extend generally transverse to wall 30A and support one side of containers 21.

In a similar manner a plurality of four flaps each designated by the numeral 34A are foldably connected to side wall 31A and each has a score line 35A defining its base portion. A pair of flaps 34A is provided to support the opposite side of each container 21.

Each flap 32A and 34A comprising carton 20A is defined by a U-shaped cut A and 41A respectively in a similar manner as similar flaps in the previous embodiment of this invention.

With the type construction illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings, it will be appreciated that a carton of extended length could be provided to suspend any desired number of containers 21 therewithin merely by providing side walls having the desired overall length and then providing additional U-shaped cuts to define the required number of foldable flaps.

Each container 21 is suspended within carton 20A by placing lower surface 44 of its flange 43 on horizontal edge means defined by the top edge of flaps 32A and 34A so as to leave a protective space shown at 45A, similar to space 45, between bottom wall 23A and the bottom surface of each container 21. Each flap 32A and 34A also provides a column-like supporting structure between walls 22A and 23A to support an associated container 21 as well as prevent inward collapse of walls 22A and 23A.

Carton 20A can be formed in any suitable manner and made from any suitable material in a similar manner as carton 20. Carton 20A is preferably formed from the blank A, illustrated in FIGURE 10 of the drawings, and blank 50A may be made from similar materials and as previously described in connection with blank 50.

Blank 50A is suitably cut and scored and comprises a series of parallel rectilinear score or fold lines 51A, 52A, 53A, and 54A defining bottom wall 23A extending beyond score line 51A, side wall 31A extending between score lines 51A and 52A, top wall 22A extending between score lines 52A and 53A, side wall 30A extending between score lines 53A and 54A, and an extension flap 55A extending beyond score line 54A which is suitably fastened as by glue, or the like, to bottom wall 23A upon assemblying blank 50A to define carton 20A.

As will be apparent from FIGURE 10 of the drawings, side wall 30A has a plurality of four flaps 32A defined therein. Each flap 32A is defined by a substantially U- shaped cut 40A and a score line 33A is provided to extend across the open end of each U-shaped cut.

Side wall 31A also has four cooperating flaps provided therein and each designated by the numeral 34A. Each flap 34A is defined by a U-shaped cut 41A and a score line 35A is provided between the terminal ends of the parallel legs of U-shaped cut 41A to enable flap 34A to be folded substantially transverse to side wall 31A and within the enclosure of the assembled carton 20A.

Inasmuch as two dish-like containers 21 are being carried within carton 20A four flaps are preferably used in each side wall 30A and 31A as emphasized in the above description. It may be desired to provide a carton similar to carton 20A for carrying three dish-like containers 21, for example. In this latter instance of a carton for three containers, it would be preferable to provide six flaps in each of its side walls, i.e. two flaps in each side wall for each container 21.

In a like manner, any number of containers 21 could be carried in line within a carton and the required number of flaps provided in each wall would preferably be two times the number of containers and such flaps would be suitably spaced along the associated side wall as required. Of course, it is not mandatory that two flaps be used along each side wall to engage an associated side means of each container and it is within the contemplated scope of this invention to provide only one suitable flap means from each side wall or two or more suitable flap means extending from each side wall to support an associated supported surface or flange means of each container 21.

As seen in FIGURE 10, blank 50A is also very simple to form and assemble and can be made without wasting blank material. Both blanks 50 and 50A can be formed using conventional cutting and scoring equipment.

The simplicity of blanks 50 and 50A enables such blanks to be easily erected and fastened together by the ultimate user and may be shipped unassembled. However,

each blank 50 or 50A may be easily assembled together to form its respective carton 20 or 20A by suitably fastening its associated flap 55 or 55A in position. Assembled cartons 20 and 20A are easily collapsed and shipped flat.

Of course, both blanks 50 and 50A may be formed around associated containers using the entire method disclosed in FIGURE 11 or that portion of the method presented at station 78. Of course such complete or portion of such method may be used whether or not adhesive 49 is employed.

In this disclosure of the invention flaps 32, 32A, 34 and 34A have been illustrated engaging lower surface 44 of flange 43 arranged at the top of each container 21 to suspend container 21 from its top end portion. It will be appreciated that container means similar to container 21 may be suspended using suitable flaps similar in function to the flaps illustrated in this disclosure by engaging suitable supported surface means at any position on such similar container means; furthermore, in some applications of this invention it may be desirable to provide recessed surface means and not projection means like flange 43, within which flaps similar to flaps 32, 32A, 34 and 34A may be folded or extended in supporting relation.

Container 21 may have its top portion separately sealed, as previously mentioned, using suitable cover means such as plastic sheet material or cover means containing metallic foil. However, it may be suitably sealed against the inside surface of top wall 22 or 22A as described in connection with FIGURES 11 and 12 of the drawings using adhesive 49. Of course, adhesive 49 may be applied in a pattern corresponding to associated sealing surface means of a container carried within carton 20 or the entire inside surface of top wall 22 may be suitably treated with adhesive. In either event, top wall 22 or 22A either provides the total protection for the top of container 21 or aids in protecting such top in an optimum manner.

Although it has not been illustrated in the drawings, an easy-open device may be provided in any of the walls of tubular carton 20 and/ or 20A. Such easy-open device may comprise an elongated tearout strip portion suitably defined by perforation means and which can be easily grasped and pulled to essentially sever such tubular carton apart.

Each container 21 illustrated herein is preferably a disposable container made of thin gauge metal preferably containing aluminum thereby assuring each container is light in weight, has high structural strength, and has improved corrosion resistance.

Terms such as container means, flap means, etc. have been used in this disclosure. It is, of course, understood that such terms may refer to one or a plurality of container means, flap means, and the like, as desired.

Terms such as side wall, end wall, top wall, bottom wall, lower, top, and the like, have also been used in this disclosure of the invention for ease of description and merely to correspond to the examples illustrated in the drawings and such terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of this invention in any way.

Thus, it is seen that an improved tubular carton has been provided which is of simple and economical construction and comprises simple means for supporting and hermetically sealing (if desired) container means, such as dish-like container means therewithin.

In this manner it can be seen that the container 21 may be formed having a moisture impervious enclosing surface that cooperates with the moisture impervious inside surface of the outer carton to enable the product means disposed therebetween to be hermetically sealed within such container so as to be free from moisture, dust, and the like. In addition, in those applications wherein the container means is not hermetically sealed to the inside surface of top wall 22, the construction provided herein also protects the product from moisture, dust, and the like.

This invention also provides an improved method of simply and efficiently supporting and sealing container means within a tubular carton.

Further, this invention provides improved blanks for forming such improved cartons, or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: container means having supported surface means and an improved carton for suspending said container means therewithin, said carton comprising, wall means defining substantially tubular enclosure means of said'carton and having a pair of vertical side wall means arranged in parallel spaced apart relation, and a plurality of flap means foldably connected to said side wall means and adapted to be folded generally transverse to said side wall means and within said tubular enclosure means so that top edge means of each flap means extends substantially horizontally and supports said supported surface means to support said container means within said enclosure means of said carton, each of said flap means being defined by a substantially U-shaped cut means in said side wall means arranged with its parallel legs substantially horizontally to define said horizontally extending top edge means upon folding each flap means generally transverse to its associated side wall means.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said carton further comprises parallel spaced apart bottom and top wall means extending between associated edges of said side wall means and comprising said tubular enclosure means wherein, each of said flap means extends substantially the full height of its associated side wall means, said container means having supported surface means comprises dish-like container means having flange means with supported lower surface means, and said flange means extends from outer peripheral surface means of said dish-like container means, whereby said top edge means of each of said full height flap means engages said lower surface means of said flange means and each of said flap means provides a high strength support for said dishlike container means while forming a column-like support extending the full height of its associated side wall means to support said bottom wall means and top wall means in a noncollapsing manner.

3. A carton for supporting and hermetically sealing container means having access opening means, said carton comprising, bottom wall means, top wall means arranged parallel to said bottom wall means and spaced apart therefrom, parallel spaced apart side wall means arranged between associated opposite edges of said bottom and top wall means to define a tubular enclosure means having the general shape of a parallelepiped with open ends, said side wall means each having flap means foldably connected thereto, and sealing means provided on inside surface means of said top wall means and adapted to cooperate with sealing surface means of said container means defining said access opening means to seal said access opening means, each of said flap means having horizontally movable top edge means and being fastened to its associated side wall means in a hinged manner about a vertically arranged score line defining its base which enables such flap means to be folded Within said tubular enclosure means of said carton so that said top edge means of each flap means engages said container means in supporting relation, said flap means cooperating with said sealing means to support said container means within said carton and said carton performs a dual function of providing an improved seal for said access opening means of said container means while supporting said container means in a protected position within said carton.

4. The carton as set forth in claim 3 in which said sealing means comprises hot-melt adhesive means.

5. A method of supporting and hermetically sealing container means within a carton comprising the steps of, providing container means having supported surface means and having sealing surface means defining access opening means for said container means, providing a carton having wall means, said wall means comprising bottom wall means, top wall means arranged parallel to said bottom wall means and spaced apart therefrom, parallel spaced apart side Wall means arranged between associated opposite edges of said bottom and top wall means to define a tubular enclosure means having the general shape of a parallelepiped with open ends, said side wall means each having flap means foldably connected thereto, each of said flap means having horizontally movable top edge means and being fastened to its associated wall means in a hinged manner about a vertically arranged score line defining its base which enables such flap means to be folded generally transverse to its side wall means and within said tubular enclosure, providing sealing means adapted to be arranged between said sealing surface means and inside surface means of said top wall means, folding said flap means within said tubular enclosure and generally transverse to its associated side wall means, placing said container means within said tubular enclosure means of said carton with said supported surface means resting on said top edge means of said flap means, and sealing said access opening means with said sealing means upon engaging said sealing surface means of said container means against said inside surface means of said top wall means, whereby said carton performs a dual function of providing an improved seal for said access opening means of said container means while supporting said container means in a protected position within said carton.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 in which said step of providing container means having sealing surface means defining said access opening means comprises providing dish-like container having peripheral flange means extending outwardly from its top portion and defining said sealing surface means and having a height which is less than the corresponding height of said side wall means and said dish-like container is supported in suspended relation within said carton by said sealing means and flap means, whereby said dish-like container is carried in a protected position within said carton with its bottom wall spaced apart from adjacent bottom wall means of said carton and the remainder of its wall means spaced inwardly within said tubular enclosure means of said carton.

7. In combination: a carton having wall means provided with inside surface means and comprising; bottom wall means, top wall means arranged parallel to said bottom wall means and spaced apart therefrom, parallel spaced apart side wall means arranged between associated opposite edges of said bottom and top wall means to define a tubular enclosure means having the general shape of a parallelepiped with open ends, said side wall means each having flap means foldably connected thereto and extending substantially the full height thereof; dish-like container means having flange means extending from its top peripheral surface means, said flange means having sealing surface means defining access opening means and having supported lower surface means; and sealing means provided on one of said surface means and cooperating between said sealing surface means and said inside surface means to seal said access opening means; said flap means being folded within said tubular enclosure means so that top edge means of each of the full height flap means extends substantially horizontally 'and engages said lower surface means of said flange means and each of said flap means cooperates with said sealing means to provide an improved support for said dish-like container means while forming a column-like support extending the full height of its associated side wall means to support said bottom wall means and top wall means in a noncollapsing manner; and said carton performs a dual function of providing an improved seal for said access opening means of said container means while supporting said container means in a protected position within said carton.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said dish-like container means has a height which is less than the corresponding height of said side wall means of said carton whereby said sealing means and full height flap means suspend said dish-like container means in a protected position within said carton with its bottom wall spaced apart from said bottom wall means of said carton and the remainder of its wall means spaced inwardly within said tubular enclosure means of said carton.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,663,413 12/1953 Foster.

2,881,914 4/1959 Woeber et al. 20665 3,047,203 7/1962 Etlinger 20646 X 3,168,193 2/1965 Schechter 20656 3,211,282 10/1965 Hennssey 20646 3,281,051 10/1966 OBrien et al. 22951 3,286,909 11/1966 Scharre 229-51 3,339,724 9/1967 Hickin 20665 MARTHA L. RICE, Primary Examiner.

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