Expansible Carton

Abstract

A blank foldable into an expansible carton, which blank provides a plurality of panels and a set of flaps, for the formation of a carton, having front and rear walls; two opposite side walls; and two opposite end walls. One of the side and end walls of the carton formed is openable. Each of the other side and end walls of the carton formed provides a pair of mutually-overlying pleats. The panels and flaps are adapted to be secured together in wall-forming positions. The carton formed is designed for triple expansion, by opening of the openable wall; and unfolding of each pair of mutually-overlying pleats.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carton which is employable for the containment of solid or liquid materials; and, more particularly, to such a carton which is formed from a blank; and which is expansible.

It has been conventional, in the prior art, to provide cartons for the containment of materials of various kinds. Such known cartons have often been constructed from blanks; and have often been of expansible form. The known expansible cartons have, however, presented a number of disadvantages. Thus, such cartons have usually been of quite complex structure; and have often been formed with internally-located, or externally-located structural elements which have interfered with their use. In addition, the known expansible cartons have provided only a comparatively limited degree of expansibility. Thus, the known cartons have been, at most, double expansible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an expansible carton which is formed from a blank; and which is designed for triple expansion. The carton of the invention is of relatively simple structure. In addition, there is absent, in the carton of the invention, any internally-located, or externally-located structural element interfering with its use. The carton of the invention, thus, serves to overcome the disadvantages exhibited by the expansible cartons known in the prior art.

The carton of the invention provides wall structure which is formed with two mutually-overlying pleats. Such wall structure is readily expanded, by unfolding of the two pleats; and the consequent provision of triply expanded wall structure. Such wall structure provides a relatively smooth surface, both internally, and externally of the carton; and both before expansion and after expansion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art, from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is top plan view of a blank for a carton, constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of a carton, constructed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section, taken along the lines 3--3 of FIG. 2, and being partly broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section, taken along the lines 4--4 of FIG. 2, and being partly broken away; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in perspective of the carton of FIGS. 2-4 being open; and being triply expanded.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, there is shown a blank 10 for an expansible carton, constructed in accordance with the invention. The blank 10 is formed of a suitable flexible material, such as, e.g., cardboard.

The blank 10 provides a sheet portion 12, which is of rectangular shape. The sheet portion 12 is formed with a first pair of transversely-extending, parallel score lines 14, 16; and a second pair of transversely-extending, parallel score lines 18, 20. The first pair of score lines 14, 16 define a first rectangular panel 22, being spaced a comparatively short distance from one side edge 24 of the sheet portion 12. The second pair of score lines 18, 20 define a second rectangular panel 26, being of the same size as the panel 22; and being spaced a comparatively great distance from the opposite edge 28 of the sheet portion 12.

The score lines 16 and 18 define a third rectangular panel 30, positioned intermediate, and interconnecting the panels 22 and 26. The panel 30 is formed with a pair of transversely-extending parallel score lines 32, 34. The panel 30 is divided, by the score lines 32 and 34 into three portions, 36, 38 and 40, being of substantially equal size.

The score line 14 defines a flap 42, lying adjacent the side edge 24 of the sheet portion 12; and being approximately one-third the size of the panel 30. The score line 20 defines a flap 44, lying adjacent the side edge 28 of the sheet portion 12, and being somewhat smaller than the panel 30. The flap 44 is formed with a pair of transversely-extending, parallel score lines 46, 48. The flap 44 is divided, by the score lines 46, 48, into three portions 50, 52 and 54, being of substantially equal size.

Integral with the sheet portion 12 are two flaps 56 and 58, which project in opposite directions; and are separated from the panel 22 by two score lines 60 and 62, respectively. The flap 56 is of relatively great breadth; and is divided, by a score line 64, into two portions 66 and 68. The flap portion 66 is of slightly greater breadth than the flap 42; while the flap portion 68 is somewhat smaller in breadth. Secured to the flap portion 68 is a reinforcement flap 70, which is provided with a metal reinforcement insert member 72. The flap 58 is of approximately the same size as the flap portion 66.

Also integral with the sheet portion 12 are two flaps 74 and 76, which project in opposite directions; and are separated from the panel 26 by two score lines 78 and 80, respectively. The flap 74 is of approximately the same size as the flap portion 66. The flap 74 is provided with a metally-reinforced lift-out section 82, being of hook shape.

The breadth of the flap 76 is approximately the same as the breadth of the panel 30. The flap 76 is divided, by a pair of parallel-extending score lines 84, 86, into two inner portions 88 and 90, being of substantially equal size; and a third, somewhat smaller outer portion 92.

Integral with the sheet portion 12 are two tabs 94 and 96, which project in opposite directions; and are separated from the flap 42 by two score lines 98 and 100, respectively. Two additional tabs 102 and 104 are integral with the sheet portion 12; and are separated from the panel portion 36 by two score lines 106 and 108, respectively.

The panel 26 is formed with a pair of parallel-extending, elongate apertures 110, and 112.

The blank 10 is employable for the formation of a carton 114 (see FIG. 2). In the formation of the carton 114, the panels 22 and 26 are initially folded along the score lines 16 and 18, and so as to form oppositely positioned rear and front walls 116, 118 (see also FIG. 3). The panel 30 is then folded along the score lines 32 and 34, and so as to form a side wall 120, consisting of two mutually-overlying pleats 122 and 124.

The flaps 42 and 44 are thereafter folded inwardly along the score lines 14 and 20, respectively. The flap 44 is then folded, at the score lines 46 and 48, into two mutually-overlying pleats 126 and 128. The flap portion 54 is then secured, by a conventional adhesive, to the flap 42, and so as to form a side wall 130.

The tabs 96 and 104 are thereafter folded inwardly along the score lines 100 and 108, respectively.

The flap 76 is then folded inwardly along the score line 80; and folded along the score lines 84 and 86, into two mutually-overlying pleats, 132 and 134 (see also FIG. 4). The flap 58 is then folded inwardly along the score line 62; and secured, by a conventional adhesive, to the flap portion 92, so as to form an end wall 136. The pleats 132 and 143 may then be secured together by a conventional adhesive material; or, alternatively, maintained in wall-forming position by adhesive tape securing the folded flap 58 to the walls 116, 118; or to the walls 120, 130.

The tabs 94 and 102 are thereafter folded inwardly along the score lines 98 and 106, respectively. The flap 56 is then folded inwardly along the score line 60. At the same time, the flap portion 68 is folded inwardly along the score line 64, and secured by a conventional adhesive to the inner surface 138 of the front wall 118. The flap 74 is then folded inwardly along the score line 78; and secured by a conventional adhesive to the flap portion 66, so as to form an end wall 140.

The two pairs of tabs 94, 96 and 102, 104 will then serve to maintain the two pairs of pleats 126, 128 and 122, 124 in their wall-forming positions, respectively. ALternatively, a conventional adhesive material, or adhesive tape might be employed for maintaining such wall-forming positions.

The carton 114 thus formed may be utilized for the containment of a solid or liquid material. The carton 114 may be supported by means of a conventional strap (not shown), passed through the apertures 110 and 112. If desired, the lift-out section 82 may be raised into the position shown in FIG. 2; and utilized for suspension purposes. The flap portion 68 serves to reinforce the front wall 118.

When the carton 114 is to be opened, the flap 74 is manually disengaged from the flap portion 66; and the flaps 56 and 74 are then raised into their respective open positions shown in FIG. 5.

After being emptied of its contents, the carton 114 may be triply expanded, by unfolding of the three pairs of pleats 122, 124; 126, 128; and 132, 134. The carton 114 may then be utilized as a waste container. Alternatively, the carton 114, upon being opened, may be initially triply expanded, for the reception of additional material.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A carton adapted for triple expansion, said carton comprising; front and rear walls, formed by first and second panels, respectively; one side wall formed by a third panel interconnecting said first and second panels, and providing a pair of mutually-overlying contiguous pleats normally disposed perpendicular to said first and second panels for triple expansibility; and three additional walls, being an opposite side wall and two opposite end walls, said additional walls being formed by a plurality of flaps each projecting from one of said first and second panels, at least two of said additional walls each being provided with a pair of mutually-overlying contiguous pleats normally disposed perpendicular to said first and second panels for triple expansibility; said panels and said flaps being secured in respective positions for forming said walls and being form retaining in normal and expanded positions thereof.

2. A carton in accordance with claim 1, said side wall and said additional triply expansible walls each being folded along a pair of parallel-expanding score lines into the respective pair of pleats.

3. A carton in accordance with claim 1, each pair of pleats extending for the full length of the respective triply expansible wall.

4. A carton in accordance with claim 1, said one side wall consisting of the respective pair of pleats.

5. A carton in accordance with claim 1, a pair of said flaps being secured together to form each of said additional walls.

6. A carton in accordance with claim 1, one of said additional walls being openable.

7. A carton in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of tabs project from said walls, said tabs being secured in positions for preventing unfolding of at least one of said pairs of pleats.

8. A carton in accordance with claim 1, wherein a suspension hook for said carton is secured to one of said walls.

9. A carton in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said front and rear walls is provided with a plurality of elongate apertures adapted to receive a suspension strap for said carton.

10. A carton in accordance with claim 1, wherein said panels and said flaps are secured by adhesive material in said wall-forming positions.

11. A blank foldable into a carton adapted for triple expansion, said blank comprising first and second rectangular panels of substantially the same size, a third rectangular panel interconnecting adjacent side edges of said first and second panels, a pair of score lines on said third panel spaced inwardly of and parallel to said adjacent side edges, said third panel being connected to said first and second panels with score lines, one of said panels having a rectangular first flap connected to its other side edge with a score line, said first flap having a pair of score lines spaced outwardly of said other side edge and being parallel thereto, the another of said panels having a rectangular second flap connected to its other side edge with a score line, said second flap being narrower than said first flap, one of said panels having a rectangular third flap connected to one end edge with a score line, said third flap having a pair of score lines spaced outwardly from said end edge and being parallel thereto, another of said panels having a rectangular fourth flap connected to a corresponding end edge with a score line with said fourth flap being narrower than said third flap, and the other end edge of at least one of said panels having a fifth flap connected thereto with a score line.

12. A blank in accordance with claim 11 in which the width of said third panel is substantially equal to the width of said first flap.

13. A blank in accordance with claim 12 in which the length of said third flap is substantially equal to the width of said first flap.

14. A blank as set forth in claim 12, in which the width of said second flap is substantially the same width as the spacing between score lines on said first flap.

15. A blank in accordance with claim 11 in which said second flap is provided with tabs on the ends thereof and said third panel has end tabs extending from the portion thereof intermediate said interconnecting score line and the adjacent third panel score line.