Paperboard Container

Abstract

A container for cigars consisting of a tray and a cover that are made from corresponding paperboard blanks which are coated and preprinted on one surface. The tray front wall and sidewalls are double paneled. The cover includes a rigid triple-panel lid and a multipanel attaching unit which defines a pocket, is secured to the tray rear wall and constitutes, in effect, part of the container rear wall. One panel of the lid is hinged to the attaching unit along a first foldline and another panel of the lid is hinged to a tongue along a second foldline that is parallel and closely adjacent to the first foldline, said tongue projecting freely into the pocket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to the art of containers and, more particularly, to an improved paperboard receptacle for containing cigars and the like.

Conventional boxes for containing cigars have, for many years, been made of wood. These boxes usually consist of a rectangular tray and a planar lid hinged to the tray rear wall. Due to high present-day material and labor costs, this type of box is quite expensive to manufacture and, for this reason, uneconomical.

A number of attempts have been made in recent years to replace conventional cigarboxes with relatively inexpensive one-piece paperboard boxes that could be preprinted and then formed, as needed. Such attempts have only had limited success and have not been widely accepted commercially because of inherent absence of requisite rigidity and the incompatibility of construction with conventional filling procedures.

The container of this invention is intended to and does, in fact, obviate the objections to known prior art paperboard boxes and, further, contemplates a construction which embodies the essential features of conventional wood boxes and which can be economically manufactured and printed so as to simulate such wood boxes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The container of this invention consists of a tray and a cover which are made from corresponding one-piece blanks of a foldable sheet material, such as paperboard. The tray has a bottom wall, a pair of spaced sidewalls which extend upwardly from the bottom wall and are generally normal thereto, a rear wall and a front wall that is spaced from the rear wall. The rear and front walls also extend upwardly from the bottom wall and are generally normal thereto. The cover includes a lid which comprises an outer panel and an inner panel joined to the outer panel along a first fold line that defines the front edge of the lid. These panels are substantially coextensive and are secured together in face-to-face relation. The cover also includes a multipanel attaching means hinged to the outer panel along a second fold line that defines the rear edge of the lid. The multipanel attaching means is secured to the tray rear wall and defines a pocket. A tongue is hinged to the inner panel along a third fold line that is parallel to and closely adjacent the second fold line. The tongue projects into the pocket and is slidable therein in response to the lid being swung relative to the tray about the hinging axis defined by the second fold line.

Preferably, the tray side and front walls are double panel in construction while the bottom and rear walls consist of corresponding single panels. Also the lid is triple panel and the multipanel attaching means is double panel in construction. The various panels and flap elements of the tray and cover are glued together, as will be described, and the multipanel attaching means is also glued to the tray rear panel.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a container for cigars and the like which is made of foldable sheet material and which has incorporated therein improved features of design and construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive, lightweight container consisting of a tray and a cover made from corresponding paperboard blanks and possessing requisite properties of stiffness and strength.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved paperboard box in simulation of conventional cigarboxes.

This invention has for a still further object the provision of a container of the character indicated that is simple and attractive in design; that is sturdy and durable in construction; that is economical in material and manufacturing costs; and that is capable of performing its intended functions in an entirely satisfactory manner.

The enumerated objects and additional objects, together with the novel features and advantages of the invention, will be readily apparent to persons trained in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which describe and illustrate a container embodying the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts in the several views:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container constructed in accordance with this invention, the cover or lid of the container being shown in partly open position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and shows the container in closed condition;

FIG. 3 is a planar inner face view on a reduced scale of a blank from which the tray of the container of FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed;

FIG. 4 is a planar inner face view on a reduced scale of a blank from which the cover of the container is formed;

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 3 and shows the relative position of the parts at the time of shipment by the manufacturer;

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 4 and illustrates one relative position of the parts in the course of forming the container cover; and

FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 6 and illustrates the relative position of the parts of the completed cover prior to attachment to the tray.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the therein-illustrated container 10 of this invention consists of a tray T and a cover C which is secured to and cooperates with the tray, as will be described. The tray and cover are both formed from corresponding one-piece blanks of a suitable foldable sheet material, such as an appropriate weight and grade of paperboard. A recommended paperboard material is solid kraft that is clay coated and preprinted with desired decorative and/or advertising matter on one side. Each blank is divided by a plurality of fold lines that define certain boundaries of a plurality of panels and flaps which constitute various walls or other elements of the tray and cover. The terms "fold line" and "fold lines," appearing in this description and in the claims, are intended to be construed broadly and include crease lines, score lines or any other desired type of weakening line about which a pair of successive elements are relatively hinged.

Tray T is made from a paperboard blank B-1 (FIG. 3) having a plurality of horizontal fold lines 11, 12 and 13 and pairs of vertical fold lines 14 and 15. The blank also has a pair of upwardly convergent fold lines 16 and a similar pair of downwardly convergent fold lines 17.

The several fold lines define at least part of various panels and flaps of the tray, namely, a bottom panel 18, which is defined by fold lines 11, 12 and 15; a rear panel 19, which is defined in part by fold line 11; a front outer panel 20, which lies between fold lines 12 and 13; a front inner panel 21, which is defined in part by fold line 13; a pair of outer side panels 22, each of which lies between corresponding fold lines 14 and 15; a pair of inner side panels 23, each of which is defined in part by a corresponding fold line 14; a pair of flaps 24, which extend beyond opposite ends of panel 19 and are defined in part by a corresponding fold line 16; and a like pair of flaps 25, which extend beyond opposite ends of panel 20 and are defined in part by a corresponding fold line 17.

It will be observed that panels 19 and 20 are trapezoidal while the remaining panels are essentially rectangular.

Cover C is made from a paperboard blank B-2 having a plurality of horizontal fold lines 26, 27, 28 and 29 and pairs of vertical fold lines 30 and 31.

The several fold lines 26 through 31 define at least part of various panels and flaps of the cover, namely, a lid outer panel 32, which is defined by fold lines 27, 28 and 30; a lid inner panel 33, which lies between fold lines 26 and 27; a flap or tongue 34, which is defined in part by fold line 26; a pair of flaps 35, which extend beyond opposite sides of panel 32 and are defined in part by a corresponding fold line 30; a panel 36, which lies between fold lines 28 and 29; a panel 37, which is defined in part by fold lines 29 and 31; and a pair of flaps 38, which extend beyond opposite sides of panel 37 and are defined in part by a corresponding fold line 31.

The tray blank is delivered by the manufacturer to the customer in the flattened condition shown in FIG. 5 with inner front panel 21 overlying and glued to outer front panel 20.

The cover blank is delivered by the manufacturer to the customer in the flattened condition shown in FIG. 7. Preliminarily, various parts of blank B-2 are prefolded along certain fold lines to the flattened condition shown in FIG. 6 wherein flaps 35 overlie and are glued to lid outer panel 32, lid inner panel 33 overlies and is glued to flaps 35, and flaps 38 overlie and are glued to panel 37.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 6 is then converted to that of FIG. 7 by swinging panel 37 and the thereto-glued flaps 38 approximately 180.degree. about fold line 28 so as to overlie panel 32 and tongue 34. With the parts in the relative position shown in FIG. 7, flaps 38 are glued to the contiguous portion of panel 32. The opposing portions of panels 32 and 37 are devoid of glue and define a pocket into which tongue 34 projects freely. The distance between fold lines 26 and 27 is the same as the distance between fold lines 27 and 28 (FIG. 4). Accordingly, fold lines 26 and 28 are closely adjacent and parallel to each other when the parts are in the relative position shown in FIG. 7 and, also, when the container is in completed condition (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Container 10 is set up by the customer in his plant by means of a tray former and a cover collater. The tray former receives the tray blank in the condition shown in FIG. 5, and sets it up so that flaps 24 and 25 are positioned between corresponding panels 22 and 23 and are glued to these panels. The thus-formed tray is then discharged from the tray former and is transferred to the collater where the lid is placed against and glued to the inner face of tray rear wall 19. This completes the setting-up procedure, and the container may at this time be loaded or stored for loading at some future time. The container may be loaded in conventional manner and sealed with tape.

Tray T is constituted of a single-panel bottom wall consisting of rectangular panel 18; a double-panel front wall consisting of outer panel 20 and inner panel 21; a single-panel rear wall consisting of panel 19; and spaced triple-panel sidewalls, each consisting of outer panel 22, inner panel 23 and flaps 25 which are positioned between panels 22 and 23 and are the equivalent of a panel.

Cover C is constituted of a triple-panel lid consisting of outer panel 32, inner panel 33, and flaps 35 which are positioned between panels 32 and 33 and are the equivalent of a panel; and a multipanel attaching means consisting of outer panel 36, inner panel 37 and flaps 38 which are positioned between panels 36 and 37. In the completed condition, container 10 has, in effect, a triple-panel rear wall consisting of panels 19, 36 and 37.

As was indicated earlier herein, tongue 34 projects into the pocket defined by the unglued portions of panels 36 and 37. This tongue rides freely in the pocket in response to opening and closing of the lid about the axis defined by fold line 28. Inasmuch as fold lines 28 and 26 are substantially coincident, the lid actually pivots about two thicknesses of paperboard, which makes it very durable and capable of withstanding repeated openings and closings.

It will be observed that, except for tray bottom wall 18, all exposed surfaces of the container are coated and may, as indicated, be preprinted. If desired, a pad of the paperboard material may be placed over the bottom wall with its coated surface exposed. By virtue of its triple thickness, the lid possesses excellent rigidity and is comparable in appearance to conventional cigarbox lids. The lid may be readily swung through 180.degree. from closed position to enable the container to be conveniently loaded in the usual manner.

The various panels of the container are so folded and arranged that the front and side edges of the lid are smooth, as distinguished from rough or sharp. The same is true of the upper edges of the tray front wall and sidewalls. The construction embodied in the invention permits the lid to remain in upright position for display purposes. This avoids the need for a special lid holder which is usually required in conventional cigarboxes.

The lid is frictionally retained in closed condition (FIG. 2) by the tray sidewalls which, as shown in FIG. 2, project slightly above the tray front and rear walls. By virtue of the fact that the tray front and rear walls are trapezoidal, the lid is releasably retained in closed position by friction. Moreover, the configuration of the tray front and rear walls and their relation to flaps 25 overcomes the natural tendency of the sidewalls to bow outwardly.

Based on the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation, objects and advantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art, without further description. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the construction described above and illustrated in the drawings may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, it being intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

I claim:

1. A container for articles, such as cigars, comprising a tray and a cover which are made from corresponding one-piece blanks of foldable sheet material, such as paperboard, the tray including a bottom wall, a pair of spaced sidewalls extending upwardly from and generally normal to the bottom wall, a rear wall and a front wall spaced from the rear wall, said rear and front walls extending upwardly from and generally normal to the bottom wall, the cover including a lid comprising an outer panel and an inner panel joined to the outer panel along a first fold line that defines the front edge of the lid, said panels being substantially coextensive and secured together in face-to-face relation, multipanel attaching means hinged to the outer panel along a second fold line that defines the rear edge of the lid, said attaching means being secured to the tray rear wall and defining a pocket, and a tongue hinged to the inner panel along a third fold line that is parallel to and closely adjacent the second fold line, said tongue projecting into the pocket and being slidable therein.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the tray sidewalls have upper edges which are parallel and positioned above the upper edges of the front and rear walls and the width of the lid is slightly greater than the distance between the upper edge portions of the sidewalls, the lid being adapted, when in closed position, to be disposed between and frictionally engage the facing upper edge portions of the sidewalls.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the tray front and rear walls are trapezoidal in configuration, each having substantially parallel upper and lower edges and a pair of upwardly converging side edges.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the tray sidewalls have upper edges which are parallel and positioned above the upper edges of the front and rear walls.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the tray bottom wall and the lid are substantially rectangular, the width of the lid being slightly greater than the distance between the upper edge portions of the sidewalls, the lid being adapted, when in closed position, to be disposed between and frictionally engage the facing upper edge portions of the sidewalls.

6. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lid includes a pair of flaps, each flap being joined to the outer panel along a fold line that is substantially normal to the first fold line, said flaps being positioned between and secured to the outer and inner panels.

7. A container according to claim 1 wherein the attaching means includes first and second panels, the first panel being hinged to the lid along the second fold line and being joined to the second panel along a fold line that is spaced from and parallel to the second fold line, the second panel being positioned along the first panel and to the same side of the sheet material as the inner panel.

8. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lid includes a pair of flaps, each flap being joined to the outer panel along a fold line that is substantially normal to the first fold line, said flaps being positioned between and secured to the outer and inner panels, and wherein the attaching means includes first and second panels, the first panel being hinged to the lid along the second fold line and being joined to the second panel along a fold line that is spaced from and parallel to the second fold line, the second panel being positioned along the first panel and to the same side of the sheet material as the inner panel.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the tray sidewalls have upper edges which are parallel and positioned above the upper edges of the front and rear walls and the width of the lid is slightly greater than the distance between the upper edge portions of the sidewalls, the lid being adapted, when in closed position, to be disposed between and frictionally engage the facing upper edge portions of the sidewalls.

10. A container according to claim 8 wherein the tray front and rear walls are trapezoidal in configuration, each having substantially parallel upper and lower edges and a pair of upwardly converging side edges, wherein the tray sidewalls have upper edges which are parallel and positioned above the upper edges of the front and rear walls, and wherein the tray bottom wall and the lid are substantially rectangular, the width of the lid being slightly greater than the distance between the upper edge portions of the sidewalls, the lid being adapted, when in closed position, to be disposed between and frictionally engage the facing upper edge portions of the sidewalls.