Container And Cover Therefor

Abstract

A container is provided having a tubular member with foldably connected side walls and one end thereof being delimited by locking flaps foldably connected to the side walls. Overlying the one end and in interlocking engagement with the flaps is a cover which is provided with peripheral panels foldable relative to the locking flaps so that each flap is in sandwiched relation with a peripheral panel, when the cover is assembled on the end of the tubular member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the packaging of large, bulky products, such as refrigerators and the like, it is important when shipping same to the retailer or customer, that the exterior of the product be protected against surface abrasions and the like. To provide such protection, it is customary that the product be encased in a tubular member formed of corrugated fiberboard and with at least one end of the member provided with a protective cover. In addition to providing protection for the encased product, the cover also provides end support for the tubular member.

In practice, when enclosing the product in a container, it is customary for the blank of one cover to be placed horizontally on a suitable support and then to position one end of the product on the supported cover blank. The tubular member is then slipped endwise over the product until the lower end of the member rests upon the blank, whereupon the cover blank is set up about the tubular member and secured thereto. To facilitate securing of the cover to the tubular member, the latter is provided with locking flaps which foldably interlock with side portions of the cover during set up of the latter.

Various covers of this type have heretofore been provided; however, because of certain design characteristics, they require an inordinate amount of material and/or are incapable of providing the necessary protection for the encased product when the latter is subjected to normal handling. Furthermore, such prior covers were awkward to handle when being secured to the end of the tubular member. In forming the blanks for the prior covers, an excessive amount of waste material normally resulted which substantially increased the unit cost of each blank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a container which is of simple, inexpensive construction and yet, provides adequate protection for the accommodated product even though the latter is subjected to abusive handling.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a cover which is formed from a blank of sheet material wherein a minimum amount of material waste results.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a cover wherein the blank therefor may be formed on conventional printer slotter equipment.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a cover is provided which is adapted to be secured to one end of a tubular member which is delimited by a plurality of locking flaps foldably connected to the side walls forming the tubular member. The cover is of unitary construction and includes a central panel which overlies in substantially coincident relation the tubular member one end. First panels are foldably connected to first peripheral segments of the central panel. Each first panel is provided with a pair of elongated foldably connected sections which cooperate with a tubular member locking flap so as to effect sandwiching of the flap between the folded first panel sections. The folded first panel sections and the sandwiched locking flap are then folded as a unit so as to overlie the exposed surface of the tubular member side wall to which the locking flap is connected.

Second panels are foldably connected to second peripheral segments of the central panel. Each second panel is provided with an elongated middle portion, which is foldably connected to the central panel, and a pair of end portions which are foldably connected to opposite ends of the middle portion. The middle and end portions of the second panel cooperate with a second locking flap of the tubular member and cause the flap to be sandwiched therebetween. The folded middle and end portions and the sandwiched flap are folded as a unit so as to overlie the exposed surface of the tubular member side wall to which the sandwiched flap is connected.

DESCRIPTION

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should be made to the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the improved container.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a blank for one of the covers shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the blank of FIG. 2 and one end of the tubular member shown in exploded relation, and with the accommodated product shown in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cover and the tubular member locking flaps in partial interlocking relation.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 1, an improved container 10 is shown which is particularly adapted to accommodate a large product P such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, or the like, wherein a substantial portion of the exposed surface thereof has a finish which is highly susceptible to defacement or damage. Because of the size and weight of such a product, it is normally required to be handled by fork trucks, or other mechanical devices, and thus, oftentimes the product is subjected to excessive shocks and knocks while being transported. The improved container 10 is intended to provide protection for the accommodated product under such circumstances.

The illustrated container comprises a tubular member 11 which is normally formed of either single or double faced corrugated board. The member is sized so as to slip endwise over one end of the accommodated product P. At least one end (preferably the lower end) of member 11 is closed by the improved cover 12. A similar cover may be utilized at the upper end; however, in some instances closure flaps, not shown, may be provided at the upper edges of the side wall panels which are foldable into overlapping relation so as to close off the end of the tubular member.

The tubular member 11 is normally formed of elongated side walls 13 and 14 which have corresponding edges thereof foldably interconnected. In the illustrated embodiment, the member 11 includes two pairs of opposed side walls which are vertically disposed. To the lower edge of each side wall 13 or 14 is foldably connected a locking flap 15 or 16. The length of each locking flap in the illustrated embodiment is substantially coincident to the width of the side wall to which said flap is connected, see FIG. 3.

Cover 12 is formed from a blank 17 of corrugated fiberboard or the like, see FIG. 2. The blank is provided with a central panel 18, the size and shape of which corresponds substantially to the lower end of the tubular member formed by the side walls 13 and 14. Connected to opposite edges of the panel 18 by foldlines 20 are first panels 21 and 22. Each panel 21 or 22 is of like construction and includes an inner section 21a or 22a which is substantially the same in size and shape as the adjacent locking flap 16 of the tubular member 11.

Connected by double foldlines 23 to the outer elongated edge of each inner section is an outer section 21b or 22b. Sections 21a-b and 22a-b are of substantially like configuration.

Connected by foldlines 24 to the edge portions of the central panel intermediate foldlines 20 are second panels 25 and 26. Each panel 25 or 26 is of like construction and comprises an elongated middle portion 25a or 26a, the length of which is substantially coextensive with the edge of the central panel to which it is connected. Connected by foldlines 27 to opposite ends of the middle portion are elongated end portions 25b or 26b. Foldlines 27 are disposed in substantial axial alignment with foldlines 20 and are substantially normal to foldlines 24. The length of each end portion (that is the dimension measured normal to foldline 27) is substantially the same as the width of the adjacent first panel 21 or 22. The latter width dimension in this instance being measured normal to the foldline 20. Each end portion 25b or 26b is separated from the adjacent edge of a first panel 21 or 22 by an elongated slot S. Each slot is substantially coaxially aligned with the foldline 24.

As seen in FIG. 3, the locking flaps 15 and 16 are disposed in superposed coincident relation with respect to the middle portions 25a and 26a and inner sections 21a and 22a, respectively, when the tubular member 11 is slipped endwise over the product P. Once the locking flaps have assumed the superposed position, outer section 21b or 22b of each first panel 21 or 22 is folded over the adjacent locking flap so that the latter is sandwiched between the sections of the first panels, see FIG. 4. Simultaneously with, or before, or after the folding of the first panel sections, the end portions 25b or 26b of the second panels 25 or 26 are folded about foldlines 27 so as to partially overlie the adjacent locking flap 15.

Once the first and second panels have been folded relative to the locking flaps, each folded panel and the sandwiched locking flap are folded as a unit so as to overlie the exposed surface of the tubular member side wall to which the locking flap is connected. Upon the locking flaps and cover panels assuming such positions, a band or strap B is brought into snug encompassing relation therewith so that the cover is securely affixed to the end of the tubular member, see FIG. 1. The folded locking flaps and the first and second panels may be retained in their folded positions, as seen in FIG. 1, by means of adhesive, tape, or the like.

A similar cover may be affixed to the upper end of the tubular member, as seen in FIG. 1.

As is readily apparent from FIG. 2, the cover blank 17 has a substantially rectangular profile with little or no wastage of the blank material. Furthermore, the blank can be readily formed on conventional printer-slotter equipment, the function and operation of which are well understood in the container industry. Thus, the unit cost of the improved cover is at a minimum.

The size and shape of the tubular member and the cover may be varied from that shown without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A container of foldable sheet material comprising a tubular member having one end thereof defined by side walls to which first and second locking flaps are foldably connected, a cover closing the tubular member one end, and means securing said cover in place; said cover including a central panel in substantially coincident relation with the tubular member one end, first panels foldably connected to first peripheral segments of said central panel, each first panel being provided with elongated foldably connected inner and outer sections, the folding connection between said first panel sections being substantially parallel to the folding connection between said first panel and said central panel, the outer section being folded relative to said inner section to effect sandwiching therebetween a tubular member first locking flap, said outer and inner sections and the sandwiched first locking flap being folded as a unit into overlying relation with respect to the exposed surface of the tubular member side wall to which said sandwiched locking flap is connected whereby said folded outer section is disposed between said side wall and said sandwiched first locking flap, and second panels foldably connected to second peripheral segments of said central panel, each second panel being provided with a middle section foldably connected to a second peripheral segment, and laterally extending end sections foldably connected to opposite ends of said middle section, said end sections being folded relative to said middle section to effect sandwiching therebetween a tubular member second locking flap, said end and middle sections and the sandwiched second locking flap being folded as a unit into overlying relation with respect to the exposed surface of a tubular member second side wall to which said sandwiched second locking flap is connected whereby said folded end sections are disposed between the exposed surface of said second side wall and said sandwiched second locking flap; said tubular member side walls and locking flaps cooperating with the folded cover first and second panels to provide at least four-ply thickness adjacent each corner of said tubular member one end.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said cover is formed from a single blank of foldable sheet material having a substantially rectangular configuration when in an unfolded state.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein said means securing said cover in place includes an elongated band which snugly encompasses the folded inner and middle sections of said cover.