U.S. patent number 3,698,548 [Application Number 05/046,067] was granted by the patent office on 1972-10-17 for box for dispensing flexible sheet material.
Invention is credited to Donald W. Stenzel, Robert N. Stenzel.
United States Patent |
3,698,548 |
Stenzel , et al. |
October 17, 1972 |
BOX FOR DISPENSING FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL
Abstract
A box has front, back, top, bottom, and end walls arranged in a
box-like configuration and contains a roll of sheet material,
through which a spindle extends. The end walls of the box comprise
several plies of paperboard material and some of these plies are
provided with cutouts which form a cradle for the ends of the
spindle. The top wall has a slot from which the sheet material is
withdrawn, and this slot is positioned forwardly from the back wall
of the box. A cutter blade projects upwardly beyond the top wall
for cutting the sheet material after it is withdrawn from the
slot.
Inventors: |
Stenzel; Robert N. (St. Louis
County, MO), Stenzel; Donald W. (St. Louis County, MO) |
Family
ID: |
21941417 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/046,067 |
Filed: |
June 15, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/588.4;
225/48; 229/146; 229/150; 229/160; 229/178; 229/193; 229/920;
242/588.6; 242/598.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/0882 (20130101); B65D 85/672 (20130101); Y10S
229/92 (20130101); Y10T 225/248 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
85/672 (20060101); B65D 83/08 (20060101); B65D
85/67 (20060101); B65d 085/66 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/52R,58
;229/17S,34R,33,36,44R ;242/55.53 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leclair; Joseph R.
Assistant Examiner: Garbe; Stephen P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dispenser box for dispensing flexible sheet material from a
roll of said material receivable within said box, the dispenser box
being made from a blank of corrugated paperboard or the like and
the roll having a spindle extending through it; said box comprising
front, rear, top, and bottom panel members closed by multiply ends,
the dispenser box being longitudinally hinged along the rear panel
member for dividing the box into top and bottom portions which may
be moved from an open position wherein the roll may be fitted into
the box to a closed position wherein the roll is confined in the
box, the front panel member and the ends being formed in separate
upper sections connected in the top portion and separate lower
sections connected in the bottom portion, the top panel member
having a slot spaced forwardly from the rear panel member for
enabling withdrawal of the sheet material from the box; said bottom
portion comprising the lower front panel, the bottom panel and the
lower part of the rear panel, said lower-front and rear panels each
having an end flap provided with a cutout, the bottom panel having
at its opposite ends end members hinged at a medial section to
define inner and outer sections, the outer section having a cutout
adapted to register with the cutouts in the end flaps when the end
flaps are closed together in nested relation in the assembly of the
box with the hinged end members being adapted to be bent over the
end flaps to enclose them to define a four-ply thickness for the
assembled ends, the inner three plys of which are provided with the
cutouts which register to define a cradle for receiving the spindle
extending through the roll of material, the top portion of the box
comprising the upper front panel, the top panel and the upper part
of the rear panel, said upper front and rear panels each having end
flaps provided with cutouts, the top panel having at its opposite
end end members hinged at a medial section to define inner and
outer sections, the outer section having a cutout adapted to
register with aforementioned cutouts in the end flaps when the end
flaps are closed together in nested relation in the assembly of the
box with the hinged end members being adapted to be bent over the
end flap to enclose them to define a four-ply thickness for the
assembled ends, the cutouts in the inner three plys registering for
reception of the spindle.
2. The dispenser box of claim 1 in which the lower front panel has
a hinged section adapted to be bent over the ends of the box and a
slot extending along the hinge line to a point adjacent the end of
the panel, said slot receiving a tab provided at the lower portion
of the upper front panel.
3. The dispenser box of claim 2 in which the tab has cam means at
its ends and notch means whereby the tab can be forced into
engagement with the end of the slot in the lower front panel and
locked by engagement of the notch means with the end of the
slot.
4. A box for containing a roll of sheet material; said box
comprising top, bottom, front, rear and end walls arranged in a
box-like configuration, at least one of the walls being movable
relative to the other walls to expose the interior of the box for
insertion of the roll of sheet material therein, and a spindle
extending through the roll of sheet material from one end wall to
the other end wall, the end walls being formed from a plurality of
plies, at least some of which are provided with cutouts which form
a cradle for the ends of the spindle so that the roll is supported
for rotation within the box by the end walls, the top wall having a
slot which extends parallel to the axis of the roll and is slightly
wider than the sheet material is wide so that the sheet material
can be withdrawn from the interior of the box, the top wall further
having finger holes which are positioned such that the sides of the
sheet material pass over them after the sheet material emerges from
the slot, so that the user may easily place his fingers beneath the
sides of the sheet material and grasp that material.
5. A box according to claim 4 wherein the sheet material is wound
about a hollow core, and wherein the spindle extends through the
core and forms a journal therefor.
6. A box according to claim 4 wherein the finger holes are located
adjacent to the ends of the slot and the slot is positioned between
and spaced from both the front and rear walls.
7. A box for containing a roll of sheet material; said box
comprising top, bottom, front, rear and end walls arranged in a
box-like configuration, the box being longitudinally hinged along
the rear wall to form top and bottom box portions which are movable
relative to each other to expose the interior of the box for
insertion of the roll of sheet material therein, and a spindle
extending through the roll of sheet material from one end wall to
the other end wall, the end walls comprising upper and lower
multiply sections forming part of the top and bottom portions of
the box, respectively, the end walls further being formed from a
plurality of plies, at least some of which in the lower end wall
sections are provided with cutouts which form a cradle for the ends
of the spindle so that the roll is supported for rotation within
the box by the end walls, the front wall being divided into upper
and lower panels which are on the top and bottom box portions,
respectively, one of the front wall panels having a first tab
hinged to it, the first tab having a slot extending adjacent to the
panel to which that tab is hinged, the other front wall panel
having a second tab which is positioned to align with and is sized
to snugly fit into the slot of the first tab, to provide locking
means for holding the top and bottom portions of the box together
in a closed position, the top wall having a first slot located
forwardly from the rear wall so that the sheet material can be
withdrawn from the interior of the box.
8. A box for containing a roll of sheet material; said box
comprising top, bottom, front, rear and end walls arranged in a
box-like configuration, at least one of the walls being movable
relative to the other walls to expose the interior of the box for
insertion of the roll of sheet material therein, and a spindle
extending through the roll of sheet material from one end wall to
the other end wall, the end walls comprising upper and lower
multiply sections forming part of the top and bottom box portions,
respectively, each end wall of the lower box portion comprising a
first member foldably connected to the rear wall, a second member
foldably connected to the front wall and positioned against the
first member, a third member foldably connected to the bottom wall
and folded up and presented outwardly from the first and second
members, and a fourth member foldably connected to the third member
and folded over the upper edges of the first and second members and
into the interior of the box so that the first and second members
are interposed between the third and fourth members, the bottom
wall adjacent to the third member being provided with a groove, and
the fourth member being provided with a tab which fits into the
groove and holds the fourth member in an upstanding position
relative to the bottom wall, at least some of the members being
provided with cutouts which form a cradle for the ends of the
spindle so that the roll is supported for rotation within the box
by the end walls, the top wall having a first slot located
forwardly from the rear wall so that the sheet material can be
withdrawn from the interior of the box.
9. A box for containing a roll of sheet material; said box
comprising top, bottom, front, rear and end walls arranged in a
box-like configuration, at least one of the walls being movable
relative to the other walls to expose the interior of the box for
insertion of the roll of sheet material therein, and a spindle
extending through the roll of sheet material from one end wall to
the other end wall, the end walls comprising upper and lower
multiply sections, each end wall of the lower box portion
comprising a first member foldably connected to the rear wall, a
second member foldably connected to the front wall and positioned
against the first member, a third member foldably connected to the
bottom wall and folded up and presented outwardly from the first
and second members, and a fourth member foldably connected to the
third member and folded over the upper edges of the first and
second members and into the interior of the box so that the first
and second members are interposed between the third and fourth
members, the first, second, and fourth members being provided with
cutouts which form a cradle for the ends of the spindle so that the
roll is supported for rotation within the box by the end walls, the
top wall having a first slot located forwardly from the rear wall
so that the sheet material can be withdrawn from the interior of
the box.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, various types of cutter boxes formed from paperboard,
corrugated fiber board, and similar materials have been provided
for rolls of flexible sheet material. Such boxes requiring top
loading as typified by Beschmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,144,970, have
presented difficulty in proper positioning of the roll of material
and in replenishing new rolls to the box. Further, in the
dispensing of the sheet material and tearing of the sheets at a
desired length, problems have arisen in the provision of a cutter
blade, which does not weaken or become deformed upon usage. Also,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,144,970 is limited as to choice of practical
blades.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide
a box for storing, protecting and dispensing sheet material wound
into rolls. Another object is to provide a box which forms a
journal for the roll of sheet material. A further object is to
provide a box which is sturdy in construction and forms a complete
closure about the roll. An additional object is to provide a one
piece box blank which is easily converted into a box of the type
stated without the need for outside fasteners, specialized tools or
equipment. Still another object is to provide a box of the type
stated which is attractive in appearance and economical to
manufacture. These and other objects and advantages will become
apparent hereinafter.
The present invention is embodied in a box having walls arranged in
a box-like configuration. One of the walls is movable relative to
others so as to expose the interior of the box and thereby allow
for the insertion of a roll of sheet material in it. One of the
walls has a slot through which the sheet material can be withdrawn
from the box and this slot is positioned inwardly from the edges of
the box. The invention also consists in the parts and in the
arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and
claimed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purpose of illustration of this invention, there is shown
in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof. It is
to be understood that these drawings are for the purpose of example
only and that the invention is not limited thereto.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cutter box;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of
FIG. 1 showing the right end of the box;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the affixation of
a plastic cutter blade to the box;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the box in opened position
with a roll of film in dotted lines;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the box blank;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a modified cutter member forming
part of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the box showing the modified
cutter member folded over onto the top wall; and
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 10, but
showing the modified cutter member installed in a cutting
position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, the cutter box is generally
indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is comprised of a top
portion 12 and a bottom portion 14, which are hingeable at the rear
to open in the form of a jaw as shown in FIG. 6. The cutter box
receives a roll of film or other sheet material 16 (FIG. 6) wound
about a hollow core 18. Extending through the core 18 and forming a
journal therefor is a spindle 19 (FIG. 8), the ends of which are
received in and confined by arcuate sockets 20 and 22 formed in the
top and bottom portions 12 and 14 of the box 10. A slot 24 in the
top portion 12 of the box 10 receives a web of film 16 or like
material as it is withdrawn from the roll. A cutter blade 26, which
may be plastic, is positioned at a front slot 28 in the top 12 for
tearing or cutting the extended sheet 16 as it is depressed over
the cutter blade 26.
The box 10 is folded from the one-piece corrugated paperboard blank
shown in FIG. 7. As there shown, it is comprised of a lower-front
panel 30 provided with a slot 32 and a tab 34. End tabs 36 and 38
are connected to the panel 30 by fold lines and are provided with
semicircular cutouts 40 and 41 which form part of the sockets 22 or
journal structure, as will be further described. A bottom panel 42
having tab-retaining grooves 43 at its ends is connected to the
lower-front panel member 30 and is provided with hinged end members
44 and 46. These members 44 and 46 in turn are connected to shallow
members 48 and 50, respectively which are connected to end members
52 and 54. At their ends positioned closest to the tabs 36 and 38
the shallow members 48 and 50 terminate at rectangular cutouts 51.
End tabs 55 are provided on the end members 52 and 54 to lock in
the retaining grooves 43 of the bottom panel 42 (FIGS. 2 and 8).
The end members 52 and 54 both contain semicircular cutouts 56,
which form further supporting portions of the sockets 22 or journal
structure. Extending into the cutouts 56 from the end members 44
and 46 are spindle retainer tabs 58.
Connected to the bottom panel 42 by a fold line is a lower-rear
panel 60 with an upper-rear panel 62 with a score or hinge line
therebetween. An end flap 64 is connected by a fold line to the
lower-rear panel 60 and has a semicircular cutout 66 forming a
further portion of the socket 22 or journal structure. Likewise, an
opposite end flap 68 is provided at the opposite end of the
lower-rear panel 60, and it too has a semicircular cutout 70. An
end panel 72 with a semicircular cutout 74 is provided at one end
of the upper-rear panel 62, while an opposite end panel 76 provided
with a semicircular cutout 78 completes the panel end members which
form the socket 22.
Connected to the upper-rear panel 62 is a top panel 80 having
tab-retaining grooves 81 at its ends. This panel is similar in
construction to the bottom panel 42 and is provided with an end
panel member 82 connected by a shallow panel member 84 to a panel
member 86 having a semicircular cutout 88. Similarly the opposite
end of the top panel 80 is provided with an end panel member 90
connected to a shallow panel member 92 and an end member 94 having
a semicircular cutout 96. End tabs 97 are provided on the end
members 86 and 94 to lock in the retaining grooves 81 (FIGS. 2 and
8). Finger holes 98 are formed at the sides of the top panel 80
forwardly of the slot 24 in order that the edges of the film 16 may
be more easily grasped and drawn away from the box 10.
Connected to the top panel 80 is a top-front panel member 100
having a front tuck flap 102 provided with angled and notched lock
tabs 103 which are adapted to lock in the slot 32. An end member
104 is connected to the end of the top-front panel member 100 and
is provided with a semicircular cutout 106. At the opposite end of
the top-front panel member 100 there is provided another end member
108 having a semicircular cutout 110.
When the top-front panel member 100 is folded at right angles to
the adjoining top panel 80, the former projects slightly above the
latter for a substantial distance along the box 2 to form a lip 112
(FIG. 2).
The cutter 26 (FIG. 5) is comprised of an elongated base 122 having
a plurality of pyramidal teeth 124 projecting therefrom. A sloping
shoulder 126 merges into the back of the pyramidal teeth 124 so
that there are no sharp surface changes that might cause breaking.
This configuration also facilitates handling of the cutter blade 26
inasmuch as it obviates sharp corners and the like. The elongated
base of the cutter 26 possesses an inverted U-shaped configuration
and is provided with a first support shoulder or upper shoulder
128, which is formed at right angles to the back 130 of the cutter
blade, defining the upper portion of a slot 132 between legs 134
and 136. The bottom of the cutter blade leg 134 serves to define a
second shoulder 136, which is formed by a right-angled surface to
the back 130 of the cutter blade and the front portion 140.
The cutter 26 is best shown in FIG. 5 in its assembled position
upon the lip 112 on the front panel 100 at the top of the box. The
upper shoulder 128 rests upon the top edge of the lip 112. This
squared relationship serves to corner the cutter 26 upon the lip
112, and, by suitable cement or glue, the legs 134 and 136 of the
cutter 26 are securely attached thereto.
ERECTION OF THE BOX
The box is erected by placing the bottom panel 42 on a flat surface
and folding the lower-rear panel member 60 to a vertical position.
At the same time the end flaps 64 and 68 are folded inwardly so
that they are also positioned perpendicular to the bottom panel 42.
Then the lower-front panel 30 is erected to the vertical position,
and the end tabs 36 and 38 are folded inwardly to and overlie the
outside surfaces on the end flaps 64 and 68 of the lower-rear panel
60. Next the end members 44 and 46 on the bottom panel section 42
are brought up against outwardly presented surfaces of the tabs 36
and 38 and the end members 52 and 54 are folded over the top edges
of the overlying tabs 36 and 38 and flaps 62 and 64 and against the
inwardly presented faces of the flaps 62 and 64. When the members
44 and 52 and the members 46 and 54 are so folded the cutouts 51
form recesses 142 (FIG. 6) adjacent to the lower-front panel 30.
The protruding tabs 55 on the end members 52 and 54 are then tucked
into the retainer grooves 43 provided in the bottom panel 42 to
hold the end members 52 and 54 and likewise the flaps 64 and 68,
the tabs 36 and 38, and the hinged end members 44 and 46 all in
place (FIGS. 2 and 8). The semicircular cutouts 40, 56, and 66 at
one end of the box 10 come into registry as do the semicircular
cutouts 41, 56 and 70 at the opposite end and form the cradle-like
sockets 22 for the ends of the spindle 19. The tab 34 is then bent
over into the recesses 142, and this opens the slot 32.
The top portion 12 of the box is erected in a similar fashion.
Thus, the end members 72 and 76 of the top of the upper-rear panel
62 are folded inwardly while contemporaneously the top panel 80 is
bent perpendicularly to them and to the panel member 62. Thereafter
the top-front panel member 100 is folded perpendicularly to the top
panel 80 and the end members 104 and 108 on the top-front panel
member 100 are brought against the outwardly presented surfaces of
the end members 72 and 76. Then the end members 82 and 90 on the
top panel member 80 are folded against the end members 104 and 108,
and subsequently the panel members 86 and 94 are folded over and
brought against the inwardly presented surfaces of the end panels
72 and 76. To retain the panel members 86 and 94 in place the
protruding tabs 87 are inserted in the retaining grooves 81 in the
top panel 80 (FIGS. 2 and 3). This completes the erection of the
box.
To prevent the tabs 55 and 97 from tearing the bottom and top
panels 42 and 80 as they enter the grooves 43 and 81, as well as to
prevent those tabs from bending excessively, short slits 144 are
provided in the panels 42 and 80 and these slits lead up to the
inner corners of the grooves 43 and 81 as well as diagonally up to
the corners of the panels 42 and 80 themselves. These slits 144
provide a limited amount of give in the panels 42 and 80.
Closure is simply effected by merely bending over the top of the
box such that the tab 102 nests inside the slot 32 of the lower
front panel. The retainer tabs 58 formed in the end members 82 and
90 fit into the sockets 20 in the top portion 12 of the box and aid
in the closure to provide a rigid box structure.
The cutter 26 is best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. It is simply
connected to the lip 112 by fitting the inverted U-shaped base 120
over the lip 112 such that the shoulder 128 abuts against the edge
of the lip 112. The blade member 26 may be cemented to the lip
112.
From the foregoing it is apparent that the blank of FIG. 7 is
folded into a box in which the top panel 80 forms a top wall, the
bottom panel 42 forms a bottom wall, the lower-front panel 30 and
top-front panel 100 form a front wall, the lower-rear panel 60 and
upper-rear panel 62 form a hinged rear wall, the overlying elements
38, 68, 46, 54 plus the overlying elements 76, 90, 96, 108 form one
end wall, and the overlying elements 36, 44, 52, 64 and the
overlying elements 72, 82, 86 and 104 form the opposite end wall.
The foregoing erection may be done by hand without the use of any
outside fasteners, specialized tools or equipment.
OPERATION
The cutter box assembly is very simply employed by operators
without any requirement and any special training. The roll of film
16 is simply inserted in the opened jaws of the box, as shown in
FIG. 6 and the ends of the spindle 19 are guided into the
cradle-like sockets 20 formed in the bottom portion 14 by the
semicircular cutouts 40, 56 and 66 and the cutouts 41, 56, and 70.
This positions the roll centrally within the box 10, so that it is
easily rotated therein without encountering significant resistance
from any of the walls of the box 10. The end of the sheet material
16 is then fed through the slot 24 formed in the top panel 80 of
the box as appears in FIG. 1, and the upper portion 12 of the box
is closed against the lower portion 14 with the tab 102 fitting
inside the slot 32 and the notched tabs 103 locking to the tab 34
at the end of the slot 32. To dispense the sheet material 16, its
end is withdrawn to a desired length over the upstanding cutter
member 26 and brought down against the teeth 124 which will sever
the same.
When the roll of sheet material 16 has been exhausted, the box 10
is simply opened again to the position shown in FIG. 6 and a new
roll of sheet material 16 is installed on the spindle 19 and is
inserted into the bottom portion 14. Since the entire interior of
the box 10 is readily viewable, insertion and removal and threading
of the film through the box is easily accomplished.
MODIFIED CUTTER
In lieu of the cutter 26, the box 10 may be provided with a
modified cutter 150 (FIGS. 9-11) comprising a paperboard mount 152
having a metal blade 154 staked or otherwise attached to its upper
end. The blade 154 has a series of teeth 156 which project upwardly
beyond the upper edge of the mount 152. The mount 152 fits into the
slot 28 in the top portion 12 of the box and extends downwardly
therefrom through the slot 32 in the tab 34. The mount 152 is
provided with a partial slit line 158 which parallels the blade 152
and forms a hinge.
When the box 2 is shipped or stored, the mount 152 is positioned
with its partial slit line 158 at the slot 28 and its upper half
folded over onto the top panel 80 of the top portion 12 (FIG. 11).
When so positioned the teeth 156 will lie against the top panel
where they cannot snag clothing or other objects. The lower end of
the mount 152 still remains in the slot 32 of the bottom portion
14.
To use the cutter 150, the upper portion of the mount 152 is folded
to a vertical position wherein its upper and lower portions are
planar. Once the mount 152 assumes a planar condition, the entire
mount 152 is pushed downwardly through the slots 28 and 32 until
the lower edge of the mount 152 rests upon the bottom panel 42 of
the bottom portion 14 (FIG. 10). In this connection, it should be
noted that the vertical dimension of the mount 152 slightly exceeds
the height of the remaining portions of the box 2, that is the
combined heights of the lower and top front panels 30 and 100, so
that the teeth 156 project slightly above the top panel 80.
This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications
of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the
disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *