Cutter-type Box For Dispensing Packaging Film

Abstract

A cutter-type box for dispensing packaging film includes means such as a separate insert for rotatably supporting a roll of the film within a rectangular box container having a closeable cover flap or panel. The film is fed outwardly through a transverse slit defined in the top cover for delivery over an edge at which a cutter is arranged. The cutter is supported so that it projects upwardly beyond the top surface of the top cover over which the film is fed so that the film is in a position for being cut by the cutter. The cutter is also supported below the level of the side panel edges so that it will not project outwardly from the container so as to be subject to damage during shipment.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to container or carton construction and, in particular, to a new and useful container of the cutter-type which includes a cutter edge which is supported at a height across the front of the container which is less than the height of the side edges of the container but which is higher than the supported height of a top cover over which a film material within the counter is fed.

Most cutter edge dispenser boxes or cutter-type boxes on the market fall into two categories. In the first category, the cutter edge is protected during shipment but the user must then place it in its functioning position before the cutter edge can be utilized. This is inconvenient for the user and is frequently the cause of minor injuries. In the second category, the box is shipped with the cutter edge in place but the protruding edge is subject to damage in transit.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cutter-type box which includes a cutter edge which is mounted along the front wall of the container in a position such that it will be ready to use but it will be held at a location so that it is recessed from the side edges in order to isolate the cutter edge in transit against damage and to protect the user from accidental injury.

A cutter box, when assembled for shipment, advantageously includes two vertical side panels which are arranged parallel to each other, a horizontal bottom panel, a vertical rear panel, and a vertical front panel parallel to the rear panel but which does not rise to the full height of the box. The top panel is slotted across its width and its rear edge is hingedly connected to the top of the rear panel. When it is closed, it passes between the two side panels and its exterior top is positioned between and at the same height as the top of the front panel. In order to accomplish this in accordance with the invention, the top cover panel is supported on two side wall forming panels of a roll-supporting insert which is adapted to be positioned in the container and to rotatably support a roll of film. The side supporting panels of this insert are beveled from the rear of the container forwardly so that they support the front top edge of the cover at a lower height than the rear edge thereof which is hingedly connected to the top of the rear panel of the container. With the inventive construction, the cutter is supported such as by the insert front wall panel in a position such that its top edge rises to a height just sufficient for its teeth to be fully exposed for use above the top surface of the cover panel but at a height still substantially lower than the height of the side panels. The film material which is to be fed through the transverse slot of the top cover panel and over the front portion of the surface of the top cover panel, will thus be in a position in which it can be easily engaged by the cutter which projects above this top front surface for cutting purposes. Although the cutter box can be shipped fully assembled for use within an individual shipping carton, the cutter edge is recessed within the carton so that it floats at a location isolated from damage in transit. When the cutter is in place ready for use, the recessed cutter edge is still guarded by the side panels of the container which receives the film supporting insert carrying the cutter edge. The side panels function similarly to the hilt of a sword in protecting the cutter edge which lies therebetween.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a cutter-type container or box construction which includes a cutter arranged adjacent the top of the front panel edge of the container and which is located at a height which is below the height of each side panel of the container, but which is above the top of at least a forward exterior portion of the face of the top cover of the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container construction which includes a generally rectangular container or box which accommodates a supporting insert for rotatably supporting a roll of film to be dispensed from the container, and which includes a top cover having a transverse slot through which the film is fed and over at least the forward portion of the exterior surface of the top cover, and wherein the cover is supported in a closed position below the height of a cutter carried by the insert and the cutter itself is supported at a location below the height of the side panels of the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cutter-type box and a film reel supporting insert therefor which are simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container with a film reel supporting insert constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled front perspective view of the container indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a cutter-type box or container generally designated 10 which is of rectangular configuration and which includes: two vertical rectangular side panels 12 and 14 which are formed as double walled reinforced panels, a front panel 16, a bottom panel 18, a vertical rear wall panel 20 and a top cover generally designated 22 which includes tuck-in flaps 24 and 26. The top panel or cover 22 is provided with a transversely extending slot 30 through which a length of film material 34 is fed from a reel or roll thereof 36.

A roll-supporting insert generally designated 38 includes a front panel portion 40 and two side panel portions 42 and 44 having openings for receiving journal elements 46 and 48 for rotatably supporting the reel 36.

In accordance with the invention, the front panel 16 of the cutter-type box 10 is not made to the full height of the side panels 12 and 14 or the rear panel 20, but includes a top edge 16a which is parallel to these edges but at a lower level. The cover 22 is supported in a closed condition within the panel by side panel portions 42 and 44 of the insert 38 at a level at which the front edge, at least, is substantially the same height as the edge 16a. In accordance with the disclosed embodiment for doing this, the panels 42 and 44 are beveled downwardly toward the front 40 to define inclined supporting edges 42a and 44a.

A cutter or knife 50 is carried on and extends completely across the top edge of the front panel 40 of the insert 38 and it is supported, when the insert 38 is within the container, at a level which is slightly above the level of the edge 16a and also above the top surface of the cover 22. In this location, the cutter with its upwardly oriented cutter edge 50a and the cover 22 are supported at a location in which the cutter projects above the front wall and the top of said cover 22, but the cutter edge 50a also lies below the tops of the side walls 12 and 14 and in a recessed position protected by the side walls.

The means for supporting the cover 22 and the cutting edge 50a of the cutter 50 in the desired orientation comprises the side walls 42 and 44 of the insert 38 and the front panel 40 which supports the cutter in the embodiment shown. In some instances, it is desired to affix the cutter directly to the front panel 16, for example, in which case the cutter edge 50a would be located below the tops of the side walls 12 and 14 so that when the box is resting in a normal position, even when it is inverted for example, these tops will protect the cutter edge. In addition, any means may be employed for supporting the cover in a closed position at which at least the front edge thereof is lower than the cutter edge 50a. In the embodiment shown, these supports comprise the same means, that is, the insert 38 for supporting the cutter 50 and also for supporting the roll of material 34.

In the embodiment illustrated, the cover 22 is provided with additional openings such as wide, short slots 56 and 58 which are provided to facilitate engagement of the strip material 34 especially when the strip material 34 comprises a thin plastic material which has a tendency to cling or crumple. The user merely depresses the material into the slots 56 and 58 in order to grasp the material.

When the herein-described containers are to be shipped, a filler piece is disposed on the container cover to fill the space defined by the upper surface of the cover and the upper edges of the side walls. In this manner, when a container is inverted, the relative position of the container, the cutter and the reel of film is not altered. It should be noted, that without the filler piece, the weight of the reel of film would be transferred to the cutter if the container were to be inverted. Such a situation would have undesirable consequences since the cutter would be forced beyond the edges of the side walls.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container for dispensing sheet material from a roller, comprising a generally block-shaped container body having rectangularly shaped front, rear, bottom and two side walls forming an interior enclosure for receiving a roll of the sheet material and a cover having a rigid top when in the closed position in association with said container; a transverse slit defined in the cover for delivery of the sheet material; a non-foldable cutter knife extending between said side walls and having an upwardly oriented cutter edge; and means for supporting said cutter edge and said cover adjacent said front wall at a location in which said cutter edge projects above said front wall and the top of said cover and said cutter edge lies below the tops of said side walls, wherein said supporting means comprises a separate insert for rotatably supporting a roll of the strip material and including a front panel portion supporting said knife edge and side panel portions having top edges which slope downwardly toward said front wall supporting said cover.

2. A container, according to claim 1, wherein said cover is hingedly connected to the top of the rear wall and being foldable about its hinged connection to said rear top wall to close said enclosure.

3. A container, according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises an interior flap adjacent each of said side walls having a top surface supporting said cover so that at least the front edge of the cover thereof is below the height of said cutter edge.

4. A container, according to claim 3, wherein said flaps each include top edges which are beveled downwardly toward said front wall and said cover having a slot extending transversely therethrough between said side walls for the passage of the strip material from the enclosure through the slot and over said cutter edge for severing said sheet material.

5. A container, according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a separate front panel member supporting said cutter.

6. A container, according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a separate insert arranged in said enclosure, said insert comprising a front panel adapted to lie adjacent said front wall and an end panel at each end of said front panel adapted to lie adjacent said side walls, means in said end panels for rotatably supporting the roll of sheet material, said cutter being mounted on said front panel.

7. A container, according to claim 6, wherein said end panels support said cover in a closed position.