U.S. patent number 3,750,934 [Application Number 05/218,740] was granted by the patent office on 1973-08-07 for container with axial interlocking means.
This patent grant is currently assigned to A. L. Garber Company. Invention is credited to Ronald E. Clinage.
United States Patent |
3,750,934 |
Clinage |
August 7, 1973 |
CONTAINER WITH AXIAL INTERLOCKING MEANS
Abstract
A container of fiberboard or the like, formed into a polygonal
shape and comprising panels defined by creases. Apertures are
provided along the creases to permit introflexing a portion of the
panels normal to the axis of the container, resulting in an axial
constriction. The introflexed portion thereby becomes axially
fixed, with the result that the container becomes rigid.
Inventors: |
Clinage; Ronald E. (Ashland,
OH) |
Assignee: |
A. L. Garber Company (Ashland,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22816328 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/218,740 |
Filed: |
January 18, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/418;
206/486 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
5/5007 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
5/50 (20060101); B65d 005/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;229/39B,39,41C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moorehead; Davis T.
Claims
The above being a complete description of an illustrative
embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to
be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
1. A polygonal container of sheet material having a central
longitudinal axis, and comprising a plurality of panels defined by
longitudinal peripherally spaced creases, transverse primary
creases in said panels defining dual, axially spaced upper and
lower primary planes normal to said axis, apertures provided in
said panels symmetrically positioned about said longitudinal
creases, secondary creases in said panels normal to said
longitudinal creases and defined by a secondary plane intermediate
of, and parallel to, said primary planes, the axial distance
between said lower primary plane and said secondary plane being
less than the distance between said secondary plane and said upper
primary plane, said apertures converging axially from said
secondary creases to terminate at said primary creases, said
apertures having mutually opposed edges, said panels introflexed at
said secondary creases to position said opposed edges in mutual
contact and to axially shorten said container an amount sufficient
to cause said secondary creases to be transposed axially below said
lower plane and to position said secondary creases in a fixed
position axially.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns containers for use in packaging and
displaying various products such as light bulbs, as ornamental
containers for beverage glasses and similar uses.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art generally comprises shipping cartons and ornamental
containers for various purposes, and which may be foldable for
shipping and conveniently assembled for use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention comprises a container or enclosure for use in
packaging and displaying various products, and is capable of being
provided in a collapsed form for shipping, and to be conveniently
prepared for use. An object of this invention is to provide a
container that can be assembled quickly and one that remains
rigid.
Another object is to provide a container that is ornamental.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the following detailed
description. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is
not to be limited ot the details disclosed, but includes all such
variations as fall within the spirit of the invention.
REFERRING TO THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 is a view of the blank for a hexagonal container embracing
this invention, showing the configuration and the creases provided
to facilitate proper and convenient folding.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the container after the initial
forming step has been completed.
FIG. 3 is an axial view taken at 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the container of FIG. 2, but
illustrating a further step in the preparation of the container for
use.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the container of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but showing the
container after completion of the final step, and with an electric
light bulb inserted therein for display or shipping.
FIG. 7 is diagrammatic of the forces involved in obtaining rigidity
of the container.
FIG. 8 is a modification of the blank shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is the container after forming from the blank of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is an axial view taken at 10--10 of FIG. 9.
The gist of this invention is to provide a polygonal container of
fiberboard which will be rigid when assembled. It comprises, in
this instance, a blank 10 of suitable material having longitudinal
score lines on either surface of the material and indicated as 12,
and which creases or scores define panels 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24
of a hexagon container. It is to be understood that it can be made
of other polygonal shapes. Flaps 26 and 28 are provided in order to
permit assembling the container by means of an adhesive.
In order to define the desired shape, the panels 14, 16, 18, 20, 22
and 24 are provided with primary transverse creases or score lines
on either surface of the blank 10, and indicated as 30 and 32,
which score lines define parallel upper and lower primary planes,
respectively, when the container is formed. Secondary score lines
or creases 34 are likewise provided, which score lines define a
secondary plane when the container is formed. This plane is
parallel to the primary planes. The purpose of the above-mentioned
creases facilitate folding the blank 10 to obtain the desired shape
of the finished container.
Apertures are provided having opposed mutually positioned edges
36--36 and 38--38. These edges are positioned symmetrically with
respect to creases 12, resulting in reducing the length of score
lines 34. Thus, when the apertured portions have been introflexed
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mutually opposed edges 36--36 and
38--38 of the apertures will then make mutual contact, resulting in
axially opposed pyramids having a common plane of truncation
defined by creases 34, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.
When the container as shown in FIG. 4 is further shortened axially,
it will appear as in FIG. 6. In the transition from the step shown
in FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 6, the panel portions defined by creases,
30, 32 and 34, and outlines 36 and 38, will flex sufficiently to
permit the transition; thus transposing the secondary score lines
34, defined by the secondary plane, to a position axially below the
score lines 32. The forces that maintain this fixed condition will
fix the introflexed panel portions as indicated in FIG. 6, by
virtue of the force 40 which is normal to the axis, and greater
than the force 42; this is clearly indicated in FIG. 7.
The container so assembled, will remain in the condition shown in
FIG. 6, and will be sufficiently rigid to remain so during
handling.
The modification shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 comprises a blank 44 having
longitudinal scores or creases on either surface of the blank and
indicated at 46 to define panels 48. Flaps 50 and 52 provide the
means to assemble the container by means of an adhesive as was
mentioned with regard to blank 10.
Primary transverse creases 54 and 56, and secondary creases 58
facilitate folding the blank 44 to the desired shape in order to
obtain the finished container as shown in FIG. 9. Apertures are
provided which have mutually opposed edges such as 60--60 and
62--62 positioned symmetrically with respect to creases 46:
However, edges 60 and 62 are of equal length in the modified
container as distinguished from that of FIG. 1.
The preparation of the container of FIG. 9 is similar to that shown
in FIGS. 4 through 6, with the following differences: When the
panels 48 are introflexed, the container is shortened axially as
before, but with the introflexed portions of the panels 48 making
mutual contact at their original exterior surfaces as shown in FIG.
9, and with edges 60 and 62 in mutual contact with the opposed
edges of the apertures.
Thus the container will remain fixed and rigid as explained with
respect to the container of FIG. 6.
* * * * *