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.

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.

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.