U.S. patent number 3,829,005 [Application Number 05/268,829] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-13 for folding container with folding closure ends.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Robertson Paper Box Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chapman Berry, Robert A. Hackenberg, Walter J. Tyrseck.
United States Patent |
3,829,005 |
Hackenberg , et al. |
August 13, 1974 |
FOLDING CONTAINER WITH FOLDING CLOSURE ENDS
Abstract
A four-sided folding container rectangular in section when
set-up, and having four folding closure end flaps at each end, with
each container end being closed by infolding a designated first end
flap thereat into closed position, then infolding the two end flaps
next adjacent to the first end flap, and finally infolding the
remaining end flap, and each of these first end flaps is
dimensioned substantially to fit the adjacent open end of the
set-up container when in its closed position, and has opposite side
ears, while the container is at its ends provided with slits into
interlock with which the ears on the respective first end flaps
snap when the latter reach correct closing position in the course
of their infolding. Each first flap may also be provided with a
folding end tongue which an inward folding of the remaining
associated end flaps is tucked between the latter.
Inventors: |
Hackenberg; Robert A. (East
Lyme, CT), Tyrseck; Walter J. (Quaker Hill, CT), Berry;
Chapman (Old Lyme, CT) |
Assignee: |
Robertson Paper Box Company,
Inc. (Montvile, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
23024667 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/268,829 |
Filed: |
July 3, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/132; 229/923;
229/164.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
5/10 (20130101); Y10S 229/923 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
5/02 (20060101); B65D 5/10 (20060101); B65d
005/10 (); B65d 005/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;229/14BL,87R,39R,38,37R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dixson, Jr.; William T.
Assistant Examiner: Bernstein; Bruce H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Spruegel; Walter
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flat folding container, having four side panels mutually
joined along first parallel score lines about which they are
turnable for set-up of the container with its ends open and the
side panels disposed rectangularly to each other, and opposite
identical sets of end cover flaps of which each set provides four
flaps continuous with said side panels, respectively, along second
score lines extending along the adjacent ends of the respective
side panels and normal to said first score lines, with said flaps
of each set being infoldable about their associated second score
lines from open position, in which they are substantially coplanar
with the respective side panels, into closed position in which they
are in covering relation with the adjacent open end of the set-up
container with a first flap innermost and the remaining flaps
resting on top of said first flap, said first flap of each set
providing a cover part of rectangular outline, and at least one ear
part on said cover part remote from the associated second score
line and coplanar with said cover part, with said cover part being
dimensioned substantially to fit the adjacent open end of the
set-up container in the closed position of said first flap, and the
side panel next to said ear part of each of said first flaps in its
closed position having a slit aligned with said ear part in the
closed position of said first flap, with said ear part projecting
outside the rectangular outline of said cover part to an extent
such that on closure of said first flap said ear part will snap
into interlock with said slit.
2. A flat folding container as in claim 1, in which said cover part
of each of said first flaps has a straight end spaced from and
parallel to the associated second score line, and opposite sides
extending from the latter to said straight end, and said first flap
has two of said ear parts on said sides, respectively, of said
cover part thereof and extending to said straight end, with the
ends of the side panels next to said ear parts, respectively, in
the closed position of said first flap having said slits,
respectively, into interlock with which said ear parts snap on
closure of said first panel.
3. A flat folding container as in claim 2, in which said slits are
slots.
4. A flat folding container as in claim 2, which further provides a
substantially rectangular wrapping having an intermediate length
secured to the outer faces of said side panels and completely
enveloping the latter, and opposite endlengths extending beyond the
opposite ends of the side panels and foldable against the adjacent
closed flaps, so that said wrapping externally covers said slits
and therewith interlocked ear parts of the respective first
flaps.
5. A flat folding container as in claim 4, in which second and
third ones of said flaps of each set next to said first flap
thereof are, in their closed position, lying on top of said first
flap in its closed position, with with said second and third flaps
being of substantially identical size and trapezoidal outline, each
having short and long parallel base lines of which the long base
line is formed by the associated second score line, and opposite
side edges of which one is inclined to said base lines and the
other extends substantially normal to said long base line from the
end thereof remote from the side panel with which said first flap
is continuous, and the remaining fourth one of said flaps lying, in
its closed position, on top of said second and third flaps in their
closed position, withsaid fourth flap being of trapezoidal outline,
having opposite long and short parallel base lines of which the
long base line is formed by the associated second score line, and
substantially equally but oppositely inclined side edges, said
second, third and fourth flaps being between their respective base
lines of a length less than that of said first flap between its
associated second score line and its straight end so that said
second and third flaps are out of overlap with each other in their
closed position, and said wrapper endlengths are in the form of
circumferentially continuous sheets of a cross-sectional outline in
approximate continuation of that of said intermediate wrapper
length on the container, with said wrapper endlengths being secured
to the outer faces of the flaps of the respective sets so that on
closing said flaps in the order described the associated wrapper
endlengths will be folded and closed in imitation of orderly
handfolding them for closure, and said wrapper endlengths being of
sufficient lengthwise extent completely to cover all exposed
portions of the closed flaps.
6. A flat folding container as in claim 2, in which second and
third flaps of each set next to said first flap thereof are
infolded into closed position in which they lie on top of said
first flap in its closed position, and are dimensioned to be out of
overlap with each other in their closed position, and the remaining
fourth flap of each set is infolded into closed position in which
it lies on top of said second and third flaps in their closed
position, and said first flap of each set has at said straight end
thereof a tongue foldable into and from coplanar extension with
said first flap about a score line along said straight end, whereby
on turning said first flap into its closed position and folding
said tongue into lap with the adjacent fourth flap in its open
position, the latter will, on its closure, take along said tongue
and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and
said fourth flap.
7. A flat folding container as in claim 6, in which said tongue on
said first flap of each set is initially coplanar with said first
flap and non-folded, so that on initial closure of said first flap
said tongue will contact the adjacent fourth flap in its open
position and thereby be folded into lap with the latter, and said
fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue
and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and
said fourth flap.
8. A flat folding container as in claim 5, in which said first flap
of each set has at said straight end thereof a tongue foldable into
and from coplanar extension with said first flap about a score line
along said straight end, whereby on turning said first flap into
its closed position and folding said tongue into lap with the
adjacent fourth flap in its open position, the latter will, on its
closure, take along said tongue and tuck it between the adjacent
closed second and third flaps and said fourth flap, with said
tongue being dimensioned to be completely covered by said fourth
closed flap when tucked in.
9. A flat folding container as in claim 8, in which said tongue on
said first flap of each set is initially coplanar with said first
flap and non-folded, so that on initial closure of said first flap
said tongue will contact the adjacent fourth flap in its open
position and thereby be folded into lap with the latter, and said
fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue
and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and
said fourth flap.
10. A flat folding container having four side panels mutually
joined along first parallel score lines about which they are
turnable for set-up of the container with its ends open and the
side panels disposed rectangularly to each other, and opposite
identical sets of end cover flaps of which each set provides four
flaps continuous with said side panels, respectively, along second
score lines extending along the adjacent ends of the respective
side panels and normal to said first score lines, with said flaps
of each set being infoldable about their associated second score
lines from open position, in which they are substantially coplanar
with the respective side panels, into closed position in which they
are in covering relation with the adjacent open end of the set-up
container, the flaps of each set being designated first, second,
third and fourth flaps, of which said first flap is to be closed
first and is dimensioned substantially to fit the adjacent open
container end when in its closed position, with said first flap
having a straight end spaced from and parallel to the associated
second score line, said second and third flaps are next to said
first flap and are to be closed next and in their closed position
lie on top of said first closed flap, with said second and third
flaps being dimensioned to be out of overlap with each other in
their closed position, and said fourth flap is to be closed last
and in its closed position lies on top of said second and third
closed flaps, and said first flap of each set has at said straight
end thereof a tongue foldable into and out of coplanar extension
with said first flap about a score line along said straight end,
whereby on turning said first flap into its closed position and
folding said tongue into lap with the adjacent fourth open flap,
said fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said
tongue and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third
flaps and said fourth flap.
11. A flat folding container as in claim 10, in which said tongue
on said first flap of each set is initially coplanar with said
first flap and non-folded, so that on initial closure of said first
flap said tongue will contact the adjacent fourth flap in its open
position and thereby be folded into lap with the latter, and said
fourth flap will on its subsequent closure take along said tongue
and tuck it between the adjacent closed second and third flaps and
said fourth flap.
Description
This invention relates to folding containers in general, and to
folding containers with folding closure ends in particular.
The invention is concerned with folding containers of square or
rectangular section when set up, and having folding end closure
flaps which lend themselves especially, though not exclusively, for
finish-wrapping the containers on mere closure of these flaps, with
the latter having to that end attached, and usually glued, thereto
end portions of a sheet of wrapping material, usually of the
gift-wrap variety, which is also attached to each container and
completely envelops the same, so that on mere set-up of such
prewrapped containers and closure of their ends the containers will
have the typical appearance of, and be for all practical purposes,
gift-wrapped containers. A prewrapped folding container of this
type is shown in the Patent to Wright, No. 3,257,068. However,
while this prior container is entirely satisfactory in most
respects, it is lacking in a few, but important respects. Thus,
while this prior container has the appearance of a gift-wrapped
container by virtue of the decorative appearance of the wrapper
material, it falls short of deceivingly simulating a typically
hand-wrapped container, owing to the infold pattern of the end
closure flaps which leaves the wrapper ends on the closed end flaps
folded and overlapped in a manner that is not as neat as, and is in
marked contrast with, wrapper ends that are folded and overlapped
by store personnel in generally accustomed hand fashion. Further,
and far more important, in folding the end closure flaps of this
prior container into overlap with each other for closing the
container, the finger pressure applied to these end flaps for this
purpose may, and will all too frequently, result in overfolding of
one or more, and particularly the innermost, of these end flaps
into the interior of the container, which either leaves the closed
container end with unsightly, and in hand-wrapping missing, wide
gaps between overlapped wrapper ends that strongly suggest a highly
objectionable opening to the interior contents of the container, or
prompt the one closing the container to reopen such a glaringly
inadequate end thereof and more carefully close it again which
makes this a task more laborious than neatly folding an open
wrapper end closed in accustomed hand fashion.
It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a
folding container of this type which has all the advantages, but
none of the aforementioned shortcomings, of the prior container,
yet entails no greater cost, and requires for quick and neat
closure of its ends even less human dexterity and feel, than this
prior container.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding
container of this type of which the end flaps at each container end
are, for closure, foldable inwardly in a preassigned and
inescapable sequence, with the end flap to be inwardly folded first
in the sequence covering the nearby container end in its entirety
and being the innermost end flap in this container end when closed,
and this first end flap, moreover, snapping into firm interlock
with the container just when in the course of its manual inward
folding it reaches exact closure position in which it fully covers
the container end thereat but does not project into the interior of
the container. Thus, by virtue of the interlock with the container
of this first inwardly folded end flap, the latter is effectively
stopped from inward overfolding, and also stops the subsequently
folded end flaps as effectively from being overfolded, on closure,
and even particularly quick and forceful closure, of these end
flaps. Moreover, this first end flap thus locked in its closed
position also effectively resists inward collapse of all closed end
flaps from any other cause.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
folding container of this type, of which the closure end flaps,
besides being held against inward overfolding and also collapse as
aforementioned, are also arranged so that on their inward folding
or "infolding" for closure, wrapper ends, if attached thereto, will
follow these end flaps and fold and overlap in the eye-pleasing
manner in which wrapper ends are folded and overlapped against a
closed container end in generally accustomed hand fashion, i.e.,
the first infolded wrapper end beyond one side of the container
will be partly overlapped by the next infolded wrapper ends beyond
the opposite container sides next adjacent to the one container
side, and the last infolded wrapper end beyond the remaining
container side will partly overlap all previously infolded wrapper
ends.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding
container of this type, in which the aforementioned interlock with
the container of the first infolded closure flap in its closed
position at each end of the container is quite positive and
particularly firm against inward give or collapse of this first
closure flap and, hence, of all closure flaps in their closed
position. This is achieved in exceedingly simple and inexpensive
manner, by providing this first closure flap, preferably at or near
its end opposite to its hinge joint with the "first" container side
with which it is continuous, with opposite side ears, and providing
the container with slits, and preferably narrow slots, in two
opposite container sides next to the first container side and near,
and preferably at, the hinge joints between these opposite
container sides and their closure flaps, so that on infolding the
first closure flap the side ears thereon will increasingly thrust
against the adjacent and still open closure flaps and, in
consequence, will quite forcefully snap into register and, hence,
particularly firm interlock with these slots when this first
closure flap reaches its correct closed position. This forceful
snap of the side ears into register with the slots, while
effectively stopping the first closure flap from overfolding, also
affords an unmistakable indication to the one closing the container
that this closure flap is properly closed and requires no further
manipulation. While this ear-and-slot type interlock between the
first closure flap and container is exceedingly simple and
inexpensive, as well as particularly firm, and, hence, highly
desirable for these reasons, its exposure to view on certain kinds
of containers may be objectionable, in which case such objection
may readily be overcome by prewrapping these containers so that the
wrapper not only covers the slots and thus hides them from view,
but also has over these slots entirely adequate give to yield
unnoticeably to slightly protruding ears thereat.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a folding
container of this type, in which inward collapse of the closed end
flaps into the interior of the container from any cause other than
their overfolding in closing is effectively resisted in a manner
alternative to the aforementioned snap interlock of the first
infolded closure flap with the container. To this end, this first
closure flap is provided, at its end opposite to its hinge joint
with the respective container side, with a projecting and initially
coplanar tongue that is foldable about this flap end, with this
tongue being progressively folded out of the plane of the first
closure flap and into lap with the still open and last-to-infold or
"last" closure flap opposite to the first closure flap when in the
course of infolding the latter the tongue comes into contact with
this last closure flap, whereby on finally infolding the last
closure flap the same will take along the tongue and thereby infold
and tuck it between this last closure flap and the two closure
flaps next below and previously infolded to their proper closed
positions. With this arrangement, the first closed end flap is at
and near its end opposite to its hinged end firmly anchored to the
other closed end flaps thereabove, so that this first end flap
will, by virtue of its anchorage to the other closed end flaps and
also support at its hinged end, strongly resist inward collapse. It
is, of course, entirely feasible and in many cases preferred, to
provide a folding container of this type which embodies not only
the feature of the tucked-in tongue, but also the aforementioned
feature of snap-interlock of the first infolded end closure flap
with the container, thereby avoiding overfolding of the end flaps
in closing, as well as achieving the ultimate in resistance of the
closed end flaps to inward collapse from any cause.
Further objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in the
art from the following, considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying
out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a blank for a folding container according
to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the folding container in knocked-down
condition;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the folding
container in set-up condition, but with an end thereof still
open;
FIGS. 4 to 6 are fragmentary perspective views similar to FIG. 3,
but showing progressive steps in closing the end of the
container;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged fragmentary sections taken substantially
along the lines 7--7 and 8--8 in FIGS. 6 and 4, respectively;
and
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a blank for a modified folding
container.
Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 2 to 6
thereof, the reference numeral 10 designates a folding container
having folding closure ends 12, and being in this instance also
prewrapped. FIG. 2 shows the container 10 and its closure ends 12
in folded or knocked-down condition. FIG. 3 shows the container in
set-up condition with one of its ends open, while FIG. 6 shows the
set-up container with one of its ends closed.
The container 10 and closure ends 12 are formed of a blank 14 of
cardboard or the like (FIG. 1), having longitudinal, and in this
instance parallel, score lines 16, and spaced transverse score
lines 18 which intersect the opposite ends, respectively, of the
score lines 16 and divide the blank 14 into an intermediate section
20 and opposite end sections 22, while the score lines 16 divide
the intermediate blank section 20 into exemplary four side panels
24 to 30 and a side flap 32 which are to form the container 10. One
of the blank end sections 22 is in the form of four end flaps 34 to
40 and a side flap 42, and the other blank end section 22 is also
in the form of four end flaps and a side flap which in size and
shape are identical with the end flaps 34 to 40 and side flap 42
and, hence, are denoted by the same reference numerals, except that
the suffix a has been added to them. Thus, with the end flaps 34 to
40 and side flap 42 being identical with their counter parts 34a
and 42a, a detailed description of the end flaps 34 to 40 and side
flap 42 will suffice.
The end flap 34, which is continuous with the side panel 24 along
the score line 18 therebetween, is of generally rectangular
outline, being substantially of the width w of the associated side
panel 24, and of a length l, with the end flap 34 having in this
instance an end extension in the form of a tongue 44 which is
coplanar with the end flap 34 and continuous therewith along a
score line 46. The tongue 44 is trapezoidal in outline, having
opposite base lines of which one is formed by the score line 46 and
the other by an end edge 48, and oppositely, and in this instance
equally, inclined side edges 50.
The end flap 36, which is continuous with the side panel 26 along
the score line 18 therebetween, is trapezoidal in outline, having
opposite base lines of which one is formed by the associated score
line 18 and the other by an end edge 52, and opposite side edges 54
and 56 of which edge 54 is square and the other edge 56 is
inclined, preferably at approximately 45.degree. to the associated
score line 18. The end flap 36 is of a length shorter than the
length l of the described end flap 34.
The next end flap 38, which is continuous with the side flap 28
along the score line 18 therebetween, is also of trapezoidal
outline, having opposite base lines of which one is formed by the
associated score line 18 and the other by an end edge 58, and
opposite side edges 60 which are oppositely, and preferably
equally, inclined at approximately 45.degree. to the associated
score line 18. The end flap 38 is in this instance of the same
length as the described end flap 36.
The last end flap 40, which is continuous with the side panel 30
along the score line 18 therebetween, is in size and outline
identical with the end flap 36, having opposite side edges 62 and
64 of which edge 62 is square and the other edge 64 is inclined the
same, but oppositely, as the side edge 56 of the end flap 36. The
end flap 40 is in this instance also of the same length as the end
flaps 36 and 38.
The side flap 42 is continuous with the side flap 32 along the
score line 18 therebetween, and is in this instance of a length
somewhat in excess of that of the end flaps 36 to 40.
With the present container being in this instance prewrapped, there
is suitably secured, conveniently by gluing, to the outer face of
the blank 14 a rectangular wrapping sheet s especially, though not
exclusively, of the gift wrap variety with a decorative design d on
its outer exposed face. The wrapping sheet s covers all side panels
24 to 30 and the end flaps 36 to 40 and 36a to 40a in their
entirety, and also partially covers the remaining end flaps 34 and
34a. The wrapping sheet s extends with a left side margin lm
thereof into overlap with, and is glued to, the side flaps 32, 42
and 42a over part of their width, leaving the remaining width of
these side flaps non-wrapped (FIG. 1), while a right side margin rm
of the sheet s of approximately the width of the left side margin
lm thereof extends beyond the adjacent side edges e of the side
panel 24 and end flaps 34 and 34a. The wrapping sheet s extends
with its opposite end edges 66 preferably somewhat beyond the
adjacent end edges of the end flaps 36 to 40 and 36a to 40a, and to
the end edges 68 of the side flaps 42 and 42a.
To form the folded container, the right side margin rm of the
wrapping sheet s (FIG. 1) is folded over the side edges e of the
side panel 24 and end flaps 34 and 34a into overlap with, and
preferably also glued to, the inner faces of the latter, whereupon
the blak 14 is folded about one or two score lines 16, in this
instance the score lines 16' and 16", to bring half of the side
panels and end flaps into superposition on the remaining half
thereof so that the side flaps 32, 42, 42a and sheet margin lm
thereon are overlapped by the adjacent side margins of the side
panel 24 and end flaps 34, 34a and the sheet margin rm thereon,
with these overlapped parts being glued to each other (FIGS. 2 and
3).
To set-up the folded container with its ends open, the opposite
side edges thereof, i.e., the score lines 16' and 16" (FIG. 2), are
simply thrust against each other so that the side panels and
therewith coplanar end flaps will unfold into the set-up container
of exemplary rectangular section (FIG. 3), with the wrapping sheet
s completely enveloping, and hence hiding from external view, the
side panels 24 to 30, and extending beyond the open container ends
as identical wrapper ends which completely envelop the respective
end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a, except the non-wrapped end
portions of the end flaps 34 and 34a. Thus, the wrapper end 70
beyond the adjacent open container end 72 (FIG. 3) completely
envelops the end flaps 34 to 40 except the non-wrapped end portion
74 of the end flap 34, and this wrapper end 70 is in the form of a
circumferentially continuous sheet of a cross-sectional outline in
approximate continuation of the rectangular outline of the wrapper
on the set-up container (FIG. 3), owing to its lengthwise
continuity with the wrapping sheet on the container and its
described attachment to the end flaps 34 to 40.
To close the open ends of the set-up container, the respective end
flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a are folded inwardly about their
respective associated score lines 18 in identical preassigned, and
also unmistakable, order. Thus, to close the open end 72 of the
set-up container (FIG. 3), the end flap 34 is first folded
inwardly, or "infolded", into the closed position in FIG. 4 in
which the same completely covers the open container end 72. In thus
infolding the end flap 34, the part 76 of the wrapper end 70
attached thereto follows and, in consequence folds portions 78 of
the adjacent parts 80 of the wrapper end 70 around the inclined
side edges 56 and 64 of the respective end flaps 36 and 40 and
loosely against the inner faces of the latter in a fashion like, or
similarly as, shown in FIG. 4. Next, the end flap 36 may be
infolded into closed position on top of the closed end flap 34
(FIG. 5). In so doing, the part 80 of the wrapper end 70 attached
to the end flap 36 is taken along, thereby neatly tucking the
folded wrapper portion 78 on the inner face of the end flap 36
between the latter and the closed end flap 34, and also folding a
portion 82 of the remaining part 84 of the wrapper end 70 around
the adjacent inclined side edge 60 of the end flap 38 and loosely
against the inner face of the latter in a fashion like, or
similarly as, shown in FIG. 5. The end flap 40 is next infolded in
exactly the same manner as described in connection with the end
flap 36, whereby another portion 86 of the part 84 of the wrapper
end 70 is folded around the other inclined side edge 60 of the end
flap 38 and loosely against the inner face of the latter (FIG. 5).
Instead of infolding the end flaps 36 and 40 successively as
described, it is just as convenient, and even quicker, to infold
both end flaps 36 and 40 simultaneously. Finally, the remaining end
flap 38 is infolded into closed position on top of the other closed
end flaps 36, 40 and 34 (FIG. 6). In so doing, the end flap 38
takes along the thereto attached part 84 of the wrapper end 70,
thereby neatly tucking the folded wrapper portions 82 and 86 on the
inner face of the end flap 38 between the latter and the closed end
flaps 36 and 40 (FIG. 6). The container end 72 is now completely
closed, and the opposite container end may next be closed by
infolding the other end flaps 34a and 40a in exactly the same
manner and sequence described in connection with the end flaps 34
to 40, with the other closed container end looking exactly like the
closed container end in FIG. 6.
In thus infolding the end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a into their
closed position, the container is completely gift-wrapped, as much
as though the container had no wrapping sheet attached to it and
were, after closure of its end flaps, wrapped in a separate sheet
by an experienced handler who takes particular care in neatly
folding the wrapper ends against the closed container ends in
generally accustomed hand fashion for their appearance like or
similarly as in FIG. 6. In fact, by virtue of the attachment of the
wrapper ends to the end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a and the
described configuration of these end flaps, the folded closed
wrapper ends have the same neat and well-balanced appearance on
container after container, with their appearance being at least as
neat and well-balanced as wrapped ends which are folded and closed
by hand with the greatest of care and in generally accustomed
fashion.
With at least the topmost end flaps 38 and 38a among the closed end
flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a having a natural tendency to spring
at least partially open, it is advisable to lock these end flaps 38
and 38a in their closed position in any feasible manner, as by
applying a short piece of adhesive tape across the closed end flaps
38, 34 and 38a, 34a, or tie a decorative ribbon around the
container and thereby even further accentuate the gift appearance
of the container.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, provision
is made to hold the end flaps 34 to 40 and 34a to 40a against
inward collapse into the interior of the container on subjection to
external forces in their closed position. To this end, the end
flaps 34 and 34a are provided with the already described end
tongues 44 and 44a (FIGS. 1 and 2). These tongues 44 and 44a may be
left coplanar with the respective end flaps 34 and 34a on the
folded container so that on initial set-up of the container (FIG.
3) and in the course of subsequently infolding the end flap 34, for
example, the coplanar tongue 44 on the latter will with its end
edge 48 contact the adjacent open end flap 38, whereby this tongue
44 will be compelled to fold about its score line 46 and into lap
with the open end flap 38 during the remainder of the infolding of
the end flap 34 into its closed position (FIG. 4). The next
adjacent end flaps 36 and 40 are then infolded into their closed
position on top of the closed end flap 34, care being taken not to
overfold the end flaps 36 and 40 and thereby force them and the
closed end flap 34 into the interior of the container. On finally
infolding the last end flap 38 into its closed position, the same
will take along the tongue 44 by folding it further about its score
line 46 and tuck it between the closed end flaps 36, 40 and the
closed end flap 38 (FIG. 7), with the tongue 44, by virtue of being
snugly sandwiched between the closed end flaps 36, 40 and 38,
exhibiting quite appreciable resistance to inward collapse of the
closed end flaps 34 to 40 into the interior of the container on
subjection to external forces. Of course, the tongue 44a on the
opposite end flap 34a will similarly resist inward collapse into
the interior of the container of the other closed end flaps 34a to
40a on subjection to external forces.
In accordance with another important aspect of the invention,
provision is made positively to stop the first-to-be-closed end
flaps 34 and 34a in their closed position on infolding them and
thus obviate their overfolding even on particularly quick and
forceful infolding of the same. To this end, the end flaps 34 and
34a are provided with opposite coplanar ears 90, 92 and 90a, 92a
which in this instance are opposite side ears extending to the
score lines 46 and 46a of the respective end flaps 34 and 34a
(FIGS. 1 and 2), and the side panels 26 and 30 and associated end
flaps 36, 36a and 40, 40a are over end lengths of their respective
score lines 18 between them provided with slits, and preferably
narrow slots, 94, 94a and 96, 96a. Thus, on infolding the end flap
34, for example, the side ears 90 and 92 will increasingly thrust
against the inner faces of the respective adjacent open end flaps
36 and 40 and, in consequence, will forcefully snap into register
and interlock with the respective slots 94 and 96 when the end flap
34 reaches its correct closed position (FIGS. 4 and 8). The end
flap 34 is thus locked rather firmly in its closed position, and it
also stops the other end flaps 36 to 40 from being overfolded on
their infolding into closed position, besides resisting most
effectively inward collapse of the closed end flaps 34 to 40 into
the interior of the container on subjection to external forces. Of
course the other side ears 90a, 92a on the opposite end flap 34a
and the therewith coordinated slots 94a, 96a will secure the same
described advantage as the side ears 90, 92 on the end flap 34 and
therewith coordinated slots 94, 96.
It will be noted in FIG. 8 and also in FIG. 4 that the exemplary
wrapping sheet s covers and, hence, hides from view the slots 94
and 96 and also the side ears 90 and 92 in interlock therewith, and
these will remain covered by the wrapping sheet and, hence, hidden
from view when all end flaps are closed.
While in the described exemplary folding container of FIGS. 2 to 6,
the end flaps to be infolded first are provided with opposite side
ears which snap into interlock with slots in the container when
these end flaps reach correct closing position in the course of
their infolding, it is fully within the ambit of the invention to
provide a modified folding container of which each of these end
flaps is provided with only one ear. FIG. 9 shows fragmentarily a
blank 14b for such a modified container. The blank 14b may be
identical with the blank 14 of FIG. 1, except that the same lacks a
wrapping sheet and also lacks opposite side ears and a tuck-in
tongue on each of the end flaps 34b. Instead, the end 46b of each
end flap 34b is provided with a single tongue-like ear 90b, and the
side panel 28b is along each of its associated score lines 18b
provided with a slit 100. Thus, in forming the modified folding
container from the blank 14b in a manner similar to that described
in forming the folding container of FIG. 2 from the blank of FIG.
1, the ears 90b on the end flaps 34b will snap into interlock with
the respective slits 100 when in the course of infolding these end
flaps 34b they reach correct closing position on the respective
open ends of the set-up container.
* * * * *