Article Carrier

Abstract

An article carrier comprising a tube-like structure of generally rectangular cross section having upper and lower decks with more than two rows of openings in the upper deck for receiving such articles as cups, bottles or the like, and with a support between the two decks and between each of the more than two rows of article-receiving holes, all formed from a suitable card-board-like sheet of material, scored and folded into the tubular form, one of the decks having doubled back portions in order to provide a supporting structure between longitudinally extending rows of holes for the reception of the cups from the single sheet of material.

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending application Ser. No. 202,272, filed Nov. 26, 1971, now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an article carrier of the type here disclosed, the construction of a tube having two rows of holes with a support between the rows of holes creates no problem as it is a fairly simple matter to fold up a sheet of cardboard to provide such a support, U.S. Pat. No. 3,163,321 being such an example. However, when three or more rows of holes are desired, a problem is created where there is to be a formation of a division between a plurality of rows of compartments that is more than two or a support between more than two rows of holes in an article carrier of the type of carrying cups, bottles or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An article carrier is formed of a tubular construction of rectangular cross section having upper and lower decks and divisions that provide more than two longitudinally extending compartments and with rows of holes in the upper deck opening into each of the more than two compartments which are formed by providing score lines to form a division wall and utilize one edge of the division wall between the compartments, or the support between rows of holes, and then forming additional fold lines to provide a second substantially rectangular formation of compartment in cross section, which is folded to provide an upper deck of the tube which is doubled back on itself and then creased to extend downwardly to the lower deck where it is secured. This provides support for more than two rows of holes depending upon where the doubling back occurs, and is all arranged and folded into tube form from a single sheet of material which has been suitably scored.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fragmental portion of the article carrier folded into tube form in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view on a smaller scale of the blank from which the carrier is folded showing in dotted line the score lines along which the folding occurs;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fragmental portion of a first alternative embodiment of the article carrier folded into tube form;

FIG. 4 is a plan view on a smaller scale of the blank from which the first alternative embodiment of the article carrier is folded showing in dotted line the score lines along which the folding occurs;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fragmental portion of a second alternative embodiment of the article carrier folded into tube form;

FIG. 6 is a plan view on a smaller scale of the blank from which the second alternative embodiment of the article carrier is folded showing in dotted line the score lines along which the folding occurs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings a single sheet of stock 10 of cardboardlike material, as seen in FIG. 2, is provided with score line, shown as dotted lines, so that the same may be folded along the score lines into the form substantially as shown in FIG. 1 and secured in this position. This form when it is erected provides a lower deck 11 with side walls 12 and 13 extending upwardly from the lower deck and with an upper deck designated generally 14 formed by folding inwardly portions of the sheet cardboard from side walls 12 and 13. Divisions 15 and 16 form compartments 17, 18 and 19 and these portions or division walls 15 and 16 serve as supports for the upper deck portion designated generally 14.

In order to provide this formation, score lines 20 and 21 are provided for the fold between the lower deck 11 and the side walls 12 and 13. Score lines 22 and 23 provide for the inwardly extending portions of the upper deck at the upper edges of the side walls 12 and 13, the upper deck portion 24 extending inwardly from the score line 23 and then extending downwardly at score line 25 is the division or supporting wall 16 which is secured to the lower deck 11 by means of flange 26 that extends at right angles to the supporting wall 16 by being folded along score line 27. This flange 26 is secured along the deck 11 by means of adhesive or staples or any suitable means.

The deck portion 30 extends inwardly from the score line 22 and then by means of score line 31 is doubled back on itself, the portion 32 extending beneath the portion 30. By folding at score line 33, the division or supporting wall 15 is created and extends downwardly where its lower edge is folded at score line 34. A flange 35 which may extend along the lower deck 11 secures the division wall 15 and as previously stated may be by means of adhesive, staples or some suitable means.

More than two rows of holes are provided, one row of holes 40 in the deck portion 24 while three rows of holes 41, 42 and 43 are provided in the deck portion 30 and 32, the holes 41 being doubled under and registering with the holes 42 in the two ply or double thickness portion 30, 32 of the upper deck portion. The fold of the doubled portion overlaps the deck portion 24 and is seen at 45 and is there secured by adhesive, staples or any suitable means. By reason of this doubled back portion, supports such as 15, 16 provide three rows of holes well supported.

A first alternative embodiment of the article carrier is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. It is formed from a single sheet of stock 50 of cardboard-like material and it is provided with score lines, shown as dotted lines, so that the same may be folded along the score lines into the form substantially as shown in FIG. 3 and secured in this position. In its erected form it has a lower deck 51, side walls 52 and 53 extending upwardly from the lower deck, and an upper deck designated generally 54 which is formed by folding inwardly portions of the sheet cardboard from the side walls 52 and 53. The divisions 55, 56, and 57 form compartments 58, 59, 60 and 61, and in addition these division walls serve as supports for the upper deck portion 54.

In order to provide the above-described formation, score lines 64 and 65 (See FIG. 4) are provided for the fold between the lower deck 51 and the side walls 52 and 53. Score lines 66 and 67 provide for the inwardly extending portions of the upper deck at the upper edges of the side walls. Upper deck portion 69 extends inwardly from score line 66 and at score line 70 and the division or supporting wall 57 extends downwardly therefrom all the way to score line 72. Connecting member 73 extends from score line 72 to score line 74 in juxtaposition with lower deck 51 where supporting wall 56 extends upwardly toward upper deck 54. Supporting wall 56 terminates at score line 75 and a flange 77 extends at right angles thereto lying in juxtaposition with the upper deck 54. This flange 77 is secured along the deck 54 by means of adhesive or staples or any suitable means.

The deck portion 80 extends inwardly from score line 67 and then by means of score line 81 is doubled back upon itself with portion 82 extending beneath portion 80. At score line 83 supporting wall 55 is folded downwardly until it reaches the lower deck at score line 84 and flange 85 extends at right angles thereto to secure supporting wall 55 in the same manner as flange 77 is secured to the upper deck.

The above-described structure produces an article carrier having one row of holes 87 in deck portion 69 while five rows of holes 88, 89, 90, 91, and 92 are provided in deck portions 80 and 82. The holes 91 and 92 register with holes 89 and 90 respectively in the two-ply or double thickness portion of the upper deck. The fold of double portion overlaps the deck portion 69 and is seen at 95 to form a three-layer thickness which is secured together by adhesive, staples or any suitable means. By reason of the double-back portion supports 55, 56 and 57 there is provided an article having four rows of holes that are well supported.

A second alternative embodiment of an article carrier is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. It is characteristically similar to the four-row article carrier previously described and is likewise formed of a single sheet of stock 110 of cardboard-like material. It has score lines so that the sheet of stock be folded therealong into the form shown in FIG. 5 and secured in this position. This form when erected provided a lower deck 11, side walls 112 and 113, and an upper deck generally designated 114. Divisions 115, 116 and 117 form compartments 118, 119, 120 and 121 and these portions or division walls serve as supports for the upper deck portion 114.

Score lines 124 and 125 are provided for the folds between the lower deck 111 and the side walls 112 and 113. Score lines 126 and 127 provide for the inwardly extending portions of the upper deck at the upper edges of the side walls. Upper deck portion 128 extends inwardly from the score line 126 and extending downwardly at score line 130 is supporting wall 117. This supporting wall is secured to the lower deck 11 by means of flange 131 that extends at right angles thereto and which is folded along score line 132. This flange is secured along the lower deck in any of the many ways previously described with respect to the other embodiment.

The deck portion 135 extends inwardly from score line 127 and then by means of score line 136 is doubled back upon itself with portion 137 extending therebeneath. By folding along score line 137, the supporting wall 116 is created that extends downwardly. At its lower edge, along score line 138, it is folded a right angle and connecting member 140 is placed in juxtaposition with the lower deck 111. Extending upwardly from the connecting member 140 at score line 141 is supporting wall 115 which, at score line 142, is bent at a right angle to form a flange 143 that is secured to the underside of the upper deck.

In this embodiment only five rows of holes are provided in the blank 110, one row of holes 145 in deck portion 128 while four rows of holes 146, 147, 148, and 149 are provided in the deck portion 135 and 137. Holes 143 and 149 register with each other when upper deck portions 135 and 137 are doubled over to provide a two-ply or double thickness portion in the upper deck. The fold of double portion overlaps deck portion 128 and is seen at 152 to form a triple thickness portion that is secured together in the manner previously described. By reason of the double-back portion supports 115, 116 and 117 provide an article carrier having four rows that are well supported.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier for a plurality of articles comprising a single sheet of cardboard-like material scored and folded into tubular form having spaced upper and lower decks with side walls extending between said decks, a plurality of supporting walls between said side walls providing a plurality of longitudinally extending compartments, said upper deck having spaced rows of article receiving holes with each row of holes opening into its own compartment and said top deck having a portion formed of double thickness of said sheet material by reason of said sheet material being folded back upon itself with holes in each portion of double thickness registering with each other, said portion of double thickness extending completely across the top of one of said compartments and partially overlapping the top of another compartment to thereby form a triple thickness section in said upper deck.

2. An article carrier as in claim 1 wherein the supporting walls have flanges at their ends extending along one of said decks and secured thereto.

3. An article carrier as recited in claim 1 wherein said portion formed of double thickness extends completely across the top of two of said compartments.

4. An article carrier as recited in claim 3 wherein said portions formed of double thickness has at least two rows of holes with the holes in each portion of double thickness registering with each other.

5. An article carrier as recited in claim 1 wherein two of the supporting walls that are adjacent to each other have an integral connecting member attached to the bottom of said supporting walls that lies juxtaposed on the top surface of said lower deck to thereby form a double thickness in said lower deck.

6. An article carrier as recited in claim 5 wherein said pair of supporting walls having the integral connecting member between them is formed on the single sheet of cardboard-like material adjacent the end of said sheet having the portion formed of double thickness.