US2283950A - Merchandise package - Google Patents

Description

May 26, 1942.

w. A. RINGLER MERCHANDISE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 7 25, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet l g I INVENTOR wa /m1 flfigg''r ,4; ATTORNEY y 26,1942; w. A. RINGLER 2,283,950

MERCHANDISE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 25, 1939 GSheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR ,4 Fag/er flan/r 44 M ,4 ATTORNEY May 26,1942 w. A. RXNGLER 2,233,950

v nnncnaunlsn PACKAGE Filed Aug. 25, 1939 6'Shee ts-S heet 3 INVENTOR 4 ATTORNEY y 2 1.942- W. A. RINGLER 2,283,950

MERCHANDISE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 25, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,QATTORNEY y 26,1942; I w. A. RINGLER I 2,283,950

MERCHANDISE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 25; 1959 e Sheets-Sheet 5 a ATTORNEY May 26, 1942.

w. A. RINGLER MERCHANDISE PACKAGE s Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 25, 1939 INVENTOR Mm A W Patented May 26, 1942 Msacnmnrsa racxaca William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa., asdgnor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Com, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 25, 1939, Serial No. 291,801

15 Claims. (Cl. 229-44) This invention relatesto improved merchandise packages, and more particularly to paperboard boxes which may be shipped to the user.

as list blanksand thereafter erected as needed to enclose and retain the merchandise, assembly being affected by a simple manipulation of interlocking parts.

In' the packa of numerous articles 01' merchandiseof somewhat bulky nature, substantial savings'in shipping and storage costs can be attained the container which is to enclose the merchandise may be formed from a single flat blank or paperboard material which maybe shipped to the user or merchandise manufacturer in flat condition. Further economies in packagstructed that the merchandise can be placed therein and'the blank assembled by a simple manipulation of interlocking parts, to provide a strong. rigid and serviceable merchandise con- 15 in: costs may be realized it the blank is so container held together by such interlocking parts without the application of glue, stitches, staples or other applied securing means.

In accordance with this invention, a flat blank is provided comprising a bottom panel, side and end wall panels hinged thereto and side and end flap sections which may be folded inwardly and interlocked together to provide a rigid inwardly extending merchandise-retaining rim or flange.

The container-forming blanks may be,

inexpensively formed by cutting and scoring the same on an automatic cuttingand scoring machine from large sheets or rolls of suitable paperboard inaterial fed into the machine... The flat blanks, as elected from the machine may be stacked, packed and shipped to the user or merchandise manufacturer within a limited cubical space.

In one form of the invention the merchandise manufacturer places the merchandise on the bottom panel of the expanded blank, the merchandise being suitably stacked or folded so as to be retained within the contours of the bottom panel. To give additional strength to the container when assembled, the user may place a. reinforcing frame upon the bottom panel oi the blank and place the merchandise within the reeniorcing frame. formed of suitable corrugated board comprising side and end wall sections suitably hinged together, which sections correspond in size to the side and end wall panels of the blank.

In either form of the invention the side wall panels of the blank are raised to vertical position and the rim-forming sections hinged thereto or other applied securing means.

are turned inwardly, each side rim section comprising an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion which are hingedly. connected together. An end tab is hinged to each end or each side wall panel, which tabs-are adapted to swing inwardly. The end wall panels are raised so as to overlie the inturned tabs, which tabs may also be provided with flaps which extend inwardly over and in spaced relation to the bottom panel. Each end wall section is provided with an inturned rim section provided with ear portions. adapted to be inserted between the overlying and underlying rim portions forming the side rim sections. These ears serve to hold the side-and end wall panels or the box in rigid merchandis-containing'position.

The inturned rim sections hinged to the side and end wall panels when thus interlocked tcgether provide asubstantially continuous rim which retains the merchandise within the box, The various boxes illustrated and described in this application may be made ofany desired size to hold any desired quantity or type of merchandise by making the bottom wall panel of the required size and shape andthe side and end wall panels of the required height, reeniorced, ii necessary, to permit vertical stackinge The container may be closed by a cover comprising a flat"- blank of paperboard material retained in place by the inwardly extending rim :0! the box. In another embodiment of the invention, a cover panel hinged to the box bodygis provided, all

' formed from a single blank of paperboard ma- The reenforcing irame may be terial. The container and its contents may, it

such as transparent Cellophane or decorated sheet material.

Numerous articles of merchandise, such as blankets, bed sheets, bedspreads, curtains, textile materials, confections, and numerous other articles, may be conveniently and effectively packaged in the various boxes forming the subject matter of this invention. The merchandise filled packages may be stacked one upon the other without danger of crushing the box or its contents.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved blank formed from a single piece of paperboard material which may be shipp d in flat extended condition to the user. 51d, thereafter assembled by the user to provide" afstrong and rigid container or box for merchandise which is held fixedly and rigidly assembled by its interlocking parts without'glue, staples, stitches byflgesasily and quickly manipulated interlocking Another object of this invention is to provide an improved merchandise container which can be economically formed from a single blank of paperboard material, which blank may be shipped to the user in flat extended condition,

which may be quickly and easily assembled to enclose and retain the merchandise by a few simple operations performed during the packaging of the merchandise, which provides a strong, attractive and highly serviceable container in which the merchandise may be shipped to, stored by and displayed by the merchant.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a prepared blank which hasbeen cut and scored to form when erected my improved box;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank shown inFig. -1 as it appears when partially erected into merchandise-containing position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box-forming blank as it appears at a further stage of erection into box form;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the box showing one end thereof fully erected into box form and the other end thereof partially erected:

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fully erected box with merchandise, such as a blanket packed therein, this view showing the packed box as it would appear when looking in the direction of the arrows 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a prepared blank suitably cut and scored, to provide when erected a box of somewhat modified construction;

- appears at a further stage of "erection around the stiffener frame;

' Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the fully assembled box formed from the blank shown in Fig. 6, erected to enclose the stiffener frame;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the box shown in Fig. 10 showing the cover member illustrated in Fig. 7 in position to close the open top of ,tedlinessothattheconstructionoftheboxwill' be more readily apparent;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of theerected box having merchandise packed therein. this view showing the cover member in process of being applied to the packed box;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view through the packed boxshowing the cover member in place and as it would appear when looking in the direction of the arrows l3--l3 of Fig. 14: 4

Fig; 14 is a perspective view of the packed box showing the cover member undergoing removal to give access to the contents;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a prepared blank which has been suitably cut and scored to provide a merchandise box of further modified construction;

Fig. '16 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Fig, 15 undergoing erection;

Fig. 17 is a'perspective view of the blank shown in Fig. 15 as it appears at a further stage of erection;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view ofthe box as it appears at the final stage of the erecting operation, this view showing certain locking parts thereof in the process of being swung into position to retain the box in rigid erected form;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view through the erected box as it would appear when looking in the direction of the arrows "-4! of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of a prepared blank which has been suitably cut and scored to provide a box of further modified construction equipped with a cover closure formed integral with the box-forming portion of the blank;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Fig. 20 as it appears at one stage of erection into box form;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the blank as it appears at a further stage of erection into box form;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the blank as it appears at a still further stage of erection into box form;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the blankas it appears in its final stage of erection into box form; and I Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional viewof the fully assembled box with the cover portion swung into closed position and as it would appear when looking in the direction of the arrows 3-28 of Fig. 24.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawlugs and the specification.

The box asshowninl'igs.4and5maybe sssembled from the blank shown in Fig. 1, which blank can be prepared by cutting same to the proper shape and scoring same on an automatic cutting and scoring machine. large sheets or rolls of suitable paperboard material are fed into the cutting and scoring machine which operates to score the blanks and cut the blanks therefrom automatically and at high production speed. A

large number ofblanks, each of which has been cut and scored as shown in Fig. 1, may be arranged in stacked relationship so as to occupy a minimum of cubic space, which blanks may be packed in suitable packing cases and shipped to the user to be erected as needed.

The blank as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a bottom wall panel i havingsidewallpanels I hinged to the bottom wall panel along the fold or score lines I, and end wall panels 4 hinged to the bottom wall panel I along the fold or score lines 5. Each side wall panel 2 is provided with an inturned rim-forming section 8 hinged to the side wall panel 2 along the fold line 1. Each rimforming section 6 comprises a rim-forming portion 6a and a rim-forming portion 612 hinged to the rim-forming portion 6a along the fold line 8. When the box is erected, rim-forming portion 62) is arranged to underlie the rim-forming portion 6a, as will be presently described. A platform portion 60 comprising a generally triangular-shaped portion extends'from each end and is formed as an integral part of the underlying rim-forming portion 6b, each triangular portion 60 being defined by a diagonally extending out line 8c which extends from one end of the fold line 8 to the adjacent end of fold line 1.

Thus it is seen that each platform portion to is out free of rim portion 6a and that rim portion 51) is connected to rim portion 6a by the fold line 8 only.

An end wall tab I is hinged to each end of each side wall panel 2 along fold line the end tabs lil being turned inwardly when the box is erected. Each end tab I0 is provided with a flap ll hinged thereto along fold line l2, which flap is adapted to overlie the bottom wall panel l in spaced relationship thereto when the box is erected. The score lines 5' are slightly out of alignment with score lines 5 so as to permit the lower free edge of each end tab ID to lie within the adjacent fold line 5 so that the adjacent end wall panels 4 may be conveniently erected to lie over the adjacent end tabs Ill.

Each end wall panel 4 is provided with a rimforming section I3 hinged thereto along the score line It, each section l3 being turned in so as to overlie the bottom wall panel i in spaced relationship thereto when the box is erected. Each rim section 13 is provided with an ear portion I3a. projecting from each end thereof to provide locking means for retaining the box in rigid erect position. A cover-supporting flap p0- sitioned between the ear portions Ilia is hinged to each rim section l3 along the fold line 56 to support the adjacent ends of a cover-forming blank. The cover-supporting flap 5 hinged to each rim section l3 may comprise an underlying fold-in portion H512 and a return bend portion l5b hinged thereto along the fold line H.

In erecting the blank into box form, the user stacks or arranges the merchandise M upon the bottom wall panel i of the blank with the side and end edges of the merchandise confined within the fold lines 3 and 5. The rim portions 612 at each side of the blank are folded over the adjacent rim portions 6a. The side wall panels 2 are then erected substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall panel I, as shown in Fig. 2, with each side rim section 6 folded inwardly so as to extend substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel and in spaced relationship thereto. Each end tab I0 is then swung inwardly so as to extend along the adjacent fold line 5, and each flap II is folded at right angles to the end tab l0 to which it is hinged. The corner portion Ha of each flap II is arranged to rest upon the adjacent platform portion 6c and is inserted under the adjacent mitered ends 9 of the side rim portion 6a, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

When this operation has been completed, the end wall panels 4 are erected so as to overlie the adjacent end tabs in and the ear portions l3a thereof are swung into position to overlie the adjacent flaps II with the ends thereof inserted under the adjacent mitered ends 9 of the side rim portion 8a, as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4. The ear portions I3a are frictionally gripped between the overlying side rim portions 8a and the underlying side rim portions 8b, so that the box when thus erected is held in rigid erected assembly.

The box may be left open at the top thereof, if desired, to permit ready inspection of the merchandise therein, or the box may be enclosed in a wrapper sheet, such as transparent Cellophane or a decorated paper wrapper. If a closure cover for the box is desired, each end rim section it may be provided with a cover-supporting flap l5 hinged thereto. Prior to the application of the cover, portion lBa of the cover-supporting flap may be folded around the inner edge of the aligned flaps H, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5, so as to lie against the inside face of flaps ll. Portion ISD is then rebent so as to underlie the adjacent portion No, portion l5b then providing a shelf support for the cover closure 35 which may rest against the top of the merchandise, as shown in Fig. 5.

The cover closure may comprise a flat blank of paperboard material which is of suflicient size to be inserted under the inturned side rim sections 60. with the ends thereof inserted between the adjacent cover-supporting portions IBa and IN). To facilitate insertion and removal of the cover member, the same may be constructed and formed as shown in Fig. 7, which cover member will be presently described.

The erected box as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, formed from the single blank of paperboard material as shown in Fig. 1, is thus held together entirely by the interlocking parts thereof, without the use of glue, staples, stitches, or other extraneously applied securing means. The end walls of the box are substantially of double-ply construction, comprising the end tabs Ill and the end wall panels kl, providing a rigid and strong construction so that a large number of packed boxes may be stacked one upon the other without crushing. The inturned rim flaps it, against which the inwardly extending ends of the triangular platform 60 abut, maintain the underlying rim portions Gb substantially in parallelism with the overlying rim portions 6a. The side rim sections 6 and the end rim sections I 3 provide a substantially continuous merchandise-retaining rim around the top of the box, which is rigidly supported by the interlocking parts so as to maintain a rigid inturned position. The erected box cannot be disassembled or pulled apart by force without actually tearing the paperboard unless a specific unlocking procedure, which is the reverse of the erecting procedure, is followed. The box as completed is neat and attractive in appearance, presents no raw or rough edges, and provides a highly satisfactory box which can be quickly and expeditiously erected by the user without tools or machinery, to provide a highly serviceable box for numerous articles of mer chandise.

A boxof somewhat modified construction as illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive, may be assembled from a prepared blank of paperboard material as shown in Fig. 6. This blank comprises a bottom wall panel I having Side wall panels 2 hinged to the opposite sides of the bottom wall panel I along fold or score lines 3, and end wall panels 4 hinged to the opposite ends of bottom wall panel I along fold or score lines 5. A merchandise-retaining rim section 6 is hinged to each of the side wall panels 2 along a fold line 1, each side rim section licomprising an overlying rim portion 6a and an underlying rim portion 6b hinged thereto along the fold line 8.

The adjacent ends of the end wall panels 4 and the side wall panels 2 are connected by means of bellows fold portions. each portion comprising a bellows fold section 20 hinged to the side wall panel 2 along fold line 5' and bellows fold section 23 hinged to the adjacent end of end wall panel 4 along fold line 3', bellows sections 20 and 23 being connected together by diagonally extending fold line 24 which extends diagonally from the point of intersection of the adjacent fold lines 3 and 5. A out line 25 extending generally parallel to the fold line 3' intersects the diagonally extending fold line 24, and partially separates bellows section 20 from bellows section 23. It will be noted that the end of bellows section 20 extends a distance beyond the free edge of bellows section 23 and that each bellows section 20 is provided with an inturned flap 2| hinged thereto along the fold line 22. It will also be noted that the paired fold lines 5 are slightly closer together than fold lines 5, so as to permit proper folding of the bellows section 20 and 23. Score lines 3' may be, however, in direct alignment with score lines 3.

Each end wall panel 4 is provided with a rimferming section |3 hinged thereto along the fold line I4. Each rim section I3 is provided with a projecting ear portion |3a extending from each end thereof to provide means for locking the blank in erect box-forming position. Each rim section l3 may also be provided with a locking flap I5 spaced between the ear portions |3a and hinged to the rim section l3 along fold line H.

If merchandise of substantial weight or volumetric size is to be packed in the box assembled from the blank shown in Fig. 6, it may be desirable to provide a stiffening frame 30, as shown in Fig. 8, around which the side and end wall panels may be wrapped. This frame member 30 may be formed from relatively stiff cardboard, such as corrugated boxboard, having opposed side sections 32 and opposed end sections 3| suitably connected together at the comers. The frame member may be conveniently formed from a single strip of boxboard, which is transversely scored at three places to define the side and end sections, the meeting ends of the strip being secured together by a suitable corner stay. The

'frame member 30 may be of such size that the outside faces thereof coincide with the inside edge of the score lines 3 and 5 of the box-forming blank.

.When the merchandise is to be packaged, the frame member 30 is placed in position upon the bottom wall panel I of the blank and the merchandise packed within the frame member 30 supported upon the bottom wall panel I. Each side rim portion 6b is then folded to overlie the adjacent side rim portion 6a. A flange portion 21 hinged to each rim portion 6b along fold line 28 may be provided which overlies the inside face of side wall panel 2 when rim portion 6b is folded,

to overlie rim portion 641. Each side wall panel 2 is raised so that the underlying rim portion 6b will overlie the adjacent top edge of the adjacent side section 32 of the frame, with the flange portion 21 positioned between the outside face of the adjacent side section 32 of the frame and the inside face of the adjacent side wall panel '2 of the blank.

Bellows section 20 is then swung into parallelism with the adjacent end section 3| of the frame so as to overlie the outside face thereof. The comer portion 2|a of each flap 2| then turned inwardly so as to overlie comer portion 6b of rim portion 6b and is inserted under the mitered edge 26 of overlying rim portion 6a, as shown more particularly in Fig. 9. As thus arranged it will be noted that each end section 3| of the frame provides a support for the adjacent bellows section 20 and inturned flap 2|.

The end wall panels 4 are then raised into vertical position and bellows portion 23 hinged to each end thereof is swung inwardly so as to overlie the outside face of the adjacent bellows sections 20, as shown more particularly in Fig. 9. When erected, the end wall panels 4 will closely overlie the outside face of adjacent end section 3| of theframe and the outside face of adjacent bellows sections 20. As the end wall panels 4 are raised into position, rim section I3 is turned inwardly and the ear portions |3a thereof are inserted so as to overlie the ends 2|a of the adjacent flaps 2| and extend under the mitered edge 26 of the rim portions 6a, in the manner shown in Fig. 10. The friction exerted upon the ear portions l3a by the overlying rim portions 611 and the underlying rim portions 6b prevents withdrawal of the ear portions and retains the box in rigid assembled position. It will here be noted that rim portions 6a and 6b are held squeezed together by reason of the fact that -both extend over the top edge of the adjacent side sections 32 of the frame, the side sections 32 and end sections 3| of the frame being of such height with respect to side wall panels 2 and end wall panels 4 of the blank as to effect this result.

The locking flap I5 hinged to each end rim section l3 may be turned inwardly around the inner edge of aligned end flaps 2| so that the free edge 2|a thereof will overlie the top edge of the adjacent end section 3| of the frame, as shown more particularly in Fig. 18, thus locking the flap I5 in fixed position.

The box is thus assembled in rigid container form without the use of glue, staples, stitches or other applied securing means and is held together solely by the interlocking frictional engagement of the parts thereof. By the provision of a frame within the box-forming blank a box is provided which has unusually stiff and rigid side and end walls so as to support merchandise of substantial size and weight, permitting numerous boxes to be stacked one upon the other without danger that the merchandise in the boxes or the boxes themselves will be crushed by the superimposed weight. The box is especially adapted for the packaging of bulky articles of merchandise, such as blankets, sheets and pillow cases. The blank can be erected after the merchandise has been placed upon the bottom panel of the blank with out requiring a pre-assembled box which would occupy valuable storage and hipping space. The side rim sections 6 and end rim sections |3 when assembled into box form provide a substantially continuous rim which is unusually strong and rigid, and which serves to retain the merchandise in the box so that the merchandise cannot easily be removed from the box without tearing or disassembling the blank.

If desired, a cover 35, such as shown in Fig. 7, may be provided to close the open top of the box. The cover member 35 is formed from a single blank of paperboard material and so constructed that it can be easily inserted into box-closing position and easily removed therefrom to permit inspection of the merchandise. The cover 35 comprises a substantially rectangular blank 01' paperboard material having mitered corners 35, comprising a covering portion 31, and side edge portions indicated at 33 which are inserted under the inturned side rim sections 5 and positioned to overlie the merchandise M. To eflect insertion of the end portions 39 of the cover blank, a pair of parallel extending fold lines 40 and 4| are provided which define fold portions 42 and 43. A pair of ears 44, each defined by an arcuate out line 45 which extend into the covering portion 31 of the blank, provides means by which the cover blank may be manipulated.

It will be" appreciated that to effect insertion of the side edge portions 38 under the side rim sections 3,'the top portion 31 of the blank must be bowed convexly, as shown in Fig. 12, which would normally be prevented when the end portions 39 are folded downwardly at right angles to the top portion 31. Bowing of the top portion 31 is eflected in my improved cover blank by the provision of parallel extending fold lines 43, which fold lines extend transversely through the fold portions 42 and 43 to the ends of the arcuate out line 45. A pair of diagonally extending fold lines 41 is provided, each extending from the meeting point of arcuate out line 45 with score line 40 and extending diagonally across fold portions 42 and 43. Each diagonally extending fold line 41 and the adjacent transverse score line 45 define a triangular-shaped section 43 therebetween which permits the section 49 between the parallel extending fold lines 49 to be swung-inwardly so that the fold portions 42 and 43 exterior to the diagonally extending fold lines 41 may be swung into position substantially at right angles to the top-portion 31 of the blank irrespective of the amount which the top portion 31 is bowed or convexed. When the top section 31 is bowed, the tabs 44 will project upwardly and will permit the insertion of the end portions 39 into the box over the edge ofthe adjacent end rim section l3. When inward pressure on the end portions 39 isreleased, the end portions 39 will swing outwardly underneath the overlying end rim sections 13. The top portion 31 as well as the side portions 38 and end portions 39 thereof will then spring in a substantially fiat plane, as shown in Fig. 13, so as to'overlie the merchandise and protect the same from dust and contamination.

It will be appreciated that the assembled box, as shown in Figs. 11 and 13, may be enclosed in a suitable wrapper which may or may not be made of transparent material, with or without the provision of the cover panel 35. The cover panel 35, however, provides a convenient closure, which can be easily removed to permit inspection of the contents, which canbe efiected by exerting an upward pull on the tabs 44. The cover panel 35 might also be used to close the open top of the box shown in Fig. 4. If desired, a stiffening frame 30 may also be provided in the box shown in Fig. 4, to stiffen and strengthen the side and end wall panels thereof.

A further modified form of merchandise box is shown in Fig. 18, which may be formed from a single blank of paperboard material as shown in Fig. 15, held together inrigid box assembled form solely by interlocking parts without the use of stitches, staples, adhesive, or other applied securing means. The box-forming blank as shown in Fig. 15 comprises a bottom wall panel I hav- 1, each rim section comprising an overlying rim portion 3a having the ends 26 thereof cut on a miter, and underlying rim portion 9b hinged to rim portion 3a along fold line 8. A supporting flap 53 hinged to rim portion 6b along fold line 59 may also be provided.

An end tab 19 is hinged to each end of each side wall panel 2 along fold lines 5 and is provided with an intumed flap II hinged to the tab 10 along fold line 12. The fold lines 5' defining the ends of each oi the side wall panels 2 are spaced slightly closer together than the parallel extending fold lines 5, so as to permit each of the end tabs 13 to fold inwardly so as to lie just within the adjacent fold lines 5.

Each end wall panel 4 has a rim section 13 hinged thereto along fold line 14, which rim section is provided with a projecting ear portion 13a at each end thereof. There is further provided a rim-supporting section comprising the rim portion 52 hinged to rim section 13 along the fold line 53 and a supporting portion 54 hinged to rim portion 52 along fold line 55. The ear portions 13a are each defined by an arcuate-shaped out line 5|, the inner ends of the cut lines 51' extending to the fpld line 53. To facilitate insertion of the rim-supporting section into the box, a pair, of parallel extending fold lines 51 are preferably provided, which extend from fold line'53 outwardly through the rim portion 52 and supporting portion 54.

In assembling the box from the blank shown in Fig. 15, each rim portion- 6b of each side rim section 6 is folded to overlie its adjacent rim portion 6a, which folding operation places supporting portion 58 in position to overlie the inside face of the adjacent side wall panel 2. Each side wall panel 2 is then'raisedto-substantially vertical position, as shown in Fig. 16, with each rim section 6 extending inwardly. Supporting portion 58 is of such height as to maintain the rim portion 6b closely seated against the inside face of the overlying rim portion 6a. Each of the end tabs 10 is then swung inwardly and the flap ll hinged thereto is folded substantially at right angles to its end tab I0 so as to permit the corner portion lid of the flap to be positioned to overlie a projecting corner portion 6b of the underlying rim portion 61) and to be inserted beneath "the overlying rim portion 6a underthe mitered: edge 26 thereof.

Each of the end .wall panels 4 is then raised, its'associated rim section 13 folded inwardly, and the ear portions 130. are inserted under the mitered ends 25 of the adjacent overlying rim portion 6a, which operation brings the end wall panels 4 into a position at right angles to bottom wall panel I, as shown in Fig. 18. Each portion 52. hinged to each of the rim sections 1.3 is then folded over the inner edges of the aligned flaps ll so as to underlie the inside face of these flaps, which operation is permitted by reason of the fact that the end portions 56 of the rim-supporting section will fold so as to swing past the wall panel 4. when in this position the end porface of the bottom wall panel I and retains its'associated rim portion I52 in closed abutment against the inside face of its associated rim section I3.

The box as thus constructed and erected presents substantially double-ply side and end walls, the double-ply sidewalls being formed by the side wall panels 2 and the supporting portions I8, and the end panels being formedby the end wall panels 4 and the supporting portions 54. The end tabs III provide further stiffening support of the end walls of the box. Abox is thus provided which will stand up under substantial superimposed pressures so that a large number of packed boxes may be stacked one upon the other. In this form of box the merchandise may be most conveniently packed in the box after the box has been completely erected, since the merchandise might interfere with the proper infolding of the rim portions 52 and the supporting portions 54. The side rim sections 6 and the end rim sections I3 provide a substantially con-. tinuous rim which assists in-retaining themerchandise within the box and which provides an attractive framing for the merchandise packed therein. The assembled box with the merchandise packed therein may be enclosed in a suitable wrapper or the open top thereof may be closed by a suitable paperboard cover blank tucked under the rim-forming sections i and I3, which cover-forming blank may be constructed as illustrated in Fig. 7.

In the packaging of certain types of merchandise it may be desirable to provide a box with a hinged cover. There is shown in Figs. 24 and 25 an attractive box for merchandise having a hinged cover associated therewith, which is formed entirely from a single blank of paperboard material, as illustrated in Fig. 20. box-forming blank' comprises a bottom wall panel I having side wall panels 2 hinged to bottom wall panel I along fold lines 3 and end wall panels 4 hinged to bottom wall panel I along vided with an end wall tab III hinged to one end thereof along fold lines 5', each tab Ill being provided with an inturned flap II hinged thereto along fold line I2.

A front wall panel 4 hinged to the bottom wall panel I along fold line 5 is provided with a rim-forming section I3 hin ed to the front wall panel along the fold line I4 The rim-forming section I3 is provided with an ear portion Isa at each end thereof each defined by an arcuate out line SI which intersects a fold line 53 by means of which a rim-supporting section is hinged. The rim-supporting section comprises a rim portion 52 joined to the rim section I3 by fold line 53, and a supporting portion 54 The end portions IQ of the rim-supporting section are defined by a pair of parallel score lines .formed b a pair of end tabs "hinged to the rear end of each of the side wall panels 2 along fold line I, the tabs 10 being of suillcient length to meet and preferably overlap, to provide a substantially continuous rear wall. One of the tabs "I may be longer than the other tab II, which increased length is indicated by end extension I4. Each of the end tabs I0 is provided with a primary rim-forming section comprising rim portion II hinged to the tab I! along the fold line I2 and rim portion II hinged to rim portion ll along fold line 14. A stiffening flap ll having mitered ends 11 may be hinged to each of "the rim portions 13 along fold line I4. One of the rim portions 13 may be provided with an ear extension 18 hinged to the. inturned end thereof along fold line 1!, for a purpose which will presently appear.

A secondary rear wall panel II which may have a slightly greater height than the front wall panel 4 to provide a bulged book back effect, is hinged to the rear edge of the bottom wall panel I along the fold line I. A secondary rimforming section 43 is hinged to the secondary rear wall panel 8| along the fold line 82. A cover panel III is hinged to the secondary rimforming section 63 along fold line 44. The secondary rim-forming section 83 may be provided with an ear portion "a at each end thereof, which are formed by the miter cut lines 4| which intersect the cover hinge line 64. A locking tab '4 may be hinged to the free edge of the cover panel II along fold lines 61, locking tab I having a locking flap ll hinged thereto along a fold' line 69 which is adapted to be inserted through the slit or cut 84 provided in the lower 1eitrllgesof front wall panel 4 adjacent the, score e In assembling the box, a strip of adhesive 0 may be applied to the inside face of each of the rim portion flaps]! and 80, which may be eco. nomically and quickly applied by means of 'a strip gluing machine. Each rim portion 4b is folded over the adjacent rim portion 6a to which it is hinged and reenforcing flap to pressed into adhesive engagement with the inside face of the adjacent end wall panel 2. Similarly, rim por tion 13 is folded over rim portion 'II and reenforcing flap I! pressed into adhesive engagement with the inside face of'the and tab II, producing an assembly as illustrated in Fig. 21. It will be appreciated that, if desired, the adhesive 9 applied to. the reenforcing flaps I and I5 may be eliminated, and these reenforcing flaps increased in height so as to substantially equal the height of the adjacent end wall panel 2 and the adjacent end ta-b III, so that when the parts are erected the free edge of the reenforcing flaps and 15 will rest against the inside face of the bottom wall panel I.

Side wall panels 2 are then erected into substantially vertical position, as shown in Fig. 22, flaps II are folded to extend substantially at right angles to the erected end tabs II, and the corner portion Ila of each flap II is tucked under the mitered edge 26 of the overlying side rim portion 4a, which operation places the end hinged to the rim portion 52 by fold line 56. 7 tabs" substantially in alignment with the lower edge resting upon the bottom wall panel I ad- Jacent the fold line 5.

At this point, if desired, the front wall of the box may be erected in secured position by erecting the front wall panel 4 and inserting the ear portions |3a under the mitered ends 26 of the overlying side rim portions 6a, as illustrated in Figs. 22 and 24, which insertion operation places the front rim section IS in position to overlie the inturned flaps ll. Rim portion 52 may then be swung around the inner edge of aligned flaps II and swung outwardly so as to lie against the inside face of the flaps M. This operation can be readily performed by reason of the fact that the hinged end portions 55 of the supporting section will fold over the inner edges of the side flap sections 6. Supporting portion 54 is then pressed against the inside face of front wall panel a and end portions 56 will expand outwardly by reason of the resilient nature of the paperboard so as also to lie fiat against the inside face of the front wall panel 4.

The rear wall panel of the box may then be erected and secured in fixed position by swinging the end tabs I inwardly into alignment so that the lower edge thereof rests upon the rear edge of bottom wall panel I adjacent fold line 5. In this position the end extensions of one of the end tabs 10 will overlap the free end of the other end tab I0, as shown in Fig. 22. Simultaneously with this folding operation the corner portions Ha of the rim sections forming a part of the end tabs 10 are inserted under the adjacent mitered edges 26 of the side rim portions 6a so as to rest upon the projecting ends 61; of the side rim portions 612, as illustrated in Fig. 22. Th ear portion I8 hinged to one of the rim portions H is then inserted between the overlying rim portion H and the underlying rim portion 13 hinged to the opposite end tab, the insert 78 thus serving as a splicing element to retain the end tabs 10 in overlapping alignment and retain the ends of the primary rim sections hinged to the tabs ill in fixed substantially abutting relationship, as illustrated in Fig. 23. I

The secondary rear wall panel, Bl, which may be in the form of a book back, if desired, is then raised into vertica position and the ears 63a forming a part of the secondary rim section 63 are inserted under the adjacent mitered edges 26 of the overlying side rim portions Go, as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 22 and 24. When thus inserted, the secondary rim section 63 will provide a smooth and finished rear edge for the box. Thus the front rim section I3 is supported and reeni'orced by rim'portion 52 and supporting portion 54, the side rim sections 6a comprising the overlying rim portions to and the underlying rim portions 6b, are supported and reenforced by the reenforcing flaps 80, and the primary rim sections formed by the overlying rim portions H and the underlying rim portions 13 are reenforced by flaps 15, which primary rim sections further support and reenforce the secondary rear wall rim section 63. The box body as thus constructed is provided with double-ply side, front and rear walls, so that numerous boxes may be stacked one upon the other without danger that the lowermost box will be crushed or the merchandise damaged.

When the box has been thus assembled, the merchandise, such as candies, confections, or numerous other articles, may be packed therein. When the merchandise has been packed within the box, the cover panel 60 is swung down so as to overlie the side rim sections 6 and the front rim section l3. The cover may be locked into closed position by inserting the locking flap 68 through the cut or slit 84 adjacent the bottom edge of the front wall panel I. The front wallsupporting portion 54 may be provided with a cut-out 85 in the lower edge thereof. to permit insertion of the locking flap 68 into the box so as to overlie the inside face of the bottom wall panel I thereof, as shown in Fig. 25. As thus arranged, the strap portion 68 overlies the outside face of the front wall panel 4, as shown in Fig. 25.

The box shown in Figs. 24 and 25 can be formed entirely from a single blank of paperboard material as shown in Fig. 20, economically and at low cost. The box-forming blank can be shipped fiat to the user and may be stacked,

shipped and stored in aminimum of space. When merchandise is to be packed therein, the boxes can be erected by the user as needed. As above explained, the reenforcing flaps 88 and 15 may be made of a height corresponding to the height of the side wall panels 2 and end tabs 10 respectively, so that the lower edge thereof will rest against the bottom wall panel I of the box so that no adhesive need be applied thereto. If the reenforcing flaps and 15 are made of shorter height, as shown in Fig. 20, a strip of adhesive may be quickly applied thereto by an automatic strip gluing machine, and these flaps folded and pressed into adhesive engagement with the inside face of the end wall panel 2 and the end tabs 10 to which they are hingedly connected. As thus assembled, the box may be shipped to the userin substantially flat condition, in the form illustrated in Fig. 21. No adhesive, staples, stitches, or other extraneously applied securing means need be applied by'the user to erect the box into container form. The erected box presents an unusually attractive and eye-appealing package in which candies, nuts,

confections, textiles, wearing apparel, and numerous other articles of merchandise may be conveniently packed. The hinged cover panel protects the contents from contamination and injury, and the boxes may be stacked one upon the other without damage to the contents or danger of crushing.

It will now be seen that I have provided a number of attractive merchandisecontaining boxes, all of which may be produced economically and at a high production rate on an automatic cutting and scoring machine, to provide blanks which may be ship ed to and stored by the user in flat expanded position, effecting substantial economies in shipping and storage costs. These boxes may all be assembled by the user without the application of glue, staples, stitches or other applied securing means, the boxes being held in rigid merchandise-supporting and containing position entirely by interlocking parts, which may be quickly interconnected. The boxes further provide substantially continuous merchandise-retaining rims which assist in retaining the merchandise within'the boxes, which rims further provide an attractive and decorative framing for the merchandise packed therein. The

side and end walls of the box are amply reen-- tiai cubical space is to be packaged. No assembling machinery is required by the user to erect the box from the flat blank into rigid container form, and in some of the boxes illustrated merchandise can be conveniently placed upon the bottom wall panel of the expanded blank and the blank then erected into container-forming position around the merchandise at no greater expenditure of time than would be required to package the merchandise in a fully set up box.

My improved box is formed from a one-piece blank comprising a bottom wall panel and enclosing panels hingedly connected thereto, which enclosing panels have been variously referred to as side wall panels and end wall panels to facilitate description. It will be understood that the term "side wall panels" and "end wall panels as used herein are not intended to designate either the relative lengths or heights of the enclosing panel walls, and that essentially alternate panels are provided with double-ply rimi'orming sections between which the projecting ears associated with the rim sections connected to the intermediate panels are inserted.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A merchandising box formed from a single bottom wall panel, a rim section hinged to each of said side wall panels comprising hingedly connected overlying and underlying rim portions, an inturned end tab hinged to each end of each side wall panel, an inturned rim flap hinged to each of said tabs, each of said rim flaps having a corner portion thereof inserted between adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions, a rim section hinged to each of said end wall panels folded over adjacent aligned flaps, and interengaging means comprising parts of said rim sections for retaining said box in fixed assembled position.

2. A merchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a bottom wall panel, side wall panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, end wall panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, an inturned end tab hinged to each end of each side wall panel, an inturned rim-forming flap hinged to each of said end tabs, a double-ply rim section hinged to each of said side wall panels, each of said rim flaps having a corner portion thereof inserted between the plies of the adjacent double-ply rim sections, a rim section hinged to each of said end wall panels, and interengaging means comprising parts of said rim sections for retaining said box the lower ply thereof beyond the ends of the as- 76 tions.

scciated curbing ply, a double-ply inturned rim section hinged to each of said intermediate panels restingonsaidendextensionsandthetopedge of said frame. and an ear extending from each end of each intermediate rim section projecting between the adjacent ends of said double-ply rim sections for retaining said rim sections in fixed assembled position.

4. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, an inturned end tab hingedly connected to each end of alterna'teenclosing panels, an inturned rim section hingedly connected to each of said alternate panels comprising an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion, an inturned rim nap hinged to each of said end tabs having a corner portion thereof inserted between adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions, a rim section including an overlying rim portion hinged to each of said intermediate panels and overlying the adjacent flaps, and an ear portion projecting from each end of said intermediate overlying rim portions frictionally retained between the adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions of the alternate sections.

5. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panelscomprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, an inturned end tab hingedly connected to each end of alternate enclosing panels, an inturned rim section hingedly connected to each of said alternate panels providing an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion, a supporting portion hinged to each of said underlying rim portions for maintaining theoverlying and underlying rim portions in substantial parallelism, an inturned rim flap hinged to each of said end tabs having a corner portion thereof inserted between the overlying and underlying-rim portions, a rim section hinged to each of said intermediate panels overlying the adjacent flaps, and an ear portion projecting from each end of each intermediate rim section frictionally retained between the adjacent overlyingand underlying rim portions.

6. A merchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, an inturned end tab.hingedly connected to each end of alternate enclosing panels, an inturned rim section hingedly connected to each of saidalternate panels providing an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion,'a supporting portion hinged to each of said underlying rim portions abutting the inside face of the adjacent alternate panel for maintaining the overlying and underlying rim portions in substantial parallelism, each end of each overlying rim portion having a mitered end with the underlying rim portion projecting beyond said mitered ends, an inturned rim flap hinged to each of said end tabs supported upon the projecting end of the adjacent underlying rim portion and having a 'corner portion thereof inserted between the 8d? jacent overlying and underlying rim portions, a

rim section hinged to each of the intermediate panels overlying the adjacent flaps, and an ear portion projecting from each end of each intermediate rim section frictionally retained between the adjacent overlying and underlying rim poraasasso 'l. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, an inturned rim section hingedly connected to each of said alternate panels providing an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion, a supporting portion hinged to each of said underlying rim portions f the underlying rim portion projecting beyond said mitered ends, a rim section hinged to each of the intermediate panels supported by the projecting ends of the underlying rim portions, and an ear portion connected to each end of each intermediate rim section frictionally retained between the adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions.

8. A prepared blank formed from a single sheet of paperboard material adapted to be assembled into a rigid box by interlocking parts of the blank including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, a rim section hinged to each of said alternate panels, each alternate rim section comprising an outer rim portion hinged to an inner rim portion and adapted to be folded to underlie its associated inner rim portion, said outer rim portion having an ear portion at each end thereof extending beyond the adjacent end of its associated inner rim portion, a rim section hinged to each of said intermediatepanels having a locking ear projecting from each end thereof, an end tab hinged to each end of said alternate panels, and a rim flap hinged to each of said end tabs.

9. A prepared blank formed from a single sheet of paperboard material adapted to be assembledinto a rigid box form solely by interlocking paperboard parts of the blank without the use of applied securing means including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, a rim section hinged to each of said alternate panels each comprising hingedly connected overlying and underlying rim portions, each of said overlying rim flap hinged to each of said tabs, each of said rim flaps having a corner portion frictionally retained between adjacent overlying and underrim portions having its ends cut on a miter with the ends of the underlying rim portion projecting beyond the mitered ends of the overlying rim portion, an end tab hinged to each end of each alternate panel, a rim flap hinged to each of said end tabs, having a corner portion adapted to be inserted between adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions when the box is erected, and a rim section hinged to each of said intermediate panels having a locking ear at each end thereof adapted to be inserted between adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions when the box is erected.

10. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, an inturned rim section hinged to each of said alternate panels providing an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion, means for retaining the overlying and underlying rim portions in sub- I stantial parallelism, an inturned end tab hinged lying rim portions, inturned rim section hinged to each of said intermediate panels, an ear projecting from each end of each intermediate rim section frictionally retained between adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions, and a locking flap hinged to each of said intermediate rim sections enclosing the aligned inner edges of adjacent rim flaps.

11. A merchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, an inturned rim section hinged to each of said alternate panels providing an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion, an inturned and tab hinged to each end of each alternate panel, an inturned rim flap hinged to each of said tabs, a rim section hinged to each of said intermediate panels, an ear projecting from each end of each intermediate rim section frietionally retained between adjacent overlying and underlying rimportions, a locking flap hinged to each of said intermediate rim sections folded to enclose the aligned inner edges of the adjacent rim flaps, and an inturned cover-supporting portion underlying each of said locking flaps.

12. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, an inturned doubleply rim section hingedly connected to each of said alternate panels, comer portions comprising hingedly connected bellows fold sections connecting the adjacent ends of adjacent alternate and intermediate panels with the bellows fold section hinged to the alternate panel having an inturned rim flap, each of said rim flaps having a corner portion thereof inserted between-the plies of the adjacent double-ply rim section, a rim section hinged to each of said intermediate panels, and an ear projecting from each end of each intermediate rim section adapted to be frictionally retained between the piles of the adjacent double-ply rim section.

13. A merchandising box formed from paperboard material including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, a rigid reinforcing frame supported by said bottom wall panel positioned within' said enclosing panels, an inturned end tab hinged to each end of each alternate panel, an inturned rim flap hinged to each of said tabs, and an inturned double-ply rim section hinged to each of said alternate panels overlying the top edge of said frame, each of said rim flaps having a comer portion thereof inserted between the plies of the adjacent double-ply rim sections, a rim section hinged to each of said intermediate panels folded over adjacent aligned rim flaps and the top edge of said frame, and inter-engaging means comprising parts of said rim sections for retaining said box in fixed assembled position.

to each end of said alternate panels, an inturned 14. Amerchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a bottom wall panel; a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, a rigid reinforcing frame supported by said bottom wall panel positioned'within said enclosing panels,

each of said alternate panels having an inturned double-ply rim forming section comprising an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion resting on the top edge of said frame, a double-ply rim sectionhinged to each of said intermediate panels comprising an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion resting on the top edge of said frame, said intermediate overlying rim portion having an ear projecting from each end thereof inserted between the adjacent alternate overlying and underlying rim portions for retaining said enclosing panels and rim sections in fixed assembled position.

15. A merchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboard material including. a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, a rigid reinforcing frame supported by said bottom wall panel and positioned within said enclosing panels, an inturned rim section hinged to each of said alternate panels comprising an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion resting upon the top edge of said frame whereby the overlying and ,underlying rim portions are retained in substantial parallelism, an inturned end tab hinged to each end of said alternate panels positioned adjacent the outer surface of said frame, an inturned rim flap hinged to each of said tabs and resting on the top edge of said frame, an inturned rim section comprising an overlying rim portion hinged to each of saidintermediate panels and an outturned underlying rim portion resting on the top edge of said frame,

WILLIAM A. RINGIER.

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