US2665835A - Lined box structure - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 12, 1954 R. M. BERGSTEIN 2,665,835

LINED BOX STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 27, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. @851??- MBEfGSTE/M mu BY AT TO RNEYS- Jan. 12, 1954 7 R. M. BERGSTEIN 2.66558 I LINED BOX STRUCTURE v Filed Nov. 27, 1948 '2 Shgets-Sheec 2 mm? M ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LINED BOX STRUCTURE Robert M. Bergstein, Wyoming, Ohio Application November 27, 1948, Serial N 0. 62,257

My invention relates to the provision of lined paperboard box structures of knock-down form, i. e. capable of being shipped flat and set up by the user, in which the liner and the paperboard blank are integrally joined in the process of manufacture, and need not be handled as separate pieces by the user.

Various structures of this class have hitherto been suggested. The familiar window carton is one in which an opening is formed in one or more panels and covered on the inside surface of the carton with a sheet of transparent material such as cellophane, adhered to the carton walls about the edges of the opening. The usual window carton is not a lined carton in the sense here used, for the sheet of cellophane has an area not greatly larger than that of the opening in the wall or walls, so that substantial areas of the paperboard from which the carton is made are exposed to the contents of it. Windows have, however, been formed in lined cartons.

In the manufacture of lined cartons it has been proposed, for example, to ply a liner to one or both sides of a supply of boxboard, and then form cartons therefrom by the usual operations of cutting, scoring and (where required) folding and gluing. This is an expensive procedure requiring combining equipment, and involving a wastage of liner substance equivalent to the scrap loss of the paperboard incident to the manufac ture of the carton. In modern merchandising visibility of the contents along with all-over inner protection is of great importance. In the type of structure just mentioned the problem of providing windows is a serious one. be provided in the bulk supply of boxboard prior to laminating, but this often results in the liner being covered with adhesive over the window area, which is disadvantageous, and entails the further difiiculty that the correlation of preformed openings in a bulk supply with box blanks to be formed in a separate operation from sheets cut from the supply is commercially impracticable. Even if a slow sheet lining method is used, it will be evident that there will be an initial operation to cut out the window openings and a subsequent operation to form the cartons as such. these operations being separated by a laminating step; all of which results in a complicated and expensive procedure.

Again it has been proposed to form carton blanks and associate liner sheets with them. In some forms of box blank, sheets of liner material larger in area than the blank are employed, and the resultant structures involve either in their Openings can 4 Claims. (Cl. 229-14) formation or in their erection a folding of the liner as well as the blank. In other forms, as where closure flaps or the like are employed, and since it is impracticable to configure the liner sheet as the blank is configured, it has been necessary in some instances to use liner sheets'substantially smaller than the paperboard blanks with the result that the boxes are incompletely lined. In other instances larger liner sheets have been employed, but must be left free from certain portions of the box blanks, which gives rise to a handling problem. Wherever in a composite structure of box blank and liner, any substantial edge length of the liner is left free of the blank, the structures tend to catch on each other with possible tearing of the liner, thus destroying its utility. Wherever the liner extends substantially beyond the confines of the blank, the liner tends to be rumpled and creased in handling and in many instances to separate from the blank. Also the liner must be separately folded andmanipulated in closing the compositestructures after the contents have been placed in them.

It is a fundamental object of my invention to provide lined structures in which the abovementioned disadvantages are avoided.

It is an object of the invention to provide a structure combining a boxboard blank and a liner sheet, in which the blank and sheet are of the same or substantially the same size and shape and may be readily and economically associated together through the employment of thelordinary "cellophane window machines in current use in the box making art. j

It is an object of myinyention to provide a simple and inexpensive box or folder structure in which a rectangular sheet of lining material is associated with a rectangular or substantially rectangular blank so as to line all parts of it, which are exposed to the contents, in which'the folding of the box walls resultsin a folding of the liner in erecting the structure so that extra manipulations are not required, and in which locking means may be provided and employed to hold the structure in erected condition without configuration or cutting of the liner sheet, and without exposing to the contents of the package any part of the paperboard blank.

It is an object of my invention to provide struc=- tures of the class set forth at substantial savings over any of the hitherto known types of lined box structures. It is an object of my invention to provide a completely lined blank for a box, in which the liner sheet does not extend beyond the general confines of the blank, and is bound to-the 3 blank for substantially the entire length of its peripheral edges.

It is an object of my invention to provide a composite structure in which an absolute minimum area of liner material is employed to achieve the completely lined box. The importance of this will be evident when it is realized that in many instances the liner is the more expensive material involved. In my structures the exact minimum amount of liner material is used which will provide dependably a complete inner lining when the package is assembled. There is no wastage or scrapping of liner stock. The boxboard blanks moreover are so designed as to involve a minimum scrap loss, as will be pointed out hereinafter. In this way savings up to and exceeding 10% ,of the cost of the structures are effected as compared with lined boxes of the same capacity otherwise produced. 7

It is also an object of my invention to provide box structures which are unique in that they involve a e-panel enclosure for the contents, that is to say, a top, a bottom and .four sides, five of the six panels being protected :-by an integral and unbroken sheet of .li-ner material, whereas the sixth panel is protected by fully lined parts which are abutted or 'mitered in relation to each other.

Itis an object of my invention to provide lined structures in which :nounlined portion of the boxboard is presented to the contents, yet in which no manipulation of a liner sheet is required apart from the manipulation of the composite structure as a whole.

Itis an object of my invention to provide a type of structure in which the boxboard blank is rectangular, and in many instances square, irrespec- ;'trve of widely varied ratios of length, width and thickness in the completed box, and in which a blank is run through the lining operation with the main fold lines substantially diagonal to the direction of travel of the blank.

It is an object of my invention to provide a lined box of the type set forth in which the bottom panel and the various side panels together with the liner may form a water-tight structure in which, for example, materials of high liquid content may be introduced for subsequent freez- It is an object of my invention to provide structures in which the liner sheet is either square or rectangular so that it may be cut conveniently and without waste from a continuous supply.

It is an object of my invention to provide structures in which while the ultimate box will be fullylinedas set forth, the sheet of liner material does not project beyond the main outlines of the blank and may be secured continuously through out its periphery to all contiguous portions of the blank, thus leaving no portions of the liner sheet projecting beyond the main outlines of the blank and only exceedingly minor portions of the periphery of the liner unsecured to the blank. My invention is not limited by the nature of the liner sheet, which will be a flexible sheet material the substance of which may be chosen in the light of the particular qualities desired. By way of non-limiting examples, a glassine paper may be employed where its particular qualities of grease-proofness are desired; various plied materials inclusive of papers, foils and films may be employed where their qualities of proofness, appearance and the like are of importance; and where transparency and gloss as well as proofness contribute to the utility of the box, or where windows are desired, various ones of the transparent films of commerce are available. I shall hereinafter describe exemplary stmctures in which cellophane is used as a liner, it being understood that the substance of the liner does not affect the structure claimed, excepting as set forth above. I shall describe typical structures in which the liner is associated with the inside surface of the paperboard blank.

The objects of the invention which have been set forth above and others which will be discussed hereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, Iaccomplish by that procedure and in that structure and arrangement of parts of which I shall now describe certain exemplary embodiments. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank and liner sheet associated in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of Figure l in a partially erected condition.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the completely erected and closed box "from the under side.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the completely erected and closed box from the upper side.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a paperboard blank and an associated liner sheet forming a mothfica-tion of my invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the partially erected box.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the completely erected and closed box from the under side.

Figure '8 is a perspective view of the completely erected and closed box from the upper side.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank and associated liner sheet generally similar to that of Figure 5 but showing a variation of the construction at the corner forming portions.

Figure 10 is a plan view of :a blank and. associated liner sheet, also generally similar to .that'of Figure 5, but showing yet another form of corner construction.

In the various figures solid lines indicate lines of out, and dash-dot lines indicate lines of scaring. Referring to Figure 1, I. have shown at 20, a rectangular paperboard blank which will be understood to have been printed as desired. It is cut and scored to provide a main pane-I23 which will form the top of the box when erected, side walls 24 and 2.6 articulated to the side edges or the main panel 23, and end panels '2 5 and 21 articulated to its end edges. These elements are arranged diagonally .or aslant on the blank as shown; and there are =left at each corner of the blank triangular tabs or flaps 28., 29., 30 and Si which, in the erected structure, will coact to form the bottom panel. The blank may be notched out at the ends of the side and end walls as shown at i2, l3, l4 and [5. A window opening 32 is shown as formed in the main panel 23 and the side walls 25 and 26, and is exemplary only. Window openings on. a size and shape other than that shown in Figure 1 may be employed.

In order to assure positive overlapping of the flaps, it will be noted in Figure '1 that I have carried outwardly the edges of the flap 2B asat 28a and 2% beyond the rectangular main outline of the blank. vAlso at 30c and 3012.1 have provided lateral projections on the side edges of the flap 36. These projections have pointed outer as shown, forming tongues. Slits '33. and

5 34 are formed as shown in the triangular flaps 29 and 3|.

While the paperboard blank of Figure 6 is not truly rectangular in absolute outline, it is generally of that shape, and its edges remain such as to provide adequate coaction with the guides in a cellophane window machine and in the hopper thereof. It will be understood that this bank, and all blanks herein illustrated, are sent through a cellophane window machine in the direction of one of their rectangular sides. A sheet of cellophane or other lining material is applied to the blank by the window machine, and is indicated in Figure l at 35. It will be adhered to the blank in the shaded area '36 about the rectangular periphery of the blank; but it may be adhered elsewhere also if desired as at areas 31 adjacent the window 32, andareas in the interior of the flaps as at 38. The projections 28a, 28b, 30a and 30bextend beyond the rectangular periphery of the liner sheet, as shown. At the apex of the flap 28 I may provide a locking tongue 39 adapted to enter a slit 40. formed in the flap 30.

In erecting the box, the end walls 25 and 21 are first erected, and their flaps 29 and 3| folded over into the rear plane of the box, whereupon the side wall 26 may then be erected, the flap 30 folded over and the tongue-like pointed ends of the extensions 30a and 301) may then be engaged in the slits 33 and 34 in flaps 29 and 3|. This will hold the erected parts in erected condition, giving a structure which may then be filled with contents like an envelope (if the contents have not already been inserted in the package). Then the side .wall 24 may be erected, the flap 28 folded over and the locking tongue 39 thrust downwardly into the slit 4!]. The box then will be securely closed, and there will be an adequate overlap offiaps to provide an adequate protective closure on the bottom of the box. The extension of the cellophane or other liner sheet beyond the knocked-out portions of the blank in the areas l2, I3, I 4 and |5leaves small bellows-folding portions of the liner sheet at the ends of the side and end walls. These may either be folded inwardly or cut oil in the completed structure.

In any event it will be observed that I have provided in this structure a paperboard blank lined on the inside throughout with a liner sheet; that one or more of the flaps involved are cut or slitted as to the paperboard portion but not as to the liner sheet; and that when the ends of the locking tongues are thrust through these cuts or slits they engage between the paperboard portion of the flap and a continuous uncut portion' of the liner sheet therebeneath so that these paperboard portions are prevented from coming into contact with the contents of the package. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate respectively the bottom and top sides of the completed package.

The boxes of my invention are formed from blanks which are generally rectangular or square in outline, with the main panel and side and end walls disposed in directions parallel to the diagonals f the rectangle or square. This does not, however, circumscribe the general size and shape of the boxes produced. Figure 1 illustrates a structure for a box having relatively deep side and end walls and being of elongated,"'rectangular (non-square) form. "In Figure I have shown a box of square form, but with relatively narrower side and end walls. Since the blanks are generally rectangular they can be cut without substantial waste from rectangular sheets of paperboard, even when extensions are providedas taught in Figures 1, 5, 9 and 10 hereof. The reason for this is that when the blanks are reversed they nest, and the extent of the projec tions may readily be controlled to permit nesting. In Figure 5, I have shown a blank for a square box having a main panel 4|, side and end walls 42, 43, 44 and 45 articulated respectively to the sides and ends of the main panel, and flaps 45, 41, 48 and 49 on the outer edges of the side and end walls. A window 50 common to the side Walls and the main panel may be provided as shown. Relatively wide lateral extensions 48a and 481) are formed on the edges of the flap 48, and the approaching ends of these extensions are configurated to provide tongues 5| and'52 which, in the erected structure will engage in slots 53 and 54 in the triangular flaps 41 and 49, in a way already explained. Much wider extensions indicated at 46c and 46b are provided on the flap 46, and a locking tongue 55 is pro vided at its apex which will engage in a slot 55 in the flap 48 substantially coinciding with its score line, in a way also already explained. The parts are so proportioned that the distance between the line of articulation of the flap 46 to the sidewall 42 and the base of the locking tongue 55 is substantially equal to the width of themain panel 4|.

Paperboard blanks oLf the kind shown in Figure 5 are sent as before, through a cellophane window machine and receive liner sheets substantially congruent to the general rectangular outline of the blank, and adhered to the blank about the peripheries of the liner sheets, and elsewhere if desired. The liner sheet in Figure 5 is indicated at 51. The manner of erecting and closing this box will be understood from the description above. Figure 6 illustrates the box in partially erected condition with flap 48 locked to flaps 4'1 and 49 and the box in condition to be filled like an envelope. Figure 7 illustrates the completely closed box from the reverse or bottom side, while Figure 8 shows it from the top side.

My boxes may, as above indicated, be erected about solid contents, or styles of boxes such as those illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 may be partially erected before the introduction of the contents and the contents thereafter introduced through the area to be occupied by the as yet unfolded side. Such a method of erection and filling is suitable for use with contents which can not act as a cform for the erection of the box. There are, however, instances in which it is undesirable to fill the box in the partially erected condition illustrated in Figure 6. Wherethese conditions are encountered, it is withinthe scope of by invention to provide a form or jig into which a partially erected box maybe placed. The partially erected condition of the box would be one. in which side and end walls 42, 43, 44 and 45 were erected at right angles to the main panel 4|, but in which the flaps 48, 41, 48 and 49 remain unfolded until after the filling. While the box is still in the form or jig, the contents of whatever nature, are introduced, and thereafter the fiaps are foldedQand interengaged. It will be noted not only that my blanks are fully lined throughoutwith the liner sheet, but at the corners the liner sheet is formed.

into bellows folds so that the boxes are suitable for use with contents which are filled into them in such soft condition as to be likely to exude 7 at "the corners of boxes not provided m'th bellows holds,

Especially where the side and end :walls of the 2811B relatively deep, instead ,of notchi-ng out-the paperboard blank between the ends of the side and end 1 may permit the paperboard toremain in these positionsand diagonally score it to provide paperboard bellows .folds which will assist the bellowsdolding :of the liner sheet, and also assist in maintaining the positions of the ends of the side :and end walls, thereby zgreatly strengthening the :box. This is illustrated in Figure :9 where the paperboard webs connecting the ends of the side and end walls have been allowed to remain in the blank at 158, 59, 60 and .611 and have been diagonally scored as :at 6,2, and

Yet :again, ;as illustrated in Figure .10, :it is within the scope of any invention to provide :a strnotm'e in which the side and end walls will maintain themselves in erected .form without the use :of a :jig described above. In this figure, lnwhlch like parts are designated by like index numerals, the portions of board in :the paperboard blank lying between the ends of the side and end wall elements, are oonfigurated to form locking tongues :66, 1611 .68 and 59, which in the erected structure will engage in slots 10, :ll, l2 and 13 in {the :two :end walls. In setting up this structure the engagement of the locking tongues in the slots ,efiected immediately upon erecting the :side and end walls with respect to the main panel, after which the box will retain its shape during filling. The liner sheet will of course not be adhered to the locking tongues, and theportionsflymg between-the ends of the side and end walls will be bellows-folded, with the folds extending inwardly :oi the box. After the box has been filled contents, the various triangular flaps may be folded over onto the contents and interengaged as hereinabove described.

Modifications may be :made my invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Having thus described my inventionin certain exemplary embodiments, what .I claim as new and desire to secure by'Letters Patent is:

1. .In a machine lined paperboard box structure having enclosing body walls and incorporating a liner having "the minimum rectangular area for completely internally lining the enclosing walls of said box structure, said box structure being "formed from a paperboard blank cut and scored to provide a main panel, side and end wall panels articulated to said main panel, and fiapniembers articulated to saidside and end wall panels for forming the remaining wall of said boxstructure, a rectangular fliner sheet overlying said bottompanel and said side and end panels, saidrectangular liner sheet being diaeona'lly disposed with respect to said main panel and having its edges coinciding with the outermost corners of said side and end wall panels, thereby providing triangular liner portions extending outwardly beyond said side and end wall panels and overlying said .flap members, three of said flap members being triangular in outline and having their edges coinciding with the edges of the overlying corner portions of said liner sheet, the fourth of said closure flaps being larger than the overlying corner portion of said liner sheet and extending beyond the "edges thereof, said triangular portions being marginally." secured to said flap members, said first named three flap members being adapted to be folded into edge abutting :relation in the erected box, whereby to bring edge portions of the corresponding liner corners into abutting relation, said fourth :dap being foldable to overlie edge portions cf said firstnamed three flap members with the corner portion of the liner secured to said fourth flap member in edge abutting relation with adjacent edge portions of the liner corners secured to the :opposed pair of said first named three :flap members.

2. :In a machine linedpaperboard box structure having enclosing body -walls :and incorporating a liner having the minimum rectangular area for completely internally lining the enclosing walls of said box structure, said box structure being formed from a paperboard blank cut and scored to provide a :main panel, side and end wall panels articulated to said main panel, :and flap members articulated to said .side and end wall panels for .forming the remaining wall :of said "box structure, a rectangular liner sheet overlying said bottom panel and said side .and end wall panels, :said rectangular liner sheet being diagonally disposed with :respect to said main panel and having its edges coinciding with the outermost corners of :said side and end wall panels, thereby providing triangular liner portions extending outwardly beyond said side and end Wall panels .and overlying said'flap members, three of said flap members being triangular in outline and having their edges coinciding with the edges of the overlying corner portions of said liner sheet, the fourth of said closure iflaps being larger than the overlying corner portion of said .liner sheet and extending beyond the edges thereof, rsaidtriangular portions :be'ing marginally secured to said flap members, said first named three flap members being :adapted to be folded into edge abutting relation in the erected box, whereby to bring edge portions of the corresponding linercorners into abutting relation, said fourth flap being foldable to overlie edge por tions of said first named three flap members with the corner portion of the liner secured to said fourth flap member in edge abutting relation with adjacent edge portions of the liner corners secured to the opposed pair of said first named three flap members, interlocks for fastening together said first named threefiap members to provide a structure which may be filled envelope-wise, said interlocks comprising minor projections extending outwardly beyond the triangular outline of at least one of said first named three flap members and adapted 'to overlie an adjacent flap member in the erected structure, the fourth of said flap members including locking means for securing it in folded condition overlying the said first named three 'flap members.

1.3. In a, machine lined paperboard box structure having enclosing body walls and incorporating a. liner having the minimum rectangular area for completely -internally lining the enclosing walls of said box structure, said box structure being formed from a paperboard blank out and scored to provide a main panel, side and end wall panels articulated to said main panel, and flap members articulated to .said side and end wall panels for forming the remaining wall of said box structure, a rectangular liner sheet overlying said bottom panel and said side and end wall panels, said rectangular liner sheet being diagonally disposed with respect to said main panel and having its edges coinciding with the outermost corners of said side and end wall panels, thereby providing triangular liner portions extending outwardly beyond said side and end wall panels and overlying said fiap members, three of said flap members being triangular in outline and having their edges coinciding with the edges of the overlying corner portions I of said liner sheet, the fourth of said closure flaps being larger than the overlying corner portion of said liner sheet and extending beyond the edges thereof, said triangular portions being marginally secured to said flap members, said first named three fiap members being adapted to be folded into edge abutting relation in the erected box, whereby to bring edge portions of the corresponding liner corners into abutting relation, said fourth flap being foldable to overlie edge portions of said first named three flap members with the corner portion of the liner secured to said fourth flap member in edge abutting relation with adjacent edge portions of the liner corners secured to the opposed pair of said first named three flap members, interlocks for interconnecting said first named three flap members to provide a structure which may be filled envelope-wise, said interlocks comprising locking tongues extending beyond the triangular outline of the intermediate one of said first named three fiap members and adapted to overlie the opposed pair of said flap members, the said opposed pair of flap members having slits therein for engagement by said locking tongues, said fourth closure flap including locking means for securing it in folded condition overlying said first named three fiap members.

4. In a machine lined paperboard box structure having enclosing body walls and incorporating a liner having the minimum rectangular area for completely internally lining the enclosing walls of said box structure, said box structure being formed from a paperboard blank cut and scored to provide a main panel, side and end wall panels articulated to said main panel, and flap members articulated to said side and. end wall panels for forming the remaining wall of said box structure, a rectangular liner sheet overlying said bottom panel and said side and end wall panels, said rectangular liner sheet being diagonally disposed with respect to said main panel and having its edges coinciding with the outermost corners of said side and end wall panels, thereby providing triangular liner portions extending outwardly beyond said side and end wall panels and overlying said flap members, three of said flap members bein triangular in outline and having their edges coinciding with the edges of the overlying corner portions of said liner sheet, the fourth of said closure flaps being larger than the overlying corner portion of said liner sheet and extending beyond the edges thereof, said triangular portions being marginally secured to said flap members, said first named three flap members being adapted to be folded into edge abutting relation in the erected box, whereby to bring edge portions of the corresponding liner corners into abutting relation, said fourth flap being foldable to overlie edge portions of said first named three flap members with the corner portion of the liner secured to said fourth flap member in edge abutting relation with adjacent edge portions of the liner corners secured to the opposed pair of said first named three flap members, portions of said blank lying between the ends of said side and end wall panels being severed from one pair of said wall panels and remaining in articulation with the other pair of said wall panels and being further configured to provide locking tongues engageable in slits in the last named pair of said wall panels, whereby the side and end wall panels of said box structure may be erected with respect to said main panel and held in erected condition during filling of said box structure prior to the infolding of said flap members.

ROBERT M. BERGSTEIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 208,412 Meschenmoser Sept. 24, 1878 1,112,559 Reilly Oct. 6, 1914 1,760,106 Beach May 27, 1930 1,794,153 Creason Feb. 24, 1931 2,284,604 Brooks May 26, 1942 2,406,061 Cass, Jr. Aug. 20, 1946 2,410,486 Evans Nov. 5, 1946 2,430,610 Guyer Nov. 11, 1947 2,465,841 Bonini Mar. 29, 1949

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