US3026996A - Self-locking container - Google Patents

Description

March 27, 1962 s. P. BELSINGER SELF-LOCKING CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1959 INVENTOR.

SAMUEL P. BELSINGER ATTORNEY March 27, 1962 s. P. BELSINGER SELF-LOCKING CONTAINER 3 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Dec. 28. 1959 INVENTOR. SAMUEL P. BELSI NGER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,026,996 SELF-LOCKING CONTAINER Samuel P. Belsinger, 840 W. Paces Ferry Road NW., Atlanta, Ga. Filed Dec. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 862,132 Claims. (Cl. 206--7) This invention relates to containers, and is more particularly concerned with a self-locking container of the wardrobe type having a hanger bar for supporting articles of clothing on hangers therein and having an access opening for easy removal of the articles.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applications Serial No. 655,818, filed April 29, 1957, entitled Wardrobe, now Patent No. 2,974,779, and Serial No. 750,236, filed July 22, 1958, entitled Shipping Container, now Patent No. 2,980,239.

In the past, to provide a reinforced shipping container, it has usually been necessary to employ a plurality of blanks which are cut, scored and folded to produce an assembly which, when stapled or taped in predetermined places, forms a box of limited strength. Such prior art boxes often become crushed during shipping and are sometimes difficult to handle.

The prior art boxes are relatively expensive to manufacture and rarely have any locking arrangements by which the hangers may be retained in place or the box structure retained in a closed condition once the box has been opened. The prior art boxes also do not retain the clothes well, the hangers very often slipping 01f of the bar during shipment or moving laterally within the container so as to bunch the clothes on one side of the hanger bar or the other. Furthermore, certain prior constructions provide edges adjacent the clothing which, during transit, sometimes wear against the clothing, thereby damaging the very objects which are to be protected by the box. Another feature found objectionable in the prior art is the problem of readily loading and unloading such boxes and reclosing the boxes after they have been opened.

Contrary to prior art practices, I have produced a very rigid, self-locking container in which locking means substantially simultaneously lock the top and the front access panel in closed conditions as well as firmly restrain the hangers against inadvertent movement. The box of the present invention may be produced from a substantially rectangular blank and requires no special tooling for its manufacture.

Briefly described, the box or container of the present invention includes the usual panels forming the sides and back of the box. The bottom may be produced in the conventional way by overlapping flaps extending from the various panels of the box or with little or no additional material be formed with opposed reverse flanges which provide reinforcement. The front panel is divided into a lower fixed panel and an upper access panel hingedly secured to one side. A tab, which is attached to one of the panels, preferably the fixed lower panel, is adapted, as in my previous applications, to restrain the lower portion of the access panel from outward movement. Reverse flanges formed as integral portions of the flaps extending from the side panels reinforce the opposite sides of the box while a flap extending over the top of the box from the front panel restrains the front panel along its upper edge from being opened inadvertently. In the central portion of the side flaps there are provided complementary openings forming a transverse slit over the hanger bar and the flanges on the ends of the front and back flaps project through this slit so as to terminate adjacent the upper surface of the hanger bar and restrain such hangers as are on the hanger bar from inadvertent movement. Means at the corner of the side and access panels retard the inward movement of the side and access panels when the access panel is closed. If desired, notches in the opposite ends of the flanges interengage the ends of the slit so as to lock the top closed, and such tape as desired may be employed to maintain additional portions in the closed condition.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide, with a minimum of fibre board material, a wardrobe type container which is strong and will resist externally applied forces tending to crush the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wardrobe type container which is inexpensive to manufacture and requires no special dies or the like to produce the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a box or container for articles of clothing on hangers, the container being quickly and easily packed and unpacked and quickly and easily closed and opened without mutilation to the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wardrobe type box which after being packed and closed is easily handled during shipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a wardrobe type box or container having a hanger for receiving articles of clothing, a ready means for simultaneously locking the access panel closed, the top closed, and the hangers in position on the hanger bar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container wherein a hanger bar may be quickly and easily installed or removed, the container firmly retaining the hanger bar in proper position when the container is closed.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially broken view of a box or container constructed in accordance with the present invention, the container being in an opened condition.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a detail showing a modified form of side flange for the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hanger bar of the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of the container shown in FIG. 1, the container being in a closed condition.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view similar to the view seen in FIG. 5 and showing a modified form of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the blank employed to produce the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a portionof the blank for forming the modified form of the invention shown in FIG. 6. 1

Referring now in detail to the embodiments herein chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, it being specifically understoodthat the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of One of several forms of the present invention and it is not my intention to be limited to the specific details therein depicted, numeral 10 denotes the back panel of the container. Joined in side-by-side relationship to the back panel 10 are the side panels 11 and 12, the panels 10 and 11 having a common edge formed by vertical score line 13 and the panels and 12 having a common edge formed by score line 14. Thus it is seen that I have provided a plurality of integral panels 10, 11 and 12 originally formed in juxtaposition as seen in FIG. 8, the side panels 11 and 12 being folded normal to the back panel 10 so as to be in spaced parallel condition with respect to each other.

The front panel is formed as an integral extension of one of the side panels, say panel 12, the front panel being joined thereto along a common vertical edge or score line 15. The front panel is severed transversely to provide a transverse cut 16 so as to separate the front panel into a lower fixed panel 17 and an upper access panel 18 which is hinged to the side panel 12 along score line 15. The transverse cut 16 therefore provides a lower edge 19 on access panel 18 and an upper edge 20 on fixed panel 17 as seen in FIG. 1.

Along the outer vertical edge 21 of side panel 11 is a securing flange which in the preferred embodiment is provided with a pair of spaced parallel cuts 22 and 23 so as to separate the flange into three tandem arranged flange portions. The lower flange portion 24 extends from the lower score line 25 of the side panel 11 to the cut- 22, the intermediate flange portion 26 extends from the lower cut 22 to the cut 23 and the upper flange portion27 extends from the upper cut 23 to the upper score line '28. It will be understood that in the blank, as seen in FIG. 8, the three flange portions 24, 26 and 27 are in the same plane with side panel 11, being integrally joined to side panel 11 along a common score line defining the outer edge 21 of side pane-l 11.

When the box is erected, the entire flange is folded normal to side panel 11 and the flange portion 24 is secured to the outer edge portion of fixed panel 17. Preferably staples, such as staples 9, are employed to secure the flange portion 24 in an overlapped condition to fixed panel 17; however, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other means such as gIue, tape or the like may be employed for such a purpose without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 8, the lower or central cut 22 lies above but parallel to cut 16 and therefore there is provided a tab 29 which overlies the outer lower corner of the hinged access panel 18 when the access panel 18 is parallel to the fixed panel 17. When assembled, the intermediate flange portion 26 underlies the central outer edge portion of access panel 18 to prevent inward movement of the panel 18.

The upper flange portion 27 overlies the upper outer corner of the access panel 18 and serves two functions. First it tends to lock the upper part of the access panel 18 in a closed condition and secondly, in cooperation with the intermediate flange portion 26, which is on the opposite side of the access panel 18, the two flange portions 26 and 27 limits the inward movement of the upper outer edge of the side panel 11 and hence provides for a very rigid box.

In FIG. 2, it will be seen that, if desired, no upper flange portion 27 or upper cut 28 need be provided; Instead, the intermediate flange-may extend from the cut 22 to the upper score line 28 of the panel 11. In such an arrangement, the flange portion 26 serves as an abutment to prevent inward movement of the access panel 18. In such constructions it is recommended that staples (not shown) be provided to secure temporarily the access panel 18 to flange portion 26 during shipment.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the construction forming the bottom may be entirely conventional if desired and therefore I have not illustrated such a bottom construction. On the other hand, a more rigid construction than the conventional construction of bottom may be provided with little or no additional material by providing the arrangement for the bottom as'illustrated in FIGS. land 8. In FIG; '8

it will be seen that at the bottom portion of the blank, the bottom, front and back flaps 30 and 31 are formed as integral extensions respectively of back panel 10 and fixed panel 17. These flaps 30 and 31 are adapted to fold toward each other so that their outer ends abut as shown in FIG. 1.

The bottom side flaps 32 and 33 are formed as integral extensions of the side panels 11 and 12 and in the blank of FIG. 8 are separated from the bottom back flap 30* by cuts 34 and 35. The bottom side flap 33 is also separated from the bottom front flap 31 by a cut 36. It will be seen in FIG. 8 that the cuts 34, 35 and 36 are open ended cuts aligned respectively with the score lines 13, 14 and 15 and extending outwardly therefrom.

In the bottom side flaps 32 and 33 are spaced parallel score lines 37, 37 and 38, 38 which extend transversely and are aligned with each other, score line 37 being aligned with score line 37 and score line 38 being aligned with score line 38'. These score lines 37, 37', 38, 38' are also parallel to a transverse score line 25 defining the bottom edges of panels 10, 11, 12 and 17. It is therefore seen that the opposed bottom side flaps are provided with inner flap portions 39, 39 between score line 25 and score lines 37, 37'; intermediate flap portions 40, 41) between score lines 37, 37', 38, 38 and end flap portions 41, 41'.

When assembled into that form of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the inner flap portions 30, 30' are folded along score line 25 outwardly and upwardly so that their surfaces lie against the outer surfaces of side panels 11 and 12 respectively. The flaps 32 and 33 are then further folded along score lines 37, 37' so that the intermediate flap portions 40, 4!) lie against the other surfaces of flap portions 39, 39 and the end flap portions 41, 41' project inwardly toward each other between the inwardly folded bottom front'and back flaps 30 and 31. Suitable tape 42 or other securing means extending from intermediate flap portions 40, 40 across the junction of the front and back flaps 3t) and 31 may be employed to close the bottom, and staples such as staples 43 or other securing means may be employed to fix the reverse flanges formed by flap portions 39, 39', 40, 40 to the sides 11 and 12.

Referring now to the upper end of my container, it will be seen that the blank of FIG. 8 is provided with top back flap as an integral extension up from the upper edge of the back panel 10. Also, the blank is provided with a top front flap 51 which extends upwardly from the front access panel 18. At the outer ends of these flaps 50 and 51 there are provided respectively locking flanges 52 and 53 which are separated from the flaps 50 and 51 by transversescore lines 54 and 55 which are parallel to the score line 28 forming the upper edge of panels 10, 11, 12 and 18.

The top side flaps and 61 are very similar to the bottom side flaps 32 and 33. Top side flap 60 is formed as an integral extension of side panel 11 and top side flap 61 is formed as an integral extension of side panel 12. In the blank shown in FIG. 8, the top side flaps 60 and 61 are separated from the top back flap 60 by vertical cuts 62 and 63 which are extensions of score lines 13 and 14 respectively. The top side flap 61 is separated from the top front flap 51 by a vertical cut 64 which is an extension of score line 15.

To provide the reverse flanges for the side flaps at the top, the top side flaps 60 and 61 are provided with transverse score lines 65, 65 and 66, 66', flap 60 being provided with score lines 65 and 66 and flap 61 being provided with score lines 65 and 66'. The score lines 65, 65 are aligned with each other in the blank of 'FIG. 8 and the score lines 66, 66' are similarly aligned. Score lines 65, 65' are spaced from score lines 66, 66 and are parallel to each other and parallel to score line 28. Thus, the flap 69 is divided into inner flap portion 67, intermediate flap'portion' 68 and outer flap portion 69. Similarly the flap 61 is divided into inner flap portion 67', intermediate flap portion 68' and outer flap portion 69'.

When the box is assembled, the inner flap portions 67, 67 are folded outwardly and downwardly against the outer surfaces of panels 11 and 12; the intermediate flap portions 68, 68' are then folded outwardly and upwardly to lie against the inner flap portions 67, 67 and suitable securing means, such as staples 74, are provided to secure these flap portions in place.

Thus are provided double thickness upper edges for the side panels 11 and 12 along score line 28 for receiving the hooks of the hanger bar, hereinafter described.

Substantially midway between the side edges of top side flap 60 is a vertical open ended slot 70 which extends inwardly from the outer edge of flap 60 to terminate immediately above the score line 65. A similar slot 71 is provided in flap 61, terminating immediately above score line 65'.

In FIG. 9, it will be seen that, if an auxiliary locking arrangement is desired, opposed slits, such as slits 72 and 73, may be provided in the flanges 52 and 53, the purposes of which will be described hereinafter.

In the embodiments here depicted, I have provided a novel hanger bar, best seen in FIG. 3. This hanger bar is formed from a sheet of metal, the central portion of which is bent downwardly to form a channel member constituting the bar 80. The ends of the sheet of metal are bent upwardly to form inner bearing plates 81 integrally joined to the sides and web of bar 80 by curved skirt portions 82. At the upper ends of the inner bearing plates 81 the metal is bent outwardly and downwardly to form reverse bends indicated by numeral 83 and the outer portions of the metal lie essentially parallel to and spaced from the inner bearing plates 81, thereby forming outer bearing plates 84. Intermediate the ends of the bar 80 are opposed pairs of complementary clamping elements denoted generally by numeral 85, each of which is formed from a rectangular sheet of metal bent so as to provide a base 86 which is secured to the side of bar 88. A spacer member 87 extends from the upper end of the base 86 inwardly over the top or web of the bar 80 and an upstanding clamping plate or jaw member 88 extends upwardly therefrom. The upper end of jaw member 88 is bent outwardly to provide an outwardly extending bearing plate 89.

It will be observed that the reverse bends 83 and each of the bearing plates, such as plate 89, of the clamping elements 85 are about in the same plane. Thus, when the hanger bar is installed on the upper edge of the side panels 11 and 12 so that the space between the complementary clamping element 85 is aligned with the slits 70 and 71, the bearing plates, such as plate 89, will receive the outer flap portions 69, 69' provided such flaps are sufficiently wide to reach the bearing plates 89. Otherwise, of course, the bearing plates 89 will receive the top, front and back flaps 58 and 51.

After the flap portions 69, 69" are arranged in registry with the hanger bar, the top, back and front flaps 50 and 51 may be folded inwardly so that their flanges 54 and 55 project through the slits 70 and 71 and between the clamping elements 85 of the hanger bar 80 to terminate in the position shown in FIG. 7.

In the particular embodiments here depicted, the length of flaps 50 and 51 are about equal to the distance from either edge of outer flap portion 60 to slit 70. The length of flanges 84 and 85 is about equal to the height of clamping plate 88 plus the thickness of the outer flap portion 69. The space between the clamping plates of complementary clamping elements 85 is about equal to the width of slits 70 and 71 and also about equal to about twicethe thickness of the fibre board employed.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my container should be apparent. First the container is assembled as shown in FIG. 1 and then the access panel 18 is closed by lifting it over the tab 29 so that the edge of the access panel 18 overlies the intermediate flange portion 26. The upper flange portion 27 is arranged to overlie the outer edge of access panel 18 so that the access panel 18 is between the flange portion 27 and tab 29 on the outside of the container and flange portion 26 on the inside.

The articles of clothing are then loaded from overhead, being placed on the hanger bar of FIG. 3 prior to the time the hanger bar is installed. As the articles are lowered into the container through the upper open end of the container, the outer bearing plates 84 of the hanger bar pass between the inner flap portions 67, 67 and the intermediate flap portions 68, 68' as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 so that the bights 83 come to rest on the upper edge of panels 11 and 12.

Next, the outer flap portions 69, 69' are folded over the upper opening so as to lie normal to their side panels 11 and 12. Thereafter, the top front and back flaps 50 and 51 are folded over the. outer flap portions 69, 69 and the flanges 52 and 53 inserted through the slits 70 and 71 and between the opposed pairs of clamping elements 85. As the flanges 84 and 85 are inserted between the clamping elements 85, the transverse portions of the fibre board will be deformed inwardly by the clamping elements 85; also the ends of the flanges 52 and 53 will be deformed inwardly in a longitudinal direction by the action of the inner bearing plates 81 and the flaring portions 82 of the hanger bar. Thus, the flanges 52 and 53 will be held fn'ctionally in place.

It will be observed that the hanger bar is restrained from movement with respect to the container because the hooks at the ends of the hanger bar firmly grasp the side panels 11 and 12 and the inner flap portions 67, 67'. In addition, any bending movement on the hooks at the ends of the hanger bar will be resisted by the intermediate flap portions 68, 68 and the outer flap portions 69, 69', as well as by the inner and intermediate flap portions 67, 67' and the side panels 11 and 12. Any movement of the hanger bar toward the front panel or back panel 10 will be resisted by the flanges '52 and 53. Further resistance to movement may be accomplished by placing staples, such as staples 74', on opposite sides of the outer bearing plates 84, the staples 74' passing through the intermediate flap portions 68, 68', the inner flap portions '67, 67' and the side panels 11 and 12.

Because of the reverse flanges 67, 67, 68, 68 a very rigid construction is provided without any materially substantial additional fibre board being used. Any inward deformation of the upper corner of the side panel 11 Will be resisted by the arrangements of flange portions 26 and 27 cooperating with the access panel 18.

It will be observed in FIG. 4 that, if desired, tape may be passed from intermediate flap portion '68 to intermediate flap portion 68' across the junction of back and front flaps 50 and 51. Also tape 91 may be applied at the junction of front flap 51 and access panel 18 so as to extend over the upper flange portion 27 and hold it against the outer surface of the access panel 18 as shown in FIG. 4.

When the flanges 52 and 53 are urged downwardly toward the bar 80, any hooks of the hangers will deform the bottom or outer edges of the flanges 52 and 53 and thereby create an individual recess for itself so that it will not move along the bar 80 or disengage the bar during the period the container remains closed. 7

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and. 9, it will be observed that when the slots 72 and 73 are provided in the flanges, such as flange 52, and the container folded to a closed condition, the slots such as slot 72 become aligned with the inner end of the slits such as slit 70 and the inward biasing of the outer flap portions such as flap portion 69 will urge the portion of the flap beyond the slit 70 into the slot 72 and hence create a lock.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a container having a hinged access panel, an opposed rear panel, opposed side panels, a hanger bar between said opposed side panels and extending across said container, means for supporting said hanger bar between said opposed side panels whereby said hanger bar is adapted to support hooks of hangers, the combination with said bar of a pair of spaced opposedclamping members extending outwardly therefrom toward one end of said container, a pair of side flaps connected to said side panels, said side flaps being provided with aligned open ended slits, the slits of said side flaps being aligned with the space between said clamping members, a back flap on said back panel, a front flap. on said hinged access panel, flanges on the ends of said front and back flaps, said side flaps being foldable over said open end, said front and back flaps being foldable over said side flaps, said flanges being adapted to project through said slits and between said opposed clamping members when said front and back flaps are folded over said side flaps for engaging said hooks on said hanger bar to restrain said hooks against inadvertent movement.

2. In a container, a hinged access panel, an opposed rear panel, opposed side panels, a hanger bar between said opposed side panels and extending across said containers, means for supporting said hanger bar between said opposed side panels whereby said hanger bar is adapted to support hooks of hangers, said bar including a plurality of pairs of spaced opposed clamping members extending outwardly therefrom toward one end of said container, a pair of side flaps connected to said side panels, reverse flanges between said side flaps and said side panels for providing reinforcement to said side panels, said side flaps being provided with aligned open ended slits about midway of said flaps, the slits of said side flaps being aligned with the space between said clamping members and with said hanger bar, a back flap on said back panel, a front flap on said hinged access panel, flanges on the ends of said front and back flaps, said side flaps being foldable over said open end, said front and back flaps being foldable over said side flaps, said flanges being adapted to project through said slit and between said opposed clamping members when said front and back flaps are folded over said side flaps'for engaging said hooks on said hanger bar to restrain said hooks against inadvertent movement.

3. A container comprising a hinged access panel, an opposed rear panel, opposed side panels, a hanger bar between said opposed side panels and extending across said wardrobe means for supporting said hanger bar between said spaced opposed side panels whereby said hanger bar is adapted to support hooks of hangers, said bar including a pair of opposed clamping membersextending outwardly therefrom toward one end of said container, a pair of side flaps connected to said side panels, one of said side flaps being provided with an open ended slit, the slit of one of said side flaps being aligned with said hanger bar, a back flap on said back panel, a front flap on said hinged accesspanel, a flange on the end of said frontflap, said side flaps being foldable over said open end, said front and back flaps being foldable over said side flaps, said flange being adapted to project through said slit and between said opposed clamping members when said front flap is folded over said side flaps for engaging said hooks on said hanger bar to restrain said hooks against inadvertent movement.

4. A container comprising a hinged access panel, an opposed rear panel, opposed side panels, a hanger bar between said opposed side panels and extending across said wardrobe means for supporting said hanger bar between said spaced opposed side panels whereby said hanger bar is adapted to support hooks of hangers, said bar including apair of opposed clamping members extending outwardly therefrom toward one end of said container, a pair of side flaps connected to said side panels, said side flaps being provided with aligned open ended slits about midway of said flaps, the slits of said side flaps being aligned with said hanger bar, a back flap on said back panel, a front flap on said hinged access panel, flanges on the ends of said front and back flaps, said side flaps being foldable over said open end, said front and back flaps being foldable over said side flaps, said flanges being adapted to project through said slits and between said opposed clamping members when said front and back flaps are folded over said side flaps for engaging said hooks on said hanger bar to restrain said hooks against inadvertent movement, there being provided slots in said flanges for engagement with said side flaps.

5. In a container, a pair of opposed side panels, a back panel and a front panel, said front panel being divided into a hinged access panel and a fixed panel, said fixed panel being fixed between the edgesof said side panels, said access panel being secured along one edge to one of said side panels and foldable toward and away from the edge of the other side panel, a first flange connected to said edge of said other of said side panels, said flange being. divided to provide a flange portion underlying said access panel when said access panel is folded toward said edge to a closed position, said flange also including a pair of spaced second flange portions overlying said access door when said access door is closed, and means for retaining said door in a closed condition, one of said flange portions forming a tab projecting into the corner of the opening for said access door, the other of said flange portions projecting from the upper edge portions of said edge.

6. In a container, a pair of opposed side panels, a back panel and a front panel, said front panel being divided into a hinged access panel and a fixed panel, said fixed panel being fixed between the edges of said side panels, said access panel being secured along one edge to one of said side panels and foldable toward and away from the edge of the other side panel, a flange connected to said edge of said other of said side panels, said flange being divided to provide a flange portion underlying'said access panel when said access panel is folded toward said edge to a closed position, said flange also including a second flange portion overlying said access door when said access door is closed, and means for retaining said door in a closed condition, said means including a front flap connected to said access panel, a terminal flange on the end of said front flap, a side flap, there being provided a slit in said side flap, said terminal flange being adapted to project through said slit.

7. In a container, a back panel, opposed side panels and a hinged access panel carried by one of said side panels for folding toward and away from the other side panel, a side flap on one of said side panels, there being provided a slit in said side flap, a hanger bar carried by the aforesaid panels and aligned with said slit, a front flap on said access panel, a flange on said front flap, said flange having a depth substantially equal to the distance from said hanger bar to the junction of said side flap with its side panel said side flap being folded over the open end of said container, said front flap being foldable over said side flap when said access door is folded toward said other side panel, said flange being adapted to project through said slit and engage said bar when said front flap is folded as aforesaid.

8. In a container, a plurality of panels forming two pairs of opposed panels defining a closure having an opening, a first flap extending from one of said panels in one of said opposed pairs of panels, said first flap being folded along a first fold line between said first flap and its panel over said opening, a second flap extending from one of said panels in the other of said opposed pairs of panels, said second flap being folded along a second fold line between said second flap and its panel over said first fiap, said first and said second fold lines being about normal to each other and lying in about the same plane with said opening, a slit in said first flap, a hanger bar carried within said panels and aligned with said slit, said hanger bar being parallel to and below said plane, and means on said second flap projecting through said slit in said first flap and engaging said hanger bar.

9. In a container, a plurality of panels forming two pairs of opposed panels defining a closure having an opening, a first flap extending from one of said panels in one of said opposed pairs of panels, said first flap being foldable along a first fold line between said first flap and its panel over said opening, a second flap extending from one of said panels in the other of said opposed pairs of panels, said second flap being foldable along a second fold line between said second flap and its panel over said first flap, said first and said second fold lines being about normal to each other and lying in about the same plane with said opening, a slit in said first flap, means on said second flap projectable through said slit in said first flap when said first and second flaps are folded as aforesaid, and a bar extending across said opening and so positioned as to be aligned with said slit when said first flap is folded over said opening, said bar being parallel to and spaced downwardly from said plane, said means being projectable through said slit substantially the distance from said plane to said bar such that said means cooperates with said bar in clamping between said means and said bar hooks of coat hangers arranged on said bar, said means being provided with an open slit cooperating with said first flap for retaining said means in its position cooperating with said bar.

10. In a container, a plurality of panels forming two pairs of opposed panels defining a closure having an opening, a first flap extending from one of said panels in one of said opposed pairs of panels, said first flap being folded along a first fold line between said first flap and its panel over said opening, a second flap extending from one of said panels in the other of said opposed pairs of panels, said second flap being folded along a second fold line between said second flap and its panel over said first flap, said first and said second fold lines being about normal to each other and lying in about the said plane with said opening, a slit in said first flap, means on said second flap projecting through said slit in said first flap, a bar extending across said opening and so positioned. as to be aligned with said slit, said bar being parallel to and spaced downwardly from said plane, said means projecting through said slit sub stantially the distance from said plane to said bar such that said means cooperates with said bar in clamping between said means and said bar hooks of coat hangers arranged on said bar, said one of said panels in the other of said pair oi opposed panels including a panel portion hingedly secured to the remaining portion of said container and openable to permit access to the interior of said container, said second flap being connected to said panel portion to lock said panel portion in a closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,142,921 Rubowitz Ian. 3, 1939 2,752,032 Fish June 26, 1956 2,807,354 Belsinger Sept. 24, 1957

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