US1580147A - Berry box - Google Patents

Description

J. W. M CLEAN BERRY BOX A ril 13 1926. 1,550,147

Filed May s, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 John W Ma. C /ean April 13 1926. J. W. M CLEAN BERRY BOX Filed May a, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 John W. M; Clean Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. IOBLEAN, OI SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

BERRY BOX.

Application Med May 8,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. MGCLEAN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Spokane, in Spokane County and State of \Vashington, have invented certain newan'd useful Improvements in Berry Boxes, of which the following is a s ecification.

My present invention re ates to improvements in berry boxes of the folded-blank type, wherein a single, integral blank 15 cut, as by means of a die, to special shape, and the cut blank is adapted for use by folding or bending to form its sides and bottom. The bottom is fashioned with overlapp ng sections securely locked together to provlde a reinforced and rigid bottom for the open top box, and a single si-de flap is utillzed for locking the box or tray in position for use.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a light but strong box to be used as a container and for shipping purposes in connection with berries and similar commodities which box is comparatively inexpensive in cost production, well braced, and durable, and preferably made up of cardboard.

The box blanks as cut to shape, before folding, may be compactly piled and secured for shipment, and the blanks may with {dollity and convenience be bent and folded into boxes or containers either for sale-display or for shipping purposes.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the hysical embodiment of my invention wherem the parts are combined and arran ed according to one mode I have so far evised for the practical application of the principles of my invention for the productlon of a rectangular shaped box or tray.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a berry box embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the box blank, partly folded, and illustratingthe process of forming the box.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the completed box.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the out boxblank, before folding or bending.

The box as illustrated is preferabl of rectangular shape with open top, an the material used may be card-board, fiber or similar material adapted for the purpose. It will be understood that other forms or shapes of the box are contemplated, but for 1923. Serial No. 887,484.

convenience of illustration and description, a rectangular box is hereinafter referred to.

The four sides 1, 2, 3, 4, of similar size and shape, form integral parts or sections of the single-piece blank, which is scored on its longitudinal axis and along its median line A (as indicated by a light line) in order that the four sections 5, 6, 7, 8, may be folded or bent to form the bottom of the box. The four bottom sections are substantially of the same size and shape, and are designed for coaction to form a reinforced bottom member for the box when completed. 7

The blank is scored transversely at three equidistant points as indicated by the light line B upon which the bends or folds are made for forming the respective sides of the rectangular box. These three light lines indicating scoring are continued by heavy lines C (which indicate cuts or slits through the material of the blank) across the portion of the blank from which the bottom sections are formed, in order that the sections 5, 6, g, 8, may be folded to form the bottom of the For supporting the completed box in upright. position and slightly elevated from its support I utilize corner feet which are fashioned by cutting out three tabs 9 which are located on the axis lines 13-0 of the blank between the ends of the blank. These tabs are each bounded by a heavy line in Figure 4 to indicate that the tab is cut or stamped from the material by a tool having three cutting edges as indicated, and the tab is adapted to be folded on the line B to form an angular foot.

At the respective ends of the blank a fourth foot is provided for by cutting out two complementary tab sections 10 and 11. The tab 11 it will be observed is a halfsection, while the tab 10, which is to be desigi'ied to receive respective corners 13 of the four bottom sections, after the sections have been bent along the line A.

At the long free edge of each bottom section an angular notch 14 is cut therefrom. said notch being located equidistant between the short ends of the sections, in order that the overlapping bottom sections may be interlocked, and their'joint at the center of the box bottom be freely made with a comparatively for the box bottom, as shown.

At the respective ends of the blank, coacting means are provided for locking the folded members of the box together. These means include a slit 15, cut by a tool having the necessary three cutting edges, and disposed at or near the end of the boxside 4, and also a locking flap 16 at the opposite end of the box blank, which flap forms a continuation of the box side 1. The blank is scored on the line 17 in order that the flap 16 and the foot-tab may be bent at right angles to the side 1, and to permit the flap 16 to be bent around the box side 4 in completing the box. This flap is notched at 18 to form a locking head 19 which may be inserted inthe slot or slit of the box side 4.

The box may be fashioned from the blank any convenient manner as for instance by first bending the blank on the lines B (the slits C permitting freedom of movement) and bending the locking flap 16 and foot 10 on line 17. Then the bottom sections are folded at right angles to the side sections leaving the feet rigid with the sides of the box, and the opposite ends of the sectional box-side are brought together as indicated in the initial movement in Figure 2.

In Figure 2 it will be seen that the bottom sections, as they are brought together, are made to overlap, with the respective corsmooth upper surface ners 13 beneath an adjoining section. As the box members are closed in these corners are inserted in the complementary slits 12, as seen at the right in Figure 2, and when all of the corners have been inserted in their slits, a continued closing movement of the ttom sections will cause each section to be locked in its adjoining section, as seen in Figures 1 and 3. After the bottom sections are in place the flap 16 is turned around and laid flat against the side 4, and head 19 is slipped into the slit 15 to lock the box by a single element. The slit it will be observed is disposed horizontally in the side 4 and the head is slipped therein in a vertical plane, thus bringing any strains or pull of the flap on the head 19. The head through the notch 18 is prevented from being dislodged for the reason that a lateral strain is absorbed between the head and the left end or Wall of the slit 15.

In this manner a comparatively light, durable, and neat appearing box is provided, which is braced and strengthened by the interlocking bottom sections, and the parts are securely locked in normal position.

Having thus fully described my in ention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

A box made from a single folded blank having sides and overlapping bottom sections of uniform size and shape, said sections having complementary edge notches forming a center opening in the box bottom, co-acting means for interlocking adjoining bottom sections, said sides having rigid extensions cut out of the bottom sections and forming angular feet at the corners of the box, a slit in one side, a' foldedflap on an adjoining side, and a notched head on said flap to engage said slit.'

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN W. MCCLEAN.

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