Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Bottom wall includes a folded extension of a sidewall
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-31
2001-04-24
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Bottom wall includes a folded extension of a sidewall
C229S109000, C229S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220508
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to containers for the bulk storage and shipment of materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a corrugated paperboard bulk box with set-up assisting features and a locking bottom flap construction.
2. Prior Art
In the bulk handling of materials, e.g., resins, dry food products, produce, etc., containers of relatively large size are commonly used to transport and store the material. These containers must be capable of withstanding the weight of the contents, as well as the rough handling to which they may be subjected. Further, they should be relatively easy to set up, and capable of being stacked on top of one another, and of being handled with mechanized equipment.
A variety of containers have been developed in the prior art to meet these criteria, including metal drums, plywood bins and corrugated paperboard boxes. While metal drums and plywood bins possess the requisite strength and durability, they are expensive to manufacture, store and ship. Corrugated paperboard boxes are less costly to make, and generally can be collapsed for compact storage and shipment. However, they may be difficult to set up, and/or may not be capable of withstanding rough handling.
Accordingly, there is a need for a bulk container which is inexpensive to make and use, is strong and durable, may be collapsed for compact storage and shipment, and which is easy to set up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a bulk container which is strong and durable, which may be collapsed for compact storage and shipment, and which may be set up quickly and easily.
The container of the invention preferably is made of corrugated paperboard having adequate strength to withstand the weight of the contents and to enable multiple containers to be stacked on top of one another. It is also capable of being palletized so that it can be efficiently handled with mechanized equipment. The container is shipped to a point of use in a compact flattened condition, and has a locking bottom flap construction that is quick and easy to set up and is durable even when subjected to rough handling. In particular, the container of the invention has aligning means which facilitate positioning and squaring up of the container during set up, and which holds it in that position after it is set up.
In a preferred embodiment, the container of the invention is an octagonal corrugated paperboard box having opposed pairs of parallel side walls and diagonal corner panels. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the box is of the open bottom style, having opposed pairs of bottom flange flaps that are foldably joined along score lines at one edge to respective pairs of opposed side walls, and that have opposite free edges that are spaced from one another after the box is set-up, defining a central opening through the bottom of the box.
In the preferred embodiment, the flaps comprise a pair of opposed minor flaps and a pair of opposed major flaps. The major flaps include side portions extending in alignment with and cut from the bottom ends of the associated diagonal corner panels, so that when the major flaps are folded inwardly over the bottom of the box, the corners of the side portions project beyond the diagonal corner panels to define fastening tabs that may be used to secure the box to a pallet.
The locking bottom flap construction includes a locking notch or cut-out in each of the opposite end edges of each of the minor flaps, and a pair of V-shaped locking notches in the free edge of each of the major flaps, located adjacent each of the opposite ends of the free edge. When the flaps are folded inwardly toward one another over the bottom of the box, the locking notches in the ends of the minor flaps engage in the locking notches in the free edges of the major flaps to lock the flaps in their inwardly folded position.
The aligning means includes an aligning slot at one end of the score line joining each minor bottom flap to its associated side wall, a small aligning notch in the free edge of each of the major bottom flaps, at one end thereof, and a notch in the outer free corner of each major bottom flap. The aligning slots and associated aligning notches are located such that a set of cooperatively interengaged slots and notches are in each of diagonally opposite corners of the box when the box is set up.
The box is preferably made from a single blank of corrugated material, folded upon itself and glued at a manufacturer's joint to form an open-ended, flattened tubular structure. The box may then be shipped in this flattened condition to a point of use, and stored until ready to use, at which time the flattened box is opened to its generally octagonal tubular shape, and if desired during set up is inverted to rest on its open top end, with the bottom end oriented uppermost.
During set up of the box, the major bottom flaps are first folded inwardly over the open bottom of the box, so that the notches in the free edges of the major bottom flaps engage in the slots at the end of the score line of a respective minor bottom flap to position and square-up the box and hold it in this position as the box is being set up and after the box is set up. In this regard, one set of an adjacent notch and slot may first be interengaged, and the set at the diagonally opposite side of the box then interengaged. These interengaged notches and slots substantially hold the box in its squared position without need of further aligning means, but to insure proper and complete squaring of the box, the minor bottom flaps are next folded inwardly, and the notch in the outer end corner of the major bottom flap is used as a guide to further insure that the box is square. The minor bottom flaps are pushed inwardly to cause the flaps to flex and enable the free end corners of the minor flaps to move past and behind the major flaps with a snap action. When inward pressure on the minor flaps is released, the memory of the flap material causes the flaps to rebound or move outwardly, firmly interlocking the notches in the free edges of the major flaps with the notches in the end edges of the minor flaps, respectively.
As can be seen from the foregoing, when the major flaps and then the minor flaps are folded inwardly over the bottom of the box into overlying relationship with one another, the aligning notches and slots cooperate with one another to align the box and hold it aligned during and after set-up. Further, it is necessary only to press inwardly on the minor flaps near the locking notches therein to cause the flaps to flex and for the outer free corner portions to move past the bottom flaps, whereupon following release of pressure on the minor flaps, they “spring” outwardly to engage behind the bottom flaps to lock the flaps in closed position. The bottom flaps are thereby securely interlocked with one another to form a strong flanged bottom that remains in its erected condition even when the box is roughly handled.
The erected box may then be set on a pallet, and a square or rectangular pad placed in the bottom. The pad is preferably sized so that it is freely movable in the box, but large enough to engage the flange flaps and close the bottom even if the pad is not centered in the box.
Means may also be provided in the sidewalls for locking cooperation with a closure cap to be fitted over the top end of the box. In one embodiment, this means comprises a plurality of openings formed through at least a pair of opposed side walls near the top end thereof.
Although the preferred embodiment is an octagonal or eight-sided box, it should be understood that the locking flap construction of the invention may be adapted to other polygonal shapes, such as a four-sided or ten-sided box, for example. Further, the box of the invention may comprise any suitable flute construction, including AA, CA, BC, etc., depending upon the desired properties. Moreover, a moisture resistant adhesive may be used in the manufacture of the box, which may additionally be treated with a sui
Elkins Gary E.
International Paper Company
Lambert, Esq. Dennis H.
LandOfFree
Quick-lock open-bottom bulk box with easy set-up feature does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Quick-lock open-bottom bulk box with easy set-up feature, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quick-lock open-bottom bulk box with easy set-up feature will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2531420