Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – With closure for an access opening
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-13
2001-04-03
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
With closure for an access opening
C229S164000, C229S176000, C229S178000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209783
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to a cardboard box construction. More particularly, the invention relates to a box construction adapted for storage and shipping of items that must be protected from crushing, folding or bending forces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of cardboard boxes, tubes and containers have been devised to protect elongated articles and rolled documents during shipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,075,679, issued to Weber, describes an elongated double-paneled container formed of cardboard having an edge closure that is sealed with adhesive tape. U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,284, issued to Wood, discloses a paperboard wrap-around package with a joint in the middle of one side. The joint includes a series of interlocking hooks and slots. U.S. Pat. No. 1,449,468, issued to Walter, describes a heavy-weight box or tube formed of fiberboard for shipping heavy metal bars such as automobile bumpers. The container includes a flap extension and metal bands for securing closure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,740, issued to Sorenson et al., illustrates a paperboard file storage box formed from a single blank of cardboard. The file storage box includes a pair of reinforcing panels on either end that are secured to the box ends with tab elements that project through mating openings in end flaps that fold over the reinforcing panels.
An effective design for a shipping container for such items must necessarily be a compromise of various factors. It is an objective of the present invention that the container provide the required degree of protection from the forces encountered in transfeiring the container from one destination to another by means of automated package handling systems, trucks, automobiles and aircraft. It is a further objective that the container be light in weight to prevent excessive shipping costs. It is yet a further objective of the invention that the container is economical to produce and simple to assemble. It is a still further objective that the container provide a simple and effective means of being sealed and later opened.
While features disclosed in the prior art satisfy some of the objectives of the present invention, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art reinforced cardboard boxes and satisfies all of the objectives described above. A reinforced cardboard box for storage and shipping of elongated items and rolled documents may be formed from a single blank of cardboard material comprising the following components.
A rectangular bottom panel having a pair of first and second opposed, parallel elongated side edges, the side edges defining the length of the panel and terminating in first and second opposed, parallel end edges. A pair of abutting bottom end panels that are joined to one of the opposed end edges of the bottom panel. A first side panel is joined to the first opposed edge of the bottom panel. The first side panel has a pair of first and second opposed, parallel edges coinciding in length with the length of the side edges of the bottom panel.
A second side panel is joined to the second opposed edge of the bottom panel. The second side panel has a pair of first and second opposed, parallel edges coinciding in length with the length of the side edges of the bottom panel. A pair of outer side end panels, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, are foldably joined to an end of the second side panel. The outer side end panels have a tab opening at the juncture of the outer side end panel with the second side panel.
A pair of inner side end panels, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, that are foldably joined to one of the outer side end panels. The inner side end panels have a bendable tab element extending outwardly beyond the distal end of the panel. Each of the tab elements is sized, shaped and located to engage tab openings at the juncture of one of the outer side end panels with the second side panel. The tab openings are engaged when the outer side end panel is folded upwardly and the inner side end panel is folded downwardly over an end of the abutting bottom end panel.
A pair of receiving pockets are formed between the inner surface of the outer side end panels and the inner surface of the inner side end panel when the inner side end panel is folded over the outer side end panel.
A first top panel forms a first portion of a top closure. The first top panel has a first pair and a second pair of opposed, parallel edges, the first pair being of an elongated length. A first, elongated parallel edge is joined to an elongated edge of the first side panel.
A pair of rounded closing end panels, each being joined to the second pair of opposed, parallel edges of the first top panel at a score line. The score line allows the closing end panel to be folded inwardly at a right angle to the first top panel. The rounded closing end panels are adapted to be received in the receiving pockets.
A second top panel forms a second portion of the top closure. The second top panel has a first pair and a second pair of opposed, parallel edges, the first pair being of an elongated length. A first elongated, parallel edge is joined to an elongated edge of the second side panel. The second top panel has a plurality of tab openings at the juncture of the second side panel and the second top panel.
Each of the inner side end panels has a first and second pair of opposed, parallel edges. The first pair of parallel edges includes the bendable tab element and the juncture between the inner side end panel and the outer side end panel. The second pair of parallel edges is normal to the first pair of parallel edges and includes a first edge and a second edge. The second edge is collinear with the juncture between the second side panel and the second top panel.
A reinforcing rib panel is joined to an elongated edge of the second top panel. The rib panel has a plurality of bendable tab elements extending from its distal edge. The tab elements are sized, shaped and disposed to engage the openings in the second top panel when the rib panel is folded inwardly toward the second top panel.
A pair of top reinforcing extensions are provided, each having a first edge collinear with the juncture of the second side panel and the second top panel and a parallel second edge. A third edge is normal to the first edge and is collinear with the distal end of the inner side end panel with a fourth edge parallel to the third edge. Each of the extensions is joined to the second edge of the second pair of opposed, parallel edges of the inner side end panels. The extensions are further foldable inwardly from the inner side end panels to provide a means for constraining the second top panel in orthogonal orientation to the second side panel when the second top panel is folded inwardly and the rib panel is folded over the reinforcing extension.
In variation of the invention a closing member extends from a second elongated edge of the first pair of opposed parallel edges of the first top panel. The closing member has a score line spaced from and parallel to the second edge of the first top panel, the score line is located to coincide with the juncture of the second top panel and the second side panel.
The second top panel includes a closing member opening. The closing member opening is sized, shaped and located to accommodate the closing member that is joined to the first top panel. The portion of the member extending beyond the score line is located within the box when assembled.
In yet another variation of the invention, a reinforced cardboard box for storage and shipping of elongated items and rolled documents further comprises the following components. A pair of enlarged, rounded closing end panels that are foldably joined to one of the second pair of parallel edges of the first top panel. Each of the closing end panels has a length at its joined edge approximately equal to twice the distance between the first pair of parallel edges of the first
Beehler & Pavitt
Belasco David A.
Elkins Gary E.
Pavitt William H.
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