United States Patent 1
`Weimer
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,770,339
`Sep. 13, 1988
`
`[54]
`[75]
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`[73]
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`[21]
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`[22]
`Bt]
`[52]
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`[58]
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`[56]
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`VENTILATED, STACKABLE GRAPE BOX
`Inventor: Charles P, Weimer, Putnam, Conn.
`
`Assignee:
`
`International Paper Company,
`Purchase, N.Y.
`
`Appl. No.: 46,488
`Filed:
`May 6, 1987
`Tit, C1 eeecceeccsessssesenerensessateeneneeene B6SD 5/22
`TLS. C1. vesesssccsesssnenssenenesnseesenenes 229/143; 229/120;
`229/150; 229/174; 229/177; 229/178; 229/918;
`229/DIG. 11
`Field of Search............... 229/120, 143, 149, 150,
`229/174, 177, 178, 179, 191, 918, DIG, 11
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,343,744 9/1967 Morell et al. oe 229/149
`3,973,723
`8/1976 Owens.....
`see 229/143
`
`vee 229/918
`4,056,223 11/1977 Williams..
`4,129,247 12/1978 McCall .........eecseseseeseseeseeees 229/178
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1289639
`2/1962 France .......csecceceeseees 229/DIG.11
`
`1383824 11/1964 France.....
`seveveseeee 229/178
`3/1977 France ceesevsecssecsseenseers 229/DIG.11
`2329523
`
`2424192 11/1979 France sssssasaseussssetseee 229/149
`
`556550 2/1957 Italy sous.
`229/DIG.11
`
`Switzerland.....
` vee 229/178
`368091
`4/1963
`sesrveee 229/178
`1290267
`9/1972
`United Kingdom ........
`
`Primary Examiner—-Stephen Marcus
`Assistant Examiner—Gary E. Elkins
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Walt Thomas Zielinski
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A ventilated grape box and a one-piece blank for form-
`ing it. The blank is formed from corrugated paperboard
`and is cut and scored to permit it to be folded into a
`stackable grape box without the need for fasteners. The
`upper edges of both endsof the box are provided with
`upstanding stacking tabs which are adapted to fit in
`complementary recesses in the lower edgesofan identi-
`cal box stacked above it. Each of two upper closure
`panels is provided with tabs which frictionally engage
`certain end panels to thereby maintain the upper closure
`panels closed after the boxis filled with grapes. Certain
`end forming panels are folded to define a triangular
`column at each inside corner of the box, to thereby
`increase stacking strength.
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`3 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 1988
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`Sheet1 of 4
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`4,770,339
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`US. Patent—Sep. 13, 1988 Sheet2 of 4 4,770,339
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`US. Patent—Sep. 13, 1988 Sheet3 of 4 4,770,339
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`FIG.3
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`US. Patent—Sep. 13, 1988 Sheet 4 of4 4,770,339
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`1
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`4,770,339
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`VENTILATED, STACKABLE GRAPE BOX
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
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`This invention relates to containers and moreparticu-
`larly to a ventilated grape box formed from corrugated
`paperboard or otherstiff, resilient and bendable sheet
`material.
`:
`This art is already aware of a variety of constructions
`of corrugated paperboard boxes fashioned from a one-
`piece blank, the blank being suitably cut and provided
`with score lines, so that the blank can be folded to form
`a complete box without the use of staples, stitches, ad-
`hesives,or the like. The priorart is also aware of boxes
`of this general type which are vertically stackable, and
`which carry upstanding alignment elements adapted to
`fit
`into corresponding receiving apertures in a box
`stacked directly over it. One problem with prior art
`constructions is that such boxes sometimes require fas-
`tening elements or an adhesive for their formation and,
`further, display alignment elements for the stacking
`purpose which are not as strong as desirable. Further,
`the top closure panels of many prior art constructions
`suffer the drawbackofbeing relatively easily dislodged
`,
`from their desired, closed position.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`According to the practice of this invention, a one-
`piece blank of corrugated paperboard is cut and scored
`and is folded to produce a ventilated box particularly
`suitable for the packaging and shipment of grapes. The
`several panels which form the box are provided with
`apertures to provide ventilation. No separate fastening
`elements or other fastening means such as adhesiveis -
`required. Further, the top closure panels of the box
`exhibit added resistance to dislodgement from their
`desired, horizontal and locked or closed position. Still
`further, the grape box ofthis invention is provided with
`stacking tabs, with each stacking tab being of a double
`thickness construction to thereby add increased
`strength to them.Still further, each of the four interior
`comers of the box is provided with a stacking post of
`generally triangular configuration, these stacking posts
`adding vertical strength to the box to thereby increase
`stacking strengthor stacking capacity.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a one-piece blank,
`typically of corrugated paperboard, from which the box
`of this construction is formed.
`FIG.2 is a viewillustrating a first intermediate stage
`in the erecting or setting up of the box from the blank
`shown at FIG.1.
`FIG.3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, and showsa later
`intermediate stage in the erection of the box from the
`blank of FIG. 1.
`FIG.4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showsthe box
`in its completed or fully erected configuration.
`FIG.5 is a view taken along Section 5—5 of FIG.4.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 denotes
`generally the one-piece blank of corrugated paperboard
`from which the box of this invention is fashioned. The
`blank is generally rectangular in shape, and hasa longi-
`tudinal axis 12 and a transverse axis 14. The blank is cut
`and scored as indicated, with the double lines indicating
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`score or bendorfold lines, and the solid lines indicating
`cuts between various panels. It will be observed that the
`blank exhibits mirror symmetry aboutbothits longitudi-
`nal axis 12 and its transverse axis 14. Accordingly, a
`description of less than all of the elements of the blank
`shown at FIG. 1 will be sufficient to completely de-
`scribeit.
`The numeral 18 denotes a bottom panel defined by
`the indicated score lines. The numeral 20 denoteseither
`one of two side panels, while numeral 22 denotes either
`of two top closure panels, the latter connected by the
`indicated score lines to a respective side panel 20. The
`numeral 24 denotes a friction locking tab having a re-
`duced neck, with the indicated score or fold or bend
`line at the base of each friction tab 24 being displaced or
`spaced from a respective end edge of a respective top
`closure panel 22,
`~
`The numeral 30 denotes a first end panel foldably
`secured to a respective end of a respective side panel 20.
`The numeral 32 denotesa stacking tab integral with first
`end forming panel 30, each tab 32 being located along
`one of the edges of its respective panel 30.
`The numeral 36 denotes either of two second end
`panels, the outermost portion of each (referred to trans-
`verse axis 14) being provided with spaced score lines 38
`and 40, to thereby define a distance 39 between them.
`The numeral 44 denotes a pair of stacking tabs or
`tongues carried by each one ofa respective second end
`panel 36, tabs 44 being defined by curved cuts46. It will
`be observed that tabs 44 span the distance between
`spaced,parallel score lines 38 and 40.
`The numeral 50 denotes a score line joining bottom
`panel 18 to a respective second end panel 36. The nu-
`merals 52 and 54 denote peripheral portions of apertures
`53, the latter extending from a respective bottom panel
`18 to a respective second end panel 36. The numeral 56
`denoteseither of the scorelines joining a respective first
`end panel 30 to a respective side panel 20, while nu-
`meral 58 denotes a cut line extending at approximately
`45 degrees.
`The numeral 60 denotes a third end panel, each side
`of which carries a first post forming panel 62, each of
`the latter serially connected to a respective post form-
`ing panel 64, the latter carrying, serially, a respective
`fourth end panel 66. The numeral 70 denotes either of
`two locking tabs carried by a respective third end panel
`60, while the numeral 72 denotes any of other locking
`tabs secured to a free edge of respective fourth end
`panel 66. Score lines 61 are similar to the other score
`lines, except that they are slitted as indicated to facili-
`tate their bending more than ninety degrees.
`The numeral 68 denotes a tab secured by the indi-
`cated score line to a respective second post forming
`panel 64. As will later be explained, each tab 68 plays no
`role in the completed box, and is shownaspart of the
`blank 10 because it is used on certain machinery to
`handle the blankasit is being cut and scored. Thepres-
`ence of tab 68 thus forms no part of this invention,
`Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the blank
`has been folded about the score lines joining bottom
`panel 18 to side panels 20, so that the latter are in a
`vertical position. Also, first end panels 30 have been
`folded inwardly, while post panels 62 and 64, along
`with fourth end panel 66, have been folded to the posi-
`tion indicated at FIG. 2. It will be seen that stacking
`tabs 44 no longerlie in the plane of third end panel 60.
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`Asindicated at the upperright portion of FIG. 2, and
`also at FIG. 3, the lower left hand elements shown at
`FIG.2 are folded so that each second end panel36lies
`flat against a respectivefirst end panel 30, with stacking
`tabs 32 now extending through the openings in third
`end panel 60 defined by cuts 46.
`As indicated at the upper right portion of FIG.2,
`stacking tabs 32 are innermost, while stacking tabs 44
`are outermost, with these tabs being arranged in pairs
`and being in surface contact with each other. Also as
`shown at this point of FIG. 2, tab 68 lies as indicated,
`although at this stage, tab 68 may be removed, if de-
`sired. As indicated at the upper right portion of FIG. 2
`and at FIG. 3, post forming panels 62 and 64 form two
`sides oftriangular posts, with the third side of each such
`post being formed by a respective part of fourth end
`panel 66. It will be observed that the vertical extent of
`post forming panels 62 and 64, together with the indi-
`cated part of panel 66, is of an extent equal to the height
`of vertical dimension of the box, to thereby provide
`stacking strength at each of the four interior corners of
`the box.
`Referring again to FIG.3, the box is now ready for
`filling with grapes or other articles. After such filling,
`friction tabs 24 are folded 90 degrees from their config-
`uration, as shown at FIG. 2, as indicated by theleft
`friction tab 24 at FIG.3. The right tab 24 shownat FIG.
`3 is still in the plane of its panel 22 and is to be bent in
`the direction shown by the curved arrow. Top closure
`panels 22 are now folded downwardly, with their re-
`spective friction flaps 24 entering a space betweenfirst
`end panel 30 and third end panel 60. This space may be
`seen by the reference to the upper right hand portion of
`FIG. 2. Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the
`friction tabs 44 are again shown, with each lying be-
`tween a respective first end closure panel 30 and third
`end closure panel 60. Again referring to FIG.4,it will
`be seen that stacking tabs 32 and 34 are arranged pair-
`wise to thereby form four double thickness and upstand-
`ing stacking tabs. Tabs 32 are termed innermost stack-
`ing tabs, while tabs 44 are termed outermost stacking
`tabs. As may readily be visualized from FIG. 4, and as
`clearly shown at FIG. 5, locking tabs 70 and 72 are
`similarly pair-wise arranged, with each pair fitting into
`a respective portion of opening 53. This is shown per-
`haps most clearly at FIG.:5, and it is seen that the dis-
`tance between peripheral portion 52 of each opening 53
`and an imaginary extension of fold line 50 is seen to be
`equal to three thicknesses of the sheet material, iec., of
`the corrugated paperboard. As also clearly shown at
`FIG.5, openings 53 assist in defining stacking tab re-
`ceiving openings, as may be readily visualized by refer-
`ence to both the solid and the dashed lines at FIG. 5.
`Again referring to FIGS.3 and 4,it will be seen that the
`extent, as measured in a longitudinal direction of the
`box, or portions 39 is equal to two thicknesses of the
`corrugated paperboard. Each of the two box end con-
`structions is seen to include four thicknesses of the cor-
`rugated material, also adding to the box stacking
`strength.
`The presence of the secondary locking and stacking
`tabs 32 assists in diminishing the time required for con-
`tainer set up. They lock through the openings defined
`by cuts 46, these openings developed when panels 60
`are bent, releasing the outer tabs 44. This lock action,
`prior to final box set up, allows the set up person to
`release hand contact on sides 20, allowing attention to
`be given to end fold up and final assembly. In addition,
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`withoutthis lock action oftabs 32, sides 20 tend to bulge
`out when filled prior to locking the top tabs 24. This
`bulge (prior to the provision of tabs 32) also caused
`misalignment of tabs 24 when theyfrictionally engaged
`tabs 44.
`The reduced neck construction which joins friction
`tabs 24 to their respective top closure panels 22 assists in
`defining a locking action to therebyassist in maintaining
`friction tabs 24 in place,
`iie., fully received between -
`portions offirst end panels 30 and third end panels 60.
`It will be observed from a consideration of FIG. 5
`that the longitudinal extent of the stacking tab openings
`53 in the bottom ofthe ends of the assembled container
`is equal to two thicknesses of the corrugated paper-
`board, i.e., the double thickness of each stacking tab 32,
`44,
`The numerals which appear in several of the claims
`are intendedto assist the reader, and are not intended as
`limitations.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. A one-peice blank ofstiff, bendable and resilient
`sheet material, such as corrugated paperboard, said
`blank being generally rectangular and exhibiting mirror
`symmetry about both its longitudinal and its transverse
`axis, said blank having a plurality of cut lines and also
`having a plurality of score lines about which the sheet
`material can be bent, to thereby define a plurality of
`panels each having sides and ends, a bottom panel (18),
`a side panel (20) secured to each side of said bottom
`panel bya scoreline, a top closure panel (22) secured to
`oneside of a respective side panel (20) by a scoreline, a
`friction tab (24) carried at each end of each of said top
`closure panels (22),a first end panel (30) secured to each
`end of each said side panel (20) by a score line (56), a
`first stacking tab (32) carried at an edgeofsaid first end
`panel (30), a second end panel (36) secured to each end
`of said bottom panel (18) by a score line (50), each of
`said second end panels (36) carrying a pair of stacking
`tabs (44), a third end panel (60) connected to a respec-
`tive said second end panel (36) by a spaced pair of
`spaced apart,parallel score lines (38, 40), a pair ofseri-
`ally connected post forming panels (62, 64) secured to
`each side of a respective third end panel (60), said post
`forming panels (62, 64) and said third end panel (60)
`being of the same width, a fourth end panel (66) secured
`to a respective one (64) of said post forming panels, said
`fourth end panel (66) having a portion thereof whichis
`of the same width as the width of said post forming
`panel (64) to whichit is attached, a pair of stacking tab
`receiving openings (53) intersecting each score line (50)
`between saind bottom (18) and second end panels (36),
`the bottom panel (18) portion of said stacking tab re-
`ceiving openings (53) having a portion (52) spaced from
`said scoreline (50) between said bottom (18) and second
`end panels (36) a distance equal to three thicknesses of
`said sheet material, said third panel (60) having a pair of
`spaced apart locking tabs (70, 70), and wherein each
`fourth end panel (66) carries a locking tab (72).
`2. A one-piece blank of stiff, bendable and resilient
`sheet material, such as corrugated paperboard, said
`blank being generally rectangular and exhibiting mirror
`symmetry about both its longitudinal and its transverse
`axis, said blank having a plurality of cut lines and also
`having a plurality of score lines about which the sheet
`material can be bent, to thereby define a plurality of
`panels each having sides and ends, a bottom panel(18),
`a side panel (20) secured to each side of said bottom
`panel by a scoreline, a top closure panel (22) secured to
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`side panel, each panel having endsandsides, and an end
`oneside of a respective side panel (20) by a score line, a
`panel construction for each of the two endsof the box,
`friction tab (24) carried at each end of each of said top
`closure panels (22), a first end panel (30) secured to each
`said end panel construction defined byafirst end panel
`end of each said side panel (20) by a score line (56), a
`secured to each end of said side panels, a second end
`first stacking tab (32) carried at an edge of each ofsaid
`panel secured to each end ofsaid bottom panel, a third
`first endpanels (30), a second end panel (36) secured to
`end panel secured to a respective end of a respective
`each end ofsaid bottom panel (18) bya score line (50),
`second end panel, serially connected post forming pan-
`each of said second end panels (36) carrying a pair of
`els at each inside corner of the box and forming two
`stacking tabs (44), a third end panel (60) connected to a
`sides of a generally triangularpost, a fourth end forming
`respective said second end panel (36) by a spaced pair of
`panel connected to a respective one of said triangular
`spaced apart, parallel scorelines (38, 40), a pair ofseri-
`post forming panels, two outermost stacking tabs ex-
`ally connected post forming panels (62, 64) secured to
`tending upwardly from each of said second end panels,
`each side of a respective third end panel (60), a fourth
`an innermost stacking tab extending upwardly from
`end panel (66) secured to a respective one (64) of said
`each of said first end panels, respective pairs of said
`post forming panels, said third panel (60) having a pair
`outermost and said innermost stacking tabs being in
`of spaced apart locking tabs (70,70), each fourth end
`surface contact with each other,a friction locking tab at
`panel (66) carrying a locking panel (72) a pair of stack-
`each end of each of said top closure panels each said
`ing tab receiving openings (53) intersecting each score
`friction tab being received and frictionally held be-
`line (50) between said bottom (18) and second end pan-
`tweensaid first and third end panels stacking tab receiv-
`els (36), the bottom panel (18) portion of said stacking
`ing openings at the bottom of each of said end panel
`tab receiving openings (53) having a portion (52) spaced
`constructions, said third end panel having a pair of
`from said score line (50) between said bottom (18) and
`spaced apart locking tabs, each of said fourth end panels
`second end panels (36) a distance equal to three thick-
`nesses of said sheet material.
`having locking tab which is aligned with a respective
`oneofsaid third end panel locking tabs, each pair ofsaid
`3. A box of a geerally rectangular parallelpiped shape
`aligned locking tabs being received in a respective one
`formed from a one-piece blank ofstiff, resilient and
`of said stacking tab receiving openings whereby said
`bendable sheet material, such as corrugated paperboard,
`box is stackable with other, identical boxes.
`said box having a bottom panel, two side panels, top
`*
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`closure panels, the latter each secured to a respective
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