US1976403A - Carton for eggs and the like - Google Patents

Description

0d:o 9, 1934. M, KASSER 1,976,403

CARTON FOR EGGS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 6, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

Mo RR/S KA ssrn A TTORNEY Oct. 9, 1934. M. KASSER 1,976,403

CARTON FOR EGGS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 6, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 12 I r I l i I 13 13 /-31 if INVEN TOR.

MORRIS KASSER A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 9, 1934.

M. KASSER CARTON FOR EGGS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 6, 1933 4 SheetsSheet 3 Mo RR /3 KASSZR ATTORNEY M. KASSER CARTON FOR EGGS AND THE LIKE Oct. 9, 1934.

Filed Feb. 6, 1935. 4 Sheet s-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR.

MORRIS K4555 A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 9 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to a carton, and particularly to a carton for holding eggs' and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a 'carton, of the character described, which is of simple construction, and which can be economically manufactured.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a carton, of the character described, which will allow the objects to be packed directly therein, in the shape that the carton comes from the manufacturer; thereby obviating the usual labor employed in assembling together cartons heretofore utilized.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a carton, particularly adapted for holding eggs, and which is constructed in such manner as to protect the eggs or other objects against breakage.

Another object of the invention is the provision 20 of a carton, of the character described, which readily adapts itself for advertising or display of the objects contained therein.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a carton, of the character described, which is so constructed as to facilitate removal of the objects contained therein.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a carton, of the character described, which has cells for holding objects by frictional engagement therewith. so as to preclude contact of the objects with the walls of the carton. Thus, danger of breakage of the objects, such as eggs, during storage or shipment, is reduced to a minimum.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a holder or filler, having cells for supporting a plurality of objects, which holder or filler can be removed from the carton and still support the objects. Thus saving of space can be effected, when the consumer desires to store only the objects contained in one filler. Also, it is an object to provide cells which can be individually separated from the filler, for the same purpose.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a perusal of the following description thereof.

General description of invention breakage. Such material may conveniently be corrugated paper. Confined within the walls of the carton thus formed, is a fillerhaving a plurality of cells for holding the objects. Preferably, two collapsible fillers are utilized; and each filler is, preferably, attached to a wall of the carton, by suitable means such as an adhesive.

The filler is normally placed within the carton walls in a collapsed condition, with an end thereof projecting beyond the carton. Upon insertion of an object into a cell of the filler, which cell is of a size to receive snugly the object and thereby hold it by frictional engagement, the filler will be extended to proper shape so as to fit properly within the walls of the carton. The remaining objects can then be placed in the cells.

Each cell of the filler is of material similar to and for the same purpose as that of the blank.

It has open ends, through one end of which, the object can be inserted. Also, as was previously stated, each cell is of a size to receive snugly the object, so that the object will be firmly supported in the cell. The cells are each of such height as to hold the object out of contact with the carton walls, positioned opposite to the open ends of the cells. When the carton is opened, the objects can be readily pushed out of the open ends of the cells.

Since the fillers are, preferably, attached to walls of the carton blank, it is apparent that when the blank is unfolded, the fillers will still be attached thereto. Consequently the carton can be conveniently suspended, by any suitable means, to display the contents thereof for advertising purposes, if so desired. Furthermore, because of the construction of the carton of my invention, the purchaser can detach the fillers and store them separately, if he so desires, thus saving storage space.

Description of drawings Reference will now be made to the drawings for a more detailed description of the preferred form of the device of my invention, in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating the carton wall forming blank. A portion of the structure is omitted from the view to disclose more clearly the construction.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view for holding an egg.

Fig. 3 is a section taken in a plane indicated by line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view showing the egg cell in collapsed state.

of an individual cell Fig. 5 is a plan view of a plurality of cells attached together to form a filler or holder, which is shown collapsed.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the blank, and a plurality of fillers attached thereto, in collapsed state.

Fig. '7 is an isometric view of the carton, illustrating how the ends of the fillers project beyond the carton end, before the fillers are extended by the eggs.

Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the carton, showing how the fillers are positioned properly within the carton, by being extended by the eggs.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an individual cell, showing how an egg is firmly supported therein.

Fig. 10 is an isometric view, illustrating a manner of holding the carton closed.

Fig. 11 is an isometric view, illustrating how the eggs can be removed from the cells, and how the carton can be displayed for advertising purposes.

Detailed description The preferred form of carton, as illustrated by the drawings, is particularly adapted for holding eggs. It will, therefore, be described for such purpose, although it will be apparent that the carton can be employed for holding other objects, such as fruits, electric light bulbs, etc.

As illustrated by Fig. 1, the walls of the carton are formed from a sheet of corrugated paper 2, forming the inner side, and a sheet of plane paper 3 forming the outside; the two sheets being adhesively secured together to provide a resilient shock absorbing blank which acts as a cushion to protect the eggs, when the blank is folded to provide the carton walls. Folding of the blank is'provided for by parallel crease lines 4, formed in any suitable manner. when folded along the lines 4, front wall 6, bottom wall '1, rear wall 8, top 9, and cover flap 11 adapted to overlap front wall 6, are formed to provide the walls of the carton. It is to be observed that the blank is rectangular in shape, and, therefore, can be economically manufactured. Also, front wall 6 is of the same size as rear wall 8, bottom '1 is of the same size as top 9, and flap 11 is of the same size as front wall 6, and no end walls are formed from the blank.

Adapted to be positioned adjacent the front and rear walls 6 and 8, and substantially coex-' tensive therewith are egg fillers or holders 12 (Figs. 6, '7 and 8). The fillers are, preferably, adhesively unitedto the walls mentioned. Each filler 12 (Fig. 5) comprises a. plurality of substantially cubically shaped egg cells 13 having all their front walls secured together by adhesive to a strip of paper 14, and their rear'walls similarly secured to a strip of paper 16. As shown in Fig. 5, the fillers, which preferably are made up of six cells, are normally in collapsed state; and when extended, slight spaces 1'1 are provided between the individual cells, as can be seen more clearly in Fig. 8.

Each cell 13 (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 9) is made up of resilient material to provide a cushion for absorbing shock. Such material is preferably composed of an inner sheet of corrugated paper 21 and an outer sheet of plane paper 22, to which the corrugated paper is adhesively united. The sheets thus united are folded along crease lines to provide the front, rear and side walls of the cell, an open top 23 and an open bottom 24; and the cell is prevented from opening by means of a short strip of paper 26 adhesively united to the adjacent ends of plane paper 22. Thus, a cell is formed which can assume a collapsed condition, as shown in Fig. 4, or an extended position as shown in Fig. 2. Each cell is of such size as to tightly receive the size of eggs which are generally packed in cartons, namely large as well as the average size eggs. As indicated in Fig. 9, each cell is depressed by the egg so as to firmly support the egg, by frictional engagement therewith and without the use of additional supporting means. Also, the cell is of such height as to project above the top and bottom end of the egg, and thereby hold the egg out of contact with the top and bottom walls of the carton, to minimize breakage of the egg.

As was previously explained, a plurality of the individual cells are formed in a single filler 12, as indicated by Fig. 5. Preferably two fillers are adhesively attached, in collapsed state, to the front and rear walls 6 and 8, respectively, of the carton, as indicated by Fig. 6 which shows the carton ready for shipment by the manufacturer to the egg packer. It is to be noted that the carton is substantially flat; and consequently, a plurality of cartons can be conveniently and economically stacked for shipment. Furthermore, it will be observed that the carton of Fig. 6 is already completely assembled for the packing of eggs by the packer, who need not employ extra labor for putting together parts forming a carton, as was required by all cartons formerly employed in the trade. In collapsed state, ends 31 of the fillers will project beyond a side edge of the carton wall blank.

The egg packer, who receives the carton in flat condition, as shown by Fig. 6, need only turn up the front wall 6 along crease line 4, and the rear wall 8 along the adjacent crease line 4, as shown in Fig. '7. The carton will then be ready for reception of eggs. In this position, ends 31 of the fillers will still project beyond the end of the carton. However, because of the inherent resiliency of the fillers caused by the construction described, each filler will be extended to proper position by insertion of an egg in a single cell, as shown in Fig. 8. The packer, can, thus place an egg in a cell of each filler, to hold the filler in proper position. Afterwards, the remaining cells can be readily filled. If desired, the packer may thrust the projecting ends 31 of the fillers against a vertical plane surface (not shown), to extend the fillers and move them to their proper position. Then upon placing a single egg in a cell of each filler, the fillers will remain fixed for reception of the other eggs.

Because of the construction of my carton, flaps for end walls on the carton blank are obviated; the ends of the flller serving as the end walls of the carton, as can be seen clearly in Fig. 8.

When the carton has been filled with eggs, the cover can be turned down over the open tops of the egg cells 13, and flap 11 lapped over front wall 6, to close completely the carton. To hold the carton closed, strips 32 of paper can be adhesively united over a portion of the front and rear walls, and over the ends of the carton, as shown in Fig. 10. If desired, a single strip of adhesive paper may be united over the top, bottom, front and rear of the carton, in place of end strips 32; or other suitable means may be employed for holding the carton closed. The carton, as shown in Fig. 10, is then ready for sale to the store-keeper.

Discussion If the store keeper desires, he may open u a carton, in the manner illustrated by Fig. 11, for display or advertising. For this purpose, advertising literature (not shown) may be written on the strips 14, which are united to the individual egg cells. The carton can be hung on a hook 33, and because the eggs are supported firmly in the egg cells, they will not fall out. If it is desired to remove an egg, this can be readily done by pushing the egg out of its container cell, through the open bottom end of the cell.

The ultimate purchaser of the carton filled with eggs, that is, the consumer, can readily tear oiT the separate fillers and discard the blank forming the carton walls. Consequently, the fillers can be readily and individually stored, for example, in an ice-box to save space. As eggs are required, the individual egg cells can be readily separated from the filler, by tearing the paper strips 14 and 16, across the portions opposite to the open spaces 17 between the cells. The strips may be perforated at such places, if so desired, to facilitate the tearing. Thus, it is not necessary to keep the remaining eggs in a large carton when some are removed for consumption, as was the case with respect to cartons heretofore employed; and saving of storage space is consequently effected. The spaces 17 between the cells also act to isolate the individual cells, thereby preventing impact shocks from being transmitted from one cell to an adjacent cell, and consequently minimizing breakage. In addition, spaces 17 allow for expansion of the individual egg cells when eggs are placed therein, as indicated in Fig. 9, to preclude the eggs from possibly becoming cracked by jamming of the egg cells, which might occur if the expansion spaces are not provided. In this connection, it will be noted that the strips 14, uniting the cells to provide a unitary filler structure, serve as means to maintain the spaced relationship of the cells. Hence, shifting of the cells relative to each other is precluded, which shifting, if occurring, might result in breakage of the eggs.

I claim:

1. A carton of the class described, comprising walls, and a filler unit attached to a wall of said carton and including a plurality of object retaining cells united together, each cell having opposite ends open and of a size to support an object by frictional engagement therewith independently of said walls.

2. A carton of the class described comprising walls, and a collapsible filler unit attached to a wall of said carton and including a plurality of object retaining cells united together each cell being of a size adapted to support an object by frictional engagement therewith independently of said walls, the filler being capable of assuming an extended position by the positioning of an object in a cell thereof.

3. A carton of the class described comprising walls, a collapsible filler unit including a plurality of object retaining cells united together each cell being of a size adapted to support an object by frictional engagement therewith independently of said walls, the filler being capable of assuming an extended. position by the positioning of an object in a cell thereof, and means for securing the filler to a wall.

4. A carton of the class described comprising walls, and a filler having a plurality of object retaining cells, each adapted to support an object independent of said walls, said filler being detachably mounted within said walls, whereby it may be removed as a unit with the objects supported therein.

5. In an egg carton and the like, a filler unit comprising a plurality of adjacent but spaced apart egg cells of resilient construction, each adapted to support an egg solely by frictional engagement therewith, and strips of material independentof walls of said carton uniting said cells together and maintaining the spaced relationship of said cells.

6. In an egg carton and the like, a collapsible filler unit comprising a plurality of adjacent egg cells of resilient construction, each having opposite ends open and adapted to support an egg by frictional engagement therewith, and strips of paper independent of walls of said carton secured to opposite sides of said cells for uniting them together and maintaining the cells in spaced relationship.

7. An egg carton and the like, comprising a blank including an inner sheet of corrugated paper and an outer sheet of plane paper adhesively united to thecorrugated paper, the blank having parallel crease lines along which it is folded to provide front, rear, top and bottom walls of the carton, a collapsible filler comprising a plurality of egg holding cells adhesively united to the front wall, and a second collapsible filler comprising a plurality of egg holding cells adhesively united to the rear wall; each filler including corrugated paper cells spaced from each other and of a size to support the eggs contained therein solely by frictional engagement therewith, and strips of paper adhesively attached to opposite sides of said cells to unite them together and to maintain the-spaced relationship of said cells.

8. An egg carton and the like, comprising a. blank of material creased to provide walls of the carton, a plurality of object retaining cells, each cell being of such size as to support an object by frictional engagement therewith, whereby the cell is caused to bulge outwardly when an object is retained therein, and means for securing said cells to a wall of said blank with the cells fixedly maintained in spaced relationship to preclude relative shifting between adjacent cells and to allow for said bulging.

9. An egg carton and the like, comprising a blank creased to provide walls of the carton, the creasing being such as to allow the carton to be unfolded so that its walls can all lie in the same plane, a plurality of object retaining cells hav ing open upper and lower ends, each cell being of such size as to support an object solely by frictional engagement therewith independently of the walls of said carton and being caused to bulge outwardly when the object is placed therein, and means for securing sides of said cells to a wall of said blank with the cells fixedly maintained in spaced relationship, the spaces between said cells accommodating the bulges formed when objects are in the cells, and the sole supporting of the objects by the cells allowing the walls of said carton to be unfolded for display purposes with the open ends of said cells uncovered.

10. In an egg carton and the like, a filler adapted to be placed in said carton as a unit, comprising a plurality of individual cells each adapted to hold an object by frictional engagement therewith, and means for securing all of said cells together with adjacent cells spaced from each other, said means including a fastening member united to all of said cells.

11. In an egg carton and the like, a filler adapted to be placed within the walls of said carton as a unit, comprising a plurality of individual resilient cells, each cell having four flat sided walls providing opposite open ends and bein adapted to support an object by frictional engagement therewith, whereby the walls are caused to bulge outwardly when an object is retained in the cell, each cell also being collapsible solely along lines defining the junctions of the walls thereof, and a strip of material extending across and secured to said cells for uniting them together and for maintaining the cells in spaced relationship, whereby bulging of the cell walls can occur without damage to the objects and relative shifting of adjacent cells is precluded.

12. In an, egg carton and the like having a wall, a plurality of individual resilient cells adjacent said wall, each cell having four flat sided walls providing opposite open ends and being adapted to support an object by frictional engagement therewith, whereby the walls are caused to bulge outwardly when an object is retained being collapsible solely junctions of the walls in the cell, each cell also along lines defining the thereof, means for securing the back walls of all said cells to said carton wall with the cells maintained in spaced relationship, and a strip of material secured to the front walls of said cells to cooperate in maintaining said spaced relationship, whereby bulging of the cell walls can occur without damage to said objects and relative shifting between adjacent cells is precluded.

13. In an egg carton and the like, a filler unit comprising a plurality of individual spaced apart cells of resilient construction, adapted to support an object by frictional engagement therewith, and a strip of tearable material secured to all of said cells for uniting them together, the spacing between the cells allowing the strip to be readily t'orn for separation of the individual cells.

MORRIS KASSER.

each cell bein

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