MOULDED CONTAINER
United States Patent 3746241
A moulded container, particularly for the packaging of frangible articles, such as eggs. The container is characterized by a covered tray having a plurality of cup-shaped cells formed therein, each receiving one of a number of similar articles, which may vary slightly in size and contour, but each having a transverse cross-section which is essentially circular. The cells in a longitudinal row are separated by vertical webs extending transversely of the long dimension of the carton. The longitudinal rows of eggs are effectively separated from each other by a detachable longitudinal partition divider located in position by structure at the tray deck, the divider extending upward from the plane of the tray deck and in contact with the underside of the cover, which is hinged to a tray side. The vertical partition divider is so positioned to give good stacking strength to the loaded container to protect the tops of the eggs, and is readily removable to facilitate removal of the individual eggs as needed.
US Patent References:
Container for fragile articles
Randall - August 1956 - 2759650
Shipping container for live chicks
Lane - January 1930 - 1744125
Plastic egg cartons
Trimble - March 1967 - 3310217
Molded pulp carton
Cox - April 1949 - 2466579
Container for fragile articles
Randall - August 1956 - 2759650
Shipping container for live chicks
Lane - January 1930 - 1744125
Plastic egg cartons
Trimble - March 1967 - 3310217
Molded pulp carton
Cox - April 1949 - 2466579
Application Number:
05/142508
Publication Date:
07/17/1973
Filing Date:
05/12/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Container Corporation of America (Chicago, IL)
Primary Class:
International Classes:
B65D85/32; B65D85/30; B65D25/08; B65D85/32
Field of Search:
229/15,2.5,44R,29M
Primary Examiner:
Norton, Donald F.
Claims:
I claim
1. In a container formed from mouldable material:
2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said retainer means includes a slotted transversely boss disposed at each end of said deck for retaining said partition in position.
3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the means on the inner side of said cover panel is provided with spaced retainer members extending down from said cover panel and holding said partition therebetween.
4. A container according to claim 1 wherein the means on the inner side of said cover panel comprises a slot to receive a locking lug on said partition extending through said slot.
1. In a container formed from mouldable material:
2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said retainer means includes a slotted transversely boss disposed at each end of said deck for retaining said partition in position.
3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the means on the inner side of said cover panel is provided with spaced retainer members extending down from said cover panel and holding said partition therebetween.
4. A container according to claim 1 wherein the means on the inner side of said cover panel comprises a slot to receive a locking lug on said partition extending through said slot.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to containers for frangible articles, such as eggs or the like, and more particularly to containers formed from mouldable material and adapted to retain articles of slightly varying size and contour.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Containers of this general type are generally moulded from foamed styrene or like materials. This invention is directed to the provision of structure providing good separation of the eggs between the longitudinal rows without the need of high posts between the cells for the eggs, said structure comprehending the provision of a detachable vertical partition divider disposed between the longitudinal rows and secured to the container tray. The divider gives good stacking strength to the loaded container, and by reason of being readily removable after opening of the container, individual eggs may be readily removed therefrom.
THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a moulded container constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a transverse section therethrough;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another form of divider;
FIG. 5 is a transverse section through a carton with the divider of FIG. 4 in position;
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another form of divider; and
FIG. 7 is a section through a carton showing the divider of FIG. 6 in position.
The improved container according to the present invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10, and is preferably formed in a moulding operation from foamed styrene as a moulding material. Container 10 is adapted to retain a number of eggs E, and includes a tray portion 11 and a cover portion 12 hingedly connected to an edge of the tray portion 11 by an integrally moulded hinge 13. A locking flap 14 is connected to tray 11 by an integrally formed hinge 16, and locks to a front wall 17 of the cover portion 12. Locking flap 14 has hollow locking bosses 18 therein cooperating with mating hollow locking bosses 19 formed in the cover 12 to lock cover 12 to tray 11.
The tray portion 11 includes a deck 21 having a plurality of cup-shaped cells 22 which depend therefrom. The cells 22 of a longitudinal row are separated in part by transverse extending webs 23 which also forms part of contiguous cells 22.
The inner sides 24 of the cells 22 together with the webs 23 maintain the eggs of a longitudinal row separated from each other, and structure is also provided for effecting separation of the eggs between longitudinal rows thereof.
Accordingly, deck 21 has each end thereof provided with a raised transversely extending boss 26 provided with a slot 27 open at the top thereof. Each slot 27 is adapted to form a saddle for a longitudinally extending partition 28 having a lower edge 29 resting upon the transverse webs 23. An upper edge 31 of partition 28 is held between a pair of closely spaced retainer members 32 extending downward from a cover panel 33 and retaining partition 28 therebetween.
The vertical dimension of partition 28 is so chosen that it will bear against the underside of cover panel 33 and upon the deck 21 of the tray 11 to provide good stacking strength of the loaded carton 10. Partition 28 is readily removable upon opening of carton 10 to facilitate removal of the individual eggs E.
In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 there is shown another form of partition divider referred to by the reference number 31A. It is adapted to be supported at its ends in the saddles or bosses 26 and to rest additionally on the deck 21. The upper edge 34 of divider 31A has spaced lugs 36 extending therefrom, these extending through slots 37 in the cover 33.
The carton seen in FIG. 5 is in all other respect identical with the carton seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive.
In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 there is shown still another form of partition referred to by reference numeral 31B. In this form of the invention the deck 21 is not provided with saddles or bosses 26 at the ends thereof, but instead the divider 31B is provided with a locking lug 39 at the lower edge midway thereof. Lug 39 is adapted to enter a slot 38 formed in the tray deck 21 midway of the length thereof and between the longitudinal rows of cells.
As with the embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the carton shown is identical to the carton shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
The divider seen in these last two embodiments also provide good stacking strength for a loaded carton.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to containers for frangible articles, such as eggs or the like, and more particularly to containers formed from mouldable material and adapted to retain articles of slightly varying size and contour.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Containers of this general type are generally moulded from foamed styrene or like materials. This invention is directed to the provision of structure providing good separation of the eggs between the longitudinal rows without the need of high posts between the cells for the eggs, said structure comprehending the provision of a detachable vertical partition divider disposed between the longitudinal rows and secured to the container tray. The divider gives good stacking strength to the loaded container, and by reason of being readily removable after opening of the container, individual eggs may be readily removed therefrom.
THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a moulded container constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a transverse section therethrough;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another form of divider;
FIG. 5 is a transverse section through a carton with the divider of FIG. 4 in position;
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another form of divider; and
FIG. 7 is a section through a carton showing the divider of FIG. 6 in position.
The improved container according to the present invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10, and is preferably formed in a moulding operation from foamed styrene as a moulding material. Container 10 is adapted to retain a number of eggs E, and includes a tray portion 11 and a cover portion 12 hingedly connected to an edge of the tray portion 11 by an integrally moulded hinge 13. A locking flap 14 is connected to tray 11 by an integrally formed hinge 16, and locks to a front wall 17 of the cover portion 12. Locking flap 14 has hollow locking bosses 18 therein cooperating with mating hollow locking bosses 19 formed in the cover 12 to lock cover 12 to tray 11.
The tray portion 11 includes a deck 21 having a plurality of cup-shaped cells 22 which depend therefrom. The cells 22 of a longitudinal row are separated in part by transverse extending webs 23 which also forms part of contiguous cells 22.
The inner sides 24 of the cells 22 together with the webs 23 maintain the eggs of a longitudinal row separated from each other, and structure is also provided for effecting separation of the eggs between longitudinal rows thereof.
Accordingly, deck 21 has each end thereof provided with a raised transversely extending boss 26 provided with a slot 27 open at the top thereof. Each slot 27 is adapted to form a saddle for a longitudinally extending partition 28 having a lower edge 29 resting upon the transverse webs 23. An upper edge 31 of partition 28 is held between a pair of closely spaced retainer members 32 extending downward from a cover panel 33 and retaining partition 28 therebetween.
The vertical dimension of partition 28 is so chosen that it will bear against the underside of cover panel 33 and upon the deck 21 of the tray 11 to provide good stacking strength of the loaded carton 10. Partition 28 is readily removable upon opening of carton 10 to facilitate removal of the individual eggs E.
In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 there is shown another form of partition divider referred to by the reference number 31A. It is adapted to be supported at its ends in the saddles or bosses 26 and to rest additionally on the deck 21. The upper edge 34 of divider 31A has spaced lugs 36 extending therefrom, these extending through slots 37 in the cover 33.
The carton seen in FIG. 5 is in all other respect identical with the carton seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive.
In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 there is shown still another form of partition referred to by reference numeral 31B. In this form of the invention the deck 21 is not provided with saddles or bosses 26 at the ends thereof, but instead the divider 31B is provided with a locking lug 39 at the lower edge midway thereof. Lug 39 is adapted to enter a slot 38 formed in the tray deck 21 midway of the length thereof and between the longitudinal rows of cells.
As with the embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the carton shown is identical to the carton shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
The divider seen in these last two embodiments also provide good stacking strength for a loaded carton.