US1189204A - Collapsible box. - Google Patents

Description

C. KUENTZEL. COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR.29, I915;

Pdten fied J une 27 Show L ma E? EuBT KuENTzEL.

fitter/14043 ma COLUMBIA FLA'NOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON. D. c.'

UNITED STATES PATENT DFFICE.

CUB/1 KUENTZEL, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO FRANK T. LAHEY, 0F AKRON, OHIO.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2'7, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GURT KUENTZEL, a subject of Villiam 11, Emperor of Germany, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible boxes used for shipping merchandise, and the object of the invention is to provide a strong, serviceable, comparatively light box which can be collapsed for reshipment to the original consignor, and which is comparatively indestructible so that reshipment of the collapsible box is preferable to the destruction of the same by the consignee.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts constituting the invention to be hereinafter specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, but

it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the matter hereinafter claimed.

In the drawings in which similar reference numerals indicate like parts in the different figures, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box embodying this invention equipped with one form of sealing device; Fig. 2, is a transverse sectional'view of the box shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, is a plan with the cover removed; Fig. 4, is a detail in sec tion showing the method of interlocking the sides and bottom of the box together; Fig. 5, is a similar view showing in detail the means for locking the ends to the sides; and Fig. 6, is a view of a modification in which different means are employed for securing the coverin place.

Referring to the drawings in detail the reference numerals l and 2 denote the side members of the box; 3 and 4 the end members and 5 the bottom. All of the members of the box are preferably constructed of thin sheet metal, although I do not limit myself to this material. The bottom member 5 comprises a sheet of thin metal pro vided at the sides and ends with a plurality of lugs 6 arranged at right angles to the bottom member and spaced apart. to provide openings 7 between them. These lugs and openings 7 will preferably be of approximately the same width for a purpose to be later described. The side members 1 and 2 are provided at their lower portions with a series of laterally-projecting lugs 8 extending approximately at right angles to the body of the members and arranged in spaced relation one with another to provide openings 9. The lugs 8 in the lower portions of the sides 1 and 2 are arranged to alternate in position with respect to the lugs 6 on the member 5 so as to lie opposite the openings 7 in the bottom member. The ends 3 and 4 are provided at their lower portions with laterally-projecting lugs spaced from each other to provide openings 11 between them. These lugs 10 are arranged at approximately right angles with respect to the body members 3 and 4 and in alternation with respect 'to the lugs 8 at the ends of the member 5.

At the ends of the side members 1 and 2 are laterally-projecting flanges near the center of which are longitudinally-extending cuts 12 and the flanged portions above the cuts 12 are outwardly-bent to constitute lugs 13 and the portions below the cuts12 are inwardly bent to constitute lugs 14. These lugs 13 and 14 are bent away from each other sufficiently to provide a space or channel for the reception of the side edges of the ends.

The parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 4 by inserting the lugs 8 of the side members in the spaces 7 between the lugs 6 of the bottom member and the lugs 6 of the bottom member in the openings 9 between the lugs 8 of the side members with the parts at an acute inclination to each other, as shown in Fig. 4, after which the sides are swung on the lugs 6 and 8 as hinges until arranged at approximately right angles to the bottom member 5. The ends are then positioned in a similar manner by inserting the lugs 10 in the spaces 7 between the lugs 8 at the ends of the bottom member 5 and the lugs 6 of the bottom member in the spaces 11 between the lugs 10 of the end members. In order to swing the end mem bers 3 and 4 to place the side members are temporarily swung slightly outward in order to permit the edges of the ends 3 and 4 to clear the outer lugs 13 after which the sides are allowed to resume their normal position in which the edges of the members 3 and 4 are received in the channel between the lugs 13 and 1st of the side members, thereby holding the sides and ends of the box against movement. The box is completed by super-posing on the structure just formed a cover 15 which is surrounded by an upwardly-extending channel-forming bead 16 in which the channel 17 receives the upper edges of the sides and ends of the box and securely holds the same in position. The upper portions of the ends and sides of the box as well as the beading 16 are provided with registering apertures 18 through which may be passed a flexible member 19 for locking the cover in position and this member 19 may be provided with a seal. 20, if desired.

In place of using a flexible member 19 bolts or studs 21 (see Fig. 6) may be em ployed. The parts are so formed that when in their assembled relation they form an exceedingly strong and serviceable box with a comparatively uninterrupted interior which presents a smooth surface for the storage of various forms of merchandise, and when in their collapsed condition the various portions of the box occupy a minimum amount of space.

I claim 1. A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portions of which are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximately at right angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lower marginalportions with a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternation with respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower member with which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end members adapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottom member and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower member adapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the sides and end members and lap the outer faces of the same, and a cover secured to the upper portions of the side and end members to hold them in position.

2. A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portions of which are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximately at angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lower marginal portions with a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternation with respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower member with which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end mem bers adapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottom member and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower member adapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the 1 side and end members and lap the outer faces of the same, said side and end members provided at their lateral marginal portions with interlocking means,'and a cover secured. to the upper portions of the side and I end members to hold them in position.

3. collapsible box embodying a bottom member the-marginal portions of which are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximately at right angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lower marginal portions wit-h a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternation with respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower member with which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end members adapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottom member and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower member adapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the side and end. members and lap the outer faces of the same, the lateral marginal portions of a portion of the side and end members provided with lugs projecting. at right angles and adapted to interlock with the remaining portions, and a cover secured to the upper portions of said side and end members.

4. A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portions of which are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximately at right angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lower marginal portions with a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternation with respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower member with which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end members adapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottom memher and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower member adapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the side and end members and lap the outer faces of the same, and a'cover provided with an upwardly-projecting marginal channelforming bead, said channel adapted to receive the side and end members to hold them in position.

5. A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portionsof which are provided with a series of spaced lugs ar-' ranged approximately at right angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lower marginal portions with a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternation with respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower member with which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end members adapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottom member and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower member adapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the side and end members and lap the outer faces of the same, a cover provided with an upwardlyprojecting marginal channel-forming bead, said channel adapted to receive the side and end members to hold them in position, and means extending in said bead for uniting said cover to said box.

6. A collapsible box embodying a bottom, side and end members, the engaging portions of said members each provided with a series of separate projecting lugs arranged at right angles to the lug-bearing members, the lugs on the side and end members arranged in alternation with respect to the lugs on the bottom member, the lugs on the bottom member adapted to lap the outer faces of the side and end members and the lugs on the side and end members adapted to lap the under face of the bottom member when said box is assembled, and a cover secured to the upper portions of the side and end members.

7 A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portions of which are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximately at right angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lower marginal portions with a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternation with ,respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower member with which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end members adapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottom member and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower member adapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the side and end members and lap the outer faces of the same, a cover provided with an upwardly-projecting marginal channelforming bead, said channel adapted to receive the side and end members to hold them in position, and means extending in said bead for uniting said cover to said box.

8. A collapsible box embodying a bottom, side and end members, the engaging portions of said members each provided with a series of separated projecting lugs arranged at right angles to the lug-bearing members, the lugs on the side and end members arranged in alternation with respect to the lugs on the bottom member, the lugs on the bottom member adapted to lap the outer face of the side and end members and the lugs on the side and end members adapted to lap the under face of the bottom member when said box is assembled, and a cover secured to the upper portions of the side and end members.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m hand.

y CURT KUENTZEL.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained 101' he cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of l'atents, Washington, D. G."

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