US2737337A - Container and container blank assembly - Google Patents

Description

March 6, 1956 A, MOORE 2,737,337 I CONTAINER AND CONTAINER BLANK ASSEMBLY File d Jan. 6, 1954 a Sheets-Sheet 1 March 6, 1956 G. A. MOORE 2,737,337

I CONTAINER AND CONTAINER BLANK ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 6, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR March 6, 1956 M00125 7 2,737,337

CONTAINER AND CONTAINER BLANK ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 6, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNVENTQR United States Patent CONTAINER AND CONTAINER BLANK ASSEMBLY George Arlington Moore, New York, N. Y.

Application January 6, 1954, Serial No. 402,559

6 Claims. (Cl. 229-44) This invention relates to improvements in containers, more particularly in containers made of paper board sheet material and treated or combined with plastic material, the said containers having integral closures adapted for being thermally sealed. The top closure of the container is provided with convenient means with which the container may be initially opened for removal of the contents thereof and be efliciently re-closed for further use of the container. 1

While the improved container of this invention is intended for the packing and distribution of a wide variety of consumer products it is particularly adaptable for use of dairy products, such as cottage cheese, yogurt and dry milk. The dairy industry use waxed paper containers for distribution of cottagecheese. These containers are round conical shape and have deeply recessed bottoms and mobile recessed covers applied to the containers to serve, for closures. These containers with mobile covers are relatively expensive, occupy wasteful space when filled, shipped and displayed in stores. Such containers are fabricated by methods entailing considerable waste of sheet material and the wax with which they are treated affords only a relatively short shelf life period during distribution of such products packed therein as herein--v before mentioned. I

It is accordingly one of the objects of this invention to provide containers that may be fabricated economically with relatively little waste of material.

Another object is to provide improved containers treated. with plastic materials and having structural wall arrangements that will aiford better protection for the container contents and extend their shelf life.

A. further object of this invention provides for the saving of up to fifty percent in the comparative occupancy space of filled containers.

A still further object is to provide nesting type containers having integral closures with fiat and substantially flush walls both top and bottom after being filled to facilitate efficient stacking in retail outlets.

Another object is to provide improved containers having an integral top closure adapted to be initially thermoplastically sealed, easily opened and conveniently re-closed for further use of the container.

Another object is to provide improved containers hav-' ing an integral closure provided with a container content display window that will not wrinkle or fracture under conditions of handling and refrigeration.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and is not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being primarily had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a primary blank used in fabricating the container, v

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of a portion of the blank taken on line 22 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is another fragmentary view in cross-section taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a secondary blank used in fabricating the container,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of a portion of the blank taken on line 55 in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a plan view with portions broken away, of the blanks in their respective relationship to each other to constitute a blank assembly prior to the shaping of the container,

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of the assembled container,

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the container with portions of its top closure folded,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the closed and completed container,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of the container structure taken on line 1010 in Fig. 9,

Fig. 10a is a fragmentary cross-section of the container structure taken on line 10a10a in Fig. 8,

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of the top closure structure taken on line 1111 in Fig. 9,

Fig. 12 is a view in perspective of the completed container provided with a product display window in the closure, 1

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the container with steps taken prior to the opening of the closure,

Fig. 14 'is a fragmentary view in cross-section of the sealed closure structure taken on line 1414 in Fig. 13,

Fig. 15 is a view in perspective of the opened container, and

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the container re-closed for further use.

In the-drawings the container blanks 4 and 5 (Figs. 1 and 4) may be prepared from either rolls or sheets of suitable materials, for example paper board may be laminated with plastic film material or other pellicles including aluminum foil, alternatively, the board material may beprinted and coated with dried films of liquid plastic compounds, such as polystyrene, polyethylene, saran, vinyls and other suitable materials in this category. The printing, cutting and creasing of the blanks may be done with conventional standard machinery equipment used in fabricating folding cartons. Plain board material may be printed and employed with seam forming areas of adhesive, then cut and creased into blanks which may be treated separately with suitable plastic material prior to or after the assembly of the container.

The primary cut blank 4 (Fig. 1) is of generally elongated shape and is divided laterally into successive panelareas 6, 7, 8 and 9 by medial parallel score lines 10, 11, 12 and 22. The panel area 6 constitutesa bottom base portion for the container, having a pair of opposing side flanges 13 disposed outwardly of the parallel score lines 14 which are disposed in transverse relationship to the parallel score lines 10 and 11. The panel area 7 constitutes a front side wall portion for the container, and extends laterally outward from the score line 10 terminating withrecessed edge portion 15 and two outwardly opposed marginal edge portions 16. The area portion 7 is provided with a pair of opposingside flange areas 17 disposed outwardly from each of a pair of score lines 18 which slope outwardly from each other from the score line 10 to the end margins 16. The panel area 7 is also provided with a pair of relatively short embossed shoulder ledges 19 each disposed inwardly transverse of and extending from score lines 18, terminating in line with terminal end portions of edges 16. The panel area 8 constitutes a back side wall of the container, and extends laterally from the score line 11 and outwardly to the parallel creased score line portion 12. A pair of side flange areas 17 are disposed outwardly of a pair of sloping score lines 18 provided in the panel and extending from the transversely disposed score line 11 and terminating in junctions with the perforated cut lines 25. A pair of embossed shoulder ledges 19 are also provided in the panel 8 disposed inwardly of and parallel with the oppositely disposed cut lines 25, the ledges terminating outwardly in junctions with each of the score lines 18.

The parallel flanges 13 and 17 are partially interrupted with V-cut notches 23 having blunt apices 21 disposed outwardly of the parallel score lines 14 and centrally disposed at the ends of transverse score lines and 11. The V-notch structural features provided for the blank is disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 245,702 filed September 8, 1951.

The panel area 9 constitutes a closure wall for the container and extends laterally and outwardly from the score line 12 to the score line 22, and having transverse parallel sides 23 which extend outwardly from the ends of the score lines 18. A flanged area 24 is provided to the end of the panel area 9 which is disposed outwardly from and parallel to the score line 22. The score lines 12 and 22 are disposed in parallel relationship having ends disposed in line with the adjacent inwardly disposed terminals of the pair of ledges 19 and having cut end portions 25 extending outwardly from each end of the said score lines terminating at the sides 23 of the said panel area.

The blank 4 (Figs. 2 and 3) is provided with a pellicle of plastic material 28 which constitutes the interior side of the blank when assembling the container. The score lines are embossed inwardly of the exterior side of the blank. Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional portion of the blank 4 taken on line 2--2 in Fig. 1 to define the score line 12 and its relationship with the embossed ledges 19. These ledges remain stationary and do not serve for material bending purposes.

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional portion of the blank taken on line 3-3 in Fig. l to define the relationship of the cut portions 25 and the stationary ledges 19, the said ledges being spaced out of line with respect to the cut portions 25. The cut portions 25 penetrate the blank short of the pellicle 28 on the surface of the blank.

The blank 5 (Fig. 4) constitutes a secondary blank member for the container and is related to the primary blank 4 when assembling the container. The blank 5 is provided with a central panel area 29 defined with a pair of opposing parallel score lines 30 and transversely disposed parallel sides 31. The said panel area constitutes an inner bottom wall for the container. Identical panel areas 32 extend laterally outward from each of the score lines 30 terminating at each of the opposed score lines 33, the panels having sloping sides 34 to increase, the area of the panel as they extend outwardly to the score lines 33. Each panel area 32 constitutes an opposing side wall for the container, each being provided with further extended areas which constitute foldable wingback marginal portions, the said areas being divided into portions 35 and 36 with medial perforated score lines 37. The portion 35 is disposed outwardly of the score line 33 and inwardly. of the perforated score line 37 the portion having sides 38. The area 36 is disposed outwardly of the medial line 37 and having opposing sides 38 and an end side 39 which constitutes the opposing ends of the blank.

Sections of the score line 33 and perforated score line 37 which separate the marginal portions 35 and 36 are illustrated in Fig. 5 taken on line 55 of the blank. The score line 37 is provided with weakening perforations 37a which partially penetrate into the exterior side of the blank short of the pellicle coating 28 disposed upon the interior surface of the blank.

The blanks 4 and 5 (Fig. 6) are adapted to be assembled independently and remote from the container forming machine operation. Fabricators of the blanks can pre-assemble the completely processed blanks and ship them to packer plants for container forming machine operation, or they may be shipped to other fabricators who may be equipped with such machines. Alternatively however, the container forming machines may provide for the assembly of the blanks prior to the forming of the containers.

The basic blank assembly consists of transposing the exterior side of the secondary blank 5 upon the interior side of the primary blank 4, superimposing the central panel 29 of the blank 5 upon the panel area 6 of the blank 4, the blanks being disposed in crossed relationship. When the blanks are independently pre-assembled from the forming machine the superimposed areas 6 and 29 are partially united together sufllciently to hold the assembly of the blanks in their related positions prior to being completely united by the container forming operation. The blanks are provided with a dry thermoplastic adhesive for uniting the said areas together by activating the same with heat and pressure to selected areas. The sides 31 of the superposed central panel 29 are disposed inwardly of the parallel score lines 10 and 11 of the panel 6. Portions of the outwardly sloping sides 34 of the blank member 5 pass substantially over the center of the blunt apices 21 in the notches 20 provided in the blank 4. The transverse parallel score lines 30 in the blank 5 are disposed inwardly of the blunt apices 21.

The pre-assembled blanks (Fig. 6) are adapted for stacking in magazines for feeding the assembly to the container forming machines to construct the container 40 (Fig. 7). The pre-assembled blank 41 is folded to form and complete the structure of the container with an integral double reinforced bottom wall with body side wall extensions having wall portions to constitute a top closure for the container.

The superposed panel areas 6 and 29 of the assembled blanks constitute the bottom of the container, the panel portion 29 of the blank 5 being disposed interiorly of the container and the panel portion 6 of the blank being disposed exteriorly thereof. The said superposed panels are compressed with heat and pressure to form a substantially rectangular shaped bottom having a recessed area 42 and a land border frame 43 to constitute a base for the container. The heat and pressure applied to emboss the recessed area of the bottom, activates the thermoplastic adhesive on the panel area 6 to unite the area 29 to form two layers of material to re-enforce the bottom of the container and prevent any seepage of con tainer contents between the said layers. The laterally opposed panel areas 7, 8 and 32 of the assembled blanks are folded inwardly and downwardly from junctions of the said bottom to form two opposing side walls 7 and 8 and two transversely disposed opposing side walls 32 for the container 40. The angle of the sloping sides 34 of the blank member 5 and the score lines 18in the blank 4, establishes the taper of the side walls of the container. While the container may be formed having straight side walls if desired, the tapering walls afford a facility for nesting the empty containers each in the other, making the empty containers more economical for shipping and storage purposes.

The corner junctions of the bottom and side wall structure of rectangular shape containers are usually vulnerable leakage areas, and are contemplated in this invention by providing portions of excess material with which to tightly plug and reinforce the said corner junctions. The excess material is provided by folding the side walls 7, 8 and 32 of the assembled blanks, the flange portions 13 and 17 being disposed in overlapping relationship with marginal portions of the opposing side walls 32 which close the notches 20 to form abuttecl seams 44 which are disposed outwardly to marginal portions of the'side walls 32 of the container. The lower ends of the abutted seams are provided with outwardly disposed portions of excess material 21 extending upwardly of the bottom wall of the container. The said folded flange portions aredisposed on opposite sides of the container walls and are subjected to heat and balanced pressure to activate the thermoplastic adhesive provided on the overlapping flanges to unite them to marginal portions of the side walls 32 of the container. The outwardly disposed portions of the said excess material 21 is compressed with heat plugging and reinforcing the corner junctions of the bottom and side walls of the container. The united flanges 13 and 17 strongly re-enforce the walls of the container structure.

The closure forming panels 9, 35 and 36 remain in lateral position with the side walls, the containers being ejected from the container forming machine into the previously ejected containers in nesting formation. When folding the panels 7, 8 and 32 to form the bottom and side walls of the container, the bending action on the score lines 10, 11, 14 and 30 react to project displaced material inwardly of the folds. This reaction is desired and hence is the reason for scoring'the blanks as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3'and 5. The raised portions of material are disposed in the plastic film provided on the interior sides of the blanks. When the blanks are folded to form the container, the score lines 10 and 11 subject the plastic film 28 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) to compression and not to stretching which would tend to weaken the plastic film. This feature is illustrated in Fig. 10 which is a crosssection taken on line 1010 in Fig. 9. The bent score line 12 compresses the plastic film 28 to form a fillet 45 disposed inside the container Wall. The cross-section (Fig. 16a) taken on line 10a10a in Fig. 8, illustrates the function of the plastic fillet in the blank 4 for sealing off the adjacent sides 31 of the blank 5. When folding the side wall panels 7 and 8 which extend from thebottom panel 6. the sides 31 of the inner panel 29 of the assembled blank 5 are closed with the fillets of plastic film. Pressure with heat is applied at these junctions of the material to constitute a seam to the said adjacent sides 31 of the container. This method of forming seams is also employed to seal off the sloping sides 34 of the side walls 32 with the plastic fillets formed in folding the side wall flanges 17. The said side edge seams supplement the flanged seams 17. The interior Wall structure of the container is thus free from raw wicking edges of material that would otherwise be exposed within the interior of the container.

The completed container 40 (Fig. 8) illustrates the steps taken in forming the top closure of the container. The

Wing- back members 35 and 36 have been folded to form resilient sealing ledges for use of closure wall 9. The marginal portions 35 of the opposing wing-back flanges are turned inwardly and downwardly on the score lines 33 to be disposed inwardly at substantially right angles to each of the adjacent side walls 32 of the container. The portions 36 are folded outwardly and downwardly from the perforated lines 37 exposing upwardly disposed marginal portions of plastic film. The folded wing-backs are initially, flattened together at the ends 38 adjacent the wall 9 to register the cut line extensions 25 from each terminal end of the score line 12, the marginal side ends of the portions 35 having engagements with the upwardly disposed shoulders of the embossed ledges 19 as illustrated in Fig. 11. The closure panel 9 is then folded downwardly to engage marginal portions 36 of the folded wing-backs.

The cut lines 25 in the panel 9 are disposed in registered line with the top corners of the side edges 38. Thepanel 9 is therefore allowed to fold at substantially right angles over the side ends 38 without displacing material inwardly and form interference with eflicient abutments of the wing-back side ends to flat marginal portions of the side wall 8. The panel 9 flattens the wings to register the opposing side ends 38 with the upwardly disposed shoulders of the embossed ledges 19 disposed in the opposing side wall 7 of the container. The sides of the end portions 36 register substantially flush with the upwardly disposed end portions 16 of the wall 7.

The folded panel 9 is subjected to pressure and heat and while under compression the flange 24 is folded downwardly and inwardly to engage a marginal portion of the wall 7. A marginal portion of thermoplastic adhesive 46 may be provided on the blank 4 or alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to a marginal portion of the said wall just prior to the closing of the container. The adhesive 46 registers with the marginal portion 27 of the folded flange 24. Pressure and or heat is applied to unite the said marginal portions together while uniting marginal portions of the closure wall 9 to the wing marginal portions 36. The opposing sides 38 of the folded wingback sealing ledges are disposed in edge to face abutments with marginal portions of heat activated thermoplastic adhesive to seal the said abutments. The score line 22 of the folded flange 24 displaces material inwardly of the container forming a fillet to fill and close the space provided by the offset edge portion 15 at the top of the container wall 7. The offset edge is disposed downwardly of the outer edge portions 16 providing this displacement space for the fillet to insure flat abutments of the edges 16 to marginal wall portions of the panel 9.

Heat is withdrawn from the closure walls but the pressure is maintained to allow the activated adhesive to solidify and unite the component parts thereof together in seam forming relationship. The completed closure is provided with structural features that combine strength with resiliency. The sturdiness of the sealed closure construction is illustrated in Fig. 11, the side ends 38 of the wing- back portions 35 and 36 are locked and sealed between the shoulders of the ledges 19 and marginal portions of the overlappingpanel 9. The cut wall portions 25 disposed at the junction of the panel 9 provide means for.

the said panel to fold over the corner edges of the sides 38 and maintain flat edge to face abutments with marginal portions of the side wall 8 of the container. The said abutments extend inwardly to the junctions 37 of the folded wing-backs, the score line portion 12 forms a fillet disposed longitudinally between the opposing wing I junctions 37. The parallel Wing-back ledges are allowed freedom for resilient co-action with the closure wall between the said abutments of the opposing ends. The flexibility thus provided for the closure adds efliciency to the container.

A product display window 47 may be provided in the closure of the container 48 illustrated in Fig. 12. The window material may consist of any of the transparent plastic filmsused in conventional containers for this purpose. The Window feature consists of providing an open-.

ing 49 of suitable size and shape cut in the closure wall 9 of the blank 4, and closing the said opening with preferably, a sheet of oriented polystyrene adhesively securedto marginal portions of the interior side of the panel. The oriented plastic material is flexibly strong and will not wrinkle. may be used for the purpose in relatively light guage thickness. The window display facility provides the improved containers of this invention with a feature much desired by the packer for use in distributing products such as foodstuffs that may be made visible to the purchaser.

The closure of the container 40 may be opened conveniently by grasping the free portionof the flange 24 (Fig. 13) pulling the flange outwardly and upwardly to free the adhesively secured portion 27 from the wall of the container.v A kitchen knife 51 may be employed if desired to insert into the slot 50 (Fig. 14) to penetrate through the perforated score line 37 and sever the portion 36 of the wing-back fold from its related portion 35. This operation is repeated on the opposite side of the closure thus releasing the panel 9 to open as illustrated in Fig. 15 to remove contents from the container. The wingback'portions 36 remain united to marginal side portions of the opened closure panel which reinforce and It provides for crystal clear transparency andarenas? stiffen the sides thereof. The portions 35 remain a part of the opposing side walls of the container providing resilient flies or spring-like ledges to engage the surfaces of the severed marginal portions 36 when reclosing the container (Fig. 16). When reclosing the container after be ing initially opened, the free flange portion 24 is inserted inside of the container wall between the ends 38 of the remaining wing ledges 35 and the wall '7, which frictionally clamps the closure panel 9 securely in closed position. The spring action of the severed ledges 35 resist and press against the secured portions 36 when brought together to close the opposing sides at the top of the container. The closure may be opened and closed repeatedly for the purpose of removing partial amounts of the container contents and when entirely removed therefrom the container may be rinsed out with hot water and used for storage of left over foodstuflis.

The container may be opened without the aid of a knife if desired. The sealed bond of the wing-back portions 36 to the panel 9 are stronger than the weakened lines 37 and hence will yield and sheer the said portions apart when the flange portion 24 is released and pulled upwardly.

The container of this invention may be used for hand carry out purposes from delicatessen stores, grocers and other similar retailers of foodstuffs. The containers may be closed by hand in the manner heretofore described and illustrated in Fig. 16. For this use the containers do not require closure sealing equipment. The wingback feature of resiliency and the co-action of the flange clamping facility will provide an adequate closure for the container for such purposes.

The primary blank (Fig. 1) is provided with a protective coating 28 upon the interior surface thereof. The exterior surface of the blank may be printed with two decorative colors and also be provided with an overcoating of vinyl or other suitable transparent film material to provide wall protection and give gloss to the decorative colors.

The secondary blank (Fig. 4) is also provided with a protective coating 28 upon the interior surface thereof. The exterior surface may be printed with two other decorative colors with an overcoat and provide four colors to The container may be fabricated of plain paper board material, the blanks 4 and 5 being printed with color inks and with suitable thermoplastic adhesive material on other selected area portions of the blanks which constitute the seam zones for forming the container. These zones are defined by the areas 6, 13, 17 and 27 of the blank 4 (Fig. 1) and areas 36 of the blank 5 (Fig. 4). The containers may be waxed after being fabricated, or they may be sprayed with suitable liquid plastic solutions of materials such as described hereinbefore. The thermoplastic adhesive employed for the seams of the container should be selected to have properties that are compatible with the plastic protective materials used for treating the container.

The improved containers fabricated of the blank assemblies are economical and light in weight yet strongly reinforced to Withstand rough handling. The empty containers will nest together for economy in shipping and storage. The top of the sealed containers are uniformly flat and void of dirt trapping recesses. The filled containers may be etficienly stacked for economy in shipping and display storage occupying much less space than conventional round shaped containers. The utility features of the improved containers provides for efficiency in sealing the closure and affords convenience to initially break the seal of the closure to open the container and having additional facilities provided for eificiently re-closing the container for continued use.

Although only one embodiment of the container blank assembly and the container are illustrated and described, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto, but that other forms of containers having varying sizes and panel shapes embodying the invention may be provided, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Reference will be primarily had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

I claim:

,1. A container made of two crossed blanks of sheet material and having interior surfaces of thermoplastic material thereupon, the container being provided with four side walls arranged in opposing pairs and being integrally and contiguously united with a common uniformly flat two-ply thickness bottom end wall and an open top end being provided with improved closure forming means which comprises upper marginal portions of a first pair of said opposing side walls each being folded inwardly and downwardly thereof with a substantially equal portion of said folded margin thereof being folded upwardly, outwardly and downwardly upon the exterior surface of said first folded portion and being nonadhered thereto, the longitudinal end edge surface of said second folded portion being substantially in coplanar surface relationship with the exterior of its dependent side wall of the container and being nonadhered therewith, and the transversely disposed opposed side edges of both folded marginal portions being abutted upon upper interior surface margins of a second pair of said opposing adjacent side walls, one of said second pair of said side walls being provided with a longitudinal top end edge having outwardly opposed longitudinal edge portions thereof disposed in coplanar surface relationship with the upper exterior horizontal surfaces of said second folded margins of said first side walls, the opposed side wall of said second pair being provided with an end closing single panel having an end flanged portion, which single panel is folded inwardly and downwardly upon said upper exterior horizontal surfaces of said second folded marginal portions of said first side walls, and said end flanged portion of the single folded panel being folded downwardly and inwardly over said top end edge portions of said one side wall of the second pair and at sharp right angles over said exterior horizontal surfaces, said folded single panel being adhcsively united upon the upper horizontal exterior surfaces of the second folded marginal portions of said first side walls and said folded end flange of the folded panel being adhesively united upon an upper exterior surface margin of said one side wall of the second pair adjacent its top edge, said folded margins of the first pair of side walls being disposed to resiliently oppose the downward pressure applied upon the exterior surface of said single panel while heating to activate said thermoplastic material to effect said united portions, said end flange being pressed and heated to activate said thermoplastic and thereby adhcsively unite and retain said single panel downwardly and compressively in contact with said resilient folded margins to effect a sealed closure of the container.

2. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second folded marginal portions of the first pair of side walls that are adhcsively united with said end closing panel being provided with weakened lines disposed along the, longitudinal corner folded edges that are innermost of said first side walls so that when said secured end flange of the secured single panel is severed from said one side wall of the second pair and being pulled outwardly and upwardly, said weakened lines are caused to be severed to release the end closing panel thereby to open the container for content dispensing, said severed second folded marginal portions of the first side walls remaining united to the opened panel and thereby providing reinforcements to marginally opposed sides of the opened panel, said end flange of the opened panel providing means to be disposed in face clamping relationship between an opposied pair of said transverse initially abutted edges of the remaining first folded upper interior surface margin of said margins and an the second pair when reclosing said one side wall of container.

3. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein upper portions of said second pair of side walls being provided with inwardly embossed horizontally disposed shoulder portions being spaced downwardly of and in line with the transverse end edges of each first inwardly folded marginal portion of said first pair of side walls, and thereby form ledges for contact with lower-most corner edges of said first folded marginal portions to arrest downward movement thereof and thereby augment the resiliency of said portions when sealing said closure of the container, the horizontally opposed pair of said transverse side edges in contact with said ledges adjacent the folded corner edge of said end closing panel each being abutted upon an upper interior surface margin of the dependent side wall of said panel and outwardly of an intermediate longitudinal score line from which said end closing panel is folded thereby to provide a sharp right angular fold of said panel over upper corner edges of said abutted portions and thereby prevent any interference of displaced material of the fold of said score line portion.

4. A container made of sheet material being provided with four side walls arranged in opposing pairs to provide a body portion of rectangular horizontal cross section and a closed bottom end, said side walls being tapered to render said container capable of being nested with like containers, said side walls being provided with upper foldable marginal portions capable of forming a resilient top end closure after filling the container with intended contents, said closure comprising upper marginal portions of a first pair of opposing side walls each being provided with a horizontal fold line that defines the top end of said side wall and an upwardly spaced horizontal perforated fold line being parallel with the first mentioned fold line, each of said upper margins being folded inwardly and downwardly from the first mentioned fold line and the innermost marginal portion thereof being folded upwardly, outwardly and downwardly from said perforated fold line so that its longitudinal end edge is disposed in substantially coplanar surface relationship with the exterior of its corresponding side wall and thereby provide a pair of inwardly opposed horizontally flat ledges having upwardly moving tendency, a first side wall of a second pair of opposing side walls being provided with a top end edge having two outwardly opposed horizontal edge portions being in coplanar relationship with the top horizontal surface of said folded ledges when the folded marginal portions of said ledges are confined flatly in superimposed relationship, the intermediate portion of said top end edge being horizontal and spaced downwardly of said outwardly opposed edge portions thereof, the opposing side wall of said second pair being provided with an end closing panel portion flange being provided with a fold score line each being spaced intermediate of the horizontal width of said folded ledges, said panel being folded inwardly and downwardly to contact and compress upon the upper surface of said ledges, which ledges resiliently oppose said downwardly folded panel and thereby increase the pressure of contact therewith while being adhesively united together with the upper marginally disposed portions of said folded ledges, and said flanged end of said panel being folded downwardly and inwardly upon an upper exterior surface margin of said first side wall of the second pair and being adhesively united therewith in seam forming relationship to retain said panel downwardly upon said ledges, and thereby secure said end closing panel so that said ledges are maintained in flat relationship by the constant pressure thereupon of said panel to effect a resilient closure upon the top end of said container.

havin an end flange, said panel and e 5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the sealed closure of the container is provided with structural means for the opening thereof comprising said secured flange of the end closing panel being provided with a lower-most non-adhered marginal portion to said side wall, which portion is grasped with fingers to sever the adhered portion of the flange and by lifting said released flange portion from its adhered margin cause said marginally folded portions of the ledges to sever from each other along their respective perforated fold lines, which lines are thereby weakened to sever and release said panel to open the container for dispensing purposes, two opposed marginal sides of the released panel being stiffened by the united marginal portions of said severed ledges remaining upon said panel when opened, the flat surfaces of said remaining adhered margins being means provided with which to co-act with said non-adhered resilient portions remaining at the top of their respective side walls and thereby effect a reclosure of the initially opened container.

6. In a container made of sheet material and having four side walls arranged in opposing pairs to provide a body portion of rectangular shape in horizontal cross section and having an open end provided with enclosure forming foldable wall portions comprising each wall of one pair of said opposed side walls being provided with an extended foldable marginal portion of relatively short projection spaced outwardly of a longitudinal score line that defines the terminal corner edge of each respective corresponding side wall when folding said margins, each of said margins being provided with a longitudinal perforated line spaced outwardly of and substantially parallel with said score line, the longitudinal end edge of said margin being spaced outwardly of and parallel with said perforated line and being substantially equidistant with respect to the spaced relationship of said score and perforated lines so that said margins when being folded are adapted to be self-superimposed with said longitudinal end edge thereof lying parallel along and upon the terminal corner edge defined by said score line, and thereby provide a pair of inwardly opposed closure wall seating ledges to be disposed transverse of said corresponding side walls, one wall of the second pair of said opposing side walls being provided with an extended foldable full end closing panel having a central longitudinal creased score fold line portion with terminal ends each being spaced inwardly of each of two opposed converging corner ends of said one side wall and two opposed transverse adjacent side walls of the container, a longitudinal cut score fold line portion being extended outwardly from each said terminal end of the central creased score line to each said converging corner end of the side walls, said full end closing panel being provided with a foldable longitudinal end flange portion defined as having acentral creased score line with outer opposed extended out score fold line portions thereof that are comparable with said creased and cut fold line portions of the panel portion, the opposing second wall of the second pair of side walls of the container being provided with a central longitudinal straight end edge portion having terminal ends thereof extended with outwardly offset longitudinal straight edge portions that terminate at converging corner ends of said second wall and adjacent side walls, said ofiset edge portions of the second wall bearing such relationship with said first mentioned self-superimposed margins when being folded, as to be disposed in coplanar surface relationship with the exterior face of the outer disposed marginal portion thereof, and said panel including its flange portion when folded, being caused to bend sharply at right angles over each of the respectively opposed end side edges of said outer disposed marginal portions so that marginally opposed surface sides of the end closing panel will seat flatly upon the entire surface area of said exterior face of the self-superimposed margins in seam forming relationship, the central longitudinal 11 straight end edge portion of said second side wall being disposed in an offset position .to provide material displacement space for said creased score fold line portion of said flange when being folded over said edge portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 12 Reid Apr. 4, I939 Stein NOV. 7, 1939 I-Iothersall Jan. 16, 1940 Cowan Sept. 17., 1940 Hothersall Mar. 1.1, 1.941 Guyer July 1.5, 1941 Waters Oct. 15, 1946 Guyer Oct. 14, 1947 Ringler Dec. .13, 1949 Strenger July 14, 195.3 Guyer Jan. 12, 1954

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