US2983423A - Self-locking shipping container - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1961 R. F. VAlL SELF-LOCKING SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed oot. 20, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR RoberfiE Vail V WWW ATTORNEYS y 9, 1961 v R. F. VAIL 2,983,423

SELF-LOCKING SHIPPING CONTAINER 4% 1| 33W 46W F1295 I i' I! W INVENTOR RaberZ'FZ Vail /waeg, Mafia W ATTORNEYS May 9, 1961 v SELF-LOCKING SHIPPING CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. RoberfiF. Va/z/L ATTORNEYS M .1! Nil 96 Filed 001;. 20, 1 960 y 1961 R. F. VAIL SELF-LOCKING SHIPPING CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed 001:. 20, 1960 United States Patent SELF-LOCKING SHIPPING CONTAINER Robert F. Vail, Canton, Ohio, assignor to Massillon Container Co., Navarre, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Oct. 20, 1960, Ser. N0. 63,768 8 Claims." Cl. 229-23 This invention relates to an improvement in a paperboard'shipping container and more particularly it pertains to a self-locking pilfer-proof container. This application is a continuation-in-part of the copending application Serial No. 799,551, filed March 6, 1959.

In the past, shipping containers composed of paperboard have been used primarily for packaging relatively lightweight materials, for which'purpose the containers have served satisfactorily. More recently, paperboard containers have been used for packaging and shipping heavier products but in many instances the containers have failed under the weight due to inadequate strength provided by the container. As a result, it has been necessary to provide shipping containers composed of other material such as metal or wood, or provide paperboard shipping.

containers having greater durability to withstand the greater weight of products placed in them.

In conjunction with the foregoing, there has. been a problem of pilferage from the container while in transit. Many paperboard containers are fabricated for repeated use, for which reason they are either not locked or sealed together, or the locking or sealing means used is easily removed and replaced, whereby pilferage is easily possible.

-Moreover, some shipping containers have been made pilfer-proof but are not used for shipment of heavy products. Many so-called pi-lfer-proofpaperboard containers have interengaging or locking parts which are readily accessible and easily manipulated to unlocked positions.

For most products a paperboard container having reentrant locking flaps has sufiicient strength to hold the contents of the container intact in a pilfer-proof manner. For very heavy products, however, such as one having an assembled weight of 250 pounds in the container, the container may be opened when'subjected to exceptionally rough handling of a specific nature. A heavily loaded container may be opened by an exceptionally strong person or two or more persons working together who grasp the top tray of the container and, by holding it slightly off its bottom surface, shake the container up and downuntil the paper board material adjacent the original bend or score line forming the locking flap is weakened and broken down from its original rigid status. Continued shaking of a heavily loaded container in such a mannereventually causes the entire flap .to curl, roll,or turn along a straight line gradually to the locking end of the flap, thereby elimihating the fiap. Y

It has been found that-the combination of excessive ance claim in the event material is actually taken from the container while in transit.

Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a shipping container which may be used for shipment of products weighing up to 250 pounds.

It is another object of this invention to provide a selflocking shipping container which is pilfer-proof.

it is another object of this invention to provide a selflocking shipping container which cannot be opened without mutilating parts that are readily discernible at a glance and thereby give notice that the container has been tampered with and provide unquestionable evidence for insurance purposes.

It is another object of this invention to provide a selflocking shipping container, the interlocking parts of which are beyond access without mutilating the container.

It is another object of this invention to provide a selflocking shipping contaier which includes re-useable portions as well as single-use locking members which must be mutilated in order to open the container.

It is another object of this invention to provide a selflocking re-useable shipping/container with locking flaps that are reinforced against rolling out of their flap locking positions by shaking.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to providea self-locking paperboard shipping container which accornplishes the foregoing objects and desiderata in a simple, effective and inexpensive manner.

These and other objects apparent to those skilled in the are from the following description and claims maybe.

. hereof.

In the drawings which are ilustrative of the preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example and in which similar numerals refer to similar parts thereof Figure 1 is an exploded view of the container;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a precut and scored blank of one of the trays of a container; V

Fig. 3 is a plan view of precut and scored locking insert;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of a precut and scored blank of I the inner carton of the container; 7 .Fig. 5 is a plan view of a precut 'and scored blank of another embodiment of the tray;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of a precut and scored locking insert;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an assembled shipping container including the insert of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8 -8 of Fig. 7;

weight and shaking of a container in the foregoing manner stitching, gluing, or other means, the breakdown and rolling of the flap cannot occur and the interlocking flap cannotbe eliminated. Rather the paperboard material forming some part of the tray or-insert will tear and thereby provide evidence of breaking andentering of the container, which is sufficient basis on which to base an insur- Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a precut-and scored blank of another embodiment of the tray;

4 Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical'sectional view, taken on a line similar to that of 'Fig. 8, for the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on-a line similar to that of Fig. 8, for therembodirnent of Fig. .10; i 5 I Fig. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of'a diecut and scored tray;

Fig. 14 is" a plan view of another embodiment of a die cut and scored locking insert; 1

Fig. 15 is a perspective view with portions broken away of another embodiment of a self-locking shipping container;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1616 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a precut locking insert having reinforced end flaps;

Fig. 18 is a perspective View of another embodiment of a locking insert having reinforced end flaps;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of another embodiment of a precut and scored blank of the inner carton of the con tainer; V

Fig. 2.0 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an assembled shipping container showing greater spacing between the end walls of the trays then between the side walls thereof to facilitate removal of the tear tape;

Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 21-21 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 17; and

Fig. 23 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 23-23 of Fig. 18 and showing in broken line the manner in which the reinforced end flap is precut and folded to form the reinforced flap.

In Fig. l a self-locking shipping container is generally indicated at 1. It includes a re-useable box or primary paperboard carton 2, a lower tray 3, an upper tray 4, and a pair of similar end sheets or locking inserts and 6. The primary carton 2, being preferably of rectangular configuration, includes two opposed side walls 7 (Fig. 4), a pair of opposed end walls 8, and a stitching flap 9, whereby one end wall 8 and one side wall 7 are secured together by staples (Fig. 1). The side walls 7 include lower outer flaps 11 and upper outer flaps 12, and the end walls 8 include lower inner flaps 13 and upper inner flaps 14. The blank from which the carton 2 is made is precut at 15, slotted at 16, and scored at 17 to enable assembly of the carton 2 in a manner shown in Fig. 1.

The lower and upper trays 3 and 4 are re-useable secondary reinforcing locking members, and are fabricated from identical separate blanks as shown in Fig. 2. The tray 3 or 4 includes a panel 18, opposed side walls 19, and opposite end walls 20. The trays 3 and 4 also include side re-entrant flaps 21, end re-entrant flaps .22, similar flaps 23 on the end walls and similar flaps 24 on the end re-entrant flaps 22. All of the parts of the trays 3 and 4 are connected by similar crease or score lines 25 and are separated where necessary by slots 26.

As shown in Fig. 1, each tray 3 and 4- is assembled by folding the various parts along the score lines 25 with each pair of flaps 23 and 24 extending along and between one side wall 19 and side flap 21. The resulting assembly is an open-sided tray adapted to receive upper and lower portions of the carton 2 with the outer flaps 11 and 12 of the carton adjacent the corresponding panels 18 of the trays 3 and 4.

The locking inserts 5 and 6 are composed of a single blank as shown in Fig. 3 and include a body 27 with similar upper and lower reversely bent flaps 28 and 29. Each insert 5 and 6 also includes severing means extending between opposite edges, such as a tear tape 31 which extends horizontally across the center of the body 27. The ends of the tape 36 are disposed at opposite edges of the body 27 between spaced knife cuts 31 and 32 extending inwardly from opposite edges. The cuts 31 and 32 facilitate starting removal of the tear tape 36. The upper and lower flaps 28 and 29 are folded along similar score lines 33' toward the sides opposite that of the tear tape as shown in Fig. l. 7

After the several parts of the tray blanks are assembled by first folding the parts along their several score lines until the side walls 19, side flaps 21, and flaps 23 and 24 overlap each other to form open-sided trays 3 and 4, the

flaps 28 and 29 folded along score lines 33 are then inserted between the carton end wall 8 and tray end wall 20 until the edge 34 of the flap 29 passes below the edge 35 of the end flap 2 as shown in Fig. 11. The resilience of the paperboard at the score line 33 causes the flap 29 to move outwardly against the end wall 20 of the tray whereby the flap 29 is locked in alignment with the flap 22.

The upper tray 4 is then placed over the upper portion of the carton 2 as well as the upper portions of the insert bodies 27 and the tray is lowered until the upper outer flaps 12 are adjacent the panel 18 of the tray, at which position the flaps 28 move into place against the ends 20 of the tray so that edges 34 and 35 are adjacent each other in locking alignment. Thereafter it is impossible to remove the trays 3 and 4 from their positions without first destroying the inserts 5 and 6 by removing the tear tapes 30 (Fig. 3). For that purpose there is sufiicient clearance 36 (Fig. 7) between the upper and lower trays 3 and 4 to permit removal of the tear tape 30 through the clearance space 36. Destruction of the inserts 5 and 6 permits removal of the trays 3 and 4 from the .carton 2 and the carton 2 and trays 3 and 4 may be used again with replaced inserts 5 and 6.

Another embodiment of a tray is generally indicated at 37 in Fig. 5. Like the tray 3 or 4 of Fig. 2, the tray 37 includes a panel 38, side walls 39 with side flaps 49, end walls 41 with end flaps 42, and flaps 43 and 44. The tray 37 is assembled by folding the various side walls, end walls and flaps along score lines 45 until the flaps 44 and 43 on one side of the panel 38 are disposed between one side wall 39 and side flap 4t and with the end flaps 42 overlying the end walls 41. Asshown in Fig. 5, each side flap 46 includes a notch or cut-out 46 at opposite corners.

In conjunction with the tray 37 another embodiment of an insert is generally indicated at 47 in Fig. 6. Like the inserts 5 and 6, the insert 47 includes a body 48, similar upper and lower flaps 49', and a tear tape 50 with spaced cuts 56a and Siib at opposite end walls for starting the tear. The insert 47 also includes similar side members 51 having upper and lower similar flaps 52. As shown in Fig. 6, the tear tape extends across the body 48 and side flaps 51, as well as across vertical score lines 53, which divide the body and side walls.

The tray 37 and insert 47 are used in conjunction with the carton 2 and are assembled in a manner substantially similar to the parts shown in Fig. 1. In the final assembly of the second embodiment, however, the flaps 52. of the inserts 47 are disposed in the several cut-outs 46 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 so that the flaps 52, as well as. the flaps 49, are aligned with edges 54 and 55 of the flapsdtl and 42 respectively. In that manner additional locking edges are provided in the second embodiment of the trays 37 and flaps 47 and thereby insure greater interlocking surfaces for the assembled container.

Another embodiment of the tray is generally indicated at 56 in Fig. 10. Like the tray 37, the tray 56 includes a panel 57, side walls 58 with .re-entrant side flaps 59, and end walls 60 with end flaps 61. Each end wall 60 is provided with flaps 62 and 63. The side walls 59 are provided with spaced similar notches or cut- outs 64 and 65 and the flaps 62 and 63 are provided with similar notches or cut-outs 66and 67, respectively. When the tray 56 is assembled, the cut- outs 66 and 67 are aligned with the cut- outs 64 and 65, respectively. The insert 47 is used also with the tray 56 and when assembled the flaps 52'extend through the aligned cut- outs 64 and 66, and 65 and 67, as shown in Fig. 12. Thus, theends of the flaps 52 engage the longitudinal sides of the cutouts 66 and 67 and thereby increase the locking capacity of the insert 47 over the capacity of the inserts Sand 6.

Another embodiment of a tray is generally indicated at 63 in Fig. 13. Like'the trays of'the other embodiments, the tray 68 includes a panel 69- having side walls 70 with vfilled container and shaking the container.

essence.

side flaps 71 and having end walls 72 with end flaps 73. In addition, the side flaps 71 include similar flaps 74 and 75. The end walls 72 are provided. with similar flaps 76 and 77. The embodiment of the tray 68 differs from the prior embodiment in that the tray 68 is assembled from a single die-cut blank (Fig. 13) in which the several portions are separated by similar score lines 78 and by cuts 79 and 79a which separate the flaps 76 and 77 from the side walls 70, end walls 72, and flaps 74 and 75. Inasmuch as the die-cut blank for the'tray 68 is not slotted, the cuts 79a include angled cuts 80,81, and 82 of short length, whereby subsequent folding of the several parts along unaligned score lines permits said parts to nest and fit together without a bulging assembly.

The tray 68 also includes a pair of holes or cut-outs 83 at diagonally opposite corners of the assembled tray which when assembled with the primary carton 2 and an insert 84 (Fig. 14) permits insertionof a finger into the cut-out to facilitate removal of a tear tape 85 in said insert. As shown in Fig. 14, the insert 84 includes a side wall 86 and side member 87 which is divided from the side wall 86 by a score 88. Theside wall 86 includes similar upper and lower flaps 89 and the side member 87 includes flaps 90. The tear tape 85 extends from one edge of the side 86 to the edge of theside member 87. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 14, the opposite, edges 91 and 92 of the flaps 89 are cut at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the side 86. For example, the edges 92 are inclined at an angle to the'score 88 as shown in Fig. 14.

As shown in Fig. 15, the manner in which the upper and lower trays 68 are assembled with thecarton 2 and inserts 84 is shown in broken away portions of'the drawing. The carton 2 is disposed-inside of .thetrays 68 which are locked in placeby the inserts 84. i

The flaps 89' of the inserts are sprung outwardly against the inner'surface of the side walls 72 where their edges are aligned and in abutment with edges of the flaps 74 in locking position and out of access from would-be pilferers. In addition, the flaps 90 are adjacent the inner surface of the flaps 76 and in alignment with edges of the flap 71. Moreover, the inserts 84 are further pilfer-proof due to the opposed inclined edges 91 and 92 of the flaps 89 which, as shown in Fig. 14, have edge segments 93, and which segments extend beyond the longitudinal edge of the side 86 and beyond the score line 88. The segments 93 extend beyond the edges of aligned flaps 74. or 77, which flaps extend transversely of the container, and in abutment (Fig. 16) .with the longitudinally extending side flaps 71. I g Y Accordingly, if it were possible for a would-be pilferer to dislodge the flaps 89 from their interlocking abutment with thev flaps 74, 75, and end flap 73, there would be the additional problem of also dislodging the segments 93' from their abutment with the sidefiaps 71;

As shown in Fig. 16, the tear tape 85 is disposed horizontally and centrally of the assembled container. In .the assembled form, theupper and lower trays 68 provide a clearance 94 peripherally around the container whereby access may be had to the end of the tear tape. Moreover, to facilitate removalof the tear tapes 85 fromeach insert 84, the cut-outs 83 are 'provided. at'diagonally opposite sides of the container, which cutouts are aligned with the end of the. tear tape where knife cuts; 9 5 are provided for the initial phase of the tear., The cut-outs 83 ,in

addition have inwardly inclinedsurfaces 96 to reduce the size of the tear across the balance of the insert;... H

For most products the several embodiments ofthe fore- 6 so that the entire weight of the container is borne by the upper flaps of the inserts, the flat surface of the flaps adjacent the score line or bend is broken down by shaking the container until the entire flap between the locking edge and the bend loses its rigidity and is eliminated by turning around the bend.

For very heavy products, therefore, it is necessary to provide a locking insert such as inserts 97 and 98, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18. The inserts 97 and 98 may be used in combination with a container shown in Figs. and 21, which includes the primary box or carton 2 (Fig. l) as well as upper and lower trays 99 and 100 of slightly different construction from that shown for the trays of Figs. 2, 5, 10, and 13. Each tray 99 and 100 is identical and is formed from a blank 101 of paperboard as shown in Fig. 19. Each tray 99 and 100 includes a central panel 102 as well as opposite side walls 103 and 194, and opposite end walls 105 and 106. In addition, the

side walls 103 and 104 are provided with similar re flaps 107 to 114 are separated from their adjacent parts by originally located in the blank'o-f the insert 97 by a score I together by stitching or metal staples 126 as shown more.

going paperboard containers have been satisfactory to .pre.

vent pilfering of the contents of the container. Where, however, a carton'is filled with a heavy product having aweighto'f about 250 pounds, the pilfer proof structure cuts 115 and score lines 116 at locations as shown in Fig; 19. In addition, the re-entrant flaps 109 and 110 are separated from their respective end walls 105 and 106 by score lines 117. v

When folded, the tray blank of Fig. 19 provides a tray 99 ,or having side walls 103 and 104 of greater height than the end walls and 106 so that the spaces 118 and 119 (Figs. 20 and 21 between the upper and lower. trays are less than the space 120 between end walls 105 and 106 of the trays, thereby providing greater clearance for grasping an'end tab 121 of a severing means, such as tear tape 122 on the locking insert 97. By providing the'wider clearance or space 120 at the end of the container than the spaces 118 and 119 extending centrally and longitudinally of the container, the primary carton 2 is provided with a maximum of reinforcement by the outer side walls '103 and 104 without seriously diminishing the reinforcement by the end walls 105 and 106, which walls enclose substantially upper and lower half portions of the insert 97' or 98 as shown in Fig. 20. Accordingly, the wider space 120 facilitates opening of the container by permitting easier grasping of the end tab 121 of the tear tape 122 when it is necessary to open the container.

'As shown in Figs; 17, 18, 22, and 23, the inserts 97 and 98 are provided with locking end flaps of reinforced construction to prevent the elimination of the end flaps by rolling the same aroundthe original score line. Each end flap may be reinforced by securing itto the adjacent 'overlapping portion of the bodyof the insert' by any means such as stitching, gluing or the like. As shown in Fig. l7, the insert 97 includes a reversely bent upper flap 123 which extends from a bend 124 which was line similar to the score lines \ 116 and 117 of Fig. 19. In addition, a reinforcing member or end portion 125 is preferably provided" between the fiap 123 and-the adjacent overlapped portion of the insert. The assembled flap 123 and "'end portion 125 arepermanently secured flap 127, a reinforcing member or end portion 128, and

" spaced staples 129.

may be defeated bythe combination of the weighf of the v T when the {TAnother reinforced insert is shown atv 98in Fig. l8. It includes'a reversely bent upper flap depending upper tray of the loaded container is" graspedfand lifted froina bend131 extendinglike the bend 124 (Fig; 17)

that the end sheets of locking transversely across the insert. Likewise, the flap 130 is provided with a reinforcing member or end portion 132. As shown by the broken lines in Fig. 23, the end portion 132 is partially severed by a slit 133 across the insert, which slit extends preferably only partially through the paperboard, leaving a hinged portion 134 to facilitate subsequent folding. Both sides of the end portion 132 are then covered with glue 135 and the paperboard is folded together, substantially as shown, to the full line positions of the parts.

The flap 123, together with its reinforcing end portion 125, is folded in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 23. Likewise, the insert includes a reversely bent flap 144) and a reinforcing end portion 141 which are assembled in a manner identical with that of the flap 13% and end portion 132.

The purpose of the end portions 125 and 132 is to reinforce the upper and lower locking flaps of the inserts 97 and 98. The reinforcement is provided by rigidity applied to the entire surface of the flaps 123 and 130, as well as providing resistance to breakdown and rolling of the flaps at the bends 124 and 131. In addition, the lower ends 123 of the flaps and corresponding end portions are aligned to provide a wider locking surface for locking abutment with surfaces of flaps as shown in Fig. 21. Thus the lower ends 136 and 137 of the flap 123 and the end portion 1 25' are aligned with each other. Likewise, the ends 138 and 139 of the flap 131} and end portion 132 are similarly aligned to provide a locking edge or shoulder of greater area.

The several parts of the container including the trays 99, ltltl and thesinserts 97 or 98 are assembled with an inner carton 2 as shown in Fig. 21. As shown, the insert W is disposed between the end wall 8 of the carton 1 and the re-entrant flaps 199 of the upper and lower trays 105 and 106. In that position the flap 123 with its reinforcing end portion 125 is in alignment with the re-entrant flap 169 and the flap 113 and the locking ends 136 and 137 are in abutment with the edges of the flaps 113 and 109, respectively. Similarly, the lower flap 127 and reinforcing end portion 128 are aligned and in locking abutment with similar flaps 113 and 109, respectively, in the lower tray 106.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 21, the space 119 between the upper and lower side flaps of the trays is smaller than the space 12%} between the upper and lower edges of the end flaps of the trays. In that manner the tear tape .122 which extends across the insert 97 is readily available for tearing the insert 97 when it is necessary to open the container.

Although as shown in Figs. 17 and 18 the several flaps 123, 127, 1nd and 149 are stitched (stapled) or. glued together with reinforcing portions, the flaps -28 and 29 (Fig. 1), 49 and 52 (Fig. 6), and 89 and 9% (Fig. 14) may also be stitched or glued in place against the body portions of their corresponding inserts 27, 48, and 86, respectively.

The self-locking shipping container as set forth above provides a pilfer-proof container having interlocking parts which are inaccessible for manipulation. In order for goods to be stolen from the container it is necessary inserts be destroyed by removal of the tear tapes. Where the tear tapes are removed without permit, there is clear evidence of pilferage, which facilitates collection of insurance covering theft. In addition, destruction of the inserts by removal of the teartapes constitutes an act" which many wouldbe pilferers would hesitate to perform,

The'several embodiments of the invention provide a reinforced paperboard shipping container which is capabio of containing upwards of 250 pounds of material without bursting of any portion of the container walls With all prior containers it ing straps be provided on each container. In that respect 7 5 it had been found that during shipment the straps became loose whereby would-be pilferers simply removed the straps, lifted the upper tray from its place, removed part of the contents, and then replaced the tray and the straps. Where the self-locking shipping container of the present invention is provided, it is anticipated not only that reinforcing straps are not necessary but also that with the self-locking feature there would be no attempt to pilfer the container."

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations have been implied therefrom as such words are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construe tion illustrated and described herein is by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact construction shown.

Having now described the invention, construction, operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful self-locking shipping container and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in the appended claims.

What is'claimed is:

1. Re-useable pilfer-proof reinforced paperboard shipping container construction including, a re-useable primary paperboard carton, a pair of re-useable secondary reinforcing paperboard locking trays, and a pair of paperboard locking inserts; the primary carton having rectangular side, end, top and bottom walls; each locking tray being formed as a five-sided open-top receptacle including a rectangular panel wall and opposed pairs of side and end walls extending integrally from the outer edges of the panel wall to the open end of the receptacle; at least the end walls of each tray beingformed with a re-entrant flap extending integrally from the open end of the receptacle toward the panel wall and terminating with its free re-entrant flap edge spaced from the interior surface of the panel wall to form a locking edge; one tray being telescoped over the top Wall of the primary carton with its panel wall abutting the top carton Wall and its side and end Walls enveloping substantially the top half of the carton side and end walls, the other locking tray being telescoped over the bottom wall of the primary carton with its panel Wall abutting the bottom carton wall and its side and end walls enveloping substantially the bottom half of the carton side and end walls; the reentrant end wall flaps of the trays being spaced from the end walls of the car- 7 ton a distance equal to the thickness of a locking insert;

each locking insert comprising at least a flat rectangular body having a reversely bent integral flap at each of its upper and lower ends terminating in a locking edge, the flap locking edge being spaced from the insert body end a distance equal to slightly less than the spacing between the tray flap locking edge and panel; the locking inserts being assembled with the carton and trays with the insert body between and in abutment with the re-entrant tray flaps and canton end Walls, and with insert flap locking edges in abutment with the tray flap locking edges; the abutting flap locking edges of the trays and inserts being held rigidly in abutment by the carton and tray end Walls, and the thus held and engaged flap locking edges locking the trays in telescoped position around the carton with the open ends of the trays spaced slightly from each other substantially midway between the top and bottom carton walls; and each insert body being provided with severing means extending between opposite edges along the space between the open ends of the locking tray end walls; whereby the carton is enclosed, reinforced and locked against opening ina pilfer-proo-f manner by the locking trays and inserts, whereby the inserts must be severed to gain access to the carton, whereby damage to the inserts signals tampering with the carton, and whereby the carton aessjms and trays may be used repeatedly by replacing locking inserts which have been severed.

2. The construction as defined in claim 1 in which the opposed pairs of side and end walls of each tray are formed with re-entrant flaps, and in which each reversely bent integral flap of each insert has opposite ends inclined outwardly from the insert body toward the locking edge and thereby providing the locking edge with opposite locking edge end portions abutting the locking edges of the reentrant fiaps on opposite side Walls of each tray.

3. The construction as defined in claim 1 in which the opposed pairs of side and end walls of each tray are formed with re-entrant flaps terminating in locking edges, in which each insert includes at least one side member extending between the side walls of the tray and the primary carton, and in which the side member has a reversely bent flap at each of itsupper and lower ends terminating in a locking edge abutting the locking edges of the re-entrant flaps of the side wall of each tray.

4. The construction as defined in claim 1 in which the 10 reversely bent flaps of the locking inserts are fixedly secured in position on the adjacent surface of the insert.

5. The construction as defined in claim 1 in which the reversely bent flaps of the locking insertsrare stapled in position on the adjacent surface of the insert.

6. The construction as defined in claim 1 in which the' reversely bent flaps of the locking inserts are glued in position on the adjacent surface of the insert.

7. The construction as defined in claim 1 in which the re-entrant tray flaps are provided with at least double thickness flap walls forming double thickness locking edges, and in which the reversely bent flaps of the locking inserts are at least double thickness to provide reinforced flaps with double thickness locking edges abutting the double thickness locking edges of the re-entrant flaps.

8. The construction as defined in claim 7 in which the double thickness reinforced insert flaps are fixedly secured in position on the adjacent surfacesot theinsert.

No references cited.

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