US3000494A - Holder for rolls of tape - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1961 L. P. MONROE 3,000,494-

' HOLDER FOR ROLLS OF TAPE Filed Feb. 20, 1959 INVENTOR. LEE P MONROE 4%, MZWM A-r-rorexos vs A ing Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 794,694 Claims. (Cl. 20652) This invention relates to a holder for rolls of tape. More particularly, this invention relates to a package and holder for rolls of tape erected from a rectilinear blank and having a pair of side walls and end walls to enclose the roll of tape and a center structure adapted to form a spindle for the roll and allow the package to be gripped for pulling the tape from the roll. Still more particular- 1y, this invention relates to novel structure forming the spindle or hub means at the center of the package.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a package for rolls of tape which may be simply and quickly erected from a generally rectilinear blank. An absolute minimum of material is utilized in the forming of this package. The blanking operation is such that the resulting blank is extremely simple in construction, thus facilitating the erection of a simplified package.

A package for a roll of tape necessitates a particular type of carton. A spindle must be formed generally near the center of the package on which the roll of tape is mounted. This spindle must be of a type such that it may be formed after the roll of tape is inserted into the carton because it must serve not only to give the carton further support but also lock the tape in the carton. An important object of this invention is to provide structure such the carton itself and once the spindle is assembled, the parts thereof are locked firmly in place. This improved spindle structure is thus devised to give greaterrigidity to the package as well as provide a simplified way in which to form the spindle.

Other objects of this invention will become obvious to those skilled in the box and packaging arts upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of the blank from which the improved package for tape comprising this invention is formed.

FIG. 2 is a side, perspective view of the package formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of this package taken along the plane III--III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the locking structure comprising a vital part of this invention.

Briefly, this invention relates to a holder for tape having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. A pair of bracing fiaps are struck from each of these side walls, corresponding bracing flaps of each of the pairs of bracing flaps extending toward each other the interior of the holder and adapted to overlap each other. The bracing flaps exposed to the center of the holder have first locking ears projecting from their outer ends. Second locking ears are struck from each of the side panels along the line joining the bracing flap not exposed to the center of the holder thereto. The first locking ears are thus adapted to be superimposed upon the second locking ears and positioned within the interior of the holder, whereby the bracing flaps are locked rigidly in position.

Turning more specifically to the'drawin gs, the reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 designates the blank used in the formation of this holder. This blank includes a first end panel 2, a first side panel 4, a second end panel 6, a second side panel 8 and a glue flap 10 successively joined in tandem along the fold lines 3, 5, 7 and 9.

rat s fia 5 A pair of slits 11 and 12 are located in the first side panel 4 in a generally parallel position. These slits define the sides of a pair of bracing flaps 13 and 14, joined 'to the first side panel 4 along the fold lines 15 and 16 respectively. The somewhat V-shaped locking ear 17 extends from the end of bracing flap 13, joined thereto along the fold line 18 along its edge of least dimension. Another locking ear 19, having generally the same configuration as locking ear 17, is struck from the first side panel 4. The locking ear 17 is joined to the fiap 14 along the fold line 16. This forms an opening 20 in the side panel. It will be noted that a, somewhat U-shaped portion A is removed from side wall 4 during the formation of these bracing flaps. The length of the respective bracing flaps is generally equal to the width of the end panels 2 and 6.

Slits 11a and 12a are cut in side panel 8, in positions corresponding to the slits 11 and 12 in first side panel 4. Similar bracing flaps 13a and 14a are struck from the second side wall 8, the slits 11a and 12a defining the sides of these bracing flaps. However, it will be noted that the corresponding positioning of these flaps in the second side panel 8 are reversed to the positioning of the flaps in the :first side panel 4. The fold lines 15a and 16a respectively joining the bracing flaps 13a and 14a to the second side panel 8 are also reversed in position. The reason for this reversal will be explained more fully hereinafter. A

somewhat V-shaped locking ear 17a extends from bracing flap 13a, joined thereto along the fold line 18a along its edge of least dimension. Another locking ear 19a is struck from the second side panel 8 and joined thereto along the fold line 16a, forming the opening 20a in this side panel. These two locking ears in the second side panel 8 are generally of the same configuration. Again, it will be noted that in the formation of these bracing flaps, a generally inverted U-shaped portion B has been removed from the second side panel 8.

The fold lines 3, 5, 7 and 9 have spaced die cuts along their length to facilitate folding along these lines. A thin metal tearing strip C is positioned to extend across the bottom of the second end panel 6 to facilitate tearing lengths of tape from a roll enclosed in the carton.

This carton is erected by folding the two side panels and the two end panels to form a wall structure, and gluing the glue flap 10 to the underside of the first end panel 2. When thus erected, a roll of tape having a large center or core opening may be placed within this wall structure. After the tape is centered in the carton, the bracing flaps 14 and 14a are folded inwardly through the center opening of the tape roll. The bracing flaps 13 and 13a are next folded through the center opening of the tape roll to lie against the bracing flaps 14 and 14a and being exposed to the center of the holder (FIGS. 2 and 3). The locking ears 17 and 17a are adapted to be superimposed upon the locking ears 19a and 19 respectively (FIGS. 3 and 9). All four of these locking ears may then be depressed into the interior of the holder through openings 20 and 20a. Since bracing flaps 13a and 14 form a double thickness, the locking ear 17a is shifted toward the narrow end of the opening 20 and thus off center with respect to the locking ear 19 and opening 20. This causes locking ear 17a to bind under and against the walls of the opening 20, holding it firmly in position within opening 20. The same is true of the locking car 17 (FIG. 3). Thus, a spindle has been formed for the roll of tape seated within the carton. This spindle can be formed very quickly and simply, and will remain firmly locked in position. Further, the double thickness formed by the corresponding bracing fiaps produces a very rigid holder highly resistant to crushing. It will now be obvious that the user simply inserts his fingers within this spindle, draws tape from the bottom of the holder and tears the desired amount from the roll using the tear strip C as a means of separating the desired length of tape from the roll (FIG. 2).

Assembly gnd operation A blank 1 is formed as shown and described hereinbefore. It will be noted that this blank is rectangular in shape with no protruding or irregular portions. Consed'uently, its manufacture involves a ininirhum'of waste. Also it is easily shipped and stored. A wall structure is erected by respectively folding the side and end panels and gluing the flap to the inner side of the first end panel 2L' After so forming this wall structure, it is then adapted to receive a roll of tape. i

'After the tape has been inserted into the wall structure, bracing flaps 14 and 14a are folded into the interior of the holder, the first step in forming a spindle for the roll of tape. These bracing flaps are preferably of a length such that they terminate at the other side wall after passing through the interior of the holder. The bracing flaps 13 and 13a are next folded inwardly through the interior of the holder, these flaps being exposed to the center of the holder and engaging the bracing flaps 14 and 14a. The locking cars 17 and 17a are then superimposed upon the locking ears 19 and 19a, the latter being struck from the side panels 4 and 8. The locking ears 19 and 17a are both forced into the interior of the holder through opening 20, the locking ears 19a and 17 also being forced therein through opening 20a. As has beennoted previously, the double thickness of bracing flaps causes the locking cars 17 and 17a to be pushed towards the narrow end of the opening 20, thereby being held rigidly in position Within the holder as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. By these simple steps, a spindle has been "formed for'the roll of tape allowing the user to grasp the holder and draw tape therefrom. It also locks the roll into the carton.

A tape holder has been disclosed which is extremely simple in construction. Because of this simplicity, the spindle holding the roll of tape is'qui'ckl'y and simply formed either man'ually'or by autoniatic'machine'ry. The novel structure of the locking earpo'sitivcly' locks the bracing flaps in position to form the spindle. These bracing flaps form double thicknesses which provide a more rigid tape holder.

"This structure is not complex and therefore the holder is relatively inexpensive to fabricate. It should'be noted that the reverse position of the corresponding bracing. flaps in the two side panels is'especially' adaptedto be used with the particular proportions of most rolls of tapes. However, for rolls of tape'of certain widths'and certain sized center openings, it might be feasible to have lockin'g ears extending from the ends of both bracing flaps in one side panel and locking ears positioned at the fold lines of both bracing flaps in the other panel. If this were the case, all of the lockingears would of course be on one side of the holder when the spindle is formed. However, the double thickness of bracing flaps would still be formed and the respective locking ears would be pulled into position locking the flaps rigidly in position.

While only one embodiment of this invention has been shown, it must be understood that certain other embodiments might be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Such other embodiments are to be included as apart of this invention unless the following claims expressly state otherwise. i

I claim:

1. A blank for a tape holder, comprising: a first end panel, a first side'panel, a second end panel, 'a second side panel and an end flap,'said pa'u'els'andflapsuccessively joined in tandem alongj fold linesja first bracing flap cut from said first sidepanel', joined thereto along a first fold line; a first locking ear extending from the side of said first bracing panel opposite said' first foldline; a second bracing flap cut from said first sidepanel, joined thereto along a second fold line, said first and second fold lines being generally parallel and said first and second bracing flaps extending towards each other; a second locking ear 4 m cut from said first side panel, said second locking ear joined to said first side panel along said second fold line and extending in the opposite direction from said second fold line as said second bracing flap; third and fourth bracing flaps extending towards each other, out from said second side panel and joined thereto along third and fourth fold lines respectively, said' third fold line positioned in said second side panel corresponding to the position of said second fold'line in said first side panel and said fourth fold linepositioned in said second side panel corresponding to the position of said first fold line in said first side panel; a'third'locking ear extending from the side of said third bracing flap opposite from said third fold line; and a fourth locking ear cut from said second side panel joined thereto along said fourth fold line and extending in the opposite direction from said fourth fold line as said fourth bracing flap.

2. A blank for a tape holder, comprising: a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, a second side panel and an end flap, said panels and flap successively joined-in tandem along fold lines; a first bracing flap cut from said first side panel, said first bracing flap being generally rectilinear in shape and of a length generally equal to the width of said end panels and joined to said first bracing flap along a first fold line; a first locking ear extending from the side of said first bracing panel opposite said first fold line; a second bracing'flap cut from said first side panel, said second bracing flap being generally the same size as said first bracing flap, joined to said first side panel along a second fold line, said and second fold linesbeing generally parallel and said first and second bracing flaps extending towardscabh other; a second locking ear cut from said first side panel, said second locking 'ear' having the satne configuratio ii as said first locking car and joined to said first side panel along said second fold line and extending in'the opposite direction from said'second fold line as said second arseing flap; third and fourth bracingflaps extending towards each" other, cut from said second side panel and joined thereto along third andfourth fold lines respectively, said third and fourth bracing fiaps havin g the sarne configuration as said first and second bracing flaps; said third fold line positioned in said second side panel correspondingto the position of said second fold line in said first side panel and said fourth fold line positioned in said second side panel corresponding' to the position of sa id first fold line in said first side panel; a third locking ear extending from the side of said third bracing flap opposite from said third fold line; and a foui'th locking ear out from said second side panel joined 'there to along said fourth fold line and extending in the opposite direction from said fourth fold line as said fourth bracing flap, said third and fourth locking ears having generally thesame configuration. w

3. A holder forrolls oftape, comprising: a pair of side walls and a pair of end' walls; a pair of bracing flaps struck from each of said side walls; corresponding bracing flaps of each of said pairs of bracing flaps extending towards each other through the holder and lying one upon the other; the bracingflaps of said pairs of bracing flaps exposed to the center of the holder having first locking ears projecting frornthe outer end thereof; second locking ears struck from each of said side panels along the line joining the bracing flap not exposed to the center of the holder thereto, said first locking ears superimposed upon said second locking ears and positioned within the interior of said holder, whereby said bracing flaps are locked in position. v 4. A holder for rolls of tape, comprising: a pair of side walls and a 'pair ofend walls; a pair of bracing flaps struck from each of said side walls; corresponding bracing flaps of each of said pairs of bracing flaps extending towards each other through the holder and lying oneupon the other; each bracing flap of one of said pairs of bracing flaps having a first locking ear extending from the outer end thereof; second locking ears struck from one of said side walls, joined thereto along the lines joining the other of said pairs of bracing flaps to said one side wall; and said first and second locking ears being of generally equal configuration, said first locking ears superimposed upon said second locking ears and positioned within the interior of the holder, thereby locking said bracing flaps in position.

5. A holder for rolls of tape, comprising: a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls; a pair of bracing flaps struck from each of said side walls, said bracing flaps being of the same configuration and generally rectilinear in shape; corresponding bracing flaps of each of said pairs of bracing flaps extending towards each other through the holder and lying one upon the other, said bracing flaps being of a length generally equal to the width of said end 5 2,921,674

walls; the bracing flaps of said pairs of bracing flaps exposed to the center of the holder having first locking ears projecting from the outer end thereof; second locking ears struck from each of said side panels along the line joining the bracing flap not exposed to the center of the holder, said first and second locking ears being generally of the same configuration; and said first locking ears superimposed upon said second locking ears and positioned within the interior of said holder, whereby said 10 bracing flaps are locked in position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Schweich Nov. 22, 1955 Ryder Jan. 19, 1960

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