US3743168A

US3743168A - Carton with self locking cells

Info

Publication number: US3743168A
Application number: US00167340A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Forbes
Original assignee: WESTACO CORP
Current assignee: WESTACO CORP; WESTACO CORP US
Priority date: 1971-07-29
Filing date: 1971-07-29
Publication date: 1973-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-03

Abstract

A compartmented carton having a plurality of self-locking cells is constructed from a single blank of paperboard which is divided into several longitudinal panels, a plurality of spaced corner braces, and a plurality of transverse partition panels, the front panel of which is cut and scored to define one or more gang lift elements, the improvement including a locking means integral with each gang lift element for engaging other cooperating locking means on the closure flaps of the carton to automatically position and lock each gang lift element in its cell forming position when the carton is set-up.

Description

United States Patent Forbes, Jr.

July 3, 1973 Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg Assistant Examiner-Stephen Marcus Attorney-Larry C. Hall et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A compartmented carton having a plurality of selflocking cells is constructed from a single blank of paperboard which is divided into several longitudinal panels, a plurality of spaced corner braces, and a plurality of transverse partition panels, the front panel of which is cut and scored to define one or more gang lift elements, the improvement including a locking means integral with each gang lift element for engaging other cooperating locking means on the closure flaps of the carton to automatically position and lock each gang lift element in its cell forming position when the carton is set-up.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented July 3, 1973 3,743,168

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Hampton E. Forbes,Jr.

BY ya 4Q ATTORNEY Patented July 3, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Hampton E. Forbes, Jr.

BY ATTORNEY Patented July 3, 1973 3,743,168

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Hampton E. Forbes, Jr.

BY W t/ A44 ATTORNEY CARTON WITH SELF LOCKING CELLS SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates generally to a compartmented carton which includes one or more gang lift elements to produce the compartmented structure in the set-up condition. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel locking means for locking a gang lift element in its erected condition automatically and without any manual manipulation. Cartons of the type described herein are disclosed in the prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,759,652 and 3,514,031. However, each of the prior art cartons have suffered from certain drawbacks regarding set-up procedures and runnability on high speed machinery. Different schemes have been tried in the past to overcome the problems encountered with the prior art cartons, but none of the previous efforts have been able to achieve the effectiveness and runnability of the carton disclosed herein.

Some prior art cartons of the type disclosed have been given minimal gluing operations preparatory to setting up the carton and, most have been provided with rather unwieldy means for fixing the gang lifts in position, including tongue and slot arrangements, separate gluing steps, and/or separate stapling steps. I-Iowever, the carton structure disclosed herein has eliminated all of the manual steps required in the past for setting up multiple celled cartons by providing the user with a fully glued carton in collapsed condition that is capable of being set-up with the gang lifts automatically locked in position.

Thus it is an object of this invention to provide a multiple celled carton of exceedingly simple and highly efficient construction that is constructed from a single blank of foldable material such as paperboard.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple celled carton constructed from foldable sheet material having one panel thereof cut and scored to provide one or more gang lift elements for forming the individual compartments of the carton.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gang lift-type, multiple celled carton which includes locking means on the carton closure structure for automatically locking the gang lifts in position to form the individual compartments of the carton.

Moreover, it is another object of this invention to provide a carton structure which includes a plurality of partition walls and their positioning means cut from one panel thereof, said partition walls forming individual compartments in which separate articles may be packaged for safe shipping and display.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a carton formed from a single blank of paperboard or the like having longitudinal fold lines therein to define front, back and side panels, with said front panel being cut and scored to form one or more gang lift elements, and a plurality of partition walls and brace members, such that when the gang lift elements are shifted longitudinally, the partition walls become reoriented to assume a position perpendicular to the bottom and front panels. In addition, the carton structure includes a locking means associated with one of the carton closure flaps and each of the gang lift elements to automatically lock the partition walls in theirperpendicular position to form the individual compartments of the carton.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may understand how to make and use the same, the invention will be described in more detail by referring to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 shows in plan a carton blank structure from which a first embodiment of this invention might be constructed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through FIG. 2 showing the" gluing scheme of the carton construction,

FIG. 4 shows in plan a second embodiment of the carton blank structure of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the carton formed from the blank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through FIG. 5 showing how the carton is glued;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the carton blank structure of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the carton formed from the blank of FIG. 7; and,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the carton of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring more particularly to the drawing, and specifically to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the invention showing the cut and scored front panel and the locking means associated with the manufacturers joint, or glue flap of the carton. FIG. 1 shows in blank form a sheet of paperboard or the like 10 which is scored so that when said blank is properly folded and secured in its erected condition, a carton is formed as partially shown in FIG. 2. The blank 10 of FIG. 1 includes a series of panels defined by

longitudinal fold lines

26, 24 and 25 to form a back panel 11,.a side wall 12, a front panel 13 and a second side wall 14. Attached to the free edge of the second side wall 14 along another longitudinal fold line 33 is the closure flap 15. These panels and side walls when properly folded and glued result in a carton structure substantially as shown in section in FIG. 3. Meanwhile, attached to the ends of each of the

side walls

12 and 14 are the end closure flaps l6, and the tuck flap 17 is shown attached to the front panel 13. Thus the illustrated construction is intended only as a preferred embodiment and is subject to change at the descretion of the carton user. For instance, instead of using tuck flaps 17 at the carton ends, other forms of end closures could be provided. Moreover, the tuck flaps 17 could be associated with the back panel 11 if desired, although it is deemed preferable from the point of view of assembly to have the tuck flaps 17 attached as shown.

The invention herein lies in the particular manner that the front panel 13 is cut and scored in conjunction with the shape and orientation of the locking tabs 32 which are integral with the manufacturer's glue flap 15 of the carton. For this purpose, the front panel 13 is cut and scored to form a single gang lift element 18 having a continuous central trunk portion 50 which extends throughout the length of the gang lift. The gang lift element 18 is then further scored and cut with the transverse fold lines 27 and cut lines 28 to form the partition walls 21 which define the discreet multiple cells of the carton. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fold lines 27 and cut lines 28 do not extend completely across the gang lift element 18, but are interrupted by the continuous trunk portion 50. In addition, the single gang lift element 18 is cut from the front panel 13 so as to leave the triangular shaped corner braces or spaced

supports

19, 20 at each side thereof. These

comer braces

19, 20 remain in the plane of the front panel 13 to provide a means for attaching the transverse partition walls 21 to the carton structure. The single gang lift element 18 begins at the upper end of the blank of FIG. 1 along a transverse cut line 22 and extends to the bottom of the blank 10 ending with the cut-out area 23.

The first compartment or cell of the carton is partially formed by severing the front panel 13 along cut line 22 which is shown as extending substantially entirely across the panel 13 between the

longitudinal fold lines

24, 25. The cut line 22 could for instance extend entirely across the panel 13, but for the sake of carton integrity and to provide a means for attaching the partition walls to the front panel, the

triangular corner braces

19, 20 are left at each side edge of the front panel. The first compartment is further defined by continuing the cut line 22 at right angles along the

fold lines

24, 25 for a distance equal to the compartment dimension desired.

The transverse partition walls 21 are cut and scored from the gang lift element 18 by a continuation of the cut lines along the

fold lines

24, 25 and by the transverse fold lines 27 and cut lines 28. The fold line 27 and cut line 28 for each transverse wall 21 are separated from one another by a distance equal to the depth of the completed carton, or by a distance substantially equal to the width of the

side walls

12, 14. Accordingly the transverse walls 21 serve to divide the carton into discreet compartments in the erected condition.

The longitudinally spaced supports 19, 20 are formed partially by un-cut portions of cut line 28 and by un-cut portions of the

fold lines

24, 25, and by the cut-out

areas

29, 30 at each side of the front panel 13. It should be understood that the blank structure 10 shown in FIG. 1 is designed to form a carton having four distinct cells or compartments and the vacant space left by the cut-out 23. Accordingly, the relative dimensions of each of the cut and fold lines is predicated upon the illustrated four compartment configuration. If more or fewer compartments were desired, or if the compartments were required to be deeper, the length of the different cut and fold lines shown would have to be changed accordingly. In addition, it should be noted that the cut-outs 29 provided at the left side of the gang lift element 18 in FIG. 1 are not absolutely necessary for the preferred embodiment. it would be sufficient, for instance, to omit the cut-outs 29 while retaining only the cuts along the fold lines 24 and line 28 and in the region of the corner braces 19. The cut-out areas 30 provided at the right side of the gang lift element 18 are required, of course, since they provide a locking edge 31 to the gang lift element 18 which, as shown in FIG. 2, engages the manufacturers joint locking tabs 32 in the erected condition of the carton. Thus the carton shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 is fabricated by folding the respective side walls and front wall along their longitudinal fold lines prior to adhesively securing the closure flap to the inside of the bottom panel 1 1.

The partially formed carton is then collapsed and shipped to the user for filling and closing.

The carton thus described is adapted to be squared, erected, filled and sealed on high speed machinery without attendant manual manipulation. To accomplish these steps, the carton is initially squared from its collapsed condition so that the gang lift element 18 remains in the plane of the front panel 13. Subsequently, the gang lift element 18 is engaged by a suitable lever or the like on the folding machinery to initiate the folds at the comer braces 19, 20 along the partially cut lines 28, and along the transverse fold lines 27 to move the gang lift 18 down and into contact with the bottom panel 11. This movement serves to form the carton into its several compartments. As the gang lift element 18 moves downwardly into contact with the bottom panel 11, the locking edges 31 thereof automatically become engaged with the locking tabs 32 of the glue flap 15 previously secured to the inside of bottom panel 11 (FIGS. 2 and 3). From this point, the carton is completely self-sustaining and is ready for filling of its individual compartments without any further manipulation. The tuck flaps 16, 17 at each end of the carton are closed either before or after the compartments are actually filled and the completed carton is then generally overwrapped with a suitable material before shipment to the consumer. It should be obvious therefore, that the mechanism just described for setting up the carton prior to filling, is capable of being performed on a machine and without any manual handling.

In the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 46, a carton configuration is shown which is substantially the same as the carton of FIGS. 1-3 except that the carton front panel is only partially cut and scored to form the individual cells or compartments. For this second embodiment of the invention, similiar reference characters have been applied to similar elements shown in the first embodiment. Accordingly, it can be seen that the blank structure 10 of FIG. 4 includes a back panel 11, a side panel 12, a front panel 13 and a second side panel 14 each separated from one another by

longitudinal fold lines

26, 24 and 25. Similarly, end closure tuck flaps l6 and 17 are utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6.

The differences between the first two embodiments resides in the manner that the gang lift element 18 is cut from the front panel 13, and, in the means for closing the carton at 15 and 38. Note in FIG. 4 that the front panel 13 includes a single gang lift element 18 cut and scored therefrom so as to leave an additional front panel surface adjacent to the multiple celled area of the carton. The different cells of the carton are formed in the blank of FIG. 4 substantially as before in the blank structure 10 shown in FIG. 1. The first compartment or cell is partially formed by severing the front panel 13 along the cut line 22 for a prescribed distance across the face of the front panel 13 determined by the desired width of the cells, and the desired width of the additional front panel surface required. In this case as in the FIG. 1-3 embodiment, a plurality of triangular corner braces 19, 20 are left at each side edge of the gang lift element 18 to give the carton integrity in its erected condition. The first compartment is further defined by continuing the out line 22 at right angles along the fold line 24 and along some imaginary line on the right face of the front panel 13. These cut lines extend of course,

a distance to define the compartment dimension desired.

The transverse partition walls 21 of FIGS. 4-6 are also cut and scored from the gang lift element 18 as before by a continuation of the out line forming the sides of the cell structure and by the transverse fold lines 27 and the transverse cut lines 28. The fold lines 27 and cut lines 28 are separated from one another by a distance equal to the depth of the completed carton, or by a distance substantially equal to the width of the

side walls

12, 14. Accordingly, the transverse walls 21 serve to divide the carton into discreet compartments in the erected condition.

The spaced supports, or corner braces 19 of the second embodiment are formed partially by un-cut sections of the cut lines 28 at each side of the cells, and by uncut sections of the out line extending along fold line 24. Similarly, the spaced supports, or corner braces 20 are formed partially by un-cut sections of the cut lines 28 and by uncut sections of the out line in the right face of panel 13. Thus, the blank structure of FIG. 4 is designed to form a carton having four distinct cells and the vacant space left by the cut-out 23. Further, by leaving the additional front panel surface un-cut as shown, a false wall effect is created at the right side of the front panel 13 to provide an area where additional printing or other descriptive material may be added to the carton. To accommodate this false wall effect and still provide the novel automatic cell locking means of the present invention for the carton compartments, substantially as shown in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, two

additional panels

36, 38 are added to the blank 10 of FIG. 4. These extensions to primary manufacturers glue flap are separated therefrom, and from one another, by the

longitudinal fold lines

35, 37. Therefore, the locking tabs 32 attached to glue flap 15 are cut from the panel 36 which forms an inside wall of the carton (FIG. 6).

Thus, when the carton of FIGS. 4-6 is glued prior to being set-up in its compartmented form, the glue flap 15 is secured as before to the inside of the bottom panel 11, and the second glue flap 38 is secured to the inside face of the carton front panel 13 in the region of additional area provided therefor (FIG. 6). This additional gluing step orients the false side wall 36 in a location to form the side wall of the respective cells of the carton. In addition, the gluing scheme positions the locking tabs 32 attached to the manufacturers joint 15 in the proper place to automatically engage with the locking edges 31 of the gang lift element 18 in the erected condition of the carton.

Significantly, in this embodiment of the invention,

there are no cut-outs at either side of the gang lift element 18 as provided in the first embodiment. The cutouts are not required in this embodiment because of the provision of the additional printing area in the front panel face 13. Since the additional area is left in panel 13, the glue flap l5 and locking tabs 32 become oriented on the bottom panel 11 so that it is not necessary to cut a portion of the gang lift element 18 to define the locking edges 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking edges 31 of gang lift element 18 are formed directly by cutting the front panel 13 to form the gang lift element 18.

Thus the carton shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6 is fabricated by folding the blank initially along fold line 35 to expose the outside face of the glue flap 38 to the glue applicator. Adhesive is then applied to the exposed face of glue flap 38 and to the inside of the bottom panel 1 1, and the carton is folded a second time along fold line 25 to secure flap 38 to the inside of the front panel 13. Finally the carton blank is folded along the fold line 26 to adhesively secure the flap 15 and locking tabs 32 to the inside of the bottom panel 11. The formed carton is then shipped to the user in collapsed condition for filling and closing.

The method for erecting the carton thus formed is substantially the same as described before in conjunction with the first embodiment. The carton is squared from its collapsed condition so that the gang lift element 18 remains in the plane of the front panel 13 and subsequently, the gang lift element is engaged by a suitable machine element to initiate the folding procedure. As the gang lift element 18 begins to fold downwardly from the plane of front panel 13 along its corner braces 19, 20, the transverse partition walls 21 are formed by reverse folds which occur along the divided, transverse fold lines 27. Thus the walls 21 begin to assume their perpendicular relationship and the discreet compartments of the carton are formed. Of course, as the gang lift element 18 moves into contact with the bottom panel 11, the locking edges 31 thereof automatically become engaged with the locking tabs 32 of the closure flap 15 that was previously secured to the inside face of the bottom panel 11. At this time, the carton becomes self-sustaining and ready for filling and end closing without any manual manipulation.

In the third embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, a carton configuration is shown whch has a shape substantially different from that disclosed in the first two embodiments, however the same selflocking scheme is employed for the dual gang lift elements employed. For this third embodiment, similar reference characters have been applied to similar elements as shown in the first two embodiments.

The blank structure 10 of FIG. 7 includes a back panel 11, a side panel 12, a front panel 13 and a second side panel 14 separated from one another by the

longitudinal fold lines

26, 24 and 25. Similarly, end closure tuck flaps 16 and 17 are utilized as in the first two embodiments.

However, in addition to the primary manufacturers glue flap 15 attached to second side panel 14, there are four

additional panels

36, 37, 38 and 15' attached to the edge of glue flap 15 to accommodate and provide locking means for the dual gang lift elements 18 cut from the front panel 13. Thus the main differences between this third embodiment and the first two embodiments lies in the manner that the cells or compartments are cut from the front panel 13, and in the means for closing the carton.

Front panel 13 of FIG. 7 includes a pair of gang lift elements 18 oriented side-by-side with space therebetween to yield an additional front panel printing surface somewhat as accomplished with the second embodiment. The different cells of the carton are formed in the front panel 13 of the blank of FIG. 7 substantially as before in connection with the blank structures illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. Each of the gang lift elements 18 are similarly formed hence only one will be described.

T=he first compartment or cell, in each case, is partiaily formed by severing the front panel 13 along an arcuate cut line 22 in a prescribed arc across the face of the front panel 13 determined by the desired shape of the cell. The out line 22 is then continued in each case along one of the fold lines 24 or 25, and along an imaginary line near the center of the front panel 13. In this case as in the first two embodiments, triangularlike corner braces 1Q, 20 are left at each side edge of the front panel 13 to give the carton integrity, and to provide a means for attaching the partition walls 21 to the carton structure in its erected condition. The cut line 22 of the first compartment or cell is continued at each side thereof to intersect the transverse fold line 28. The fold line 28 in this instance as in the first two embodiments does not extend completely across the gang lift element 18 but is separated by a trunk portion of the gang lift element which is continuous throughout the length thereof.

Accordingly, the transverse partition walls 21 of FIGS. 7-9 are formed in the gang lift element of front wall 13 by the divided fold lines 28 and by additional divided fold lines 27 which extend from the cut lines defining the individual cells, to a pair of interior cut lines in the gang lift element 18 which form the trunk portion of the gang lift element. The divided

fold lines

27, 28 are separated from one another by a distance substantially equal to the width of the

side walls

12, 14. Thus the transverse partition walls 21 serve to divide the carton into discreet compartments in the erected condition.

Each subsequent compartment is formed by severing the gang lift member 18, along parallel interior cuts beginning at the divided fold lines 27 and continuing to the divided fold lines 28. These cuts define the hereinbefore mentioned continuous trunk portion of the gang lift member 18. At the juncture between these interior cuts and the fold lines 28, an arcuate cut is then made in the gang lift element 18 of front panel 13, substantially as performed for the first compartment, to partially form the next subsequent compartment.

The illustration in FIG. 7 shows a gang lift locking means 31 formed as a part of the gang lift element 18 in the second compartment cut-out. It should be understood however, that the locking means 31 could be formed in any one of the compartment cut-outs if desired to satisfy the requirements of the invention. Finally, each subsequent compartment is formed as before, by severing the gang lift element 18 longitudinally between the fold lines 27, 28, then initiating an arcuate cut as shown to define the next compartment.

The corner braces 19, 20 that remain in the face of front panel 13 at each side edge of the panel 13 are formed partially by the arcuate cuts which define the respective compartments and partially by the fold lines at 28 and along

lines

24, 25. Thus, the blank structure of FIG. 7 is designed to form a carton having paired gang lift elements 18 defining four distinct cells and the vacant spaces left by the paired cut-outs at 23. In addition, by leaving a portion of the front panel 13 uncut between the paired rows of cells, a printing area remains where descriptive or advertising material may be printed on the front or upper surface of the carton.

However, in order to provide the structure shown in FIGS. 7-9 with paired rows of cells and an additional area therebetween for printing, it was necessary to add the

additional panels

36, 37, 38 and to the primary glue flap 15 to accommodate the novel locking means for applicants invention. Particular attention to FIG. 7 will also illustrate how the locking slots 32 were formed in the respective panels for engaging the locking tabs 31 on the respective gang lift elements 18.

When the carton blank 10 of FIG. 7 is secured together, prior to being set-up in its compartmented form, the primary glue flap 15 is secured as before to the inside of the bottom panel 11 (FIG. 9). This arrangement positions the locking slots 32 located along fold line 35 in the proper place for engaging the locking tabs 31 of the righthand gang lift element 18. Then, to arrange the locking slots 32 along fold line 41 in proper orientation for engaging the locking tabs 31 of the lefthand gang lift element 18, the panel 37 is secured to the inside of the front panel 13. These two gluing steps further serve to orient the interior wall 36 in its proper location for forming the inside side wall of the cells formed by the righthand gang lift element. Finally, when glue flap 15' is secured to the inside face of the bottom panel 11, the interior side wall 38 becomes properly oriented to form the inside side wall of the cells formed by the left hand gang lift element. It can also be seen that this third embodiment has some similarities to the second embodiment. As pointed out in connection with FIGS. 4-6, there is no need for cut outs in the respective gang lift elements 18 of FIGS. 7-9 as provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. The cut-outs are not required because of the particular placement of the

longitudinal fold lines

33, 35, 39, 40 and 41, in conjunction with the spacing of the paired rows of compartments as shown. Thus, in FIG. 7, the locking tabs 31 are formed as part of the gang lift elements and as in FIG. 4, they are formed directly by cutting the front panel 13 to form the gang lift elements.

The carton structure shown partially in FIG. 8 is fabricated in accordance with the following steps. The blank is fed face down through a gluing station where adhesive is applied to the backside of panel 37.. The right hand portion of the blank is then folded about fold line 33 to adhere the panel 37 to the inside face of the front panel 13. Subsequently the panels 38 and 15' are reverse folded along fold line 40 and the blank is passed through a second glue station where adhesive is applied to the exposed faces of glue flaps 15 and 15'. Finally the bottom panel 11 is folded over about fold line 24 and secured to the glue flaps 1S and 15. Of course, the first glue step could be omitted if desired for one pass gluing in an economy model of the carton where it was not necessary to adhere panel 37 to panel 13. Thus the formed carton is then shipped directly to the user in collapsed condition for filling and sealing.

The method for erecting the carton thus formed is substantially the same as described before in conjunction with the first two embodiments. The carton is squared from its collapsed condition so that the gang lift elements 18 remain in the plane of the front panel 13, and subsequently, the gang lift elements are engaged by a suitable member on a folding machine to initiate their folding procedure. As the gang lift elements I8 begin to fold downwardly about their corner braces 19, 20 and along the fold lines 28, the transverse partition panels 21 begin to assume their perpendicular relationship to the

panels

11, 13 and the distinct compartments of the carton are formed. Of course, as the gang lift elements 18 move into contact with the bottom panel 11, the locking tabs 31 thereof automatically become engaged with the locking slots 32 formed along fold lines 35, 41. At this time, the carton becomes selfsustaining and ready for filling and end closing without any manual manipulation.

The dual gang lift construction shown in FIGS. 7-9 shows two separate gang lift elements, but it should be appreciated that the separate elements could be connected to one another while still forming two rows of cells if desired. Moreover, the gang lift elements could readily be cut from the face panel in a reversed pattern for set-up in two directions. And finally, the cut-out areas 23 provided in each embodiment could readily be incorporated as a part of the gang lift elements 18 to provide an embodiment without the need for separate tuck closure flaps.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that there has been disclosed an exceedingly simple and highly efficient carton capable of being set-up and filled on high speed machinery without attendant manual manipulation. The partitions, corner braces and gang lift elements thereof are all cut and scored from a single sheet of material in the front panel thereof. Prior to being setup, the various elements thereof all remain intact with one another and when the carton is set-up, there is provided a multi-celled carton which includes means integral therewith for automatically and securely locking the cell forming member in place.

Although the invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration of the three embodiments thereof, it is understood that certain changes and modifications could be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multi-celled carton having self locking cells comprising front and bottom panels, side walls, and at least one closure flap each connected together along a plurality of longitudinal fold lines, said front panel being cut and scored to define at least one gang lift element having a plurality of longitudinally spaced corner braces in the plane of said front panel, a plurality of transverse partition walls divided by the trunk portion of said gang lift element and attached to said corner braces and swingable relative thereto between the plane of the front panel and a set up cell forming condition generally perpendicular to said bottom panel, the improvement consisting of a means for automatically locking the transverse their walls in heir generally perpendicular condition when the carton is set up, said means comprising:

a. a plurality of integral pre-cut edge portions at one side edge of each gang lift element which form first locking means for each gang lift element; and,

b. a plurality of second locking means formed by an integral part of at least one of said carton closure flaps for the purpose of engaging said first locking means and retaining said transverse partition walls in their generally perpendicular condition when the carton is set up.

2. The carton of claim 1 wherein the second locking means further comprise tab elements extending outwardly from one of said carton closure flaps.

3. The carton of claim 2 wherein only a single gang lift element is cut from said front panel to form carton cells which extend across the face of the front panel from side wall to side wall.

4. The carton of claim 2 wherein a single gang lift element is cut from said front panel to form carton cells which extend only partially across the face of the front panel.

5. The carton of claim 1 wherein the second locking means further comprise slot means cut from one of said carton closure flaps.

6. The carton of claim 4 wherein two gang lift elements are cut from said front panel to form paired rows of carton cells.

7. An easily erected, collapsible, multicompartmented carton having a bottom panel, a pair of side walls at opposite sides of said bottom panel, a front panel extending between said side walls and spaced from said bottom panel by said side walls, at least one carton closure flap connected to a side wall, and end closure flaps connected to said front panel, said front panel including at least one cut and scored section to define a gang lift element having a continuous central trunk portion and a plurality of divided transverse partition walls, said gang lift element being connected to said front panel by a plurality of corner braces for swinging movement between a position coplanar with said front panel and a set up condition generally perpendicular to said bottom panel, the improvement consisting of a means for automatically locking the transverse partition walls in their generally perpendicular condition when the carton is set up, said means comprising:

a. a plurality of pre-cut edge portions at one side edge of said gang lift element which form a first locking means integral with said gang lift element; and,

b. a plurality of second locking means integral with one of said carton closure flaps, whereby the two locking means become automatically engaged in the set up condition of said carton.

Claims

1. A multi-celled carton having self locking cells comprising front and bottom panels, side walls, and at least one closure flap each connected together along a plurality of longitudinal fold lines, said front panel being cut and scored to define at least one gang lift element having a plurality of longitudinally spaced corner braces in the plane of said front panel, a plurality of transverse partition walls divided by the trunk portion of said gang lift element and attached to said corner braces and swingable relative thereto between the plane of the front panel and a set up cell forming condition generally perpendicular to said bottom panel, the improvement consisting of a means for automatically locking the transverse their walls in heir generally perpendicular condition when the carton is set up, said means comprising: a. a plurality of integral pre-cut edge portions at one side edge of each gang lift element which form first locking means for each gang lift element; and, b. a plurality of second locking means formed by an integral part of at least one of said carton closure flaps for the purpose of engaging said first locking means and retaining said transverse partition walls in their generally perpendicular condition when the carton is set up.

7. An easily erected, collapsible, multi-compartmented carton having a bottom panel, a pair of side walls at opposite sides of said bottom panel, a front panel extending between said side walls and spaced from said bottom panel by said side walls, at least one carton closure flap connected to a side wall, and end closure flaps connected to said front panel, said front panel including at least one cut and scored section to define a gang lift element having a continuous central trunk portion and a plurality of divided transverse partition walls, said gang lift element being connected to said front panel by a plurality of corner braces for swinging movement between a position coplanar with said front panel and a set up condition generally perpendicular to said bottom panel, the improvement consisting of a means for automatically locking the transverse partition walls in their generally perpendicular condition when the carton is set up, said means comprising: a. a plurality of pre-cut edge portions at one side edge of said gang lift element which form a first locking means integral with said gang lift element; and, b. a plurality of second locking means integral with one of said carton closure flaps, whereby the two locking means become automatically engaged in the set up condition of said carton.