Abstract:
A newspaper bundler (9) having a container portion (10) formed of a unitary paperboard blank for holding the newspapers (310) to be bundled in regular arrangement, a gripper ring (50) to firmly grasp and retain a ball of string (300), a string magazine portion (11) formed of a second unitary paperboard blank to facilitate dispensing of the string into the container portion prior to the insertion of the newspapers. The bundler has string fasteners (42, 44, 46) which retain the string about the newspapers in advance of final bundling. The bundler may be assembled from the two paperboard blanks, and may be shipped in a compact, partially assembled form.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to devices for bundling flat articles in general and for bundling and tying up used newspapers for recycling purposes in particular. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In order to conserve the many natural resources which go into the manufacture of newsprint, many municipalities require that consumers recycle their newspapers. In order to facilitate collection of newsprint for recycling, the papers must be tied and bundled into uniform bales. 
     The prior art is cognizant of devices for bundling newspapers, bags, and other flat articles. U.S. Pat. No. 1,246,923, for example, teaches a heavy-duty paper bundling press with a holder for a spool of binder cord and mechanisms for receiving and retaining in proper position cord for bundling. However, such devices are usually costly, bulky, somewhat unsightly, or difficult to use, and therefore more suited to high volume users in industry or retail business than consumers. 
     Newsprint, however, is predominately consumed in any community by a large number of dispersed households at the rate of one to three newspapers per day. Efficient collection of newsprint requires that a large number of cooperating households must be induced or coerced to save and collect their newspapers continuously, on an ongoing basis, and to periodically bundle the newspapers up in neat, tied bundles of prescribed size, for municipal or private pick-up. For household consumers, this means that newspapers must be saved, accumulated, neatly stacked and tied with string or cord in bundles or bales of prescribed size. 
     Because the profits of recycling in most municipal plans are not directed to the consumer, there is a need for a low cost, light-weight, compactly transported bundler that is very easy to assemble and use, and that will provide unobtrusive and not unattractive storage for used newspapers in the home. 
     Cardboard boxes have commonly been used in the home to store used newspapers, but these devices tend to be flimsy, unsightly, and contribute little to the reduction of the newspaper bundling task time. 
     In an effort to overcome these deficiencies, a newspaper bundler has been designed utilizing unitary paperboard blanks, string, and fasteners that is low cost, compact and light weight for efficient storage and transport to and by the consumer, easy to assemble and easy to use by the consumer, and easily decorated or printed to provide a tolerable or even decorative appearance for convenient location in the home to receive and facilitate bundling and tying of used newspapers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is summarized in that a device for bundling newspapers includes first and second paperboard blanks. The first paperboard blank has a side wall including a string end panel, a back panel, two side panels and an attachment panel extending from an edge of one of the panels. The panels are defined in part by fold lines, the first blank being bendable along the fold lines so that the attachment panel may be connected to another panel and the side wall may form a closed rectangle. Bottom panels depend from the side wall panels along a fold line and are adapted to engage together in assembled relation to form a bottom for the closed rectangular side wall. The second paperboard blank has a front panel and a top panel, the panels being defined in part by fold lines and the second blank being foldable along fold lines so that the second blank may be inserted in the assembled first blank adjacent the string end panel with the front panel of the second blank substantially parallel to and spaced from the string end panel and the top panel positioned at an angle to the string end panel and spaced from the bottom of the second blank. The string end panel, top panel, front panel and bottom then define a string compartment for containing a ball of string. The second blank defines a hole for feeding a length of string from the string compartment. The front panel and the three side wall panels other than the string end panel cooperate to define a paper compartment sized to receive folded newspapers in flat, stacked relation. String fastener means are provided for engagement on the side wall panel in spaced relation to the bottom for retaining the length of string around stacked newspapers in the paper compartment to facilitate tying the stacked newspapers in a bundle. 
     Gripper fingers may be formed in the string end panel to position and retain a ball of string substantially within the string compartment. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved construction for a newspaper bundler. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a newspaper bundler with an integral string magazine adapted to dispense string for the tying of recycled newspapers. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a newspaper bundler formed of corrugated paperboard and utilizing double thickness walls for structural rigidity. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a newspaper bundler constructed from unitary paperboard blanks incorporating cut paperboard gripper fingers adapted to grip a large ball of string. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a newspaper bundler with string-retaining means to assist in the tying of newspaper bundles. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a newspaper bundler that may be shipped and displayed for sale in a compact, stackable, partially assembled form. 
     These objects, and others, will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention for exemplification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the assembled newspaper bundler device of my invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial section view of the invention taken along section line 2--2 of FIG. 1, showing the string magazine loaded with small ball of string. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a unitary paperboard blank for forming the container portion of this invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of a unitary paperboard blank for forming the string magazine portion of this invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled invention showing the gripping rings engaging a large ball of string with papers bundled. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial section view taken along section line 6--6 of FIG. 5, with newspapers omitted showing string gripper fingers in the string end panel retaining a large ball of string substantially within the string compartment. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of two partially assembled devices disposed for shipping. 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of the bottom of the assembled bundler of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-8 wherein like numerals refer to similar parts, the newspaper bundler 9 of the invention includes a container portion 10, a string magazine portion 11, a string gripper portion 17, three string fasteners 42, 44 and 46, and two integral bracing flaps 13 and 14. 
     The container portion 10, as shown in FIG. 1, may be preferably constructed from a corrugated paperboard blank 20 which is illustrated in FIG. 3. The string magazine portion 11, which is also shown in FIG. 1, may be preferably constructed from a corrugated paperboard blank 99 as shown in FIG. 4. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a corrugated paperboard blank 20 for the container portion 10. The dashed lines represent score lines, known to the art, as more fully described herein. The paperboard blank 20 includes a side wall 21, which consists of a bare end panel 22, a first side panel 24, a string end panel 26, and a second side panel 28. The panels 22, 24, 26 and 28 are of substantially equal height. The bare end panel 22 and the string end panel 26 are of the same width; the first side panel 24 and the second side panel 28 are of the same width. The bare end panel 22 is separated from the first side panel 24 by the fold line 23, the string end panel 26 is separated from the first side panel 24 by the fold line 25, and the second side panel 28 is separated from the string end panel 26 by the fold line 27. The attachment panel 31 extends outwardly from the second side panel 28 and is separated therefrom by the fold line 41. In its finished state, the attachment panel 31 will be cemented, glued or otherwise attached to the bare end panel 22. 
     Extending upwardly from the top edge of the side wall 21 are the interior bare end flap 15, the interior side flap 16, the interior string end flap 18, and the interior side flap 19. The interior flaps 15, 16, 18 and 19 are separated from the side wall 21 by fold lines, preferably in the form of score line 80 and the score line 81 adjacent to the top edge of the side wall 21. Extending upwardly from the interior flaps 15, 16, 18 and 19 are the tabs 43, 45, 47 and 49 respectively. 
     Located on the interior string end flap 18 is the interior gripping ring 50, comprised of the circular fold line 51, the circular cut-out 52, and the cut lines 53-58. Located on the string end panel 26 is the exterior gripping ring 65 comprised of the circular fold line 66, the circular cut-out 67 and the cut-lines 68-73. 
     The cutlines and the cut-out openings of the gripping rings define the gripping fingers 59-64 and 74-79 which pivotally depend from the circular fold lines and cooperate to engage a large ball of string and retain the ball within the opening. 
     Extending rightwardly from the first interior side flap 16 is the integral bracing flap 13 which is separated from the flap 16 by a fold line preferably in the form of score line 200 and a cut-line 202. Extending leftwardly from the second interior side flap 19 is the integral bracing flap 14 separated from the interior side flap 19 by a fold line preferably in the form of score line 204 and a cut-line 206. 
     Depending downwardly from the side wall 21 and separated by the fold line 220 are the bottom flaps 30, 32, 34 and 36. Extending leftwardly from the bottom flap 32 and separated by a diagonal fold line preferably in the form of score line 222 is the glue flap 37. Extending leftwardly from the bottom flap 36 and separated by a diagonal fold line preferably in the form of score line 224 is the glue flap 35. Located on the bottom flaps 30, 32, 34 and 36 adjacent to the fold line 220 are the slots 82, 83, 84 and 85. Located on the upper portions of the bare end panel 22, the side panel 24, and the side panel 28 are the fastener cuts 240, 242 and 244. 
     In assembling the paperboard blank 20, the attachment panel 31 will be glued to the bare end panel 22 to form the four sides of the container portion of the device. The glue flap 37 will be glued onto the surface of the bottom flap 30 and the glue flap 35 will be glued onto the surface of the bottom flap 34 and all four bottom flaps will interlock to form the bottom 38 of the container portion 10 as shown in FIG. 8. The string fasteners 42, 44 and 46 will be inserted into the fastener cuts 242, 240 and 244 respectively. Interior flaps 15, 16, 18 and 19 will then be folded along score lines 80 and 81 so that tabs 43, 45, 47 and 49 will insert into slots 82, 83, 84 and 85 respectively. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4 there is illustrated an integral paperboard blank 99 for the string magazine portion 11. The paperboard blank 99 includes a front panel 104, which is distinguished on the top by a fold line 142, on the left by a fold line 168, on the bottom by a fold line 146, and on the right by a fold line 180. Extending upwardly from the front panel 104 adjacent to the fold line 142 is the outer top panel 102, which is distinguished on its top by the fold line 140. Extending upwardly from the outer top panel 102 adjacent to the fold line 138 extending parallel to the fold line 140 is the inner top panel 100. The tabs 152 and 154 extend from the inner top panel 100. 
     Located in the center of the outer top panel 102 is the top string hole 160. Extending from the string hole 160 is the top string braking slit 166. Located on the inner top panel 100 is the interior string hole 162. Extending from the interior string hole 162 is the interior string braking slit 164. Extending downwardly from the front panel 104 adjacent to the fold line 146 is the outer bottom panel 106, which is distinguished by the fold line 148. Extending downwardly from the outer bottom panel 106 adjacent to the fold line 150 is the inner bottom panel 108. Extending downwardly from the inner bottom panel 108 are the tabs 156 and 158. Adjacent to the fold line 142 are the slots 130 and 134. Adjacent to the fold line 146 are the slots 132 and 136. Extending from the front panel 104 adjacent to the fold line 168 is the right panel 118. Extending from the right panel 118 adjacent to the fold line 117 is the right insert 116. Extending from the right panel 118 adjacent to the fold line 119 is right insert 120. Extending from the front panel 104 adjacent to the fold line 180 is the left panel 112. Extending from the left panel 112 adjacent to the fold line 111 is the left insert 110. Extending from the left panel 112 adjacent to fold line 113 is the left insert 114. 
     In its assembled form, the inner top panel 100 of the blank 99 will be folded along the fold lines 138 and 140 against the outer top panel 102 so as to engage the tabs 152 and 154 in the slots 130 and 134 respectively. Likewise, the inner bottom panel 108 will be folded along the fold lines 150 and 148 against the outer bottom panel 106 so as to engage the tabs 156 and 158 in the slots 132 and 136 respectively. The left panel 112 will be folded along the fold line 180 so that the left insert 110 will be inserted between the inner and outer top panels 100 and 102. Likewise, the left insert 114 will be inserted between the inner and outer bottom panels 106 and 108. The right panel 118 will be folded along the fold line 168 so that the right insert 116 is inserted between the inner and outer top panels 100 and 102 and so that the right insert 120 is inserted between the inner and outer panels 106 and 108. By so doing, the box-like string magazine portion 11 of FIG. 1 is formed. 
     Use of the newspaper bundler of this invention is illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6. The gripper portion 17, comprising the gripping rings 50 and 65 functions together with the string magazine 11 to provide unimpeded dispensing of string for the bundling of newspapers. The free end of the ball of string 300 is first threaded through the string holes 160, 162 of the string magazine and the string magazine is pressed up against the interior string end flap 18. The user next presses the ball 300 forcefully against the pre-cut sections of the exterior gripping ring 50. This force causes the gripping fingers 59-64 and 74-79 to deform inwards and to exert a resilient force on the ball of string 300 holding it firmly in the string end panel 26 of the container portion. The string magazine 11 is then held in place by bracing flaps 13 and 14. The string is then pulled tight, fixedly engaging it in string braking cuts 164 and 166 to insure that the string cannot fall back into the string magazine. The front wall of the magazine holds the newspapers to be bundled away from the feeding string and permits repeated bundlings without requiring further attention to the string supply by the user until the entire ball is exhausted. 
     After the string is threaded through the string holes 160 and 162 the string is drawn out and laid longitudinally along the bottom 38, of the container portion 10, then up the interior flap 15 which has been folded upon the bare end panel 22, and wrapped around fastener 44. Then the string may be extended around the outside end corner of the container portion 10 formed by the end panel 22 and the side panel 28. The string may then be wrapped around fastener 46. Finally the string may be extended down the interior side flap 19, laid transversely across the bottom 38, up the interior side flap 16 and wrapped around fastener 42 inserted in the side panel 24. FIG. 1 shows the invention fully strung and ready for paper. Newspapers 310 are then inserted into the container portion 10 over the extended string. When the container portion 10 is filled to the desired height with newspapers 310, the string is cut at the string brake 166 and tied around the bundle as shown in FIG. 5. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, it is seen how the paper bundler of this invention may be used with a small ball of string 400 contained entirely within the string magazine 11. The magazine is held firmly in position against dislodging tension on the pulled string by the integral bracing flaps 13 and 14 extending from interior flaps 16 and 19. The string from the small ball of string 400 is threaded through the string holes 162 and 160 and allowed to enter the container portion 10 of the device. The string feeding from the interior of the ball 400 is able to be extended into the device unimpeded as the ball is held snugly by the front panel 104 of the magazine portion. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7 it is seen how the paper bundler of this invention may be partially assembled and packaged for convenient shipping and display. The corrugated paperboard blank 20 of the container portion 10 is folded about fold lines 23 and 27 to bring panels 24 and 26 parallel to panels 22 and 28. Glue flap 37 will be glued to bottom panel 30 and glue flap 35 will be glued to bottom panel 34 and the bottom panel assemblies thus formed will be folded along score lines 222 and 224 to bring bottom panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 within the two halves of the folded side wall. The interior flaps 15, 16, 18 and 19 will be folded about the score lines 80 and 81 to lie flat on top of the side panels 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively, to form a compact, flat partial assembly. Three string fasteners 42, 44 and 46 are placed inside a small ball of string 400 which may be contained within the margins of the assembled string magazine portion 11. The ball is then held in place over the folded side wall 21 of the container portion 10 by the string magazine portion 11. The string magazine portion, in turn, may be held in place by a paper wrapper 410. Optionally, the entire package may be shrink-wrapped or otherwise covered by a plastic wrapper 420. The stepped shape of the resultant package permits compact shipment of a number of devices with the packages being alternately oriented with the string magazine portions of each two alternate packages adjacent to each other, as shown. 
     Variations in the size and location of cut and fold lines could be made to produce a different carton which would still embody the properties of this invention. Instead of being held in place by tabs and slots, the panels of this invention could be affixed by other means, such as adhesive, staples, or other fasteners. Different configurations of the bottom panels to provide a substantially solid bottom without the need for gluing is also permissable. Furthermore, different means for retaining the string magazine portion 11 against the interior string end flap 18 in place of the integral bracing flaps 13 and 14 are possible. For example, the string magazine portion 11 may have projecting tabs on its left and right sides fitted to insert into slots cut in the first and second side panels 24 and 28. In addition, it should be understood that the score lines are primarily fold lines, and may be replaced with fold lines if desired. 
     It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embodies all such modified forms as come within the scope of the following claims.