Shipping box

A shipping box capable of holding a coolant, such as ice, for the shipment of items requiring refrigeration including fish, perishable foods and the like. The box includes an outer container, an inner container, and a lid secured together as an integral unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a shipping box, and in particular to a 
shipping box having multiple containers especially constructed for the 
shipment of items requiring refrigeration, such as fish packed in ice. 
1. Description of the Prior Art 
The prior art, as presented by U.S. Pat. No. 2,358,614, is cognizant of a 
shipping box constructed from a plurality of interfitting containers 
having a lid which is interlocked with such containers for handling 
purposes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is summarized in a shipping box including a generally 
rectangular inner container having a bottom panel, side end panels 
integral with the bottom panel and a top panel integral with the side 
panels, the top panel having folded end portions overlying the end panels, 
interlocking means between the end portions and the end panels to latch 
the inner container in a closed position, a generally rectangular outer 
container having a bottom wall, spaced side walls integral with the bottom 
wall and spaced end walls integral with the bottom wall, each end wall 
including three sections disposed in juxtaposition to each other, a handle 
opening in each of the three sections and in alignment with each other, 
locking tab means on one of the three sections extending through the other 
two sections to lock all three sections together as a unit, the said one 
section having a folded panel portion disposed contiguous another of the 
three sections, a flap projecting from the panel portion and engaging the 
locking tab means to keep the same in a locked position, and a lid 
covering top portions of the inner and outer containers. 
An object of the present invention is to construct a shipping box in a 
simple, economical manner so as to be capable of carrying heavy loads. 
This invention has another object in that the multiple containers of a 
shipping box are formed from interlocking walls and panels. 
It is another object of the present invention to lock three end wall 
sections of a container by a locking tab and by a flap to secure the 
locking tab. 
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 
from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying 
drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention is embodied in a 
shipping box having a lid, an inner container and an outer container. The 
lid, indicated generally at 10, has a central panel 12 with a pair of side 
panels, the side panels 13 and 15 are folded along score lines 14 and 16, 
respectively, so as to be perpendicularly disposed to the central panel 
12. As is viewed in FIG. 3, a score line 20 permits a left end flap 21 to 
be folded perpendicularly to the side panel 13. The end flap 21 is tapered 
or reduced along its lower edge from the score line 20 to a point 
intermediate its length with its outermost end defining a necked-down 
portion. A score line 22 perpendicular to but not joining the score line 
20 permits an end tab 24 to be folded perpendicular to the end flap 21. 
Intermediate its length and contiguous the score line 22 the end tab 24 
has a rectangular cut out 26 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. 
The score line 22 represents an extension of the score line 14 but is 
offset therefrom by a short sloping score line 28. 
As is viewed in FIG. 3, a similar end flap is carried on the right end of 
side panel 13 in a mirror image arrangement to the left end flap. 
Accordingly, for the sake of brevity the specific structure is not being 
described again but merely mentioned with the appropriate reference 
numerals appended: score line 30, right end flap 31, score line 32, end 
tab 34, cut out 36; and sloping score line 38. 
The upper side panel 15, as viewed in FIG. 3, with its two end flaps 41 and 
51 is a mirror image of the lower side panel 13 with its end flaps 21 and 
31 so that a complete description of the specific structure of side panel 
15 is being omitted for the sake of brevity. Thus, the particular elements 
are merely being mentioned with the appropriate reference numerals 
appended: score lines 40 and 50, left and right end flaps 41 and 51, score 
lines 42 and 52, end tabs 44 and 54, cut outs 46 and 56, and sloping score 
lines 48 and 58. 
A score line 60 between the central panel 12 and a left end panel 61 
permits folding thereof in perpendicular relationship to the central panel 
12. The left end panel 61 has a generally trapezoidal configuration as 
viewed in FIG. 3, with a score line 62 defining the shorter edge of the 
trapezoid. Centrally extending from the score line 62 and being disposed 
perpendicular thereto is a handlock tab which includes three score lines 
equally spaced from each other and the score line 62 so as to form four 
tab sections 63, 64, 65 and 66 which are folded successively perpendicular 
to each other. Adjacent one side of the tab sections and parallel to score 
line 62 is another score line 70 defining a panel 71 therebetween and a 
second panel 72 parallel to left end panel 61 so as to form a generally 
inverted U-shaped configuration as viewed in FIG. 2. The free edge of 
panel 72 has a ledge 74 which fits in the cut out 46 to lock the end tab 
44 in position. Adjacent the other sides of the tab sections is a score 
line 75, panel 76, second panel 77 and ledge 78, all of which are 
identical in structure and function to the score line 70, panel 71, second 
panel 72 and ledge 74 as described above. 
As viewed in FIG. 3, the elements associated with the right end panel are a 
mirror image of those of the left end panel so that the specific elements 
are not described for the sake of brevity but are merely mentioned with 
the appropriate reference numerals attached: score line 80, right end 
panel 81, score line 82, tab sections 83, 84, 85 and 86, score lines 90, 
95, panels 91, 96, second panels 92, 97, and ledges 94, 98. 
The inner container 100 is a multi-paneled arrangement folded into a 
generally rectangular configuration having bottom, middle and top panels 
constructed from a single blank of material. As is illustrated in FIGS. 4 
and 5, a first bottom right side panel 102 is notched with a slot 103 in 
its lower edge and a score line 104 which permits folding of the panel 102 
perpendicularly to a first middle right side panel 105. A score line 106 
foldingly separates the panel 105 from a first top right side panel 108 
which has a score line 110 perpendicular to and intersecting the score 
line 106. 
A thin section 112 and score line 114 are parallel to the score line 110 
permitting a first right end top panel 116 to be folded perpendicular to 
the top right side panel 108. A generally square shaped cut out 117 is 
intermediately disposed in the upper edge (FIG. 5) of the panel 116. The 
edge of panel 116, which is opposite its score line 114, is cut away at 
its upper and lower edges to define sloping corners 118 and 119, 
respectively. A second right end top panel is a mirror image of the first, 
so it will not be described in detail but the elements are merely being 
mentioned with their appropriate reference numerals: score line 120, thin 
section 122, score line 124, second right end top panel 126, square shaped 
cut out 127, upper sloping corner 128, and lower sloping corner 129. 
A middle right end panel 130 has a generally centrally located interlocking 
arrangement which includes a rectangular folded section 131 bendable along 
score line 132. Score lines 133 and 134 permit the panel 130 to be folded 
perpendicular to the middle right side panel 105 and to an opposite middle 
left side panel 145. Along its lower edge, the panel 130 is provided with 
spaced apertures 135 and 136 for venting and/or leaking purposes, this 
lower edge defines a score line 137 whereby a bottom right end panel 138 
is folded perpendicular to the panel 130. 
Panels 142, 145 and 148 of FIG. 4 define the left side of the inner 
container 100 as viewed in FIG. 5. The left side bottom panel 142 is 
notched with a slot 143 in its lower edge and a score line 144 (in spaced 
parallel relation to such lower edge) permits folding of the panel 142 
perpendicularly to the middle left side panel 145. A score line 146 
foldingly separates the panel 145 from the top left side panel 148. As is 
shown in FIG. 4, the score line 120 permits folding of the panel 148 
perpendicular to the thin section 122. 
The left end panels 156, 166, 170 and 178 include the same components as 
the right end panels 116, 126, 130, and 138, respectively so they are not 
being described in detail but merely mentioned with their appropriate 
reference numerals: score line 150, thin section 152, score line 154, 
first left end top panel 156, cut out 157, sloping corners 158 and 159; 
thin section 162, score line 164, second left end top panel 166, cut out 
167, sloping corners 168 and 169; middle left end panel 170, folded 
section 171, score lines 172, 173 and 174, spaced apertures 175 and 176, 
score line 177, and bottom left end panel 178. 
The second parts of the right side panels, which are substantially the same 
as the first right side panels 102, 105 and 108, are not being described 
in detail but are merely mentioned with appropriate reference numerals: 
second bottom right side panel 182, score line 184, second middle right 
side panel 185, score line 186, second top right side panel 188, and score 
line 190. As is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second parts of the 
right side panels are larger in width than the first parts so that their 
adjacent portions overlap; suitable fastening means, such as staples 192, 
join the overlapping portions. 
The outer container, indicated generally at 200, is a multi-walled 
arrangement folded into a generally rectangular configuration having side, 
end and bottom panels constructed from a single blank of material. As is 
illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a first side wall 202 has a score line 203 
foldingly separating it from a bottom wall 204. A score line 205 foldingly 
separates the bottom wall 204 from a second side wall 206 oppositely 
disposed to the first side wall 202. 
A score line 210 foldingly separates the first side wall 202 from a right 
first end wall 212 having a generally trapezoidal opening 214. A 
projection 216 extends into the opening 214 from the smaller side of the 
trapezoid. Spaced apertures 217 and 219 are located in the lower edge of 
end wall 212 for venting and/or leaking purposes. 
A score line 220, parallel to but slightly spaced from the score line 210 
foldingly separates the bottom wall from a right third end wall 222 having 
a generally T-shaped folded portion 224 folded along a score line 225. 
Intermediate and contiguous the score line 225, the folded portion 224 has 
a generally rectangular cut out 226. A pair of spaced apertures 227 and 
229 are located adjacent but spaced from the score line 220 which 
represents the lower edge of the wall 222 in its assembled condition. A 
score line 230 in spaced parallel relation to the score line 220, permits 
perpendicular folding of a top edge 231; a second score line 232 parallel 
to the score line 230 defines a fold line for a return wall 233 whereby 
the walls 222, 231 and 233 define an inverted U-shaped arrangement. A 
generally T-shaped tab 234 extending from a score line 235, is 
intermediately located along the free edge of return wall 233; a cut out 
surrounding the exposed edges of the tab 234 is defined by a pair of 
opposed edge points which aid in latching cooperation with the folding 
portion 224 in its assembled condition. A pair of edge cut outs 236 and 
238 in the respective upper and lower side edges (as viewed in FIG. 7) of 
the walls 231 and 233 facilitate folding thereof to form the inverted 
U-shaped arrangement. 
A right second end wall, which is substantially the same as the right first 
end wall 212, is not being described in detail but the components thereof 
merely being mentioned with appropriate reference numerals: score line 
240, right second end wall 242, trapezoidal opening 244 (slightly larger 
than opening 214), projection 246, and spaced apertures 247 and 249. 
As is apparent from FIG. 7, the left end including first, second and third 
end walls is a mirror image of the right end. Accordingly, again for the 
sake of brevity, the specific details of the left end are not being 
separately described but are merely being mentioned with appropriate 
reference numerals: score line 250, left first end wall 252, trapezoidal 
opening 254, projection 256, spaced apertures 257 and 259; score line 260, 
left third end wall 262, folded portion 264, score line 265, cut out 266, 
spaced apertures 267 and 269, score line 270, top edge 271, score line 
272, return wall 273, tab 274, score line 275, edge cut outs 276 and 278; 
score line 280, left second end wall 282, trapezoidal opening 284, 
projection 286, and spaced apertures 287 and 289. 
The lid 10, inner container 100 and outer container 200 are made of 
corrugated paper which is curtain coated on both sides and is wax 
impregnated. 
The outer container is assembled by folding the side walls 202 and 206 
along their respective score lines 203 and 205 in perpendicular relation 
to the bottom wall 204. The right first and second end walls 212 and 242 
are folded along their respective score lines 210 and 240 to be in surface 
contact with each other and perpendicular to the bottom wall 204 and the 
side walls 202 and 206. The third end wall is folded along its score line 
220 so as to be in surface contact with the second end wall 242. At this 
point, the folded portion 224 is bent along its score line 225 so as to 
extend through the end wall openings with the projections 216 and 246 
extending through the cut out 226; the return wall 233 is folded against 
the inside of the first end wall 212 and its tab 234 extends through the 
same cut out 226. During the insert of the tab 234, the edges of the 
folded portion 234 are locked behind the pointed edges of the return wall 
233. It is to be understood that the left end of the outer container 200 
is assembled in a similar manner resulting in a container that is erected 
into a usable condition without the need of tape, staples, or other type 
of fasteners. 
The inner container 100 is folded into a rectangle (FIG. 5) with the 
overlapping portions of the side panels secured together by staples 192. 
The bottom of the inner container is formed by folding the bottom end 
panels 138 and 178 toward each other so that they are perpendicular to 
their side and end panels. The bottom side panels 102-182 and 142 are 
folded toward each other with their overlapping portions interlocked by 
engagement of the two slots 103 and 143. The top of the inner container is 
formed by folding the top side panels 108-188 and 148 toward each other 
until the edge of top side panel 148 overlaps (see FIG. 1) the adjacent 
edges of the top side panels 108 and 188. The first and second right end 
panels 116 and 126 are folded in opposed relation to each other and are 
disposed along the outside of the middle right end panel 130; inasmuch as 
the cut outs 117 and 127 face each other, they cooperate to form a unitary 
rectangular opening adjacent and in alignment with the opening defined by 
the folded section 131 and the openings 214 and 244. It is to be 
understood that the left end of the inner container 100 is assembled in a 
similar manner resulting in a container that is erected into a usable 
self-supporting condition. 
The lid 10 is assembled by folding the side panels 13 and 15 perpendicular 
to the central panel 12. The end tab 24 is folded along its score line 22 
so as to be perpendicular to the end flap 21 which is folded along its 
score line 20 so as to be perpendicular to the side panel 13; thus the end 
tab 24 is disposed in surface contact with the adjacent portion of the 
central panel 12. The other three end tabs 34, 44 and 54 are similarly 
positioned. 
The left end panel 61 is folded along its score line 60 so as to be 
perpendicular to the central panel 12; because of the offsets or sloping 
score lines 28 and 38, the panel 61 is on the outside of the end flap 21. 
The first and second panels 76 and 77 are folded along their respective 
score lines 62 and 75 so that the first panel 76 covers the unsloped edge 
of end flap 21 and the second panel 77 is in surface contact with the 
inside surface of the adjacent part of the end flap 21. The assembly is 
locked in place by the ledge 78 of the second panel 77 extending into the 
cut out 26 of the end tab 24. The other three first and second panels 
71-72, 91-92 and 96-97 are similarly positioned to complete the assembly 
of the lid 10 as shown in the left end of FIG. 2. 
The lid 10, the inner container 100 and the outer container 200 are 
assembled as a unit by inserting the inner container 100 into the outer 
container with their respective leakage apertures aligned with each other 
to result in four sets of leakage apertures. In addition, the handle 
openings at each end of the shipping box are aligned with respect to the 
inner and outer containers. The folded portions 224 and 264 are slightly 
deformed by the inner container 100 as is illustrated in FIG. 9 so as to 
present a friction fit between the inner and outer container. The lid 10 
is now placed over the top of the assembled inner and outer containers in 
a press fitted manner and the tab sections 83, 84, 85 and 86 are folded 
along their respective score lines to form a generally U-shaped 
configuration. Such tab sections are inserted through the aligned handle 
openings in the end walls 222 and 242 with the two tab sections 85 and 86 
engaging the surface of end wall 212 (see FIG. 9). Because the inner 
container 100 has an aligned handle opening 117-127, the two tab sections 
may alternately be inserted through the handle opening 117-127 so as to 
lock the lid 10 and the containers 100 and 200 as a unitary assembly. Thus 
during lifting the tab sections 83, 84, 85 and 86 will engage the adjacent 
parts of inner and outer containers 100 and 200 to assure non-separation 
of the units during handling; in addition, the handle portions of the tab 
sections and of the inner and outer containers are constructed to 
withstand excessive pressure during handling when the shipping box is 
loaded. 
Because of the strength and insulation characteristics of the shipping 
container, it is advantageously adaptable for the shipment of poultry, 
fish, etc. that requires some type of refrigeration as by carbon dioxide, 
ice, etc. In one particular arrangement, the present shipping box is 
especially useful in the shipment of fish. The inner container 100 is 
placed in the outer container 200 in an open condition and is filled with 
2 to 3 inches of crushed ice. A layer of fish is then placed on top of the 
ice, then a layer of ice, etc. until filled. The fish are thus displaced 
from the bottom of the inner container because during shipment they start 
to deteriorate and give off a body slime which must be allowed to drain 
out through the leakage apertures along with water from the melting ice. 
After the inner container 100 has been filled, its top panels are closed 
and the lid 10 set on top and locked into place by the tab sections 83, 
84, 85 and 86. 
During the shipment of fish, it is often necessary to re-ice the shipping 
box before it reaches its final destination. To accomplish such re-icing, 
the lid 10 is removed, the inner and outer containers are inverted and the 
outer container 200 removing by lifting it; the inner container is opened 
by lifting the bottom side panels 142 and 102-182 causing separation of 
the slot lock 103-143 and then lifting the bottom end panels 138 and 178. 
The ice is added to the bottom section of the inner container 100, which 
is closed in a reverse opening sequence; the outer container is placed 
over the inner container and the lid is applied with the shipping box 
being again inserted to its original upright position. As a further 
assurance of sufficient strength and insulation, the outer container may 
be constructed from an asphalt corrugated medium. 
Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, 
modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter 
contained in the foregoing description or shown on the accompanying 
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.