Abstract:
A carton having two opposed crush-lock ends, a flat bottom and opposed top with a substantially central opening which can accommodate receptacles having necks of varying diameters. The carton is designed to be shipped as a flat partially assembled blank which can be erected into a substantially rectangular box by pushing inwardly on the edges so the side panels of the box lock in substantially flat configuration. The top opening has outwardly radiating cut lines to define wedge shaped segments with an arcuate score line intersecting the segments whereby the segments can deflect and accommodate different sized receptacles.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,929 filed Mar. 26, 2004 which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to containers, and more particularly, to stabilizer boxes with a substantially center top opening, which may be adjustable in size to stabilize in an upright position and give shock resistant support to objects, usually cylindrical, having a variety of sizes. In particular, the invention relates to an adjustable carrier for floral containers, adopted to hold the floral container and its contents in an upright position during transportation. 
   When cut flowers are sold at a flower shop, grocery store, or the like, they often are sold with a vase which often is tall and thin, such as a bud vase. When these containers are carried in a vehicle, there is great danger of tipping and spillage. 
   Other types of products may also require support during shipment, such as crystal or chinaware, candle holders, bottles of medicine, packaged drugs, etc. The present invention also is suitable for packaging such products. 
   Its use for shipping bud vases is typical of other products also. The vases may have many different shapes, but are typified by long slender upright configurations which are top heavy when filled and may have many different surfaces and diameters at their necks. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,803 shows a formed box about a bud vase, wherein the box has curved openings which embrace the neck of the vase. U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,468 shows a box having a crush-lock bottom and hinged panels with curved ends which embrace the neck of a vase and are hinged downwardly to accommodate larger necks. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is embodied in a carton which has two opposed crush-lock ends, a flat bottom and a top which has a substantially center opening and may have cut lines radiating outwardly therefrom. In larger cartons, one or more score lines may be formed generally parallel to and outwardly spaced from the center opening to accommodate different sized vases in the carton. The invention also encompasses blanks from which the cartons are formed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects of the invention are achieved as set forth in the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings which form a part of the specification. 
     In the drawings wherein like numbers and letters refer to like parts wherever they occur: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of the inside of a blank from which the box of this invention is made; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the blank of  FIG. 1  folded and glued and ready for shipment; 
       FIG. 3  is an end elevational view of the structure of  FIG. 2  in partially erected form; 
       FIG. 4  is an end elevational view of the erected box; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the erected box; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the box of  FIG. 5  holding a receptacle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
   The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     FIG. 1  shows a blank  10  from which a carton C ( FIG. 5 ) of this invention is formed. The blank  10  comprises a top panel  11 , a first end panel  12  hinged thereto by a first transverse score line  13 , and a second end panel  14  hinged thereto by a second transverse score line  15  which is parallel to the first score line  13 . Hinged to the second end panel  14  by a transverse score line  16  is a bottom panel  17  which is commensurate in size with the top panel  11 . A glue panel “X” is hinged to the bottom panel  16  by a transverse score line  18  which is parallel to the score line  16 . The glue panel X also could be connected to the first end panel  12 . 
   The other two sides of the carton C are formed of so-called “crash lock” ends and result from a series of panels and attached glue flaps hinged to the longitudinal edges of the panels  11 ,  12 ,  14  and  17 . This allows the blank  10  to be folded and glued and still shipped in a flat configuration and erected and locked in a rectangular box-like configuration by pushing inwardly on the side edges. This configuration is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   Attached to the bottom panel  17  by longitudinal hinges lines  20 ,  21  are opposed side panels  22 ,  23 . The side panels  22 ,  23  have inwardly inclined side edges  24 ,  25 ,  24 ′,  25 ′ and connecting free edges  26 ,  26 ′. 
   Attached to the second end panel  14  by longitudinal score lines  30 ,  31  are opposed side panels  32 ,  33  which have foldable glue flaps “A”, “G” attached thereto by score lines  34 ,  34 ′ which are parallel to the side edges  24 ,  24 ′. The side panels  32 ,  33  have V-shaped cut outs  36 ,  36 ′ where the score lines  34 ,  34 ′ intersect the score lines  30 ,  31  and V-shaped cut outs  37 ,  37 ′ where the score lines  34 ,  34 ′ intersect the free edges  35 ,  35 ′ of the panels  32 ,  33 . 
   Locking notches  38 ,  38 ′ are positioned at the base of the V-shaped cut outs  37 ,  37 ′ to engage corresponding notches  58 ,  58 ′ in the side panels  52 ,  53 ′ attached to the first end panel  12  as will be described in detail hereinafter. 
   Attached to the top panel  11  by longitudinal score lines  40 ,  41  are opposed side panels  42 ,  43 . The side panels  42 ,  43  have inwardly inclined side edges  44 ,  45 ,  44 ′,  45 ′ and connecting free edges  46 ,  46 ′. 
   Attached to the first end panel  12  by longitudinal score lines  50 ,  51  are the opposed side panels  52 ,  53  which have foldable glue flaps “B”, “F” attached thereto by score lines  54 ,  54 ′ which are parallel to the side edges  44 ,  44 ′. The side panels  52 ,  53  have V-shaped cut outs  56 ,  56 ′ where the score lines  54 ,  54 ′ intersect the score lines  50 ,  51 , and V-shaped cutouts  57 ,  57 ′ where the score lines  54 ,  54 ′ intersect the free edges  55 ,  55 ′ of the panels  52 ,  53 . 
   Lock notches  58 ,  58 ′ are positioned at the base of the V-shaped cutouts  57 ,  57 ′ and are constructed and arranged to lockingly engage the lock notches  38 ,  38 ′ respectively in the side panels  32 ,  33  when the carton C is formed in its erected position. 
   The edges  24  and  44  and the score lines  34  and  54  are all substantially parallel. The edges  25  and  45  are substantially parallel. The edges  24 ′ and  44 ′ and the score lines  34 ′ and  54 ′ are all substantially parallel. The edges  25 ′ and  45 ′ also are substantially parallel. 
   The top panel  11  is provided with a substantially center cut-out  60  and an area of cuts or slits  61  which radiate outwardly from the cut out  60  toward the edges of the panel  11  and define wedge shaped segments. One or more score lines  62  are positioned around and outwardly spaced from the cut out  60  and connect the cuts  61 . The scores  62  and cuts  61  define bendable tabs  63  in the wedge shaped segments to accommodate vases or containers of different diameters. 
   To form the blank  10  into an item of commerce which can be shipped in flat condition, yet can be erected into a receptacle merely by pushing inwardly on the side edges, several glue flaps are attached together at the place of manufacture. In this instance, the glue flap “F” is attached to the outside of the side panel  43  by glue  65 . The opposed glue flap “G” is attached to the outside of the side panel  23  by glue  65 . At the other end of the blank  10 , the glue flap “A” is attached to the outside of the side panel  22  by glue  65  and the glue flap “B” is attached to the outside of the side panel  42 . Finally, the glue flap “x” is attached to the outside of the first end panel  12  by glue  65 . 
     FIG. 2  shows the folded glued blank  10  ready for shipment; 
     FIG. 3  shows a partially erected carton C; and 
     FIG. 4  shows a fully erected carton C. 
   To erect the glued blank shown in  FIG. 2  into the carton C shown in  FIG. 5  the lock notch  38  is engaged in the notch  58  on one end of the carton C and the lock notch  38 ′ is engaged in the notch  58 ′ on the other end of the carton C. The ends of the glued blank  10  of  FIG. 2  is erected into the carton C of  FIG. 5  by pushing on the edges of the blank  10  as shown by the arrows “A” in  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 6  shows the carton with a receptacle  70  positional therein with the base of the receptacle  70  placed in the inside of the bottom panel  17 . 
   The carton C preferably is made from 200 pound E-flute corrugated paperboard, but can be made from any suitable material. The interlocking tabs can be positioned on different panels so long as they cause the carton C to stay in erected locked position with interior flap supports. 
   In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present invention have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.