Abstract:
A blank capable of rapidly setting-up into a self-supporting container, having a polygonal base panel with n sides, wherein n is at least 6, and at least n+2 side panels. The side panels are divided into a first contiguous group and a second contiguous group, with each of the side panels being separated from the contiguous side panel by a fold line. Locking tabs are used to lock the container in the set up position. Due to the multi-sided structure an ease of assembly as well as a ridigity not found in the prior art is provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is related to subject matter disclosed in patent application Ser. No. 179,739 that although structurally different from the device disclosed in the prior application, the prior application discloses information, definitions and explanations which are pertinent with respect to the present invention and for this reason the subject matter of the prior application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Many containers have been designed attempting to perfect the collapsible bucket style container having a multiplicity of sides, ranging from five to circular. 
     The octagonal and circular &#34;bucket&#34; configurations have received the most attention and success to date, however, there have been basic compromises. The bucket used to contain food, such as fried chicken or popcorn has generally been of a non-collapsible configuration, allowing for the permanent sealing of the seams at the base and sides to prevent leakage. 
     The collapsible buckets never gained popularity with food related products because of the obvious problems of strength and sealage. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,623, a collapsible circular container is disclosed. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the latching tongue 23 locks into the latching aperature 59 with the bottom panels being folded thereon. The bottom seal of this container does not prevent leakage and can safely be used for dry foods only. 
     The container of U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,408 appears to overcome the aforenoted problem of leakage, however, the strength of the container is not equal to that of the instant invention. The container is glued to appear much like a paper bag when unopened. To secure the container in the open position, the &#34;lower ends of . . . two walls 14, 15, will snap inwardly toward each other at points 11 . . . &#34;. Although there is a snapping action, there is no locking action to prevent the lower ends of the wall from returning to the unfolded position. This would preclude this container from being used with heavy items such as chicken or the like and could pose some problems with items such as popcorn where there is frequent pressure at the bottom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,310 discloses a hexagonal container which, to complete the bottom seal, requires adhesive coated portions. This adds additional expense to the manufacturing through adhesive and additional equipment. In addition the top portion of the container is required to add to the rigidity of the carton, therefore limiting its uses. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages of the instant invention will become more apparent when the specification is read in conjunction with the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the assembled bucket of the instant invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank of the instant invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the folded blank of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tab locking device of the instant invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the inside of the assembled bucket; 
     FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of the locking device of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the assembled bucket, partially in phantom; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the web mechanism of the instant invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the assembled bucket 10 of the instant invention. The tabs 27 and 29 are folded into the interior of the bucket 10 with the tab panels 26b and 28b folded neatly against the glue panels 23 and 24 respectively. 
     FIG. 2 shows the bottom portion of the unassembled blank of the preferred embodiment. The wall forming side panels 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 are divided into two equal sized halves, 15, 16, 17 and 18; 19, 20, 21 and 22. The panels 15-22 are of essentially equal widths throughout their length with the inside ends of center panels 16, 17, 20 and 21 angled to correspond to the bottom or base octagon panel 25 and end panels 15, 18, 19 and 22 angled to correspond to webs 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d. The outer edge or periphery 40 of the panels 15-22 can be straight, angled or in a decorative pattern corresponding to the contents or exterior picture as required by the aesthetics of the system. The panels 16, 17, 20 and 21 inner edge or periphery is divided from the bottom octagon 25 by fold lines 16L, 17L, 20L and 21L. 
     The bottom octagon 25 is divided into four equal octagonal sections 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d by intersecting fold lines 34 and 35. The fold lines 34 and 35 allow for the snap closure effect which is explained hereinafter. 
     Glue panels or glue flap end members 23 and 24 lie next to the panels 19 and 22 and are folded at time of manufacture at fold lines 12 and 13. They are then placed over end panels 15 and 18 and sealed by means well known in the prior art. The fold lines 12 and 13 must align with the outer edges of the panels 15 and 18. The coordinated dimensioning of parts is critical for the container to assemble and open properly. 
     Adjacent to panels 19, 22, 15 and 18, and connected by fold lines, are, respectively, linking or support webs 30c, 30b, 30d and 30a. The webs 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d form the separation area between the panels 19, 22, 15 and 18 and the tab panels 28a, 26a, 28b and 26b respectively. The webs are used not only for linking purposes but also provide structural support. At the time of opening the bucket 10, the webs 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d allows the tab panels 28a, 28b, 26a and 26b to be folded flush against the panels 23, 19, 22 and 24. The locking action of the snap lock bottom and locking tabs 29 and 27 will be seen in further detail hereinafter. 
     The tab slots 32a and 32b are cut from sections of panels 23, 19, 22 and 24 respectively. Corresponding tab cuts 33a and 33b are cut in panels 15 and 18 respectively. The tab cuts 33a and 33b must be positioned to correspond to the portions of the tab slots 32a and 32b which lie in glue panels 23 and 24 respectively. The necessity of this will become apparent hereinafter. 
     FIG. 3 shows the bucket 10 folded at fold line 34 and glued along glue panels 23 and 24. The criticality of the placement of tab slots 32a and 32b and tab cuts 33a and 33b is now evident. As seen herein when the glue panels 23 and 24 are folded at fold lines 12 and 14, they overlie panels 15 and 18 respectively. It is therefore critical that the portion of the tab slots 32a and 32b which overlie the tab cuts 33a and 33b in panels 15 and 18 be properly aligned so as to enable the tabs 29 and 27 to be properly inserted. 
     FIG. 4 shows the open bucket 10 with the tab 29 ready for insertion into tab slot 32a. It is seen herein how the web 30d folds inward and allows the tab panel 28b to fold flush with the glue panel 23. Although this could be obtained by omiiting the web 30d completely, it would cut down the strength and rigidity of the bucket 10 and permit fluid leakage at point 42, while providing no advantage either financial or ease of manufacture. Although fold line 34 continues horizontally through the carton bottom, the direction in which it is folded reverses at the tab 29. Due to the angled position of the tab slot 32a, caused by the basic construction of the bucket 10, the tab 29 must be folded opposite that of the main container. This can be easily done when the tab 29 is folded at fold line 13a by simply pushing toward the base of the carton at fold line 34. The position automatically reverses, allowing for easy insertion into the bucket 10 tab slot 32a. 
     It should be noted that, during assembly the parts tend to snap automatically toward their required positions. Pressure at the intersection of the fold lines 34 and 35 as indicated by the arrow 43, causes the container bottom to snap lock into position by reversing the natural folded configuration, therefore forcing it to take the shape illustrated in FIG. 4, except for the folding over of tab 29 into its slot 32a. 
     FIG. 5 shows a top view of the bucket 10, looking downward toward the bottom which is shown to be in an undulating, concave configuration. It can easily be seen herein how the tabs 27 and 28 fit through the tabs slots 32a and 32b. The tabs 27 and 28 can then be folded downward, flush against the panels 22 and 18 and 19 and 15 respectively, locking the bucket 10 in an open position. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 and illustrates further the angle at which the tab 28a is inserted into the tab slot 32a. The locking action of the web 30c can again be seen herein. It should be noted that the web 30c folds over the section of the blank and when locked between the tab panel 28a and the panel 19, prevents any leakage of fluid contained in the contents of the container from any point below the tab receiving slots 32d and 32b. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates via cross-section, the tab 28 folded flush against the panels 19 and 15. The notches 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d lock onto the crotch of the V of the tab slots 32a and 32b, and then in combination with the folding of the tab 28 at fold line 13a, provides a secure locking system. It should be noted that the notches 36a, b, c and d or equivalent locking means, are critical in the locking system as they aid in preventing the tab 28 from slipping out. 
     Although locking projections can be provided on one or both sides of the lower end of each of the tabs 28 and 29, as illustrated in FIG. 8 which shows engagement of a projection 50 with the folded edge 52 of the panel 15, the aforenoted use of notches 36a, b, c, and d is preferred, particularly where firm engagement of the tab panels 26 and 28 against the respective side panels is desired. 
     The term contiguous as employed herein is intended to describe the exact coincidence or common identity of one side of each two panel sections. For example, contiguous panels 19 and 20 share a common side formed by a score line 19, contiguous panels 20 and 21 share a common side 20S formed by a portion of the score line 35, and panels 21 and 22 have a contiguous side formed by a score line 21S. The term score line as employed herein is synonymous with the term fold line.