US2291426A - Package and wrapper therefor - Google Patents

Description

Search Room y 1942- 1'. R. WINCHELL PACKAGE AND WRAPPER THEREFOR Filed Feb. 24, 1939 2 Sheets-She'et 1 Search Room y 28, 1942- T. R. wmcnau. 2,291,426

PACKAGE AND WRAPPER THEREFOR Filed Feb. 24. 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ymw/z zzz/mzz Patented July 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PACKAGE. AND WRAPPER THEREFOR Thomas R. Winchell, Harpswell, Maine Application February 24, 1939, Serial No. 258,249

2 Claims.

This invention relates to the packaging of articles such as carpets, rugs, or the like, where the package is of considerable length relative to its diameter or thickness, and is of a length greater than the standard lengths and widths of suitable sheet wrapping material such as plywood, fiberboard, or the like.

One object of the present invention is to provide a package wherein the contents is securely wrapped and protected from dirt and moisture and in which the wrapping material is of relatively light weight but has ample strength.

A further object is to provide such a package which may be stacked readily, either on end or sidewise.

Still another object is to provide a package which can be moved and handled with comparative ease, considering its considerable size and weight, and wherein the wrapper material is protected from the most severe handling stresses.

This package will be described herein with particular reference to its contents being a carpet, or rug, in rolled condition, though it will be evident from the following description that advantageous features thereof are applicable irrespective of the package contents. In order to add as little to the weight of the package and yet pro tect its contents from dirt and moisture, the wrapper is formed up as an imperforate tubular container, and as before pointed out, it may be formed of relatively light weight sheet material such as plywood, or the like. As plywood is advantageous, the invention will be more particularly described with reference thereto, though certain important features of the invention are also applicable to many other materials.

In packages of considerable length to which this invention is more particularly related, a plurality of sheets of the wrapping material arranged lengthwise of the package may be necessary, as the standard dimensions of such sheet material may not be sufilciently great to cover such a length in a single sheet. If a plurality of such sheets are arranged with their adjacent edges in lapping relation, and are then rolled up in tubular form, it will be evident that the outer of the lapped layer portions assumes a larger diameter than the inner one, and this requires a relative movement of the lapped portions as the wrapper is rolled up to form the container.

It is a further object of this invention, therefore, to provide a construction wherein such a sliding or relative adjustment of the parts is permitted.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package embodying one form of this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing sheets of plywood in flat condition secured together in a manner to permit the formation of the package of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail section to a larger scale through one end of the package on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the structure of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but to a smaller scale and showing a modification.

Figures 6 and '7 are end and fragmentary side elevations, respectively, of a cradle for facilitating the wrapping operation, and showing a roll of carpet partly wrapped.

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views somewhat similar to Figure 2, but showing other modified constructions.

Figure 10 is a detail section on line Ill-l0 of Figure 9.

Figures 11 and 12 are end elevations showing successive steps in the wrapping operation.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the wrapper for the package is shown as comprising a plurality of pieces I of plywood arranged with their marginal side portions 2 and 3 in lapping relation, so that together they form a wrapper with a combined width sufiicient to extend the length of the package. As shown each of these pieces I is secured along one end to a stifiener strip 4. That lapping portion of each of the pieces I which will come on the inside of the package when the wrapping is complete is shown as cut inwardly from its edge as by the saw kerfs 5 to form a plurality of tabs 6 partly severed from the sheet material piece, and as many as desired of these tabs are secured as by a fastening element 1 of any suitable description to the uncut margin of the adjacent piece I. These saw kerfs permit the tabs 6 to be somewhat crowded together as the wrapper sheet is rolled up into tubular form as illustrated in Figure 1. This rolling up may be done with the article to be wrapped inside, so that after the rolling up of the wrapper is complete and suitable ends l0 are secured within the ends of the tube formed by the wrapping operation, the contents are enclosed within an imperforate casing which adequately protects the contents from dirt and moisture. It will be noted that as the wrapper is rolled, the uncut margins of the pieces I assume a larger circumference than the cut margins overlapped thereby, and the kerfs thus permit a shortening of the over-all dimensions of the cut margin so as to permit the curving of these out margins into a smaller circumference as is necessary by the fact that they form portions rolled to a smaller radius than the uncut portions. If the cut margins were on the outside, the tabs would be more widely separated on rolling of the wrapper sheet, and of course this arrangement could be employed if desired. It may also be found desirable to bevel the edges of the wrapper pieces on the inside to avoid marking the material packaged.

Where the wrapper is made of plywood as shown, it is preferable to employ at least three plies, the outer plies as a and b having their grain arranged generally lengthwise of the roll axis of the package, while the inner plies c are preferably arranged transverse to the outer plies so that the grain lies in the direction of curvature of the wrapper. This central ply thus acts as a tie to prevent splitting of the outer plies longitudinally of the package, while the arrangement of the outer plies with the grain longitudinal facilitates curving the wrapper into tubular form.

As shown best in Figures 1 and 3, the ends I!) may each comprise a plywood base portion ll secured to segmental cleats l2, which may be of a relatively thick wood, and to which the base portions of sheets I I may be secured by any suitable fasteners l3 such as nails or staples. The heads are secured in position as by fastenings driven through the end pieces of the wrapper into the cleats l2 as at M, and the ends of the wrapper are secured in overlapping relation as by tie wires or bands l5 which are passed around the outside of the package at intervals along its length and are secured together as by twisting or the like as at IS. The stifiener strip 4 is preferably slotted as at I! to permit the passage of the tie wires against the face of the wrapper so that the stiffening strip extends outwardly beyond the tie wires and acts as a protection therefor. In order to reinforce the ends of the package and to prevent the edges of the wrapper from being caught and torn, a reinforcing strap l4a may be applied to each of the end wrapper pieces, preferably while the wrapper is fiat, the strap being nailed at intervals loosely so that when the wrapper is rolled it will be of sufiicient length. One end is preferably turned over the outer of the lapped ends in the package. Fasteners are driven through the strap and the wrapper into the end head with preferably a row of staples along its inner margin.

It is also preferable to secure a second stiffener strip l8 longitudinally of the package and in spaced substantially parallel relation to the strip 4. This may be placed in position after the wrapper has been rolled into tubular form about the, article to be packaged Or at any other convenient time, The two strips 4 and I8 may then be employed as skids, which stiffen the package lengthwise and take the wear as the package is being moved. Thus the package may be supported on the strips 4 and I8 while it is being loaded on or unloaded from a vehicle and these strips then taking wear and stresses which might cause damage if taken directly by the wrapper itself.

The wrapping of the material to be packaged may well be accomplished in the manner shown lever 35.

and 12. In Figures 6 and 7 there is shown somewhat diagrammatically a cradle comprising a plurality of spaced forms 20 which may be secured in vertical position as by tie rods 2| which may be provided with collars 24 adiustably secured as by set screws thereto and which may define the spacing between the forms 20. Each of these forms is shown as having its central depressed portion 22 of generally circular outline throughout its main portion, and of a diameter approximately that of the outer face of the complete package. The curved portion 22 merges at its upper ends with outwardly curved side walls 23. The wrapper in flat condition may be laid across the tops of these forms 20 and then the article to be packaged, such as the rug or carpet in rolled condition, may be laid on the upper face thereof, the roll of carpet and the central portion of the wrapper being then depressed into the forms as shown in Figures 6 and 7, thus curving the wrapper therearound. The ends 25 and 26 of the wrapper may then be brought down in overlapping relation, and at suitable times the end members l0 may be placed in position and secured.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the end portions 25 and 26 of the wrapper may be brought down into wrapped position as by the use of clamps. As illustrated each of these clamps comprises a flexible band such as 30, one end portion of this band terminating in an ear 3| having a perforation or slot through which may be extended a threaded bar 32. A nut 33, preferably having a rounded end, is threaded on the outer end of the bar 32 and its opposite end is pivoted as at 34 to a This lever 35 is fulcrumed as on an ear 35 at the opposite end of the band 30. This clamp is placed around the package and adjacent to the ends of the package, and then by pulling in the direction of the arrow on the lever 35, the end portions 25 and 26 of the wrapper may be brought down into overlapped relation over the end members l0 and secured in position as by nails or staples as desired. Similarly the portions of the wrapper intermediate the ends may be brought down into clamped relation and the tie wires [5 placed in position and secured and tightened, thus completing the package.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, other methods of securing the pieces I into a wrapper are illustrated, in which provision is made for the difference in circumference of the inner and outer margins of these pieces where they are in lapping relation. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the pieces are arranged in two sets alternately, alternate pieces la overlapping the intermediate pieces lb at both margins. Each of these pieces is secured at one end to the stiffener bar 4a as by the fasteners at 40. A second reinforcing strip l8a is secured as by the fasteners 4| to the pieces of one series only, preferably the overlapping pieces la, thus leaving unattached thereto the pieces lb which in the package lie inwardly of the pieces la. As the wrapper thus formed is curved into tubular container form, it will be noted that the inner pieces lb are free to assume a curvature on a smaller radius than the pieces I a, but the pieces la being fixed to both of the bars 4a and l8a retain the pieces lb in position, while permitting their margins to slide relative to the margins of the pieces la. After the wrapper thus formed is curved to the proper position the end heads l0 may be secured in position within the somewhat diagrammatically in Figures 6, 7, 11 ends of the container, and the ends of the wrapper may be secured in overlapping relation as previously described.

In Figures 9 and another manner of securing the wrapping pieces which will permit them to be rolled up is illustrated. In this form each of the wrapping pieces lc, except at one end, overlaps as at 45, the margin 46 of its neighboring piece, and at one end each of these pieces is secured as by fastenings 48 to the reinforcing bar 4b. When such a wrapper is curved the pieces may twist slightly relative to their fasteners 48 and assume a slightly conical contour in the final wrapped condition, the underlying margins 46 taking a curvature of a smaller radius than the overlapped margins 45. If desired, a second skid strip l8b may be employed, and in order to allow for relative motions of the sheet material pieces as the wrapper is rolled, it should be secured locally only to each piece as by fasteners 49. Of course, if desired, each piece might be initially secured to each skid strip at a single point, thus giving increased freedom for the pieces to move relatively as the wrapper is rolled up.

While in the forms thus described the package is shown as substantially cylindrical in contour, it may be otherwise formed, as, for example, in Figure 5, the wrapped container is shown as of hexagonal contour, each of the wrapper sheets having a bend at intervals such as 50 and being substantially flat between these bends. With such a construction the heads or ends Ilia will be similarly contoured, the cleats in having substantially straight rather than curved outer edges. Otherwise, the construction may be identical with any or those heretofore described. Such a container of polygonal outline may be placed on its side with less danger of rolling and, particularly if hexagonal in form, a plurality of them may be stacked in closely nested arrange- Search Room ment. In all the constructions shown the interior or the container is substantially free from nails or other obstructions which might damage the contents or the package.

From the foregoing description of certain embodiments of this invention it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A packer wrapper comprising a plurality of sheet material pieces adapted to be rolled into tubular form, said pieces being arranged in two series the pieces of the two pieces alternating and the pieces of one series having their margins overlapping the margins of the pieces of the other series, a pair of strips arranged in substantially parallel relation and lengthwise of said axis, means securing each of said pieces of both series on its outer face to one of said strips, and means securing the pieces of one series only and on their outer faces to the other or said strips.

2. A package wrapper comprising a plurality of sheet material pieces adapted to be rolled into tubular form, alternate pieces overlapping along opposite edges the margins of the intermediate pieces transverse to the axis of said form, a pair of strips arranged in substantially parallel relation and lengthwise of said axis, means securing each of said pieces on its outer face to one of said strips, and means securing the overlapping pieces only to said other strip, whereby as said wrapper is rolled up, said intermediate pieces, the margins of which are overlapped by the other pieces, are free to move relative to said other pieces to assume a curvature of smaller diameter than that of said other pieces.

THOMAS R. W'INCHELL.

Images