US3245573A

US3245573A - Beverage bottle carrier

Info

Publication number: US3245573A
Application number: US83221A
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman M Bakos
Original assignee: Plasticase Inc
Current assignee: Plasticase Inc
Priority date: 1961-01-17
Filing date: 1961-01-17
Publication date: 1966-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 1983-04-12

Description

BEVERAGE BOTTLE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 17, 1961 I m A w @IHMIIIWIIIIilllllllllmllllllp MENTOR Wnmmflflmmf I"'" 4.

' ATTORNEY 'A ri112,1966 N. M. BAKOS I 3,245,573

BEVERAGE BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Jan. 17, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.12 IFIGB INVENTOR NORMAN M. BAKOS A RNEY United States Patent 3,245,573 BEVERAGE BGTTLE (IARRIER Norman M. Balms, Bufialo, N.Y., assignor to PlastiCase, Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 83,221 12 Claims. (Cl. 220-21) This invention relates to a carrier or container for beverage bottles and the like. More specifically, the inventive concept of this invention resides in a unique structural configuration for said container.

The bottle containers heretofore used have usually been constructed of cardboard, wood or paper composition materials; these containers, because of their material make up, have had a comparatively short life due to warping, deterioration, and dampness. There have been numerous efforts to prolong the useful life of these containers by reenforcing them with additional pieces or by constructing portions with materials of greater rigidity and weatherability. In most instances these efforts have resulted in containers of increased weight with correspondingly little increased durability. Further efforts have been made to construct lid-less plastic containers, but these have suffered commercially because of bottle breakage and the lack of cover protection for the contained bottles. An additional shortcoming of present rigid containers is the high bottle breakage due to bottle contact with the rigid container or floor portion. This rigidity, however, is necessary in the prior art to keep shape to the container and prevent distortion when filled and carried. The cases of less rigid materials are too easily distorted if carried when filled, and also offer little protection to the contents against bottle breakage. There is, therefore, a real need in the art for a lightweight bottle container that will provide a long useful life while at the same time affording maximum protection to the contained bottles. This invention provides a rigid one-piece structure having, because of its rigidity, long durability with, however, the desirable bonus effect of absorbing impact. We, therefore, have a resulting rigid container without the prior art disadvantages of bottle breakage, etc.

The unique construction of the container of this invention provides a rigid, durable, lightweight case of high impact strength, high breakage resistance, and maximum structural strength. The container is preferably construct ed of suitable plastic materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene of low intermediate or high density. Of course, other convenient materials or combination of materials, such as fiber glass or other synthetics, may be used to suit the particular structural requirements of the manufactured case. Also, the container of this invention is designed so as to be adapted for ease of manufacture through a variety of methods. The blow molding and injection molding processes probably presently afford the most convenient means of manufacture; however, any suitable means may be used. The blow molding process is known in the art (as described in Modern Plastics, July 1959, pages 86-92, and 151-152) and is the procedure of manufacture preferred in the present invention. It is conceivable, however, that injection molding (such as defined in Plastics Engineering Handbook of the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc, 1954 edition, pages 53-63) would be preferred.

Basically the container of this invention is constructed of the above indicated materials and is formed as a onepiece unit. The case portion has integral therewith top lids thereby affording complete enclosures for the containing bottles. The bottom portion of the case has raised elements on which the contained bottles rest. The top and side portions are so constructed to atford a high degree of sturdiness while being capable of flexibility to Patented Apr. 12, 1966 "ice absorb impacts and stresses imparted thereto. The lids of any plastic container, because of their plastic composition, have a tendency to spring back to their formed position. There is provided in the container of this invention means which securely lock the lids in the closed position while adapted to be easily opened when desired. The plastic case of this invention allows the same relationship between the bottles and the partition, and side walls of the container. This is important in that it permits the use of the container of this invention without any substantial change in the present loading methods and equipment. The partitions provided in the present container will retain their shape and not fold over as vwill cardboard partitions; thus making insertion of the bottles more convenient and expedient. A more detailed definition of this invent-ion will be given in the ensuing discussion in relation to the accompanying drawings.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a bottle container or case of high impact strength and high breakage resistance while maintaining maximum structural strength. Also provided is a container where bottle rattling is reduced to a minimum.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bottle container having a long useful life as compared to the presently used cardboard containers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an economical container easily manufactured by presently existing processes and capable of being easily adapted to other desirable processes.

It is a still further object of this invention to provid a bottle container which is constructed of lightweight material while atfording maximum structural strength.

A further object is to provide in a preferred embodiment a plastic container having integral therewith top lids so designed as to afford together with the bottom case structure complete enclosure of the bottles.

A further object is to provide a plastic beverage bottle case which is adapted to be used in present loading methods with present loading equipment.

Another object is to provide a plastic beverage bottle case with sturdy partitions which will retain their shape and, therefore, minimizing difficulties encountered when inserting bottles into the container during bottling operations.

A still further object is to provide a top lid section which will easily open and lock securely closed.

Other important objects will become apparent upon a further reading of this disclosure.

The following description of the accompanying draw ings defines a preferred embodiment of this invention; this description is meant to illustrate, not limit, the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container of this invention in an open position.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a container of this invention in a closed position.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view of one form of the raised bottle receiving bottom portions of the case of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 of another form of a bottle receiving portion.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the raised bottle receiving bottom portion in a position resulting from a downward pressure on the container.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a case partition means of this invention. v

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 6 of a modified form of partition.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of another case partition means of this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of a section taken on line 3--3 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating partition means shown in FIGURE "6 when in locked position in the container.

FIGURE 10 is an end view, partially broken away, of the case as shown in FIGURE 2 but embodying integral partition means.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view of a further modification illustrating the partition means of FIGURE 8 when positioned in the container.

FIGURES 12 through 15 illustrate hinge mean structures that may be used at a point connecting the lids to the body of the container.

FIGURES 16 and 17 illustrate two modifications that can be made in the side lids and slot portions of the container.

Referring first to FIGURE-1, case or container 1 is constructed as a unit of a lightweight plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene or the like. The container as illustrated isa one-piece or unitized container having all the exterior component parts integral with each other. The container 1 comprises side structures 2 and front and

backstructures

6 and 7 integral with bottom structure 3 and top and side lid port-ions 16 and respectively. The entire structure as shown in FIGURE 1 may be molded in one piece. Positioned in the top portion of side wall structures 2 arelid receiving slots 8. The width of slots '8 are approximately the additive of the width of both top lid flaps 4 so that upon closing both lid flaps 4 will tightly fit into slots 8, thereby locking both lids in a closed position. Slots 8 can be constructed with a locking means which meshes with mating locking means integral with lid flap portions 4; for example, protruding portions may be extended fromthe inner peripheral portion of each slot whereby lid flaps 4 would be forced into and lock with said slot opening. Also, slots 8 can be horizontal apertures or depressions in the side walls 2 adapted to receive tabs which can be positioned on the inner side of side lids 5. Similar modifications are illustrated in the drawing in FIGURES 16 and 17 but many other modifications are within the scope of this invention. In the drawing, side lid portions 5 fit on the outer side of side portions 2 as shown in (FIGURE 2) when in a closed position. The lid portions are illustrated as in the preferred embodiment fitting on the outside of the container; however, it is within the scope of this invention to posi tion the lid portions 5 in such a manner that they fit when closed in contact with the inner side of side portions 2. While it is preferred to have side lids 5, it is within invention to use container without side lids 5. The lid portions 5 can have locking means, or the locking means can be incorporated on the sides of slot portions 8. Also, lids 16 may have provided therein depressions or projections which will mate with the bottom portions of adjacent containers when in a stacked position. Immediately below the lowest portions of side lids 5 are positioned hand openings 9 providing a convenient means for lifting and carrying container 1. Approximately midway down from side front and

back wall structures

2, 6 and 7 are positioned partition locks 10. Partition locks 10 may be positioned in the corner portions as shownin the drawing or may extend throughout the entire inner peripheral portion of the inside of

wall structures

2, 6 and 7. The partition locks 10 also may be positioned just on opposite side portions such as on the inner face of front and

back portions

6 and 7. The partitions snap over partition locks 10 and fit tightly below the lower portion of locks 10. The lid portions 4 are corrugated or swirled at their tops at knuckles 11 to impart a great degree of resistance to any longitudinal stress that may be imparted along the length of container 1. The lid flaps 4- taper into a flat plane edge at the bottom portions of lid flaps 4. This provides for maximum locking strength when lid flaps 4 are inserted into slots 8, while affording the greatest degree of resistance at the corrugated top portion or knuckles 11 of lid flap 4. Although this defined structure of lid flap 4 is preferred, it would not depart from the spirit of this invention to construct lid flap 4 with fiat surfaces both at the top and bottom portions. At the bottom of container 1 is situated bottom structure 3 having therein raised bottle supports 12 which extend up from the bottom of the container. This concept is extremely important in that bottle supports 12 provide a great degree of impact strength when the container 1 is dropped or stacked. The downward pressure exerted by the weight of the containing bottles plus the upward force, exerted when the case is dropped is absorbed by the raised bottle support 12 in such a manner that the bottles are exposed to a minimum degree of breakage. To insure stability of the bottle and to minimize movement, a lip 13 is extended upward from the inner peripheral portion of raised support 12. They bottle fits into and is contained within the sphere defined by this lip 13. This concept is more specifically illustrated in FIGURES 3 t0.5. Ex tending downward from and parallel with raised portions 12, and on an even plane with the bottom of the container, are depressed portions 14. It is critical to the concept of this invention that these downwardly extending portions 1 be positioned out of contact with the bottom face of the contained bottles. To impart a high degree of elasticity and corresponding absorbing quality to these depressed portions 14 apertures 15 are provided therein. These apertures are provided in the bottom of container 1 without minimizing breakage control in that the bottles are at a distance quite removed from apertures 15. Further, a resiliency property is accomplished capable of absorbing any impact without sacrificing strength or durability of the container. These depressed portions 14 are in juxtaposition with raised portions 12. It should be noted that there are numerous deviations of designs for raised portions 12 .and depressed portions 14; the drawing shows a preferred embodiment, many others can be used without departing from the spirit of this invention. T he critical concept of this invention is that the bottle be held above the ground level of the container (with a resilient downward extending adjacent portion to absorb any shock or impact upon the container). A further novel concept is that lip portion 13, upon a downward impact or pressure on the container 1, will lock the bottle in place, thereby preventing lateral movement. This concept will be further described in relation to FIGURE 5.'

FIGURE 2 illustrates the container 1 of this invention in a closed position. Knuckles 11 interlock so as to prevent sliding or slipping upon a longitudinal force being exerted upon the container. Lid flaps 4 lock into receiving slots 3 giving a two-fold effect of retaining the lids in a closed position and preventing any lateral distortion of the container upon a pressure thereon. Han-d grips 9 provide a convenient means for lifting and carrying container 1. The hand grip portion 9 may be constructed with outwardly extending ribs or projections (not shown in drawing) to afford a better gripping surface and for additional strength of the hand grip. It should be emphasized that the lid arrangement illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 are preferred embodiments of this invention; however, a lid having all straight surfaces and faces is within the scope of this invention. Also, it should be mentioned that top lid 16 may also be corrugated or swirled to impart a greater strength to the container if such ,increased strength is desired. Also, lids can be made with or without side lids 5. Corner'hinge portions 17 can be of any suitable configuration, some preferred hinge structures are illustrated in FIGURES 1214 of the drawings.

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate, in two forms, portions of the bottom portion of container 1 having raised bottle supports 12 and downwardly extending portions 14. Lip 13 extends around the upper peripheral portion of raised bottle support 12 and forms a snug compartment for receiving and holding a bottle 18. Partition member 19 is shaped to fit around the outer peripheral portion of .the container and the sides of the bottles.

1 less than the height of the container.

raised bottle support 12, or can be constructed as partition member 20 to fit on and rest on the upper portion of the lip 13. The arrangement of partitions 19 and 20 are preferred over partition 27 in that a greater degree of strength is imparted not only to the raised portion 12, but also to the entire container. Note that the peripheral portion or" bottom structure 3 is depressed so that the side area of the bottle 18 will be prevented from striking against front and

back walls

6 and 7 or side walls 2. Apertures are in the preferred embodiment positioned throughout depressed portions 14 to impart a greater degree of resiliency to the bottom portion 3 of the container 1.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the position of bottom portion 3 of container 1 when a downward force is exerted on container 1, such as for example when container 1 is dropped or stacked one on the other. Because of the novel construction of the container not only do depressed portions 14 absorb the downward impact, but the lips 13 cause a pinching effect on the bottle 18 lock supporting it at the moment of impact. This concept is invaluable in the prevention of bottle breakage. Also, because of this distortion shown in FIGURE 5, when the containers are stacked, a desirable gripping effect results by the bottom portion 3 of the container on the corresponding top portion 16 of the adjacent container. Because of this effect, sliding of containers off each other is held to a minimum.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate two types of partitions 26 that can be used with the container of this invention. The cross-sectional construction of these partitions are constructed to conform to the bottom circular raised portion of the container. The partition can be (as shown in FIG- URE 10) made integral with the container or can be made as a separate unit adapted to be inserted into and locked with container 1. Also, the bottom portion 3 can be integral with the partition rather than the container 1. It will be noted that portion 21 of the partition in the preferred embodiment fits around the peripheral portion of raised bottle rest 12 or on the top of lip 13 The portion 22 fits into the depressed portion of 14 of the bottom wall -or base of container 1. Side walls 23 of the partition fit adjacent the inner walls or sides of container 1 thereby affording a resilient buffer area between the side walls of This is again important to reducing any impact upon the contained bottle-s. Although the partitions are illustrated inthe drawing as extending along substantially the height of the contained bottles, it is conceivable that the height of the partitions may extend to any point up to the top of the container. Thus the partition height may be of any size Also, the bottom portion 3 may'be'integral with the partitions, thus providing for a bottom container portion which may be substantially open with only projections adapted to support a partition structure. The bottom portion of partition 19 can be wider at the bottom so as to encircle and enclose raised portions 12, and can extend inwardly beyond the lip 13 so as also to contact the outer peripheral portion of bottle 18. This modification is not illustrated in the drawing.

FIGURE 8 illustrates another type of partition means 27 that may be used in the container of this invention. It comprises a sheet of resilient material 24 having therein apertures 25 which are adapted to receive and surround the upper portion of the contained bottles as illustrated in FIGURE 11. The width of partition 27 may be greater than illustrated herein, and can for all practical purposes locked into container 1. Partition 26 fits under locks 10 and is tightly secured to the container 1. Locks 16 may .extend completely around the inner face of

sides

2, 6 and 7 or may be positioned in the corners or opposite sides only. Locks 10 may be constructed of any suitable resilithe complete container.

6 ent material allowing partition 26 to slip over and lock under it. Locks 10 are illustrated as being triangularshaped; however, other forms such as rounded protrusions or other angular protrusions may be used. A further modification is illustrated in FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 10 illustrates an embodiment in which partition means 40, having compartments 41 each with a raised bottom portion 42, is formed integrally with the case or container 1a.

FIGURE 11 illustrates partition 27 of FIGURE 8 when locked into container 1. A lock 10a is positioned on the inner face of side wall 6; lock 10a comprises a double protrusion member adapted to receive and lock between each protrusion partition member 27. It is also within the scope of this invention to have a tab extending from the sides of partition 27 and fitting into an aperture or groove in the inner face of the side wall 6. This modification is not illustrated in the drawing; those herein illustrated are the preferred embodiments.

FIGURES 12-14 illustrate various hinge portion configurations that can be used in the container of this invention. It should be mentioned that any suitable configuration for the hinge or fold portion may be used; but that illustrated in FIGURE 14 is preferred. The hinges may be constructed with outwardly projecting portions 17 (as illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 13, or may have inwardly projecting portions as shown in FIGURE 14.

FIGURES l6 and 17 illustrate two modifications that can be incorporated to increase the lock holding effect of lid flaps 4. This increased locking effect can be accomplished by imparting concave or

convex means

28 and 29 on the lid flap portions '4. Corresponding mating portions 30 and 31 are incorporated in the slot portion 8. Other means of locking such as side tab and corresponding wall aperture means can also be used.

There are. other modifications of the container of this invention other than those illustrated that are considered within the spirit of this invention. For example, the illustrated container can be adapted to hold smaller unit cartons such as the six-pack or the like. The container described in the drawing has twenty-four compartments for receiving bottles; larger or smaller capacities, such as forty-eight or twelve compartment containers, are certainly within the scope of this invention. Also a lid-less container or a container having smaller side lids which incorporate all the other features of this invention are modifications encompassed within this invention. The container height may also be reduced or increased to provide for smaller or larger bottles. The bottom raised portion may be constructed without lip portions if desired. Ribs .or corrugations can be provided in any unit part of the container to impart a greater strength to these parts or The top lid 16 can if desired have the same design as bottom 3 thereby affording protection to the contents when forces are exerted on the top lid, or projections can be positioned on the inner or/and other faces of top lid 16 to afford protection to the upper portion of the bottles. The sides of the container also may be supplied with impact absorbing means to absorb any pressure or impact imparted to the

side areas

2, 6 and 7. A further modification encompassed within this invention is a container having raised bottom portions used with rectangularly shaped partitions rather than the preferred circular shaped partitions. These above modifications are within the purview of this invention, but it is to be stressed that the drawings illustrate the preferred embodi- .ments of the present container.

In FIGURE 15 a preferred hinge structure is illustrated. The hinge basically comprises an end hinge having a

double bend

32 and 33 defining a first and a second step structure, a projection 35 extending upward from and integral to said second step structure and a projection 34 extending downward from an integral to said first step structure. When the lid is to be opened it is rotated about hinge 32 until it reaches a point where it is proceeding in a downward direction whereupon lid 4 comes in contact with upward projection 35. Projection 35 substantially prevents hinge 32 from flexing or rotating further. As further pressure is imparted to lid 4- this pressure is transferred through projection 35 to hinge 33 whereupon hinge 33 begins to rotate or flex until lid 4 is completely open. When lid 4 is closed, lid 4 is rotated about hinge 3.3 until projection 34 contacts the inner wall of the bent portion between

projections

34 and 35; when this occurs the pressure exerted on lid 4 is transferred through the side wall to hinge 32 which rotates or flexes until the lid is closed.

It can be appreciated that because of the plastic material composition much wear will occur at the hinge portion of a plastic container. The hinge above described and illustrated in FIGURE 15 is preferred above others in that it provides two hinge portions to absorb the flexing that ordinarily will be absorbed by only one hinge portion. Because of this two-fold absorbing effect, the overall usefullness of this container is at least doubled.

A preferred process of manufacturing the case of this invention is as follows: A mold is provided which is constructed as a hollow means defining on its inner portion the structure of the case of this invention. A moldable substance (such as polyethylene and the like) is heated to a point where it becomes flexible; this moldable substance is then formed into what is known as a parison. This resulting parison structure is in the shape of an extended tube-like means having an air or gas conduit extending substantially throughout its length. This parison is inserted into the mold, and the mold is completely closed off except for that portion receiving the parison; in effect this parison fills this receiving portion thereby efiecting a substantially completely enclosed mold. After the parison is inserted into the mold and a small gas inlet portion of the parison remains exposed to the atmosphere, air or a gas-like substance is forced into the parison via the conduit provided therein. The parison structure thereby is blown to a limit defined by the inner mold portion; the inner mold in this invention defines a substantially completely enclosed box-like structure having side and end walls, a bottom structure, and a raised peaked top cover means. The top cover means is formed as a structure having two centrally positioned peaks separated by a valley means. This structure is somewhat similar to an M-like configuration having the two end vertical lines distorted outwardly. The bottom most portion of the lid structure is connected to the side walls of the container forming a hinge structure defined in the drawings attached herewith. The material immediately above end walls and immediately below top lid 16 after later discussed cutting operation defines side lid structures.

The mold is then opened and the formed box-like structure is removed and prepared for cutting operations. A rectangular-shaped cut is effected extending down from the valley between the two top peaks to a point below the upper portion of end walls 2. This cut is effected longitudinally along the length of said box-like structure. The box-like structure now is out only lengthwise at its top portion.- Horizontal cuts are then effected extending from the end upper corners of the box to the rectangularshaped earlier provided cut. The peaked top structure will now be in two separate parts, each defining a lid structure, and each adapted to fit adjacent the side and end walls of the structure thereby defining atop portion substantially parallel to the bottom structure. The rectangularcut also forms (besides separating lid structure) slots 8 in the end walls of the container. In this process means can be included to form or mold partition means integral with the container itself.

Although specific features of the structures of this in vention have been given, it will be understood that this was done to illustrate, not limit, the invention. Various modifications and ramifications can be made in the structures of this invention by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure. These modifications are intended to be comprehended within the spirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. A moldable one-piece bottle container comprising an integral bottom structure, side Walls, end walls, and lid means which define a completely enclosed box like structure, said bottom port-ion integral with said side and end wall means and comprising a one-piece rectangular. structure having therein raised and depressed adjacent portions, said raised portions being of circular configuration and having at its upper portion substantially level bottle rests on a plane parallel with the plane of the bottom most portion of said bottom structure, said bottle rest portion of said structure supported by similarly circular vertical wall structures, said wall structures positioned between and connecting said bottle rest portion and said adjacently depressed portion, said depressed portions on a plane coextensive with the plane of the bottom most portion of said container and having positioned therein apertures extending from the interior of said container to the atmosphere, said depressed portions being positioned around the outer lower peripheral portion of said container, in area intermediate said wall portions and said raised bottle rest structures; said lid means comprising top and side lid structures, said top lid structures integral with and extending up from said side walls and having at its opposite open edge portion a downwardly extending flap portion,'said end walls having at their upper portion slot meansadapted to receive and lock therewith said flap portions of said lid structure, said flap portions having thereon locking means adapted when in a closed position to lock closed the entire upper portion of said container, said side lid structures extending down from and integral with said top lid structures and adapted to fit adjacent said end walls when in a closed position, said flap portions defining at its upper portion a plurality of outwardly and inwardly extending crests, and terminating at its lower portions in a straight line.

2. The container of claim 1 having therewith a partition means, said partition means comprising a plurality of tubular-like upstanding members interconnected by means extending from one tubular member to the other, the inner bottom peripheral portion of said tubular member contacting said raised bottle rest portion of said bottom structure and thereby defining a bottle receiving chamber having substantially closed bottom and side portions and a resulting open top portion.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein the tubular-like upstanding members are of octagonal shaped cross-sec tional configuration.

4. The container defined in claim 2 wherein the inner bottom peripheral portion of said tubular members fit around and over the outer peripheral portions of said raised bottle rests.

5. The container defined in claim 2 wherein the lowest edge of the peripheral portion of said tubular members fit on and are coextensive with the upper edge of the peripheral portion of said raised bottle rests.

6. The container defined in claim 2 wherein the partition means is integral with and permanently secured to said container.

7. The container defined in claim 2 wherein the partition means is reniovably connected to the inner portion of said container.

8. The container of claim 1 having therewith a partition means, said partition means comprising an apertured sheet, said apertures in vertical alignment with the raised bottle rest structures on the bottom of said container and adapted to receive, separate and encircle the upper portion of a contained bottle.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein there are positioned in the inner wall of at least two wall structures partition locking means.

10. The container of claim 1 wherein there are .positioned on the inner peripheral portion of said raised supports upwardly extending lips coextensive with and attached to said raised supports.

11. A moldable, one-piece bottle container comprising unitary bottom, side, and end walls which define a straight-sided box-like structure, said bottom portion comprising in spaced relationship a plurality of raised bottle rest structures in register with a corresponding plurality of depressed adjacent portions, each of said depressed portions defining downwardly extending areas between adjacent raised bottle rests, said raised bottle rests comprising in their upper portions horizontal supports substantially parallel to the plane of the bottommost portion of the container and integrally connected to said bottom portion by substantially vertically extending means which support said horizontal supports, said adjacent depressed portions constituting a plane bottom for said container and being positioned around the outer lower peripheral portion of said container in an area intermediate said wall portions and said raised bottle rest structures, said container having integral with at least two opposite wall portions top lid means permanently attached thereto and adapted to substantially enclose the entire top portion of said container, each of said top lid means having at its end peripheral portions, downwardly extending side lids and having along its free side a downwardly extending top lid flap, said side lids being positioned when said top lids are closed in direct contact with the end walls of said container, said container further having in the upper edge of each end Wall a slot, said slots being substantially equal in width to the additive thickness of said top lid flaps, and said top lid flaps being 10 adapted to fit into and lock in said slots when said top lids are closed.

12. The container of claim 11 wherein both of said top lid flaps at their uppermost sections define a plurality of outwardly and inwardly extending crests, each of said flaps adapted to lock with the other when in a closed position. I

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 942,966 12/1909 Kruse 220-21 966,259 8/1910 Sochurek 220-21 2,418,248 4/ 1947 Denton 229- 2,526,129 10/1950 Groesbeck et al 16-150 2,553,751 5/1951 Courtade 220-21 2,560,847 7/1951 Chaplin 229-25 2,592,411 4/1952 Fronhnapel 16-150 2,743,030 4/1956 Read 220-21 2,844,244 7/ 1958 Hanson 206-17 2,935,221 5/1960 Mitchell et al. 220-21 2,935,222 5/ 1960 OConnell 220-21 2,935,764 5/1960 Mason 18-55 2,951,264 9/1960 Bailey 18-55 2,970,715 2/1961 Kappel et al. 220-21 2,971,685 2/1961 Treida 229-25 2,979,222 4/ 1961 Levine 220-21 FOREIGN PATENTS 115,208 10/ 1945 Sweden.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

Claims

1. A MOLDABLE ONE-PIECE BOTTLE CONTAINER COMPRISING AN INTEGRAL BOTTOM STRUCTURE, SIDE WALLS, END WALLS, AND LID MEANS WHICH DEFINE A COMPLETELY ENCLOSED BOX LIKE STRUCTURE, SAID BOTTOM PORTION INTEGRAL WITH SAID SIDE AND END WALL MEANS AND COMPRISING A ONE-PIECE RECTANGULAR STRUCTURE HAVING THEREIN RAISED AND DEPRESSED ADJACENT PORTIONS, SAID RAISED PORTIONS BEING OF CIRCULAR CONFIGURATION AND HAVING AT ITS UPPER PORTION SUBSTANTIALLY LEVEL BOTTLE RESTS ON A PLANE PARALLEL WITH THE PLANE OF THE BOTTOM MOST PORTION OF SAID BOTTOM STRUCTURE, SAID BOTTLE REST PORTION OF SAID STRUCTURE SUPPORTED BY SIMILARLY CIRCULAR VERTICAL WALL STRUCTURES, SAID WALL STRUCTURES POSITIONED BETWEEN AND CONNECTING SAID BOTTLE REST PORTION AND SAID ADJACENTLY DEPRESSED PORTION, SAID DEPRESSED PORTIONS ON A PLANE COEXTENSIVE WITH THE PLANE OF THE BOTTOM MOST PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER AND HAVING POSITIONED THEREIN APERTURES EXTENDING FROM THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER TO THE ATMOSPHERE, SAID DEPRESSED PORTIONS BEING POSITIONED AROUND THE OUTER LOWER PERIPHERAL PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER IN AREA INTERMEDIATE SAID WALL PORTIONS AND SAID RAISED BOTTLE REST STRUCTURES; SAID LID MEANS COMPRISING TOP AND SIDE LID STRUCTURES, SAID TOP LID STRUCTURES INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING UP FROM SAID SIDE WALLS AND HAVING AT ITS OPPOSITE OPEN EDGE PORTION A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING FLAP PORTION, SAID END WALLS HAVING AT THEIR UPPER PORTION SLOT MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND LOCK THEREWITH SAID FLAP PORTIONS OF SAID LID STRUCTURE, SAID FLAP PORTIONS HAVING THEREON LOCKING CLOSED THE ENTIRE UPPER PORTION OF SAID POSITION TO LOCK CLOSED THE ENTIRE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID SIDE LID STRUCTURES EXTENDING DOWN FROM AND INTEGRAL WITH SAID TOP LID STRUCTURES AND ADAPTED TO FIT ADJACENT SAID END WALLS WHEN IN A CLOSED POSITION, SAID FLAP PORTIONS DEFINING AT ITS UPPER PORTION A PLURALITY OF OUTWARDLY AND INWARDLY EXTENDING CRESTS, AND TERMINATING AT ITS LOWER PORTIONS IN A STRAIGHT LINE.