US3739905A

US3739905A - Connection device for containers and the like

Info

Publication number: US3739905A
Application number: US00169324A
Authority: US
Inventors: James Ward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-08-05
Filing date: 1971-08-05
Publication date: 1973-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-19

Abstract

A connection device is provided, carried by one member, such that, upon insertion into an opening of another member, the device expands outwardly such that it is wedges against extraction, but with the device being adapted such that, upon actuation of a release member, a transverse size reduction is effected, permitting removal of the one member from the opening, with the connection device also passing through the opening of the other member, along with the one member. Particularly, a closure for containers is provided, with the closure having side portions of folded link-like construction, adapted, when inserted into the container opening, for transverse or lateral expansion, to wedge against a diverging opening wall.

Description

United States Patent [191 Ward [ CONNECTION DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE [76] Inventor: James s. Ward, 1902A Plymouth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19138 [22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. N0.: 169,324

[52] U.S. CL... 206/46 FR, 206/46 FC, 206/46 FN,

206/DIG. l1, 229/8, 229/23 RT [51] Int. Cl. B65d 13/00, B65d 85/00 [58] Field of Search 206/46 R, 46 FC,

206/46 FR, 46 FN, DIG. 11; 220/42 B; 229/8, 14 C, 14 R, 23 R, 23 HT [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,853,223 9/1958 Paflas 229/14 R 3,047,137 7/1962 Kindseth 229/14 C. 3,119,541 1/1964 Lynn 220/42 B 1,840,677 1/1932 Miessler 229/14 C 3,498,520 3/1970 Zumpel et a1 229/8 2,160,816 6/1939 Barnes 229/14 C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 652,074 1/1963 Italy 229/8 June 19, 1973 Primary ExaminerSamuel B. Rothberg Assistant ExaminerSt even E. Lipman Attorney-Henry N. Paul, Jr., Wallace D. Newcomb, Austin R. Miller, et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A connection device is provided, carried by one member, such that, upon insertion into an opening of another member, the device expands outwardly such that it is wedges against extraction, but with the device being adapted such that, upon actuation of a release member, a transverse size reduction is effected, permitting removal of the one member from the opening, with the connection device also passing through the opening of the other member, along with the one member. Particularly, a closure for containers is provided, with the closure having side portions of folded link-like construction, adapted, when inserted into the container opening, for transverse or lateral expansion, to wedge against a diverging opening wall.

20 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIED JUN 9 i973 SIEHIUFZ LNVENTOR James 5. Word BY v PATENTEI] J!!!" 9575 smear:

INVENTOR.

James 8. Ward M v- Ww ATTORNEYS.

CONNECTION DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While various container and closure arrangements are present in the prior art, as well as various general connection devices for members other than containers, it is believed that the art lacks any teaching of a connection device of the type disclosed herein, adapted for use in connecting other members, but particularly adapted for use in connecting container closures to containers, that permits as effective a connection by means as simple, and as easily releasable with minimal force application, as does the device of the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toward providing a connection device for members to be connected together, wherein one such member is provided with a peripherally enlargeable skirt adapted for wedging engagement internally of another such member, with the facility being provided for contracting the periphery of such such skirt for withdrawal of that member having the skirt from an opening of the other member. The invention is particularly adaptable for containers and closures.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel connection device for members that are desired to be connected together, wherein such device permits secure connections, but which is readily releasable upon performing a simple release function.

It is a further object of this invention to provide the object recited immediately above, wherein the items to be connected are a container and a closure therefor.

It is a further object of this invention to accomplish either of the objects set forth immediately above, wherein the connection device comprises an expansible member insertable into a diverging opening of another member, for expansion while in the other member into 4 wedging engagement therein.

It is a further object of this invention to accomplish the objects set forth immediately above, wherein the member that is inserted comprises a plurality of hingedly connected panels.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel container and closure combination.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel container and closure combination, that is of the child-safe type, for preventing undesired opening of containers as for example, of the pill-containing type.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel shipping container.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following brief descriptions of the drawing figures, detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments,'and the appended claims.

IN THE DRAWINGS wherein essential portions of the container, closure and bottle contained therein (illustrated in phantom) are clearly shown.

FIG. 4 is a view generally similar to that of FIG. 3, but with the closure withdrawn from the container opening as indicated by the arrows in the illustration of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through an alternative embodiment of a container, closure, and article contained therein combination of this invention, wherein the container, closure and article are particularly constructed for providing a child-safe pill container.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partially exploded perspective view, with portions broken away for the sake of clarity, of the combination illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a shipping container embodying the closure connection device of this invention, with portions being illustrated in phantom, as will be discussed herein below.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken generally along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG. 1, wherein a combination 10 is illustrated as comprising a container member 11, a closure member 12, and an article 13 disposed therein.

The container member 11, like the closure member 12, is of folded cardboard, paperboard, or like construction, although any similar material may be utilized, if desired. The article 12 is a bottle that comes packaged in the container 11, such as a medicine bottle, a liquor bottle, or the like.

The container member 11 comprises a plurality of generally

triangular panels

14, 15, 16 and 17, connected together along fold lines such as that 18. One of the

panels

14, 15, 16 and 17 may include a glue seam, if desired (not shown), or the container 11 may be constructed in any other suitable manner, such not being pertinent to the invention herein, so the same will not be discussed in detail herein, either with respect to the container 11, or with respect to various other members disclosed herein.

A decorative element 20 may be provided, at the upper end of the container 11, if desired.

A plurality of substantially identical regular trapezoidal panels 21 may be foldably connected to the

panels

14, 15, 16 and 17, along fold lines 22, with the panels 21 each defining at its lower end, a generally rectangular (square if desired) opening 22 at the lower end thereof, such opening 22 being of a given size as illustrated in FIG. 4 between lower ends of panels 21, and progressing with increased distance inwardly of the opening 22, in diverging relation, to a greatest transverse cross-sectional size, at a distance inwardly of the opening 22 commensurate with the upper ends of the panels 21, at the fold lines 22. Accordingly, the opening 22 diverges inwardly to form inner walls 23 of the container member that progress, for a certain distance measured inwardly of the opening 22, to an expanded transverse cross-sectional size.

The closure 12 comprises a closure member or panel 24, and a plurality of securing means 25, 26, 27, 28, disposed about the periphery of the panel 24, to correspond with the number of panels 21 of the container member 11, in a manner that will be explained herein after. Each of the members 25, 26,: 27 and 28 com.- prises a first panel 30, hingedly connected to the panel 24 along a fold line 31, and tenninating at its upper end in a fold line 32, and comprising a first link element, having connected thereto along the fold line 32, a second link element 33, that is shorter as measured vertically in FIG. 4 than the panel 30, and which terminates at its end opposite the fold line 32, in another fold line 34, to which is foldably connected a third link element or panel 35. The panel 35 terminates in a fold line 36, to which is connected a release element or panel 37. It will be noted that the panel 37 is shown as connecting all such panels 35, although any suitable device may be utilized. The panel 37 is termed a release member, in that the same facilitates manual engagement, as by engaging a strap or thread 38 connected to the panel 37 and carried thereby, for downward movement of the same in the direction of the arrow 40 of FIG. 4, for separating the panel 37 from the panel 24, and achieving the flattened or contracted position of the

securing means

25, 26, 27 and28, illustrated in full lines in FIG. 4.

In assembling the combination illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottle 13 is placed on the panel 24, and the securing means 25, 26, 27 and 28 are contracted from the position for the closure 12 illustrated in FIG. 2, to that illustrated in FIG. 4, and the bottle 13 with the skirt formed by the four sets of elements 30, 33 and 35 disposed about the periphery of the panel 24 are inserted through the opening 22 of the container member 11, and the

panels

24 and 37 are brought into adjacent contact, thereby allowing transverse expansion of the securing means 25, 26, 27 and 28, by allowing their panel elements 35 each to expand outwardly to engagement with an adjacent container inner wall 23, with each panel 33 engaging the upper end of an associated said inner wall 23 at an angle substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3, slightly in excess of 90 included angle between the inner wall 23 and the panel 33, and with each corner or fold line 32 at the opposite end of associated said panels 33, being in abutting engagement against the side of a bottle 13, as illustrated in FIG. 3, such that the bottle 13 forms a stop against inward movement of the linkage formed by the panels 30, 33 and 35, that may otherwise permit inward folding of the panels for clearance outwardly through the opening 22. It will thus be seen, that with the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3, the closure is securely fastened across the container, with the several securing means 25,26, 27 and 28 in wedged engagement against diverging inner wall portions 23 thereof, with stops (in the instance illustrated in FIG. 3 such stops comprise the sidewall of the bottle 13) preventing a release of such wedging engagement. If it is desired to remove the bottle 13 from the container 11, one would merely grasp the tab 38 carried by the release member 37, and pull the same downwardly in the direction of the arrow 40 of FIG. 4, for separating the

panels

37 and 24, as illustrated in FIG. 4, which in turn, would flatten the panels 33 and 35, against the panel 30, as illustrated in FIG. 4,

thereby contracting the several securing means 25, 26, 27 and 28, transversely, to permit removal of the container 11 thereover, in a direction of the

arrows

41 and 42 of FIG. 4.

It will be seen that the arrangement illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is particularly adapted for medicine bottles, liquor bottles and the like, in the latter instance, such containers 11 being adapted for decoration or the like, for ornamental purposes, as desired.

It will further be apparent that any number of such securing means 25, 26, 27 and 28 may be utilized, such as two, or even one, if desired, or even more, such as eight, arranged around an octagonal configuration for a closure panel. Moreover, a great number such as 20 or 30 such securing means may be utilized, arranged around a generally circular configuration for a closure panel, if desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings in de- I tail, it will be noted that another container assembly 45 is illustrated, comprising a container member 46, generally of one piece molded plastic construction, and having a closure generally designated by the numeral 47 disposed in the upper end thereof, with an article 48 contained therein, the article 48 being itself a container for pills or the like. The container 46 includes an opening 50 of a given depth, terminating at an opening lower end 51, at which commences an inwardly diverging inner wall 52, preferably of each of the four sides of the container illustrated. The container 46 is also provided with integrally molded

lateral supports

53 and 54, and with a bottom cushioning support 55, for maintaining position of the article 48 therein.

The closure 47 is provided with a closure panel 56, for disposition across the lower end of the opening 50, as illustrated in FIG. 6, and has a pair of

securing means

57 and 58, at opposite sides thereof, between which is connected a release member 60. The closure 47 is of one-piece molded construction, preferably of a rubber or rubber-like material, although certain types of plastics may also be suitable, as desired. Each securing means 57 and 58 is provided with three foldably connected

panel elements

61, 62 and 63, connected together and to the release member 60 and to the closure panel 56, along

fold lines

64, 65, 66 and 67, for transverse outward expansion inwardly of the container 46, for wedging engagement against wall panel portions 52, and with the article 48 providing a stop against the innermost ends of link panel element 62 and against link panel element 63, as illustrated in FIG. 5, to prevent inward movement of the same for removal of the closure 47 through the opening 50, unless the release member 60 is actuated in the following manner. When it is desired to remove the closure 47 from the container 46, the thumb of a user will be disposed over a recess 68, and pressed therein, to create a slight partial vacuum or suction, whereby an upward lifting of the thumb, creating such partial vacuum or suction, will cause the release member 60 to be spaced from the closure panel 56, with link panel elements 61 sliding along inner wall surfaces 52, in the same general manner as that which panel link elements 35 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 slide downwardly relative to the inner wall 23, upon downward movement of the release member 37 in the direction of the arrow 40 thereof.

When the panels or link elements 61 and 62 are flattened against associated panel link elements 63, the securing means 57 and 58 will pass through the opening 50, permitting access to the container article 48, for removal of pills or the like therefrom. It will be noted that very little upward force need be generated in order to permit relative sliding movement between link elements 61 and associated inner wall portions 52, such be adapted to being provided by the slight amount of suction generated by the thumb of a user engaged in the manner aforesaid with the recess 68 in the soft rubber release element 60. It will further be noted that the size of the recess 68 is constructed to accommodate the thumb of an adult, rather than that of a child, such that, the smaller thumb of a child could not encompass, or be placed entirely over the recess 68, to generate sufficient suction for removal of the closure 47 from the container 4l6, and consequently, could not have access to pills or other items contained within the article 48, or even within the container 46.

I With reference to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated, as comprising a shipping container 75, of cardboard, paperboard, or like construction, and preferably of heavy cardboard. The container 75 is generally tubular in configuration, having flaps 76 at opposite ends thereof, associated with each wall 77 of the container 75, and comprising

panels

78, 80 and 81, foldably connected along

fold lines

82, 83 and 84, and secured in position by suitable means, such as a metal staple 85, associated with each said flap 76. Thus, diverging inner wall portions 86, extending inwardly from openings 87 in the container 75 are provided, generally similar to the diverging

inner walls

23 and 52 of the above-discussed embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively.

A pair of

closures

88 and 90 are provided, at opposite ends of the tubular container 75, each having a closure panel member 91, and a release panel member 92, and a plurality of securing means 93 of the folded link element type, generally similar to those 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, in construction, and in operation. Accordingly, the functions of the securing means 93 will not be herein repeated.

Each of the

closures

88 and 90 are provided, in their release members 92, with an actuation means 89, which, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 is in the form of a hole in the release panel 92, for access by a packer or the like by placing a finger therein, for disposition between

panels

92 and 91, for example, for engagement behind panel 92, for upward movement of the same as illustrated in the direction of the arrow 94 of FIG. 7, to transversely contract the securing means 93 as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 7, for the removal of closures such as those 88 and 90 from the container 75. It will be noted that the article contained within the container 75 is another container 95, also of cardboard or like construction, and also which facilitates the provision of a stop for further facilitating the wedging of the securing means 93, preventing inward movement of the securing means 93 for undesirable outward passage through openings 87, unless the release panel 92 is first separated from the closure panel 91, as aforesaid. It will further be noted, that if desired, a plurality of stops 96 (illustrated in phantom in FIG. 7) may be utilized, if an article such as the inner container 95 is not desired, as for example, if the container 75 were to be filled with a fungible material such as sawdust or the like. In that instance, the stops 96 would prevent excessive inner placement of the

closures

88 and 90, relative to the openings 87, by engagement with innermost link elements of the securing means 93, as illustrated in FIG. 7. It will further be noted that the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7 is particularly adapted for transport of furniture and the like, as illustrated by the article 95 actually being another container within the container 75, which in turn, contains a chair 97 illustrated in phantom therein, for purposes of example only. By

using the shipping container in this fashion, items I such as chairs 97, or other furniture, or even entirely different types of articles may be safely shipped without damage, due to the spacings that provide protective zones between the walls of the container 75, and that of the inner container 95 disposed therein, but yet access to the inner container 95 may readily be effected by removal of one or more of the closures 88 and in the. manner aforesaid. It will further be noted that shipping containers of the type described above may be reusable, and may be constructed with closures at one or both ends, as desired.

The above container assemblies are illustrated as examples only of the use of securing means of the type described herein, but it will be apparent that various other items or members may be adapted to be secured together in the same general fashion, such as the securing of distributor caps to distributors, or any other securing or connection desirable between members to be connected. Accordingly, it will be apparent that various modifications may be made in the details of construction, as well as in the use and operation of the device of this invention, all within the spirit and scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container and closure combination comprising a container member having an opening at one end thereof, said opening diverging from one transverse size at the mouth thereof and progressing to a greater transverse size at a location spaced longitudinally internally of said container from said mouth, a closure for said opening, said closure having wedging means at the periphery thereof movable between positions sized'for passage through said opening and for precluding passage of said wedging means through said opening, and selectively operable means connected to said wedging means for selectively contracting said wedging means from a transversely expanded condition in engagement against said diverging opening of said container, internally thereof, to a transversely contracted condition permitting passage through said opening, with said wedging means each comprising a plurality of panels connected in hingelike fashion.

2. The combination comprising two members to be secured together and a means for securing said two members together to withstand great separating forces unless the securing means is released in a prescribed manner, said securing means being carried by one of said members and in internal engagement against an inner wall of the other said member in an opening thereof upon longitudinal movement of said members together, said inner wall being of a first transverse cross-section size at the opening of said other member and progressing to a greater transverse cross-sectional size internally of said opening, said securing means comprising a first link element carried by said one member and extending generally longitudinally into said other member when the members are secured together with said one member disposed transversely across the opening of said other member, a second link element in hinge-like connection to said first element at one end and extending away from said first element toward an adjacent said greater transverse crosssectional portion of said inner wall of said other member when the members are secured together and with an opposite end of said second link element in abutment against said adjacent portion of said inner wall, and a third link element having one end in hinge-like connection to said opposite end of said second element and extending along said inner wall of said other member from said portion of greater transverse crosssectional size to said opening when the members are secured together, with the opposite end of said third element being in hinge-like connection to a release member at said opening, with said internally extending end of said first link element being adapted to be restrained against transverse movement away from said inner wall portion and with said one member being adapted to be restrained against undesirable internal movement into said opening, and with said link elements forming a linkage internally of said other member of greater transverse cross-sectional size than the opening of said other member for facilitating wedging engagement between said securing means and said inner-wall upon longitudinal outward movement of said one member relative to said opening, said release member being adapted for longitudinal movement relative to said one member to provide means, when actuated by said longitudinal movement, for sliding said third link element relative to said inner wall of said one member and for pivoting said opposite end of said second link element toward said first link element an amount sufficient to collapse said linkage for withdrawal of said linkage longitudinally through said opening.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said one and other members comprise respectively, a container closure and a container for which the closure is adapted for closing an open end thereof, and including an article disposed in said container in the combination comprising means for engaging said first link element and restraining said first link element against transverse movement away from said inner wall portion of said container, and comprising means for restraining said closure against undesirable internal movement into said container opening.

4. The combination of claim 2, wherein a plurality of said securing means are provided, carried at a respectively associated plurality of locations about the periphery of said one member.

5. The combination of claim 2, wherein said one and other members comprise respectively, a container closure and a container for which the closure is adapted for closing an open end thereof, wherein a plurality of said securing means are provided, carried at a respectively associated plurality of locations about the periphery of said one member, wherein said container opening is at the bottom thereof, and wherein said release member is provided with actuation means carried thereby.

6. The container and closure combination of claim 5, wherein each of said container and closure are of folded paperboard construction, with said hinge-like connections comprising fold lines.

7. The container and closure combination of claim 6, wherein there are four said securing means arranged about the periphery of a rectangular said closure.

8. The container and closure combination of claim 6, wherein said release member is disposed subjacent said closure, in spanning relationship to third link elements of said securing means.

9. The combination of claim 2, wherein said one and other members comprise respectively, a container closure and a container for which the closure is adapted for closing an open end thereof, wherein a plurality of said securing means are provided, carried at a respectively associated plurality of locations about the periphery of said one member, wherein said container opening is at the top thereof, and wherein said release member is provided with actuation means carried thereby.

10. The container and closure combination of claim 9, wherein said closure, release member and link elements comprise a one-piece molded rubber-like member.

11. The container and closure combination of claim 10, wherein said actuation means comprises a concave indentation in an upper surface of said release member adapted to be engaged by the thumb of a user for generation of suction to comprise means for actuating said release member by lifting the same.

12. The container and closure combination of claim 9, wherein said container is of one-piece molded plastic construction.

13. The container and closure combination of claim 9, including an article disposed in said container in the combination, comprising means for engaging each said first link element and restraining each said first link element against transverse movement away from an associated said inner wall portion of said container, and comprising means for restraining said closure against undesirable internal movement into said container opening.

14. The container and closure combination of claim 13, wherein said article also comprises a container.

15. The combination of claim 2, wherein said one and other members comprise respectively, a container closure and a container for which the closure is adapted for closing an open end thereof, wherein a plurality of said securing means are provided, carried at a respectively associated plurality of locations about the periphery of said one member, wherein each of said container and closure are of folded paperboard construction, with said hinge-like connections comprising fold lines.

16. The container and closure combination of claim 15, wherein said container comprises a tubular member having at least one open end, having a plurality of end flaps folded inwardly thereof, to form connected panels, each triangular in cross-section, and means fastening said end flaps in triangular cross-sectional-configuration therein, with one said panel of each said flap comprising said container inner wall.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein opposite longitudinal ends of said tubular member are of substantially identical construction, with substantially identical closure members being provided for each said end.

nal movement of said closure thereunto.

II! i l t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 1 Patent N 3,739,905 v Da June 19, 1973 lnventm-(s) James S. Ward It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Abstract,line 4 "wedges" should be wed'ged-.

Column 8 line 16 should be --11--.

Column 8 line 19 '9 should be --ll--.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of January l97 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. I RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer 7 Acting Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A container and closure combination comprising a container memBer having an opening at one end thereof, said opening diverging from one transverse size at the mouth thereof and progressing to a greater transverse size at a location spaced longitudinally internally of said container from said mouth, a closure for said opening, said closure having wedging means at the periphery thereof movable between positions sized for passage through said opening and for precluding passage of said wedging means through said opening, and selectively operable means connected to said wedging means for selectively contracting said wedging means from a transversely expanded condition in engagement against said diverging opening of said container, internally thereof, to a transversely contracted condition permitting passage through said opening, with said wedging means each comprising a plurality of panels connected in hinge-like fashion.

2. The combination comprising two members to be secured together and a means for securing said two members together to withstand great separating forces unless the securing means is released in a prescribed manner, said securing means being carried by one of said members and in internal engagement against an inner wall of the other said member in an opening thereof upon longitudinal movement of said members together, said inner wall being of a first transverse cross-section size at the opening of said other member and progressing to a greater transverse cross-sectional size internally of said opening, said securing means comprising a first link element carried by said one member and extending generally longitudinally into said other member when the members are secured together with said one member disposed transversely across the opening of said other member, a second link element in hinge-like connection to said first element at one end and extending away from said first element toward an adjacent said greater transverse cross-sectional portion of said inner wall of said other member when the members are secured together and with an opposite end of said second link element in abutment against said adjacent portion of said inner wall, and a third link element having one end in hinge-like connection to said opposite end of said second element and extending along said inner wall of said other member from said portion of greater transverse cross-sectional size to said opening when the members are secured together, with the opposite end of said third element being in hinge-like connection to a release member at said opening, with said internally extending end of said first link element being adapted to be restrained against transverse movement away from said inner wall portion and with said one member being adapted to be restrained against undesirable internal movement into said opening, and with said link elements forming a linkage internally of said other member of greater transverse cross-sectional size than the opening of said other member for facilitating wedging engagement between said securing means and said inner wall upon longitudinal outward movement of said one member relative to said opening, said release member being adapted for longitudinal movement relative to said one member to provide means, when actuated by said longitudinal movement, for sliding said third link element relative to said inner wall of said one member and for pivoting said opposite end of said second link element toward said first link element an amount sufficient to collapse said linkage for withdrawal of said linkage longitudinally through said opening.

16. The container and closure combination of claim 15, wherein said container comprises a tubular member having at least one open end, having a plurality of end flaps folded inwardly thereof, to form connected panels, each triangular in cross-section, and means fastening said end flaps in triangular cross-sectional configuration therein, with one said panel of each said flap comprising said container inner wall.

18. The combination of claIm 17, including an article disposed in said container in the combination, comprising means for engaging each said first link element and restraining each said first link element against transverse movement away from associated said inner wall portions of said container, and comprising means for restraining each said closure against undesirable internal movement into said container.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein said article also comprises a container, having another article contained therein.

20. The combination of claim 16, including stop means mounted inside said container for limiting internal movement of said closure thereunto.