Protective carton

Abstract

An improved cushioning structure for a rectangular paperboard carton adapted to hold fragile particles such as an electronic vacuum tube, and blank for making same, wherein a cushioning section is provided which extends substantially the entire length of the carton and has three transverse cuts therein extending partially therethrough which define an upper, middle and lower web members as well as a tube support member which are defined by staggered fold lines which allow the cushioning section to be folded and extend between opposite walls of the carton on either side of those two opposite panels to receive and cushion the article. The tube support member extends across the middle of the carton to position the tube vertically within the carton.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a one-piece carton for shipping and storing fragile articles, said carton made from foldable paperboard or similar sheet-like material and having four side wall panels rectangularly arranged to form an elongated tube and having top and bottom sets of closure flaps for closing the ends of said carton, improved means within said carton for holding said fragile article, said improved means comprising the following: a cushioning section made from said material and extending between two opposite panels of said four side wall panels, said section extending substantially the length of said carton;   said cushioning section having an upper web member extending between said two opposite panels near one lateral side of said two panels;   said cushioning section also having a middle web member extending generally parallel to said upper web member but positioned below said upper web member and near the opposite lateral side of said two panels;   a lower web member beneath said middle web member and positioned in alignment with said upper web member;   .[.a tube supporting fourth web positioned below said lower web member and extending between said two opposite panels near the center thereof;.].   said members .[.and said fourth web.]. connecting in said cushioning section to elongated glue sections connected adjacent to respective opposite lateral edges of said two opposite panels.   
     
     
       2. The carton of claim 1, including fold lines near the center of said upper, middle and lower web members to allow lateral deflection tpo accommodate said article. 
     
     
       3. The carton of claim 1, wherein said upper, middle and lower web members each have a top edge formed in a shallow recessed curve. 
     
     
       4. A one-piece blank made from foldable paperboard or similar sheet-like material and adapted to be erected into a carton for storing and shipping a fragile article, said blank comprising: four substantially rectangular side wall panels hingedly connected to one another along three parallel vertical fold lines, said four side walls together having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed vertical lateral edges extending parallel to said fold lines;   a substantially rectangular cushioning section made from said material and hingedly attached along a first of said lateral edges to a first of said side wall panels, said section having an outside lateral edge parallel to said first lateral edge;   end closure flaps hingedly attached to certain of said side walls and said cushioning section along said top and bottom edges thereof;   said cushioning section having formed therein first and second die cut elongated openings extending perpendicular to said lateral edges, said elongated openings extending to within a first predetermined distance of said first lateral edge and a second predetermined distance of said outside lateral edge of said cushioning section;   a third elongated opening parallel to said first and second openings and positioned near the bottom of said cushioning section, said third opening thereby defining with said first and second elongated openings three cushioning web members .[.and a tube supporting fourth web, said fourth web positioned at the bottom of said cushioning section.].;   said .[.third.]. .Iadd.three .Iaddend.cushioning members arranged as a top web member, .Iadd.a middle web member, .Iaddend.and a lower web member;   said upper and lower web members each having first vertical fold lines formed therein, said third fold lines being co-linear and spaced from said outer edge;   said upper and lower web members also each having second vertical fold lines formed therein, said second fold lines being co-linear and spaced from said first lateral edge beyond the end of said first and second openings; .Iadd.and.Iaddend.   said middle web member having a vertical fold line formed therein at the end of said first and second openings adjacent said first lateral edge and a second vertical fold line spaced inwardly from said first fold lines in said upper and lower web members .[.;.]..Iadd...Iaddend.   .[.said fourth web having two vertical fold lines formed therein and spaced from each other within the lengthwise extent of said third elongated opening..].   
     
     
       5. The blank of claim 4, wherein said elongated openings are defined by top and bottom edges and at least one of said .[.top.]. .Iadd.bottom .Iaddend.edges includes a shallow recessed curve portion.  .Iadd. 6. The carton of claim 1, including a tube supporting fourth web positioned below said lower web member and extending between said two opposite panels near the center thereof, said fourth web also connecting in said cushioning section to said elongated glue sections..Iaddend..Iadd. 7. The blank of claim 4, including a tube supporting fourth web positioned at the bottom of said cushioning section, said fourth web having two vertical fold lines formed therein and spaced from each other within the lengthwise extent of said third elongated opening..Iaddend.