US2231982A - Collapsible filler - Google Patents

Description

Fb. 18, 1941. Pi zALKlND 2,231,982

` n coLnAPsILE FILLE!! Find p1-11 zo, 195e samen-shut 1 ATTORNEY.

nzALKlND 24,231,982 4 COLLAPSIBLE FILLER Feb. 1s,'\1941.

Filed Apr-11 2o, 19:56 5 sheets-Sgm 2 .INVNOR Y Philip algma' y BW MW ATTORNEY.

Feb. 18, 1941. P. zALKlND 2,231,982

COLLAPSIBLE FILLEK 4 rma Apui 2m. 15556 s sheetpshuz 4 INVENTOR. dhlz Zal/find L ATTORNEY.

Feb; 1s, 1941. i. ZALKIND COLLAPSIBLE FILLE! Filed April 20. 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

t riesca rea-1s, 1941 UNiTED STAT Es PATENT OFFICE u comsiszlizmma i Philip Zalkind. New York, N. Y y APPlilon April 2., 19.33, Sellll NO, '(5,314 2 Claims. (Cl. 229-14) My invention relates to novel-heat insulation' members, and more particularly to collapsible members of sheet material adaptable for use with casings, wherein it is desired to control or main- 6 tain temperature, and exclude or conserve heat.

My invention comprises novel combinations of simple forms of sheet material, such as corrugated board, straw board, box board, pape ,metal foil, paper backed foil and the like, by which I l obtain a collapsible structure, which when expanded produce one or more dead air spaces to act as insulation. By this means transfer of heat is so effectively reduced that a casing with this insulation may be used in the transportation, l and/or storing of such materials as ice-cream.

As will be clearly shown later herein my novel insulating members may be formed from'a few simple fundamental shapes, which may be united in various combinations to form collapsible in- !0 sulating units, which may by themselves be used as insulating fillers in a suitably constructed casi118. as, for instance, the casings shown in my copending applications filed coincidently with this application and entitled, Collapsible insulating casing, sensi No. I15,315, set-up insulating box,

Serial No. 75,317.

I have also found that sections of the various forms of my collapsible insulating umts, to which I have referred, may be united with each other to form a collapsible insulating form which may be used with folding casings of many well-known types, which are themselves not designed or intended for insulating service. By the use of my insulating form, as will be clearly shown, these $5 conunon shipping containers become adapted to the shipment of substances which must be maintained at temperatures appreclably different from that of the atmosphere.

All of the various fundamental 'sections entering into my construction, as well as the composite sheets or units which I form by various combinations of thesefundamental sections, are easily and quickly produced. 'I'he fundamental sections are several-shapes of scored blanks, or simple rectangular tubes which may be manufactured "according to present common practice. Also various forms of my insulating sheets may be made quickly and cheaply in,'a"continuous process as I show in my copending application entitled Method of producing insulation sections, Serial No. 75,318 and flied coincidently with this application.

Objects of my invention are thus to provide a collapsible insulating filler for'casings, which l5 filler may be expanded to form "dead air" spaces having a high heat insulating value. Other opiects of my invention are to provide an insulating nller that is of low cost, that is simple and easy to construct, that requires little space for storing and shipping. There areA other objects 5 of my invention which will be apparent from the detailed description in connection with the attached drawings, which form a part of this specification and which are enumerated as follows:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of l0 one of the fundamental shapes of U shaped crosssection, auch as I use in the construction of my insulation.

Figure 2 is. a fragmentary perspective view of another of the fundamental shape of Z shaped 15 cross-section.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective viewV showing one form of my insulating sheetv as formed by uniting two sheets, each having the general form of the fundamental shape shown 2 in Figure l.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified form of myinsulating' sheet similar to that shown in VFigure 3. except that it is formed from three sheets ,of the general form 25" shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figure 3, except that the insulating sheet is formed by uniting one sheet having the general form of the fundamental shape shown in 3 Figure l, and one sheet having the general form the fundamental shape shown inzFlgure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figure 3, except that in Figure 8 the position o! one sheet is reversed with respect to 35 the other.

Figure 'l is a fragmentary rspective view similar to Figure 6, except that' vFigure 'l the two outstanding legs on one of e fundamental sections are of different lengths. 40

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a form of insulating member having the same general outline as the member shown in Figure 7, but formed from asingle sheet of material.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of 5 a form of insulating member similar to that shownln Figure 8, but not provided with an outstanding fiange.

Figure l0 is a fragmentary perspective view snowing s :ma cr my insulating sheet built up 50 from a plurality of fundamental sections similar to that shown in Figure l, and reinforced with a plurality of sections similar to the fundamental form shown in Figure 2.

Figure 10a is a fragmentary end view of the 55 form of insulating unit shown in Figure after the unit has been collapsed in one direction.

Figure 10b-is a fragmentary end view similar to Figure 10a showing the insulating unit colshowing a` further modiiled form of my insulat-A ing sheet which is formed from a plurality of sections.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view lshowing the insulating section of Figure 1l in collapsed condition.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a further modified form of insulating sheet produced by combining the form of sheet of Figure 8 with the form of section of Figure 9.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the sheet of Figure 13 in collapsed condition.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a rectangular unitary insulating form produced by uniting four insulating sections of the type shown in Figure 3. Figure 15 shows this form being entered into a rectangular casing.

Figure 16 isa fragmentary perspective view showing the unitary form of Figure 15 in a collapsed condition.

Figure 17 is an end view. showing.- a form of rectangular unitary insulating form produced by uniting f our sections similar to those shown in Figure 1.

Figure 18 is an end view showing the insulating form of Figure 17 incollapsed condition.

Figure 19 is an end view similar to Figure 17, except that it shows a different ent for combining the. fundamental sections which comprise the form.

Figure 20 is an end view showing the insulating 'form of Figure 19 in collapsed condition.

Figure 21 is an end view showing a rectangular unitary insulating structure produced by uniting four sections lsimilar to those shown in Figure 9.

Figure 22 is an' end view showing the insulating form of Figure 21 in collapsed condition.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a rectangular unitary insulating' structure inserted within a rectangular casing. Figure 24 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the insulating structure of Figure 23 in partially collapsed condition.

Figure 25 is ajragmentary sectional perspective view showing the manner in which the unitary form of Figure 17 may be inserted within a rectangular casing. I

Figure 26 is a; fragmentary ,perspective view showing a rectangular casing completely insulated with my novel sections.

Figure 2'? shows a developed blank for forming the casing of Figure 26.

Figure 28 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the unitary insulating members shown in place within the casing of Figure 26.

Figure 29 is a developedsblank for forming one of the end seals shown in Figure 26.

Figure 30 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a spacing member as is shown in Figure Figure 31 is a fragmentary perspective. `.view showing my insulating sections interposed `within the air space of one form of my insulating casing.

In Figure 1 I havev shown one of the fundamentaly shapes that' I use to form mynovel insulating sheets. As shown, this shape is formed from a single sheet of material having the score lines I and 2. The sheet is bent on these score lines to form a channel having the web 3 and the iianges l and 5.

In Figure 2 I have shown vanother' one of the fundamental shapes 'that I use to form my novel insulating units. This form is similar to that shown in Figure 1, except that one of the flanges is bent in the opposite direction from that of the other flange, thus forming a Z shaped section having the web 3 and the flanges l and 1. It will be noted that Figures 1 land 2 are substantially alike, except that score line 8 in Figure 2 is preferably on the opposite side of the sheet from score line I; while in Figure 1 both score lines are preferablyon the same side of the sheet. This facilitates bending the flanges into their intended directions; the arrangement and character of scores will vary with various material conditions according to practices well known in the art. In Figure 3 there is shown an insular/ing section formed from two fundamental sections having the same general shape as the section shown in F1R- ure 1. Member 8 is united with member 9, preferably bythe glue-lines I0 and I=I, the nange I2 of member 8 being secured to the longer flange I3 oi' member 9 by the glue line I0, and the flange I4 of member 8 being secured to the longer flange I5 oi' the member 9 by the glue line tl. Fianges I2 and Il are shown to be of practically the same length as each other. Flanges I3 and I5 are likewise of equal length to each other. An air space Il is formed between the web I6 of member l and the web `II of member 9. Also, when the lei'lges of the flanges are laid against a flat surface, an. additional air space is formed between that surface, the iianges and the web I6, as is clearly shown in Figure 15. The materials of sheets I and 9 forming the section will depend may be of relatively strong and heavy material,

suh as corrugated board, while sheet l is of lighter material, such, for example, as chip board, box board or paper. It will, of course, be understood that both sheets may be formed from the same kind of stock, and that other materials may be used than those specifically mentionedl above.

In Figure 4 Iphave shown a modified form of insulating section utilizing three of the fundamental .sections of Figure 1 united with two plain strips of sheet material. Thus flanges 4 are united with the sheet I-S by the glue strips 2 I, and flanges l are united with the sheet 20 by the glue strips 22. In this manner an insulating unit is formed having the two air spaces 23 and 24, and capable of forming an additional air space when the edges of the iianges are placed against a flat surface, as has been explained in connection with Figure 8. It will be noted that while the figure shows three sections similar to those of Figure l united with the plain sheets, any number of such sections may be so united, and the number ofair spaces so formed will be one less than the number of channel shaped sheets used inthe construction. However, in co-'action with a container wall the number of air spaces equals the number of sheets, as will be shown later. In this manner the insulating properties of the unit may be varied at will, more air spaces being provided where higher insulating values are needed.

In Figure 5 I have shown a form of insulating unit using one sheet 9 having the shape of that' ascissa shown in Figure 1, and a second sheet 25 having the shape of that shown in Figure 2,. As shown, sheet 9 and sheet 25 are united by means of their vilanges. The combined unit so formed includes an insulating air space, and the unithas the same general form as that shown in Figure 3 produced from two channel shaped members.

Another similar form is also shown in Figure 6. Like Figure 3, the form shown in Figure 6 is produced from two channel shaped members. However, while the flanges I2 and i4 of the inner member of Figure 3 are turned in the same direction as are the -flanges I3 and I5 of the outer member; as shown in Figure 6, the flanges I2 and Il are turned in the opposite direction to the flanges I3 and I5. The form of FiguresB, 5 and 6 may be used interchangeably as insulating units,

as well as in combinations forming more complex insulating structures in a manner to be later described, as in each case for the same dimensions equivalent air space I8, equivalent insulating effect and equivalent collapsibilitywill be secured. The forms shown in Figures 3 and 6 are readily assembled in a continuous manner4 using the method and apparatus of my copending application previously referred to. However, if the parts are manually secured to each other, the form shown in Figure 6 is somewhat more easily made than the form shown in Figure 3. Thus, in manually combining the form of unit shown in Figure 6, flange I3 may be first bent out of the plane of the web I1. This forms an angle which acts as an automatic stop in positioning flange I2.

' Flange I2 may be bent out of the plane of web I6 and have glue applied thereto. It may be then pushed finto position against nange I3. When the free edge of flange I2 comes into abutting relationship with the angle formed by flange I3 and web I1, then the two sheets forming the section are in proper position in relationship to each other.

In Figure 7 substantially the same construction is shown as is shown in Figure 6. However, in4

both flanges may end flush, so that the section formed is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The preferred length of ange will in each instance depend upon the particular application material used. and specific method of assembling and combining the units.

Where a section, such as that shown in Figure '1, is desired, and where the requirements vof the unit is such that material of substantially uniform quality and thickness may be used, the unit may be formed from a single sheet of material as is shown in Figure 8. The air space I3 is formed between the webs 21 and 28 and the ends 23 and 30. The end 30 extends beyond the web 23 in the same manner as flange I3 extends beyond web IS'in Figure 7. As is shown in Figure 8 the two ends of the sheet are united through 8111 expand the unit .with this folding when each lspacer is asingle piece oi' material. .with the method of folding. as shown in Figure flap 3| on web 23, and flange 3U on web 21.

Figure 9-is similar to Figure 8, except that no "extended iiange is provided in Figure-9, and that the two ends of the sheet are united with each other through the nap 32 attached tothe end flange 33. Flap 32 is positioned to be pasted to the free edge of web 21. This form is particularly adaptable to a member which is provided with end scoring to producean additional fold, as will be Adescribed later in connection with Figs ures 11 and12.`

In the-structures shown in -Figures 8 and 9 the .unit formed is, of course, of material of substantially uniform quality and thickness, as each is formed from a single sheet of material. Where in a form, such as is shown in Figures 3 and 5, the requirements of the particular adaptation are such that material of substantially uniform quality and thickness may be used, these forms may, like Figures 8 and 9. be formed from a single sheet of material. Thus. for instance, in Figure 5, flange l and flange I3 may be joined' to each other at their extremities, the unit thus being formed from a continuous sheet of material.

In Figure 10'1 have shown an insulating unit having two air spaces 34 and 3l parallel with the surface of the sheets forming the section. As shown the principal members of the section are the channel shaped sheets of Figure l. One sheet 36 has its anges 31 and 3l turned outwardly, and the other two sheets have their flanges I and turned inwardly in the same manner as is shown in Figure 6. One air space 34 is formed between sheet '36 and the inner diaphragm 3. The other air space 35 is formed between the two diaphragms 3. In order to brace the diaphragms, the Z sections 39 and 40 are provided. The sections are similar in shape to the form shown in Figure 2. One flange of each of thei is attached to the outer diaphragm. With this construction, while the diaphragme are adequately braced, and so may be maintained in predetermined spacings, even though made of lighter material than otherwise, the section is easily collapsible, as the whole assembled structure, including the braces, may be ilattened, and the various parts may swing on the score lines, as may easily be seen, and as is more fully explained in connection with Figures a, 10b and 10c. Members 38 and 40, 'in addition to bracing the diaphragme, also serve to subdivide the air spaces 34 and 3l, and so act to reduce any possible convection currents within these spaces.

In collapsing the structure of Figure 10 the parallel diaphragms may be moved in either direction with respect to each other. Thus. if it is assumed that the outer membrane 3l is held stationary, if the inner membrane is dispaced to the left. the unit will fold with each spacer member doubled back -upon itself, as shown in Figure 10a; if the inner membrane is dispaced to the right, the unit will fold with each spacer attened out, as shown in Figure 10b. In making up the unit, I prefer that the spacers be folded, as shown in Figure 10a as with the spacers' so folded, any glue improperly applied in the gluing operation does not act to prevent expansion of the section.

Also with the spacersfolded 'as in `Figure 10a, the

expansion of the unit is somewhat easier than when the unit is collapsed, as is shown in Figure 10b, as the .elasticity of the spacer umts tends to However,

10b, the unit will occupy less volume in the collapsed state than when folded, as `shown in Fisure 10a. However, with the construction of spacers, as shown in Figure 10c. this diiference in volume kwill not be appreciable.

similar sheet serves as the proper spacer.

In Figure c, the spacer 39 is shown as being formed from two separate sheets of material. One sheet 39a of cardboard, corrugated board or secured to this is the sheet of paper 39h having the extensions 39e and 39d which serve to unite the spacer with the adjacent diaphragms. Thus, as shown, extension 39e serves to unite the spacer with sheet 36, and extension 99d serves to unite the spacer with sheet 5.

In the construction of an insulating section, such as is shown in Figure 10, not only may the various parts be of different thicknesses, but,

also various construction materials may enter f into the same insulating section. Thus, Vior exv ample, I may use corrugated board for panel I6 with its integral flanges 51 and 38. cardboard for the spacing members 39 and 40, and polished metal foil or paper-backed foil for the webs. 3. With the use of polished metal foil or paperbacked foil in this manner, I secure not only the advantageous air spaces which provide insulation against convection and conduction, but also obtain effective insulation against radiated heat. This application of radiating surfaces may be used. with other modifications of my collapsible insulating section. It will be noted where the spacing members, such as 39 and 40 of Figure 10,

` are used in connection with the diaphragms 3 sheet of simple form comprising only two separated members united with each other. In Figures 4 and 10 a fuller arrangement of parts is shown to produce an insulating unit. Other arrangements of the parts may be assembled as will readily suggest themselves from the foregoing. As will now be shown, various forms of sheets may be combined With each other to produce other forms of insulating units, or to produce complete insulating structures which, for most applications, are preferably of quadrilateral form.

In Figure l1 I have shown an insulating unit built up from several of the forms similar to 55. those already described. Thus the portion formed by the sheets 50 and 55 and the channels 5I, 52, 53 and 54 is similar to the unit shown in Figure 4. 'I'he portion comprising the sheets 66 and 61 and the channels 62, 63, 64 and 65 is likewise similar to that in Figure 4. These two portions are united with each other through the centre member having the sides 56, 51, 60 and 6I of similar construction to the member shown in Figure 9. That is, the centre member is inherently a quadrilateral structure. The opposite sides 6I! and 6I are provided respectively with the score lines 55 and 59 on which the sheet may be folded to form the bellows shaped structure shown in Figure 11. Side 56 of the bellows is uni-ted with sheet 55 as by gluing; and side 51 of the bellows is united with sheet 51 in'a similar manner. This construction rnay be repeated. That is, a bellows shaped member, as shown in the centre of the unit, may be attached to the end of the unit. To this bellows may beattached an additional member, such 4as that formed from sheets 59 and 55 and channels 5I, 52, 53 and 64. Thus the unit may be extended byalternate forms for any leng-th as may be desired. The advantage of this construction lies in the easewith which the section` maybe adjusted to various lengths and conditions, without any change in the construction of the section, as can readily be seen in- Figure 11. Thus the section may be stretched until each half of the side 60 on each side of the score line 58 lies in a single plane, and, similarly, each half of the side 6I on eachside of the score line 59 lies in a single plane. On the other hand, the section may be contracted until the two halves of sides 60 and 6I respectively are in face to face relationship with each other.

Thus the length of the entire section may be easily changed by substantially the length of the sides 60 and 6I merely by expanding or compressing the bellows section formed by these sides. It will also be noted that the form of section shown in Figurell is Vcapable of taking an angular conformation by expanding one of the sides of the bellows more than the other side. Thus, for instance, the side 60 may be folded upon itself so that the near edge of members 55 and 51 (as viewed in Figure 11) may be substantially in con-tact with each other, while side 59 is fully expanded, thus placing diaphragm members 5I, 52, 53 and 54 at a substantial angle to diaphragm members 62, 63, 64 and 65, while still maintaining the members 50 and 55 perpendicular to the diaphragms 5I to 54, and members 66 and 61 perpendicular to the diaphragms 62 to 65. In this way maximum air spaces may be maintained, even with the two ends in angular relationship to each other. As is shown in Figure 12, the structure of Figure 11 may be readily collapsed, but when expanded and properly placed within a suppoi-'ting shell, it readily holds its expanded form as will be seen later. f

In Figure 13 I have shown one manner in which the form of unit shown in Figure 3 may be modined to provide additional air spaces, and therefore additional insulation over the simple form of unit shown in Figure 3. It will be noted that three insulating forms, similar to that shown in Figure 9, are incorporated into the air space I8 of Figure 3 to produce the form of insulating unit shown in Figure 13. In this manner there is produced an insulator having three air spaces parallel with the surface of the sheet. Any heat transferred perpendicular to the sheet must therefore pass'through these three air spaces in series. As shown in Figure 13, the quadrila-teral member "III, having a dimension to correspond to the total width of the air space formed between the sides I6 and Il, is placed in this air space at, for instance, midway between the two ends of sides I6 and I1. One end of member 10 is united with sheet I6, and the other end of member 10 is united with sheet I1, a suitable adhesive being preferably used for this purpose. The quadrilat'eral member 'II is then placed in the air space. its length being such as to extend from the inner surface of the end angeJ3 of sheet I1 to the surface of the nearer side wall of member 10. Member 1I is suitably afxed by its end walls to iiange I3 and member 10. In a similar manner member 12 is afxed between the flange I5 and the second side wall of member 10. When properly placed in a suitable rectangular container, this insulating structure shown in Figure 13. will be held in expanded condition and will be able to withstand considerable pressure against either 'side wall without any danger of collapsing. However.' when thisunit'isremoved from its con'.-

tamer, it may be easily eonapse'd despite. the ren'- tive `complexity cf the section, Just as vth'e more simple forms may be collapsed when so required. This is'clearly shown in Figure 14o.

As has been previously indicated. various sections of my insulating units may be combined'4 flanges Ila and ila'. Similarly another section comprises the inside wall memberl ilb with ilanges lbandlib, .Joined to 4the .outside .wall member ib with 4#tintes lib and Mb." Another sectioncomptises the inside wall member i'lc with nanges i3c""and itc, joined tothe outside wall member I ic with ilanges i2c and llc. The fourth section comprises the inside wall member ild with flanges i3d and iid. Joined to the outside' wall member iid with flanges 02d and Hd. As

shown, the outside member i6b is braced to thev inside member lib by' the vertical Z shaped member 15b; in the manner described in connece' tion with Figure l0. Similarly, outside member Id is braced tothe inside member i'ld by the vertical Z shaped member 15d. I t is obvious that I may provide more or less of these vertical bracing members as required. depending upon the particular application, and .thatthese bracing members may be. of various qualities in regard to thickness, rigidity. scorings. etc., to meet various specic conditions. i l,

In forming quadrilateral' 4collapsible ktube from the above named parts. flange lia is amxed 'to sheet i 1b? adjacent to the score line forming one of the boimdaries ofl liange jlb. Similarly. flange ib isamxed to sheet llc adjacentto the score line forming one ci' the boundariesof the ilnange Hc. Illrewise flange i5c is aiiixed to sheet Hd; and-ilangel iid is amxed to sheet ila. 'In

this way the tube is completed. As seen in Fis# ure 16, the tube so formed may be completely collapsed by-bending the sheets along the score lines provided for that purpose; and when so collapsed, the tube will occupy a relatively small amount of space. as .the various sheets which comprise theftube willibe in substantially tace to race relationship.

When the tube is expanded it into a suitablecasing, which will act to holdthe tube in expanded POsition if.. the casing contains an elementorjelementswhich will prevent the casing fromfcollapsing. With-tbe ,standard shipping container-the `and naps act. to retain the proper angularlty lbetween the casing sides. The. tubular construction.' which I disclose, may therefore be used astandard container to provide insulationto-the container. When so used the container 'should be lproportioned so thatV the outstanding A'iiauges of the expanded insulating tube may snugly into the .container.in the manner shown in Figure 15. "I y so'iittingr thevv casing and the insulating tube to `each other, not only is the tube prevented from collapsing bybe`4 ing 'abuttedby the casingybut, also additional Yair spaces are iormed'inthis way. Thus, an air space 1lb `is';-px'ovided between the panel ib oi' the insulating tube. and panel 8i ofthe casing. Similar air spaces are, 'or course, produced on may be inserted.

theother sides. Flu'thermoreQthe flange construction automatically provides for proper spacing of the tube within the casing.

, I'he methodiust described of uniting four insulating sections :to form an insulating tube may be generallyapplied to the various sections which I have described. In Figure 17 I have shown a quadrilateral vstructure formed from-four simple sheets similar to the structure shown in Figure l. As shown inFigure 17'fboththe ilanges 4b and lb or the panel :bare secured, as byglue, to the adjacent panels 3c and 3a respectively. Bimilarly, both anges ld and ld o1' panel ldare' s'e' cured, as by glue. to these adjacent panels, ange l'd being secured to panel 3a and flange 5d being secured to panel lc. This completes the 'quadrilateral form.v o j' `When this structurels inserted within a casing of such dimensions that the `insulating tube and the. casing t leach other' closely, dead air" Spaces are iormedfbetween each of sides of the casing and each of the -panels of the insulating tube. The four air'spaces so formed are separated from each other by the ilanges,A which automatically provide proper spacingroi the'insulating form within the casing, in the same manncrastsshowninFigure15.4 v t f This is further shown in Figure 25 where a section of the form shown in Figure 17 is shown inserted in Va section of agcasing. Flange's' 4a and 4la space the panel 3a the proper distance from the wall Il of 'the casing. At the Sametime, aange la in abutting 'wall Ii or the casing prevents the panel Ira from movement toward wall ll. Similarly, flange 5a. in contact with wall 18 0i the casing prevents panela from moving to-v ward'wall 1I. Each of the 'four panels of the insulating form are similarly held in their proper position relative to the casing. As has been explained, the air space lli formed between the lvirali I" o! the casing and panel la of the insulating form is separated from' air space iilli by the liange 4d. and a portion Vor the panel la, and from' the air space i0! by the ilange Sbfand a portion' of the Panella. Each of thexfour air spaces are thus independent of each other* so `far as any possible convection currents are concerned.;

Figure 18 shows the Vform of Figure 17 in collapsed condition, 4it `being necessary merely to told the form on the` score lines provided for that purpose. As witnthe form previously shownL it is necessary merelyt push-diagonal lapse the shape. 'Y f i Inil'igureli? I have shown an insulating form comers of 'the structure toward each other to colquite similar to that shown-in Figure 17. The

and nance Id being secured to panel la. With, this arrangement all the sections comprising the tube' may -be of the same size in producing` a tube having asquare section. With the construction shownl inxfFigure 17, however, two opposed panels must be. shorter than the other two, if the tube is to ilt into a square section. In the collapsing ofthe section shown in Figure 19, two of the paneis will lieV inl to f'ace with the other two panels. as is shown in'Figure 20.

In Figure 23 11j-nave shOwn'a modiiiedjiorni ,of structure, in this'fcaseformed .from th'ejlnsula't the diaphragms Illd, Illd and Illd. v.As shown the four insulating wail members are united with each otherthrough one of the end members on each wall, either being` secured to the inner diaphragm on the adjacent wall member in any suitable manner. Thus as shown the end member Ila of one unit is secured to the diaphragm Illb of the adjacent wall member. The end member Ilb at the ,opposite f end of the diaphragm I llb is in turn secured to the diaphragm Ille of the next adjacent section: end member Ilc is secured to-diaphragm Illd; and end mem,- ber I'ld is secured to diaphragm Illa, thus completing the quadrilateral. As will be seen from the figure, when thisastructurefis placed in the casing shown as having the sides 1l, ll, lI and l2, Il and l2 being united with .each other by the tape. Ill, rthere are formed three separate air spaces at each side of the casing, through which heat would have tol travel in series from the outside as into the centre space Ill. A very high degree of -insuiation is thus secured. It is readily apparent, also that I may easily increase the eiliciency of the insulation by merely adding a fur-- ther number of diaphragms on the insulating sections which make up the insulating form. 'Ihat this insulating form is readily collapsible is shown in'Flgure 24 which shows the form of Figure 23 in a-partially collapsed condition.

In Figures 21- and 22 I have shown a form of quadrilateral structure which may be obtained byuniting four portions of an insulating sheet similar to that shown in Figure 9. A similar form may, of course, be constructed using other of the simple shapes which I have described, as, for instance.'the forms 'of Figures 'I and 8. Each of the rectangular 'sections are united with an adjacent'section by means of one of the end walls of the section, in thesame manner that the flanges of the previously described sections were utilized in uniting these'sections to form a tubularl structure, It will be noted that in Figure 21, both the inside wall and the outside wall of the tube are of the same material, as each of the sections is made from an integral blank oi' sheet material. 'I'his material may be oi' sumcient strength that'it may be used directly as a shipping container. In this event the tube' formed from the four united sections may be used directly. as an insulated casing. The walls 28a, 2lb. 2lc and Ila'. in this event will be the outside of the casing, and the walls 21a, 2lb, 21e and 21d will form the interior walls with the insulating .air spaces Ila, Ilb, Ilc and Ild formed between) the two series of walls.' While this section mai'l be made to collapse easily, as Vshown in Figure 22. it may nevertheless be used with a casing by ,providing proper end closure members which will act to retainthe structure in its expanded tubu' larform. Such end closure members may. be

plugs which may be inserted between the inner walls. 21a, 2lb, 21e and v2id, said plugs having flanges adapted to cover the open ends of the air spaces Ila, Ilb, llc andY Ild. I show several forms of plug construction rwhich may be thus used as closure members with thelnsulating section of Figure 21 to form a complete insulated casing lin my copending application Serial No. 45,708, led October 19, 1935, which is a continuation in part of 'my copending application Serial No, '739,962,1lled August 15, 1931; yand in my copending application entitled Collapsible insulating casing Serial No. '75,315 and led coincidently with the present application.

In order to more clearly show how the various forms of-quadrilateral insulating structure which I have described may be used with an ordinary shipping container to provide an insulated casing, I have further illustrated my invention in Figures 26 to 3i) inclusive, which figures I have shown an application of my invention to an insulated casing particularly adapted for shipment of a cylindrical can of ice-cream, such as is commonly used in the ice-cream trade.

`It will beunderstood that a refrigerant, for instance, solid CO: may be enclosed with the shipment to compensate for such relatively small I leakage of heat as will occur through thev walls of the casing. It will, of course, be understood that where the casing is to be used for maintaining temperatures above atmospheric, a heat generating means may be enclosed. v

In Figure 27, I show a developed form for a.

common type of casing into-which I may insert my insulating filler in a manner as shown in Figure 2,6. The casing is a simple blank composed of the wall members 1l, ll, lI and l2 separated from each other by the score lines II, l2 and ll. The wall members have thevbottom flaps l1, ll, l! and ll, and the top flaps ll, ll, ll and ll. The top flaps are separated from the sides byscore line ll, and the bottom flaps are separated from the sides by the score line l5. The blank is folded on line l2 and the free edgesof sides 'Il and 82 are united with each other by suitable means, as by a strip of gummed tape. This is a blank form in common use.

As shown in Figure 26 the casing is first set up in the ordinary Ymanner by expanding the sides and then folding back the bottom naps l1 and ll, followed by folding back the bottom flaps ll and ll, which flaps substantially meet each other so as to be joined by the tape Ill. A bottom tray shown in Figure 29 may 'then beinserted within the casing. V'I'he tray is formed from the integral blank comprising the main panel III and, the flaps II! separated from the main panel by the score lines III. I prefer that the tray be formed from material of substantial strength to match that of corrugated board.

Two trays as shown in Figure 29 are shown in Figure 26, one at the bottom of the casing with the flanges formed by the naps III turned downwardly; and one at the top of the casing with the flanges formed by theiiaps III turned upwardly. Both of these trays iit snugly within casing, asis shown for the .top tray which is in` section.

After the bottom tray has been placed within the casing.k ashas been explained-.one of myV insulatingfforms is inserted within the casing.

As shown, for this particular application I prefer to use a number vof relatively short sections, which extending for the height of the casing between the upper and lower trays, are positioned from eachother by the spacer members III.

The lower one of these insulating sections is shown as a quadrilateral structure formed from the insulating form shown in Figure 10. In constructing the section, flange 38a of the panel 86a is secured to the adjacent panel 36h, flange 88d of the panel 38a is preferably secured to the adjacent panel 36a, and so around the section;

in the same manner as has been described in connection with the previously described quadrilateral structures. As shown the insulating section of which this quadrilateral structure is formed, comprises theinner members 88a to 38d which are preferably of a relatively strong material, such as corrugated board, and these panels serve as the inside of the completed shipping container. The two lines of webs 3 which form the air spaces may be of lighter material and may be braced at suitable intervals by the Z strips 39 and 4|)` in the manner as has been previously described in connection with Figure 10.

After the lower insulating structure, which fits snugly within the walls 19, 80, 8l and 82, has been set in place, it has superimposed upon it the spacing member H4. Member I Il.' which is shown in detail in Figure 30, is a sheet of material, for instance, corrugated board, of such dimensions as to fit closely within the four walls 18, 88, 8| and 82. 'I'he centre of the member I i4 is provided with a hole IIB of suflcient size to receive the ice-cream can which is to be shipped in the container. This hole will, of course, be entirely within the space bounded by the` walls 36a, 36h, 36o and 36d. The solid portion of the sheet will therefore completely cover the open end of the insulating section, so as to effectively seal the air spaces therein, and in this way limit such convection currents as might be set up within the air spaces. As has previously been pointed out, the bracing Z strips spanning the air spaces also serve `to limit convection currents..

After the lower spacing sheet H4 has been set in place, a second insulating form is placed withing the casing. As shown this section is provided with three air spaces rather than two as shown for the lower insulating section. The reason for this preference will be explained later. However, where desired the same type of insulating section may be used throughout, and such insulating forms may be any of the modifications which fall within the scope of my invention. In Figure 28 I show the details of the second insulating section shown in Figure 26. As will be noted it is of the same construction as the lower insulating section, except that it is provided with three diaphragms instead of with two, as is shown in the lower section. Thus each sheet that comprises the section consists of a channel shaped member as the web 36f with its two flanges 81)' and 88j. This channel is preferably of corrugated board. Attached to this member are the three channel ,shaped diaphragms having the webs H5 and flanges IIS by which the diaphragms are secured to the flanges 31! and llf. The Z shaped reinforcing members II1 brace the diaphragm as required. The complete section is obtained by arranging four similar sections to each other in the-manner described for producing the lower seetion. 'Ihat is, a flange of one unit, such as lflange 88f, is preferably secured to the web of an adjacent sheet, such as 38g; and,

A second spacing member H4 is next inserted within the casing. This member covers the top ends of the air spacesformed inthe insulating section just below. The air spaces of this section are thus sealed at each end by spacing mem` bers |14 which limits the convection currents which may' be set up in this section, just as the air spaces on the bottom insulating section were sealed off between the lower spacing member and the bottom tray as has been described.

The top insulating section which is shown as exactly similar to the bottom insulating section is then inserted. This is followed by the top tray III. 'Ihus the top construction is similar to the bottom construction, so that if the casing were inverted, so far as the casing and insulating lining are concerned, there would be no variation between the top and the bottom. The top flap's 83 and of the casing are then turned down to lie in a plane perpendicular to the walls 18 to V82. Flaps 84 and 86 are then turned down to lie over the flaps 83 and 85. The casing may be sealed with the tape I I8.

It will be seen in the illustration that the top flaps 83-86 form a double layer of material over the top of the package. Moreover, this double layer rests upon the edges of the uptlrned flanges .U2 of the tray III, and in conjunction withthis tray forms a protecting air space I I9 over the top of the container. The construction at the bottom of the container is similar to that at the top, as has been explained. A similar protective air space is therefore formed as a protection for the bottom end. Full naps may be used, if desired.

When used for shipping ice-cream in a can or other container, the can is passed through the holes ill in the spacers IH. These holes.are so proportioned that they will prevent side movements of the can. The bottom of the can rests upon the lower tray III, and the can and the casing are so proportioned relative to each other that when the upper tray HI is put in place, its centre will' rest against the lid of the can. Endwise movement of the can will thus be guarded against.

The purpose of the greater insulation which I show around the centre of the container, as compared to theinsulation at the two ends, will now be explained. It is a common practice to ship ice-cream with solid CO2 in the package, and this refrigerant is usually placed within the container at both the top and bottom. With a uniform insulation the amount of heat entering the compartment does not vary greatly lengthwise of the casing; but the refrigerating medium is concentrated at the two ends. Thus, the ice-cream located centrally of the container from end to end of the container attains a higher temperature than the ice-cream at the two ends of the can. By providing a more effective insulation on a central beltv around the container than at the two ends, a more uniform condition of temperature in the ice-cream is secured. In order to further increase the insulating efliciencyof the central member, and hence to further the uniformity of temperature in the ice-cream, certain of the sheets which comprise the central insulating member, such as the diaphragms H5 may be covered with polished metallic foil, or otherheat reflection means as steel wool may be inserted, and the end portions may have absorption surfaces. Also the horizontal partitions may serve for carrying CO2 at the middle of the container.

In describing the various insulating sections formed by uniting my insulating sheets at their corners, I have spoken .of the section as a quadrifigure I show a double walled casing having outer.

walls |20, |2|, |22 and |23, and inner walls |25, |23, |21 and |23 spaced from the outer walls by the'ilanges |30 and |3I. As may be seen an insulating air space is formed between an inner wall, a corresponding outerwall and the adjacent ilanges. The emciency of this air space may be increased by dividing it into narrower air spaces. This may be simply done by inserting one of my insulating units of proper dimension in this air space. As illustrated in Figure 3l, I show insulating units similar to that shown in Figure 10 inserted within the air spaces between the inner and outer walls o! the container. It will be noted that in this illustration the| insulating sheet ,is composed of comparatively thin material,A and it may be formed of such inexpensive sheets as thin chip board, due to the fact that the casing itself has sufcient strengthto withstand the mechanical stresses, and the insulat` -ing unit has merely to supply additional resistance to the passage of heat.

`.As shown in the Figure 3l, each of the insulating un'its in each of the air spaces consists of the channel shaped member having the web 36 and flanges 31 and 33, to which are secured the flanges! and 5 of the webs 3. The braces 39 and 40 brace the various webs to each other.

It will be further understood that other forms of my collapsible insulating sheet may be used in the manner just described, depending upon the particular application.v Also-.a suitably shaped portion 'of the various modiiications oi my collapsible insulating sheet maybe applied in the space |34 between the top cover |33 and the inner closure |32.

While I-'have described my invention for use in connection with shipping containers and similar applications, it may be used in its several modications for other purposes, as, for instance. an insulating illler for building walls, as between the .iol-sts oi frame constructed building.

Throughout the foregoing speciilcations, a number of various modifications of my invention have been described. The particular forms shown have .been given by wayoi illustration only, as it will be apparent that many other modiflcations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of my invention as expressed in the appended claims. Now having explained my invention in a manner that it may be readily understood by one skilled in the art, I claim:

1. A container comprising walls, collapsible heat insulation units of nonmetallic sheet material comprising opposed parallel wall portions, and` complementary opposed connected spacer portions which when set up foi-"use surround an insulating air space, each of the opposed spacer portions extending beyond the line of connection with'an adjacent wall portion, the free edges of the' spacer extensions abutting on interior wall gaging the corresponding wall of said body portion.

PHILIP ZALKIND.

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