US3255946A

US3255946A - Closure means for a container

Info

Publication number: US3255946A
Application number: US404718A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nabraski Theodore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-10-19
Filing date: 1964-10-19
Publication date: 1966-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-14

Description

June 14, 1966 T. NABRASKI CLOSURE MEANS FOR A CONTAINER Filed Oct. 19, 1964 I NVENTOR.

72/500 ORE MAB/8A SK/ BY HA5 A 7702/1/575 FIG. 2.

United States Patent 3,255,946 CLOSURE MEANS FOR A CONTAINER Theodore Nabraski, 1545 N. Bronson, Apt. 112, Los Angeles, Calif. 90028 Filed Oct. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 404,718 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) This invention relates to closure means for a container and more particularly to improved locking means for releasably securing the closure flaps of a container to provide a closable pouring opening.

Containers for many commercial items such as soap powders and cereals must be adequately sealed while traveling from producer to consumer to prevent contamination and spillage. The typical domestic consumer will rarely use the entire contents of such a container as soon as it is opened. Rather, small quantities are usually Withdrawn from the container at intervals. Between usages, it is desired that the closure flaps of the container be releasably secured in closed position to keep the contents of the container uncontaminated and to prevent spilling. It is also desired that the container be easily opened prior to each usage.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved releasable closure means for a container which will fulfill all of the abovenoted requirements. A further object of this invention is to provide improved releasable locking means for the closure flaps of a container, which locking means is formed integrally with the closure flaps.

A further object of this invention is to form such locking means on container closure flaps which are provided on intersecting edges of a container.

Another object of this invention is to provide closure means in which one closure flap has an opening adjacent one end thereof providing access to the interior of the container and two closure flaps formed on intersecting container edges to close the opening.

A further object of this invention is to provide closure means which are easily opened and which can be quickly secured in the closed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide closure means which are inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

The objects of the invention may be realized by providing a container formed of, for example, cardboard and having an open rectangular end, preferably an open upper rectangular end. Closure flaps are formed integrally with the edges of the container. One of the side closure flaps has a cutout portion adjacent one end there of to provide an opening for access to the interior of the container. Two other container flaps which are formed on intersecting edges of the container overlie the first flap and the opening. These latter two flaps are formed with interlocking means such as a locking edge and a locking groove which cooperate to releasably secure some or all of the flaps in the closed position. By disengaging the locking surface and the locking groove, at least one of the flaps may be moved to an open position to expose the opening and allow the contents of the container to be withdrawn. The container is also provided with rupturable means for holding the flaps in the closed position. The rupturable means may take the form of a strip of tape, a releasable adhesive, or glue which seals the flaps in the closed position during shipment from the producer to consumer. In use, the consumer merely ruptures the rupturable seal, withdraws a portion of the contents of the container, and then releasably secures the closure flap in the closed position by engaging the locking surface and locking groove.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantage thereof, may best be understood by reference to the foltainer.

lowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. The drawing merely shows and the description merely describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is given by way of illustration or example.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container rotated so that its upper end is forward and showing two closure flaps disposed over an open upper end of the container and the other closure flaps folded back away from the open upper end of the container;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the closure means of the present invention showing three of the closure flaps in closed position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the closure means of the present invention showing all of the flaps sealed in the closed position by rupturable securing means; and

FIG. 4 shows the closure means of the present invention with the rupturable securing means removed and the flaps held in the closed position by the engagement of a locking groove and a locking edge.

FIG. 1 shows a container 11 which is adapted to be closed by the closure means of the present invention. The container 11 is preferably made from a semiflexible material such as cardboard or plastic and may be adapted to contain any commodity including granular edible material, powdered soaps, etc. The container 11 has a pair of

rectangular sides

13 and 15, a pair of

rectangular ends

17 and 19, and a rectangular bottom 21 which form a hollow rectangular box. The

sides

13 and 15, the

ends

17 and 19, and the bottom 21 may either be formed integrally from the same piece of material or they may comprise several separate sheets of material appropriately bonded together. The container 11 has a rectangular open upper end 23 which may be closed by the closure means described below.

The closure means preferably comprises a pair of

end closure flaps

25 and 27 and a pair of

side closure flaps

29 and 31 which are preferably formed integrally with the

ends

17 and 19 and the

sides

13 and 15 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the end flap 25 is rectangular and coextensive with the open upper rectangular end 23 for slightly less than one-half of the length of the open upper end. The end closure flap 25 is pivotal about an integrally formed upper container end edge 33 which is common to both the end closure flap 25 and the end 17 of the container. In the closed position the flap 25 is preferably beneath the

other closure flaps

27, 29, and 31. The size of the end closure flap 25 may be varied in accordance with the container rigidity required and the kind of material to be stored within the container. The end closure flap 25 may be rigidly secured in the closed position or it may be allowed to pivot about the upper container end edge 33 if it is desired to expose a greater portion of the open upper end 23 when the container 11 is opened.

The next flap which is pivoted into the closed position is the side closure flap 29 which overlies the end closure flap 25. The side closure flap 29 is integral with the side Wall 13 and is pivotal about an integrally formed upper container side edge 35 between an open and a closed position. The side closure flap 29 is generally coextensive with the rectangular upper end of the container'll except for an edge 37 which defines a cutout portion or an opening 39 which provides access to the interior of the con- In the specific embodiment illustrated, the opening 39 is formed adjacent the end of the flap 29 and does not extend for the full width of the flap 29. Various sizes and shapes of the opening 39 may be employed; however, the one illustrated is desirable because it is easily and tightly closed by the closure means of the present invention.

The side closure flap 31 is formed integrally with the side of the container 11 and is pivotal about an upper container side edge 41 between an open position '(FIG. 1) and a closed position (FIGS. 2-4). The side closure flap 31 has a short end edge 43 adjacent the end closure flap 27 and a free lateral edge 45 opposite the upper container side edge 41; The side closure flap 31 also has a generally oblique edge or a locking edge 47 curving from the short end edge 43 to the free lateral edge 45. When the side closure flap 31 is pivoted to its. closed position shown in FIG. 2, it overlies a portion of the side closure flap 29 and a portion of the opening 39. However, a substantial portion of the opening 39 remains to provide access to the interior of the container 11. Of course the side closure fiap 31 could cover a larger or smaller portion of the opening 39 if desired.

The end closure flap 27 is preferably formed integrally with the rectangular end 19 and is pivotal about an upper container end edge 49 between an open position (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a closed position (FIGS. 3 and 4). The end closure flap 27 in the closed position has a side edge 51 extending generally in the direction of the upper container side edge 41, a slanting edge 53 extending from the side edge 51 to a point at about the locking edge 47 and a reverse edge 55 extending from the slanting edge 53 generally toward the upper container side edge it. The slanting edge 53 and the reverse edge 55 form a V-shaped locking groove 57, the point of which lies approximately on the locking edge 47 when the end closure flap 27 is in an unstressed condition. The end closure flap 27 also has an elongated side edge 59 which preferably extends to the point of intersection of the locking edge 47 and the free lateral edge 45 of the side closure flap 31. The end closure flap 27 also has an end edge 61 and a sloping edge 63. When the end closure flap 27 is in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it completely covers the opening 39.

In shipping the container from the producer to the consumer, the end closure flap 27 may overlie the side closure flap 31 as shown in FIG. 3. Rupturable securing means for sealing the closure flaps in this position are provided. In FIG. 3, the rupturable securing means takes the form of a strip of tape 65 which overlies the end closure flap 27 and a portion of the side closure flap 31 and then extends downwardly over portions of the

rectangular sides

13 and 15. In lieu of the adhesive tape 65, one or both of the

edges

51 and 55 may be formed integrally with the container, or a spot of glue may be used between the end flap 27 and the side flap 31.

When the rupturable securing means 65 is unbroken, the locking edge 47 may or may not be fitted within the V-shaped locking groove 57. However, once the rupturable securing means has been broken, the open upper end 23 of the container 11 can only be closed by properly engaging the V-shaped locking groove 57 and the locking edge 47 as shown in FIG. 4. It is apparent from FIG. 4 that a portion 67 of the end closure flap 27 lies beneath the side closure flap 31 when the V-shaped locking groove 57 and the locking edge 47 are engaged in the locked position.

To lock the flaps in closed position, the flap 27 which is constructed of semiflexible material such as cardboard or plastic is curved and bent from an unstressed condition to the left and upwardly as viewed in FIG. 4 until a point 69 on the end closure flap 27 clears the locking edge 47. At this time the point 69 and the portion 67 of the flap 27 may be slid beneath the side closure flap 31 until the locking edge 47 engages the point of the V-shaped locking groove 57. Simultaneously with the engagement of the locking groove 57 and the locking edge 47, the end closure flap 27 reaches its unstressed condition. Thus, the flaps are locked in the closed posi tion. To facilitate locking and unlocking of the flaps, it is preferred that the sloping edge 63 stop short of and be disposed of at an angle with respect to the upper container side edge 41 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In order that more than one of the closure flaps cover most of the upper end 23 of the container 11, it is preferred that the elongated side edge 59 of the end flap 27 extend to the intersection of the locking edge 47 and the free lateral edge 45 of the side closure flap 31. It is also preferred that the slanting edge 53 and the reverse edge 55 which form the V-shaped groove 57 intersect to form a very small angle to snugly engage the locking edge 47. The reverse edge 55 may be generally perpendicular to the upper container end edge 41.

All of the closure flaps are preferably constructed of cardboard, plastic, or other semiflexible material. It should be understood that any or all of the

flaps

25, 29, and 31 may be rigidly secured in the closed position. In this instance, pivoting the end flap 27 to its open position would expose a portion of the opening 39 through which the material in the container 11 may be poured. It should also be understood that the opening 39 in the side closure fiap 29 may be provided in other positions, such as at the opposite end of the upper end 23 adjacent the end closure flap 25. In this instance, at least the

flaps

27 and 31 would have to be pivoted to the open position following disengagement of the V-shaped locking groove 57 and the locking edge 47 to expose the opening 39. Although the locking edge 47 is preferably curved, a straight edge may be used. Furthermore, the closure flaps need not be formed on the edges of the upper end of the container, but may 'be provided on any suitable container edges including the edges of the

sides

13 and 15, the ends 17 and 19, and the bottom 21.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be understood that other applications of the invention are possible and that the embodiment disclosed may be subjected to various changes, modifications, and substitutions without necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: 4

1. A container and closure means therefor comprising:

a cardboard container open at its upper end and including two intersecting upper container edges;

a cardboard side closure flap formed integrally with 7 a closed position in which said end closure flap at least partially overlies said upper end, said end closure flap in said closed position having a side edge extending generally in the direction of said one ofsaid upper container edges, a slanting edge extending from said side edge to about said locking edge of said side closure flap and a reverse edge extending from said slanting edge generally toward said one of said upper container edges, said slanting and reverse edges forming a locking groove for cooperating with said locking edge to releasably $605111? said end closure flap in the closed position; an rupturable means for securing said end closure flap in said closed position. 2. A container and closure means therefor comprising:

a cardboard container open at its upper end including two interesting upper container edges; I a cardboard sideclosure flap formed integrally with one of said upper container edges, said side closure flap having a short end edge adjacent the other of said upper container edges and a free lateral edge opposite said one of said upper container edges, said side closure flap having a substantially obliquely extending locking edge extending from said short end edge to said free lateral edge;

a cardboard end closure flap formed integrally with the rupturable securing means releasably securing said ing:

end closure flap in said closed position whereby after said securing means is ruptured, the end closure flap may be held in said closed position by engagement of said locking edge with said V-shaped groove. A container and closure means therefor compriscontainer having a substantially rectangular upper end;

first side closure flap having an edge formed integrally with said container, said first side flap being generally coextensive with said rectangular upper end except for a cutout portion adjacent one end of said container, said cutout portion defining an opening providing access from the exterior to the interior of said container;

second side closure flap formed integrally with said container at one edge thereof and overlying said first side closure flap, said second side closure flap having a locking edge extending obliquely from said one end of said container across said opening toward said integrally formed edge of said first side closure flap, whereby at least a portion of said opening remains to provide access from the exterior to the interior of said container;

cardboard end closure, flap formed integrally with said container at said one end and extending to approximately the point where said locking edge ends, said end closure flap being pivotal about said one end between an open position in which at least a portion of said opening communicates with the exterior and the interior of the container and a closed position in which said opening is completely closed by said end closure fiap, said end closure flap having a side edge extending generally away from said one end, said side edge having a generally V-shaped groove formed therein, the point of said groove when said end closure flap is in said closed position lying approximately on said locking edge; and

rupturable securing means releasably securing said end closure flap in said closed position whereby after said securing means is ruptured the end closure flap may be held in said closed position by engagement of said locking edge with said V-shaped groove.

A container and closure means therefor comprising: container having a substantially rectangular upper end;

first side closure flap formed integrally with said container, said first side closure flap being generally coextensive with said rectangular upper end except for a cutout portion adjacent one end of said rectangular upper end, said cutout portion defining an opening providing access to the interior of said container;

second side closure flap formed integrally with said container and overlying said first side closure flap, said second side closure flap allowing at least a portion of said opening to remain uncovered;

an end closure flap formed integrally with said con- 6 tainer and disposed so that in a closed position said end closure flap will overlie at least a portion of each of said side flaps and all of said opening; and interlocking means formed on said second side flap and said end flap for releasably securing said end flap in said closed position.

5. In combination:

a container having two adjacent container edges formed on intersecting lines, said container edges at least partially defining an aperture providing communication with the interior of said container;

a first closure flap overlying at least a portion of said aperture and attached to one of said container edges;

a second closure flap overlying at least a section of said aperture and attached to the other of said container edges, at least one of said closure flaps being pivotal away fromsaid aperture to provide communication through said aperture to the interior of said container; and

interlocking means formed on said closure flaps for releasably securing said closure flaps in overlying relationship with said aperture, said interlocking means including a locking edge on said first closure flap and a locking groove on said second closure flap.

6. In combination:

a first closure flap overlying at least a portion of said aperture and attached to one of said container edges, said first closure flap having a locking edge extending away from said one container edge; and

a second closure flap overlying at least a section of said aperture and attached to the other of said container edges, said second closure flap having a generally'V- shaped locking groove adjacent said locking edge of said first closure flap, said V-shaped locking groove being interlockable with said locking edge;

at least one of said closure flaps being pivotal away from said aperture to provide communication through said aperture to the interior of said container.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said aperture is generally rectangular and said second closure flap extends generally in the direction of said one container edge for less than about one-half the length of said one container edge.

8. In combination:

a first closure flap having an outer periphery, said first closure flap being attached to one of said container edges and having a locking edge extending away from said one of said container edges, said locking edge forming a portion of said outer periphery, said first closure fla-p overlying at least a portion of said aperture; and

a second closure flap overlying at least a section of said aperture and attached to the other of said container edges, said second closure flap having a generally V-shaped locking groove adjacent said locking edge of said first closure flap, said locking groove being interlockable with said locking edge;

9. In combination:

a container having two container edges formed on intersecting lines, said container edges at least partially defining an aperture providing communication to the interiorof said container;

a first closure flap attached to one of said container edges, said first closure flap having a short end edge adjacent the other of said container edges and a free lateral edge opposite said one container edge, said first closure flap having a substantially obliquely extending locking edge extending from said short end edge to said free lateral edge; and

a second closure flap attached to said other of said container edges and at least partially overlying said aperture, said second closure flap having a side edge extending generally in the direction of said one of said container edges, a slanting edge extending from said side edge to about said locking edge of said first closure flap and a reverse edge extending from said' slanting edge generally toward said one of said container edges, said slanting and reverse edges forming a locking groove which is interlockable with said locking edge;

10. In combination:

a container having two adjacent container edges formed on generally perpendicular intersecting lines, said container edges at least partially defining an aperture providing communication with the interior of said container;

a second closure flap overlying at least a section of said aperture and attached to the other of said container edges at least one of said closure flaps being pivotal away from said aperture to provide communication through said aperture to the interior of said container;

interlocking means formed on said closure flaps for releasably securing said closure flaps in overlying relationship with said aperture; and

a third closure flap on said container overlying said aperture and being generally coextensive therewith except for a cut-out portion defining an openingproviding communication with the interior of said container, said first and second closure flaps closing said opening, at least one of said closure flaps being pivotal away from said opening to provide communication through said opening to the interior of said container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,833,599 11/1931 Stroehrnann 229-35 2,588,996 3/1952 Snyder 22917 2,762,552 9/ 1956 Hickin. 2,956,719 10/1960 Nalle 229-17 3,073,505 1/1963 Ullger 229 -35 3,079,063 2/1963 Yezek 229-17 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,404 1892 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A CONTAINER AND CLOSURE MEANS THEREFOR COMPRISING: A CARDBOARD CONTAINER OPEN AT ITS UPPER END AND INCLUDING TWO INTERSECTING UPPER CONTAINER EDGES; A CARBOARD SIDE CLOSURE FLAP FORMED INTERGRALLY WITH ONE OF SAID UPPER CONTAINER EDGES, SAID SIDE CLOSURE FLAP HAVING A SHORT END EDGES ADJACENT THE OTHER OF SAID UPPER CONTAINER EDGES AND A FREE LATERAL EDGE OPPOSITE SAID ONE OF SAID UPPER CONTAINER EDGES, SAID SIDE CLOSURE FLAP HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY OBLIQUELY EXTENDING LOCKING EDGE EXTENDING FROM SAID SHORT END EDGE TO SAID FREE LATERAL EDGE; A CARDBOARD END CLOSURE FLAP FORMED INTEGRALY WITH THE OTHER OF SAID UPPER CONTAINER EDGES AND HAVING A CLOSED POSITION IN WHICH SAID END CLOSURE FLAP AT LEAST PARTIALLY OVERLIES SAID UPPER END, SAID END CLOSURE FLAP IN SAID CLOSED POSITION HAVING A SIDE EDGE EXTENDING GENERALLY IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID ONE OF SAID UPPER CONTAINER EDGES, A SLANTING EDGE EXTENDING FROM SAID SIDE EDGE TO ABOUT SAID LOCKING EDGE OF SAID SIDE CLOSURE FLAP AND A REVERSE EDGE EXTENDING FROM SAID SLANTING EDGE GENERALLY TOWARD SAID ONE OF SAID UPPER CONTAINER EDGES, AND SLANTING AND REVERSE EDGES FORMING A LOCKING GROOVE FOR COOPERATING WITH SAID LOCKING EDGE TO RELEASABLY SECURE SAID END CLOSURE FLAP IN THE CLOSED POSITION; AND RUPTURABLE MEANS FOR SECURING SAID END CLOSURE FLAP IN SAID CLOSED POSITION.