US3498522A - Reclosable carton - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17. 1968 WK i 2J1? J 0 4 w m. 4 Mn N h m w :3... M a W 8 Q M. U Q w M 2L H a V f M M/ e M; 2 I; 1 i 6 In 3 w m m -N- Q a J. i O W: M 6 W M m r it 8 FIG. 1

INVENTOR RICHARD C. PEET BY W ATTORNEY March 3, 1970 R. c. PEET 3,498,522

RECLOSABLE CARTON Filed May 17.1968 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 INVENTOR RICHARD C. PEET BY /ZW-%,(ZAM

ATTORNEY United States Patent O US. Cl. 22917 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carton having side and wall panels and extensions on said panels forming top closing flaps for the carton. The top closing flaps include side and end flaps. The outer of the side flaps have a segment defined therein by a first weakened tear line extending across the outer side flap from its free edge to its folded juncture with the side panel. This segment of the outer side flap is provided with a slot opening. The inner of the side flaps has a segment at one end defined by a second weakened tear line extending across the inner side flap from its free edge to its juncture with the side panel. The first weakened tear line is displaced from the second weakened tear line to define an area on the inner side flap between the first and second weakened tear lines for supporting the segment of the outer side flap when the carton is closed. The edge of the segment of the inner side flap is provided with a tab for engagement with the slot opening in the outer side flap. The tab segment of the inner side flap underlies the slotted segment of the outer side flap when the carton is closed and overlies theslotted segment of the outer side flap when the carton is reclosed. Reclosure is accomplished by inserting the tab in the slot.

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved reclosable carton designed to contain for instance comminuted foodstuffs and other merchandise only a part of which are used at any one time.

BACKGROUNDDESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART A variety of cartons have been developed characterized by a breakway top portion which forms a spout opening through which the contents of the carton may be dispensed. None of these pour-spout types of cartons are without shortcomings, however. For instance, many of the cartons are without reclosable means. Others, although containing a reclosable means such as flaps provided with a tab-slot reclosable feature, leave much to be desired, particularly with respect to ease of reclosure and in the effecting of secure closures. A common problem is created in these types of prior art cartons by the lack of a base support for the top flaps of the carton in closed position. As a result it is difficult to engage the upper flap tab with the under flap close-slot no matter how careful the attempt. Moreover, after repeated openings and closings, the pour spout flaps tend to collapse into the interior of the carton and must be extricated on each opening. Once this happens the carton cannot be properly closed.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION A carton has now been found which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of prior art cartons and facilitates better, neater, more secure and easier closure of the carton. The carton of the invention has side and Wall panels and extensions on said panels forming top closing flaps for the carton. The top closing flaps include side and end flaps. The outer side flaps have a segment defined therein 'by a first line means extending across the outer side flap from its free edge to its folded juncture 3,498,522 Patented Mar. 3, 1970 with the side panel. The line means is adapted to separate the segment of the outer flap from the remainder of the outer flap. The segment of the outer flap is also provided with a slot opening. The inner side flap has a segment defined therein by a second line means extending across the side flap from its free edge to its folded juncture with the side panel. The second line means is adapted to separate this segment from the remainder of the inner side flap. Preferably, the first and second line means take the form of weakened tear lines. In accordance with the invention the first line means is displaced from the second line means in order to define on the remainder of the inner side flap an underlying support area for the slotted segment of the outer side flap when the carton is closed. A tab is provided at the outer edge of the segment of the inner side flap opposite the slot opening of the outer side flap for engagement therewith. Thus, when the carton is initially closed, the tab segment of the inner side flap underlies the slotted segment of the outer side flap. After opening of the carton reclosure is accomplished by inserting the tab of the segment of the inner side flap into the slot opening of the outer side flap so that in reclosed position the tab segment of the inner side flap overlies the slotted segment of the outer side flap and is supported in horizontal position by the support area defined by the first and second line means in the outer and inner side flaps, respectively.

Thus, the present invention provides a carton that eliminates the collapse problem that has plagued the prior art for years and surprisingly facilitates closure with unusual ease and efliciency, even after continued use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following is a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to be read with the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the detailed description and drawings are provided for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiment and that the invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank forming one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the upper or top portion of the carton with the top flaps partly closed prior to sealing;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the upper or top portion of the carton partly open;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the carton fully open and in dispensing position;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the carton top reclosed after opening.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 represents a blank forming an embodiment of the invention from which the carton is formed. The blank comprises end panels 4 and 6 and side panels 8 and 10. End panels 4 and 6 and side panels 8 and 10, as shown, are rectangular in shape, end and side panels being of the same dimenison respectively. The carton blank is advantageously vertically scored in fold lines 12, 14, 16, and 18 and horizontally scored adjacent its lower edge by score line 20 which provides bottom end flaps 22, 24, 26, and 28. Flaps 22, 24, 26, and 28 are preferably rectangular in shape and are separated by cuts 30, 32, and 34 which are extensions of fold lines 12, 14, and 16, respectively. Top end flaps 36 and 38, which are preferably rectangular in shape, are extensions of end panels 4 and 6, respectively. Cuts 40, 42, and 44 are upper extensions of fold lines 12, 14, and 16 and separate the top end flaps 36 and 38. A glue flap 46 extends outwardly from side panel 10.

Extending upwardly from side panel 8 is an inner side flap generally designated as 48. The inner side flap 48 is provided with a segment 50 defined therein with a vertical weakened tear line 52. Segment 58 contains a slot opening 62 with which tab 54 cooperates when the carton is formed and is of greater horizontal dimension than segment 50. It should be understood that although the segments 50 and 58 are defined in a preferred embodiment by weakened tear lines any suitable line means which separate the segments from the remainder of the respective inner and outer side flaps can be used as, for instance, cuts.

The carton may be formed by folding the blank along vertical fold lines 12, 14, and 16 into rectangular form with outer flap 46 glued to the inner surface of end panel 4. Top end flaps 36 and 38 are then folded inwardly into horizontal position. Inner flap 48 is folded inwardly and into a horizontal position overlying the top end flaps 36 and 38 as shown in FIGURE 2. Outer flap 56 is then folded to and adhesively bonded to inner flap 48 to complete closure of the top or upper portiton of the carton. Any suitable adhesive such as varnish can be used for this purpose.

After the top or upper portion of the carton has been sealed, merchandise may be placed directly into the carton or into a liner provided the carton and the liner and the bottom of the carton sealed individually in manners well known in the art.

The carton may be easily opened by pulling segment 58 upwardly which breaks the segment clear of the carton top along tear line 60 (FIG. 4). The remainder of the outer side flap remains in horizontal position adhered to the inner side flap. If desired a tab may be provided segment 58 to facilitate the upward pulling of the segment. Next segment 50 is separated from the remainder of inner flap 48 by grasping tab 54 and pulling upwardly thereby tearing segment 50 free along weakened tear line 52. End flap 38 is then pulled up to place the carton in an open, dispensing position. Also, since segment 58 is of greater longitudinal dimension than segment 50 by virtue of the longitudinal displacement of weakened tear line 52 from weakened tear line 60, there is provided an area on the inner side flap 48 between said weakened tear lines as a base support for the segment 58 when the carton is reclosed.

Reclosure of the carton top is accomplished by folding inwardly end flap 38 in a horizontal position, followed by folding segment 58 inwardly in a horizontal position onto base support area 64 (see FIG. 4). Segment 50 is then folded inwardly onto segment 58 and the reclosure completed by inserting tab 54 into slot opening 62 (see FIG.

The preferred construction of the invention has been illustrated and described, but changes and modifications can be made and some features can be used in different combinations without departing from the invention.

It is claimed:

1. A carton having side and wall panels, extensions on said panels forming top closing flaps for said carton, said top closing flaps including side and end flaps, the outer of said side flaps having a segment defined therein by a first line means extending across the outer side flap from its free edge to its folded juncture with said side panel, said line means being adapted to separate said segment from the remainder of said outer flap; said segment of said outer side flap including a slot opening, the inner of said side flaps having a segment defined therein by a second line means extending across the side flap from its free edge to its folded juncture with said side panel, said second line means being adapted to separate said segment from the remainder of said inner side flap, said first line means being displaced from said second line means to define on said remainder of the inner side flap an underlying area of support for said slotted segment of said outer side flap when the carton is closed, a tab at the outer edge of the segment of said inner side flap opposite the slot opening of said outer side flap, said tabbed segment of the inner side flap underlying the slotted segment of the outer side flap when the carton is closed and overlying the slotted segment of the outer side flap when the carton is reclosed, reclosure being accomplished by inserting said tab in said slot.

2. The carton of claim 1 wherein the first line means is a weakened tear line.

3. The carton of claim 1 wherein the second line means is a weakened tear line.

4. The carton of claim 1 wherein the outer side flap is adhesively bonded to the inner side flap.

5. The carton of claim 1 wherein'the outer edge of the segment of said inner flap containing said tab is cut back.

6. A carton having side and wall panels, extensions on said panels forming top closing flaps for said carton, said top closing flaps including side and end flaps, the outer of said side flaps having a segment defined therein by a first weakened tear line extending transversely across said outer side fiap from its free edge to its folded juncture with said side panel, said segment of the outer side flap having a slot opening, the inner of said side flaps having a segment at one end defined by a second weakened tear line extending transversely across the inner side flap from its free edge to its juncture with the side panel, said first weakened tear line being displaced from said second weakened tear line to define an area on said inner side flap between said first and second weakened tear lines for supporting said segment of the outer side flap when the carton is closed, said end flaps underlying said inner side flap when closed, the edge of said segment of the inner side flap being cut away and having a tab opposite the slot opening of said outer side flap, said tabbed segment of the inner side flap underlying the slotted segment of the outer side flap when the carton is closed and overlying the slotted segment of the outer side flap when the carton is reclosed, reclosure being accomplished by inserting said tab in said slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,151,202 3/1939 Guyer 229-17 2,864,547 12/ 1958 Guyer 2295 1 2,933,23 0 4/1960 Yezek 22917 2,946,496 7/ 1960 Stagmeier 22917 3,079,063 2/ 1963 Yezek 22917 3,136,471 6/1964 Brastad 22914 3,366,310 1/1968 Simpson et al. 229-51 DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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