CA2082912A1 - Multiple unit carton carrying indicia - Google Patents

Abstract

MULTIPLE UNIT CARTON CARRYING INDICIA

ABSTRACT
A dual cigarette carton formed from two substantially identical single cigarette sub-cartons 30,32. A label 42 bearing indicia encoded for the automatic pricing of the dual carton is placed across adjacent coplanar walls of the two single cartons. The indicia are positioned such that they are rendered unreadable by automatic equipment when the two single cartons are separated for individual sale. Each single carton further includes indicia encoded for the automatic pricing of a single carton, the indicia being positioned such that they are not readily visible when the single cartons are connected to form a dual carton.

Description

MULTIPLE UNIT CARTON CAR~YING INDICIA

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of a label bearing indicia encoded for automatic pricing to connect two separate cartons (sub-cartons), in particular, cigarette cartons, to form a combined dual carton, the indicia being positioned such that the code is rendered unreadable when the two cartons are separated.
Cigarette packs (which usually contain twenty cigarettes) are generally rectan~tllar in shape, havihg front and back long walls and two short side walls.
Cigarette cartons typically contain two rows of five cigarette packs per row (each row arranged so that the front long walls of the packs are in the same plane and the back long walls are in a parallel plane spaced from the front long walls), and are generally known in the art as ten-pack cartons. Such cigarette cartons are generally filled with cigare~te packs by the manufacturer, temporarily closed (e.g., by folding the top flap of the carton over the box and releasably securing the flap in the closed position), and shipped to various distributors. The distributors generally open the cartons, after they are received, to apply any tax stamp that may be required by the jurisdiction in which they operate to the individual cigarette packs inside the cartons. Such procedures are commonly automated to reduce time, cost, and labor through the use of specially designed machines for applying tax stamps. Tax-stamping machines have been developed to open the cartons, apply the st~nps, and finally seal the cartons $or distribution. Such machines are generally commercially available, and are well known in the art. These machines have been developed for standard ten-pack cigarette cartons. A typical tax-stamping machine is model FUSON manufactured by Meyercord Co. of 365 East North Avenue, Carol Stream, Illinois 601~7.

Single row cigarette cartons which are dimensioned to contain one row of five cigarette packs (each pack usually containing twenty cigarettes, the packs arranged so that the front long walls of the packs are in the same plane and the back long walls are in a parallel plane spaced from the front long walls), i.e., five-pack cartons, are also known in the art. However, although machinery exists for manufacturing such cartons, machinery does not exist for stamping the cigarette packs contained in five-pack cartons. Consequently, such single row cartons must either be hand-stamped (as is done currently) or would have to be secured together in pairs to be run through the existent tax-stamping equipment. To assure that the tax stamp is properly registered, the means for securing the cartons must be strong enough to keep the cartons together such that they are not sheared apart by the vertical rollers of the tax-stamping machines which roll along the vertical walls of the cartons to transfer the cartons between the various stages of the process. If two single row cartons are to be secured together, the means for securement must allow for later separation of the cartons, if desired, by the retailer or consumer.
For marketing purposes, once separated, the two cartons should have little or no trace of the means for securement which would disfigure the outward appearance of the cartons.
In order to facilitate automatic pricing, indicia encoded for automatic pricing of the dual carton are generally included on an outer face of the cartons to be scanned by automatic pricing equipment. Each carton is also usually priced for individual sale.
The use of such automatic pricing indicia often presents several difficulties. When two narrow cartons, each coded for individual sale, are connected, an automatic scanner may scan both prices thereby charging the price of two cartons. If the price of the combined carton is to be less than the price of two cartons sold together, the customer may be overcharged if the automatic scanner scans both price codes instead of the reduced price. Furthermore, if the automatic scanner only scans one price code, the retailer/wholesaler has undercharged. If a label bearing indicia coded for the price of the combined carton is placed on the combined carton, the label may still be readable ii the cartons are separated o~
for individual sale and the customer may be charged the price of the combined carton instead of the individual carton. The scanner may also register both the combined price and the individual price, thereby overcharging the customer.
It is desired to provide a means for securing two narrow cigarette cartons together to have the combined dimensions of a dual cigarette carton such that the two cartons do not move relative to one another while being transferred throughout the tax-stamping machinery.
It is also desired to provide a means for making a clean separation between the two narrow cartons, if desired, for sale as individual cartons instead of as a dual carton composed of two narrow cartons.
It is further desired to connect the two narrow cartons such that the price coding indicia of the individual cartons are not readily visible to be scanned by automatic equipment.
It is further desired to provide a label bearing price coding indicia for sale of the combined carton.
It is further desired to print or position such a label such that the price coding indicia are destroyed upon separating the cartons for individual sale.
According to the invention there is provided a label bearing price coding indicia, such as Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) indicia, positioned across two adjacent, coplanar walls of two sub-cartons. The label serves as a means for connecting the two sub-cartons and also as a means for automatic pricing of the dual carton. The price coding indicia for the dual carton are positioned across the two sub-cartons such that the price coding is rendered unreadabie by automatic equipment once the sub-cartons are separated for individual sale. The price coding indicia of the sub-cartons are positioned such that the indicia are not readily visible until the sub-cartons are separated for individual sale.
Further features of the invention, its nature, and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, wherein like reference characters represent like elements throughout, and in which:

~3.~ 2 FIG. 1 is a plan view of an illustrative sub-carton blank for a five-pack sub-carton in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of two five-pack sub-cartons, each constructed from a blank similar to that shown in FIG. 1, connected together in accordance with this invention to form, once connected, a tèn-pack carton;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of two five-pack cartons before tax-stamping, connected with a label bearing price coding indicia affixed to the external sides of the sub-cartons to thereby connect the sub-cartons;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of an illustrative carton blank for forming two $ive-pack sub-cartons joined by a perforated line in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view similar to that of FIG.

2 but with the blank oi FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of an illustrative carton blank for forming the ten-pack carton shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a carton Eormed from the blank of FIG. 6, with the lid open;
FIG. 8 is an isometric view similar to that of FIG. 7, but with the lid closed;
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of two five-pack sub-cartons connected with a label bearing price coding indicia affixed across the bottom walls of the sub-cartons;
FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view similar to that of FIG. 9, but showing a label having a grip tab;
FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view similar to that of FIG. 9, but showing a label having a lift-up corner;
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of two fi~e-pack sub-cartons connected with a label bearing price coding indicia which is an integral part of the two sub-cartons and bridges the two sub-cartons, made from the blank of FIG. 6;
FIG. 13 is an isometric view of two five-pack sub-cartons, each bearing price coding indicia for sale of each five-pack sub-carton printed directly on the sub-cartons, which sub-cartons are to be connected with a label bearing price coding indicia $or sale of a ten-pack dual carton, which label covers the indicia for five-pack sub-carton sale;
FIG. 14 is an isometric view similar to that of FIG. 13 but with clear carrier means positioned between the label and the sub-cartons;
FIG. 15 is an isometric view similar to that of FIG. 13 but with the price coding indicia for sale of each five-pack sub-carton printed on labels which are affixed to the sub-cartons;
FIG. 16 shows a single blank of paperboard that when folded forms a sub-carton;
FIG. 17 shows two assembled sub-cartons each formed from a blank of FIG. 16 positioned in parallel for attachment;
FIG. 18 shows the two sub-cartons of FIG. 17 after being attached;
FIG. 19 shows the process of temporarily closing the top closures of the sub-cartons of FIG. 18 for shipment to be later re-opened for tax stamping;
FIG. 20 is a side view of the double sub-carton unit of FIG. 18 with the top closures in the temporarily closed position;
FIG. 21 is a side view showing the top closures of the double sub-carton unit of FIG. 18 being tucked into each sub-carton after having been tax stamped;
FIG. 22 shows the double sub-carton unit of FIG. 18 after separation into two fully enclosed sub-cartons of five cigarette packs; and FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of a carton according to the invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, blank 100, used for forming a sub-carton adapted to hold one row of five cigarette packs (each pack usually containing twenty cigarettes), i.e., a five-pack, has a plurality of fold lines represented by broken lines. Blank 100 is preferably formed from a substantially rigid material such as paperboard or cardboard. Each relatively large panel 10 and 12 of blank 100 is substantially five times the width oE a long wall of the cigarette pack to be enclosed therein. As used herein, a standard cigarette pack is defined as any pack commonly used for holding a predetermined number of cigarettes, and generally having front and back long walls connected by two short side walls. When blank 100 is folded along respective fold lines lOa and 12a, panel 10 becomes the iront wall of the sub-carton and panel 12 becomes the rear wall of the sub-carton. Joining panels 10 and 12 is bottom panel 14, which forms the bottom wall of the sub-carton when the blank is folded into a sub-carton. Panel 16, having substantially the same dimensions as bottom panel 14, extends from rear panel 12.
After walls 10 and 12 are assembled, panel 16 is folded along ~old line 16a over the top of the sub-carton to extend between ~alls 10 and 12 of the sub-carton. Extension panel 18 joins panel 16 along a fold line 18a. Additional fold lines are shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 as broken lines but are not identified with individual reference characters.
Panels 16 and 18 together form a top and tuck-in flap 17.
When the sub-carton is formed and ready for distribution to consumers, extension panel 18 lies substantially parallel to front wall 10, preferably inside the sub-carton, and panel 16 is folded over the top of the carton towards front wall 10. Side panels 20a and 20b are folded one over the other to form a side wall 20 of the sub-carton. Side panels 22a and 22b are folded in a similar fashion to form side wall 22. The "a" panel is preferably folded over the "b" panel. Tabs 24 and 26 are preferably folded perpendicular to panel 14 before the side panels are folded and will eventually lie substantially parallel to side walls 20 and 22, respectively. 'rhe distance between panels 10 and 12 of the completed carton is substantially the same as the distance between the front and back long walls of the enclosed cigarette pack.
FIG. 2 shows two five-pack sub-cartons 30, 32 connected along their front walls 10, hereinafter referred to as interior walls 11, prepared for insertion of a bundle 34 of ten cigarette packs 36.
Rear walls 12 remain visible after connection of sub-cartons 30, 32, and hence are hereinafter referred to as exterior walls 13.
Flaps 17, which are formed from panels 16 and 18 of each blank 100 which forms the sub-cartons 30, 32, are opened such that the interiors of the sub-cartons 30, 32 are readily accessible for insertion of bundles 34. Because the "an panels of blank 100 are preferably folded over the "b" panels, the free edge of each of the ~ ~ ~ h9~ Z

"a" panels faces inwardly, i.e., the free ed~es lie adjacent interior walls ll, when cartons 30, 32 are joined. In this configuration, the free edges of the "a" panels are not readily accessible and thus are relatively safe from being accidentally lifted from their place adjacent the "b" panels.
Packs 36 are preferably arranged in two rows of five packs per roN with the short walls of adjacent packs facing each other and the long walls of the packs arranged in parallel planes such that the front walls of each row are in a first single plane and the rear walls of each row are in a second single plane spaced from the first single plane. The outer faces of packs 36 preferably bear printed matter 35, such as the brand name, a list of the contents, etc., such matter printed such that the pack has a front face and a rear face. An example of such printed matter 35 being the letter "M", the bottom of which is positioned towards the front face of the pack 36. When a consumer opens a cigarette carton, it is desirable for the front face of the cigarette packs inside the carton to face the consumer. It is therefore desirable to arrange cigarette packs 36 in the sub-cartons 30, 32 such that the front faces of the packs face each other and hence lie adjacent interior walls ll once the packs are positioned in their respective sub-cartons.
As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-cartons 30, 32 may be formed from a single blank 200. Each half of blank 200 resembles blank 100, with like reference characters representing like elements, and broken lines representing fold lines. The substantially identical halves of blank 200 are connected by a line of weakness 31, preferably a perforated line. Each half is individually folded to form a separate, five-pack sub-carton. The blank is additionally folded along line 31 so that walls 10 lie against one another, facing each other. The completed combined sub-cartons may be seen in FIG. 5, which is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 (with like reference characters representing like elements) except the sub-cartons are joined along a perforated line formed in the blank which forms the sub-cartons.
A modified single blank 300, shown in FIG. ~, may also be used to form the sub-cartons 30, 32. Blank 300 resembles blank 200, but there are differences as will be noted. Side panels 320a, 320b, 322a and 322b are substantially the same as side panels 20a, 20b, 22a, and 22b of hlank 200, except the corners of the side panels of blank 300 are cut differently. Similarly, tabs 324 and 326 of blank 300 are substantially the same as tabs 24 and 26 of blank 200, except that the corners are cut differently. Blank 300 further includes additional tabs 323a and 321a extending from side panels 322a and 320a, respectively.
A further difference between blank 200 and blank 300 is the construction of the panels which are folded to form the top walls of the sub-cartons. Instead of having two top and tuck-in flaps 17, such as formed from panels 16 and 18 of blank 200, blank 300 has a single top wall 317 formed from two panels 316 and 318. Top wall 317 has two slits 319 which divide the wall into the panels 316 and 318, and which each terminate at label 42d which bridges across and joins panels 3i6 and 318. A line of weakness (not shown) such as described above, may also be included, joining slits 319. Label 42d will be described in further detail below. Panel 316 may have an extension panel (not shown) similar to extension panel 18 of blank 100 .
Blank 300 is folded in substantially the same manner as blank 200 is folded. FIG. 7 shows blank 300 formed into sub-cartons 30, 32, with the top wall 317 not yet folded over the tops of the sub-cartons. Cigarette bundle 34 has already been placed inside the formed sub-cartons. FIG. 8 shows the completed, closed sub-cartons 30, 32, after top wall 317 has been folded over the tops of the sub-cartons.
An illustrative carrier means bearing price coding indicia, hereinafter referred to as label 42, is shown joining two five-pack sub-cartons, in FIG. 3. Label 42 utilizes a carrier means such as mylar or paper, which bears an either permanent or releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive. Releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive is herein defined as any adhesive known in the art, which, preferably, is clear, has no taste or odor, and does not cause fiber pull of the carrier means or leave a tacky residue once the suriaces joined by the adhesive are separated (e.g., any adhesive known in the art which provides a strong bond between surfaces but once the surfaces are pulled apart, the bonds of the adhesive are broken and the adhesive is no longer tacky). The selected adhesive should be sufficiently strong to hold the sub-cartons firmly in place relative to one another and resist such shearing force which would reasonably be applied through a difference in forces applied by vertical rollers of tax-stamping machines which roll along the exterior walls 13 of the cartons during the tax- stamping process.
Label 42 is applied across adjacent, coplanar walls of the sub-cartons 30, 32, such as bottom walls 14, to maintain the walls and hence the sub-cartons in the same plane and adjacent one another. Label 42 may have a line of weakness 41, such as a perforated line, preferably positioned substantially parallel to the line defined by the intersection of the sticker and the plane which extends between and out from interior walls 11 (i.e., positioned between the two sub-cartons), to facilitate a clean separation of the two sub-cartons.
Label 42 bears Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) indicia or other pricing indicia, preferably a bar code, preferably encoded for the sale of the dual carton.
Additional labels (not shown), preferably without indicia, may be applied across other adjacent, coplanar walls to join the sub-cartons together even more securely.
Flaps 17 are shown as being lapped over one another in preparation to be shipped to a distributor and later opened, or, alternatively, in position for distribution to individual wholesalers or retailers for subsequent distribution to consumers.
As seen in FIG. 9, label 42a is placed along adjacent, coplanar walls, such as bottom walls 14, of the sub-cartons 30, 32, the lines of the bar code being positioned substantially parallel to the adjacent edges of the walls across which label 42a is placed.
The bar code is preferably encoded for the sale of the dual carton.
The bar code extends across the bottom walls oi the two sub-cartons so that when they are separated the bar code is split substantially ; parallel to the bar code lines and only incomplete, unreadable barcode remains on each sub-carton. Optional perforated line 41 may be included across label 42a, substantially parallel to the lines of the bar code and approximately above and parallel to interior walls 11 .

~r.~
Label 42b, shown in FIG. lO, is substantially the same as label 42a, but has an additional grip tab 44 to facilitate removal of label 42b so that the price coding indicia are rendered unreadable by automatic equipment upon separating the two sub-cartons.
Preferably no adhesive is applied under tab 44 so that tab 44 may be lifted easily from the walls across which label 42b is applied.
Label 42c, shown in FIG. ll also is substantially the same as label 42a, but has a lift-up corner 46 (instead of tab 44 of label 42b) to facilitate removal of label 42c for separation of the two sub-cartons. Preferably no adhesive is applied below corner 46 so that corner 46 may be lifted easily from the wall on which it rests.
Although the price coding indicia of label 42d of FIG. 12 are positioned similarly to the indicia of labels 42a, 42b, and 42c the indicia are printed directly on and across the top walls of the t~o five-pack sub-cartons, instead of on a separate label/carrier means. Blank 300 is preferably used to form a dual carton with label 42d, although a blank such as blank 100 but with panels such as 316 and 318 (not shown) instead of panels 16 and 18 may also be used, in conjunction with a blank such as blank 100 but without panels 16 and 18.
To separate the sub-cartons 30, 32, label 42d must be torn so that slits 319 join to form a continuous slit, thus separating panels 316 and 318. A line of weakness such as perforated line 41 may be included to facilitate such separation.
The readily visible indicia on label 42 are preferably coded for sale of the combined ten-pack dual carton and are rendered unreadable by automatic scanning equipment upon tearing or removing label 42 to separate the two five-pack sub-cartons. Indicia encoded for the sale of an individual sub-carton may be printed on the walls of each of the sub-cartons or on labels applied to the walls of the sub-cartons. Preferably these indicia are located such that they are not readily visible when the sub-cartons are joined. These indicia are only accessible to automatic scanning equipment after the sub-cartons are separated.

Indicia encoded for the sale of an individual sub-carton (not shown) may be located on the outer surface of the interior walls 11 of the sub-cartons. In this position, these indicia are hidden when the sub-cartons are joined to form a dual carton, and can only be scanned after the individual sub-cartons are sepa~ated from the dual coniiguration.
As shown in FIGS. 13-15, indicia encoded for the sale of an individual sub-carton alternatively may be located underneath label 42 such that label 42 covers these indicia when the sub-cartons are joined to form a dual carton. Upon separation of the two sub-cartons, the indicia for individual sale are uncovered and can be scanned by automatic scanning equipment. ~uch indicia may either be printed directly on the walls of the sub-cartons or on labels affixed to the walls o~ the cartons. Label 42 may optionally have a tab 44 (such as shown in FIG. 10) or a lift-up corner 46 (such as shown in FIG. 11) to facilitate removal of label 42.
FIGS. 13 and 14 reveal labels 50, bearing indicia encoded for the sale of an individual sub-carton. Labels 50 are printed directly on the outer surface of each wall of a pair of adjacent, coplanar walls of cartons 30, 32. Label 42, bearing indicia encoded for the sale of the dual carton, is positioned over labels 50 such that labels 50 are completely covered by label 42 in the dual carton configuration. Releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferably used to affix label 42 across adjacent, coplanar walls and above the indicia of labels 50 printed on these walls. Label 42 thus may be easily removed to reveal labels 50 when the dual carton is separated into its component sub-cartons for individual sale.
Optional clear carrier means 52 may be included between label 42 and labels 50, as shown in FIG. 14. Clear carrier means 52 are secured with permanent adhesive to labels 50. Label 42 is then placed over clear carrier means 52 to cover labels 50, as discussed above. Releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferably used to secure label 42 to clear carrier means 52 so that label 42 may be easily removed to separate the dual carton into its component sub-cartons for individual sale.
As shown in FIG. 15, indicia encoded for the sale of an individual sub-carton may alternatively be printed on separate 2~3~'~2 labels 54, one label affixed to each wall of a pair of adjacent, coplanar walls of sub-cartons 30, 32. Label 42 is placed above labels 5~ to join sub-cartons 30, 32 and to cover labels 5~ such that labels 54 are completely covered by label 42 in the dual carton configuration. Releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to affix label 42 across adjacent, coplanar walls and above the indicia of labels 54 affixed to these walls, such that label ~2 may be easily removed to reveal labels 54 when the dual carton is separated into its component sub-cartons for individual sale. Permanent adhesive is preferably used to affix labels 54 to the sub-cartons such that labels 54 are not easily removed when label 42 is removed.
Clear carrier means 52 may be used between labels 54 and 42 as used between labels 50 and label 42, as discussed above.
Although label 42 is shown placed across bottom walls 14 of blanks 100 and 200, label 42 may also be placed across side walls 20 or 22, or panels 16.
Although wall 317 is referred to as a top wall, it may alternatively be referred to as a bottom wall.
Although label 42 is described as bearing indicia for automatic pricing such as U.P.C. indicia, any indicia may be used which similarly are intended to be destroyed upon separating the sub-cartons.
Although extension panel 18 is described as tucked inside the sub-carton, extension panel 18 may alternatively be glued to the outside of the sub-carton.
! Although flaps 17, designed to be tucked into sub-cartons 30, 32, are shown, it will appreciated that any appropriate flap may be used, such as a flap with panel 16 without extension 18, intended to be lapped over the top of the sub-carton, but not tucked partially inside the sub-carton. Although the sub-cartons 30, 32 are described as each dimensioned to hold one row of five cigarette packs, they may be lengthened or shortened to hold more or fewer 'l than five packs. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that these concepts may be applied to the connection of sub-cartons of other configurations for which distributors commonly haYe processing machinery.

~`~3 ;~

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 15 to 22, a tab carrying UPC indicia extends from a side wall of one sub-carton of the multiple and is affixed to the side wall of an adjacent sub-carton, as is described below.
A blank of paperboard is fabricated as shown in FIG. 16, which will ultimately form one sub-carton. The dashed lines containing alternating long and short dashes are fold lines or perforated scores along which the walls of the sub-carton are folded to form the sub-carton configuration. Dashed line 1200, which separates side panel 1025 and extension tab 1030, is perforated to allow for later separation of the extension tab and the two sub-cartons. UPC indicia characteristic of the multiple carton of which the sub-carton will form part is carried in part on the side panel 1025 and in part on the extension tab 1030. Separation of the tab 1030 from the side panel 1025 will render the UPC indicia indecipherable.
The blank is folded along the fold lines or perforated scores to encase five cigarette packs aligned side-by-side. The top of the cigarette packs will rest along bottom wall 1040. Interior wall 1055 is folded up such that it rests against the interior walls of the five cigarette packs. Dust flaps 1045 and 1050 and inner side panels 1060 and 1065 are folded up to rest along the side walls of the two cigarette pack positioned farthest from each other.
Exterior wall 1020 is then folded up to rest against the exterior walls of the five cigarette packs, and side walls 1025 and 1035 are folded in and glued to the outer faces of the inner side panels 1060 and 1065; respectively.
The extension tab 1030 is preferably semi-circular in shape and has a radius of curvature that is less than the width of side wall 1035, that is, less than the shortest distance between exterior wall 1020 and interior wall 1055 when the sub carton is assembled.
Of course, any shape of extension tab may be provided, so long as it does not extend out more than the width of side wall 1035.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the sub-carton does not need to be formed around five cigarette packs but instead may be formed hollow, so that the cigarette packs may later be inserted into the sub-carton.

The cigarette packs are preferably positioned in each sub-carton with the bottom o~ the pack next to the top closure and with the logo or brand name readable when the top closure is opened away from the consumer. In other words, the bottom of the logo or brand name on the exposed side of the cigarette pack is adjacent to the interior wall and the top is adjacent to the exterior wall.
In addition, those skilled in the art will recogni~e that the blank may be folded into a sub-carton in any position. For example, the blank may be folded with bottom wall 1040 positioned vertically.
Finally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many types of glue, tape or adhesive may be used to attached side panels 1025 and 1035 to inner side panesl 1060 and 1065, respectively, and extension tab 1030 may be detachably attached to side panel 1025 by other means than perforation line 1200. Also, many shapes and sizes of inner side panels 1060 and 1065 may be used, and dust flaps 10g5 and 1050 may also be of any si~e, or omitted altogether. However, the preferred embodiment includes dust flaps and uses larye box insert side walls to provide greater stability to the sub-carton.
FIG. 17 shows two assembled sub-cartons, labeled 1300~ and 1300B, positioned for attachment. Each half-carton contains five cigarette packs 1101- 1105, the numbers in incremental order starting at side panel 1025 and ending at side panel 1035. The cigarette packs in sub-carton 1300A are labeled 1101a-1105a, and those in sub-carton 1300B are labeled 1101b-1105b. This parallel numbering system -- in which each part is designated with the number used in FIG. 16 followed by the letter 'a" or "b" to indicate the sub-carton being referred to -- is used throughout FIGS. 17-22.
One sub-carton has been rotated 180 such that interior walls 1055a and 1055b face each other. This configuration allows extension tab 1030a to be attached to side panel 1035b, and extension tab 1030b to be attached to side panel 1035a. Top closures 1015a and 1015b are positioned opposite each other such that when the half-cartons are moved together, as shown by the two arrows in FIG. 17, and attached, the top closures are on opposite sides of the top of the double sub-carton unit. This configuration is important so that the top closures may later be bent back to A.~ ~ J ~

allow for tax stamping. Thus, it is important that extension tabs 1030a and 1030b extend from the side remote from the side to which top closures 1015a and 1015b, respectively, are hinged.
FIG. 18 shows the sub-cartons of EIG. 17 attached to each other. In the preferred embodiment, extension tab 1030a is secured to side panel 1035b with glue; however, tape or any other adhesive may be used. On the opposite side of the double sub-carton unit, which is not visible in FIG. 18, extension tab 1030b is similarly glued or otherwise secured to side panel 1035a. The glue, tape or other adhesive used must withstand greater force than that required to tear perforation lines 1200a and 1200b. It must also withstand the force of the tax-stamping machine.
Because one sub-carton is rotated 180, cigarette pack 1101a is adjacent to cigarette pack 1105b, cigarette pack 1102a is adjacent to cigarette pack 1104b, cigarette pack 1103a is adjacent to cigarette pack 1103b, cigarette pack 1104a is adjacent to cigarette pack 1102b, and cigarette pack llQ5a is adjacent to cigarette pack 1101b, as shown in FIG. 18.
The cigarette packs 1101a-1105a and 1101b-1105b are preferably positioned such that the brand name or logo is readable when top closure 1015a or 1015b is opened and pivoted away from the consumer. Thus, the orientation of the logos and brand names on the cigarette packs in one sub-carton are inverted relative to the orientation of those in the adjoining sub-carton. This orientation is illustrated by the letter "C" on each cigarette pack shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.
When the sub-cartons are attached, interior walls 1055a and 1055b abut against each other, forming a centerline that divides the two rows of cigarette packs. Exterior walls 1020a and 1020b form the exterior walls of the double sub-carton unit. Perforation lines 1200a and 1200b form a vertical centerline between half-cartons 1300A and 1300B, and function as the only direct connection between and attaching the sub-cartons. However, the sub-cartons may be further secured by other detachable adhesive means at other locations.

Top closures 1015a and 1015b are then temporarily closed, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Top closure 1015b is first folded across the open top of the two rows of cigarette packs. The tuck portion 1005b of top closure 1015b will lay on top of sub-carton 1300A in a non-tucked position, directly above cigarette packs 1101a-1105a.
The top wall portion 1010b of top closure 1015b will lay on top of sub-carton 1300B, directly above cigarette packs 1101b-1105b.
Top closure 1015a is then folded across the top of temporarily closed top closure 1015b. When closed, tuck portion 1005a of top closure 1015a will lay directly on top of top wall portion 1010b of top closure 1015b, and top wall portion 1010a of top closure 1015a will lay directly on top of tuck portion 1005b of top closure 1015b.
Top closures 1015a and 1015b are preferably secured by glue points 1070 that are strong enough to keep the unit closed during shipment, but weak enough to be torn open without significantly damaging the paperboard on the top closures. The glue may be placed at one or more places along top wall 1010b.
Three equally spaced glue points 1070 are shown in FIG. 19.
Alternately, one or more glue points may be applied to the bottom of tuck portion 1005a. In either case, the glue will temporarily affix top wall 1010b to tuck portion 1005a as shown by glue point 1070 in FIG. 20.
Tape or another adhesive may be used instead of glue, and the glue or other adhesive means may be located at other positions on the dual sub-carton configuration. Such adhesive means are common in the industry and obvious to implement by one ordinarily skilled in the art.
Alternately, top closure 1015a may be closed before tuck flap 1015b. Because the sub-cartons are identical, the double sub-carton unit has rotational symmetry along the vertical major axis positioned between and at the center of interior walls 1055a and 1055b. Thus, regardless of which top closure is closed first, the temporarily closed, double sub-carton is the same.
The temporarily closed, double sub-carton unit is then shipped either directly or indirectly via a warehouse to a tax-stamping facility. Once there, the temporarily closed top closures 1015a and 1015b are opened, using machinery and techniques that will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Once opened, the double sub-carton will be the same as it was prior to closing the top closures, as shown in FIG. 18.
Top closures 1015a and 1015b are then folded back along exterior walls 1020a and 1020b, respectively, and run through an existing tax-stamping machine. Top closures 1015a and 1015b are then tucked into each respective sub~carton as shown in FIG. 21.
Tuck portion 1105a of top closure 1015a is inserted between the cigarette packs 1101a-1105a and the inside of interior wall 1055a.
Top portion 1010a of tuck flap 1015a forms the top wall of sub-carton 1300A.
Similarly, tuck portion 1005b is inserted between cigarette pac~s 1101b-1105b and interior wall 1055b, and top portion 1010b forms the top wall of sub-carton 1300B.
The closed, double sub-carton unit is then ready for final shipment to retailers for sale to consumers. A retailer may sell the double sub-carton unit as one carton of ten cigarette packs, or the retailer may separate and sell individual sub-cartons of five cigarette packs.
The dual carton may be separated by applying force to each half-carton in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 22.
This action will tear perforated lines 1200a and 1200b and separate the carton into individual sub-cartons. When separated, extension tab 1030a is attached to side wall 1035b, and extension tab 1030b is attached to side wall 1035a. Thus each extension tab remains on the opposite sub-carton from which it originates. Since the UPC indicia is partly on one of the extension tabs and partly on the side wall from which that tab extends, the UPC indicia is destroyed when the packs are separated.
It will be apparent that minor modifications to the manner in which the sub-cartons are fabricated, temporarily closed, opened for tax stampin~, closed for shipment to retailers, or separated into sub-cartons for sale to consumers, may be made. For example, the sub-carton fabrication process may include two identical machines that make sub-cartons from blanks configured to produce pairs of sub-cartons with the interior walls facing each other for

3~2 attachment. This would alleviate the need to rotate one sub-carton 180~ prior to attachment.
The top closures need not be tucked into the sub-cartons after tax stamping. Instead, they may be tucked into the space between interior walls 1055a and 1055b such that tuck portion 105a is glued, taped or otherwise secured to interior wall 1055a, and tuc~ portion 1005b is glued, taped or otherwise secured to interior wall 1055b.
In addition, the shape and size of the extension tabs may be modified. The extension tab may be located on the opposite side wall (i.e., attached to side wall 1030). Or both extension tabs may be located on one sub-carton, on each of its two side walls.
Alternately, the size and shape of the dust flaps and insert side walls may be changed, or other or both may be eliminated.
Sticky glue points, tape or other adhesive may be added to the interior walls of the sub-cartons, or across the centerline of the two sub-cartons to provide greater adhesion of the double sub-carton unit during tax stamping.
FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of a dual carton 2212 according to the invention. Two sub-cartons 1230, 1232 are joined and closed by adhesion of a top lid flap 2116 extending from one sub-carton to a lower lid flap extending from the other sub-carton (not shown). Additionally, stickers (not shown) may join adjacent walls of the sub-cartons. A line of perforations 2117 separates detachable portion 2116' from upper lid flap 2116. The upper lid flap 2116 carries UPC indicia 2200 characteristic of the dual carton 2212, which extends across the line of perforation 2117.
When the two sub-cartons 1230, 1232 are separated, tne upper lid flap 2116 is torn along the line of perforations 2117, rendering the UPC indicia indecipherable.
Ad~antageously, the detachable portion 2116' of the upper lid flap 2116 is adhered to the inner lid flap with releasable adhesive, so that the detachable portion can be removed from the sub-carton.
Each sub-carton 1230, 1232 also includes a secondary lid flap, not shown, extending from the interior walls of the sub-cartons which in the dual carton 2212 are folded down between ~2~3~

the sub-cartons before tax stamping. After tax stamping, each secondary lid flap is folded over the top of the sub-carton from which it extends and upper lid flap 2116 is folded over the secondary lid flaps. When the sub-cartons have been separated, these secondary lid flaps cooperate with the remaining portion of the upper lid flap 2116 on one half-carton 1230 and with the detachable lid flap portion 2116 on the other sub-carton 1232, respectively, to provide lap type lids for each half- carton 1230, 1232.
It will be appreciated that references to cigarette cartons and cigarette packs are not limited to only rectangular cartons and packs, but are intended to include all configurations which are available to consumers. Cigarette cartons include cartons with windows, cartons with rounded edges, and other configurations which are designed to be passed through tax-stamping equipment. Cigarette packs include such packs as oval packs, packs with rounded edges, and other non-rectangular shapes.
It will be appreciated that references to tax-stamping machinery are intended to include any existing equipment which is readily available to distributors, and modified versions.
Additional labels 42, but preferably without indicia, may be used along the other ad~acent, coplanar, adjoining walls of sub-cartons 30, 32 to more securely join the cartons together for tax-stamping purposes. The present embodiments are described for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims (39)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A dual cigarette carton of dimensions compatible with tax-stamping machinery used in the automated processing of cigarette cartons, the carton comprising: a first sub-carton (30)(1300A)(1230) having four substantially vertical walls (10,12,20,22)(1055,1020,1025,1035)(2212), an exterior top wall (16)(1010)(2116), and an exterior bottom wall(14)(1040); said four substantially vertical walls including an interior front wall (10)(1055), an exterior rear wall (12)(1020)(2212) substantially parallel and spaced from said interior front wall, and first (20)(1025) and second (22)(1035) exterior side walls connecting juxtaposed vertical edges of the interior front wall and the exterior rear wall; a second sub-carton (32)(1300B)(1232) substantially identical to the first sub-carton, the first and second sub-cartons being positioned adjacent one another with the interior front wall of the first sub-carton being coextensive with the interior front wall of the second sub-carton such that the borders of the interior front walls are aligned; and a label (32)(1030a)(2200) bearing indicia encoded for the pricing of the dual carton formed from the first and second sub-cartons positioned across two adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls of the first and second sub-cartons; the indicia being positioned such that the indicia are rendered unreadable by automatic scanning equipment upon separating the first and second sub-cartons.

2. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 1 in which the indicia on the label (42)(1030a)(2200) are bar code lines printed substantially parallel to the adjacent edges of the walls across which the label is positioned such that the indicia are rendered incomplete and hence unreadable by automatic scanning equipment when the first (30)(1300A)(1230) and second (32)(1300B)(1232) sub-cartons are separated from one another for individual sale.

3. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 1 or 2 in which the label (42)(1030a)(2200) has a line of weakness (41)(200a)(2117) positioned above and substantially parallel to the adjacent edges of the walls across which the label is positioned to facilitate separation of the first ((30)(1300A)(1230) and second (32)(1300B)(1232) sub-cartons and consequently render the indicia on the label unreadable.

g. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 3 in which the line of weakness (411(200a)(2117) is a perforate line.

5. A dual cigarette carton according to any preceding claim in which the label(42)(1030a)(2200) is a carrier bearing adhesive, the carrier means being positioned above and across the adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls with the adhesive-bearing surface in operative contact with the said walls.

6. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 5 in which the adhesive is releasable adhesive.

7. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 6 in which the carrier further includes a grip tab (44) at one end thereof to facilitate removal of the label.

8. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 7 in which the grip tab (44) does not bear adhesive.

9. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 6 in which the carrier means further includes a lift-up corner (46) to facilitate removal of the label (42)(1030a)(2200) so that the indicia thereon cannot be read.

10. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 9 in which the lift-up corner (46) does not bear adhesive.

11. A dual cigarette carton according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which the label (42)(1030a)(2200) is an integral part of the dual carton, indicia being printed directly on a portion of the dual carton that bridges across two adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls of the first (30)(1300A)(1230) and second (32)(1300B)(1232) sub-cartons.

12. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 11 in which the two adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls are the top walls (16)(1010)(2116).

13. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 11 or 12 in which the two adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls are formed from the same blank (300) and in which the label (42d) is the sole portion of the blank joining the said two adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls.

14. A dual cigarette carton according to and preceding claim 1 in which at least one exterior rear wall (12)(1020)(2212) of the first (30)(1300A)(1230) and second (32)(1300B)(1232) sub-cartons has a first extension (16)(1010) along the top edge thereof, the extension being folded substantially perpendicular to the exterior rear wall (12)(1020)(2212) and extending towards the interior front walls (10)(1055) of the dual carton, thereby forming the exterior top wall (16)(1010)(2116) of at least one of the first and second sub-cartons.

15. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 14 in which a second extension (18)(1005) extends along the end of the first extension (16)(1010), the second extension being folded to be substantially parallel to the interior front wall (10)(1055) when first extension is folded substantially perpendicular to the exterior rear wall (12)(1020)(2212) to extend across the top of the dual carton.

16. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 15 in which the first (16)(1010) and second (18)(1005) extensions extend across the tops of both the first (30)(1300A)(1230) and second (32)(1300B)(1232) sub-cartons to form the top walls of both the first and second cartons when they are positioned adjacent one another.

17. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 14, 15 or 16 in which the exterior rear walls (12)(1020)(2212) of both the first (30)(1300A)(1230) and second (32)(1300B)(1232) sub-cartons have first extensions (16)(1010).

18. A dual cigarette carton according to any preceding claim in which the first (30)(1300A)(1230) and second (32)(1300B)(1232) sub-cartons are formed from separate substantially identical first and second halves of a single blank (200)(300).

19. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 18 in which the single blank (200)(300) has a line of weakness (31) along the interior front walls (10) for dividing the blank into the separate substantially identical first and second halves.

20. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 19 in which the line of weakness (31) is a perforate line.

21. A dual cigarette carton claim 18, 19 or 20 in which the single blank (300) includes an extension formed of two substantially identical panels (316, 318), the extension being located along the width of a free edge of one of the exterior rear walls (12) and being folded perpendicular to the said exterior rear wall and extending across the tops of both the first (30) and second (32) sub-cartons toward the other exterior rear wall to form exterior top walls of the first and second cartons.

22. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 21 in which the label (42d) is printed directly onto the extension such that the label bridges across the two substantially identical panels (316, 318).

23. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 22 in which the extension has cuts (319) between the two substantially identical panels (316, 318) but not across the label (42d) which bridges the panels, such that the two panels are connected solely along the label.

24. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 23 in which the label (42d) further includes a line of weakness (41) joining the cuts (319) and positioned substantially above the adjacent interior walls (10) of the carton to facilitate separation of the first (30) and second (32) sub-cartons and subsequently render the indicia thereon unreadable.

25. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 24 in which the line of weakness (41) is a perforate line.

26. A dual cigarette carton according to any preceding claim including indicia encoded for pricing of one of the first (30)(300A)(1230) and second (32)(300B)(1232) sub-cartons positioned on the said sub-cartons such that the said indicia are not accessible for automatic scanning when the indicia encoded for the pricing of the dual carton are still readable by automatic scanning equipment.

27. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 26 in which the indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first (30)(300A)(1230) and second (32)(300B)(1232) sub-cartons are positioned on the interior walls (10)(1055) of the first and second cartons.

28. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 26 in which the indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first (30)(300A)(1230) and second (32)(300B)(1232) sub-cartons are positioned on each of a pair of adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls.

29. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 28 in which the label (42)(1030a)(2200) is positioned such that it covers the indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first (30)(300A)(1230) and second (32)(300B)(1232) sub-cartons so that only the indicia which are encoded for the pricing of the dual carton are readable by automatic scanning equipment when the label is positioned across the said pair of walls.

30. A dual cigarette carton claim 29 further including a clear carrier between the label (42)(1030a)(2200) and the said pair of walls.

31. A dual cigarette carton according to claim 26, 27 or 28 in which the indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first (30)(300A)(1230) and second (32)(300B)(1232) sub-cartons are printed directly onto a wall of each of the first and second sub-cartons.

32. A method of packaging cigarette packs which are to be passed through tax-stamping machinery used in the automated processing of cigarette cartons and later may be separated into groups of cigarette packs, the method comprising:
(i) providing a first sub-carton having four substantially vertical walls, an exterior top wall, and an exterior bottom wall, the four vertical walls including an interior front wall, an exterior rear wall substantially parallel and spaced from the interior front wall, and first and second exterior side walls connecting juxtaposed vertical edges of the interior front wall and the exterior rear wall;
(ii) providing a second sub-carton substantially identical to the first sub-carton;

(iii) positioning the first and second sub-cartons adjacent one another with the interior front wall of the first sub-carton coextensive with the interior front wall of the second sub-carton such that the borders of the interior front walls are aligned:
(iv) then releasably attaching the first and second sub-cartons together so that they will maintain their relative positions in a subsequent passage through a tax-stamping machine, the attaching step including positioning an adhesive-bearing label across two adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls of the first and second sub-cartons with the adhesive-bearing surface in operative contact with the said exterior walls, the opposite surface of the label bearing indicia encoded for the pricing of the dual carton formed by the first and second sub-cartons.

33. A method according to claim 32 including the step of providing the interior front walls of the first and second sub-cartons with indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first and second sub-cartons such that the indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first and second sub-cartons are not readily scanned by automatic scanning equipment.

34. A method according to claim 32 or 33 including the step of providing each of the two adjacent, coplanar, exterior walls of the first and second sub-cartons with indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first and second sub-cartons.

35. A method according to claim 32, 33 or 34 in which the step of positioning an adhesive-bearing label across the said walls comprises positioning the label such that it covers the indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first and second sub-cartons so that only the indicia which are encoded for the pricing of the dual carton are readable by automatic scanning equipment when the label is positioned across the said pair of walls.

36. A method according to claim 35 including the step of providing clear carrier means positioned above the indicia encoded for the pricing of one of the first and second sub-cartons and between the label and the walls.

37. A method according to any of claims 32 to 36 in which the dual carton is first passed through a tax-stamping machine and then transported to a place for retail sale and then separated into two separate sub-cartons by severing label and rendering the indicia thereon unreadable by automatic scanning equipment.

38. A method according to any of claims 32 to 37 in which the first and second side walls of the first and second sub-cartons each comprise a first panel extending from the exterior rear wall and a second panel extending from the interior front wall, the first panel being folded above and over the second panel to be adjacent and substantially coextensive with the second panel, the step of positioning the first and second sub-cartons adjacent one another including positioning the free edge of the first panel of each of the first and second side walls of the first sub-carton opposite and adjacent the free edge of the first panel of each of the first and second side walls of the second sub-carton.

39. A method according to any of claims 32 to 38 further comprising positioning at least one row of cigarette packs in the first sub-carton and positioning at least one row of cigarette packs in the second sub-carton, each pack bearing printed matter along the outer faces of its walls, the printed matter permitting a front face of the pack to be distinguished from a rear face of the pack, the packs being positioned so that the front faces of each of the cigarette packs will face the front wall of the carton in which the pack is placed.