JPH0547466B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to new and useful improvements in enclosed type cartons, and more particularly to locking structures for locking the closure panels of such cartons.

In the existing type of closure panel and locking structure, there is an inner closure panel and an outer closure panel, and the inner closure panel has a large opening, and these openings connect the inner closure panel to the carton. It extended from the fold line connecting to the side panel of the and a second one along the fold line on one side of each opening.
A groove was provided to receive the male locking tab of the lock. Further, the opposite side of the opening formed a flap for engaging the first locking tab at the rear.

In accordance with the present invention, a new female groove structure is disclosed which includes a first cutout line forming a pair of spaced locking ears and an adjacent portion of the ears. a second cutting line extending from the side of the first cutting line so as to engage with the first cutting line at a side portion thereof and connecting the pair of first cutting lines;
, thereby allowing the ears to freely deflect to receive and rearwardly lock the male locking tab. This female channel structure is defined simply by the fold line connecting the cooperating closure panel to the side panel of the carton and the cutout line formed immediately adjacent thereto, so that the panels are perpendicular to each other. When folded, a groove is automatically formed to receive the male locking tab.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a closure panel and locking structure. In this closure panel and lock arrangement, the first lock is replaced by an outer closure member that provides a separation tab. These tabs extend through channels in the inner closure member and are positioned between adjacent articles of the two rows of articles within the carton. Channel structures for receiving separation tabs may be known and are located on one side of each opening in the inner closure panel.
The locking device, preferably cooperating with the breakaway tab structure, comprises:
It utilizes the female channel structure previously described and includes a male locking tab joined to the panel by a narrow neck and having locking shoulders on either side of the neck. These locking shoulders engage the rear ears formed by the female groove structure, and the ears of the male locking tab are disposed between the ears.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a closure panel and locking structure for an enclosed type carton. The present invention has two major features. That is, instead of the usual first lock, the outer closure panel simply provides separation tabs that extend through grooves in the inner closure panel and are arranged in adjacent rows within the carton. extending between articles placed in the The inner closure panel has a female locking groove for receiving the separation tab.

There is also a locking structure similar to known secondary locks, which locking structure has a male locking tab having a useful configuration. The inner closure panel is therefore provided with an independent female locking groove adjacent to the folded connection to the side panel of the carton, which female locking groove is formed by a cutout line without removing material. The shape of this cutout line is
a flexible inner closure panel that automatically provides an opening for the female locking groove and locks behind the shoulder of the male locking tab when the inner closure panel is folded relative to the adjacent side panel; It forms a locking ear.

A specific example will be described below.

Examining the figure in detail, numeral 10 designates a standard package, which consists of a carton 12 having a closure panel and locking means according to the invention. A carton 12, which is an example of an application of the invention, is formed from a blank 14.

The blank 14 has an elongated rectangular shape and is preferably made of cardboard. This blank 14 includes a top panel 16 in the center.
The central top panel 16 has outer top panels 18, 20 located on either side thereof. The outer top panels 18, 20 connect to the central top panel 16 along fold lines 22. Side panels 24 and 26 are connected to the outer tops 18 and 20 along fold lines 28, respectively.

The blank 14 also includes an inner closure panel 30 connected to the side panel 24 along an interrupted fold line 32 and an inner closure panel 30 connected to the side panel 24 along a fold line 36.
and an outer closure panel 34 connected to the outer closure panel 34 . The outer closure panel 34 is divided into two panel sections 40, 42 by a center fold line 38.

Blank 14 has a conventional male locking tab 44 projecting from outer closure panel 34 and connected thereto along fold line 46. It should be noted here that all the fold lines mentioned above extend not in the longitudinal direction of the blank 14 but in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

The panels 18, 20 are provided with a circular opening 48 extending through the center of the container to be packaged;
The neck of the container is received here.

In order to facilitate the tightening of the carton 12 around the container C to be packaged, the blank 14 further has a suitable opening 50. These openings 50 are located along the fold line 3.
6 and aligned with the location of the containers within the carton 12.

Blank 1 instead of traditional primary and secondary locks
4 has a pair of separation tabs 52. These tabs 52 are cut out from the panel portion 42 by cutout lines 54 terminating along fold lines 38. Each separation tab 52 is integrally connected to the outer panel portion 40 via a connection portion 56 along fold line 38. The connecting portion 56 has a relatively short shoulder 5
8, which is shorter than the width of the separation tab adjacent the fold line 38.

Inner closure panel 30 has a pair of apertures 60 aligned with separation tabs 52. Each opening 60 terminates in a groove structure 62 extending longitudinally of the carton 12. The groove structure 62 has at its opposite ends a pair of deflectable ears 64 formed by diagonally extending cutouts 66. This groove structure or female portion 62 is described in U.S. Pat.
It is disclosed in No. 3589593.

The invention particularly relates to a female groove structure for receiving and cooperating with the male locking tab 44. This female channel structure 68 is for use in a carton lock of the type that receives a male locking tab 44 connected to the panel 42 by a narrow neck 84 having locking shoulders 86, 86 on each side. An improved female channel structure 68 is formed in the portion of the carton 14 having two adjacent panels 24, 30 joined by the fold line 32 and engages the locking shoulders 86, 86. A pair of spaced S-shaped cutouts 70 forming a pair of spaced locking ears 74
first cutout lines 70, 72 whose inner ends 72 end in a direction converging with each other; 1 cutting line 70, 72, 70, 7
a second cutout line 78 that connects the panels 2 to each other so as to be able to freely penetrate the tab 44, and the first cutout line 70, 72 and the second cutout line 78
4, 30, and the first cutout line 7
0,72 extend generally along the fold line 32 and when the panels 24,30 are folded together, the first perforation lines 70,72 and the second perforation line 7.
8, the folding line 32 is formed within one panel 30.
As shown in FIG. 2, the groove is formed between both ends of the intermittent fold line 32.

Basically, there is one inside the inner closing panel 30.
This female groove structure 6 formed by a book knife
8 has generally S-shaped spaced cutouts 70 which terminate in mutually converging linear cutouts 72, 72. A first cutout line 70 formed by these S-shaped cutout portions 70 and straight end portions 72,
72 forms a locking ear portion 74. These ears 74, 74 are defined entirely by the inner closure panel 30 and have apexes spaced from the centerline 76 of the interrupted fold line 32. The ends 72 of the first cutout lines 70 and 72, which are these straight cutout portions, are cut out by a second cutout line 78 parallel to the folded line 32 at a position offset from the interrupted folded line 32. connected. This female groove structure 68 further has a third cutout line 80 in the center. This third cut line 80 extends longitudinally from the second cut line 78 of the blank 14 and terminates at the point where the ends 72, 72 of the first cut line would intersect if extended, and the second cut line 78
The third cutout line 80 and a portion of the straight end 72 of the first cutout line intersect with this, forming two bendable triangular flaps.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the inner closure panel 30 is folded at right angles to the side panel 24 to assemble the carton 12, it is integrally connected to the side panel 24 and at first cutout line 70. , 72 and the right side portion of the second cutout line 78 swings into a vertical position, thus forming an open groove 82 through which the male locking tab 44 can freely pass.

Here again the male locking tab 44, particularly the narrow neck 84
, the neck forms a pair of locking shoulders 86 on the head 88 of the male locking tab 44 opposite the edge of the outer closure panel 34.

5 and 6, the width of the neck 84 is somewhat narrowed by the spacing between the tops of the locking ears 74, 74 so that the male locking tab 44 fits into the groove of the assembled carton. When inserted vertically through 82, the mold part 86 engages rearwardly and upwardly of the locking ears 74, 74. Since the groove 82 is formed only by the cutout line, the male locking tab 44 is attached to the groove 82.
2 and is pressed tightly against the upright side panels 24 by the protruding portions of the inner closure panel 30. This maintains the mutual locking of the male locking tab 44 and the inner closure panel 30.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the blank 14 is
Top panel 16,1 to the top of four containers C
8 and 20 are engaged, and side panels 24 and 26 are folded down and engaged along the sides of the container. The inner closure panel 30 is then folded over the underside of the row of containers C to the position shown in FIG.
Outer closure panel 34 is then folded along fold line 38 to provide separation tab 52 to groove 62 . Next, this separation tab 52 is inserted into the groove 62.
3. Insert between two rows of containers as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Finally, the outer closure panel portion 34 and the male locking tab 44 carried thereby are rotated to force the male locking tab into the female groove structure 68 and the inner surface of the side panel 24. Place it in the locking position along the Assembly of this carton is now complete and the required package 10 has been formed.

Thus, in an enclosed carton dimensioned to receive two rows of articles, a locking panel and locking structure having an inner closure panel 30 and an outer closure panel 34, the inner closure panel 30
has a plurality of longitudinal grooves 62 therein located along the longitudinal center of the carton, one longitudinal groove 62 for each article in a row, which grooves 62 are adjacent to the articles in an adjacent row. a separation tab 52 for each longitudinal groove 62 positioned in alignment between the outer closure panel 34 and the longitudinal groove 62 projecting through the longitudinal groove 62 substantially perpendicularly to the panels 30, 40; The inner closure panel 30 is connected to the carton side panel 24 along the fold line 32 and at least one female channel structure 68 is formed from the outer closure panel 34 along the fold line 32. An end male locking tab 44 formed within the inner closure panel 30 and carried by the outer closure panel 34 extends through a female channel structure 68 and locks to the interior surface of the carton side panel 24. It may be a retained locking panel and locking structure.

Although only the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, the closure panel and locking device described herein can also be used in other cartons, and the locking elements of the invention It will be understood that some modifications may be made to the shape etc. without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a plan view of a carton blank with a closure panel and locking device according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows details of the cut lines forming the female groove structure;
FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a standard package formed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 showing the male locking tab and female locking tab; FIG. Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of Figure 5, further illustrating the relationship between the male locking tab and the female groove structure; It is. Explanation of symbols, 10... Packaging body, 12... Carton, 14... Blank, 16... Center top panel, 18, 20... Outer top panel, 24, 26
... Side panel, 30 ... Inner closing panel, 34
...Outer closing panel, 40, 42... Panel portion, 44... Male locking tab, 48, 50... Opening, 52... Separation tab, 56... Connection portion, 58...
...Shoulder, 60...Opening, 62...Groove structure, 64
... Ear portion, 68 ... Female groove structure, 70 ... First cutout line, 72 ... First cutout line end, 74 ... Locking ear portion, 78 ... Second cutout line, 80 ... 3rd cutting line,
82...Open groove, 84...Neck, 84...Lock shoulder, 88...Head.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An improved female channel construction for use in a carton lock of the type that accepts a male locking tab connected to a panel by a narrow neck having locking shoulders on each side. a pair of spaced locking ears formed on a portion of the carton having two adjacent panels joined by a fold line to form a pair of spaced locking ears that engage the locking shoulders; a first cutout line having an S-shaped cutout line spaced apart from each other and whose inner ends end in a direction converging with each other; and a first cutout line intersecting the first cutout line on the inner side of the ear. a second cutout line that connects the first cutout lines and is capable of penetrating the tab; the first cutout line and the second cutout line are formed on one side of the panel; a cutout line extends generally along the fold line and when the panels are folded together, the first cutout line and the second cutout line form a groove in one panel along the fold line; Female groove structure characterized by 2 Extending generally perpendicular to the second cutting line and
2. A female groove structure according to claim 1, further comprising a third cutout line which together with the cutout line forms a bendable flap. 3 having a panel overlapping said one panel and carrying said male locking tab, said male locking tab projecting through said groove and extending beyond said locking ear; 2. The female groove structure of claim 1, further comprising a locking shoulder engaging the ears, said ear being centrally located between said locking ears. 4. The female groove portion according to claim 1, wherein the locking ear portion has a top portion offset from the center of the fold line. 5. A locking panel and locking structure having an inner closing panel and an outer closing panel in an enclosing carton having dimensions for receiving articles in two rows, wherein the inner closing panel extends in the longitudinal direction of the carton. a plurality of longitudinal grooves located therein, one longitudinal groove for each article in a row, the grooves being positioned to align between articles in adjacent rows; an outer closure panel creating from the outer closure panel a separation tab for each longitudinal groove projecting through the longitudinal groove substantially perpendicular to the panels, and wherein the inner closure panel an end connected to a carton side panel along a fold line, at least one female channel structure formed in the inner closure panel along the fold line, and carried by the outer closure panel; A locking panel and locking structure in which a male locking tab extends through a female groove structure and is lockingly retained on the inner surface of a carton side panel. 6. The locking panel and locking structure according to claim 5, wherein each separation tab is locked to the rear of the inner closure panel at the rear of ears at both ends of the longitudinal groove. 7 said female groove structure defines a first cutout line forming a pair of spaced locking ears in said inner closure panel; and a second cutout line extending so as to interconnect the first cutout line.
Locking panel and locking structure described in Section 1. 8. The locking panel and structure of claim 7, wherein the first cutout line originates from a fold line separating the inner closure panel and the carton side panel and is generally S-shaped.