TW202311120A - Carton with integral cover closure system - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton includes a first main body panel spaced from a second main body panel by first and second side panels and connected to the second main body panel by a connector strip. With the removal of a tear strip, the connector strip releases a cover of the first main body panel enabling an access opening to an internal storage region to be exposed. To close the carton, a lower top flap of the second main body is pivoted across the access opening, automatically causing multiple flap extensions of the side panels to fold beneath the lower top flap. Thereafter, the cover is pivot atop the lower top flap and a tab of the cover is received in a slot formed at a juncture of the lower top flap and a remainder of the second main body panel.

Description

Cartons with integrated lid closure system

The present invention relates generally to the packaging of products, particularly food products, in cartons, and more particularly to a carton that is not only easy to open initially, but that opening automatically creates a lid and closure system that allows the carton to It is easily and repeatedly opened and closed during its entire service life in a convenient and efficient manner.

With regard to shipping products, such as food products, from a manufacturer to a retail establishment, it is known to package the product in cartons, seal the cartons, and ship the cartons for delivery to designated retail establishments. Although various materials can be used to make cartons, the most common material used is cardboard. Generally, paperboard is supplied in blank form that can be conveniently stored in a flat configuration but easily erected via a simple folding operation to create open cartons that can typically be filled and sealed in an automated process ( open-ended carton). Not only are these cartons lightweight and very strong, but the cardboard is advantageously recyclable.

In some cases, the cartons are designed with a closure system that enables the carton to be opened and closed multiple times before the product therein is exhausted. For example, it is known to package cereal and other food products in end load cartons and to provide the cartons with closure systems that operate between upper and lower flaps of the top portion of the carton. In addition to end-loading cartons, top load cartons are also suitable for food and other products. For example, donuts and other food products are often packaged in top loading cartons, each of which includes a lid extending across the entire open top of the carton, wherein the lid is hinged to enable selection of the product storage area of the carton Sexual re-use.

Each of these known carton types has been used in connection with the storage and distribution of animal food. In fact, there is a trend: at least in the case of dry dog and cat food, away from the large grocery bags still found in many retail feed and grocery stores and toward carton containers. As an example, it has previously been proposed to provide a carton with a reclosable top that can be opened to expose an inner bag for storing dry pet food. These storage cartons offer many advantages over large grocery bags. In particular, the ability to inhibit food odors from exiting the carton and effectively keep the animal out of the food between feedings is greatly enhanced by the inner reclosing of the bag and the outer closure of the carton. Cartons also advantageously provide a storage advantage over large food bags because the cartons can be easily stacked with similar cartons or other packaged products, a benefit that large pet food bags do not provide.

Even with the advantages mentioned above, known carton designs used in the industry suffer from certain drawbacks. For example, the mechanism for opening such cartons can be difficult to initiate. As an example, it is known to provide a tear strip for at least partly detaching the lid of a carton. However, if not clearly marked, the consumer may overlook the known tear strip configuration and thereby open the carton another way and lose the reclosing feature. Furthermore, even the use of tear strips often results in damage to the carton to an extent that limits the ability to adequately cover the open portion of the carton between uses. If the damage includes tearing off a larger strip of the carton, the handles provided in the side walls of the carton for handling the carton may be damaged. Additionally, dry pet food cartons present unique problems that result in the need for a strong closure to prevent odors from escaping and pets to access the food. Also because the bulk dispensing of individual dry food pieces can be messy, there is a particular need in the art for a carton that better retains the product. Based on the foregoing, it is believed that there is a need in the art, particularly in the field of cartons for dry pet food, for a carton that includes an easily identifiable tear strip for opening the carton while providing an access opening for the carton. A box lid is created, wherein the box lid includes a strong closure mechanism, and the carton is specifically structured to reduce unintended loss or scattering of food pieces during dispensing operations.

The present invention relates to a packing case or carton, preferably formed from blanks creating first and second body panels and first and second side panels by directly interconnecting the first and second side panels via connector strips. First and second main body panels are erected, and the main body panels are separated by the side panels. The connector strip is formed as part of the first body panel and is separated from the tongue or tab portion of the closure system by a tear strip having an opposite initial strip portion. When initially sealing the erected carton, the connector strip is adhesively secured to the second body panel. When the carton is initially opened by removing the tear strip, a pivotable lid or closure is created with the tab portion attached to the lid along the fold line. A box lid that is part of the first body panel is built for the upper top flap of the carton, while the lower top flap is part of the second body panel and is attached to the surface panel portion of the second body panel. A groove is formed at the junction between the lower top flap and the surface panel portion. After initial opening, the carton can be selectively closed by folding the lid over the lower top flap and inserting the tab portions into the slots.

Cartons are also preferred and have other enhancements since the present invention is specifically designed for use in storing and dispensing dry pet (eg, cat or dog) food. In particular, each of the side panels of the interconnected body portions includes extended flaps that automatically fold over each other after lowering the lower top flap, thereby further sealing the carton. Correspondingly, the extension flap acts as an extension of the sides of the carton when the lid and lower top flap are opened to expose the interior storage area of the carton. Such extensions are particularly advantageous when containing small pieces when using the carton to store and dispense dry pet food. Cartons may include inner bags for immediate storage of dry pet food. The inner bag can be opened along the top seam and rolled or otherwise sealed closed between uses to further prevent pet food odors from emanating from the carton. Additionally, one or more side carton handles may be provided to aid in the handling of the carton, wherein each handle is formed as a full cutout or by partially perforating a side portion of the carton that pivots inwardly to enable insertion The user's fingers are used to lift the carton.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, a carton constructed in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at 5 . The carton 5 includes opposing first and second major faces (also referred to as first and second major face body portions) 8 and 9 , a top face 10 , a bottom face 12 , and opposing sides 14 and 15 . To aid in the handling of the carton 5, each of the opposing sides 14 and 15 is preferably formed with a cutout, for side 14, one of these cutouts is indicated at 17, thereby defining a handle (note that the other handle is shown at 18 in Figure 3). As best shown in FIG. 1 , the top surface 10 includes an upper top flap or lid 20, a tab 22 connected to a tear strip 24 and a connector strip 25 adhesively secured to the second major surface 9 from the The upper top flap or lid extends. On the other hand, with particular reference to FIG. 2 , bottom surface 12 includes inwardly folded side flaps 31 and 32 , and interlocking main or bottom flaps 34 and 35 . As will be described in more detail below, the main flap 34 includes a tongue member 37 received in a recessed portion 38 of the main flap 35 . Circles 42 and 43 designate push areas on side flaps 31 and 32 to assist in breaking down the carton 5 for recycling purposes after it has been fully used. Before leaving FIGS. 1 and 2 , additional details of tear strip 24 are provided. More specifically, tear strip 24 includes terminal initial strip portions 47 and 48 interconnected by central tear strip portion 50 . Each initial strip portion 47 , 48 establishes an enlarged grip tab at the respective terminal end of the tear strip 24 . As will be described more fully below with reference to FIGS. 4-6 , selectors of the initial strip portions 47 , 48 are intended to be grasped by a user when initially opening the carton 5 in order to enable removal of the tear strip 45 . At this point, it should be noted that in describing illustrative forms of the invention as set forth herein and shown in the drawings, terms such as upper, lower, inner, outer, front, rear, side, etc. are used for reference purposes only. and similar terms. Accordingly, these terms should not be viewed as limiting to the invention as a whole.

According to a preferred embodiment, the carton 5 is formed from a blank 56 as shown in FIG. 3 . The blank 56 can be made from a variety of materials, in particular cardboard, which is well known for use in the food industry for forming various types of food cartons. In any event, the blank 56 is stamped from a single sheet to create the first opposing main face 8 defined by the first body panel 60 . The first body panel 60 includes an upper connecting fold line 66 leading to the lid 20 and a lower connecting fold line 68 leading to the interlocking main flap 35 . As shown, the main cover sheet 35 includes spaced apart extensions 71 and 72 extending on either side of the recessed portion 38 . The side 15 forming part of the first side panel 78 is connected to the first body portion 8 along a fold line 76 . The first side panel 78 includes an upper connecting fold line 80 leading to a first extension flap 82 . On the other hand, the first extension flap 82 is connected along a second fold line 85 to a second extension flap 87 having a third fold line 89 associated therewith. The first side panel 78 also has a side 15 connected to the side flap 32 along a lower fold line 91 . In the particular example shown, side flap 32 includes a first inwardly extending sloped side edge 92 leading to a second outwardly extending sloped side edge 93 that collectively establish interlocking tabs 95 .

The side face 15 is connected along a fold line 98 to a second body panel 100 partially defined by the second main face body portion 9 . The second body panel 100 has an associated lower top flap 106 connected to the second main face body portion 9 along an upper connecting fold line 109 . Therefore, the fold line 109 defines the junction between the second main surface body portion 9 of the second body panel 100 and the lower top flap 106 . At this junction, an elongated groove 112 is formed. As shown, the lower top flap 106 includes spaced ear portions 115 and 116 joined by a transverse body portion 118 . Ear portion 115 and one edge across body portion 118 are connected to second extension flap 87 along third fold line 89 . The second main body panel 100 also has a connecting fold line 121 leading to the lower part of the interlocking main cover 34 . The main flap 34 is shown to include inwardly sloped opposite side edges 124 and 125 leading to the tab member 37 .

The carton 5 also includes a second side panel 134 connected to the second body panel 100 along a fold line 136 . The second side panel 134 has a connecting fold line 138 joining the side surface 14 with the upper portion of the first extension flap 141 which is connected to the second extension flap along a fold line 144 in a similar manner as the extension flap 82 146. Also, the second extension flap 146 is also connected to the lower top flap 106 along the fold line 148 . More specifically, similar to the second extension flap 87 , the second extension flap 146 is directly attached to the ear portion 116 and the portion of the lower top flap 106 that traverses the main body section 118 . The second side panel 134 is also connected to the inner folded side cover 31 along the lower connecting fold line 153 . The side flap 31 is substantially a mirror image of the side flap 32 and thus includes a first sloped side edge 157 that leads to a second sloped side edge 158 when defining an interlocking tab 161 . Finally, blank 56 includes fold line 167 between second side panel 134 and attachment flap 170 .

In assembling the blank 56 of Fig. 3 into the carton 5 of Figs. Fastened to the first body panel 60 to form a four sided box. Thereafter, the inner-folded side flaps 31 and 32 are folded along the lower connecting folding line 153 and the lower connecting folding line 91 respectively, wherein the tabs 95 and 161 are interlocked. Next, main flaps 34 and 35 are folded along lower connecting fold line 121 and lower connecting fold line 68 , respectively, with tab member 37 inserted into recessed portion 38 to achieve assembled bottom surface 22 shown in FIG. 2 . When closing the remainder of the carton 5, the lower top flap 106 is folded along the fold line 109. Upon interconnection with each of the second extension flaps 87 and 146, the folding of the lower top flap 106 automatically causes the first extension flap 82 and the second extension flap 87 and the first extension flap 141 and the second extension flap The two extension flaps 146 are folded over each other under the lower top flap 106 . More specifically, when the lower top flap 106 is fully opened or extended, each of the first extension flaps 82 and 141 and the second extension flaps 87 and 146 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the lower top flap 106 as follows This article will refer to Figure 9 for further details. In any event, when the lower top flap 106 pivots to its fully lowered or closed position about the axis defined by the fold line 109, each of the extension flaps 82, 87, 141 and 146 is automatically oriented to substantially parallel to the lower top cover sheet 106 . Finally, the lid 20 is folded along the fold line 66 to be positioned over the lower top flap 106, each of the pivot tab 22, the tear strip 24 and the connector strip 25 to align with the second major side or main body. The parts 9 are juxtaposed, with the connector strip 25 fastened directly to the second main face 9 , such as by an adhesive (not shown), to achieve the configuration shown in FIG. 1 . Obviously, at this point, the carton 5 will already be filled with the items it is intended to store or protect.

The manner in which the carton 5 is initially opened will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 . Referring initially to FIG. 4 , the user has chosen to use the initial strip portion 47 to remove the tear strip 24 . For this purpose, the starting strip part 47 has been physically detached from the connector strip 25 (it should be noted that there is no direct connection between the starting strip part 47 and the tab 22, which enables easy detachment of the starting strip part 47). strip portion 47, as shown). In FIG. 5 , the initial strip portion 47 has been pulled so that the central tear strip portion 50 of the tear strip 24 has extended most of the way across the main face 9 . This pulling of the initial strip portion 47 (grip tab) continues as the central tear strip portion 50 is completely removed from the entire main face 9 , as represented in FIG. 6 . With the tear strip 24 completely removed, the adhesively fastened connector strip 25 remains attached to the second main face body portion 9 and the upper top flap or box lid 20 is now bounded around the fold line 66 The hinge axis of the lid 20 is free to pivot, while the tab 22 remains at an angle (generally perpendicular) to the plane of the lid 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 7 shows the lid 20 initially pivoting relative to the rest of the carton 5 . Here, groove 112 is visible. If it is desired to place the carton 5 in the closed condition after initial opening, it is only necessary to lower the lid 20 while guiding the tab 22 into the elongated slot 112 . This closing condition is depicted in FIG. 8 . On the other hand, if the lid 20 continues to place the carton in the fully open condition of FIG. 9 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7, the lid 20 is displaced so as to be completely removed from the inner top flap 106 above, and then The inner top flap 106 can be lifted by grasping the transverse body section 118 from between the ear portions 115 and 116 . As mentioned above, raising or lowering of the inner top flap 106 automatically causes the side extensions 82, 87, 141 and 146 to extend or unfold to achieve the open condition depicted in FIG. That is, the side extensions 82, 87, 141 and 146 automatically move from an orientation substantially parallel and below the upper top flap 106 when the carton 5 is in the closed position of FIG. 8 to when the carton 5 is in the open position of FIG. is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the upper top cover sheet 106. This configuration is considered quite advantageous. That is, while the carton 5 can be used to store and retrieve a variety of products, the best use of the carton 5 is to package dry pet food, especially for dogs or cats. In one form, a carton 5 made in accordance with the present invention preferably defines a 10 to 30 pound box for storing dry pet food that can be dispensed for feeding purposes over an extended period of time. In conjunction with this, the carton 5 may include a bag 180 containing pet food, wherein the bag 180 is rolled closed between feedings or otherwise sealed to retain odors in conjunction with the closure of the lid 20 . With the simultaneous upright configuration of the upper top flap 106 and side extensions 82, 87, 141 and 146, even opening the full bag 180 will not result in spillage, and as in the case of dry pet food or other small solid storage pieces However, these upstanding walls assist in containing the small pieces, especially during dispensing operations.

At this point, it should be noted again that terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear" and "side" are used to explain the present invention only with reference to the specific examples depicted in the figures. Thus, as an example, the carton could be rotated to make either side of the carton "front" or "back" without departing from the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the first major face body portion 8 is used on the front of the carton because it presents a smooth, unobstructed surface for clearly displaying product labels, logos and the like. In any event, it should be apparent that the present invention provides a carton that facilitates initial opening, expands advantageously after opening and exhibits a simple and easy-to-use closure system. In any case, although it has been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Rather, the present invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the following claims.

none

[ Fig. 1 ] is an upper perspective view of a carton constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[ Fig. 2 ] is a lower perspective view of the carton of Fig. 1 .

[Fig. 3] is a plan view of a cardboard blank from which the cartons of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are erected.

[ Fig. 4 ] Shows the carton of the present invention during the initial opening stage.

[Fig. 5] Showing the tear strip of the carton in a partially torn state.

[Figure 6] Showing the tear strip completely removed from the rest of the carton.

[Fig. 7] Showing the lid of the carton pivoted towards the open condition.

[Fig. 8] Showing the lid and carton in closed condition.

[Fig. 9] The carton is shown in fully opened condition.

Claims (20)

A carton comprising: A first main body panel, which includes a first main surface main body part, a first bottom cover sheet and a box cover; A second body panel, which includes a second main surface body portion, a second bottom cover, and a lower top cover; a first side panel and a second side panel connecting the first body panel and the second body panel in a spaced relationship to establish an interior storage area of the carton, wherein the carton has access to one of the interior storage areas access openings; and a closure system for selectively closing the access opening, the closure system comprising a tab formed with the lid and a joint disposed between the lower top flap and the second main surface body portion A slot at the top, wherein the tab is configured to be received in the slot when the lid is pivoted over the access opening. Such as the carton of claim 1, which further includes: a tear strip attached directly to the tab of the lid; and A connector portion is attached to both the tear strip and the second major surface body portion. The carton of claim 1, wherein the tear strip includes spaced terminal initial strips joined by a connector strip, the initial strips being enlarged relative to the connector strips to enhance support for the initial strips. A selector's grip of one of the strips is used to remove the tear strip. The carton of claim 1, wherein each of the first side panel and the second side panel includes a side panel portion and a first extension flap and a second extension flap, wherein the first extension flap is along directly connected to a respective side panel portion along a first fold line, and the second extension flap is directly connected to the first extension flap along a second fold line and directly along a third fold line. Connect to this lower top cover. The carton according to claim 4, wherein one of the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap includes a concave portion, and the other of the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap A tongue member is included, wherein the tongue member is received in the recessed portion when interlocking the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap. The carton of claim 4, wherein the carton can be in: a closed position, wherein the lid extends above the lower top flap and the tab is received in the slot; and an open position, wherein the first side extension Each of the and second side extensions extends substantially perpendicular to the lower top flap. 6. The carton of claim 6, wherein each of the first side extension and the second side extension extends substantially parallel to the lower top flap when the carton is in the closed position. 9. The carton of claim 7, wherein each of the first side extension and the second side extension is located below the lower top flap when the carton is in the closed position. The carton according to claim 1, further comprising a handle disposed on each of the first side panel and the second side panel. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a bag in the inner storage area of the carton. The carton according to claim 10, further comprising dry pet food in the bag. A single blank for forming a reclosable packaging carton, the blank comprising: a first body panel including a first major body portion connected along a bottom fold line to the first bottom flap and along a second fold line to a lid including a tab part, wherein the tab part is connected to a tear strip and a connecting strip; a second body panel comprising a second major side body portion connected to a second bottom flap along a lower fold line and to a lower top flap along an upper fold line, the second body panel comprising a slot at a junction between the second major face body portion and the lower top flap; and The first side panel and the second side panel each include a side panel portion and first and second extension flaps, wherein the first extension flap is directly connected to a respective side panel along a first fold line. The side panel portion, and the second extension flap is directly connected to the first extension flap along a second fold line and directly connected to the lower top flap along a third fold line. The single blank of claim 12, wherein one of the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap includes a recessed portion, and the other of the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap One includes a tongue member, wherein the recessed portion is configured to receive the tongue member. The unitary blank of claim 13, further comprising a handle disposed in the side panel portion of each of the first side panel and the second side panel. A method of opening and closing an openable top portion of a carton comprising first and second body panels separated by opposing side body panels and joined together by a connector strip, the method comprising : The carton is initially opened by grasping and removing a tear strip formed as part of the first body panel and attached to the second body panel via the connector strip, wherein the tear strip is removed besides creating a lid including a tab portion; pivoting the lid from a top of an access opening of the carton; and pivoting an inner top flap of the second body panel to expose the access opening; and closing the openable top portion by: pivoting the lower top flap of the second body panel across the access opening; pivoting the lid over the lower top flap; and The tab portion is inserted into a slot provided at a junction between the lower top flap and a surface panel portion of the second body panel. The method of claim 15, wherein the extension flaps of the side body panels are automatically folded over the access opening after pivoting the lower top flap of the second body panel. The method of claim 16, wherein each side body panel includes a first extension flap and a second extension flap, wherein after pivoting the lower top flap of the second body panel across the access opening, the first The extension flap and the second extension flap are folded over each other. The method of claim 17, wherein after pivoting the lower top flap of the second body panel across the access opening, the first extension flap and the second extension flap are substantially parallel to each other. The method of claim 17, further comprising: reopening the carton by: removing the tab portion from the slot; pivoting the lid from the entire access opening; and pivoting the access opening from the entire The lower top flap is turned while unfolding each of the extension flaps. The method of claim 19, wherein the first extension flap and the second extension flap are substantially perpendicular to the lower top flap after fully pivoting the lower top flap from the entire access opening.

Images