US1842755A - Offset locking tab for cartons - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 26, 1932. R. T. HILL OFFSET LOCKING TAB. FOR CARTONS Filed April 21. 1930 Yam/BF Zia/Zara J flai Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RICHARD T. HILL, OF MENASHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIG-NOR TO THE MENA SHA PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN OFFSET LOCKING TAB FOR CARTONS Application filed April 21,

This invention relates ofl'set locking tabs for cartons and particularly to locking tabs which eifectively interlock overlapping parts of the carton without tearing in such a manner that no permanent set of the tabs results from the interlocking operation, whereby an effective interlock is secured.

There are utilized locking tabs for cartons and the like at the present time which interlook, but which, when moved into interlocking engagement, oftentimes, and usually, results in one of the tabs, if not both, being permanently bent or set or perhaps torn, with the result that a sure and positive interlock fails of accomplishment.

The present invention overcomes the bending or setting of the interlocking tabs when moved into interlocking engagement, and has for an object means for accomplishment of this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide tab interlocks for cartons and the like whereby positive interlock is secured without damage to any of the parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide tab interlocks for cartons and the ike, including a tongue formed in one tab which is moved away from normal position by the entering portion of the other tab, so that comparatively little force is necessary to insert such entering portion into the slot of the first tab.

A further object of the invention is to provide tab interlocks for cartons and the like wherein one tab has a slot formed by a tongue struck therefrom, which tongue is depressed by the hook of the mating tab to allow for entry of the hook into the slot formed by the tongue and which tongue tends to return to normal position flush with its tab, thus binding or pinching the hook and aidin in receiving the same in efiEicient inter ocking position.

The above, other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claim.

Generally speaking, the invention contemplates the provision of one of the interlocking tabs with a tongue formed by slitting the 1930. Serial No. 446,109.

material of the portion in such manner that one side of the tongue will be longer than the other and that the longer side will be angularly arranged for enabling pinching action of the tongue against the hook of the mating interlocking portion.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a carton in closed position embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the carton in Figure 1, looking at the interlocking tabs in interlocking engagement.

Figure 3 is a fragmental portion of the prgferred form of hook of one of the mating Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the preferred manner of forming the tongue in the other of the mating portions and showing particularly the manner of slotting such portions to provide the tongue. 7

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse fragmental section taken horizontally through the carton of Figure 1 and showing the hook of one of the mating tabs entering and depressing the tongue of the other mating tab.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view showing the arrangement and relation of parts when the tabs are in interlocking engagement.

The form of carton chosen to exemplify the present invention is a parafiin paper ice cream box and is made from a single blank of material folded into the form illustrated.

The box as illustrated comprises a top 1 having a flap 2 thereon, a front wall 3 with end tabs 4 and 5 forming parts, respectively of the rear wall and the front wall 3.

The tab 5, designated herein as the female tab, is provided with a tongue 6 which is fashioned by slitting the tab 5, as illustrated in the drawings. There are two such slits shown, one consisting of a slit having its major portion 7 straight and a curved portion 8. The other slit includes a major straight portion 9 which forms a junction with the curve 8 of the first slit and which extends beyond said junction. The other end of the slit is formed by a straight portion 10, making an obtuse angle with the major part 9 and directed away from the major portion 7 of the other slit.

The second slit, i. e. the one consisting of the parts 9 and 10, is longer than the first slit, i. e. the one consisting of the parts 7 and 8. The space occupied by' the tongue 6 provides a recess for entry of the hook of the mating member.

The preferred form of hook is illustrated in Figure 3 and is fashionedon the tab 4 and consists of a forwardly projecting nose 11 which is curved in outline and has a notch 12 underneath the nose for engaging the bot tom of the portion 9 of the second slit for interlocking the parts together.

The flap 2 of the top 1 is secured against the front wall 3 in any suitable manner, such, for instance, as by paste. The box is filled from one end and, when so filled with a brick of ice cream or the like, the filling end is closed in the following manner.

The top 1 and the bottom of the box are provided with plain overlapping end pieces which are bent at right angles to the top and bottom and underlie the end tabs 4 and 5.

The nose 11 of the end tab 4 is folded against the tongue 6 of the end tab 5, whereupon the tongue 6 is depressed, thus aifording a relatively large recess for the entrance of the tongue, so that little, if any, pressure is necessary on the tab 4 for inserting the nose 11 in the recess. The tab 4 is moved into locking engagement with the'tab 5 by pressing the tabs toward the ends of the box formed by the end pieces 13 and 14 of the top and bottom, whereupon the nose 11 will enter between the tongue and the under surface of the tab 5 as defined by the second slit, i. e. the one consisting of the parts 9 and 10. The upper portion of the nose 11 enters the slit formed by the part 10, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The notch 12 of the hook en gages over the lower end 15 of the second slit and hooks therewith, while at the same time the tongue 6 tends to return to normal position, i. e. flush with its tab 5, resulting in a pinching or wedging action against the nose 11 along the portion 10 of the second slit, thus cooperating with the notch 12 and the slit end 15 for securely interlocking the parts together.

The carton is opened by unlocln'ng the interlocking tabs and tearing oif the front flap 2, whereupon the whole carton may be opened, allowing removal of the brick ice cream or other carton contents without damaging the same.

It is, of course, understood that the present invention is not limited to use with ice cream cartons, as it may be readily used with any type or character of carton having interlocking portions for securing the carton blanks in box-like form.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to detail, yet the invention is not to be limited thereto, as it is understood that changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

A foldable carton having overlapping mating pieces or tabs, one of said mating tabs having a slot therein formed by a tongue struck therefrom, said tongue being formed by a slit along one side which is straight for a major portion thereof and curved at its free end, the other side of the tongue being formed by a slit which is straight for the major portion thereof and which slit makes junction with the curve of the other slit away from the adjacent end of said second slit, the other end of said second slit being straight but cut at an obtuse angle with respect to the major portion of said second slit, which angular portion is directed away from the first slit, and the other mating tab having a hook for entering said slit and having hooking engagement with the same.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

' RICHARD T. HILL.

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