US2621549A - Opening tool for paper cartons - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 16, 1952 w J ROCERETA 2,621,549

OPENING TOOL FOR PAPER CARTONS Filed July 19. 1948 3 INVENTOR. WILLIAM J Fame/257a Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OPENING TOOL FOR PAPER CARTONS William J. Rocereta, Penn Township, Allegheny County, Pa.

Application July 19, 1948, Serial No. 39,521

1 Claim.

My invention relates to openers for sealed cartons in which liquid merchandise such as milk are packaged and sold. Typical construction of such cartons is shown in Patents 2,263,957 and 2,270,617. These cartons, which have come into general use in recent years, are usually rectangular-shaped bottles of impregnated cardboard or heavy paper, having a flat bottom and wedgeshape top formed by folding over and sealing together the lateral sides. An opening through which the liquid may be poured is provided slightly above the liquid level, which is closed by a depending flap overlapping the opening and sealed with wax or other liquid repellent material. A slight depression is provided in the bottle below the lower edge of the wax whereby the thumb nail, a knife or other instrument may be introduced between the edge of the flap and the bottle in order to raise the flap. This operation is somewhat awkward as it requires the use of both hands and a careful steadying of the-carton when the seal breaks and the applied force is abruptly dissipated.

My opener consists of a guide channel defining a path along which the carton may pass longitudinally, having therealong a tongue or blade adapted to engage the flap which covers the opening, to break the flap free of the carton wall and to deflect it to open position by a simple vertical stroke. Preferably, the opener is mounted in a fixed vertical position, as by being fastened to a wall or bracket at some point conveniently near the place where the liquid is to be used. The channel has two lateral flanges spaced apart a distance slightly exceeding the width of a carton and preferably rounded at the edges so that the carton may be readily entered therein. The flanges may be conveniently connected by a continuous web, and the tongue may be stamped from the web to extend inwardly between the flanges in the path of the flaps of cartons passing along the channel, the entire opener being an integral piece formed of sheet metal or plastic material, for example. However, it is obvious that the opener can readily be assembled of several pieces, as two spaced flange members and a third piece constituting the blade or tongue, all being separately fastened in fixed relation to a wall or supporting bracket suitably provided.

A preferred form of my opener is shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which Fig. 1 is an isometric View of the opener and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line IIII of Fig. 1 with a typical carton shown as it is being opened.

A preferred form of my opener is a channelshaped structure consisting of a web I and two lateral flanges 2, having rounded edges 3. On the center line of the web there is an inwardly extending tongue or blade 4 having a curved tip 5 adapted to enter readily between the flap and carton wall on operative engagement and peel it loose from sealed closure over the carton opening; and a pair of holes 6 by which the holder may be secured, as by nails or screws, to a Wall, bracket, or other suitable mounting in fixed convenient position. In Fig. 2, the carton 1 is shown as it is stroked downwardly through the channel, the tongue 4 of the opener raising the flap 8 uncovering the opening in the carton wall. The channel extends downwardly below the tongue 4 a substantial distance to guide movement of the carton and steady it during the opening operation. As the stroke is completed, the flap 8 is bent back upon itself above the uncovered opening, which is left clear for pouring contents from the carton.

The curved tip 5 of the tongue is preferably tapered at its edge, though not dangerously sharpened, to readily enter between the flap and carton wall. The rounded extremities of the flanges 3, guide the carton into the channel and provide a smooth and safe surface which cannot out or otherwise injure the hand of the operator holding the carton.

My opener requires no skill for its use. When mounted in fixed position, cartons may be opened entirely with one hand by means of a simple vertical stroke; and it is convenient for use of waitresses and other serving patrons at dairy stores, lunch rooms, and the like. The opener has a pleasing appearance, and the web I may be decorated with trade-marks, slogans, or the like, advertising the liquid products distributed in the cartons on which it is used, as well as instructions for its use.

Although I have described but one example of my opener, it is understood that my invention includes such other embodiments and equivalents as are included within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

Apparatus for lifting the sealing flap of liquidcontaining cartons comprising generally parallel spaced guide flanges, a web joined to and spacing said flanges, and a tongue rigidly mounted on said web substantially midway between said flanges so as to extend inwardly into the space between said flanges, said tongue being adapted to engage the flap of the carton to be opened and peel it from the opening as the carton is passed between said flanges.

WILLIAM J. ROCERETA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 948,392 Dougherty Feb. 8, 1910 1,029,573 Ferrall et a1. June 11, 1912 1,349,511 Kandl'oinder Aug. 10, 1920 1,825,840 Winton Oct. 6, 1931 1,931,697 Hill Oct. 24, 1933

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