US3081017A - Carton - Google Patents

Description

March 12, 1963 A. J. GERBINO l 3,081,017

CARTON Filed Aug. 31, 19.60

BY MM United States Patent O 3,081,017 CARTON Anthony .lohn Gerbino, Easton, Pa., assiguor to American l('Ian Company, New York, N-Y., a corporation of New 'i ersey Filed Aug. 31, 1960, Ser. No. 53,082

' 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-39) Ihis invention relates yto cartons or containers and has particular reference to cartons having end closures or flaps which upon being overlapped and interfolded together may be locked and unlocked readily by a mere touch of a flap.

The present invention is directed to cartons ofrectangular, preferably square, configuration made from a single blank of paperboard, breboard, `or the like, which may be opened and closed repeatedly in its use and/or Vreuse for holding articles such as paper cups, bowls, plates, etc., which may be arranged in stacked relation, which cartons also may be folded flat in a knockdown condition for storage purposes and for shipment. Such `a carton is provided with a main body portion having a plurality of end aps at opposite ends thereof which are 4hingeably connected and which are arranged for being folded inwardly in overlapping relation and interengaged by a slit and tongue, ear, ta-b or similar connection, Whereupon the outer folds thereafter are tucked or locked together in closed position to insure the ends against accidental opening. The interengaging and locking feature of the carton may be applied to a single end of the carton or to both ends particularly where the glueing of the bottom flap closure of the carton is impractical or believed unnecessary. j l

An object of the present invention is the provision of a carton having a body portion with a plurality of end closure flaps at yits opposite ends which may be folded inwardly in overlapping and interengaging relation and which may be locked together and/or `unlocked readily `by amere touch of a flap.

Another object is the provision of a medial line of `crease or Weakness provided in an outer flap which will permit bending or flexing of the flap outwardly from the normal plane of its end closed position to facilitate insertion of a pair of 4oppositely disposed and laterally extended ears or tabs into a pair of spaced apart slits provided in a cooperating ap without bending, tearing, or distorting the tabs during the insertion thereof.

A further object is the provision of a carton having end flaps for closing the end thereof of a projection formed in one of the outer aps under which a terminal the outer aps together in closed position.

Still another object is the provision in such a carton of a pair of oppositely disposed flaps which, upon being ,swung inwardly, providel an inner end wall of the carton the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a carton embody- `ing the present invention illustrating' the end closure flaps in closed and locked position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the carton shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the interengaging and locking together of the outer flaps;

j edge of another coacting flap may be tucked for locking 3,081,017 Patented Mar. 12, 1963 ICC FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the inner and the outer closure ilaps in an opened position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the inner pair of aps in a closed position; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 showing one of the outer flaps in a bent position for tucking of the ears into slits provided in another of the outer aps.

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, the drawing discloses a carton 11 formed from a single blank of ibreboard, paperboard, or similar material, cut, slit, and creased in any suitable manner so that upon being formed into shape provides a substantially rigid body portion 12, rectangular in crosssection having four side walls 13, 14, 15 and 16. The side edges of the body portion 12 are joined together along one corner of the carton in a lap side seam 17 which is secured together by any suitable adhesive (FIG. 3).

At the opposite ends, the carton body 12 is provided with`a plurality of end closure flaps which are slit at the four corners and creased transversely in order to provide hinge connections between the flaps and the four side walls of the main body portion. For the purpose of this invention, only the flaps which are applicable to the upper end of the carton will be described hereinafter, but it is to be understood that the same or Aa similar type may be used for the bottom end of the carton. Y

Hence, each of the side walls 13, 14, 15 and 16 adjacent the upper end of the carton has a transverse crease . line 21, 22, 23, and 24 formed therein to provide a hinge connection for each eind flap 25, 26, 27, and 28. The end flaps 2S, 27 constitute a pair of inner end flaps -since they are folded inwardly in advance of the others and cooperate to forrn an inner end wall of the carton. yThese inner end flaps preferably are of a predetermined length so that upon being folded inwardly and down- `wardly into a closed position (FIG. 4) their inner edges come into `substantial abutting relation.

.other in overlapping relation and together form an outer vend wall of the carton.

These outer end flaps 26, 28 preferably are provided with interengaging and locking 'elements so that upon being swung into closed position these elements coact and thus retain the outer end walls securely closed without the need of additional sealing or fastening means.

One of the outer aps 26 serves as the first of this pair of elements to be swung inwardly and thus is provided with a substantially U-shaped slit 31 cut therein (FIGS. 3 and 4). An intermediate portion 32 of this slit extends transversely of the flap 26 and at each end merges into an outwardly sloping or angularly extended slit portion 33 which at their outer ends terminates in inwardly sloping portions 34. The corners of the slit 31 at each of its points of merger preferably are rounded to protect the slit 31 from tearing.

The other or remaining end flap 28 is cut along sloping lines 36 which extend inwardly from each side of the liap and merge Vinto a base portion of a pair of laterally and outwardly extended tabs or ears 37. These tabs are adapted to coact with the angularly extended slit portions 33 when the outer end ilap 28 is swung downwardly into overlapping and closed position upon the outer end flap 26 (FIG. 5) for interengaging the outer flaps together.

In order to protect the tabs 37 from being bent, torn, or distorted, during their insertion into the angularly extended slit portions 33, the outer end flap 2S is provided with a weakened medial portion extending inwardly from the outer edge o'f this flap. For this purpose, `a crease line 3S is' pressed into the outer flap which will permit this flap to be flexed or bent outwardly from the normal or fiat plane position of the outer end wall as best illus-V trated in FIG. 5 for easy insertion of the tabs 3'7 into these slits 33. A

AFollowing the interengaging of the outer end flaps 26, 2S, the latter of these flaps may be locked in its closed position. Thisis effected by tucking in an outer marginal edge portionl39 of this outer flap beneathia projection 41 provided in the coacting outer flap 26. The projection V41 is formed by the intermediate slit portion 32 which preferably has an arcuate outline, defining the projection along one side of the slit having a curved forward edge (FiGS. 3 and 4).

`In order to effect the locking of the interengaged outer end flaps 26, 28', a mere touch ot' the outer flap 28 is all that is necessary. Such a touch app'ied at the medial area of the outer flap ZS as best illustrated in FIG. 5 to bring the flap to apositio'n substantially normal or in the plane of the outer end wall (FIGS. l andZ), thus snaps and engages ,the outer edge portion 39 of the flap 28 beneath the projection 41.

In order to open the upperend of thecarton, a similar touch action is all that is required. For this purpose a slight pressure applied to the outer end flap 26 adjacent the projection4l, releases the outer edge portion 39 from beneath the projection 41 which thus unlocks the outer end flaps 26, Z8 whereupon the medial portion of the outer flap 23 then may be lifted upwardly to disengage the outer flaps which thereafter are raised into the position best illustrated in FIG. 4 exposing the inner pair of flaps 25, 27. These inner flaps then may be lifted upwardly to expose the contents of the carton and to remove the same as desired. Hence, a finger opening 42 is provided in the inner end liapsrto facilitate this operation. For this purpose, one corner of each of the abutting edges of the inner flaps 25, 27 is cut away along an angular line of cut 43 and thus provides a substantially triangular finger opening at one side edge adjoining the base of the outer flap 28. j

It is thought that the invention and many `of its `attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts 'without departing from the spirit 'and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: n n

l. A carton for holding articles comprising a 'substantially rectangular fibre body, having four side walls', a flap extending from each of said walls at one lend of said body, said flaps arranged for being folded inwardly in cooperative relation for closing the end of the carton, a pair of said flaps extending from opposite body side walls constituting an inner end Wall of the carton, a pair of outer flaps extending from opposite side walls intermediate the first of said side walls arranged for overlapping engagement upon said inner end wall vflaps. and upon each other providing an outer end wall of the earton, one of said outer flaps having a substantially U- shaped slit therein including a substantially arcuate intermediate portion and angularly disposed end portions, said angularly disposed end portions extending obliquely outwardly toward the outer edges of the flap, said intermediate portion defining a projection along one sidel of said slit curved outwardly and engageable over the edge portion of the other of said outer flaps, said other flap Vhaving a pair of laterally and outwardly extending tabs for insertion into said angularly kdisposed end portions for interengaging and locking said outer flaps together,

d and a crease line in said other outer flap extendinginwardly from the outer edge thereof providing a medial line of bend to permit outward bending of said other flap from its normal flat plane to facilitate the insertion of said tabs into said angularly disposed end portions without bending and distorting said tabs.

2'. A carton for holding articles comprising a substantially rectangular fibre body, having four side wals, a flap extending from each of said Walls at one end of said body, said flaps arranged for being folded inwardly in cooperative relation for closing the end of the carton,- a pair of said flaps extending from opposite body sidel walls constituting an inner end wall of the carton, another pair of said fiaps extending from opposite side walls intermediate the first said side walls arranged for overlapping engagement upon said inner end wall tiaps and upon cachI other providing an outer end wall of the carton, one of said outer iiaps having a slit therein including an intermediate portion and divergent end portions, another of saidpouter flaps having a pair of laterally and outwardly extending tabs for insertion into said divergent end portions of said slit for interengaging said outer flaps together, and a projection bordering upon said intermediate slit portion engageable with an edge portion of said outer flap intermediate said tabs for locking said flaps'together as the outer wall of the carton.

3. A carton for holding articles comprising a substantially rectangular fibre body having four sidev walls, a flap extending from each of said walls at one end of said body, said flaps arranged for being folded inwardly in cooperative relation for closing the end of the carton, a 4pair of said flaps extending from opposite body side walls constituting an inner end wall of the carton, another pair of said flaps extending from opposite side walls intermediate the first said side walls arranged for overlapping engagement upon said inner end wall flaps and upon each other providing an outer end wall of the cart0n, one of said outer flaps having a slit therein includ-I in'g an intermediate portion and angularly disposed end portions, another of said outer fiaps having a pair of lat-` erally and outwardly extended tabs for insertion into said angularly disposed end portions of said slit for interen-j gaging said outer flaps together, and a crease line in said outer flap extending inwardly from the outer 'edge thereof providing *a line of bend for a medial portion of said flap to permit 'it to be bent outwardly from its normal fiat plane to 'facilitate the insertion of saidl tabs into said ang'ularly `disposed end portions of said slit Without bending and distorting said tabs, and a projection bordering upon one side edge ofl said intermediate portion of said slit en- 'gageable lwith yan edge portion of said outer flap intermediate said tabs for locking said flaps together as the outer vwall of the carton.

'4. A'carton Vfor holding articles comprising a substantially rectangular fibre body having four lside walls, a

vflap extending from each of said walls at one endof said body, said flaps arranged for being folded inwardly in cooperative relation for closing the end of the Salton, 'a

.pair of said flaps extending from Opposite body side Walls having a` predetermined length for 'edge butting relation' and together constituting an inner end wall of the carton, anotherpair lof said flaps extending from opposite side walls intermediate the first said side walls arranged for overlapping engagement upon said inner end wall flaps and upon each other providing an outer end wall of the Carton, one of said outer flaps having a slit therein defining an arcuate intermediate portion and angularly extended end portions, another of said outer flaps having a pair'of laterally and outwardly extended tabs for insertion into'said angularly lextended slit portions for inter-- engaging said outer flaps together, a projection defined by and bordering upon the arcuate intermediate portion of' said slit and engageable with an edge portion of the'othcry of said outer flaps for locking said flaps together as the outer wall of the carton, and a finger opening atthe abut.-

ting edges of said inner wall flaps for inserting a iinger therein to facilitate lifting said latter aps when opening the carton.

5. A carton as claimed in claim 4 in which the nger opening in said inner wall flaps is provided by having two adjacent corners at the abutting edges cut away and detning a substantially triangular opening.

6. A carton for holding articles comprising a substantially rectangular bre body having four side walls, a flap extending from each of said walls at one end of said body, said flaps arranged for being folded inwardly in cooperative relation for closing the end of the carton, a pair of said flaps extending from opposite body side walls having a predetermined length for edge butting relation and together constituting an inner end wall of the carton, another pair of said aps extending from opposite side walls intermediate the rst said side walls arranged for overlapping engagement upon said inner end wall aps and upon each other providing an outer end wall of the carton, one of said outer aps having a slit therein defining an arcuate intermediate portion and angularly extended end portions, another of said outer iiaps having a pair of laterally and outwardly extended tabs for insertion into said angularly extended slit portions for interengaging said outer aps together, and a crease line in said outer ap extending inwardly from the outer edge thereof providing a line of bend for a medial portion of said flap to permit it to be bent outwardly from its normal iiat plane to facilitate the insertion of said tabs into said slit without bending and distorting said tabs, a projection dened by and bordering upon the arcuate intermediate portion of said slit and engageable with an edge portion of the other of said outer flaps for locking said flaps together as the outerwall of the carton, and a iinger opening at the abutting edges of said inner wall ilaps for inserting a nger therein to facilitate lifting said latter flaps when opening the carton.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,407,483 Rike Feb. 21, 1922 1,715,583 Warren June 4, 1929 2,151,733 Boniield Mar, 28, 1939 2,341,762 Conklin Feb. 15, 1944 2,349,707 DEsposito May 23, 1944 2,635,802 Belsinger Apr. 21, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 796,698 France Jan. 27, 1936 748,346 Great Britain Apr. 25, 1956

Claims (1)

1. A CARTON FOR HOLDING ARTICLES COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGUALR FIBRE BODY, HAVING FOUR SIDE WALLS, A FLAP EXTENDING FROM EACH OF SAID WALLS AT ONE END OF SAID BODY, SAID FLAPS ARRANGED FOR BEING FOLDED INWARDLY IN COOPERATIVE RELATION FOR CLOSING THE END OF THE CARTON, A PAIR OF SAID FLAPS EXTENDING FROM OPPOSITE BODY SIDE WALLS CONSTITUTING AN INNER END WALL OF THE CARTON, A PAIR OF OUTER FLAPS EXTENDING FROM OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS INTERMEDIATE THE FIRST OF SAID SIDE WALLS ARRANGED FOR OVERLAPPING ENGAGEMENT UPON SAID INNER END WALL FLAPS AND UPON EACH OTHER PROVIDING AN OUTER END WALL OF THE CARTON, ONE OF SAID OUTER FLAPS HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY USHAPED SLIT THEREIN INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY ARCUATE INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND ANGULARLY DISPOSED END PORTIONS, SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSED END PORTIONS EXTENDING OBLIQUELY OUTWARDLY TOWARD THE OUTER EDGES OF THE FLAP, SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION DEFINING A PROJECTION ALONG ONE SIDE OF SAID SLIT CURVED OUTWARDLY AND ENGAGEABLE OVER THE EDGE PORTION OF THE OTHER OF SAID OUTER FLAPS, SAID OTHER FLAP HAVING A PAIR OF LATERALLY AND OUTWARDLY EXTENDING TABS FOR INSERTION INTO SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSED END PORTIONS FOR INTERENGAGING AND LOCKING SAID OUTER FLAPS TOGETHER, AND A CREASE LINE IN SAID OTHER OUTER FLAP EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE OUTER EDGE THEREOF PROVIDING A MEDIAL LINE OF BEND TO PERMIT OUTWARD BENDING OF SAID OTHER FLAP FROM ITS NORMAL FLAT PLANE TO FACILITATE THE INSERTION OF SAID TABS INTO SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSED END PORTIONS WITHOUT BENDING AND DISTORTING SAID TABS.

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