US3126141A

US3126141A - walter

Info

Publication number: US3126141A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 1981-03-24

Description

March 24, 1964 J. F. WALTER PACKAGE HAVING TUCK CLOSURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 1960 FIG. 1

INVENTOR. JHN/TIMILTER BY E Arron/vera- M r h 4, 1954 J. F. WALTER PACKAGE HAVING TUCK CLOSURE Filed Jan. 22, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JbH/v E ML TER BY 9z wzjw A-r-roRA/E-Ys March 24, 1964 J. F. WALTER 3,126,141

PACKAGE HAVING TUCK CLOSURE Filed Jan. 22, 1960 s Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6 F167 1 I l I I u 1 F/GJJ I 161! INVENTOR. JOHNE MLTER BY 3,126,141 PACKAGE HAVING TUCK CLQSURE John F. Waiter, Minneapolis, Minn. (Box 732, Lakeland, Minn.) Fiied Jan. 22, 196i), Ser- No. 4,134 14 filaims. (Si. 229-47) This invention relates to a dispensing package for commodities which are consumed intermittently over a period of time so that the package in which they are contained is opened and reclosed a plurality of times by the purchaser before the contents of the package are entirely consumed. More particularly, this invention relates to a package having a tuck closure adapted to be opened, closed and reopened a plurality of times.

Typical of such commodities which are used intermittently over a period of time are cigarettes which are normally packaged in groups of twenty and consumed one at a time necessitating frequent opening and reclosing of the package. For convenience, the invention will be particularly described and illustrated with reference to a cigarette package but it will be understood that the package having a tuck closure according to this invention is equally adaptable to the packaging of a vast number of other commodities exemplary of which are dry cereals, hard candies, cough drops, pelleted and granulated pet feeds, soaps and detergents and the like.

Until recently, packagers of cigarettes were limited in the design of their packages by government regulations covering the positioning and destruction of the revenue stamp indicating prepayment of the cigarette tax. Relaxation of those government regulations now give cigarette packagers greater latitude in the design of their packages but, at the same time, practical restrictions are imposed by existing packaging machinery already in use in the cigarette factory.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a package having a tuck closure adapted to be formed on existing packaging machinery.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings in which the same numerals refer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of the outer surface of one embodiment of a blank of sheet material from which the container having a tuck closure is formed;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the outer surface of another embodiment of a blank of sheet material from which the container having a tuck closure is formed on difierent packaging machinery;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the assembled tuck closure of a completed package;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary partial vertical section taken generally on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 and showing generally the manner in which the tuck closure is opened;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of tuck closure in an assembled package;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the outer surface of a sheet material blank from which a modified form of tuck closure is made;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective View showing 3,l2h,l4l Patented Mar. 24, 1964 the assembled modified tuck closure formed from the blank of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a sheet material blank modified to provide means for starting tightly packed materials when the package is initially opened;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment of a sheet material blank modified to provide means for starting tightly packed articles from a newly opened package;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the assembled starting means of a completed package; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary partial vertical section taken generally on the line 1111 of FIGURE 10 and showing generally the manner in which the starting means functions in combination with the tuck closure.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1, there is shown a precut blank 1th of sheet material from which the package hav ng a tuck closure according to this invention is formed. The blank 10 is especially adapted to the formation of packages on existing cigarette packaging machinery of the type manufatcured and sold by American Machine and Foundry Corporation. The blank includes a rectangular front face wall panel 11, a rectangular back face wall panel 12, a rectangular right hand end wall panel 13 between front face panel 11 and back face panel 12, and a rectangular left hand end wall panel 14 adjacent to and integral with the opposite end edge of front face panel 11. An attaching flap or tab 15 is adjacent to and integral with the opposite longitudinal edge of left hand end panel 14.

The blank includes a front bottom wall flap 16, a back bottom wall flap 1'7 and

bottom end flaps

18 and 19, all adjacent to and integral with the front, back and end panels, respectively. The blank is also provided with a front top wall flap 2% a back top wall flap 21, an end tuck closure flap 22, and a left hand end top flap 23. As described in greater detail hereinafter, the

top flaps

20 and 21 have a length substantially less than the width of the adjacent face panels with which they are integral in order to provide a dispensing opening at the top of the assembled package, which is closed by the tuck closure end flap 22.

The blank is formed of paperboard or carboard sheet stock from which commodity packages are customarily made. The sheet stock may be coated, or laminated with metal foil or plastic film and in most instances is preprinted to identify the packaged product, manufacturer, distributor, etc., to display trademarks, and the like.

The blank is scored to provide a fold line 24 between front face panel 11 and right hand end panel 13 and to provide a fold line 25 between back face panel 12 and right hand end panel 13. The blank is likewise scored to provide a fold line 26 between the front face panel 11 and the left hand end panel 14. The opposite longitudinal edge of left hand end panel 14 is scored to provide a fold line 27 between panel 14 and attaching flap 15. Fold lines 2447 are all parallel and extend transversely across the blank 10.

The blank is scored longitudinally spaced from one edge to provide a fold line 23 between face panel 11 and front bottom panel 16, fold line 29 between back face panel 12 and back bottom panel 17, and

fold lines

30 and 31 between

end panels

13 and 14 and

end bottom panels

18 and 19, respectively. The blank is also scored longitudinally spaced inwardly from the opposite edge to provide a fold line 32 between front face panel 11 and front top flap 2t? and a fold line 33 between back face panel 12 and back top flap 21.

The blank is partially scored between end panel 13 and closure flap 22 to provide a fold line 34 and is partially die cut, as shown at 35, between the end segments of the fold line to provide a projecting tab 36 in the assembled package to serve as a finger hold to assist in opening the closure. A slit or narrow slot 37 is provided at the upper end of fold line 24 between front face panel 11 and right hand end panel 13 and a similar slit or narrow slot 38 is provided at the upper extremely of fold line 25 between back face panel 12 and right hand end panel 13. The blank is scored across the upper portion of right hand end panel 13 to provide a fold line 3'9 which extends between the lower extremities of the

slit portions

37 and 33.

The function of the slit portions 37 and 3S and fold line 39 is to permit the closure end flap 22 to be withdrawn from under the composite top flaps and 21 in the assembled package, as explained in greater detail hereinafter, particularly with reference to FIGURE 4. The

slit portions

37 and 38 may be replaced by perforations or the corners may be simply weakened by cutting the blank through the greater part of its thickness so as to weaken the fold lines 24 and at their upper extremities sufficient that they may be broken away with relatively slight finger pressure. The blank is also scored to provide a fold line 40 between left hand end panel 14 and end top flap 23.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown a moditied blank for forming packages having a tuck closure according to the present invention. The modified blank indicated generally at 111A is especially adapted for use in existing cigarette packaging machinery of the type manufactured and sold by Molins Machine Company. Identical parts of the modified blank are identified by identical reference numerals. Thus, the blank includes a front face wall panel 11, a back face wall panel 12, right hand end wall panel 13 and left hand end wall panel 14. A bottom wall panel 16A lies between and is integral with the front and

back face panels

11 and 12. Right hand end panel 13 has an adjacent and integral bottom flap 1%. Left hand end panel 14 has an adjacent and integral bottom flap 19A. The blank includes a top wall panel 2% integral with and adjacent to the top edge of front face panel 11 and a tuck-in closure flap 22 integral with the top edge of right hand end panel 13. Top end flap 23A is integral with the top of left hand end panel 14.

The blank also includes a second right hand end panel 41 and a second left hand end panel 42, both integral with the back face panel 12 and disposed on opposite sides of that panel. An attaching flap 43 is adjacent to and integral with top flap 2%. The modified blank is scored to provide

fold lines

24 and 26 on opposite sides of the front face panel 11 between that panel and right hand end panel 13 and left hand end panel 14, respectively. The blank is also scored on opposite sides of back face panel 12 to provide fold lines 44- and 45 between the end panels 41 and 42 and that panel, respectively. The blank is scored on opposite sides of the bottom panel 16A to provide fold line 28 between that panel and front face panel 11 and fold line 426 between the bottom panel and the back face panel 12.

End flap 18 is attached to end panel 13 along a scored fold line 30 and the blank is scored between end panel 14 and end flap 19A to provide fold line 31. The blank is scored between front face panel 11 and top panel 20 to provide score line 32. As previously described, the blank is partially scored to provide fold line 34 between closure flap 22 and end panel 13 and partially die cut at 35, intermediate of the end portions of the fold line, to provide a tab 36 which projects upwardly in the assembled package to facilitate removal of the closure flap. The upper extremity of fold line 24 between the front face panel 11 and end panel 13 is provided with a slot 37, or with perforations or similar weakening to permit the closure flap to be withdrawn as the top portion of end panel 13 is folded along scored fold line 39 under influence of finger pressure exerted against tab 36.

The blank is scored between end panel 14 and top end flap 23A to provide fold line 411. The edges of bottom end flap 19A are score cut at 47 to separate the end bottom flap from the bottom panel 16A and at 48 to separate the bottom flap from the second left hand end panel 42 to permit folding of the blank into a package. Similarly, the edge of top end flap 23A is die cut at 49 to separate the top end flap from the top panel 20. The blank is scored to provide fold line 511 between the top panel 2% and the attaching flap 43.

In the assembling of a package from blank 10 in the usual manner, the blank is folded along line 27 to fold in the gluing flap 15. The

end panels

13 and 14 are folded in from the front face panel 11 along

fold lines

24 and 26, respectively, and the back face panel 12 is folded inwardly along fold line 25 to permit the back surface of the free edge of panel 12 to come into contact with the glued surface of the attaching flap 15.

Because the existing cigarette packaging machinery with which the blank 10 is especially adapted to be used conventionally inserts the cigarettes from the bottom of the package, the top of the package is first closed and then, after insertion of the cigarettes, the bottom is closed. It will be understood that the sequence of steps by which the package is formed may be altered to meet existing conditions and requirements. Where it is desirable to do so the package may obviously be closed from the top. The tuck closure which is the subject of the present invention is the same in each instance.

The top closure is formed by first folding in closure flap 2-2 and end top flap 23. When the closure flap is folded inwardly along fold line 34, the die cut aperture 35 will be in the closure flap leaving projecting tab 35 standing upright. Adhesive is applied to the surface of inside top flap 21 which is folded inwardly and outside top flap 29 is folded down on top of it to complete the top of the package. The length of the closure flap 22 is somewhat greater than the length of the opening formed by the cut away portions of the top flaps. The aperture formed by the cut away portions of the top flaps forms the dispensing opening from the package. The free end of the closure flap 22 tucks in under the composite top flap to close the opening.

In the assembled package, face

panels

11 and 12 are preferably folded with respect to end panel 13 along

fold lines

24 and 25, so that the outside surface edges of the face panels underlie the outside edges of closure flap 22 adjacent fold line 34. The closure flap 22 is preferably slightly tapered from the fold line to its free end to facilitate tucking-in. The broader base of the closure flap 22 adjacent fold line 34 thus provides narrow shoulders which rest upon the top edges of the

face panels

11 and 12 to support the closure flap after the support initially provided by the articles packed under the dispensing opening is withdrawn by the removal and consumption of those articles. The taper of the closure flap 22 is preferably such that the opposite side edges of the closure fiap rest upon the top edges of

face panels

11 and 12 for about one-third to two-thirds of the length of the flap, and more preferably for about onehalf of the length of the flap from the broader base adjacent the fold line 34.

After insertion of the contents from the bottom the package is closed by first turning in bottom end flaps 18 and 19, then turning in bottom flap 17 and folding bottom flap 16 in on top of it. Adhesive between the adjacent surfaces of

bottom flaps

16 and 17 holds the bottom securely together.

Blank 10A is assembled similarly with a different sequence of steps due to its slightly different arrangement of parts. The blank is folded along fold lines 24 and 4d and fold

lines

26 and 45 to fold the end panels in at approximately right angles with the face panels. Closure fiap 22 and top end flap 23A are folded inwardly and top panel 2% is folded inwardly on top of them. Here, too, the length of the closure flap 22 is greater than the length of the opening formed by the cut away portion of the top panel so that the free end of the closure flap is held tucked in under the edge of the top panel 20 adjacent the cut away portion. As the closure flap is folded inwardly along fold line 34, the die cut portion 35 forms a narrow aperture in the closure flap and leaves the tab 35 projecting upwardly from the edge of the end panel 13.

The end bottom flaps 18 and 19A are then folded inwardly and the bottom panel 16A is folded inwardly on top of them. The particular cigarette packaging machinery with which this blank is especially adapted to be used fills the package from the side. After the contents are inserted the attaching tab 43 is folded inwardly. The face panel 12 is folded inwardly along fold line 46 to bring the top of the panel 12 into contact with tab 43 and end panels 41 and 42 are folded inwardly on top of

end panels

13 and 14, respectively, to complete the package. ere, too, it will be understood that the particular sequence of steps by which the package is assembled is subject to wide variation depending upon the existing conditions and requirements of the particular packaging machinery with which the blank is being used.

The finished package assembled from blank N is shown in perspective view in FIGURE 3. With only very slight difierences due to the different relationship of the elements in blank A, the appearance of the assembled package formed from the modified blank is virtually identical. The essential structure of the tuck closure and its manner of operation are identical in both instances. The closure flap 22 covers the opening formed by the cut away portion of the top 28 of the package between the top edges of the

face panels

11 and 12. The length of the closure flap is longer than the length of the opening so that the free end of the closure flap 22 may be tucked in under the top to hold the closure in place.

As best shown in FIGURE 4, the closure is opened by placing the thumb or finger on the top end corner of the box with the thumb or finger in contact with the projecting tab 36. Thumb or finger pressure is exerted against tab to pull the closure flap 22 outwardly in the plane of the top of the package. The free end of the closure flap slides free from the edge of the package top 2i). The closure fiap is permitted to be so moved by virtue of the cut or weakened

portions

37 and 38 at the corners of the package on opposite sides of the upper extremity of end panel 13. This permits the top extremity of the end panel to be folded back away from the package along fold line 39.

Once the free end of the closure flap is released from under the edge of the top of the package the thumb or finger bearing against tab 36 can fold the top of end panel 13 along fold line 39 down at a sharper angle to permit the closure flap 22 to be raised free from the dispensing opening at the top of the package. After the desired material has been removed from the package, it is reclosed by applying thumb or finger pressure against the top of the closure flap to draw it down into the approximate plane of the top of the package with the free end of the flap adjacent to the free edge of the top panel, and then, with slight finger pressure against the top surface of the closure flap to hold it down, the closure flap is tucked under the edge of the package top.

'By this means temporary closure is provided until it is again necessary to open the package to again dispense the package commodity therefrom.

Where the package is customarily provided with a transparent overwrap, such as cellophane or the like, as is true of cigarettes and many similar products, the overwrap insures against accidental opening of the closure during shipment and handling. Where the packaged commodity is such that no overwrap is customarily used, the package may be insured against accidental opening by the application of a small tick or spot of adhesive between the tucked-in surface of the closure flap and the overlying top package panel. This spot of adhesive is just suflicient to hold the closure against accidental opening and may be ruptured by slight pressure when it is desired to open the box.

Insurance against accidental opening of the package closure may also be provided by the use of perforations in substitution for

slits

37 and 33 or by the use of partially cut through slits. Such perforations or partially cut through slits tend to hold the closure flap in position until such time as they are intentionally broken upon the initial opening of the package. Where the upper edges of the corners adjacent the tuck closure are merely weakened instead of being cut through, the weakness must be such that the top of the end flap may be broken away with relatively slight thumb or finger pressure to permit normal functioning of the tuck closure. It will be apparent that using the modified form of blank 10A or an equivalent blank will result in an open slit at the portion 38 at the top corner of the box adjacent the end panel. At the same time the opposite corner portion 37 may be weakened only instead of cut through.

In FIGURE 5 there is shown in perspective view a somewhat modified form of tuck closure adapted for use primarily in a package of a pelleted or granular commodity. In this modified form of package the opening formed in the end of composite top panel ZtlA-21A is relatively smaller and at the same time the weakened or cut away

corner portions

37A and 38A are substantially longer with the result that the fold line 39 is somewhat farther removed from the top of the package. The closure in this modified package is used in the identical manner except that the commodity packaged therein is dispensed primarily from the end opening rather than from the top. In all other respects the tuck closure is essentially the same and the closure flap may be tucked back in place to temporarily close the package until it is again desired to remove part of the contents.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 7, there is here shown a slightly modified form of tuck closure according to the present invention. The tuck-in closure flap 22 is an extension of right hand end panel 13A in the modified blank. The blank is partially scored between end panel 13A and closure flap 22 to provide fold line 34 and is partially die cut, as shown at 35, to provide the projecting tab 36 in the assembled package, all as previously described. Slits 37B and 3813, however, are diagonal, being out in the end panel 13A and extending inwardly from the upper outside corners of the end panel. The blank is scored across the upper portion of the end panel 13A to provide fold line 39A which extends between the lower extremities of the

slit portions

37B and 38B and is generally parallel to the fold line 34.

This modified form of construction is shown in FIG- URE 7 in an assembled package. The modified structure strengthens the top corner edges of the assembled package and serves to hold the upper corner edges of the

face panels

11 and 12 at their normal spacing adjacent the dispensing opening. The slit portions 37B and 383 may be replaced by perforations or the end panel may be simply weakened by cutting the blank through the greater part of its thickness along diagonal lines extending inwardly from the upper corner of the end panel 13A. This modified form of tuck closure functions in all other respects as previously described.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 through 11, there is here shown starter means for facilitating dispensing of the first unit of articles which are normally packed tightly together, as is the case with cigarettes. FIGURE 8 shows a fragment of a blank of the type which is especially adapted to the formation of packages on existing cigarette packaging machinery manufactured and sold by American Machine and Foundry Corporation. This blank is modified by the provision of an arcuate cut-out portion 55 from the end of front or outer bottom flap 16B which is adjacent to right end flap l8 and the provision of a similar arcuate cut-out portion 56 from the end of back or inner bottom flap 17A adjacent end flap 13. FIGURE 9 shows a fragment of the blank especially adapted for use in existing cigarette packaging machinery of the type manufactured and sold by Molins Machine Company modified by the provision of a semi-circular arcuate cutout portion 57 in the end of bottom panel 16C which is adjacent to the right hand bottom end flap 18.

These modified blanks are assembled in the identical manner as the blanks without starting means. The only precaution which need be exercised is to insure that end flap 18 is not adhesively securely to the bottom of the package. In the assembled package, as shown in FIG- URE 10, the arcuate cut-out portions in the bottom wall of the package form an opening underlying a portion of bottom end flap 18 to permit finger pressure to be exerted against the bottom end fiap 13, as shown in FIGURE 11, to assist in removing tightly packed articles, such as cigarettes, from the completed package.

As the finger reaches through the arcuate cut-out portion formed in the end of the bottom wall of the package, it presses against bottom flap l8 pushing it upward at an angle from fold line 36. The inside surface of the bottom flap 1S pushes against the bottom ends of the articles in the package and lifts them vertically upward. It will be noted that this starting means directly underlies the opening in the top wall of the package which is closed by the tuck closure. Thus, as the cigarettes or similar articles are pushed upwardly, their upper ends project through the dispensing opening at the top of the package and permit easy removal. Starting is usually necessary only to remove the first two or three cigarettes or similar articles and, thereafter, when the remaining articles are more loosely held in the package, the starter means func tions as a convenience to permit easier removal of cigarettes or similar articles.

Further cooperation exists between the tuck closure and starter means in the matter of restoring the bottom flap 18 to its original position when the package is closed. The inside surface of closure fiap 22 bears against the tops of the cigarettes or similar articles which have been lifted above the plane of the top of the package. Then, as finger pressure is applied to the top surface of the closure flap 22 to bring the closure into the plane of the top wall of the box to permit the closure flap to be tucked in, the flap bears against the cigarettes or similar articles and pushes them back downwardly to their original position and at the same time the bottom flap 18 is pushed downwardly.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A package having a tuck closure, said package comprising a bottom wall, a pair of spaced apart face walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of said bottom wall and attached thereto, a pair of spaced apart end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall between the edges of said face walls, and a top wall extending between the upper edges of said face walls and the first of said end Walls, said top wall being cut away at one end only adjacent the upper edge of the second of said end walls to provide a single dispensing opening in said top wall which has one end thereof terminating at the upper edge of the second end wall, a tuck-in closure flap integral with the upper edge of said second end wall, said closure flap being an extension of said second end wall, and having a length greater than the distance by which the farthest edge of the cut away portion of said top wall is spaced from the upper edge of said second end wall, whereby the free end of said closure flap may be tucked under the edge of the cut away portion of said top wall, the said greater length of said closure flap being substantially less than the length of said top wall, whereby the said tucked under edge may be readily freed, said closure flap thereby being long enough to close said dispensing opening but short enough to permit said flap to be readily freed to expose that opening, a first fold line between said second end wall and said closure flap, a second fold line extending across the upper portion of said second end wall substantially parallel to said first fold line and spaced therefrom, and means between said fold lines permitting the upper portion of said second end wall to be separated from the adjacent face walls and folded back along said second fold line to release said tuck closure.

2. A package according to claim 1 further characterized in that an upwardly extending projection is provided adjacent said first fold line between the top of said second end wall and said closure flap to facilitate opening of said tuck closure.

3. A package according to claim 2 further characterized in that said projection is formed by making a cut in said closure flap through the thickness of the sheet material from which the flap is made, said out being intermediate of the ends of said first fold line, the ends of said cut being adjacent said fold line and the central portion of said cut being spaced from said fold line, whereby, when the closure fiap is folded with respect to said second end panel along said second fold line, the tab defined by said out separates from the plane of said closure flap and projects upwardly therefrom.

4. A package according to claim -1 further characterized in that said means between the fold lines permitting the upper portion of the second end wall to be separated from the adjacent face walls and folded back along the second fold 'line to release the tuck closure consists of longitudinal slits extending from the top edge corners of the package to said second fold line.

5. A package according to claim 1 further characterized in that said means between the fold lines permitting the upper portion of the second end wall to be separated from the adjacent face walls and folded back along the second fold line to release the tuck closure consists of structural weaknesses extending from the top edge corners of the package to said second fold line to permit tearing of the package, said weaknesses consisting of cuts in the sheet material from which the package is made, the total extent of said cuts being less than the combined thickness of the sheet material and distances between the package top wall and said second fold line.

6. A package according to claim 5 further characterized in that said structural weaknesses comprise perforations.

7. A package according to claim 1 further characterized in that said package is formed from semi-rigid sheet material from the class consisting of paperboard and cardboard.

8. A package according to claim 1 further characterized in that said package is imprinted with identifying indicia and provided with a transparent overwrap.

9. A package accordng to claim 1 further characterized in that said bottom wall is cut away adjacent the bottom edge of the second of said end walls to provide an opening in said bottom wall to facilitate dispensing of elongated articles from the dispensing opening in the top wall, and a bottom flap is provided integral with the bottom edge of said second end Wall, said bottom flap being an extension of said second end wall and having a length greater than the distance by which the fartest edge of the cut away portion of said bottom wall is spaced from the bottom edge of said second end wall.

10. A package having a tuck closure, said package comprising a bottom wall, a pair of spaced apart face walls, first and second spaced apart end walls, and a top wall, said top wall being cut away at one end only adjacent the upper edge of said second end wall to provide 9 a single dispensing opening in said top wall which has one end thereof terminating at the upper edge of said second end Wall, a tuck-in closure flap integral with the upper edge of said second end wall, and having a length greater than the distance by which the farthest edge of the cut away portion of said top wall is spaced from the upper edge of said second end wall, whereby the free end of said closure flap may be tucked under the edge of the cut away portion of said top wall, the said greater length of said closure flap being substantially less than the length of said top W81, whereby the said tucked under edge may be readily freed, said closure flap thereby being long enough to close said top wall opening but short enough to permit said flap to be readily freed to expose that opening, a fold line between said second end wall and closure flap, a second fold line extending across the upper portion of said second end Wall substantially parallel to and spaced from said first fold line, and means between said fold lines to permit the upper portion of said second end wall to be separated from adjacent face walls and folded back along said second fold line.

11. A package according to claim 10' further characterized in that an upwardly extending projection is provided adjacent said fold line between the top of said second end wall and the closure flap.

12. A package according to claim 11 further characterized in that said projection is formed by a cut in said closure flap, said cut being intermediate of the ends of the fold line, the ends of the out being adjacent said fold line and the central portion of said cut being spaced from the fold line.

13. A package according to claim 10 further characterized in that said bottom wall is cut away adjacent the bottom end of said second end wall and a bottom flap integral with the bottom edge of said second end Wall extends across said bottom cut away portion.

14. A package for elongated tightly packed articles, said package comprising a bottom wall, a pair of spaced apart face walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of said bottom wall and attached thereto, a pair of spaced apart end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall between the edges of said face walls, and a top wall extending between the upper edges of said face walls and the first of said end walls, said top wall being cut away at one end only adjacent the upper edge of the second of said end walls to provide a single dispensing opening in said top wall which has one end thereof terminating at the upper edge of the second end wall, a tuck-in closure flap means for said opening, said closure flap being integral with and an extension of the upper edge of said second end wall, and having a length greater than the distance by which the farthest edge of the cut away portion of said top wall is spaced from the upper edge of said second end Wall, whereby the freed end of said closure flap may be tucked under the edge of the cut away portion of said top wall, the said greater length of said closure flap being substantially less than the length of said top wall, whereby the said tucked under edge may be readily freed, said closure flap thereby being long enough to close said dispensing opening and short enough to permit said flap to be readily freed to expose that opening, said bottom wall being cut away adjacent the lower edge of said second end wall to provide a finger starting opening underlying said dispensing opening, a bottom flap integral with the bottom edge of said second end wall and extending across said finger opening, said bottom wall being an extension of said second end wall and having a length greater than the distance by which the farthest edge of the cut away portion of said bottom wall is spaced from the lower edge of said second end wall whereby the outer surface of said bottom flap rests against the inner surface of the bottom wall adjacent the cut away portion, and a fold line between said second end wall and bottom flap to permit said bottom flap to be lifted from the bottom wall under influence of finger pressure exerted through the cut away portion of said bottom wall to lift the elongated articles packed in the package through the overlying dispensing opening in the top wall of the package.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,951,274 Denrnan Mar. 13, 1934 2,330,926 Rous Oct. 5, 1943 2,382,977 Cortney Aug. 21, 1945 2,497,627 Pollack Feb. 14, 1950 2,901,097 Tamarin Aug. 25, 1959 3,026,013 Ullrich et a1. Mar. 20, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 205,906 Austria Oct. 26, 1959