US3327923A - Reclosable container and blanks therefor - Google Patents

Description

D. H. BAUGHAN RECLOSABLE CONTAINER AND BLANKS THEREFOR Filed Sept. 8, 1965 June 27, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR DRLJRY H. BAUGHAN r HIS ATTQRNEYS June 27, 1967 D. H. BAUGHAN 3,327,923

RECLOSABLE CONTAINER AND BLANKS THEREFOR Filed Sept. 8, 1965 4 Sheets$heet 5 INVENTOR DRURY H. BAUGHAN a wwm HIS ATTORNEYS June 27, 1967 I D. H. BALJGHAN 3,327,923

RECLOSABLE CONTAINER AND BLANKS THEREFOR Filed Sept. 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTOR. DRURY H. BAUG HAN BY a W; 'zwzzzw HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,327,923 RECLOSABLE CONTAINER AND BLANKS THEREFOR Drury H. Baughan, Richmond, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 485,780 19 Claims. (Cl. 22951) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a reclosable container having a pair of cooperating parallel walls held together by a plurality of side wall means including a pair of parallel multiple thickness end walls fastened at opposite ends of such cooperating walls and providing such container with increased strength. Such reclosable container also has a single thickness side wall means comprising its plurality of side wall means and a simple tear-out strip adjoining such single thickness side wall means and extending across one terminal end of one of its cooperating walls and along both multiple thickness end walls, whereby such tear-out strip is adapted to be severed to open the container, and the portion of the other cooperating wall means opposite the tear-out strip in the one cooperating wall is adapted to be folded to define a complete wall for a final container of reduced volume.

This invention pertains to an improved container and more particularly to improved reclosable containers and to improved blanks for making such containers or the like.

The marketing and use of products whether packaged in bulk, such as cereal, or packaged after being presized or individually wrapped is greatly increased by providing strong containers which are not easily deformed, are easy to open for access to the product therein, and are easy to close. In addition, it is desirable to provide a closure for such containers which is an integral part thereof and which may be inexpensively produced.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an improved container of simple construction which is easily opened by tearing away a strip thereof and which may be reclosed by utilizing an integral remaining portion. Furthermore, such container is kept closed without requiring special orientation thereof.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved container having strong end walls of multiple thickness which provide maximum structural strength.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a unique container made from a generally rectangular blank thus minimizing waste of blank material, such blank being adapted for cutting and scoring on standard machinery thereby keeping production costs at a minimum.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved container having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved container blanks for such a container or the like.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved container of this invention illustrating slit lines defining a tear-out strip adjacent one side wall.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of an improved container blank of this invention adapted to be utilized to form the container illustrated in FIGURE 1.

3,3Z7,Z3 Patented June 27, 1967 FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIGURE 1 showing outer tabs of each end wall removed prior to removing the remaining single piece tear-out strip which extends the full height of each end wall and across the top wall.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the remaining single piece tear strip shown in FIGURE 3 partially removed as well as the manner of removing same.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the container with the tear-out strip torn away and a tubular stick of the product container therein removed.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing the integral closure means provided for the container with the container closure flap partially inserted within such con tainer.

FIGURE 7 is an end sectional view showing the container with the tear-out strip removed and with the closure flap closed to produce a container of reduced volume, and by dotted lines showing the position assumed by the closure flap to re-open such reduced volume container.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of this invention in which cut means is provided in an end wall enabling the container tear-out strip, including both the inner and outer wall portions of such strip in each end wall, to be removed in one operation.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view partly broken away illustrating the tear-out strip of FIGURE 8 partially removed.

FIGURE 10 is part of a plan view of an improved container blank of this invention, adapted to be utilized to form the container of FIGURE 8, such blank being identical to the blank of FIGURE 2 except for those details particularly shown.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for packaging tubular objects, for example individually wrapped sticks of margarine or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide containers for other articles as desired.

Therefore, this invention-is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1-7 an improved container 20 of this invention is illustrated, as well as the improved container blank, in FIGURE 2, for making such container.

As more particularly illustrated in FIGURES 1, 3, and 4, container 20 in this example is particularly adapted for packaging elongated tubular objects such as elongated sticks of margarine, and for ease of explanation the present description will define the various walls of the container by their orientation as shown in the drawings. Container 20 is provided with a conveniently arranged simple tearout strip of uniform width making it possible to open such container easily to remove a stick of margarine arranged therein with its elongated dimension parallel to a side wall. Having been thus opened, such container is simply reclosed by utilizing integral portions of its single thickness walls to provide closure means for the reduced volume container.

Container 20 has a pair of cooperating walls such as a generally rectangular bottom wall 21 and a generally rectangular top wall 22 which is spaced apart therefrom and in parallel relation therewith a distance defining one dimension such as the height of container 20. Walls 21 and 22 have their edges oriented in corresponding parallel relation.

Side wall means is provided and arranged between while fastening together the cooperating bottom wall 21 and top wall 22 at their edges to form a closed container having the general shape of a parallelepiped. The side wal means comprises a pair of spaced apart rectangular side walls 23 and 24 having a height equal to the height of container 20 and fastening the bottom wall 21 and top wall 22 together at opposite sides thereof. The side wall means also includes a pair of spaced apart double thickness end walls 25 and 26 having a height equal to the one dimension and fastening the bottom wall 21 and top wall 22 together at opposite ends to thereby form a closed container.

As shown particularly in FIGURE 1 slit means is provided in top wall 22 and end walls 25 and 26 immediately adjacent one side wall 24. The slit means in top wall 22 defines a first tear-out area shown as strip portion 27 and, the slit means in the end walls 25 and 26 defines second and third tear-out areas shown in FIGURE 3 as end wall tab portions 28 and 29 for the second area and end wall tab portions 30 and 31 for the third area. The slit means completely traverses the height of end walls 25 and 26 across the terminal side of top wall 22 to define a tearout strip of uniform width and equal to the height of container 20, which when torn away exposes a stick of margarine on three sides thereof permitting it to be simply grasped and removed as shown in FIGURE 5.

As shown in FIGURES and 6, score means shown as a score or fold line 32 is provided in and arranged parallel to a terminal side of bottom wall 21 defining a terminal portion 33 thereof. Terminal portion 33 is of uni form width equal in dimension to the height of the container while being arranged opposite the tear-out strip portion 27 in top wall 22.

Upon tearing out the entire tear-out strip and removing a stick of margarine as previously described, the terminal portion 33 extending beyond and bounded by fold line 32 is folded thereabout to provide a complete new side wall for the container of reduced volume thus produced.

It will be seen in FIGURES 5-7 that upon removal of the tear-out strip the single thickness side wall 24 defines an integral closure flap which is inserted therewithin as an integral closure flap lying parallel to and against top wall 22.

End walls 25 and 26 are of double thickness thereby providing added strength for container 20, and are formed from wall extension means in at least two walls, shown in this example as extension means in bottom wall 21 and top wall 22.

The Wall extension means comprises extension flaps 36 and 37 at (see FIGURE 2 illustrating the blank for container 20) opposite ends of bottom wall 21 each having tabs 29 and 30 respectively at one end thereof, and extension flaps 38 and 39 at opposite ends of top wall 22 each having tabs 28 and 31 respectively at one end thereof. Extension flaps 36, 37, 38, and 39 are of generally equal extension.

End wall 25 is formed by overlapping flaps 36 and 38, with flap 38 arranged on the outside to form the outer surface of Wall 25. Similarly end wall 26 is formed by overlapping flaps 37 and 39, with flap 39 arranged on the outside to form the outer surface of wall 26.

Each end wall is formed by suitably fastening together the extension flaps forming each respective Wall at locations without (i.e., not within the areas defined by tabs 28 and 29 at one end and 30 and 31 at the other) the tearout strip.

Container 20 is opened very simply by first tearing away tabs 28 and 32 of end walls 25 and 26 respectively to thereby expose the portions of the inner flaps of such end walls which are integral with the top wall 22 and also suitably slitted coextensive with top wall portion 27. The inner flap portions 29 and 30 and the terminal tear-out strip portion 27 of the top wall 22 are thus torn away in one continuous motion, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, to expose a stick of margarine for removal thereof and easy reclosure as previously described.

Container 20 can be formed in any suitable manner and made from any suitable foldable material. It is preferably formed from the container blank 40, illustrated in FIGURE 2. Blank 40 is made of cardboard or the like having a side such as the exposed surface thereof laminated with metallic foil, such as aluminum-containing metallic foil, or the like, suitably colored, embossed, imprinted, or remaining plain, as desired.

Blank 40* is of generally rectangular outline and is suitably cut and scored to define, in this example, six foldably connected walls shown as walls 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. Such walls include a pair of cooperating walls illustrated in the drawing as rectangular bottom and top walls 21 and 22 respectively.

Bottom walls 21 has fold lines 41 and 42 at opposite ends thereof with an extension flap 36 and 37 respectively, extending beyond each fold line. Extension flaps 36 and 37 define the inner surfaces of end walls 25 and 26 respectively upon being folded about their respective fold lines in forming container 20 from blank 40.

Top wall 22 has fold lines 43 and 44 at opposite ends thereof with an extension flap 38 and 39 respectively extending beyond each fold line. Extension flaps 38 and 39 define the exterior surfaces of walls 25 and 26 respectively upon being folded about their respective fold lines to form container 20.

Extension flaps 36, 37, 38, and 39 extend beyond their respective score lines an equal dimension and upon assembling container 20 from blank 46 such extension flaps are suitably fastened together to form a pair of rectangular end walls 25 and 26 having a height generally equal to their extended dimension.

Blank 46 has one side wall 24 defined in the center portion thereof. A fold line 45 defines the juncture of side wall 24 with bottom wall 21, while a plurality of slits 46 arranged in a rectilinear manner define the juncture of side wall 24 with top wall 22.

Side wall 23 is formed at one terminal end of blank 40 and is defined by fold line 47 in such blank.

Extension fiap 36 has tab portion 29 bounded by slit lines 50 and 51 on adjacent sides thereof; and extension flap 38 has its tab 28 bounded by a slit line 52 on one side and the extension of fold line 43 shown at 53 on the drawing at an adjacent side.

Extension fiap 37 has tab portion 30 bounded on adjecent sides thereof by slit lines 54 and 55. While extension flap 39 has its tab portion 31 bounded by a slit line 56 and a fold line portion 57 which is an extension of fold line 44.

It will be seen, therefore, that the container of FIG- URE 1 is folded from the blank 40 illustrated in FIGURE 2 and that side wall 23 cooperates with a sealing flap 60 which is folded about a fold line 61 in the portion of the blank adjoining bottom wall 21. Side wall 23 has a pair of tabs 62 and 63 at each end while flap 60 has a pair of similarly located flaps 64 and 65. Upon fastening flap 60 to side wall 23 by glue or other suitable similar means, the container thus for-med is in the form of an open ended tubular structure. After folding extension flaps 36, 37, 38, and 39 about their respective fold lines to form the end walls of such container, tabs 62, 63, 64, and 65 are folded in contact with their adjacent end walls.

Top wall 22 has slit means shown as a slit line 66 cooperating with slit line 46 and extending completely across top wall 22 to define first tear-out area 27 having a uniform width equal to the height of the container.

Bottom wall 21 has score line 32 therein near a terminal side thereof. Score line 32 defines the terminal portion 33 of bottom wall 21 and such terminal portion is arranged in the blank adjoining side wall 24.

With side Walls 23 and 24 and end walls 25 and 26 having their heights equal and equal to the tear strip it will be seen that upon opening container 20 to remove a stick of margarine contained therein, the terminal portion of bottom wall 21 extending beyond score line 32 is folded about such score line and provides a complete new side wall for reclosing the container, while side wall 24 provides a closure flap therefor which folds within container while lying parallel to and against top wall 22. The closing means thus provided assures that container 20 will remain closed irrespective of its orientation during subsequent storage and use.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGURES 8-10, a container and its associated blank is shown which is basically similar to the container of FIGURES 1-7. In view of the similarity, the description of this latter embodiment will be considerably abbreviated except for unique features of this latter embodiment. Similar parts in both embodiments will be designated by the same numeral being followed in this latter embodiment by the reference letter A.

In FIGURE 8 of the drawings a container 20A is illustrated in perspective having bottom wall 21A, top wall 22A, side walls 23A and 24A and end walls 25A and 26A.

In a similar manner as previously described with respect to the previous embodiment end wall 25A is made by overlapping and suitably fastening a pair of extension flaps 36A and 38A, while end wall 26A is made by overlapping and suitably fastening another pair of extension flaps 37A and 39A.

The tabs 29A and 28A of flaps 36A and 38A respectively are suitably fastened together in this embodiment of the invention. Similarly tabs 30A and 31A of flaps 37A and 39A respectively are also suitably fastened together. Flaps 37A and 39A and tabs 30A and 31A are not shown.

Cut means shown as a cut 70 is provided in one of the end walls, illustrated in end wall 25A in this example. Cut 70 is arranged near one end of the tear strip and extends through both the inner and outer flap portions forming end walls 25A and 26A, i.e., cut 70 in this exemplary embodiment extends through tabs 28A and 29A of end wall 25A such that an opening is provided for grasping one end of the tear-out strip and tearing such strip in one continuous motion to thereby open container 20A. FIG- URE 9 shows such strip partly torn away.

Blank 40A, shown in FIGURE 10, is basically identical to blank 40 as shown in FIGURE 2. Therefore, only those detail portions of blank 40A which differ from blank 40 are shown. It should be noted that while out 70 in this embodiment of the invention is shown in end wall 25A such cut could be made in wall 25A and/or 26A.

The terms bottom wall and top wall have been utilized in this description and the appended claims merely to define the position of the walls as shown in the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the container as shown could be inverted and in actual practice would, in fact, be inverted if the container were used for margarine or the like. This would be achieved to place the slit means in the bottom wall and thus avoid marring, even to the slightest extent, the top surface of the container.

It should also be pointed out that the terms end wall and side wall are merely used to describe the positions as shown in the drawings. Obviously the container could be oriented in any manner.

Thus it is seen that an improved container of simple construction and maximum strength is provided which is easy to open by tearing away a simple tear-out strip therefrom and which is easy to reclose positively by using an integral portion thereof.

Further, this invention provides improved blanks for forming such containers orthe like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A reclosable container comprising, a pair of cooperating walls spaced apart in parallel relation a distance defining one dimension of said container, a plurality of side wall means arranged between and fastening said cooperating walls together to form a closed container, said side wall means including a single thickness side wall means, slit means in one of said pair of walls arranged along and parallel to a terminal side of said one Wall defining a first tear-out area adjoining said single thickness side wall means and extending across the full length of said one wall while being equal in width to said distance, slit means in a pair of said side wall means which adjoin said single thickness side wall means defining oppositely arranged second and third tear-out areas therein aligned adjacent opposite ends of said first tear-out area and each second and third tear-out area having one dimension equal to said distance, and score means in the other of said pair of cooperating walls arranged parallel to and spaced by said distance from a side thereof adjoining said single thickness side wall means to define a terminal wall portion in the other of said cooperating walls, said terminal wall portion defining a complete wall for a reduced volume container formed upon removal of said tearout areas and folding said terminal wall portion about said score means and said single thickness side wall means defines a tuck flap for said reduced volume container.

2. A reclosable container comprising, a pair of cooperating walls spaced apart in parallel relation, side wall means including a pair of parallel multiple thickness end walls arranged at opposite ends of said coopertaing walls, said side wall means fastening said cooperating walls together to form a closed container with said multiple thickness end walls providing added strength therefor, slit means in said container defining a tear-out area therein, said tear-out area being of uniform width and commencing at the junction of one of said pair of multiple thickness end walls with one of said cooperating Walls and extending thereacross and across the full length at a terminal side of the other of said cooperating walls and across the other of said pair of end walls, and score means near a terminal side of said one cooperating wall defining a terminal portion thereof having said uniform width and arranged opposite said tear-out area in said other cooperating wall such that upon tearing out said area to open said container and remove some of the product contained therein said terminal portion extending beyond said score means is folded thereabout providing means for reclosing said container.

3. A reclosable container as set forth in claim 2 in which said pairs of walls are rectangular in shape.

4. A reclosable container as set forth in claim 2 in which said uniform width is equal to said spacing between said cooperating walls.

5. A reclosable container as set forth in claim 2 in which said terminal portion in said cooperating wall extending beyond said score means defines a complete wall for said container, and the remaining side wall area adjoining said portion defines an integral closure flap which is inserted within said container while lying parallel to and against said one cooperating wall upon folding said terminal portion about said score means. 7

6. A reclosable container comprising, a bottom and top wall spaced apart in parallel relation a distance defining one dimension of said container, a pair of spaced apart side walls fastening said bottom and top wall together at opposite sides thereof, a pair of spaced apart double thickness end walls fastening said bottom and top wall together at opposite ends thereof to form a closed container, said double thickness providing added strength for said container, slit means in said top wall and double thickness end walls immediately adjacent one side wall defining a tear-out strip having a uniform width equal to said dimension and extending completely across said top and end walls, and score means near a terminal side of said bottom wall defining a terminal portion thereof of said uniform width arranged opposite said tear-out strip in said top wall such that upon tearing out said strip to open said container and remove some of the product contained therein, said terminal portion extending beyond said score means is folded thereabout and provides a new side wall for said container and said one side wall provides a closure flap therefor.

7. A container as set forth in claim 6 in which said bottom, top, side, and end walls are rectangular in shape and are fastened together to form a container having the general shape of a parallelepiped.

8. A container as set forth in claim 6 in which said closure flap is adapted for folding within said container while lying parallel to and against said top wall.

9. A reclosable container comprising, a bottom and top wall spaced apart in parallel relation a distance defining one dimension of said container, a pair of spaced apart side Walls having a height equal to said one dimension and fastening said bottom and top wall together at opposite sides thereof, wall extension means in at least two walls of said bottom, top, and side walls, a pair of spaced apart double thickness end walls having a height equal to said one dimension and fastening said bottom and top wall together at opposite ends thereof to form a closed container each of said end walls being formed by overlapping and fastening together said wall extension means, slit means in said top and double thickness end walls immediately adjacent one side wall defining a tearout strip having uniform width equal to said one dimension and completely traversing the height of said end walls and across said top wall, and score means near a terminal side of said bottom wall defining a terminal portion thereof of said uniform width arranged opposite said tear-out strip in said top wall, such that with said side walls and end walls each having their height equal to said one dimension, upon tearing out said strip to open said container and remove some of the product contained therein, said terminal portion extending beyond said score means is folded thereabout and provides a complete new side wall for said container and said one side wall provides a closure flap therefor adapted for folding within said container while lying parallel to and against said top wall.

10. A container as set forth in claim 9 in which said Wall extension means comprises extension flap means in said top and bottom walls at each end thereof, and means for fastening a top wall extension flap means with a bottom wall extension flap means at each end of said container after overlapping said flap means to form said double thickness end walls each having inner and outer flaps.

11. A container as set forth in claim 10 in which said fastening means fasten said inner and outer flaps together along the overlapped area without said tear-out strip and said tear-out strip for each end wall is torn away by first tearing away the outer flap portion thereof.

12. A container as set forth in claim 10 in which the inner flaps of said end walls are formed from the extension of said top wall extension flap means, and said fastening means fasten said inner and outer flaps together along the overlapped area without said tear strip such that said entire tear-out strip is torn away by first tearing away the outer flap portion thereof in each end wall and then tearing away in one continuous motion the inner flap of each end wall tear-out strip and the top wall portion of said tear-out strip.

13. A container as set forth in claim 10 further comprising cut means in one of said end walls within said tear strip area, said out means extending through both the inner and outer flaps thereof such that an opening is provided for grasping said tear-out strip at one end thereof for tearing said strip away from said end Walls and top wall in one continuous motion.

14. A container formed from a single sheet of blank material which is opened by tearing away a portion thereof and reclosable for continuous reuse by providing a closure formed from an integral part of said sheet comprising, a bottom and top wall spaced apart in parallel relation a distance defining one dimension of said container, a pair of spaced apart side walls having a height equal to said one dimension and fastening said bottom and top wall together at opposite sides thereof, extension flap means extending from said bottom wall and said top Wall at each end thereof, a pair of spaced apart double thickness end walls having a height equal to said one dimension and fastening said bottom and top wall together at opposite ends thereof to form a closed container each of said end walls formed by overlapping and fastening together an extension flap means extending from said bottom wall and an extension flap means extending from said top wall, slit means in said top and double thickness end walls immediately adjacent one side wall defining a tearout strip having uniform width equal to said one dimension and completely traversing the height of said end walls and across said top wall, and score means near a terminal side of said bottom wall defining a terminal portion thereof of said uniform width arranged opposite said tear-out strip in said top wall, such that with said side walls and end walls each having their height equal to said one dimension, upon tearing out said strip to open said container and remove some of the product contained therein, said terminal portion extending beyond said score means is folded thereabout and provides a complete new side wall for said container and said one side wall provides a closure flap therefor adapted for folding within said container while lying parallel to and against said top wall.

15. A blank being cut and scored to define a resulting container, said blank comprising, a pair of cooperating Walls, a plurality of side wall means in said blank for fastening said pair of cooperating walls together to form said resulting container, said side wall means including a single thickness side wall means, slit means in one of said pair of cooperating walls extending across the full length of and arranged along and parallel to a terminal side of said one cooperating wall defining a first tear-out area therein, said first tear-out area being adapted to adjoin said single thickness side wall means in said resulting container, slit means in a pair of said side wall means cooperating with said slit means in said one cooperating wall to define second and third tear-out areas having one dimension equal to an adjoining equal dimension in said first tear-out area, and score means in the other of said pair of cooperating walls, said score means being arranged parallel to and spaced by said dimension from a side thereof which adjoins said single thickness side wall means and defines a terminal Wall portion in the other of said cooperating walls, such that upon assembling said blank to define said resulting container said terminal wall portion is arranged opposite said first tear-out area, said resulting container being opened by tearing away said areas and reclosed by folding said terminal wall portion about said score means to define a complete wall for a container of reduced volume and said single thickness side wall means defines a tuck flap for said reduced volume container.

16. A container blank being cut and scored to define six foldably connected walls comprising generally rectangular bottom and top walls each having a fold line at each end thereof with an extension flap extending beyond each fold line, said extension flaps extending beyond their respective score lines an equal dimension and upon assembling a container from said blank being adapted for forming a pair of rectangular end walls having a height equal to said dimension by overlapping and fastening one of said top wall extension flaps with a corresponding bottom wall extension flap, a pair of spaced apart rectangular side walls having a height equal to said dimension, slit means in said top wall immediately adjacent one side wall, said slit means extending completely across said top wall and the extension flaps at each end thereof, said slit means defining a tear-out strip of uniform width equal to said dimension, slit means in said extension flap portions of said bottom wall cooperating with said slit means in said top wall extension flaps to define a tear-out portion in each end Wall having uniform width, such that with said container formed from said blank a tear strip is defined which completely traverses the height of each of said end walls and across said top wall adjacent said one side wall, and score means near a terminal side of said bottom wall, said score means defining a terminal portion thereof of said uniform width equal to said dimension and being arranged in said blank adjacent said one side wall, such that with said side walls and end walls each having their height equal to said dimension, upon tearing out said strip to open the container formed from said blank and remove part of the product contained therein said terminal portion extending beyond said score means is folded thereabout and provides a complete new side wall for reclosing said container and said one wall provides a closure flap therefor adapted for folding within said container while lying parallel to and against said top wall.

17A container blank as set forth in claim 16 in which said overall blank is of generally rectangular outline thus providing optimum use of blank material with substantially no waste.

18. A container blank as set forth in claim 16 in which said one Wall is arranged in the middle portion of said blank with said top Wall adjoining one side thereof and said bottom Wall adjoining the other side thereof.

19. A substantially rectangular blank being cut and scored to define a resulting container, said blank comprising, a pair of cooperating walls spaced apart in parallel relation, side wall means including a pair of parallel multiple thickness end walls arranged at opposite ends of said cooperating Walls, said side wall means fastening said coperating Walls together in said resulting container to form a closed container with said multiple thickness end walls providing added strength therefor, slit means in said blank defining a tear-out area in said resulting container said tear-out area being of uniform width and commencing at the junction of one of said pair of multiple thickness end walls with one of said cooperating walls and extending thereacross and across the full length at a terminal side of the other of said cooperating walls and across the other of said pair of end walls, and score means in said one cooperating Wall near a terminal side thereof defining a terminal portion thereof having said uniform width and arranged opposite said tear-out area in said other cooperating Wall of said resulting container, such that upon tearing out said area to open said resulting container to remove some of the product contained therein said terminal portion extending beyond said score means is folded thereabout providing means for reclosing said container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,772,625 8/ 1930 Caulfield 229-51 1,905,992 4/1933 Bogren 22951 2,112,143 3/1938 Costa et al 229-51 3,000,547 9/ 1961 Fowle et a1. 229-51 3,086,692 4/1963 Cage 22951 3,127,088 3/1964 Jacobson 22951 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,183,269 1/ 1959 France.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A RECLOSABLE CONTAINER COMPRISING, APAIR OF COOPERATING WALLS SPACED APART IN PARALLEL RELATION A DISTANCE DEFINING ONE DIMENSION OF SAID CONTAINER, A PLURALITY OF SIDE WALL MEANS ARRANGED BETWEEB AND FASTENING SAID COPERATING WALLS TOGETHER TO FORM A CLOSED CONTAINER, SAID SIDE WALL MEANS INCLUDING A SINGLE THICKNESS SIDE WALL MEANS, SLIT MEANS IN ONE OF SAID PAIR OF WALLS ARRANGED ALONG AND PARALLEL TO A TERMINAL SIDE OF SAID ONE WALL DEFINING A FIRST TEAR-OUT AREA ADJOINING SAID SINGLE THICKNESS SIDE WALL MEANS AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE FULL LENGTH OF SAID ONE WALL WHILE BEING EQUAL IN WIDTH TO SAID DISTANCE, SLIT MEANS IN A PAIR OF OF SAID SIDE WALL MEANS WHICH ADJOIN SAID SINGLE THICKNESS SIDE WALL MEANS DEFINING OPPOSITELY ARRANGED SECOND AND THIRD TEAR-OUT AREAS THEREIN ALIGNED ADJACENT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID FIRST TEAR-OUT AREAS AND EACH SECOND AND THIRD TEAR-OUT AREA HAVING ONE DIMENSION EQUAL TO SAID DISTANCE, AND SCORE MEANS IN THE OTHER OF SAID PAIR OF COOPERATING WALLS ARRANGED PARALLEL TO AND SPACED BY SAID DISTANCE FROM A SIDE THEREOF ADJOINING SAID SINGLE THICKNESS SIDE WALL MEANS TO DEFINE A TERMINAL WALL PORTION IN THE OTHER OF SAID COOPERATING WALLS, SAID TERMINAL WALL PORTION DEFINING A COMPLETE WALL FOR A REDUCED VOLUME CONTAINER FORMED UPON REMOVAL OF SAID TEAROUT AREAS AND FOLDING SAID TERMINAL WALL PORTION ABOUT SAID SCORE MEANS AND SAID SINGLE THICKNESS SIDE WALL MEANS DEFINES A TUCK FLAP FOR SAID REDUCED VOLUME CONTAINER.

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