US3388852A - Latch means for cartons - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1968 R. F. REIFERS 3,

LATCH MEANS FOR CARTONS Filed May 26, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 RIC/MRO 19' RE)???" BY Ken (1). FLclc-s ATTORNEY June 18, 1968 R, RE|FERs I 3,388,852

LATCH MEANS FOR CARTONS Filed May 26. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3:2 as m m V I INVENTOR 3 RIC/MRO f RE/FERS' United States Patent 3,338,852 LATCH MEANS FOR (ZARTGNS Richard F. Heifers, New Canaan, Conm, assignor t0 Diamond International (Iorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 26, 1966, Ser. No. 553,128 8 Claims. (Ci. 229-45) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An integral, releasable lock arrangement for molded cartons produced from molded pulp, molded plastics including thermoplastics, foamed plastic, plastic-impregnated paperboard and the like, in which a tray includes a lock flap having an upper, deformable lock tab, and a lid has an aperture at the juncture of a top and peripheral wall, exposing an upper edge portion of the lock tab when the carton is closed to permit the lock tab to be deformably drawn through the aperture to lie in flush engagement on the outer surface of the lid peripheral wall.

This invention relates to improvements in molded cartons and particularly to an improvement adaptable for use in egg cartons, and is concerned with integral latch means for releasably locking the lid and tray sections of the carton. The invention can be used on cartons produced from molded pulp, foam plastic, paper impregnated with plastic, etc.

The locking provision of the present invention securely but releasably holds the lid in closing juxtaposed relation on the upper marginal edge of an underlying tray and provides a positive locking action, without disturbing normal dimensions so that cartons incorporating the present invention can still be packed in standard thirty-dozencapacity egg cases.

The filled cartons of the present invention can be readily closed and locked by means of equipment operating exteriorly of the carton so that no damage can occur to the carton contents. The present invention incorporates a novel latch means and lock flap which aids to orient the relatively hollow or tray-like lid in closing relation with respect to the cellular tray.

A still further object of the present invention is that the novel latch means is relatively unobtrusive, permits observation-apertures to be incorporated in the carton lid wherein the contents may be observed by the ultimate consumer, in no manner impedes normal art work incorporated on the carton lid, and also permits the carton to be divided, i.e. wherein a 2 x 6 egg carton may be divided into two 2 x 3 (half dozen) segments.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide in a carton incorporating a bottom tray and lid,

improved lock means including an aperture on the lid, and

a deformable tongue on the lock flap of the carton, in which the tongue includes a transverse dimension greater than the maximum width of the aperture wherein the lock flap must be deformably received through the aperture in order to retain the tray and lid in juxtaposed locked relationship.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel lock means for molded or similar containers such as egg cartons or the like, in which the lock means may be incorporated on a tray and lid formed as an integrally hinged unit, but also facilitating production of the tray and lid as independent or separate units.

With respect to disengaging or releasing the lock or latch, the latch means or lock means of the present invention is located substantially adjacent the upper portion of the lid or cover of the carton and disconnecting the 'ice lid from the tray is accomplished remote from eggs or the like which are packaged or packed in the egg carton.

A still further inherent advantage of the present invention is the feature that permits a plurality of viewing apertures to be incorporated in the lid, at least one of which receives a deformed lock tab therethrough. The apertures permit the contents of the carton to be observed and the aperture cooperating with the lock tab assumes the same configuration as adjacent apertures to accordingly provide a uniformity of appearance, and in a sense, camoufiaging the latch or lock means.

Depending upon the kind of material used, the male lock element will have a memory effect, i.e., once the male lock element is deformed it will assume its original shape. In other words, any material having a suitable range of elasticity permitting the lock tab to be deformed through an opening can be used to produce cartons incorporating the present invention.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general Way of the nature of the invention. Other and more specific objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the construction and operation of the improved carton and its locking features.

Several embodiments of the invention are presented herein for purposes of illustration. However, the invention may be incorporated in other modified forms equally within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an open carton illustrating the novel latch means;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the carton of FIG. 1 shown in a closed condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing by means of phantom lines the lid in an open condition, and the lock tab prior to being deformed through the cooperating aperture in the lid of the carton;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary front elevational view showing the aperture through the lid front wall and the cooperating lock tab on the lock flap of the carton;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through another embodiment of the carton in which the top or lid is independent of the tray or bottom portion of the carton;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of another type carton utilizing a plurality of lock tabs, and showing the carton in an opened condition;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, substantially diagrammatic view, illustrating the manner in which a mechanism operating exteriorly of the carton can function to deforma'bly move the lock tab through its cooperating aperture, however, this function can also be accomplished manually;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are respective front elevational views of additional embodiments of molded pulp cartons utilizing the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of FIG. 10 showing the lid of the carton in a closed or locked condition.

Referring to the drawings in detail and first considering FIGS. 1-4, a molded carton is indicated generally at 10 and includes a bottom or tray 12 having hingedly connected thereto a lid or top 14.

The tray i2 includes a bottom wall 16 integral with vertically extending, diverging front and rear walls 18 and 2G integral with end walls 21 and 22. The front wall it? incorporates therealong a bulge 23 to which a lock fiap 24 is integrally connected. The lock fiap 24 has a height substantially equal to the front wall of the lid 14 (to subsequently be described) and includes cutout portions 26 and .28 flanking a centrally located lock tab 30. The lock tab 30 includes deformable wing portions 32 and 34; the function of which to be described.

The bottom tray 12 incorporates therein a plurality of cells of the character illustrated in detail in the patent to Reifers, No. 2,990,094, and shown by phantom lines in FIGS. 1-4. Although the novel lock means of this application is particularly adapted for egg cartons, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate practical aspects of the lock means in cartons not including a cellular structure. The cells, and partition portions forming the same, just as in the patent to Reifers, No. 2,990,094, stabilize or rigidify the tray 12.

Hingedly connected at 36 at the top of the rear wall 2 0 of the tray 12, is the rear wall 33 of the lid 14. The rear wall 38 is integral with end walls 49 and 42 which are connected to a front wall 44, all of the walls 38-44 being formed integral with a planar top wall 46. The lower peripheral edges of the side walls 411 and 4.2, and the front wall 44 of the lid will respectively engage on the upper edges of the side walls 26 and 22, and the hinge 23 as clearly seen in FIG. 3.

Formed at the juncture of the top wall-46 and front wall 44 and extending substantially downwardly into the front wall 44 is an aperture portion which has an overall width W (see FIG. 4) which is less than the overall width X of the lock tab 38 including the wings 32 and 34.

The lock flap 24 is received beneath the inner surface of the front wall 44 of the lid 14, and the upper edges of the lock flap will substantially engage beneath the juncture of the top wall 46 and front wall 44 of the lid. The lock tab will be accessible and project slightly above a straight line drawn between the upper margin 50 and lower margin 52 of the aperture 48; this line being indicated at 54. The accessibility of the upper edge 56 of the lock tab 30 permits a terminal hook 58 of a tool bar 60 to move exteriorly of the lid of the carton, after the carton has been closed, to engage the edge 56 of the lock tab and deformably pull the lock tab 30 through the aperture 48 and fold it downwardly toward the position shown by phantom lines in FIG. 7; this function can also be accomplished manually.

When the lid is locked to the bottom tray, the lock tab will not interfere with packing the egg cartons in the conventional thiry dozen-holding cases, and since the lid of the carton is angled rearwardly from the hinge 23, the lock tab will not extend beyond the maximum width dimensions of the carton. The lock tab 30, due to its elasticity, will substantially assume its original shape, i.e., before being deformed through aperture 48.

Referring to FIG. 5, another type carton assembly is indicated generally at 100 and includes a bottom or tray portion 112 and a lid or cover portion 114. The tray and lid portions are constructed as independent units, and for purposes of clarity, cell-forming partitions are not shown. The integrally formed front, rear, end and bottom walls of the tray 112 provide a stable product-receiving compartment. The tray 112 includes at opposite side wall portions hinges 121 and 122, respectively connecting to the tray, integral lock- flaps 123 and 124. Formed in the upper edge of the lock flaps 123 and 124- are lock tabs 129 and 130 similar to the lock flap 30 of the previously described embodiment, i.e., including lateral wing portions similar to portions 32 and 34 of FIG. 1, for example.

The lid 114 includes a depending peripheral wall portion, incorporating in the opposite side walls 138 and 140 apertures 146 and 148 formed at the juncture of the side walls with adjacent portions of a top wall 146.

The lock flaps 123 and 124 will respectively engage adjacent the inner surfaces of the walls 133 and 140 and the lock tabs 129 and 130 will be deformably received through the apertures 147 and 148, respectively, as in the previously described embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 291) and comprises a, lower tray 212 (cells omitted) having hingedly connected to the rear edge thereof (not shown) a lid 214. Hingedly connected to the forward upper edge of the tray 212 is a longitudinally spaced lock tabs 230 and 231 of a configuration similar to that indicated at 30 in FIG. 1, for example. The lock tabs are flanked by cutout portions 233, 235 and 237. These cutout portions reduce the height of the lock flap 224; except at the lock tabs 230 and 231, the function of this reduced height will subsequently become apparent.

The lid 214 has formed adjacent the juncture of the top wall 246 and front wall 244 a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 247-251, thea pertures 248 and 250 will deformably receive therethrough the lock tabs 230 and 231, respectively. The apertures 247, 249 and 251 provide ventilation and contents-observation apertures, and

the rear wall of the lid 214 may have formed therein similar observation and ventilation apertures (see FIG. 11, for example).

As indicated at 252, a weakened or score line may bisect the carton 201) to facilitate breaking the carton 200 into two carton halves, and when so broken, each of the halves will incorporate a latching means thereon.

The carton 260 will be closed in substantially the same manner as described in detail with respect to FIGS. 1-4 and 7, and the plurality of apertures 247-251 will make the two lock tabs 230 and 231 relatively unobtrusive after the carton has been closed. Additionally, the cut away portions 233-237 permit an individual to see through the apertures 247-251.

. Referring to FIG. 8, a carton similar to FIGS. 1-4 and 6 is indicated generally at 300 and comprises a tray 3'12 and a lid 314. The lid is hingedly connected to the rear edge of the tray, and the forward upper edge of the tray has hingedly connected thereto a lock flap 324 having longitudinally spaced therealong a plurality of dovetail lock tabs 330-338 flanked by cutout portions 340-346. A forward wall 315 of the lid 314 has formed therein, at the juncture with the top wall 346,1ongitudinally spaced apertures 347-3511 respectively deformably receiving there through the lock tabs 330-338 when the carton is closed in the manner previously described with respect to FIGS. 1-4 and 7.

Referring to-F'IG. 9, a still further embodiment is indicated generally at 400 and comprises a tray 412 and lid 414 hingedly connected to the rear edge of the tray. The tray has hingedly connected to the upper forward edge thereof a lock flap 424 having cutout portions 426, 428 and 429, 430 respectively flanking lock tabs 431 and 432.

The lock tabs 431 and 432 are of substantially the same character as the lock tab 30 of the previously described embodiment and function in the same manner. The lid 414 has formed at the juncture between the top wall 446 and the front wall 444 apertures 448 and 449 which will deformably receive therethrough the lock tabs 4311 and 43 2.

The carton 400 is closed in the manner described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and shown diagrammatically in FIG. '7.

Since the lock flap 424 is full height it will engage at the juncture between the top wall 446 and'fr-ont wall 444 of the lid and in a sense provides some Stability and has an orienting function when the carton is closed.

Referring :to FIG. 10, a fragmentary portion of another embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 50 0 and comprises a tray 512 and lid 514. In this embodiment, the tray 512 includes a lock flap 524 hingedly connected to the upper edge of the forward wall, and the lock flap in addition to having formed therein lock tabs 532 and 53 3 flanked by cut-out portions 526, 528 and 529, 531), respectively and has cut-out portions 540, 541

and 542 which form upwardly projecting portions 543, 545, 5 52 and 553. The lock flap 5 24, it will be observed, incorporates the features of the cut away lock flap illustrated at 22 4, and the full-height lock flap 24 shown in FIGS. 6 and 1, respectively.

The lid 514 has formed at the juncture between the rear wall 535 and top wall 546 and front wall 544 and top 546 longitudinally spaced apertures 547-551 and 547'551'. The apertures 548 and 550 will respectively deformably receive therethrough the lock tabs 5-30 and 53 1 as clearly seen in FIG. 11.

Briefly in review, the different embodiments of invention clearly illustrate a positive mechanical lock particularly adapted for providing maximum locking power. The locking tab, after being deformed through a cooperating aperture, is relatively unobtrusive, and does not interfere with the normal width dimensions of the cartons and substantially assumes the condition prior to deformation. The locking means of the various embodiments illustrate the adaptability thereof to cartons which are particularly designed for the purpose of packaging eggs, but it is clearly evident that the locking flap may be used on other types of cartons and cartons produced from any suitable material. Additionally, the locking means may be utilized on cartons which consist of two separate elements, i.e., the lower tray and upper lid being produced as separate cooperating segments as illustrated in FIG. 5. Still further, the plural windows or observation apertures, as illustrated in FIG. 11, for example, afford good ventilation to the carton contents, i.e., with packaging eggs, fresh produce, etc., and the locks are relatively unobtrusive and present a desirable appearance to the ultimate consumer. Still further, the relatively uninterrupted upper surface of the top walls of the cartons provide a considerable amount of space upon which advertising indicia and the like may be applied. Finally, the lock tabs formed on the lock flaps in each of the embodiments in no way interfere with normal nesting of the disclosed cartons.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

"1. In a carton produced from a relatively flexible molded material, a tray and lid, said tray including a bottom wall having generally vertically extending peripheral walls, said lid including a top wall and depending peripheral walls, said peripheral walls respectively including edge portions adapted to be positioned in engagement with each other when the carton is closed, the improvement comprising releasable lock means including cooperating portions on said tray and lid, said cooperating portions on said tray comprising a lock flap hingedly connected to an upper peripheral edge of said tray, said lock flap including at least one lock tab terminating in at least one lateral deformable portion, said lid including at least one aperture at the juncture between the lid top wall and a peripheral wall of said lid, when the carton is closed, said aperture being in alignment with said lock tab and said aperture having a maximum width less than the maximum overall width of said lock tab, said aperture having an upper and lower margin, said upper margin being disposed in the top wall of said lid, said lower margin being disposed intermediately of said peripheral wall of said lid, said lock tab having an upper edge portion projecting beyond a plane extending through said upper and lower margins of said aperture when the carton is closed, whereby said upper edge portion of said lock tab disposed beyond said plane extending through said upper and lower margins permits the lock tab to be deformably drawn through said aperture in said lid and peripheral wall so that it is disposed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall of said lid.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said tray includes a plurality of cell-forming partitions substantially integrating the peripheral walls of said tray.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said lid is hingedly connected to said tray along edges opposite said lock means.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said lid includes a plurality of apertures longitudinally spaced along the juncture between said lid top wall and said peripheral wall.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4 in which said lock flap includes a pair of longitudinally spaced lock tabs respectively deformably engageable through said plural apertures.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said lid includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures at the juncture between said lid top wall and peripheral Wall, said lock flap including undercut portions for permitting content viewing through said apertures.

7. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said lock tab includes lateral deformable wing portions.

8. The structure as claimed in claim .1 in which said lid and tray are separate components, said lid including two of said aperture portions in opposite depending peripheral wall portions, said tray including a pair of said lock flaps hingedly connected to opposite top edge portions of said peripheral wall for receipt beneath inner surface portions of said wall in which said aperture portions are formed, each of said lock flaps including at least one look tab deformably engageable through a respective one of said aperture portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,529,140 1 1/ 1950 Cox 22945 X R 2,677,490 5/ 1954 Crane 22929 2,739,750 3/1956 Cox 229- 29 XR 2,827,222 3/1958 Buttery 229-45 2,843,304 7/1958 Reifers 22929 3,034,693 5/1962 Cox 2292.5 3,259,294 7/1966 Hartmann 2292.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 490,066 1/ 1953 Canada.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner.

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