US3163347A

US3163347A - Tightly sealed carton blank

Info

Publication number: US3163347A
Application number: US251258A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth D Bixler
Original assignee: Diamond National Corp
Current assignee: Diamond National Corp
Priority date: 1963-01-14
Filing date: 1963-01-14
Publication date: 1964-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 1981-12-29

Description

K. D. BIXLER TIGHTLY SEALED CARTON BLANK Dec. 29, 1964 Filed Jan. 14, 1963 A m 4 0 MB CO Mi i MD. m L? J L f5 u n 9 m z a a 8 a n 1 a G n w ML a G. x, Z l m L *2 5 I w. k F a x. 5 F A H K FIG-.6.

United States Patent 3,163,347 THGHTLY SEALED CARTGN BLANK Kenneth D. Bixler, Huntington, N.Y., assignor to Diamond National Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 251,258 6 (Ilaims. (Cl. 22939) This invention relates generally topaper board cartons and more particularly to improvements in the end closure of a rectangular carton.

Cartons of the character involved are generally used for the purpose of packaging materials in which sifting and insect infestation are problems, for example, packaging the soap powders, cereal, breakfast foods, etc.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton which includes an improved end closure facilitating the assembly and sealing of the same.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel blank incorporating an improved end closure.

Still further objects of the present invention are to provide a novel end closure for a carton in which a plurality of interlocked closure panels provide a pressure support to resist sealing pressure when an overlying closure panel is adhesively secured thereon, insuring that the interlocked closure panels are intimately engaged to permit adhesive sealing therebetween as well as providing a stable base for intimate adhesive securement of the overlying closure panel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton in which the end closure includes locking tabs which aid in sealing the carton and square the carton to afford an improved appearance.

And yet another objectof the present invention is to provide a novel method for assembling the end closure of a rectangular carton in which three interlocked closure panels provide a stable base to resist compression during final sealing of the end closure.

And a still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton produced from a single, suitably scored and slit blank in which there is a minimum waste of material and in which the carton may be erected on substantially standard equipment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a flap interlock for lock flaps of an end closure which causes the same to be retained in intimate positive contact for forming an adhesive seal therebetween to thus provide an adhesive sealing pressure in difficult sealing areas not afforded by prior art constructions.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a carton blank incorporating the novel features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1, partially erected to form a rectangular tube, and showing the manner in which the first pair of closure panels are oriented during formation of the end closure of the carton, and illustrating diagrammatically how an adhesive coating may be applied to certain of the closure flaps of the end closure of the blank being assembled;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the next step of the formation of the end closure of the carton, illustrating how the panel segments of the third closure panel are oriented before preforming the next assembly step;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the next step of forming the end closure in which the lock noses of the third closure panel are inserted into cooperating apertures of a pair of underlying closure panels, and illustrating diagrammatically by means of 3,153,347 Patented Dec. 29, 1964 ice arrows how a slight inward pressure may be applied from opposite end walls of the tube;

PEG. Sis a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 55 of FIG. 4 after the upper panel segment thereof has been oriented to substantially the phantom line position shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 66 of FIG. 5

FIG. 7 is a vertical section showing the position of the three interlocked closure panels, and showing by means of phantom lines the ultimate position of the fourth closure panel in its relationship to a pressure bar used to complete the final sealing of the end closure of the carton;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified embodiment of blank for forming the novel end closure; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a still further modified embodiment of the novel end closure.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and first considering FIG. 1, a one-piece blank of substantially rectangular form is indicated generally at 10. The blank 10 may be produced from any suitable paper board or the like, and only the upper end portion thereof is disclosed in detail. The lower portion of the blank may comprise a conventional end closure or may comprise a duplication of that'shown in FIG. 1. For the purposes of describing the invention, it is believed unnecessary to show the lower portion of the blank in detail since such construction is believed to be clearly evident to those skilled in the art.

The blank 10 includes a pair of alternately disposed, mutually parallel

side Wall panels

12 and 14 hingedly connected to a pair of alternately disposed

end wall panels

16 and 18 by means of mutually parallel fold or

score lines

20, 22 and 24. The side Wall panel 12 includes a linear side margin 26 normal to a top margin 27 and the end wall panel 18 is hingedly connected by fold line 28 to a connector fiap 30.

The end margins of the panels 12-18 are defined by a transverse fold line 32 normal to the

fold lines

20, 22, 24 and 28. Hingedly connected at the fold line 32 is a first pair of rectangular closure panels or

flaps

34 and 36 which are alternately disposed between a second pair of closure panels or

flaps

38 and 40 which are hingedly connected at the fold line 32. The closure panels or flaps 3% may be reversed from the position shown as is clearly evident to those skilled in the art.

The side edge margins of the panels 34-38 are defined iby

intermediate cut lines

42, 44 and 46 which are in colinear relationship with the

respective fold lines

20, 22 and 24. The end margin 48 of the closure panel 38 is in colinear relationship with the margin 26 of the side wall panel 12, and the end margin 50 of the closure panel 36 is in colinear relationship with the fold line 28 for the connector panel 36.

The closure panel 38 includes an intermediate, transverse,.-fragmentary fold line 52 parallel to the fold line 32 and defining in the closure panel 38 elongated and upper or outer panel segment 54 and a lower or inner panel segment 56. The panel segments 54 have formed integral and coplanar therewith by means of arcuate.

ing through the fold line 52 and which have a height X 7 which is substantially equal to the maximum width of the

lock tab

62 and 64 which is also indicated at X.

3 The

marginal edges

70 and 72 are respectively located a distance D and C from out line 42 and marginal edge 50, respectively, these distance being'the approximate distance between the fold line 32 and segmental fold line 52.

The distances A and B indicate the inner or lowerrnost edge of the

apertures

68 and 66, and the relationship of such distances are indicated at B and A with respect to the

lock tab

62 and 64.

The

aperture portions

66 and 68 are substantially closed by sealing

flaps

74 and 76 hingedly connected at 78 and 80, respectively, to the closure panels 34456.

The sealing flaps 74 and '76 may be reduced to provide a clearance 82 and 84, respectively, approximately the same thickness as the caliper of the blank 16.

Referring to FIG. 8, the fragmentary portion of a slightly modified blank is indicated generally at 100 and portions thereof similar to that of the previously described embodiment will be identified by similar reference oharacters and only the distinguishing structure will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the closure panel 134 has extending therethrough an aperture portion 166. This aperture portion 166 includes a margin 170 in'the relationship previously described with respect to the'margin 70 of the blank 10. .However, it will be noted that in this embodiment the sealing flaps, previously described, have been eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 9, a still further modified carton blank is indicated generally at 200, and in this embodiment those portions functioning similar to those described with respect to FIG. 1, Will be identified by means of reference characters used to describe FIG. 1.

In the closure panel 38 of the blank 26%, the

lock tabs

262 and 264 are formed by cut lines 258 and 260 originating from the fold line 52, and the

lock tabs

262 and 264 include thereon lock nose portions 265 and 267, respectively. The width of the

lock tabs

262 and 264 at the transverse fold line 52 is indicated at X, i.e. is substantially the same width as the previously described

lock tabs

62 and 64.

The closure panel 234 has extending therethrough an aperture portion 266 having a linear margin270 in the relationship described with respect to the similar struc ture of FIG I. It will be noted that the height of the linear margin 270 is substantially equal to t-he width X of the lock tabs and thus when the carton is assembled a the lock nose portions 265 will be slightly deformed or engage beyond the uppermost end of the aperture portion 266 at the margin 27%. The aperture portion 266 includes a notched out portion 273 which facilitates the entry or bending over of the lock nose portion 265 of the lock tab 262 when the end closure of the carton is being formed.

Method of Assembly The carton body formed into a rectangular tube by disposing the

side wall panels

12 and 14, and the

end wall panels

16 and 18 in mutually parallel relationship and securing the connector panel 3t} adjacent the marginal edge 26 in any suitable manner. The

closure panels

38 and 40 are folded outwardly as clearly seen in FIG.

2, and a layer of adhesive may be applied to the inner surfaces thereof by means of rollers R, and a suitable folding bar 86 is utilized to fold the

closure panels

34 and 36 inwardly and into substantially coplanar relationship. I

When the

closure panels

34 and 36 are folded inwardly, they will tend to unfold upwardly or outwardly of their coplanar relationship but are prevented from folding upwardly by the folding bar 36.

Referring toFIG. 3, suitable -folding bars 88, and 90 engage the closure panel 38 and fold the panel segment 54 toward overlying relationship with respect to the panel segment 56. The sealing bar 88 will have a relatively sharp edge which will engage or come in contact with '96 will be utilized to orient the closure panel segment 56 into substantially overlying relationship with respect to the closure panels 34 and 36-, and the panel segment 54 will be disposed substantially vertical and the lock noses thereof, will be inserted behind the marginal edges 79 and 72 of the closure panels 34- and 36, respectively. The panel segment 54 will then be pivoted toward the phantom line position shown in FIG. 4, and as seen in FIGS. 5

and 6, will be ultimately disposed in the position shown insolid lines in FIG. '7.

As indicated by the direction arrows S in'FIGS. 4 and 5, pressure may be initiated on the

end walls

16 and 18, desired, to facilitate the insertion of the lock tabs 62 and When the

closure panels

34, 36 and 38, which includes segments 54 and 5'6, are interlocked as indicated in FIG.

7, these panels will tend to spring upwardly and outwardly as indicated by the dotted direct-ion arrows in FIG. 7.

It will be noted that as the panel segment 54 is moved downwardly of the position shown in FIG. 6 to that of FIG. 7; a lifting force indicated by the direction arrow E will be applied to the undersurface of the closure panels '34 and 36 inasmuch as the locking

tabs

62 and 64 are disposed in the plane of segment 54. This upward force aids in adhesively securing or gluing the panel 38 to panel 4%) at the edge 27 thereof. In normal gluing, sealing at the edge 27 of the panel 40 is generally a critical area.

The closure panel 40 will then be moved from the solid to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 7 by suitable forming bars, and pressed on top of the closure panel 38 to be secured thereto by means of a suitable adhesive. The closure panels 38 and 49 may, for example, include on the inner surface thereof a heat responsive adhesive, and a pressure bar 99 may be utilized to energize the heat-responsive adhesive, causing the inner surface of the panel .40 to adhere to the outer face of panel 38, the inner surface of the panel 38 adhering to outerfacc or surfaces of the

panels

34 and 36.

Briefly in review, it will be noted that the blank from which the tightly sealed carton is. formed is substantially rectangular and thus a minimum or Waste or scrap results in the initial die cutting of the blank. The interlock provided by closure flaps 34, 36 and 38 provide a pressureresisting support against which the closure flap 40 may be motes a better glue bond between

flaps

34, 36 and 38,

thusrheiping to promote a better total seal when panel 40 is applied on the upper surface of panel 38. All of the sealing panels or flaps 3440, are maintained in positive contact after adhesive application which permits sealing by preventing the surface tension of the adhesive to be ruptured when pressure is applied exteriorly of the closure for the end of the carton being formed.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the assembly and closing of the novel closure will require a minimum of conversion from standard equipment conventionally 'used for this purpose. Although prior art closures are generally utilized to resist an internal force which attempts to open the carton, the end closure disclosed and described above, is in a sense the reverse of a positive closure. The primary purpose of the interlocked

closure panels

34, 36 and 38 is to afford resistance to downward external pressure, such as that applied by the compression section of a sealing machine. Further, this stable base or resistance to compression duning final sealing, lends itself to use with heat activated, pro-applied adhesives which must be maintained under pressure for a predetermined interval after heat has been applied to activate the adhesive. In order for the heat response of adhesive to be effective, some pressure must be applied to the portions being secured together. In the prior art it was generally necessary to provide some type of jig or pressure plate within a carton being heat sealed. The end closure of the present invention, eliminates the necessity for additional equipment since the closure panels 34-38 provide a stable and upwardly reacting base against which the closure panel 40 may be suitably pressed.

Additionally, the novel end closure lends itself to be squeezed during final sealing in the manner indicated by the direction arrows S on FIG. 5. When squeezing pressure is applied to the

side panels

16 and 18, in addition to the natural resiliency of the closure panels tending to spring upwardly, forces react on the lock tabs at the edges of the apertures of which they are shouldered, to provide an upward thrust force tending to displace the panel segment 54 upwardly to accordingly provide a stable and upwardly resisting base against which pressurized sealing force may be applied.

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. A carton blank forming a rectangular, glued end carton comprising a planar body member including pairs of alternately disposed side and end wall panels hingedly connected on mutually parallel fold lines, a transverse fold line normal to said mutually parallel fold lines and bordering one end of said side and end wall panels, said body member including pairs of alternately disposed closure panels hingedly connected at said transverse fold line and defined by cut-lines coinciding with certain of said mutually parallel fold lines at said transverse fold line for forming free side edges on said closure panels, one of said closure panels in alignment with one of said pairs side wall panels including a fragmentary, transverse fold line extending to free side edges thereof and parallel to said first mentioned transverse fold line and defining upper and lower panel segments therein, said upper panel segment including a pair of integral lock tabs spaced along said fragmentary fold line and defined by cut-lines originating at said fragmentary fold line, each of said pair of closure panels in alignment with said end wall panels including aperture portions, said aperture portions having a height substantially equal to the Width of said lock tabs for receiving the same therein when the carton is 7 closed, said aperture portions including one marginal edge normal to a plane passing through said fragmentary fold line.

2. Carton blank as set forth in claim 1 in which said pair of closure panels in alignment with said end wall panels include displaceable seal-flap elements hingedly connected thereto on fold lines opposite said one marginal edge. e

3. A blank as set forth in claim 1 in which said lock tabs each include a lock nose portion adjacent the juncture of said fragmentary fold line and said cut-lines defining said lock tabs, said one marginal edge of said aperture portions being substantially equal in length to the width of said lock tabs and said fragmentary fold lines for deformably receiving said lock nose portions therethrongh.

4. In a rectangular, glued end carton formed from a single blank and including opposed parallel pairs of side and end walls disposed in rectangular relationship, the improvement comprising a first of pair of inwardly folded closure panels hingedly respectively connected to said end walls and disposed in spaced coplanar relationship, said pair of inwardly folded closure panels each including an intermediate aperture portion having a marginal edge parallel to said side walls, a third closure panel hingedly connected to one of said side walls at said one end, said third closure panel including a transverse fold line forming inner and outer panel segments thereon, said outer panel segment including coplanar, spaced lock tabs extending across said transverse fold line and formed from said inner panel segment, said third closure panel overlying said pair of inwardly folded closure panels with said lock tabs each extending through one of said intermediate aperture portions and beneath and beyond said marginal edge towards said one side wall panel for providing a relatively stable base with said first mentioned pair of closure panels, and a fourth closure panel hingedly connected to said other side wall at said one end, and overlying said third closure panel and being adhesively secured thereto.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said pair of inwardly folded closure panels include an end seal flap at said intermediate aperture portions sealingly engaging beneath said lock tabs.

6. The structure of claim 4 in which said intermediate aperture portions and said lock tabs include interlocked lock notch and lock nose portions, respectively.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Nov, 11,

Claims

1. A CARTON BLANK FORMING A RECTANGULAR, GLUED END CARTON COMPRISING A PLANAR BODY MEMBER INCLUDING PAIRS OF ALTERNATELY DISPOSED SIDE AND END WALL PANELS HINGEDLY CONNECTED ON MUTUALLY PARALLEL FOLD LINES, A TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE NORMAL TO SAID MUTUALLY PARALLEL FOLD LINES AND BORDERING ONE END OF SAID SIDE AND END WALL PANELS, SAID BODY MEMBER INCLUDING PAIRS OF ALTERNATELY DISPOSED CLOSURE PANELS HINGEDLY CONNECTED AT SAID TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE AND DEFINED BY CUT-LINES COINCIDING WITH CERTAIN OF SAID MUTUALLY PARALLEL FOLD LINES AT SAID TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE FOR FORMING FREE SIDE EDGES ON SAID CLOSURE PANELS, ONE OF SAID CLOSURE PANELS IN ALIGNMENT WITH ONE OF SAID PAIRS SIDE WALL PANELS INCLUDING A FRAGMENTARY, TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE EXTENDING TO FREE SIDE EDGES THEREOF AND PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST MENTIONED TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE AND DEFINING UPPER AND LOWER PANEL SEGMENTS THEREIN, SAID UPPER PANEL SEGMENT INCLUDING A PAIR OF INTEGRAL LOCK TABS SPACED ALONG SAID FRAGMENTARY FOLD LINE AND DEFINED BY CUT-LINES ORIGINATING AT SAID FRAGMENTARY FOLD LINE, EACH OF SAID PAIR OF CLOSURE PANELS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID END WALL PANELS INCLUDING APERTURE PORTIONS, SAID APERTURE PORTIONS HAVING A HEIGHT SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF SAID LOCK TABS FOR RECEIVING THE SAME THEREIN WHEN THE CARTON IS CLOSED, SAID APERTURE PORTIONS INCLUDING ONE MARGINAL EDGE NORMAL TO A PLANE PASSING THROUGH SAID FRAGMENTARY FOLD LINE.