US3226003A

US3226003A - Carton and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: US3226003A
Application number: US326718A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert J Hickin
Original assignee: PKG CORP
Current assignee: PKG CORP
Priority date: 1963-11-29
Filing date: 1963-11-29
Publication date: 1965-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-28

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l I l I I I l l I I l R. J. HICKlN CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Dec. 28, 1965 Filed Nov. 29, 1963 j 5 FL, I); Q a w m 5 INVENTOR. QM I #brz/ Dec. 28, 1965 J. -uc 3,226,003

CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Filed Nov. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet z l" Z80. 6 ii W mmu.

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CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Filed Nov. 29, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a 32,/Z0 5/ l 9 Ml... m w- 1/ I I l 2 fl :35: Z5 mil /ww @61 INVENTOR. PM I 1 5066,

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United States Patent Office 3,226,093 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 3,226,003 CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Robert J. Hickin, Seville, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to PKG Corporation, Evanston, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 326,718 6 tjlaims. (Cl. 229-17) This invention relates to a carton and blank therefor and more particularly to a seal-end carton having a discharge opening and reclosable means therefor.

Various cartons of this general type have heretofore been proposed; however, because of certain structural features such cartons have been beset with one or more of the following shortcomings: (a) the carton is of a costly and complex construction; (b) it is difiicult to render such carton leakproof and infestation-proof particularly in the vicinity of the reclosable means; (c) such cartons are not readily suited to high speed production and oftentimes require special types of handling equipment; and (d) such cartons are required to be completely set up by the packager, thus, requiring the packager to have and maintain rather extensive packaging equipment which requires substantial floor area to perform its function.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved carton having a simple reclosing means which effectively overcomes the problems and difficulties associated with the prior art structures.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved carton having an integrally formed reelosable tab wherein the carton may be partially set up at the time the blank is formed and subsequently a plurality of partially setup cartons disposed in a compact bundle suitable for ready storage or transportation to the customer.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved carton having discharge opening and a reclosing tab therefor wherein an effective leakproof and infestation-proof seal can be produced by the tab in the vicinity of the discharge opening.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved carton wherein partial setup thereof is readily accomplished by the blank manufacturers utilizing conventional well-known equipment.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved carton having a discharge opening and reelosable means therefor wherein the reelosable means is formed integral and simultaneously with the carton blank.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a carton of foldable fibreboard material is provided which includes a side wall having an inner lamina provided with a discharge opening and an outer lamina provided with a reelosable tab. The inner lamina is adhesively secured to the outer lamina whereby the reelosable tab overlies the opening and is in registration therewith. On the exposed surface of the outer lamina, the tab is formed by a foldline, a slit, and a first pair of spaced cut-scores interconnecting said foldline and slit. The tab, on the concealed surface of the outer lamina, is formed by the same foldline and slit and a second pair of spaced cutscores which interconnect said foldline and slit. The spacing between the cut-scores of the first pair is greater than the spacing between the cut-scores of the second pair. Marginal portions of the tab are initially secured to the portions of the inner lamina which are circumjacent the opening therein. Subsequent to the tab being initially opened to expose the discharge opening the end of the tab is folded so as to be inserted into said opening when the tab is moved to its reclosing position.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of improved blank and showing in dotted lines the glue flap in its initially folded position.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but showing the blank thereof in a partially setup, collapsed condition.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary perspective views of the blank shown in FIG. 2 in further stages of setup.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a seal end carton formed from the blank, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton of FIG. 5 showing the tab folded open to uncover the discharge opening.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but showing the tab in partial reclosing position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the carton shown in FIG. 5 but with the tab in its fully reclosed position with respect to the discharge opening.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view of the carton shown in FIG. 5 and with the tab thereof in its fully opened position.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary plan views of two other modified improved blanks.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, one form of improved blank 20 is shown which is cut from a sheet or web of foldable fibreboard material. The blank includes a plurality of foldlines and slits which cooperate to form an end panel 21, a pair of

side panels

22 and 23, and a second, or opposite, end panel 24 which separates

side panels

22 and 23. Foldably connected to one side of side panel 23 is a glue flap 25.

End panels

21 and 24 are provided with dust flaps 26a-26b and 27a27b, respectively. Side panel 22 has foldably connected to its opposite ends outer cover flaps 28a and 28b and side panel 23 has corresponding inner cover flaps 30a and 30b connected thereto. The end and cover flaps at each corresponding end of the blank are separated from one another by appropriate slits. Foldably connected to opposite ends of outer cover flap 28a are a pair of

ears

31 and 32; the function of which will become more apparent from the disclosure hereinafter. The direction of the grain of the paperboard, from which the blank 20 is formed, runs from end panel 21 to glue flap 25.

Formed integral with and adjacent the upper portion of end panel 21 is a foldable tab 33. This tab is delimited on the exposed surface of panel 21 by foldline 34, a slit or cutout 35, and a first pair of spaced cut-scores 36 which interconnect foldline 34 and slit 35. On the concealed surface of panel 21, as shown in FIG. 1, the tab 33 is delimited by the same foldline 34 and slit 35'and a second pair of spaced cut-scores 37. The spacing between cut-scores 37 is less than the spacing between cutscores 36. The spacing differential between the cut-scores serves to provide the marginal portions of the tab which are adhesively secured to portions of the glue flap 25, when the blank is partially set up in a manner as will be discussed more fully hereinafter. A second foldline or cut-score 38, which substantially interconnects the pair of cut-scores 37, is formed adjacent the lower end of tab 33, see FIG. 1. The lower end of tab 33 terminates in a finger-grasping tongue 40, which facilitates initial opening of the tab 33 and in some forms of the invention permits ready reclosing of the discharge opening 40.

Glue flap 25 may be provided along one side thereof with a cut-out 25a which is formed by reason of the arrangement of a like blank on the sheet or web from which the blanks are cut, and thus waste of the sheet or web material is negligible. Formed along the upper edge of glue flap 25 is the discharge opening 41 which in the illustrated embodiment is of substantially rectangular configuraton. In forming blank 20, the plug, not shown, formed by reason of opening 41 is normally removed; however, if desired, the plug may remain and be delimited by weakened lines so that it will readily tear out when the opening 41 is to be exposed for discharging the contents of the carton.

The elongated vertical sides 41a of the opening are spaced apart approximately the same amount as the cutscores forming the second pair of cut-scores 37. The lower side 41b of opening 41 is disposed in substantial alignment with foldline 38 when the blank is in partial setup condition as shown in FIG. 2. An area 2511 on the outer surface of glue flap 25, that is the surface engaged by end panel 21, is treated so that the adhesive or bonding material utilized to secure the glue flap to end panel 21 will not adhere thereto. This area 25b is in registered relation with finger-grasping tongue 40, when the carton is set up, and thus grasping of the tongue to expose opening 41 and permit discharge of the carton contents can be readily accomplished.

In partially setting up the carton, as shown in FIG. 2, suitable adhesive is first applied by roller or other well known means to substantially the entire outer surface of glue flap 25; such surface being that as exposed in FIG. 1. Because area 25b of the flap having been previously treated, the applied adhesive will not adhere to such area. Subsequent to the application of the adhesive, side panel 23 and glue flap 25 will be folded as a unit about foldline 42 as an axis so as to assume a position as shown in dotted lines whereby the coated surface of flap 25 is exposed. Outer end panel 21 is then folded about foldline 43 so that it will overlie the exposed coated surface of glue flap 25, see FIG. 2. By reason of the relative size of the opening 41 with respect to tab 33, the marginal portions of the tab, that is to say those portions 33a (see FIG. disposed between the corresponding cut-scores of the pairs, are adhesively secured to the portions of glue flap 25 circumjacent the opening 41. If, however, the blank is coated with a thermoplastic material heat is applied in place of the adhesive material in order to produce the bond between the glue flap and the end panel. In either case an effective bond is attained between the flap and panel because relatively heavy pressure can be applied due to the collapsed or substantially fiat condition of the blank. This partial setup of the blank is readily performed by automatic equipment and normally immediately following cutting of the blank from a sheet or web. Following partial setup of the cartons, they are usually packed together in collapsed condition so that a large number thereof will occupy a minimum of space.

Once a customer has received a partially setup carton, the blank is manipulated normally by automatic equipment into the position shown in FIG. 3, that is to say, side panels and end panels cooperate to form a tubular structure. The lower end and cover flaps 26b, 27b, 28b and 30b are then folded and adhesively secured to one another so as to form a sealed bottom end. Once the bottom end is formed, the carton with its top opened is moved to the filling station where the product to be packaged is deposited into the carton. Subsequent to being filled, the upper dust flaps 26a and 27a are folded inwardly, as shown in FIG. 3, and the inner cover flap 30a is folded downardly into an adhesively secured, overlying relation with respect to the dust flaps. The outer cover flap 28a is then folded into adhesively secured, overlying relation with respect to the inner cover flap 30a. If it is desired to provide an effective leakproof and infestation-proof seal for the top of the carton, a calking material may be applied to joints formed at the end panels by the overlying dust and cover flaps in a manner as de- 4 scribed in Robert I. Hickin et al. United States Patent No. 3,007,376. After the calking material has been applied to these joints,

ears

31 and 32 are then folded downwardly into adhesive engagement with

end panels

21 and 24, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, ear 31 is larger than the tab 33, and overlies substantially both pair of cut-scores 36 and 37. By reason of this fact, ear 31 serves to more effectively seal the tab against leakage or infestation. In initially opening the tab in the carton shown in FIG. 5, the tongue 43 thereof is manually pulled outwardly and upwardly whereupon the ear 31 and tab will move as a unit as the bond between the fibers forming the marginal portions 33a of the tab will be less than the adhesive bond between the tab and glue flap due to the pairs of cutscores formed in the tab. Thus, once this initial seal is broken, a part of the tab fibers will remain aflixed to the glue flap, see FIG. 10.

After the desired amount of the carton contents has been discharged through the exposed opening 41, the tab and ear adhered thereto may be readily moved to their reclosed position FIGS. 7-9. To accomplish this result, the tongue 40, is preferably torn from the tab along foldline 38 and then, the distal or lower end 31a of ear 31 is folded inwardly about foldline 31b. The distal end 31a by reason of its tapered configuration and its rela tive stiffness due to the direction of the paperboard grain may then be readily inserted into the lower end of opening 41 and by reason of the friction existing between the sides of the distal end 31a and the sides 41a and bottom 41b of the opening, the tab 33 and ear 31 will remain in a reclosing position with respect to opening 41 and prevent dust or dirt from finding its way into the carton interior.

It will be noted in FIG. 10, that fibers of the tab 33 will remain affixed to the portion of the glue flap 25 which forms the bottom 41b of opening 41. Thus, in the initial seal of the tab to the glue flap, there is a positive bond created along the sides and bottom of the opening. The cut-score, not shown, but previously mentioned as aligned with foldline 38, produces the weakened fiber bond of the tab at the lower end of opening 41.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, modified forms of improved blanks 20' and 20" are shown, respectively. The blank 20,

shown in FIG. 11, is substantially the same shape as,

blank 20 of FIG. 1, except that ear 31 is substantially the same configuration as ear 32' formed at the opposite end of cover flap 28a, and both ears conform substan tially to the shape of the well known Van Buren ears. When blank 20 is fully set up, ear 31' will not overlie the tab 33' to the same extent as in blank 20. Because of this fact, therefore, the tongue 40' formed at the lower end of tab 33' is not torn or removed from the tab prior to reclosing; but, instead is folded inwardly about foldline 38 and then inserted through opening 41' in substantially the same manner as described with respect to ear portion 31a.

In blank 20", ears 31-32 of blank 20 have been removed altogether and, thus only the thickness of tab 33" itself serves to cover over opening 41 of the glue flap 25". In reclosing opening 41", tongue 40" of the tab 33" is manipulated in the same manner as described with respect to blank 20'.

Where the matter of sifting or infestation is not a problem cut-scores 36 may be eliminated and perforated lines substituted for the pair of cut-scores 37. Furthermore, the shape and size of the carton, opening, and tab therefor, as well as the location of the opening and tab therefor may be changed from that shown without departing from the scope of this invention.

It is believed, therefore, that an improved carton and blank therefor has been provided wherein a reclosable tab has been formed integral with the blank and no special reclosing means such as a metal or plastic spout is required in addition to the blank. Furthermore, the blank may be readily formed and set up by high speed, well known equipment and a bond between the tab and the glue flap may be readily obtained which will enable the tab to provide a leakproof and infestation proof closure for the discharge opening.

While several embodiments of this invention have been described and illustrated, further modifications may be made thereto, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A seal end carton comprising a first panel and a second panel secured to the concealed surface of said first panel; a tab formed in said first panel and partially defined on the exposed surface thereof by a first pair of spaced cut-scores, and partially defined on the concealed surface thereof by a second pair of spaced cutscores, the spacing between the cut-scores of said first pair being greater than the spacing between the cutscores of said second pair and defining tab marginal portions; said first panel including a foldably connected top-closing dust flap, the foldline therefor defining in part the periphery of said tab; and a foldable top-closing cover flap which overlies said dust flap to effect closing of the carton top, said cover flap including a foldable ear which overlies and is secured to the exposed surface of said tab; said second panel being provided with an opening disposed in registered relation with respect to said tab, the portions of said second panel circumjacent said opening being in sealing engagement with said tab marginal portions.

2. A blank for a foldable fibreboard carton comprising a plurality of foldlines cooperating with one another to form a first panel and a second panel, said first panel overlying and being secured to said second panel when a carton is formed from said blank; said first panel having a tab and a foldable finger-gripping tongue integral therewith, said tab and tongue being defined on one surface of said first panel by a foldline, a slit, and a first pair of spaced cut-scores extending from said foldline to said slit and on the opposite surface thereof by the same foldline and slit and a second pair of spaced cut-scores extending substantially from said foldline to said slit; the spacing between said first cut-scores being greater than between said second cut-scores, said second panel being provided with an opening, the latter being registrable with said tab, and the portions of said second panel circumjacent said opening being substantially overlaid by and securable to marginal portions of said tab defined by the spacing differential between said first and second cutscores, when a carton is formed from said blank.

3. The blank recited in claim 2 wherein the said one surface of said first panel includes a further cut-score disposed in spaced substantially parallel relation with respect to the foldline defining said tab, said further cutscore being disposed closer to the juncture between said tab and tongue than said foldline.

4. A blank for a foldable fibreboard carton comprising a plurality of foldlines cooperating with one another to define a first end panel, a pair of side panels separated by a second end panel, a glue flap adapted to be secured to the concealed surface of said first end panel when a carton is formed from a blank, dust flaps connected to opposite ends of said end panels, and cover flaps connected to opposite ends of said side panels, said dust and cover flaps being separated from one another by a plurality of slits; said first end panel having a tab partially formed on the exposed surface thereof by a first pair of spaced cut-scores; the concealed surface of said first end panel having a second pair of cut-scores partially forming said tab, the spacing between the cut-scores of said second pair being less than the spacing between the cut-scores of said first pair and defining tab marginal portions; said glue flap being provided with an opening, said opening being registrable with said tab and the portions of said glue flap circumjacent said opening being securable to and overlaid by said tab marginal portions, when a carton is formed from said blank.

5. The blank recited in claim 4 wherein the end of one of the cover flaps adjacent said first end panel has foldably connected thereto an ear, said ear being adapted to overlie and be secured to the exposed surface of said tab, when a carton is formed from said blank.

6. A carton of foldable fibreboard material having a discharge opening formed in one face thereof and a foldable tab formed on said face and adapted to initially seal said opening and, subsequent to breaking said initial seal, to effect reclosing of said discharge opening; said' face including an outer lamina and an inner lamina adhesively secured thereto, said tab being partially formed on the exposed surface of said outer lamina by a first pair of spaced cut-scores, and on the concealed surface of said outer lamina by a second pair of spaced cutscores, the spacing between the cut-scores of said first pair being greater than the spacing between the cut-scores of said second pair, and said second pair being disposed between said first pair and in substantially parallel relation therewith, the spacing differential between said pairs of cut-scores defining tab marginal portions; said discharge opening being formed in said inner lamina and in registration with said tab; said tab marginal portions being initially secured to portions of said inner lamina circumjacent said discharge opening and effecting sealing of said opening by said tab; said tab having a tongue formed therein foldable relative to said tab, subsequent to said tab being opened, and having said folded tongue insertable in said opening and frictionally engaging the circumjacent portions of said inner lamina to effect frictional retention of said tab in a reclosed position with respect to said discharge opening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,947,865 2/1934 Marsh 229l7 2,626,096 1/ 1953 Hickin.

2,742,220 4/ 1956 Lynes 229l7 2,760,708 8/1956 Phillips 229l7 2,819,831 1/1958 Polarek et a1. 229l7 2,953,293 9/ 1960 Anderson 22951 3,096,011 6/1963 Davis 229l7 3,096,922 7/1963 Graybill 229l7 3,133,689 5/1964 Rossi 229l7 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A SEAL END CARTON COMPRISING A FIRST PANEL AND A SECOND PANEL SECURED TO THE CONCEALED SURFACE OF SAID FIRST PANL; A TAB FORMED IN SAID FIRST PANEL AND PARTIALLY DEFINED ON THE EXPOSED SURFACE THEREOF BY A FIRST PAIR OF SPACED CUT-SCORES, AND PARTIALLY DEFINED ON THE CONCEALED SURFACE THEREOF BY A SECOND PAIR OF SPACEC CUTSCORES, THE SPACING BETWEEN THE CUST-STORES OF SAID FIRST PAIR BEING GREATER THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE CUTSCORES OF SAID SECOND PAIR AND DEFINING TAB MARGINAL PORTIONS; SAID FIRST PANEL INCLUDING A FOLDABLY CONNECTED TOP-CLOSING DUST FLAP, THE FOLDLINE THEREFOR DEFINING IN PART THE PERIPHERY OF SAID TAB; AND A FOLDABLE TOP-CLOSING COVER FLAP WHICH OVERLIES SAID DUST FLAP TO EFFECT CLOSING OF THE CARTON TOP, SAID COVER FLAP INCLUDING A FOLDABLE EAR WHICH OVERLIES AND IS SECURED TO THE EXPOSED SURFACE OF SAID TAB; SAID SECOND PANEL BEING PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING DISPOSED IN REGISTERED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID TAB, THE PORTIONS OF SAID SECOND PANEL CIRCUMJACENT SAID OPENING BEING IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TAB MARGINAL PORTIONS.