US3265282A - Box closure - Google Patents

Box closure Download PDF

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Publication number
US3265282A
US3265282A US387077A US38707764A US3265282A US 3265282 A US3265282 A US 3265282A US 387077 A US387077 A US 387077A US 38707764 A US38707764 A US 38707764A US 3265282 A US3265282 A US 3265282A
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Prior art keywords
box
opening
closure
closure member
contents
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Expired - Lifetime
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US387077A
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Stuart L Maxwell
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Individual
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a box closure. More particularly, the invention relates to a box having closure means. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a box including means for closing an opening in the side thereof and more particularly yet the invention pertains to an invention of the combination of a box, such as a pasteboard box, having either an opening or means for forming an opening in one side near the top thereof, with a closure means aflixed to the top of the box whereby the opening may be sealably closed.
  • a box such as a pasteboard box
  • boxes particularly card-board boxes and especially boxes of the type containing containing cereal, soap and so forth, are provided with means of forming an opening in the side of the box near the top so that the contents of the box may be poured out.
  • Such boxes are rectangular in cross section and have a punched outline of an opening near the top in one of the narrow sides. The user, in order to discharge the contents of the box, by thumb pressure or the like, pushes out the opening which forces a hinged tab to the interior of the box forming an opening so that the contents may be discharged from the box by tilting the box in the direction of the opening.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a box and a closure means for closing an opening in one of the sides thereof in a manner such that the opening is easily and completely sealably closed to preserve the quality of the contents and prevent the entrance into the interior of the box of insects, rodents or the like.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a box including a closure means affixed to the top thereof of elastic plastic material or the like to close an opening in the side of the box in a manner such that the freshness of the contents is preserved and the entrance of insects or rodents in the box is prevented.
  • FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of the closure means of this invention afiixed to a box, the closure means being shown in the open position.
  • FIGURE 2 is an isometric external view of the closure means of this invention affixed to a box as the closure means is in the closed position.
  • FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of the closure means of this invention in the open position as the box is tilted for discharge of contents therefrom.
  • This invention may be described as a closure means for a box. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention may be described as a combination of (1) a box having a rectangular top and means forming an opening in one of the narrow sides adjacent to the top, and
  • closure member for the opening, the closure member being of flexible elastic plastic material, the closure means having (a) a flat portion substantially of the width of the box top ariixed to the box top such as by adhesive in the area of the box top opposite the side of the box having the opening therein, and
  • a four sided closure portion having (1) a top portion of width equal to the box top, the top portion being integral with the flat portion, the juncture of the top portion and the flat portion serving as a hinge,
  • the closure member generally indicated by the numeral ill, is affixed to the top of a box, generally indicated by the numeral 12.
  • the closure member ill is preferably of plastic material and is so shown in cross section.
  • the material of which the closure member lit is preferably constructed is any type of thin flexible material having a degree of elasticity.
  • the closure member 10 is shown affixed to box 12 by means of a coating of adhesive 14, shown in cross section.
  • the adhesive 14 is somewhat exaggerated in thickness for purposes of clarity.
  • the box 12 is of the typical type of paper or cardboard box in which many products for commercial and domestic consumption are packaged and distributed.
  • the box 12 is typically of cardboard and is rectangular in cross section having opposing sides 16 which are narrower than the corresponding opposite sides 18. The top it? of the box is normally closed.
  • a means for providing an opening 22 in the box so that the contents may be discharged is provided in one of the narrow sides 16 adjacent to top 20 .
  • the most typical means of providing such opening 22 is to provide a notched outline in the box so that the purchaser, upon first use, may punch out a portion of the box to form a hinged portion 24.
  • the opening 22 remains open and thereby permits the entrance into the box of the free circulation of air, insects and even rodents.
  • This invention provides means of sealably closing the opening 2 2 when the box is not in use.
  • the closure member 14 includes a fiat portion 26 substantially of the width of the box and ailixed to the top 2th of the box, such as by means of adhesive 14, in the area of the box top opposite the side of the box having the opening 22 therein.
  • the other basic portion of the unitary closure member includes a four sided closure portion generally indicated by the numeral 28.
  • the four sided closure portion 28 includes a top portion 28A of width equal to the box top, the top portion 28A being integral with the flat portion 26.
  • the juncture of the top portion 28A with the flat portion 26 forms a hinge 39.
  • the other portions of the four sided closure portion 28 include opposed triangular side portions 2$B (only one of which is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIGURE 1), and an end portion 280.
  • the four sided closure portion 28 when the member is in closed position, conforms to the top corner of the box 12 in such a way that the end portion 28C seala'bly covers the opening 22 in the box.
  • FIGURE 2 the closure member is shown in closed position about the box 12 which is shown in dotted outline.
  • the flap 24 of the box 12 is shown in the position as it appears when the box is sold to the ultimate consumer and before the hinged portion 24 has been forced into the box to form the opening 22.
  • FIGURE 2 shows the closure member as it would appear when the box having this invention affixed thereto is received by the purchaser.
  • the opening 22 in the box is closed in two ways, that is by the hinged portion 24 and by the closure member 10.
  • the box with the closure member is shown as in use.
  • the four sided closure portion 28 has been raised exposing the flap portion 24.
  • the flap portion 24 has been punched out exposing the opening 22.
  • the box 12 is shown in a tilted position as the contents therein would be discharged through opening 22. After the required contents are discharged, the box is set uprightly and the four sided closure portion 23 is pulled back down onto the box to close the opening 22.
  • a tab 32 which provides easy means of raising and lowering the four sided closure portion 23.
  • the four sided closure portion 28 is so formed that in the open position the angle between the top portion 28A and the end portion 28C, indicated by the letter A in FIGURE 1, is less than 90. That is, the opposing triangular portions 28B are so formed that in the open position they contract the end portion 28C but, due to the elasticity of the material composing the closure member 10, when the four sided closure portion 23 is pulled down onto the box 12 the elasticity thereof permits the closure member to stretch in such a way that the end portion 28C is pulled into sealing engagement with the box 12 to sealably close the opening 22.
  • the distinguishing characteristic of this invention is the provision of means whereby the opening is sealably closed achieved by the combination of the configuration of the closure member formed of a material having a degree of elasticity. Without such elasticity and the configuration wherein the normal angle between the top portion 28A and the end portion 28C is less than 90 the opening 12 of the box will not be sealed.
  • closure member being of flexible elastic plastic material, the closure member defined by (a) a fiat portion substantially of the width of the box top affixed to the box top such as by an adhesive in the area of the box top opposite the side of the box having the opening therein, and b) a four sided closure portion having (1) a top portion of width equal to the box top, the top portion being integral with the flat portion, the juncture of the top portion and the flat portion serving as a hinge, and
  • the triangular side portions are normally of dimension wherein the angle formed between the top portion and the end portion is less than and (5) a finger flap portion integrally afiixed to the end portion at the lower edge thereof.

Description

1956 s. L. MAXWELL 3,265,282
BOX CLOSURE Filed Aug. 3, 1964 INVENTOR STUART L. MAXWELL BY/dd/fzz ATTORNEYS United States Patent .0
3,265,282 BUX CLCdURE Stuart lL. Maxwell, 727 Dayton fit, Muskogee, Ukla. Filled Aug. 3, i964, Ser. No. 387,077 1 Claim. (Cl. 229-7) This invention relates to a box closure. More particularly, the invention relates to a box having closure means. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a box including means for closing an opening in the side thereof and more particularly yet the invention pertains to an invention of the combination of a box, such as a pasteboard box, having either an opening or means for forming an opening in one side near the top thereof, with a closure means aflixed to the top of the box whereby the opening may be sealably closed.
Many types of boxes, particularly card-board boxes and especially boxes of the type containing containing cereal, soap and so forth, are provided with means of forming an opening in the side of the box near the top so that the contents of the box may be poured out. Usually such boxes are rectangular in cross section and have a punched outline of an opening near the top in one of the narrow sides. The user, in order to discharge the contents of the box, by thumb pressure or the like, pushes out the opening which forces a hinged tab to the interior of the box forming an opening so that the contents may be discharged from the box by tilting the box in the direction of the opening.
While this type of means of providing an opening in a box is completely satisfactory in many respects, one of the difiiculties is that after the openings is punched out there is no means of subsequently sealing the box. The contents of a box exposed to free air circulation deteriorate faster. Having open boxes on hand is especially serious when such type of boxes are used for cereal or other edible contents. Typically a cereal box, as utilized by most families, is opened when first used and may be kept in a kitchen cabinet for several weeks before the total contents are utilized. During this time the box, being open, is exposed to infestation by a variety of insects, and even rodents.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved closure means for a box. More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a box having a closure means for closing an opening in one of the upper sides thereof.
Another object of this invention is to provide a box and a closure means for closing an opening in one of the sides thereof in a manner such that the opening is easily and completely sealably closed to preserve the quality of the contents and prevent the entrance into the interior of the box of insects, rodents or the like.
Another object of this invention is to provide a box including a closure means affixed to the top thereof of elastic plastic material or the like to close an opening in the side of the box in a manner such that the freshness of the contents is preserved and the entrance of insects or rodents in the box is prevented.
These and other objects will be fulfilled and a better understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claim, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of the closure means of this invention afiixed to a box, the closure means being shown in the open position.
FIGURE 2 is an isometric external view of the closure means of this invention affixed to a box as the closure means is in the closed position.
FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of the closure means of this invention in the open position as the box is tilted for discharge of contents therefrom.
Eidiifig Patented August 1966 ice This invention may be described as a closure means for a box. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention may be described as a combination of (1) a box having a rectangular top and means forming an opening in one of the narrow sides adjacent to the top, and
(2) a unitary closure member for the opening, the closure member being of flexible elastic plastic material, the closure means having (a) a flat portion substantially of the width of the box top ariixed to the box top such as by adhesive in the area of the box top opposite the side of the box having the opening therein, and
(b) a four sided closure portion having (1) a top portion of width equal to the box top, the top portion being integral with the flat portion, the juncture of the top portion and the flat portion serving as a hinge,
(2) opposed triangular side portions and (3) an end portion, the four sides conforming to the top corner of the box when the closure member is in closed position, the end portion completely covering the opening in the box.
Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGURE 1, the closure member, generally indicated by the numeral ill, is affixed to the top of a box, generally indicated by the numeral 12. The closure member ill is preferably of plastic material and is so shown in cross section. The material of which the closure member lit is preferably constructed is any type of thin flexible material having a degree of elasticity. The closure member 10 is shown affixed to box 12 by means of a coating of adhesive 14, shown in cross section. The adhesive 14 is somewhat exaggerated in thickness for purposes of clarity.
The box 12 is of the typical type of paper or cardboard box in which many products for commercial and domestic consumption are packaged and distributed. The box 12 is typically of cardboard and is rectangular in cross section having opposing sides 16 which are narrower than the corresponding opposite sides 18. The top it? of the box is normally closed.
Provided in one of the narrow sides 16 adjacent to top 20 is a means for providing an opening 22 in the box so that the contents may be discharged. The most typical means of providing such opening 22 is to provide a notched outline in the box so that the purchaser, upon first use, may punch out a portion of the box to form a hinged portion 24. In the usual arrangement the opening 22 remains open and thereby permits the entrance into the box of the free circulation of air, insects and even rodents. This invention provides means of sealably closing the opening 2 2 when the box is not in use.
The closure member 14 includes a fiat portion 26 substantially of the width of the box and ailixed to the top 2th of the box, such as by means of adhesive 14, in the area of the box top opposite the side of the box having the opening 22 therein. The other basic portion of the unitary closure member includes a four sided closure portion generally indicated by the numeral 28. The four sided closure portion 28 includes a top portion 28A of width equal to the box top, the top portion 28A being integral with the flat portion 26. The juncture of the top portion 28A with the flat portion 26 forms a hinge 39. The other portions of the four sided closure portion 28 include opposed triangular side portions 2$B (only one of which is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIGURE 1), and an end portion 280. The four sided closure portion 28, when the member is in closed position, conforms to the top corner of the box 12 in such a way that the end portion 28C seala'bly covers the opening 22 in the box.
Referring now to FIGURE 2, the closure member is shown in closed position about the box 12 which is shown in dotted outline. In this view the flap 24 of the box 12 is shown in the position as it appears when the box is sold to the ultimate consumer and before the hinged portion 24 has been forced into the box to form the opening 22. FIGURE 2 shows the closure member as it would appear when the box having this invention affixed thereto is received by the purchaser. By this invention the opening 22 in the box is closed in two ways, that is by the hinged portion 24 and by the closure member 10.
Referring to FIGURE 3, the box with the closure member is shown as in use. In this view the four sided closure portion 28 has been raised exposing the flap portion 24. The flap portion 24 has been punched out exposing the opening 22. The box 12 is shown in a tilted position as the contents therein would be discharged through opening 22. After the required contents are discharged, the box is set uprightly and the four sided closure portion 23 is pulled back down onto the box to close the opening 22.
As shown in all the views integrally affixed to the end portion 28C is a tab 32 which provides easy means of raising and lowering the four sided closure portion 23.
In the preferred embodiment the four sided closure portion 28 is so formed that in the open position the angle between the top portion 28A and the end portion 28C, indicated by the letter A in FIGURE 1, is less than 90. That is, the opposing triangular portions 28B are so formed that in the open position they contract the end portion 28C but, due to the elasticity of the material composing the closure member 10, when the four sided closure portion 23 is pulled down onto the box 12 the elasticity thereof permits the closure member to stretch in such a way that the end portion 28C is pulled into sealing engagement with the box 12 to sealably close the opening 22.
It is acknowledged that others have provided various closure means for closing openings in boxes. The distinguishing characteristic of this invention is the provision of means whereby the opening is sealably closed achieved by the combination of the configuration of the closure member formed of a material having a degree of elasticity. Without such elasticity and the configuration wherein the normal angle between the top portion 28A and the end portion 28C is less than 90 the opening 12 of the box will not be sealed.
While this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
What is claimed is:
The combination of (l) a box having a rectangular top and means forming an opening in one of the narrow sides adjacent the top; and
(2) a unitary closure member, the closure member being of flexible elastic plastic material, the closure member defined by (a) a fiat portion substantially of the width of the box top affixed to the box top such as by an adhesive in the area of the box top opposite the side of the box having the opening therein, and b) a four sided closure portion having (1) a top portion of width equal to the box top, the top portion being integral with the flat portion, the juncture of the top portion and the flat portion serving as a hinge, and
(2) opposed triangular side portions,
(3) an end portion, the four sides conforming to the top corner of the box when in closed position, the end portion completely and sealably covering the opening in the box,
(4) the triangular side portions are normally of dimension wherein the angle formed between the top portion and the end portion is less than and (5) a finger flap portion integrally afiixed to the end portion at the lower edge thereof.
References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.
DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Examiner.
US387077A 1964-08-03 1964-08-03 Box closure Expired - Lifetime US3265282A (en)

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Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3648833A (en) * 1970-05-20 1972-03-14 American Artists Group Inc Package for sheet material articles
US3695504A (en) * 1970-11-20 1972-10-03 James E Simpson Attachable container closure
US3733022A (en) * 1971-04-16 1973-05-15 A Kapiloff Unitary hinged plastic protector for opened shelf-storage type boxes
US3758022A (en) * 1970-02-02 1973-09-11 Christenssons Maskiner Re-closing arrangement for packages of cardboard
US4047660A (en) * 1975-12-22 1977-09-13 Container Corporation Of America Composite package
US4249693A (en) * 1979-10-17 1981-02-10 Michael Diaz Cardboard container cover
US4771936A (en) * 1987-08-20 1988-09-20 Dolby Timothy S Box top lid
US4940191A (en) * 1989-03-29 1990-07-10 Dolby Timothy S Recloseable box top lid
US5115966A (en) * 1991-12-04 1992-05-26 The Procter & Gamble Company Package having a formed fitting external plug fit measuring cap
US5551629A (en) * 1993-12-10 1996-09-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Granular substance storing and dispensing container
USD430025S (en) * 1997-08-29 2000-08-29 The Procter & Gamble Company Container
US6131806A (en) * 1998-11-19 2000-10-17 Aptargroup, Inc. Dispensing structure incorporating a valve-containing fitment for mounting to a container and a package with a dispensing structure
US6688515B1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2004-02-10 Meadwestvaco Corporation Bagless container with reclosable fitment
WO2004101375A1 (en) * 2003-05-14 2004-11-25 Nestec S.A. Container for piece goods
US20080073369A1 (en) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-27 Druin Melvin L Secondary protective lid

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1240563A (en) * 1916-12-22 1917-09-18 George E Griffith Cigarette-box.
US1494518A (en) * 1922-11-16 1924-05-20 Frederick C Whippey Paper box
US1767742A (en) * 1928-06-05 1930-06-24 Charles R Case Dispensing cover
US2847151A (en) * 1953-03-23 1958-08-12 Jagenberg Werke Ag Container made of paper, cardboard or the like

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1240563A (en) * 1916-12-22 1917-09-18 George E Griffith Cigarette-box.
US1494518A (en) * 1922-11-16 1924-05-20 Frederick C Whippey Paper box
US1767742A (en) * 1928-06-05 1930-06-24 Charles R Case Dispensing cover
US2847151A (en) * 1953-03-23 1958-08-12 Jagenberg Werke Ag Container made of paper, cardboard or the like

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3758022A (en) * 1970-02-02 1973-09-11 Christenssons Maskiner Re-closing arrangement for packages of cardboard
US3648833A (en) * 1970-05-20 1972-03-14 American Artists Group Inc Package for sheet material articles
US3695504A (en) * 1970-11-20 1972-10-03 James E Simpson Attachable container closure
US3733022A (en) * 1971-04-16 1973-05-15 A Kapiloff Unitary hinged plastic protector for opened shelf-storage type boxes
US4047660A (en) * 1975-12-22 1977-09-13 Container Corporation Of America Composite package
US4249693A (en) * 1979-10-17 1981-02-10 Michael Diaz Cardboard container cover
US4771936A (en) * 1987-08-20 1988-09-20 Dolby Timothy S Box top lid
US4940191A (en) * 1989-03-29 1990-07-10 Dolby Timothy S Recloseable box top lid
US5115966A (en) * 1991-12-04 1992-05-26 The Procter & Gamble Company Package having a formed fitting external plug fit measuring cap
WO1993011046A1 (en) * 1991-12-04 1993-06-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Package having a formed fitting external plug fit measuring cap
US5551629A (en) * 1993-12-10 1996-09-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Granular substance storing and dispensing container
USD430025S (en) * 1997-08-29 2000-08-29 The Procter & Gamble Company Container
US6131806A (en) * 1998-11-19 2000-10-17 Aptargroup, Inc. Dispensing structure incorporating a valve-containing fitment for mounting to a container and a package with a dispensing structure
USRE39520E1 (en) 1998-11-19 2007-03-20 Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. Dispensing structure incorporating a valve-containing fitment for mounting to a container and a package with a dispensing structure
US6688515B1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2004-02-10 Meadwestvaco Corporation Bagless container with reclosable fitment
US20040069843A1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2004-04-15 Huffman Todd H. Container with reclosable fitment
US6957763B2 (en) 2000-10-23 2005-10-25 Meadwestvaco Corporation Container with reclosable fitment
WO2004101375A1 (en) * 2003-05-14 2004-11-25 Nestec S.A. Container for piece goods
AU2004238641B2 (en) * 2003-05-14 2011-06-09 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Container for piece goods
US8875982B2 (en) 2003-05-14 2014-11-04 Nestec S.A. Container for piece goods
US20080073369A1 (en) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-27 Druin Melvin L Secondary protective lid

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