US3436893A - Reclosable carton - Google Patents

Description

Sheet F. VOKES E A RECLOSABLE CARTON Ap i] 8, 1969 Filed Aug. 28, 1964 Z 2 I m w y/w; Mmm Twi M f n z n m my a z w. W1 v u i u Him ml: "\IXW 7L C A.

l/ a M April 8, 1969 vok ET AL 3,436,893

RECLOSABLE CARTON Filed Aug. 28, 1964 sheet ,2 of 2 INVENTORS 29am)? VX9565 Jana/1.3622 zz'rg BY M w {J ATTORNEYS ited States Patent US. Cl. 53-21 3 Claims This invention is concerned with a package structure and method. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a reclosable package structure particularly useful in the paper industry or in any industry where packages of material pass from a manufacturer to a distributor and wherein the distributor inserts the labels or identifying indicia in the package before final sale.

Since the present invention is conveniently described in terms of its use in the paper industry, it will be so treated, it being understood that its practical application is much more general and the invention is to be so considered.

Sheeted paper may be shipped in two conditions, wrapped or unwrapped within a suitable container. In wrapped form, sheet paper of predetermined sizes and numerical count may be first wrapped in a protective cover and thereafter one or more wrapped packages, hereinafter called wrappers, are placed in a protective carton for delivery. Oftentimes the manufacturer delivers to a distributor, who identifies the product by his own labels attached to the end of the wrappers. Thus, the distributor may, in many cases, open the packed cartons to gain access to the wrappers and thereafter the cartons must be rescaled. Also sheeted paper may be placed in the containers unwrapped, in which case it is most desirable that the user, generally the printer, be able to use only a portion of the contents while the remainder is adequately protected by the container.

To date, the cartons in which paper is shipped are usually two-part, i.e., cover and bottom construction, wherein the bottom comprises an open topped tray and the cover is a similar tray inverted with respect to and telescoped over the sides of the bottom tray. After filling and closure, the bottom edge of the cover is generally sealed by the liberal application of tape to the side walls or bottom panel of the bottom tray. This is necessary to keep dirt out of the carton and further, to prevent any major fiexure or twisting of the complete package and the resulting wrinkling or damage to the product.

Thus, when conventional taped cartons are used and the paper wrappers are to be labeled by a distributor, or when only a portion of the contents are used, it is necessary for the intermediate party or user to cut apart the bottom tray and the top at the taped seams therebetween, whereby the cover may be completely removed to permit access to the ends of the wrapped product therein. Subsequently, the cartons must be reclosed and rescaled to protect the contents from damage with the net result that considerable time and trouble is involved and, often where subsequent reshipment is involved the tape covers tape at the top-bottom juncture, resulting in unsightly packages.

Another form of carton structure currently in use utilizes a glue of high shear-low tensile strength characteristics, wherein when the trays are telescoped over one another to form a closed container, the glue adheres the end and side flaps in the usual manner, but upon subjecting the edges of the flaps to tensile pull, the two trays separate to give access to the cartons interior. Again, however, the top or cover tray must be completely removed to give access to the carton interior and contents which often results in loss of the cover tray before the contents are used completely, or alternatively, if the carton is to be rescaled, a time consuming retaping job is involved for the distributor.

The present invention, while utilizing a tray top and tray bottom, contemplates a novel method of forming an end structure and a novel closure system whereby easy initial opening of the carton end is obtained, and wherein when reclosed, the bottom and top are hinged to one another, thus resulting in a package of maximum convenience to the user of the products therein. In its broad concept then, a first object of the invention is to produce a carton structure and closing system which is more conveniently used than are the prior art structures.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to produce a novel resealable carton.

A further object of this invention is to produce a hinged carton having a reclosable end or side.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a novel method of closure for tray-like cartons and covers.

Still an additional object of this invention is to produce a container having a novel end or side structure.

These and other objects of the invention may be accomplished by providing for final telescopic assembly of a bottom and top tray structure including top and bottom base panels, side and end wall panels formed integrally therewith, said side wall panels being provided with integral end flaps, at least one end wall panel of each tray being provided with an adhesive wherein these last mentioned panels are adhered to form a hing structure upon final closure of the receptacle with the top and bottom tray structures in telescopic relation with respect to one another.

Advantageously, at least one pair of side wall flaps and at least one tray may also be provided with areas of adhesive on their inner faces to facilitate sealing of said flaps during intermediate use of the receptacle.

Cartons or receptacles as above defined may be closed by the method of forming the respective blanks into tray structures by folding the side wall panels into perpendicular relations to the base panels of each tray, telescoping said side walls with respect to one another, closing one end of the container thus formed with said end walls and said end flaps of each tray with at least two of said closure-defining members, said end walls or said flaps in non-adherent surface-to-surface contact.

Having described the invention broadly, the following detailed description will illustrate same, reference being made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of both a tray bottom blank and a tray top blank of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the method of folding the carton cover tray and bottom tray when the cover is first positioned over the tray;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the carton structure assembled according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a disassembled view illustrating the final assembly of the carton after reclosure;

FIGS. 5 and 5a are views of a modified structure similar in most respects to FIGS. 1 and 4; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a slightly modified structure and a modified method of closure sequence particularly applicable where, for example, the width of panels 6 and 26 is such that flexure of these panels, even though separated by flaps 12, 12' and 34, 34, as in FIG. 2, might cause the registering adhesive areas 16 and 36 to inadvertently adhere to one another.

Turning first to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be immediately noted that the bottom and top blanks appear to be conventional folding tray blanks. Such blanks are usually comprised of large bottom and top panels 10 and 20, respectively, end wall panels 6 and 8, and 26 and 28, integrally connected to these panels for folding about conventional score lines generally indicated as 5 from the bottom blank and from the top blank, respectively. Also connected to the top and bottom panels, along score lines 7 and 27, respectively, are side wall panels or members 2 and 4, and 22 and 24. The top side wall panels 2 and 4 also include end flaps 12, 12 and 14, 14 integrally fixed thereto at score lines 9 and 9 and 11, 11, respectively, but same being unconnected to the end wall panels 6 and 8. Similarly, the bottom side wall panels 22 and 24 of the bottom blank also have integrally affixed thereto fiap members 34, 34 and 36, 36', respectively, along fold lines 29 and 29 and 31, 31, respectively. These flap members are also unsecured to the respective end wall panels 26 and 28.

It is important to note, however, that contrary to the usual blanks of this type, at least one in this case, the end wall 6 of the bottom tray is provided with adhesive area 16, while the corresponding end wall 26 of the top blank is also provided with a similarly located adhesive area 38, which area is positioned so as to register with the adhesive area 16 of the bottom blank when these walls are in telescoped relation, as and for the purposes to be subsequently described. This adhesive area is coated with an adhesive having self-adherent properties or heat sensitive properties so that while the coated areas 16 and 38 will adhere to one another, they will not adhere to any other material. In other words, if these adhesive areas are not in registry and in contact, they will not adhere to any other area of the blank. A self-adhering adhesive of the self-actuating type is shown in US. Patent No. 1,936,136. Heat sealing plastics or waxes of the heat actuated type are also known in the art.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the critical characteristics and position of the adhesive areas will become apparent. Thus, in FIG. 2, the top tray is shown superposed over the bottom tray with each being partially folded. The small arrows and associated numbers indicate the sequence of the folding operation. First, the side walls 2, 4 and 22, 24 of the trays are folded to their usual position perpendicular to the bottom and top panels 10 and 20. Then, in closing the end of the bottom tray the end wall 6 is folded into its usual position, as indicated by the arrow 1. Subsequently, the end flaps -12 and 12 are folded into a position overlying the previously folded end wall, the latter opening being indicated by the arrows 2 and 3.

With the top tray telescoped over the bottom tray, the top end flaps 34, 34 are first folded inwardly as indicated by the arrows 4 and 5, after which the end wall 26 is folded into superimposed relation with respect to the flaps 34, 34. Thus the two pairs of flaps 34, 34' and 12, 12, are disposed between the end walls 6 and 26 of the top and bottom trays to prevent the adhesive areas 38 and 16, respectively, from coming into adherent canta:

As shown in FIG. 3, one or more tape members and/or adhesive spot areas 32 (see FIG. 1 for location) may serve to keep this end of the carton closed when applied to the member 26.

The opposite end of the carton, while illustrated with a flap and adhesive strip arrangement similar to that described is preferably closed in the conventional manner, that is, flaps 14, 14 of the bottom tray are folded first, then end wall 8, while the flaps 3'6, 36' of the top tray also are folded first, followed by folding of the end wall 28. Too, the flaps 14, 14', and end wall 8 are adhered as by stapling, gluing, etc., to one another while flaps 36, 36' and end wall 28 are also permanently adhered to one another. Again sealing tape or high shear strength low tensile strength adhesive may effect connection of the.

top tray to the bottom tray by extending the tape or adhesive around the two side walls and opposite end 8.

The cartons as described and filled with wrappers may then be shipped to a user, such as a distributor. If it is necessary to relabel the wrappers inside the carton, the user opens the end shown in FIG. 3, by merely breaking tapes 30 and pulling open end wall 26, then flaps 34, 34', and 12, 12' of each tray, and finally the bottom tray and wall 6. The ends of the wrappers surrounding the paper sheets are thus easily accessible for the placement of labels thereon without the necessity of completely opening the carton or removing these flats from the interior of the bottom tray to gain access to the ends of the wrapers.

The labelling complete, the end of the carton is reclosed. In so doing, however, reference being made to FIG. 4, a different sequence of folding steps is followed. Again referring to the numbered arrows, it will be seen that the end flaps 12, 12 are first folded inwardly against the contents of the carton as indicated by arrows 1 and 2. Then (arrows 3 and 4) the end flaps of the cover tray, namely flaps 34, 34' are folded into abutting relation with flaps 12, 12 previously folded. Subsequently the end wall 6 of the bottom tray is folded upwardly to abut against and overlie the folded flaps 34, 34'. As a final step, the end wall panel 26 is folded (see arrow 5) down over end wall 6 of the bottom tray, bringing the adhesive areas 16 and 38 into adherent engagement whereby effective sealing of the carton is accomplished. Adherent engagement is achieved by applying pressure, as by a hammer blow, to the indicia X.

Now, when the carton reaches the consumer, it is readily opened by cutting the sealing tape or breaking the adhesive on two sides and at the opposite conventionally closed end with the result that the adhered end walls 26 and 6 serve as hinge members enabling the top cover tray to be pivoted away from the bottom tray for permitting access to the interior of the carton.

Still another modification is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5a. In this structure the self- adherent bands 16 and 26 are replaced by self- adherent spots 18 and 128; the former disposed on the outside of the end wall 6 and the latter on the inside of the top end wall 26. In registry with these spots but on the opposite side of each of these end walls, there is provided printed indicia such as an X or dot with appropriate notation so that a person closing the container can exert localized force, such as a light hammer blow at the indicia areas and this force will be transmitted directly to the adhesive spots. The closing and reclosing procedure would be the same as previously described in connection with FIGS. 14 inclusive.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a slightly modified arrangement is shown wherein a tear strip incorporated in the end wall 26 facilitates tight initial closure of the package plus easy opening and reclosure. In this modification the band or dots of self-adherent adhesive 38 is present as usual between score line 25 and the edge of end wall 26. A second band or localized adhesive areas 44 and 46 is provided at the corners of the end wall 26 as shown. In addition, whereas a self-adherent adhesive is used, the side wall flaps 34, 34 are provided with adhesive coated areas 4546. These latter adhesive coated areas will register with areas 44, 46 on the end wall, so that when the end of the container is closed, per FIG. 2, the panel 26 will be adhered to the flaps 34 34'. Further sealing may be affected by tape disposed along the edge of the panel 10 of the bottom tray and overlying the lower edge of the end wall 26 of the top tray.

If the carton is opened, the tear-strip 40, which is above the adhered areas, is pulled and the remainder of end wall 26 including the band of adhesive 38 may pivot about score line 25 to permit access to the contents. On reclosure, the small adhered areas of flaps 34, 34' and end wall 26 are broken; the flaps 34, 34' folded according to FIG. 4 with the remained of the end wall 26, then adhered to the end wall 6 of the bottom tray when the container is closed. Thus, end walls 26 and 6 again form a hinged connection when the carton is opened for use by severing the connections between the remaining three sides thereof, as previously described.

It will be appreciated that in some cases the width of the end walls 26 and 6 of the respective top and bottom tray members will be such as to rather drastically exceed the combined width of the end flaps 12, 12' and 34, 34'. In such cases it is obvious that even though spaced by these flaps, that portion of the end wall 26 of the top tray, toward its center could easily be flexed into accidental contact with the end Wall 6 of the bottom tray. Adherence of the adhesive areas 16 and 38 would naturally result even though undesired. To control this situation, a modification of the structure is contemplated in FIGS. 7 and 8, like parts bearing the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. Essentially, this modification comtemplates a slightly different closure sequence initially and the addition of bands of adhesive to the side wall flaps 34, 34' at 52, 54. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the initial closure sequence followed is to (1 and 2) fold in flaps 12, 12' against the contents of the carton. Then the top tray end wall 26 is folded (3) against flaps 12, 12. Subsequently the end wall 6 of the bottom tray is folded (4) against wall 26, after which the flaps 34, 34' are folded (5 and 6) against the wall 6 end adhered thereto by the adhesive 52, 54.

It is believed obviou that on labeling the contents the fiaps 34, 34 may be easily separated from wall 6, the end of the container opened and also that on reclosure the steps of FIG. 4 are followed to produce a hinged cover container for use by the consumer.

Having thus described the invention it should be noted that while reference is made to the end wall in the disclosure, it should be understood that the invention is equally applicable to a structure wherein the side walls are arranged to provide the reclosable feature. In this case flaps 12, 12, 14, 14' and 34, 34 and 36, 36 would be integral with the side walls 2, 4, and 22, 24 and unconnected to the end walls 26, 28 and 6, 8, rather than as shown. Also, the closing sequence with respect to end walls 26 and 6 could be reversed so long as the flaps 12, 12' and 34, 34' are properly folded.

Having thus described our invention in detail, it will become apparent that various other changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, such modifications and changes falling within the spirit and scope of the claims, wherein what is claimed is:

1. A system for packaging and enclosing a product to be labelled within the package comprising enclosing the product within a carton comprised of a pair of telescoped tray members having three sides in adhered relation, forming the closure at said remaining side by means of flaps and end walls forming closure defining members carried respectively by each tray member, said closure being made initially by folding said closure defining members in superposed overlying relation with at least two of said members in surface-to-surface nonadherent contact, thereafter opening said carton by unfolding said closure defining members, labelling the product therein and thereafter again closing said carton by folding all of said closure defining members with said flaps disposed interiorly of said carton, said end walls being disposed one upon the other in face-to-face contacting relation and permanently adhering said last-mentioned members to each other.

2. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said lastmentioned step is carried out by pressing into adherent contact coated areas of a self-adherent adhesive provided on the respective contacting faces of said closure defining members.

3. The system defined in claim 2 including the further step of releasably fixed said closure defining members in the relationship set forth prior to the opening and labelling of the contents.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,916,859 12/1959 Klein 5321 2,932,927 4/1960 Segerstrom et al. 53374 X 3,056,245 10/1962 Boum et al. 5324 2,223,770 12/1940 Nagle 93-36 3,01- 8,701 1/ 1962 Keeley 9336 2,667,297 1/1954 McReary 229-44 2,744,676 5/ 1956 Sealey 22944 3,043,068 7/1962 Blonder 532-9 3,120,727 2/1964 Zilox 5329 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner. R. L. FARRIS, Assistant Examiner.

Us. 01. X.R.

Claims (1)

1. A SYSTEM FOR PACKAGING AND ENCLOOSING A PRODUCT TO BE LABELLED WITHIN THE PACKAGE COMPRISING ENCLOSING THE PRODUCT WITHIN A CARTON COMPRISED OF A PAIR OF TELESCOPED TRAY MEMBERS HAVING THREE SIDES IN ADHERED RELATION, FORMING THE CLOSURE AT SAID REMAINING SIDE BY MEANS OF FLAPS AND END WALLS FORMING CLOSURE DEFINING MEMBERS CARRIED RESPECTIVELY BY EACH TRAY MEMBER, SAID CLOSURE BEING MADE INITIALLY BY FOLDING SAID CLOSURE DEFINING MEMBERS IN SUPERPOSED OVERLYING RELATION WITH AT LEAST TWO OF SAID MEMBERS IN SURFACE-TO-SURFACE NONADHERENT CONTACT, THEREAFTER OPENING SAID CARTON BY UNFOLDING SAID CLOSURE DEFINING MEMBERS, LABELLING THE PRODUCT THEREIN AND THEREAFTER AGAIN CLOSING SAID CARTON BY FOLDING ALL OF SAID CLOSURE DEFINING MEMBERS WITH SAID FLAPS DISPOSED INTERIORLY OF SAID CARTON, SAID END WALLS BEING DISPOSED ONE UPON THE OTHER IN FACE-TO-FACE CONTACTING RELATION AND PERMANENTLY ADHERING SAID LAST-MENTIONED MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER.

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