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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention herein relates to folded cartons, normally constructed from cardboard blanks, and is more particularly concerned with cartons which incorporate, as an integral part thereof, both hanging tabs which provide for a convenient display of the carton, and reclosable dispensing openings for enabling selective access to the contents of the carton. One known example of such a carton or folded box is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,303 to Smith, issued June 4, 1974.
Heretofore, the combination of the above referred to features required a rather elaborate construction utilizing a hanging tab and a reclosable lid as separate and independent components. The additional material required, as well as the manufacturing techniques associated with the relatively complex folding involved could give rise to technological problems as well as questions as to the economical feasibility of utilizing such a carton.
Other examples of the known prior art are as follows:
______________________________________
1,803,736
SINCLAIR May 5, 1931
2,346,488
HOFFMASTER ET AL April 11, 1944
2,467,702
SMART April 19, 1949
3,662,945
FOSTER ET AL May 16, 1972
3,756,502
SWANSON ET AL September 4, 1973
3,904,029
KOLTZ September 9, 1975
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes a carton wherein the hanging tab is integrally formed with a tearout section extending transversely across the top wall of the carton. This tearout section is in turn integrally formed with a partially severable access section defined in the front wall of the carton for access to the contents thereof. The opening of the carton is simply effected by an upward and forward manual pull on the hanging tab. This results in a severing of the top wall tearout section and a severing of the front wall access panel down to a transverse hinge line. The severed sections, including the hang tab, form what might be considered an outwardly folded flap.
This flap is retained hinged along the lower edge thereof to the front wall so as to also function as a reclosure means for the carton. In effecting the reclosure of the carton, the hanging tab now functions as a locking tab, and as such is received within a slot provided within an inner panel utilized as a portion of the top end wall underlying the tearout section. This slot is provided immediately adjacent the rear face wall so as to reposition the tab substantially in the plane of its original position, thus providing for a maximum closure effect. The use of a narrow slot to reposition the tab tends to lock the tab in position and prevent any outward or opening movement of the flap.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the construction and manner of use of the carton.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the completed and unopened carton;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carton opened for access to the contents thereof;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton with the severed flap reclosed;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on the plane passing along line 4--4 in FIG. 3 and illustrating the engagement of the tab;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the carton is formed;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the partially folded blank;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with the flap opened.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numberal 10 designates the folded carton of the present invention. This carton 10 includes front and rear face walls 12 and 14, opposed side walls 16 and 18, and top and bottom walls 20 and 22.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein the blank from which the carton 10 is formed has been illustrated, it is to be appreciated that the front and rear face walls 12 and 14 are formed from single panels, designated by the same reference numerals. The side wall 18 is similarly formed from a single panel, also designated 18, and is integral with the two adjoining face walls 12 and 14 along laterally spaced fold lines 24.
The side wall 16 if formed by inner and outer panels 26 and 28 integral along fold lines 30 with the outer edges of the face panels 14 and 12 respectively. These fold lines 30, as will be appreciated, parallel to fold lines 24.
The rear face panel or wall 14 has upper and lower end panels 32 and 34 integrally connected along parallel fold lines 36 to the upper and lower ends of the rear face panel 14. These panels 32 and 34 respectively constitute inner panels of the upper and lower end walls 20 and 22. Each of these end panels 32 and 34 include, toward the opposite ends thereof, transversely extending angled slits 38 which are adapted to recieve upper and lower locking lugs or ears 40. These ears 40 are integrally connected to the opposite ends of the side walls forming panels 18 and 26 along fold lines 42. The hook-like configuration of the lugs 40, in conjunction with the angular slots 38, enable a positive interlock into a basic rectangular configuration, as will be best appreciated from FIG. 6.
The front face wall forming panel 12 is similarly provided with upper and lower end panels 44 and 46 integral with the opposite ends thereof along fold lines respectively designated as 48 and 50. The end panels 44 and 46 respectively constitute outer panels of the upper and lower end walls 20 and 22. These end panels 44 and 46, in the folded carton 10, are recieved over and adhesively affixed to the inner end wall panels 32 and 34 subsequent to a locking of the lugs 40 therewith. At the same time, the outer side wall panel 28 is adhesively secured in overlying relation to the inner side wall panel 26, thus completing the enclosure of the carton.
As will be readily apparent from FIG. 1, the carton 10 is to include an upwardly projecting hanging tab 52 having an aperture 54 therethrough for receiving a suspension hook or the like. This tab 52 is integral with the central portion of the outer edge 56 along fold line 58.
The tab 52 also provides a convenient means for opening the carton for selective access to the contents therein. This is achieved by the provision of aligned readily severable sections 60 and 62 in the outer panel 44 of the top end wall and the upper portion of the front wall forming panel 12. Basically, the section 60, designated as a tearout section, is defined by a pair of laterally spaced tear or weakened lines of separation 64 extending transversely across the top panel 44 paralleling the opposed side edges of the tab 52 in general alignment therewith.
The aligned section 62 in the front face panel 12 constitutes an access panel and is defined by opposed downwardly arcing or arcuately diverging tear or weakened lines of separation 66 which constitute a continuation of the tear lines 54 at the fold line 48. The tear lines extend for approximately one-half the height of the front wall panel 12 with the lower ends thereof interconnected by a transverse hinge line 68. It will of course be appreciated that the height of the access section 62 can vary in accordance with the product to be dispensed from the carton 10.
With reference to FIG. 2 in particular, it will be noted that the tab 52, tearout section 60 and access section 62 will pivot outwardly and forwardly in the manner of a large flap for an exposure of the interior of the carton.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the tab 52 functions as both a means for hanging and displaying the carton 10, and as a means for facilitating an initial opening of the carton. An additional function of the tab 52 is as a locking tab for use in reclosing the carton. This function is achieved by the provision of a tab receiving slot 70 through the inner panel 32 of the upper end wall 20 immediately at or adjacent the fold line 36 and in substantial alignment with the fold line 58 connecting the tab 52 to the tearout section 60. Thus, as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flap, or more particularly the sections 60 and 62 can be repositioned and the tab 52 introduced through the slot 70. It is contemplated that the tab 52 be closely received through the slot 70 to provide an effective means for retaining the repositioned sections 60 and 62. Further, so as to facilitate the introduction of the tab 52 through the slot 70, it will be noted that a tapered leading outer end can be provided on the tab. Once engaged within or through the slot 70, the tab 52 can be withdrawn therefrom simply by a grasping of the opposed edges of the overlying tearout section 60 and upwardly pivoting this section so as to withdraw the tab 52 and thus enable a reopening of the carton.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a unique carton has been defined wherein a single panel tab functions as a means for a display hanging of the container and, in conjunction with a pair of aligned tearout sections, as a means for opening the carton for access to the interior thereof. Additionally, the tab uniquely functions as a means for reclosing the container.
With reference particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, the embodiment illustrated herein differs from that described supra only in providing that the tab, herein designated by reference numeral 72, is a central tearout section within a full length upstanding flange 74. The flange 74 is integral with the top panel 76 along fold line 78 and the tab 72 is defined by a pair of transversely extending tear or weakened lines of separation 80. The remaining features of this embodiment of the invention are the same as those of the initially described embodiment, and like reference numerals have been used to designate like features.
The particular significance of the full length flange 74 is to provide additional rididity and stability to the carton, particularly at the initial stage when the tab 72 functions as a hanging means. In this connection, and particularly in view of the tapered upper or leading end of the tab 72 and the angled portions 82 of the opposed flange sections which overlie the tab, there is a resistance to a direct upwardly tearing of the tab 72 and a subsequent opening of the flap. In this manner, there is a lesser tendency for the accidental opening of the flap when suspended at a display stand or the like. On the contrary, opening of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 will normally require an initial forward or rearward flexing of the tab 72 out of the plane of flange 74 prior to an upward and forward drawing thereof so as to strip the tear sections away from the carton.
A reclosing of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 is effected in the same manner as in the first embodiment by an insertion of the tab 72 into the slot 70 defined in the inner top wall panel 32.
The foregoing is considered illustrative of the principles of the invention. As modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art, it is to be appreciated that all such modifications and changes may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.
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