US3100598A - Bacon carton - Google Patents

Description

g-13,1963 w. R. SAIDEL ETAL 3,100,598

- BACON CARTON Filad NOV. 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WILLIAM R. SAIDEL JOSEPH M. HEIGL INVENTORS /4]'TORNEY Aug. 13, 1963 w. R. SAIDEL ETAL 3,100,593

' BACON CARTON Filed Nov. 9, 1959 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLIAM F. SAIDEL SEPl-l M. UEIGL 1N VEN TORS United States Patent 3,lt i ,598 BACUN CARTUN William R. Saidel, Park Forest, and Joseph M. Heagl,

Glen Ellyn, Ill, assignors to fiwift 3 Company, Chicago, lit, a corporation of Illinois I Filed Nov. 9, 1959, See. No. 851,602

11 Claims. (Cl. 229-37) This invention relates in general to improvements in the art of packaging and, more particularly, to improvements in reclosable cartons adapted to enclose and confor-m generally to the shape of a group of shingled strips of material such as bacon.

In the packaging of food products such as bacon, sliced beef, and other materials packed in flat, layer-type packages, it is important that the packagepresent a neat and attractive appearance and be convenient for consumer use. To this end, the package should closely conform to the shape of the material packaged. It should be reasonably sturdy and retain its shape throughout use and shipment; and it should be easily openable to facilitate removal of all or a part of the contents. Further, it is preferable that the package can be reclosed securely --after it has once been opened. In this way, the remaining portion of contents may be retained and stored within the original package.

While many packages have been designed to meet several of the requirements, there is still a need for improvernent. Particularly needed are simple packages possessing a high degree of rigidity when they are both opened and closed. Generally, packages currently on the market completely unfold when opened. The result is that, where provision is made for reclosing, the package, it must usually be completely refolded about the'contents. Also, packages having a reclosing feature are comparatively complex and expensive to fabricate and assemble.

3,100,598 Patented Aug. 13, 1963 ice j FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view, similar to FIGURE 3, showing the package of the second embodiment as it appears reclosed.

Initially, the package blank is cut and scored from a sheet of suitable relatively stiff packaging material to provide joined top and bottom panels, side flaps joined to both ends of the latter panel, and a refoldable flap along one edge of the top portion. The refoldable flap extends across the upper edge of the top (as viewed in FIGURE 1.) and is adapted to be folded about and secured to the open edge of the bottom portion. The bottom portion (or the sidewalls joined thereto) includes means for resecuring the top in folded condition after the package is first opened.

Package blanks so produced exhibit a plurality of diecut, crease-scored, cut-scored, and perforated lines. By crease-scored lines we mean those lines which are pressed or indented in the surface of the paperboard, or other equivalent packaging material, by a relatively blunt die. Crease-scored lines preferably do not break or cut the surface of the material, but are provided to enable the material to be folded along those lines. The term cut-scored refers to fold lines wherein only the surface of the material is severed by partially cutting the material with a relatively sharp die. However, both crease-scored and cut-scored lines are to facilitate bending the package rather than breaking it. Cut-scored lines provide an even weaker area at which to bend the material and eliminate bellying or distortion of the material surface adjacent the scored line, such as is found with crease-scoring. Perforated lines are lines of weakness provided where the blank is to be physically separated or broken, rather than merely bent or creased. While, in general, crease-scored The present invention is directed to a package which completely encloses the product and satisfies the above noted requirements. It has been devised to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an irnproved package for shingled, sliced material which is simple to reclose after being first opened.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved package blank for sliced product which is economical to manufacture and use.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a bacon folder blank having improved means for initially closing, opening, and then reclosing the package.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reclosable package which exhibits a high degree of rigidity in both the open and closed conditions.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved bacon package adapted to be folded about and completely enclose a shingled group of bacon slices, which generally conforms to the shape of the draft of product and will not completely unfold upon being opened.

Additional objects and advantages, if not specifically set forth herein, will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the interior surface of the preferred package blank in unfolded condition;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a folded and sealed package comprising the blank of FIGURE 1 folded about ing the package as it appears reclosed;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the interior surface of a second embodiment of the package blank in unfolded 7 condition; and

lines are sufficient to provide all of the folds in this package, we have found it preferable to cut-score the blank at certain points which will be particularly noted in the following description.

As previously indicated, each blank, generally 10, is divided into two major portions, namely, abottom 12 and atop 14, byscore line 16. The top panel 14- may be conveniently provided with awindow 18 which is cut from the blank 1G in the same initial. cutting and scoring operation that forms the blank. 'Iwo side flaps 20 and 22 extend from the left and right side, respectively, of thebottom 12, adjacent the ends ofline 16. Awall section 24 defined by a pair of bowedscore lines 26 and 28 separates the body of side flap 2t]- from thebottom 12 proper. As may be seen in FIGURE 1, thelines 26, 23 are joined at their ends atline 16 and near an outside edge 30 ofbottom 12, but bow outwardly to provide midsections which are straight and substantially parallel to and spaced from one another. Asimilar wall section 32 is provided between the body of theright side flap 22 andbottom 12 by a pair oflines 34, 36. Eachwall section 24, 32 generally follows the profile of the shingled material to be enwrapped. The end portion of the pairs oflines 25, 23 and 34, 36 converge and may be either straight or curved crease-scored lines. Preferably, the ends are curved as shown in the drawings. The mid-sections ofscore lines 26, 28, 34, and 36 may be cut-scored to insure that thewall sections 24, 32 will not be bent longitudinally between the bowed score lines.

A plurality of strengtheningribs 38 are located onwalls 24, 32 transverse to the straight mid-sections ofscore lines 26, 28 and '34, 36, respectively. Ribs 33 may conveniently be provided by crease-scoring the blank as shown in FIGURE 1. Twoadditional score lines 40, 42 extend from the lower juncture (as seen in FIGURE 1) oflines 26, 2'8 and 34, 36, respectively, to the outside 0 edge 3t? ofbottom 12.Lines 40, 42 are preferably cut- 7top 14 when it is folded thereover.

proper sealing of the package. The outside edge 30 preferablycontainsarcuate notches 44, 46 at the ends ofscore lines 40, 42, respectively. Additionally,arcuate notches 48, 50 are located at the peripheral junctures ofscore lines 26, 28, 16- and 34, 36, 16, respectively. Such notches provide the folded package with rounded corners, thereby lessening the possibility of causing damage to other packages with sharp corners.

-Referring now to thetop portion 14 of the carton blank 10, the sidesS-Z and 54 thereof are cut substantially symmetrical (with reference tocrease line 16 dividing the. top and bottom portions) to thecrease lines 28,

4i) and 34, 42, respectively, on thebottom portion 12.Window 18 may be provided in thetop portion 14, as illustrated. When this is done, it is desirable to glue in place a transparent film, such as cellophane or rubber hydrochloride, or other greaseproof and transparent material having a high gloss low water absorption and good resistance to stretching and wrinkle development.

The distance betweenscore line 16 and the outside edge 56 of thetop portion 14 exceeds the corresponding distance between thescore line 16 and outside edge 3% of thebottom portion 12. However, score line 53 extends the'width of top 14 parallel to scoreline 16 and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the distance betweencrease 16 and outside edge -30. Thesides 52, 54 contain arcuate notches 6h, 62, respectively, at the ends ofscore line 58. That part of thetop portion 14 extending beyondcrease line 58 to the outside edge '56 forms aclosure margin 64 which will be turned underthe outside edge 30 of thebottom portion 12 when the package is sealed. Thisclosure margin 64 is divided lengthwise into three sections by a pair ofperforated lines 66, 68. The outside edge 56 may bevnotched atlines 66, 68, and the corners of themargin 64 may be rounded as illustrated. The large section ofmargin 64 between 66, 68 constitutes arefoldable flap 70 which is releasably scalable to the underside ofbottom portion 12 by means of spaced stripes of adhesive thereon.

At thecrease line 58, theperforated lines 66, 68 turn inwardly to join with a second pair of parallelperforated lines 72, 74, respectively, forming a neck of lesser width than therefoldable flap 70. These lines of perforation extend downwardly a short distance and then turn outwardly extending to theslides 52, 54, respectively, of thetop portion 14. It may be seen that perforated lines 66, 72 andperforated lines 68, 74 form a, pair of detachable corners on the outside edge 56 of the top 14. Adhesive issolidly applied to these corners both above and below score line'58. I

An engaging means for resecuring therefoldable flap 70 is located adjacent the outside edge 30 ofbottom portion 12. Preferably the engaging means, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, comprises arecess 76 cut inwardly of the free edge 30 about of an inch. The ends ofrecess 76 are square cut and are located to correspond to the width of the neck formed betweenperforated lines 72, 74.

Concerning the side flaps 20, 22. (asviewed in FIGURE 1) the upper edges thereof are slightly beveled just below a projection ofscore line 16 so that, when bent inwardly acrossbottom portion 12, they will tend to slide under The lower portions of side flaps 20 and 22 are reduced in width and cut perpendicular to ajuncture with the outside edge 30 ofbottom 12. These straight edges offlaps 20 and 22 are cut parallel tocrease lines 40 and 42, respectively, a distance equal tothe distance between those crease lines and the ends of the-recess 76.

A,suitable adhesive is applied to areas at each side ofcrease lines 40 and 42. Thus, when the flaps are folded inwardly to form the end walls, the areas to which adhe- I sive hasbeen applied may be bonded together to hold the walls and flaps permanently in place. In practice, we have found that it is preferableto use a thermoresponsive adhesive for all the previously mentioned applications. Vinyl acetate resin emulsion is suitable; however,

other types of adhesives and glues, including pressuresensitive adhesives, may obviously be used. 7

The carton blank thus described is formed into a pack- 7 age in the following manner. A group of shingled slices of material, such as bacon, is first placed on thebottom portion 12 of thecarton blank 10. The side flaps 20, 22 are then turned upwardly, creasing alonglines 28 and 34. The flaps are then turned inwardly and creased alonglines 26 and 36. At this point the inturned flaps may be secured to the bottom portion by means of adhesive applied adjacent tocrease lines 40 and 42; or, if the adhesive is thermo-responsive, they may be sealed by a later step. In either instance,-while the inturned flaps are held in place thetop portion 14 is turned upward and forward and creased along score line 116 so that the upper surface of the sliced material and flaps 20 and 22 are covered thereby. Theclosure margin 64 is then turned downwardly under thebottom portion 12 by creasing alongline 58. Finally, theclosure margin 64 is secure-d in place by adhesive previously applied to the areas illustrated in FIGURE 1. If the thermoresponsive adhesive is used, it is merely necessary to apply heat and pressure along the closed edge of the package to form all of the seals. Additional glue seals may be applied between the top and side'fiaps 2t), 22 if desired.

To open, the consumer need merely grasp therefoldable flap 70 which, because of the striped adhesive thereon, is less firmly secured to thebottom portion 12 than at the corners, and tear forwardly along the perforated lines 66, 63. The entire top is then pulled upwardly from the package by lifting therefoldable flap 70, tearing along theperforated lines 72 and 74, and breaking the blue seals, if any, on flaps 2t}, 22. This will expose the contents of the package, which will be only partially restrained by the infolded flaps 2t. and 22. Obviously, it is then a simple matter to remove any desired amount of the contents from beneath the flaps.

To reclose the package, it is simply necessary to fold the top l4 down across the contents and pull the refoldable flap '70 beneath the outside edge 30 of thebottom portion 12. When this is done, thecrease line 58 will be bent about the edge of therecess 76 and the narrowed neck area betweenperforated lines 72 and 74 will he engaged within therecess 76. Thewider refoldable flap 70 will then remain in place since it is too wide to pass thnough therecess 76. The package may then be reopened and reclosed any number of times that the consumer desires.

A similar carton blank and package having a modified engaging means for reclosure is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. Parts corresponding to the previously described embodiment are denoted by like reference characters bearing the subscript a. The modified embodiment includes a pair ofprojections 82, 84 at the lower corners of end flaps zea and 22a, respectively, while the recess along the loweroutside edge 30a (of the preferred embodiment) is omitted. Also, onthetop portion 14a perforatedlines 86, 88 extend straight downwardly below theclosure margin 64a and then outwardly tosides 52a, 54a without forming a narrowed neck portion beneath themargin 64a. For simplicity, the second embodiment has not been shown to include strengthening ribs or corner notches. 1 The modified package is initially folded in the same manner as previously described. In the originally sealed position,perforated lines 36, 88 will correspond roughly to the lower edges ofinturned flaps Zthzand 22a, respectively. The package is first opened in the same manner by graspingenclosure flap 70a and tearing along theperforated lines 86, 88. However, .when it is desired to reclose the package thetop portion 14a is inserted under theprojections 82, 8.4, and theclosure flap 70a is then turned under thefree edge 36a of the bottom portion iZa. To reopen, it is merely necessary to pull the top portion from beneathprojections 32, 84.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiff packaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, said blank comprising: a bottom panel; a top panel divided from said bottom panel by a score line; a closure margin extending across said top panel oppositely disposed from said bottom panel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded under an edge of said bottom panel opposite said score line; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachable corners; and an engaging member connected to said bottom panel at said edge thereof, said engaging member adapted to overlie the opposite ends of said refoldable flap to resecure said refoldable flap when folded about said edge subsequent to detachment of said corners at theinitial opening of a package formed from said blank.

2. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiff packaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, said blank comprising: a bottom panel; a top panel divided from said bottom panel by a score line; a closure margin extending across said top panel oppositely disposed from said bottom panel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded under an edge of said bottom panel opposite said score line; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachable corners; and a recess in said bottom panel along said edge, said recess being of a lesser dimension than said refoldable flap whereby the refoldable flap may be resecured in folded position subsequent to detachment of said corners at the initial opening of a package formed from said blank.

3. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiff packaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, said blank comprising: a bottom panel having a single outside edge; a top panel divided from said bottom panel by a score line, said top panel being disposed oppositesaid outside edge; flaps extending from opposite sides of said bottom panel adjacent said top panel, said flaps being divided from said bottom panel by score lines; a closure margin extending across said top panel oppositely "disposed from said bottom panel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded ,under said bottom panel at the outside edge thereof and secured there to; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel, said corners including the ends of said closure margin;

a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachable corners; and an engaging mem- 7 her connected to said bottom panel at said edge thereof,

said engaging member adapted to overlie the opposite ends of said refoldable flap to resecure said refoldable flap when folded about said edge subsequent to detachment of said corners at the initial opening of a package formed from said blank.

4. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiff packaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, said blank comprising: a bottom panel having a single outside edge; a top panel divided from said bottom panel by a score line, said top panel being disposed opposite said outside edge; flaps extending from opposite sides of said bottom panel adjacent said top panel, said flaps being divided from said bottom panel by score lines; a closure margin extending across said top panel oppositely disposed from said bottom panel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded under said bottom panel at the outside edge thereof and secured thereto; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldable fiap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachable corners; and a recess in said bottom panel along said outside edge, said recess being of a lesser dimension than said refoldable flap whereby the refoldable flap may be resecured therein in folded position subsequent to detachment of said corners at the initial opening of a pack-age formed from said blank.

5. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stiff packaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, said blank comprising: a bottom panel; a top panel extending from said bottom panel, said top panel adapted to be creased and folded across the bottom panel; side flaps extending from the sides of said bottom panel adjacent said top panel, said fiaps being foldble inwardly upon said bottom portion to form side Walls having generally rectangular mid-sections and tapering ends corresponding to the profile of said product; a closure margin extending across said top panel oppositely disposed from said bottom panel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded under and secured to said bottom panel at an outside edge thereof; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel, said corners including the ends of said closure mangin; a refoldable fiap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachable corners; and engaging members connected to said bottom panel at said edge thereof, said engaging members adapted to overlie the said top panel adapted to be creased and folded across the bottom panel; side flaps extending from the sides of said bottom panel adjacent said top panel, said flaps being foldable inwardly upon said bottom portion to form side Walls having generally rectangular mid-sections and tapering ends corresponding to the profile of said product; a closure margin extending across said top panel oppositely disposed from said bottom panel, said closure margin being adapted to be folded under and secured to said bottom panel at an outside edge thereof; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachable corners; a necked area on said top panel immediately inwardly of said closure margin defined by the inner outline of said detachable corners, said necked area having a lesser dimension than said refoldable flap; and a recess in said bottom panel along said outside edge, said recess corresponding to the dimension of the necked area of said top panel and adapted to engage said refoldable flap subsequent to detachment of said corners at the initial opening of a package formed from the blank.

7. An improved package blank cut and scored from relatively stilf packaging material for enwrapping sliced and shingled food product, said blank comprising: a bottom panel having a single outsideedge; a top panel extending from said bottom panel opposite said outside edge; side flaps extending from the sides of said bottom panel adjacent said top panel; wall sections at said sides of said bottom panel, each of said wall sections defined by a pair of bowed score lines on each flap, said lines having straight and parallel mid-sections tapering to intersections at each end; a closure margin extending across said top panel, said margin being adapted to be folded about the outside edge of said bottom panel and secured thereto; a pair of detachable corners included in said top panel, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between said detachable corners; and corners engaging members con- 7 Y nected to said bottom panel at said edge thereof, said engaging members adapted to overlie the opposite ends of said refoldable flap to resecure said refoldable flap when folded about said edge subsequent to detachment of said corners at the initial opening of a package formed from said blank.

' panel articulated to an edge opposite said outside edge of said bottom panel, said top panel overlaying said bottom panel and walls; a closure margin extending across said top panel, said closure margin being folded about said outside edge and secured to the underside of said bottom panel; a pair of corners included in said top panel and detachable therefrom, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of said margin between said corners, said corners eing secured more firmly to said bottom panel than the refoldable flap; and an engaging member connected to said bottom panel at said edge thereof interiorly of said top panel, said engaging member adapted to overlie the opposite ends of said refoldable flap to resecure said refoldable flap when folded about said edge subsequent to r 8 Walls at said outside edge, said projections being folded inwardly between said top and said bottom panel and extending to the area of said top adjacent said refolda-ble flap.

11. A reclosable carton for packaging shin-gled, sliced food product, said carton comprising: a bottom panel, said bottom panel having a recess in one edge thereof; Walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of said bottom panel, said Wall s having generaly rectangular mid-sections and tapering ends; a plurality of strengthening ribs pressed into each wall; a top panel articulated to said opposite edge of said bottom panel, said top panel overlaying said bottom panel and walls; a closure margin extending across said top panel, said closure margin being folded about said one edge and secured to the underside of said bottom panel; a pair of corners detachable from said top panel, said corners including the ends of said closure margin; a refoldable flap comprising the remainder of said mangin bet-ween said corners and a necked area on said top panel immediately inwardly of said closure margin, said refoldable flap being secured Jess firmly than said end portions of the closure margin to said bottom panel whereby it may be detached therefrom and from said corners and resecured in said recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Snider Nov. 19 1912

Claims (1)

1. AN IMPROVED PACKAGE BLANK CUT AND SCORED FROM RELATIVELY STIFF PACKAGING MATERIAL FOR ENWRAPPING SLICED AND SHINGLED FOOD PRODUCT, SAID BLANK COMPRISING: A BOTTOM PANEL; A TOP PANEL DIVIDED FROM SAID BOTTOM PANEL BY A SCORE LINE; A CLOSURE MARGIN EXTENDING ACROSS SAID TOP PANEL OPPOSITELY DISPOSED FROM SAID BOTTOM PANEL, SAID CLOSURE MARGIN BEING ADAPTED TO BE FOLDED UNDER AN EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL OPPOSITE SAID SCORE LINE; A PAIR OF DETACHABLE CORNERS INCLUDED IN SAID TOP PANEL, SAID CORNERS INCLUDING THE ENDS OF SAID CLOSURE MARGIN; A REFOLDABLE FLAP COMPRISING THE REMAINDER OF SAID MARGIN BETWEEN SAID DETACHABLE CORNERS; AND AN ENGAGING MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID BOTTOM PANEL AT SAID EDGE THEREOF, SAID ENGAGING MEMBER ADAPTED TO OVERLIE THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID REFOLDABLE FLAP TO RESECURE SAID REFOLDABLE FLAP WHEN FOLDED ABOUT SAID EDGE SUBSEQUENT

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