US3785478A - Recloseable carton - Google Patents

Abstract

A recloseable carton adapted to retain tape reels and like items, comprises a pocket portion formed at one end thereof and a cover panel hingedly connected to an opposite end of the carton to have its free end tucked within the pocket portion. Side flaps are hingedly connected to side edges of the carton to underlie the closed cover panel to fully protect a packaged tape reel. Aligned cut-outs are provided in the back and cover panels and in the front flaps for viewing the contents.

Description

Unite States Patent 1191 Drori 14 1 Jan. 15,1974

[ RECLOSEABLE CARTON 1,310,765 7/1919 Myers 229 16 D 1,716,628 6/1929 Gittleman... 206/4531 X [76] Inventor: f g l g g L05 3,322,263 5/1967 Gulliver 206/4531 x nge es, a1

[22] Filed: May 6, 1971 Primary ExaminerLeonard Summer ,[21] App o 9 Att0rneyFryer, Tjensvold, Feix, Phillips & Lempio [57] ABSTRACT E i's i 'g i g i i gjgg A recloseable carton adapted to retain tape reels and [58] Fieid 206/4; 31 45 29 like items, comprises a pocket portion formed at one 229/33 end thereof and a cover panel hingedly connected to an opposite end of the carton to have its free end tucked within the pocket portion. Side flaps are [56] References Cited hingedly connected to side edges of the carton to un- UNITED STATES PATENTS derlie the closed cover panel to fully protect a pack 1,530,644 3/1925 Blandford 229/33 aged tape reel. Aligned cut-outs are provided in the E l u back and cover panels and in the front flaps for viewanner t 1,805,077 /1931 Carter 206/4529 X mg e Conten 8 2,472,985 6/ 1949 Pardee 229/33X 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures l3 b X 14b Za =0 f: 1I Q t w u 1 5; 1 i l I Q l l a l l l I m I l I 1 e l Il l l 1 i i I I9 I I PATENIEDJANISIQY'I 3.785.478 SHEET 1 UF 3 FlGl.

ATTORN EYS PAIENIEW 1W4 3. 785.478

sum 2 .nF 3

INVENTOR.

A$SA DROR BY ATTOR N EYS PATENTEDJAN 1 5 I974 SHEET 3 0F 3 INVENTOR.

o r I//4;/ TTO RN EY 1 RECLOSEABLE CARTON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cartons adapted to package tape and film reels, phonograph records, tape cassettes and like items.

Many types of containers have been proposed for packaging the above-mentioned items. The most common package comprises a rectangular carton which has the closure flaps and panels thereof adhesively sealed together. Also, cellophane overwraps are oftentimes employed to fully protect packaged items, such as phonograph records.

Many such prior art packages are difficult to open and do not comprise a recloseable feature which renders the carton reusable. When such feature is provided, the packaged item must generally be carefully aligned for insertion into a rather small, open end of the carton.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to overcome the above, briefly described problems by providing a durable and economical carton adapted to be easily opened and closed and which facilitates expeditious reinsertion of a fully protected packaged item therein.

The carton, preferably formed from a single blank of paperboard, plastic or other suitable materials, has a plurality of panels and flaps secured together to form a tray portion. The tray portion forms a pocket portion at one end of the carton and a cover panel is hingedly connected to the other end of the tray portion to have a free end thereof inserted into the pocket portion for reclosing purposes. Side flaps are hingedly connected to opposite side edges of the tray portion to underlie the cover panel when it is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a carton blank suitably cut and scored to be erected into carton form.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are isometric views of a carton formed from the FIG. 1 blank, shown in its open and closed conditions, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another carton blank embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a carton formed from the blank shown in FIG. 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS panel 13, and flaps 14a and 14b at each end of panel I 14. Secondparallel score lines 23 and 24 define flaps Mara and 14bb at the outer ends of flaps 14a and 1411. Secondparallel score lines 25 and 26 defineflaps 27 and 28 at the outer edges ofpanels 21 and 22, resepctively.

Flaps 13a and 13b are tapered toward their ends to clearance for tucking them behind flaps 14a and 14b between flap 14km andpanel 14 and flap l4lbb and panel M, respectively.

The outer corners ofpanel 10 may also be tapered to allow them to be easily tucked behindpanel 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the carton blank shown in FIG. 1 may be easily formed into a carton embodying the present invention by foldingflaps 13a and 13b aboutscore lines 19 and 20, folding flaps 14aa and 14bb aboutscore lines 23 and 24, and foldingpanel 14 about score line 18', then folding flaps 14a and 14b aboutscore lines 19 and 22, and foldingpanel 13 aboutscore line 17.

Panels 21 and 22 are then folded aboutscore lines 19 and 20 to form side panels upstanding fromback panel 12. Flaps Maa and 14bb are then glued topanel 12, andflaps 13a and 13b are glued to flaps 14a and 14b, respectively, which are in turn glued topanels 21 and 22, respectively, to form a pocket.

Panel his then folded aboutscore line 16 to form a top side panel, andpanels 27 and 28 are folded aboutscore lines 25 and 26 to form closure flaps. Thenpanel 10 is folded about score line15 to forma cover flap. The carton is thus squared and ready for filling. The carton is illustrated in FIG. 2 with cut outportions 29 and 30 to allow viewing of the contents of the carton whenflaps 27, 28 and 10 are closed.

A similar cut out 30a aligned with cut outportions 29 and 30 may be provided inpanel 12 to provide an aperture through the carton whereby a plurality of cartons may be stacked together on a spindle. This is a particularly attractive feature when the carton contains an object which also has a central aperture, such as a tape reel. The cartons may then be stacked even when filled for storage or display.

After the carton is filled, it is closed by foldingfront closure flaps 27 and 28 into parallel, co-planar, abutting relationship and the folding flap 10 overflaps 27 and 28and tucking the free end thereof underpanel 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The carton may be easily re-opened by openingpanel 10 and thenpanels 27 and 28.

It can be readily seen that a carton constructed according to the foregoing description affords relatively large closure flaps for easy manual manipulation. It can also be seen that when open, closure flaps 27, 28 and 10 form a means for guiding the object to be placed in the carton, into proper alignment with the carton. Accordingly, the carton of the present invention provides for easing insertion of items thereinto. In addition, a carton constructed in accordance with the present invention is strong and durable by reason of the reinforcing tabs at the corners thereof. Furthermore, the improved carton of the present invention can be simply andcheaply constructed from the blank shown in FIG. 1

It will be recognized, however, that a carton embodying the present invention can be constructed from a wide variety of materials in addition to fiberboard. FIG. 4 depicts a carton embodying the present invention which is constructed of plastic.

In FIG. 4 a carton, substantially identical in form to the FIGS. 13 carton except for the absence of cut outportions 29 and 30, is depicted as comprising a tray formed byback panel 31 andside panels 32 and 33 andend panel 34 in normal upstanding relationship thereto and joined together at the junctures thereof. Alower front panel 35 overlaps a portion ofpanel 31 and is spaced thereform bypanels 32, 33 and 34 to which it is joined.Flaps 36 and 37 are hingedly connected topanels 32 and 33. Acover flap 39 is hingedly connected to atop flap 38 which, in turn, is hingedly connected topanel 31.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. and 6, as a triangular carton.

In FIG. 5, a carton blank is shown as comprising atriangular panel 41 bonded on each side by saidpanels 42, 43 and 44 defined by first, second and thirdparallel score lines 45,46; 47,48; and 49,50, respectively.Score line 46 further defines atriangular panel 57 substantially congruent withpanel 41.Score lines 48 and 49 further define similartrapezoidal panels 52 and 53 respectively attached topanels 43 and 44 and extending a portion of the length of these panels. Score line 40 further defines a triangular panel 54 congruent with the lower part ofpanel 41 as viewed in FIG. 4, and attached topanel 44 at a first side adjacent topanel 53 and separated therefrom on a second side by acut line 55. Fourthparallel score lines 56 and 57 define paralleladjacent tabs 58 and 59 on a third side of triangular panel 54. The outer lower corner oftab 59 is cut away to allowtab 59 to be glued topanel 41 at the intersection ofpanels 43 and 44. An end tab 60 is attached to the end ofpanel 44 by ascore line 61 to reinforce the end of the carton.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the carton blank shown in FIG. 5 may be readily formed into a triangular carton embodying the present invention; To construct the carton, tab 60 is folded aboutscore line 61,tabs 58 and 59 are folded aboutscore lines 57 and 56 andpanel 44 is folded aboutscore lines 57 and 56 andpanel 44 is folded aboutscore line 47. Panel 54 is then folded about score line 50 and tab 60 is glued totab 58 andtab 59 is glued topanel 41. Panel 43 is then folded aboutscore line 47 andtab 58 is glued to it.Panel 42 is then folded aboutscore line 47 andpanels 53, 52 and 51 are folded aboutscore lines 50, 48 and 46 respectively to form closure flaps. The carton will then appear as shown in FIG. 6.

The carton is closed by foldingpanels 52 and 53 into parallel co-planar abutting relationship and then folding panel 51' overpanels 52 and 53 and tucking the free end thereof under panel 54.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that they are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A reclosable carton comprising a flat back panel,

a plurality of upstanding side panels attached to said back panel to define a tray portion having a front opening co-extensive with said side panels,

a front panel, disposed parallel to and spaced from said back panel, attached interiorly to at least two of said side panels to partially cover said opening to form a pocket portion at a first end of said tray portion,

a cover panel hingedly connected to an upper edge of another side panel at a second, opposite end of said tray portion, said cover panel having a sufficient length as taken between the first and second ends of said tray portion to define a free end insertable beneath said front panel, and

a pair of front flaps each extending entirely between the upper edge of said another side panel and said front panel and hingedly connected to an upper edge of one of said side panels which is disposed transversely relative to the top side panel having said cover panel hingedly connected thereon,

said front panel having side wall tabs depending therefrom and secured interiorly to said transverse side panels and wherein said tray portion includes a bottom side wall at said first end thereof which has tabs at each end thereof, each of which is secured interiorly to at least one of said side wall tabs and said transverse side walls.

2. The carton defined inclaim 1 wherein the side panel to which the cover panel is connected, is hingedly connected to said back panel.

3. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein the front flaps are in parallel and edge abutting relationship when closed.

4. The invention of claim I wherein the back panel and front panel are generally rectangular.

5. The carton defined inclaim 1 wherein each of said cover panel and front flaps have aligned cut-outs formed therethrough to allow viewing of the carton contents when the carton is closed.

6. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein the side wall tabs have back wall tabs attached thereto which are secured interiorly to said back wall.

7. The carton defined in claim 5 wherein said back panel has a cut-out formed therethrough aligned with respect to the cut-outs formed through said cover and said front flaps to define an aperture through the carton whereby it may be disposed on a spindle.

8. A one-piece foldable carton blank comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels consecutively connected together and defined by four parallel first scorelines,

first and second side panels each connected to an edge of said third panel 'by a second scoreline which is perpendicular to said first scorelines,

first and second flaps each connected to an edge of a respective one of said first and second side panels by a third scoreline which is parallel to and substantially shorter than said second scorelines,

a first tab connected to each edge of said fourth panel by one of said second scorelines,

a second tab connected to each edge of said fifth panel by one of said second scorelines, and

a third tab connected to an edge of each of said second tabs by a fourth scoreline linearly aligned with a respective one of said third scorelines.

9. The carton blank of claim 8 further comprising cut-outs formed through and positioned on said first panel and said first and second flaps for allowing said cut-outs to be aligned when said first panel and flaps are superimposed upon erection of said carton blank.

10. The new carton blank of claim 9 further comprising a cut-out formed through and positioned on said third panel to be aligned with the cut-outs formed through said first panel and said flaps upon erection of said carton blank.

Claims (10)

1. A reclosable carton comprising a flat back panel, a plurality of upstanding side panels attached to said back panel to define a tray portion having a front opening coextensive with said side panels, a front panel, disposed parallel to and spaced from said back panel, attached interiorly to at least two of said side panels to partially cover said opening to form a pocket portion at a first end of said tray portion, a cover panel hingedly connected to an upper edge of another side panel at a second, opposite end of said tray portion, said cover panel having a sufficient length as taken between the first and second ends of said tray portion to define a free end insertable beneath said front panel, and a pair of front flaps each extending entirely between the upper edge of said another side panel and said front panel and hingedly connected to an upper edge of one of said side panels which is disposed transversely relative to the top side panel having said cover panel hingedly connected thereon, said front panel having side wall tabs depending therefrom and secured interiorly to said transverse side panels and wherein said tray portion includes a bottom side wall at said first end thereof which has tabs at each end thereof, each of which is secured interiorly to at least one of said side wall tabs and said transverse side walls.

2. The carton defined in claim 1 wherein the side panel to which the cover panel is connected, is hingedly connected to said back panel.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the front flaps are in parallel and edge abutting relationship when closed.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the back panel and front panel are generally rectangular.

5. The carton defined in claim 1 wherein each of said cover panel and front flaps have aligned cut-outs formed therethrough to allow viewing of the carton contents when the carton is closed.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side wall tabs have back wall tabs attached thereto which are secured interiorly to said back wall.

7. The carton defined in claim 5 wherein said back panel has a cut-out formed therethrough aligned with respect to the cut-outs formed through said cover and said front flaps to define an aperture through the carton whereby it may be disposed on a spindle.

8. A one-piece foldable carton blank comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels consecutively connected together and defined by four parallel first scorelines, first and second side panels each connected to an edge of said third panel by a second scoreline which is perpendicular to said first scorelines, first and second flaps each connected to an edge of a respective one of said first and second side panels by a third scoreline which is parallel to and substantially shorter than said second scorelines, a first tab connected to each edge of said fourth panel by one of said second scorelines, a second tab connected to each edge of said fifth panel by one of said second scorelines, and a third tab connected to an edge of each of said second tabs by a fourth scoreline linearly aligned with a respective one of said third scorelines.

9. The carton blank of claim 8 further comprising cut-outs formed through and positioned on said first panel and said first and second flaps for allowing said cut-outs to be aligned when said first panel and flaps are superimposed upon erection of said carton blank.

10. The new carton blank of claim 9 further comprising a cut-out formed through and positioned on said third panel to be aligned with the cut-outs formed through said first panel and said flaps upon erection of said carton blank.

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