GB2441325A

GB2441325A - Re-closable packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2441325A
Application number: GB0617248A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Vaughan St Clai Hughes
Original assignee: Cadbury Schweppes Ltd
Current assignee: Mondelez UK Holdings and Services Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-01
Filing date: 2006-09-01
Publication date: 2008-03-05
Also published as: GB0617248D0; WO2008025960A1

Abstract

A re-closable package in the form of a cardboard carton 100 comprises a body portion and a closure flap 18. The body portion and the closure flap 18 are delineated by at least two score lines 30, 32 when the carton is in its initial sealed condition. The score lines 30, 32 are disposed such that on opening of the carton by tearing along the score lines 30, 32, one or more tabs 28 are created on one or both of the body portion and the closure flap 18. The tab(s) are positioned such that the carton 100 can be re-closed by tucking the closure flap 18 behind the tab(s) 28 on the body portion when present and/or tucking the tab(s) 28 on the closure flap 18 when present behind the body portion. A cardboard blank 10 configured for assembly into a carton 100 as described above is envisaged along with a method of manufacturing the carton 100. At least a portion of the closure flap 18 may be defined by a first score line 30 part way through the thickness of the cardboard, and a second score line 32 extending part way through the thickness of the cardboard. The "Concorra Process" may be employed to form the first 30 and second 32 score lines.

Description

RE-CLOSABLE PACKAGING

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to re-closable packaging. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to re-closable packaging for confectionary, especially chocolate.

Background to the Invention

In the world of consumables, packaging is an important factor. Not only must the packaging be functional and able to contain, protect and preserve the contents during the various stages of product transit, sale and storage, but it must also be cost effective since it is ultimately going to be disposed of once the product has been consumed. It is also often desirable for packaging to include a mechanism for determining if the contents have been exposed or tampered with.

A vast array of product packaging is currently available. Cartons or boxes formed from cardboard are particularly common forms of packaging because they are relatively easy and cheap to manufacture and tend to be durable and economically disposable.

Typically, cardboard cartons are made from blanks provided with appropriate cuts and fold lines. Upon assembly, a blank is folded in a predefined sequence and selected panels or flaps are glued together to form a closed box. Generally, in order to open such a box, it is necessary to rip one or more end flaps away from the panels to which they have been glued. This allows access to the contents of the box, but normally does not allow re-closure of the carton if, say, some of the contents are to be kept for future consumption. This lack of re-closmg is often a deliberate design feature since it serves to indicate that the box has been opened and that the contents may have been tampered with. The reason that the carton cannot be re-closed is primarily because the adhesive employed is not designed to be able to re-stick the panels together once they have been ripped apart. In fact often the process of ripping the carton open results in a ripping or splitting of one or other piece of cardboard and it is not possible to make the opposing pieces of cardboard stick to one another.

In an attempt to solve the above problem, many cartons are provided with a tab that is configured to fit within a corresponding slit in an opposed panel. Thus, once an end flap has been ripped open, a tab on the flap can be threaded through the opposed slit in order to retain the flap in its closed position. Although this solution does provide re-closable packaging with a tamper-evident mechanism, it has the disadvantage of requiring extra material in the form of a tab that overlaps with another piece of cardboard so as to facilitate the desired retaining function. Consequently, material costs are increased.

The Concorra Process is a known technique that is used in the cardboard packaging industry to create easy-open cartons. It involves the creation of two offset cuts, one on either side of the carton blank, each of which only penetrates halfway through the cardboard. Normally, a second set of two offset cuts, similar to the above, are provided parallel to the first set, with a strip of uncut cardboard left in-between. A hold tab is usually provided at one end of the strip and is attached to the cardboard between the outermost cuts in each offset pair but not to the adjacent cardboard. Pulling on the tab and ripping the strip away from the adjacent cardboard, causes the cardboard between each pair of offset cuts to separate or split in half. This results in the strip separating from the adjacent cardboard and thereby serves to open the carton. After opening, the carton is left with two opposed lengths of cardboard of half the original thickness with a gap there-between where the uncut strip used to be. The detached strip also has two lengths of cardboard of half the original thickness, along each of its sides. The problem with this type of packaging is that once opened it is not possible to re-close the package due to the gap that results from opening it.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved re-closable packaging solution.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cardboard carton comprising a body portion and a closure flap; the body portion and the closure flap being delineated by at least two score lines when the carton is in its initial sealed condition; said score lines being disposed such that on opening of the carton by tearing along the score lines, one or more tabs are created on one or both of the body portion and the closure flap; said tab(s) being positioned such that the carton can be re-closed by tucking the closure flap behind the tab(s) on the body portion when present and/or tucking the tab(s) on the closure flap when present behind the body portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cardboard blank comprising a first portion configured to form a body and a second portion configured to form a closure flap when the blank is assembled into a carton; the first and second portions being delineated by at least two score lines; said score lines being disposed such that after the blank has been assembled into a sealed carton, one or more tabs are created on one or both of the body and the closure flap upon opening of the sealed carton by tearing along the score lines, said tab(s) being positioned such that the carton can be re-closed by tucking the closure flap behind the tab(s) on the body when present and/or tucking the tab(s) on the closure flap when present behind the body.

The above two aspects of the present invention allow for re-closable packaging in the form of a cardboard carton, which is economical to manufacture since it does not require the provision of overlapping material to form the basis of a traditional "tab-in-slot" closing mechanism. Further, the creation of the tab(s) upon opening of the sealed carton has the dual purpose of providing evidence of an initial opening (which can serve as a warning that the contents may have been tampered with) as well as forming retaining tab(s). The provision of one or more tabs allows a user to easily re-close the carton once opened simply by tucking the closure flap underneath the tab(s) on the body when present and tucking the tab(s) on the closure flap when present behind the body.

Preferably, in the assembled sealed carton, at least a portion of the closure flap is delineated by a first score line part way through the thickness of the cardboard from the exterior surface of the closure flap and a second score line part way through the thickness of the cardboard from the interior surface of the closure flap, the second score line extending from the same point as the first score line and terminating at the same point as the first score line, the first and second points being different, with the remainder of the second score line being offset from the first score line.

Preferably, a known technique called the Concorra Process is employed to form the first and second score lines. This process involves respective cutting blades disposed on either side of the blank simultaneously forming the first and second score lines, both of which extend substantially half way through the cardboard.

Preferably, an access means is provided to facilitate opening of the carton. In particular, the access means allows for easy opening of the initially sealed carton.

Preferably, the access means is provided in the form of a flap that is defined by two side slits with a fold line extending between the two side slits from their respective bases.

This particular arrangement allows for easy access to the closure flap to facilitate initial opening of the carton whilst also maintaining the integrity of the sealed carton by minimising gaps in the packaging and thereby minimising the risk of contaminants, such as moisture or small creatures, getting into the carton. The side slits may be punched out from perforations.

Alternatively, the access means is provided in the form of a thumbhole. In a further embodiment, the access means is provided by a slit.

Preferably, the carton is formed from a one-piece carton blank.

Preferably, the one or more tabs are created on the body portion of the carton.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the score lines are configured to form two or more symmetric tabs upon initial opening of the carton. Preferably, the score lines are configured to form tabs that are substantially arc-shaped or V-shaped.

In a particular embodiment of the first aspect of the invention the cardboard carton is configured for packaging confectionary. Preferably, the cardboard carton is configured for packaging chocolate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a cardboard carton comprising the steps of forming a cardboard blank configured for assembly into an initially sealed carton; defining a closure flap in the blank by providing at least two score lines; and assembling the blank into a sealed carton; wherein the step of providing at least two score lines includes positioning said score lines such that after the blank has been assembled into a sealed carton, one or more tabs are created on one or both of the body and the closure flap upon opening of the sealed carton by tearing along the score lines, said tab(s) being positioned such that the carton can be re-closed by tucking the closure flap behind the tab(s) on the body when present andlor tucking the tab(s) on the closure flap when present behind the body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a cardboard blank of a re-closable package according to the present invention; Figure 2A shows a front elevation view of an initially closed re-closable package constructed from the blank of Figure 1; Figure 2B shows a front elevation view of the re-closable package of Figure 2A after opening; Figure 2C shows a front elevation view of the re-closable package of Figure 2B after it has been re-closed; and Figure 3 shows a plan view of a cardboard blank of an alternative re-closable package according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments

With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated a cardboard blank 10 for a re-closable carton, in accordance with the present invention. The blank 10 is formed from a flat cardboard sheet approximately 1 mm thick. The blank 10 includes a rectangular front panel 12 with two short sides 14 and two long sides 15 and 16. A region defining a closure flap in the assembled carton (hereinafter referred to simply as "closure flap 18") is provided within the front panel 12 and extends approximately a third of the way towards the centre of the front panel 12, from one of the long sides 16. The closure flap 18 is disposed in the centre of the long side 16 and extends over substantially the entire length of the long side 16. The closure flap 1 8 is symmetrical about the centre of the long side 1 6 and is defined by a series of score lines, cuts and perforations through the front panel 12. Adjacent the long side 16, the closure flap 18 is substantially in the form of an elongate rectangle with short sides 20 extending perpendicularly from the long side 16. The inner ends of short sides 20 are rounded to meet with inwardly converging sloping sides 22, which form a substantially triangular portion of the closure flap 18. A short side 24, parallel to the long side 16, unites the sloping sides 22 to form a blunt nose 26.

Curved tab regions 28 are formed in the closure flap 18. Each tab region 28 is defined by a first score line 30 that extends along the short sides 20 and part way along the sloping sides 22. The first score line 30 is made using the Concorra Process and penetrates only halfway through the cardboard from the top surface of the front panel 12. A second score line 32 defines the remaining edges of each tab region 28 and is also made using the Concorra Process. The second score line 32 penetrates halfway through the cardboard from the rear surface of the front panel 12. The second score line 32 includes a length 34 that is substantially parallel to the first score line 30. The length 1 0 34 is provided inwardly of the first score line 30 and offset therefrom by approximately 3mm. The second score line 32 is completed by two lengths 36, each of which extend respectively from an end of the length 34 to a point opposite to the corresponding end of the first score line 30.

The sloping sides 22 each include a perforated section 38 between the first score line 30 and the short side 24. The short side 24 is formed by a cut through the entire thickness of the cardboard.

Adjacent the nose 26 of the closure flap 18 there is provided access means in the form of a flap 40. The flap 40 is substantially rectangular and is formed from two parallel side slits 42 which are cut through the entire thickness of the cardboard. The side slits 42 extend towards the centre of the front panel 12 from each end of the short side 24.

The base of the flap 40 is formed from a fold line 43 that is parallel to the short side 24 and extends between the ends of the side slits 42.

Long side 16 connects the front panel 12 to the rest of the cardboard blank 10.

Extending along the entire length of the long side 16, adjacent to the front panel 12, is a top panel 44. Top panel 44 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short sides 46 and a long side 48 that is opposite to the long side 16. Two perforated lines 50 extend perpendicularly between the long side 16 and the long side 48, from the ends of the first score line 30. Thus, defining a section 51 of the top panel 44 that is attached to the closure flap 18. Extending from each short side 46 of the top panel 44 is a corner flap 52. Each corner flap 52 has a semi-circular edge 54 connected to a shallow V-shaped edge 56 to form a substantially wedge-shaped element. Each of the long sides 16, 48 and short sides 46 defining the top panel 44 are configured as fold lines.

Adjacent the top panel 44, and extending along the entire length of the long side 48, is a rear panel 58. The rear panel 58 is substantially rectangular arid comprises two short sides 60 and a long side 62 that is opposite to the long side 48. The dimensions of the rear panel 58 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the front panel 12. Each of the long sides 48, 62 and short sides 60 defining the rear panel 58 are configured as fold lines.

Extending along the entire length of each short side 60 of the rear panel 58 is a side panel 64. Each side panel 64 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short sides 66 and 68 and a long side 70 that is opposite to the respective short side 60 of the rear panel 58. Extending from each short side 68, which is nearest to the long side 62 of the rear panel 58, is a corner flap 72. Each corner flap 72 has a similar configuration to that described above for the corner flaps 52. Thus, each corner flap 72 has a semi-circular edge 74 connected to a shallow Vshaped edge 76 to form a substantially wedge-shaped element. Each of the short side 60, long side 70 and short sides 66 and 68 defining the side panels 64 are configured as fold lines. The dimensions of each side panel 64 are substantially similar.

Attachment flaps 78, attached to the long sides 70 of the side panels 64, are provided.

Each attachment flap 78 has an edge 80 thai is opposite and parallel to long side 70 although not as long there-as. A sloping edge 82 connects edge 80 to the end of the long side 70 adjacent to the corner flap 72. At the opposite end of the long side 70, an edge 84 is provided that initially extends perpendicularly to long side 70 and then slopes inwardly to meet edge 80. The dimensions of each attachment flap 78 are substantially similar.

A bottom panel 86 is provided adjacent the rear panel 58 and extends along the entire length of the long side 62. The bottom panel 86 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short sides 88 and a long side 90 that is opposite to the long side 62. The dimensions of the bottom panel 86 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the top panel 44. Each of the short sides 88 form edges of the bottom panel 86 while the long sides 62 arid 90 are configured as fold lines.

A further attachment flap 92 is attached to the long side 90 of the bottom panel 86. The attachment flap 92 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short edges 94 and a long edge 96 that is opposite to the long side 90.

The cardboard blank 10 described above, can be assembled into an initially sealed box 100, which is illustrated in Figure 2A. Assembly of the box 100 is achieved by firstly providing an adhesive on attachment flaps 78 and 92 and corner flaps 52 and 72. Long sides 16, 48, 62 and 90 are folded so that long side 90 of the bottom panel 86 is placed adjacent the long side 15 of the front panel 12 with the attachment flap 92 tucked behind the front panel 12. The corner flaps 52 and 72 are bent inwards and the short sides 60 of the rear panel 58 and the long sides 70 of the side panels 64 are folded so that the attachment flaps 78 are tucked behind the short sides 14 of the front panel 12.

Each of the attachment flaps 78, 92 and corner flaps 52, 72 are then glued to their adjacent panels so as to retain the box 100 in its assembled form.

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show, respectively, the assembled box 100 in an initially sealed state, a state after opening, and a re-closed state. Like reference numerals are used to refer to the various parts of the box 100 that have been described above.

As shown in Figure 2A, the box 100 is initially in the form of a sealed cuboidal container, with the closure flap 18 still attached to the front panel 12 and the remainder of the assembled cardboard blank 10, which together constitute a body 101. To open the box 100, a user depresses access flap 40 with a thumb or finger so that the flap 40 bends about its base 43. With the flap 40 bent out of the way, the user then grasp the nose 26 of the closure flap 18. Holding the body 101 of the box 100 in the opposite hand, the user peels the closure flap 1 8 away from the front panel 12 and towards the top panel 44. This action successively breaks the perforations along sloping sides 22.

Continued peeling causes the fibres of the cardboard in-between the first score line 30 and the second score line 32 to rip, causing the cardboard to delaminate to leave the tabs 103 (formed from tab regions 28) attached to the front panel 12. Further peeling of the closure flap 18 causes the two perforated slits 50 on the top panel 44 to break.

The end result is shown in Figure 2B, whereby the opened closure flap 18 is attached to the body 101 of the box 00 via the section 51, itself connected to the rear section 58 along long side 48. As shown in Figure 2B, tabs 103, of half the original cardboard thickness, remain attached to the front panel 12 after opening. The opened closure flap 18 now has complementary portions 102 (also formed from tab regions 28), also of half the original cardboard thickness. Access to the contents of the box 100 can be made through the space where the closure flap 18 and the section 51 used to be.

Re-closure of the box 100 is permitted and is illustrated in Figure 2C. Folding the closure flap 18 forwardly and tucking the complementary portions 102 underneath the tabs 103 achieves this. Subsequent re-opening and re-closing of the box 100 is permitted by sliding the closure flap 18 out from beneath the tabs 103 and repeating the above sequence as necessary.

In accordance with the above, the present invention therefore allows for a re-closable box 100 that is economical to manufacture since it does not require the provision of overlapping material to form the basis of a traditional "tab-in-slot" closing mechanism.

An alternative cardboard blank 110 for a re-closable carton, according to the present invention, is shown in Figure 3. This illustrates an alternative arrangement of the panels, however, like parts are denoted with similar reference numerals, prefixed by a 1'. The blank 110 is again formed from a flat cardboard sheet approximately 1mm thick. The blank 110 includes a rectangular front panel 112 with two long sides 114 and two short sides 115 and 116. A region defining a closure flap in the assembled carton (herein after referred to simply as "closure flap 118") is provided within the front panel 112 and extends approximately a quarter of the way towards the centre of the front panel 112, from one of the short sides 116. The closure flap 118 is disposed in the centre of the short side 116 and extends over the entire length of the short side 116. The closure flap 118 is symmetrical about the centre of the short side 116 and is defined by a series of score line, cuts and perforations through the front panel 112. Adjacent the short side 116, the closure flap 118 is substantially in the form of an isosceles trapezoid with parallel sides 116 and 124 and inwardly converging sloping sides 122. Thus, the closure flap I 18 includes a blunt nose 126.

Tab regions 128A and 128B are formed in the closure flap 118. Each tab region 128A is defined by a first score line 130A that extends part way along the sloping sides 122.

The first score line I 30A is made using the Concorra Process and penetrates only half way through the cardboard from the top surface of the front panel 112. A second score line 132A defines the remaining edges of each tab region 128A and is also made using the Concorra Process. The second score line 1 32A penetrates half way through the cardboard from the rear surface of the front panel 112. The second score line I 32A includes a length I 34A that is substantially parallel to the first score line I 30A. The length 134A is provided inwardly of the first score line 130A and offset therefrom by approximately 4mm. The second score line 132A is completed by two lengths 136A, each of which extend respectively from an end of the length I 34A to a point opposite to the corresponding end of the first score line I 30A. Each tab region I 28B is defined by a first score line 1 30B that extends part way along the parallel side 124, from adjacent an end of the sloping sides 122. The first score line l3OB is made in the same manner as the first score line I 30A described above. A second score line I 32B defines the remaining edges of each tab region 128B in the same manner as the second score line 132A described above.

The sloping sides 122 each include a perforated section 138 between the first score lines 130A and the parallel side 124. The centre 200 of the parallel side 124, between each of the first score lines I 30B, is formed by a cut through the entire thickness of the cardboard.

Adjacent the centre 200 of the parallel side 124 of the closure flap 18 there is provided access means in the form of a thumbhole 140. The thumbhole 140 is substantially semi-circular and is formed by a semi-circular cut 142 from each end of the centre section 200. The cardboard piece that is cut out to form the thumbhole 140 is completely removed and disposed of.

Extending along the entire length of the short side 116 of the front panel 112 is a top panel 144. Top panel 144 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short sides 146 and a long side 148 that is opposite to the short side 116.

A bottom panel 186 is provided adjacent the front panel 112 and extends along the entire length of the short side 115. The bottom panel 186 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short sides 188 and a long side 190 that is opposite to the short side 115. The dimensions of the bottom panel 186 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the top panel 144.

Extending along the entire length of each of the long sides 114, adjacent to the front panel 112, are side panels 164. Each side panel 164 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short sides 166 and 168 and a long side 170 that is opposite to the respective long side 114 of the front panel 112.

Adjacent one of the side panels 164, and extending along the entire length of the long side 170, is a rear panel 158. The rear panel 158 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short sides 160 and a long side 162 that is opposite to the long side 170.

The outer dimensions of the rear panel 158 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the front panel 112. The long side 162 includes a central recessed portion 202.

Adjacent the other of the side panels 164, and extending along the entire length of the long side 170, is a rear attachment flap 192. The rear attachment flap 192 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short edges 194 and a long edge 196 that is opposite to the long side 170.

Substantially square corner flaps 152 extend from each side 166 and 168 of each side panel 164.

Attachment flaps 1 78, attached to the short sides 160 of the rear panel 158, are provided. Each attachment flap 178 is substantially rectangular and comprises two short sides 182, 184 and a long side 180 that is opposite to the short side 160. The dimensions of the attachment flaps 178 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the top and bottom panels 144 and 186.

As described above for box 100, the cardboard blank 110 can be assembled into an initially sealed box (not shown). This is achieved by providing an adhesive on attachment flaps 1 78 and 192 and corner flaps 152, folding the blank 110 into a box and gluing the flaps to their adjacent panels. The resulting box may then be opened and re-closed in a similar maimer to that described above.

In alternative embodiments to those shown in Figures 1 through 2C and Figure 3, the respective pairs of first score lines 30, 1 30A, I 30B may be joined and the respective pairs of second score lines 32, 132A, 132B may be joined so as to provide a single tab region which delineates the closure flap 18, 118 from the front panel 12, 112 and/or the lop panel 44, 144. Similarly, in any if the above mentioned embodiments, the length, pathand position of the score lines, cuts, fold lines and perforated lines may be varied.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, whilst the above discussion has been concerned with cartons constructed from the blanks 10 and 110 of Figures 1 and 3, the invention is equally applicable to cartons formed from other blanks having, for example, different dimensions, shapes, proportions and constructions.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A cardboard carton comprising a body portion and a closure

flap; the body portion and the closure flap being delineated by at least two score lines when the carton is in its initial sealed condition; said score lines being disposed such that on opening of the carton by tearing along the score lines, one or more tabs are created on one or both of the body portion and the closure flap; said tab(s) being positioned such that the carton can be re-closed by tucking the closure flap behind the tab(s) on the body portion when present and/or tucking the tab(s) on the closure flap when present behind the body portion.

2. A cardboard carton according to claim I wherein at least a portion of the closure flap is defined by a first score line part way thaough the thickness of the cardboard from the exterior surface of the closure flap and a second score line part way through the thickness of the cardboard from the interior surface of the closure flap; the second score line extending from the same point as the first score line and terminating at the same point as the first score line, the first and second points being different, with the remainder of the second score line being offset from the first score line.

3. A cardboard carton according to claim 2 wherein the Concorra Process is employed to form the first and second score lines.

4. A cardboard carton according to any preceding claim wherein an access means is provided to facilitate opening of the carton.

5. A cardboard carton according to claim 4 wherein the access means is provided in the form of a flap defined by two side slits with a fold line extending between the two side slits from their respective bases.

6. A cardboard carton according to claim 5 wherein the side slits are configured to be punched out from perforations.

7. A cardboard carton according to claim 4 wherein the access means is provided in the form of a thumbhole.

8. A cardboard carton according to claim 4 wherein the access means is provided by a slit.

9. A cardboard carton according to any preceding claim wherein the carton is formed from a one-piece cardboard blank.

10. A cardboard carton according to any preceding claim wherein the one or more tabs are created on the body portion of the carton.

11. A cardboard carton according to any preceding claim wherein the score lines are configured to form two or more symmetric tabs upon initial opening of the carton.

12. A cardboard carton according to any preceding claim wherein the score lines are configured to form a tab that is substantially arc-shaped.

13. A cardboard carton according to any of claims I to 11 wherein the score lines are configured to form a tab that is substantially V-shaped.

14. A cardboard carton according to any preceding claim wherein the carton is configured for packaging confectionary.

15. A cardboard carton according to any preceding claim wherein the carton is configured for packaging chocolate. - 16. A cardboard blank comprising: a first portion configured to form a body and a second portion configured to form a closure flap when the blank is assembled into a carton; the first and second portions being delineated by at least two score lines; said score lines being disposed such that after the blank has been assembled into a sealed carton, one or more tabs are created on one or both of the body and the closure flap upon opening of the sealed carton by tearing along the score lines; said tab(s) being positioned such that the carton can be re-closed by Jo tucking the closure flap behind the tab(s) on the body when present and/or tucking the tab(s) on the closure flap when present behind the body.

17. A method of manufacturing a cardboard carton comprising the steps of: forming a cardboard blank configured for assembly into an initially sealed container; defining a closure flap in the blank by providing at least two score lines; and assembling the blank into a sealed carton; wherein the step of providing at least two score lines includes positioning said score lines such that after the blank has been assembled into a sealed carton, one or more tabs are created on one or both of the body and the closure flap upon opening of the sealed carton by tearing along the score lines; said tab(s) being positioned such that the carton can be re-closed by tucking the closure flap behind the tab(s) on the body when present and/or tucking the tab(s) on the closure flap when present behind the body.

18. A cardboard carton substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 2A through 2C.

19. A cardboard blank substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 or 3.