US2931554A - Carton with sliding closure flap - Google Patents

Description

April 5, 1960 R. A. MATERN CARTON WITH SLIDING CLOSURE VFLAP 3 Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR RUDOLPH A. MATERN ATTORNEYS.

Filed Aug. 6, 1958 l3cL R. A. MATERN CARTON WITH SLIDING CLOSURE FLAP 3 She ets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR RUDOLPH A. MATERN aYmwz/b Mww ATTORNEYS.

Filed Aug. 6, 1958 April 5, 1960 R. A. MATERN CARTON WITH SLIDING CLOSURE FLAP 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 6, 1958 BNVENTOR RUDCLPH A. MATERN BY 9 Q ATTORNEYS.

United Sta p CARTON WITH SLIDING CLOSURE FLAP Rudolph A. Matern, Condado, Puerto Rico Application August 6, 1958, Serial No. 753,551 1 Claim. (Cl. 229-17) This invention relates to improvements in cartons and in particular relates to an improved carton having a slidable closure flap.

While any appropriate object may be packaged in my improved carton, the carton is particularly suitable for use in the storing, shipping and dispensing of cigarettes.

An important object of my invention is to provide a carton having a top structure which has an opening ad? jacent one end of the top of the carton, this top opening being normally closed by a flap which is slidable under the top structure so as to expose the opening. Another important object of this invention is to provide a structure of thistype, wherein the slide fiap is detachably secured to the side of the carton, adjacent said opening, during shipment and storage of the carton.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a carton of this type which can be made with a minimum of waste of paper stock. Another important object of my invention is to provide a carton of this type which may be filled and assembled and sealedby existing automatic machinery with a'rninirnum of adaptation of the machinery.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the'following description, in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

1 In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of my improved carton, in erect position, showing same closed and sealed, for instance during shipment or storage thereof,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the slide flap after it has been detached from .the side wall of the carton and after it has been moved to opening position. I

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a carton blank in accordance with the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton, showing it partially assembled.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the carton blank of a second embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the assembled carton of the second embodiment showing same open and showing the movable closure flap alternatively lPlVOtCd to opening position, rather than moved by sliding to open position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view similar to Fig. 2, but drawn to an enlarged scale, and showing the outer side wall of the carton broken away.

Fig. 8 is a detail view similar to Fig. 2, but drawn to an enlarged scale, and showing the slide fiap being moved from opening position to closing position.

. Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8. I

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but showing the slide flap in the process of being locked in closing position- I i Fig. 11 is a detail side elevational view on line 11-11 ofFig.10.

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Fig. 12 is a view similar to Figs. 9 and 10, and snowing the slide flap in its final closing position.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view on line 13--13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a carton blank in accordance with a third embodiment of my invention.

The drawings are substantially to scale of workingmodels of my invention and reference is made to the drawings to complete the disclosure herein.

First embodiment (Figs. 1-4) The drawing shows the carton illustratively in its shape when used as a cigarette container, but it will be apparent that the relative dimensions of the various walls of the carton may be varied when it is to be used for other purposes.

Fig. 3 shows the carton blank made of the usual paper board stock, commonly called cardboard. The broken lines indicate hinge or fold lines.

The carton will be assumed to be in its erect position of Fig. 1, for purposes of description. The carton comprises rectangular bottom wall 10, rectangular front wall 11 hinged to the front edge of wall 10 and rectangular rearwall 12 hinged to the rear edge of wall 10.

Inner side walls 13 and 14, both of rectangular shape, are respectively hinged to the side edges of front wall 11. Preferably, a shallow rectangular notch 13a is formed centrally in wall 13 and extends to wall 13.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 7, a portion ofwall 13 below notch 13a is indented inwardly as indicated by the reference numeral 13b. The depth of this indentation 13b is preferably slightly greater than the thickness of wall 13. Said indentation 13b may be formed in any appropriate manner when the blank is being stamped out. The bottom edge of indentation 131: and the bottom edge of notch 13a are optionally and preferably Rectangular inner bottom flaps 15 are optionally respectively hinged to the bottom ends of walls13-and 14.

Inner top flap 16, which is optionally rectangular in shape, is hinged to the upper edge of wall 11, starting adjacent the hinge connection between walls 11 and 14 and terminating at a point well spaced from the hinge connection between walls 11 and 13. Optionally, the width of flap 16 is approximately half the width of wall 10.

Rectangular outer side walls 17 and 18 are respectively hinged to the side edges of rear wall 12, with wall 17 overlying wall 13 and wall 18 overlying wall 14. These panels 17 and 18 are generally rectangular in shape.

Inner top wall flap 19, which may have any suitable selected shape, is hingedly connected to the upper edge of wall 18. The particular preferred shape of flap 19 will be described in further detail below.

Outer top wall 9, which is of generally rectangular shape, is hingedly connected to the upper edge of rear the top edge of wall 10. Said wall 9 starts at the hinge connection between walls 12 and 18 and terminates at a point substantially short of the hinge connection between walls 12 and 17. Preferably, the length of wall 9 is slightly greater than the length of flap 16. A rectangular notch 9a in wall 9 extends to the side edge thereof which is proximate to the hinge connections between walls 12 and 17. Said notch 9a is preferably rectangular in shape, and centrally located with respect to the front and rear edges of wall 9.

In this embodiment, the closure fiap for the end ing of the carton is preferably a slide flap and is designated generally by the reference numeral 20. Said closure flap includes a central portion 21 which is generally rectangular in shape. Front wing 22 and rear wing 23 are optionally and preferably provided and are respectively hingedly connected to the front and rear edges of flap 21.

Flap 20 is preferably formed integrally with outer side wall 17. Said outer side wall 17 is formed with a notch 17a which extends downwardly from the upper end of panel 17. The side edges of notch 17a diverge downwardly, except that near the bottom of notch 17a its side edges are optionally parallel to each other. Notch 17a is centrally located with respect to the front and rear edges of wall 17. Flap center portion 21 is formed with a tab projection 24 which extends from the outer side edge 21a of flap central portion 21 into notch 17a. The front and rear edges of tab 24 connect with the front and rear edges of notch 17a by means of respective lines of perforations 24a, which are indicated by dots. Score line 24b, which serves as a hinge line, extends between the front and rear edges of tab 24, slightly below the top edge of wall 17. The bottom edge of tab 24 is spaced slightly above the bottom edge of notch 17a, to provide an opening 25.

Preferably, the'bottom edge of notch 17a is of substantially the same length as and in registration with bottom edge of indentation 13b. Preferably, the side edges of notch 17a register with the side edges of indentation 131), but of course extend to the upper edge of wall 17, which is on a level with the upper edge of wall 13. Fig. 8 indicates the registration of the side edges of indentation 13b and notch 17a.

It will be apparent that flap 21 may be readily formed integrally with wall 17, it being possible in a single operation to form the opening 25, the perforations 24a, the score line 24b and the cuts separating the center flap portion 21 rom wall 17 forwardly and rearwardly of tab 24. v

As an important feature of the invention, the carton blank (Fig. 3) may be formed with a minimum of waste of stock. The blank is substantially rectangular with the exception of flap 16 and wing 22. However, the length of flaps 19 and 20 is substantially equal to the combined width of flaps 16 and 17. Furthermore, the free edge 22a of wing 22 and the corresponding edge 1% of flap 19 are of interiitting shape. In other words, the edge 19a is cut away sufliciently so as to receive the edge 22a of the wing 22 of the adjacent blank. Preferably, the inner side edge 1% of flap 19 is of shorter length than the hinge line of flap 19, so that the flap is somewhat tapered in overall shape. The wing edge 22a is cut away or chamfered at 2212 and 220, with fiap edge 19:: being correspondingly shaped. The result is virtually to eliminate waste, except for the cutting of opening and notches 13a and 9a.

In the assembly of the carton of the first embodiment, walls 13 and 14 are folded into parallel relationship with each other and flaps 15 are folded at right angles to walls 13 and 14. Front wall 11 is then folded to erect condition, with flaps 15 overlying bottom wall 19. Theexact details of the bottom construction of the carton are not shown in the assembly since they are conventional and may be varied in any desired manner.

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Rear wall 12 is then folded into parallel relationship with front wall 11, and outer side walls 17 and 18 are folded to respectively overlie walls 13 and 14. Wall 17 may optionally be glued to wall 13 and wall 18 may optionally be glued to wall 14, the actual gluing being omitted from the drawing because it is conventional. Optionally, the details of the side wall structure may be varied, as is well known in carton construction. For instance, it would be possible to provide only a single glue flap, rather than two glue flaps.

Fig. 4 shows a further step in the assembly of the carton. Inner top wall flap 19 is folded to overlie the top space of the carton. Wings 22 and 23 are folded into parallel relationship, and flap 29 is folded on score line 24b so as to position wings 22 and 23 within the interior space of the carton.

Fig. 4 shows flap 29 partially folded into its assembled positon. In the final assembly, wing 22 is located adjacent front wall 11 and wing 23 is located adjacent rear wall 12. Said wings 22 and 23 also extend between the front and rear edges of flap 19 and the respective front and rear walls 11 and 12. Flap center portion 21 overlaps and rests partly upon flap 19.

To complete the assembly, flap 16 is folded to overlie the top of the carton, and flap 9 is folded to overlie flap 16.

Flaps 16 and 9 are secured together by any suitable means, optionally by gluing (not shown because it is conventional), Figs. 1 and 2 show a tape 26, which may optionally be a revenue stamp, in the case of the carton being used to hold cigarettes, extending over top panel 9 and also front wall 11. Said tape 26 optionally extends from side wall 18 to a point short of notch 9a.

Also inthe final assembly, flap 16 extends from wall 18 to a point short of notch 9a.

Fig. 1 shows the assembled carton and shows that the contents thereof are sealed by slide flap 2t). Flap center portion 21 extends over the top opening of the carton, with further protection to the contents being provided by wings 22 and 23. Tab 24 extends below the top edge of flap 13. Of course, optionally,the package may be further sealed by an outer wrap. Also, in the assembled carton, score line 24b is approximately alined with the lower end of notch 13a.

In order to open the carton, the user grasps tab 24 and pulls it'away from panel 17, in the direction of arrow 27, so as' to break the perforations 24a. The movement of tab '24 is facilitated by the provision of the opening 25 which makes it easier to grasp tab 24. Said tab 24 is thus bent upon hinge line 24b.

Tab 24 and flap central portion 21 are raised slightly, so that tab 24 clears notch 13a. By means of tab 24, fiap 20 is then slid in the direction of arrow 28, with flap central portion 21 sliding frictionally over flap 19 and under end flaps 16 and 9, and with wings 22 and 23 sliding respectively frictionally between flap 19 and front and rear walls 11 and 12. The sliding of the wings is facilitated by the taper of flap 19.

Fig. 2 shows flap 2-0 moved to its extreme opening position exposing an opening 29 in the top of the carton, bounded by the top edges of walls 11, 17 and 12 and by the end edges of flaps 16 and 9.

Optionally, as shown in Fig. 2, flap 20 may be releasably locked in its opening position. This may be done by sliding the raised tab 24 frictionally into notch 9a, the front and rear edges of tab 24 then frictionally abutting the respective front and rear'ed'ges of notch 17a. The length of score line. 24b is approximately equal to the width of notch 17a.

When it is desired to close the cart'omit is a simple matter to pull on tab 24 so as to move it out of its frictional engagement within notch 9a, and to move flap 2t] back toward its closing position. Fig. 8 shows flap 20 in a position which is intermediate its opening position of Fig. 2 and its closing position.

In the preferred method of closing the'carton, flap 20 is moved until it reaches the side wall structure 13, 17, and tab 24 is then movedon its hinge line 24b so that it enters notch 17a. Simultaneously, tab 24 is pulled downwardly so as to depress flap center portion 21, and tab 24 is pushed inwardly into indentation 13b, with the lower edge of tab 24 adjacent the lower edge of indentation 13b. This is clearly shown in Fig. 10. Since the narrow part of tab 24 is at this time located in notch 13a, and since the hinge connection of flap 19 is yieldable, there is no obstacle to the lowering of flap central portion 21 and tab 24 to their position of Fig. 10. 1

As shown in Fig. 12, upon release of tab 24, the r siliency of the hinge connection of flap 19 forces flap central portion 21 upwardly, and the resiliency of the hinge connection of flap 24 swings it outwardly. As a result, flap 24 swings outwardly into notch 17a and swings upwardly until the side edges of flap 24 engage against the side edges of notch 17a. This is clearly shown in Fig. 13. It will be apparent that in the depressed position of flap central portion 21, shown in Fig. 10, the dimensions of tab 24 are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the corresponding lower portions of notch 17a. This allows clearance to permit tab 24 to rise to its locking position shown in Fig. 13.

As the result of the provision of indentation 13b, it will be apparent that I have provided a structure for automatically releasably locking tab 24 in the closing position of flap 20, the automatic locking action resulting from the natural operation of swinging tab 24 downwardly and inwardly into indentation 13b, and then relying upon the natural resiliency of the hinge connections of the various flaps for engagement of flap 24 within notch 17a. Without the provision of indentation 13b, it would be difficult to fit tab 24 with precision within notch 17a, so as toprevent the tab from slipping out of the notch.

Optionally, once flap 20 has been opened, tab 24 may be torn away from wall 17, thereby leaving the box permanently in open position.

Second embodiment (Figs. 5-6) This embodiment is only shown fragmentarily since the sole difference in the two embodiments is in the closure flap 30 of the second embodiment, as compared to the closure flap 20 of the first embodiment. The remaining elements of the carton of the second embodiment, insofar as shown, are designated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

Upon reference to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be noted that the central panel 31 of flap 30 is of approximately the same size and shape as central panel 21, but is provided with a central score or hinge line 31a which extends between the front and rear edges thereof. Tab 34, which connects with central portion 31, corresponds in all respects to tab 24, including the corresponding score line 34b, the corresponding perforations34a and the corresponding opening 35.

The wings of flap 3t) differ from wings 22 and 23 of the first embodiment. The wing on each side of flap center portion 31 is divided into wing sections 32 and 33. Each wing section 32 and 33 is separated by a slit or cut 32a which extends from a respective end of hinge line 31a outwardly and angularly. In the assembled carton, said slots 32a are inclined from hinge line 31a downwardly and toward wall 14.

Flap 30 may be used as a slide flap entirely similarly to the first embodiment. In the alternative, after separating tab 34 from panel 17, flap 30 may be bent upwardly on hinge line 31a (which is located within opening 29), in the manner shown in Fig. 6, so as to expose opening 29.

It will be apparent in the second embodiment that as the result of the provision of the flap hinge 31a and slits 32a, it is possible, after separating tab 34 from wall 17, to

completely remove flap 30, thereby maintaining the pack age permanently in open position.

It will be apparent in both the first and second embodiments that one or both of the wings 22 or 23 may optionally be' eliminated, although I prefer to employ at least one wing.

In the first embodiment in particular, and to some extent in the second embodiment, an important feature of the invention is that the flap main portion 21, and wings 21 and 23 together provide a principle of beam action. In other words, in the set-up and erected condition of the carton, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and also Fig.8, the provision of wings 22 and 23 (and the corresponding wings in thesecond embodiment) substantially prevent bending of fiapmain portion 21 (and of flap main portion 31 except at its hinge line 31a). The construction of the carton is such as to minimize the chance of the slidable closure flap being distorted or bent out of position.

Third embodiment (Figs. 14-18) This embodiment relates to a minor modification resulting from a different way of scoring and folding the carton blank. f

In the third embodiment, the carton will be assumed 40 and 43 oppose each other and are perpendicular to.

opposing walls 41 and 42, with glue flap 44 against and glued to the inner face of front wall 43, this method of construction and assembly being of course conventional.

Any appropriate bottom wall closure structure may be provided. Fig. 4 shows tabs 45 respectively hinged to the bottom edges of walls 42 and 41, inner bottom flap 46 hinged to the bottom edge of wall 40 and outer bottom flap 47 hinged to the lower edge of wall 43. It will be apparent without a detailed showing that these elements 45, 46 and 47 may be folded and glued or otherwise secured together to form a conventional bottom end structure of the carton. Flap 47 is rectangular so as to underlie the entire lower end of the carton. The particular shapes of flap 46 and of tabs 45 as shown in the drawing, are optionally selected for the purpose of saving v stock.

Flap 49, which is hinged to the upper end of side wall 21, corresponds to and serves the same purpose as flap 19 of the first embodiment. The optional triangular notch 49a which corresponds in size and shape to tab 45, is for the purpose of saving stock.

Flap 50, which is connected to the upper edge of rear Wall 40, and which has a notch 50a, corresponds in function to flap 9 of the first embodiment. Flap 51, which is hinged to front wall 43, corresponds in function to flap 16 of the first embodiment.

It will be apparent that in this embodiment, the side wall 42 is of a single thickness in contrast to the corresponding side wall structure of the first embodiment, which has an outer side wall 17 and an inner side wall 13. As a result, in this embodiment, it is necessary to secure a panel 52 to the inner face of wall 42, said panel 52 being intended to serve a structural purpose somewhat similar to that of inner wall 13 of the first embodiment.

Said panel 52 is optionally and preferably rectangular in shape and of the same width as wall 42, but considerably shorter in length. Said panel 52 is secured to the inner face of wall 42 at the top thereof, with the upper edges of wall 42 and panel 52 in substantial registration. Said panel 52 has a notch 52a which corresponds to notch 13a of the first embodiment. However, said notch 52a is optionally triangular, as shown in the drawing.

Panel -2 is formed with an inwardly extending indentation 52b (shown from the rear in Fig. 14) which corresponds in shape and function to indentation 13b of the first embodiment. It will be apparent, therefore, that the provision of panel 52 is just as effective as the provision of the inner side wall. 13 of the first embodiment. Panel 52 may be secured to wall 42 by any suitable means, such as a simple gluing operation.

Slide flap 53 corresponds in all material respects to slide flap 20 of the first embodiment, including the main flap portion 54, wings 55 and 56 and tab 57. Similarly to the first embodiment, wall 42 has a notch 42a which receives said tab 57, with tab 57 initially secured at its side edges to the side edges of notch 42a along perforated lines 57a. The lower end of tab 47 optionally has the V-shaped edge 57a shown in Figs. 15 and 18, to facilitate grasping same.

The optional notch 54a in the free end of flap central portion 54 corresponds in size and shape to flap 4S and is provided for the purpose of saving stock.

It will be apparent, without extended description, that the carton of the third embodiment, once assembled, may

be manipulated in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment. The sole diiference is in the provision of extra panel 52 to serve as an inner side wall, this being made necessary because the general shape of the carton blank is altered in the third embodiment.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, and have indicated various changes, omissions and additions which may be made therein, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein, without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

I claim:

A generally rectangular carton comprising superposed inner and outer top wall panels which are spaced from one end of the top of said carton to define a top opening therein, front and rear walls, a side wall extending to said one end of said top of said carton and having an inner side wall panel and an outer side wall panel, and a second side wall, said inner top panel being connected at one end to said second side wall, and separate from said front and rear walls, said outer side wall panel having a cut-out notch and having upwardly converging lines of perforations extending from the sides of said cutout to the top of said outer side wall panel to define a tab having diverging sides releasably connected to said outer side wall panel and extending between said lines ofperforations and also between the top of said cut-out notch and the top edge of said outer side panel, and a flap having a first end portion thereof slidably disposed between said inner and outer top wall panels, the second end of said being hingedly connected to said tab, said flap being positioned to close said opening, said fiap having downwardly turned wings extending between said inner top panel and said front and rear Walls, said flap being adapted upon'release of the tab from said outer side wail panei by severing said lines of perforations to be slid between said inner and outer top wall panels to a position exposing said top opening, said inner side wall panel having a notch extending below the upper edge of said outer side wall panel and having an indented portion extending out of the plane of said inner side wall panel away from said outer wall panel to form a tab receiving space positioned indented below said inner side wall notch, the hinge connection between said tab and said flap being adapted to be reieasably received within said inner side wall notch, said tab being adapted to be releasably extended through said outer side Wall notch and into said tab receiving space, the resilience of the hinge connection between said tab and said flap and of said top wall panels being such as to be adapted to move said tab outwardly and upwardly upon release thereof after it has been placed in said tab receiving space, the diverging sides of said tab being thereupon adapted to be frictionally engaged within the converging sides of said outer side wall cut-out notch.

Reterenees ilited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS George Feb. 18,

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