CARTON WITH LOCKING MEANS FOR RECLOSABLE COVER

• US 3,684,159 A
• Filed: 07/16/1970
• Issued: 08/15/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George H. Wolfe
• Original Assignee: George H. Wolfe
• Inventors: Wolfe, George H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moorhead, Davis T.
• Application Number:
  US05/055,437
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 229/45,44 206/45.31,36,44CB
• US Class Current: 229/212
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/26 with extensions of opposite sides mutually interlocking to lie against other sides
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4204 Inspection openings or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/546 the lines of weakness being provided in an extension panel or tab of a hinged closure
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/6667 and connected to one another in order to form an uninterrupted telescoping flange B65D5/667 takes precedence

Abstract

A carton formed from a single blank of foldable paperboard or the like having a reclosable cover which is hinged to the upper edge of the rear wall panel of the carton proper or tray portion and provided with front and end apron panels, which, when the cover is closed, respectively overlap the front and end wall panels of the carton. Locking tabs cut from the front wall panel are hingedly connected to said panel along their upper edges, and their lower edges normally tend to protrude slightly outwardly from the face of said panel. Glue flaps, which secure the cover apron end panels to the inside of the cover front apron panel at the forward corners of the cover when the carton is erected, are provided with cut-out areas positioned for receiving and engaging the protruding edges of the locking tabs when the cover is in closed position. For gaining access to the closed carton, an upward pressure on the front apron panel of the cover causes an inward and upward force on the locking tabs, causing them to snap or cam out of the cut-outs of the glue flaps to release the locking engagement.

Claims

1. In a carton of paperboard or the like including a tray portion having hinged front, rear and end walls and a cover portion having at least front and end hinged apron panels adapted to overlap the front and end walls of said tray portion when the cover portion is closed, said end apron panels being connected to said front apron panel by hinged glue flaps integral with one of said apron panels and overlapping the inner face of a right angularly adjacent apron panel, means for releasibly locking said cover portion in closed position, comprising at least one locking tab having one free edge cut from one wall of said tray portion and connected thereto at its base along a hinge line forming the upper edge of said locking tab and spaced from the upper edge of said one wall, said locking tab projecting outwardly from said hinge line at a small angle to protrude said free edge outwardly with respect to the outer face of said one tray wall, a cut-out area formed in one of said hinged cover apron panels, which, when said cover is closed, is aligned to receive the protruding free edge of said locking tab, acting as a keeper therefor, said locking tab being releasible from said cut-out area by applying upward pressure on the cover panel having said cut-out area, causing the locking tab to snap out of said cut-out area.

2. In a carton of paperboard or the like including a tray portion having hinged front, rear and end walls and a cover portion having at least front and end hinged apron panels adapted to overlap the front and end walls of said tray portion when the cover portion is closed, said end apron panels being connected to said front apron panel by hinged glue flaps integral with one of said apron panels and overlapping the inner face of a right angularly adjacent apron panel, means for releasibly locking said cover portion in closed position, comprising at least one locking tab having one free edge cut from one wall of said tray portion and connected thereto at its base along a hinge line forming the upper edge of said locking tab and spaced from the upper edge of said one wall, said locking tab projecting outwardly from said hinge line at a small angle to protrude said free edge outwardly with respect to the outer face of said one tray wall, at least one of said glue flaps having a cut-out area, which, when said cover is closed, is aligned to receive the protruding free edge of said locking tab, acting as a keeper therefor, said locking tab being releasible from said cut-out area by applying upward pressure on the cover apron panel to which said glue flap is adhered, causing the locking tab to snap out of said cut-out area.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein all of said hinged members are formed in a single blank.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 2, wherein said glue flaps are hinged to said end apron panels and glued to said front apron panel.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cut-out areas are formed in the upper edges of said glue flaps.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cut-out areas are in the form of slots cut in said glue flaps.

7. The invention as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cover portion is hingedly connected to said tray portion along the rear wall of the latter.