Bidirectional tear strip means for cartons and the like
First Claim
1. In a unitary blank for forming a container, the invention which comprisesmeans defining a pair of contiguous tear strips operable in opposite tearing directions, respectively, said tear strip defining means including three generally parallel rows of slits, the slits of each row being generally parallel and arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the associated tear strip, the slits of successive rows defining a herringbone pattern with the slits of the rows of one tear strip diverging in one direction relative to the longitudinal axis of said one tear strip, and the slits of the rows of the other tear strip diverging in the opposite direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the other tear strip, thereby to define said opposite tearing directions.
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Abstract
Bidirectional tear strip means for containers are disclosed, characterized in that the tear strip means are defined by at least three parallel spaced rows of slits or cuts successive pairs of which are arranged in a herringbone pattern for defining therebetween a tear strip, the successive tear strips defined by the rows of slits being operable in opposite tear directions, respectively. Preferably the slits of each row are linear, of equal length, and are equally spaced from each other. The slits of successive rows have the same acute angle -- but are of the opposite sense -- relative to the longitudinal axis of the tear strip defined therebetween. Preferably the slits of one row are longitudinally offset from the slits of the next row. In the preferred embodiment, the tear strips are so defined in the container blank that upon tearing of the tear strip means of the resulting container in either of two directions, the container may be divided in half for ready access to the container contents. In alternate embodiments, the tear strip means are arranged to provide access or dispensing openings in the containers.
110 Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a unitary blank for forming a container, the invention which comprises
means defining a pair of contiguous tear strips operable in opposite tearing directions, respectively, said tear strip defining means including three generally parallel rows of slits, the slits of each row being generally parallel and arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the associated tear strip, the slits of successive rows defining a herringbone pattern with the slits of the rows of one tear strip diverging in one direction relative to the longitudinal axis of said one tear strip, and the slits of the rows of the other tear strip diverging in the opposite direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the other tear strip, thereby to define said opposite tearing directions.
- 12. f. means for securing said top wall locking flap means to the adjacent side wall and for maintaining the top and bottom wall flaps in the closed position, whereby upon the tearing of two aligned tear strips having divergent slits relative to a given tear direction, access is afforded to the interior of the container.
Specification