Paperboard box with removable identifying indicia

• US 6,681,983 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Field Container Company, LP (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Field Container Company, LP (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bill-Moore, Leah M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US09/949,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 229/162.1, 229/162.3, 206/459.1, 206/459.5, 206/831, 403/12, 406/74
• US Class Current: 229/162.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4204 Inspection openings or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4229 in the form of a detachable panel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/831 Detachable coupon

Abstract

A paperboard box has removable identifying indicia. In a first embodiment, the top of the box has a central opening that may be rectangular in shape. Each corner of the opening has a removable tab and each of the tabs carries a different message. For example, the messages can relate to different kinds of pies such as, for example, “apple”, “cherry”, and “blueberry”. One of the tabs may be provided with a line to provide a location where an identifier may be handwritten using any suitable writing instrument. As an alternative example, the writing on each tab may relate to an occasion such as “Happy Birthday”, “Happy Anniversary”, “Congratulations” or “Bon Voyage”. A product is placed into the box and the cover is closed thereover. All of the tabs are removed with the exception of the remaining tab that accurately describes either the contents of the box or the occasion being celebrated or observed or other message. In a further embodiment, a box may be provided with a central opening having triangular or parallelogram-shaped tabs partially obscuring the opening. Each tab, as before, has indicia thereon concerning an occasion, the contents of the box or other message.

Claims

1. An improved package, comprising:

a) a body forming an enclosed space;

b) a plurality of tabs removably attached to said body by L-shaped scoring, at least two of said tabs having printed indicia thereon visible from outside said package;

c) said printed indicia on said tabs describing one of (1) alternative descriptions of products adapted to be placed in said package, (2) alternative occasions to be celebrated or observed, (3) alternative greetings or salutations, or (4) alternative slogans, whereby a user may remove all but one of said tabs, said one of said tabs providing a desired product description or message.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein said body comprises a folded paperboard container, said container having a top surface carrying said tabs.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein said top surface includes an opening, said tabs being located adjacent said opening.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein said tabs are attached to a periphery of said opening by said scoring.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein a top surface of said container includes an opening, said tabs being located adjacent said opening.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein said tabs are rectangular.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one tab is triangular.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one tab is a parallelogram.

9. An improved package, comprising:

a) a body forming an enclosed space;

b) a plurality of tabs removably attached to said body, at least two of said tabs having printed indicia thereon visible from outside said package and at least one additional tab being devoid of indicia whereby desired indicia may be written thereon;

c) said printed indicia on said tabs describing one of (1) alternative descriptions of products adapted to be placed in said package, (2) alternative occasions to be celebrated or observed, (3) alternative greetings or salutations, or (4) alternative slogans, whereby a user may remove all but one of said tabs, said one of said tabs providing a desired product description or message.