Container having tab identifiers and method for constructing the same

• US 8,006,893 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2007
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated), HAVI Global Solutions LLC (The HAVI Group LP)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Mortenson, Rachel K., Burke, Bradley John
• Primary Examiner(s): Larson; Justin M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Demeree; Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/682,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20070267467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,638 Days
• Field of Search: 229/146, 206/803
• US Class Current: 229/146
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4229 in the form of a detachable panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/667 Lids in the form of an inverted tray
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 229/902 Box for prepared or processed food

Abstract

A container for packaging a product is provided. The container includes a blank of sheet material including a first panel, and at least one tab identifier wholly defined within the first panel and moveable with respect to the first panel. The at least one tab identifier is configured to cooperate with the first panel. The blank forms the container including a tray portion and a lid portion coupled along a fold line to the tray portion such that the lid portion is moveable about the fold line with respect to the tray portion between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the tray portion and the lid portion define a volume for storing the product.

Claims

1. A container for packaging a product, the container comprising:

a blank of sheet material including a first panel, and at least one tab identifier wholly defined within the first panel and moveable with respect to the first panel to a display position,

the blank forming the container including a tray portion and a lid portion coupled along a first fold line to the tray portion,

the lid portion being moveable about the first fold line with respect to the tray portion between an open configuration and a closed configuration,

in the closed configuration, the tray portion and the lid portion defining a volume for storing the product,

wherein

the tab identifier comprises opposing top and bottom edges,

the tab identifier as a whole, including each of the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier, is rotatable relative to the first panel about a second fold line so that the tab identifier engages a portion of the first panel after rotation, and

the second fold line is

defined within the first panel,

spaced from the first fold line,

positioned substantially between the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier, and

spaced from each of the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the tab identifier further comprises opposing side edges, and one or more lines of separation are respectively defined along each of the the top edge, bottom edge, and side edges of the tab identifier.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein at least one of the top edge, the bottom edge, and the side edges is substantially curvilinear.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein:

the tab identifier defines a central axis substantially at the second fold line, so that the central axis is

spaced from the first fold line,

positioned substantially between the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier, and

spaced from each of the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier, and

the tab identifier, including each of the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier, is configured to pivot about the central axis.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein the tab identifier, including each of the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier, is configured to rotate along the central axis approximately 180 degrees.

6. The container of claim 4 wherein the tab identifier is configured to pivot along the central axis from an original position to the display position.

7. The container of claim 6 wherein a void is formed when the tab identifier is in the display position.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein the void comprises a top portion, an opposing bottom portion, and opposing side portions.

9. The container of claim 8 wherein the tab identifier further comprises opposing side edges, the bottom edge of the tab identifier is configured to engage at least a portion of the top portion of the void, and the top edge of the tab identifier is configured to engage at least a portion of the bottom portion of the void.

10. The container of claim 7 wherein the tab identifier is configured to engage at least a portion of the void in the display position.

11. The container of claim 1 wherein the tab identifier further comprises indicia printed on at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface.

12. The container of claim 1 wherein the lid portion further comprises indicia applied to at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the lid portion.

13. A container for packaging a product, the container comprising:

a blank of sheet material including a first panel, and at least one tab identifier wholly defined within the first panel and moveable with respect to the first panel to a display position;

the blank forming the container including a tray portion and a lid portion coupled along a first fold line to the tray portion;

the lid portion moveable about the first fold line with respect to the tray portion between an open configuration and a closed configuration;

in the closed configuration, the tray portion and the lid portion defining a volume for storing the product,

wherein

the tab identifier is rotatable about a second fold line that is spaced from the first fold line and defined within the first panel to engage a portion of the first panel after rotation,

the tab identifier comprises a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, and opposing side edges,

one or more lines of separation are respectively defined along each of the to edge, bottom edge, and side edges of the tab identifier,

the side edges of the tab identifier are configured to define at least one rib, and

the at least one rib is configured to contact a portion of the lid portion in the display position.

14. The container of claim 13 wherein the at least one rib further comprises a plurality of slits extending outwardly from the at least one rib, the plurality of slits configured for facilitating preventing tearing of the first panel.

15. A container for packaging a product, the container comprising:

a tray portion;

a lid portion movably coupled to the tray portion along a first fold line, the lid portion having a top and a front panel, the lid portion being moveable about the first fold line with respect to the tray portion between an open configuration and a closed configuration, in the closed configuration the tray portion and the lid portion defining a volume for storing the product; and

a tab identifier coupled to the lid portion, the tab identifier having an upper portion and a lower portion,

the upper portion being connected to the lower portion substantially along a second fold line,

the second fold line being positioned substantially between the upper portion and the lower portion,

the tab identifier as a whole, including each of the upper portion and the lower portion, being rotatable about the second fold line from an original position to a display position, wherein the second fold line is in the front panel and spaced from the top, and wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the tab identifier engages the lid portion in the display position.

16. The container of claim 15 wherein the tab identifier is defined within the lid portion and defines a central axis that extends substantially along the second fold line, and the tab identifier is rotatable about the central axis.

17. The container of claim 15 wherein the tab identifier further comprises indicia printed on at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the tab identifier, and the indicia is visible in the display position.

18. The container of claim 15 wherein the tab identifiers in the display position are configured for facilitating stacking a plurality of containers.

19. A method of identifying a product within a container, the container having a tray portion and a lid portion coupled to the tray portion along a first fold line, at least one tab identifier defined within the lid portion, the at least one tab identifier having opposing top and bottom edges, the lid portion having a top and a front panel, the method comprising:

rotating the tab identifier as a whole, including each of the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier, about a second fold line from an initial position into a display position, the second fold line being

in the front panel,

spaced from the top,

positioned substantially between the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier, and

spaced from each of the top and bottom edges of the tab identifier; and

engaging the tab identifier with a portion of the front panel of the lid portion to secure the tab identifier in the display position, wherein at least a portion of the tab identifier extends outwardly from the lid portion in the display position.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein engaging the tab identifier with a portion of the lid portion further comprises displaying a portion of the tab identifier in the display position such that indicia on the tab identifier is visible.