Container having tab identifiers and method for constructing the same

• US 8,056,799 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 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): Newhouse; Nathan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US11/419,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20070267468A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,006 Days
• Field of Search: 229/146, 229/902, 229/906, 229/74, 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

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 defined within the first panel and moveable with respect to the first panel. The at least one tab identifier is configured to cooperate with a flex member assembly defined at least partially within 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. 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 formed from a blank sheet of material and comprising:

a tray portion; and

a lid portion foldably connected to the tray portion and comprising

a top panel,

an end panel foldably connected to the top panel,

a first tab identifier defined within the end panel, and

a flex member assembly defined in at least one of the end panel and the top panel;

wherein the lid portion is moveable with respect to the tray portion between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the tray portion and the lid portion defining a volume for storing the product when the lid portion is in the closed position,

wherein the first tab identifier is configured to be folded along a fold line into the flex member assembly to extend outwardly from the container, the fold line being spaced from the top panel,

wherein the flex member assembly defines a first member, an opposing second member, and a slot extending between the first member and the second member, and

wherein the end panel further comprises a top edge, the slot being offset a distance with respect to the top edge.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the first tab identifier comprises a top edge along which the fold line is defined, an opposing bottom edge, opposing side edges, and a line of separation defined along each of the opposing side edges, the first tab identifier being configured to move about the top edge of the first tab identifier with respect to the end panel.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein the top edge of the first tab identifier is substantially parallel to the bottom edge, and the opposing side edges are substantially parallel with respect to one another.

4. The container of claim 2 wherein each of the opposing side edges is substantially perpendicular to the top edge of the first tab identifier and the bottom edge.

5. The container of claim 2 wherein the first tab identifier is substantially rectangular in shape.

6. The container of claim 2 wherein at least one of the top edge of the first tab identifier, the bottom edge, and the opposing side edges is substantially curvilinear.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein the first tab identifier comprises a top edge, the top edge of the first tab identifier being positioned at a distance from the slot.

8. The container of claim 1 wherein the first member is defined at least partially within the end panel and the second member is defined at least partially within the top panel.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein the first tab identifier comprises a top edge along which the fold line is defined, the first tab identifier being moveable about the fold line and positionable within the slot in a display position.

10. The container of claim 9 wherein the first tab identifier further comprises indicia printed on at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface, the indicia being visible in the display position.

11. 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.

12. The container of claim 1 wherein the container further comprises a second tab identifier, the second tab identifier being defined within the lid portion.

13. The container of claim 12 wherein the first tab identifier is configured to contact the second tab identifier, the first tab identifier and the second tab identifier being configured to move independently.

14. The container of claim 12 wherein the second tab identifier is positionable within a second flex member assembly defined by the lid portion.

15. The container of claim 1 wherein the flex member assembly is not configured to be removable from the container.