Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CARTON C LOST RYE INTO ROCK
This invention relates in general to new
and useful improvements incorruptness of the wrap
around type having a closure panel assembly defined
by inner and outer closure panels, and more part-
ocularly to the closure interlock between the inner and outer closure panels.
For many years there has been in common-
coal use a closure interlock wherein the outer
closure panel is provided with primary and secondary
locking tabs which are engaged in sequence with
primary and secondary locking shoulders wormed on
the inner closure panel. With this arrangement,
the resultant primary lock and secondary lock are
spaced from one another along the-length of the
closure interlock, thus requiring a greater than
necessary overlap of the inner and outer closure
panels.
In accordance with this invention, it is
proposed to modify the closure interlock by placing
the primary locking tab on the outer closure panel,
in the customary manner, but so forming the inner
closure panel so as to have the secondary locking
tab formed thereon and carried by a flap which moves --
out of the plane of the inner closure panel so as
to define primary locking shoulders on opposite
sides of the position of the secondary locking tab
for engagement by the primary locking tab. Thus the
primary lock and secondary lock are placed sub Stan-
tidally in alignment along the length of toe closure
interlock. This permits a savings of between one
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half inch and three quarter inch of the carton
forming material, which savings is on the order
of six percent or greater depending on the size of
the items which are to be wrapped into a package
5 using the carton.
Specifically the invention relates to a
closure interlock for a closure panel assembly ox
a carton of the wrap around type, said closure
: interlock comprising an inner closure panel and
10 outer closure panel each having a free edge, said
inner closure panel having struck therefrom a second
defy locking tab carried by a flap with said second
defy locking tab facing said free edge of said inner
closure panel, the displacement of said secondary
15 locking tab and said flap from said inner closure
panel defining an opening in said inner closure
panel, and said outer closure panel having a term-
net flap portion in part defined by a fold line and
in part by cut line means, said cut line means de-
20 wining a primary locking tab carried by said ton-
final edge flap portion and facing away from said
outer closure panel free edge for locking behind
said inner closure panel, said secondary locking
tab extending first through said outer closure panel
25 and then through said opening in said inner closure
panel.
Another feature of the invention is that
the secondary locking tab is generally seated in
that part of said opening in said inner closure
30 panel from which said secondary locking tab is
formed.
Yet another feature of the invention is
that said secondary locking shoulder underlies said
primary locking tab a distance wherein said second
35 defy locking tab may enter Thursday closure panels at a shallow angle for movement beneath an
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article being packaged in the carton.
Additionally there may be a separator tab
hingedly carried by said secondary flap.
With the above and other objects in view
5 that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the in-
mention will be more clearly understood by reference
to the following detailed description, the appended
claims, and the several views illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of adjacent
portions only-of the inner-and-outer closure panels-
and shows the closure panels in spaced relation.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary exploded per-
spective view showing adjacent edge portions only
15 of the closure panels of Figure 1 folded ready for
interlocking engagement.
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sea-
tonal view taken generally along the line 3-3 of
Figure 2 and shows further the details of the folded
20 closure panel portions.
Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to
Figure 3 but wherein the closure panels have been
brought into overlapping engagement and the primary
locking tab has been engaged behind its associated
25 primary locking shoulder and serving to draw the
closure panels into tight overlapping relation.
Figure 5 is another sectional view similar
to Figure 3 showing the primary locking tab fully
engaged and the secondary locking tab being moved
30 through both the outer closure panel and the inner
closure panel for engagement behind the secondary
locking shoulder.
Figure 6 is another sectional view similar
to Figure 3 showing the details of the completed
35 closure interlock.
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Figure 7 is a perspective view of the
lower portion of the closed carton and shows gent
rally the details of the closure interlock.
Figure 8 is a plan view comparing the
5 overall lengths of a conventional carton blank
having primary and secondary locking tabs carried
by the outer closure panel and carton wherein
the closure interlock is one wherein the primary
locking tabs are carried by the outer closure
10 panel and the secondary locking tabs are carried
by the inner closure panel.
Figure 9 is an enlarged bottom plan view
of closure panels incorporating a closure interlock
in accordance with this invention.
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing
the closure panels brought together and the primary
locking tabs initially engaged with primary locking
shoulders on the inner closure panel.
Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary
20 vertical sectional view taken generally along the
line ll-llofFigure 10 and shows further the details
of the partially formed closure interlock.
Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view
similar to Figure 11 and shows the primary locking
25 tabs in place and the secondary locking tabs in
their initial phase of passing through the closure
panels.
Figure 13 is another fragmentary section-
at view similar to Figure 11 and shows the completed
30 closure interlock.
Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view
of the closure panel and assembly of the container
and the details of the closure interlock.
Figure 15 is a bottom plan view similar to
35 Figure 9 and shows a modified form of closure inter-
locks.
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Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective
view similar to Figure 10 and shows the initial
engagement of the primary locking tabs with the
inner closure panel.
Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary
vertical sectional view taken generally along the
line 17-17 of Figure 16 and shows further the de-
tails of the initial engagement of parts ox the
closure interlock.
Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view
similar to Figure 17 and shows the primary locking
tabs fully in place and the secondary locking tabs
in an initial position moving through the closure
panels.
Figure 19 is another sectional view semi-
far to Figure 17 and shows the completed closure
interlock.
Figure 20 is a fragmentary perspective
view of the lower portion of a carton and shows the
20 details of the closure panel assembly and the do-
sure interlock.
Figure 21 is an exploded bottom view of
- two closure panels incorporating the closure inter- =
lock and separator tab.
Figure 22 is a sectional view through one
of the closure interlocks showing the closure panels
in partial overlapping relation and the primary
locking tab engaged behind the primary locking
shoulder and the separator tab vertically extending
30 between two adjacent items in initial formation of
the closure interlock.
Figure 23 is a sectional view similar to
Figure 22 and shows the primary locking tab in its
fully operative position and a secondary locking
35 tab initially entering into aligned openings in the
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closure panels.
Figure 24 is another sectional view
similar to Figure 22 and shows the completed closure
interlock.
Figure 25 is a fragmentary perspective
view showing the closure panels fully interlocked
inducing the details of two adjacent closure inter-
locks and their respective separator tabs.
Referring to the drawings in detail, it
10 will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 7
the lower portion of a carton having a closure inter-
lock in accordance with this invention, the carton
being identified by the numeral 10. The carton 10
includes a pair of side panels 11 and 12 which are
15 connected together by a two piece closure panel as-
symbol generally identified by the numeral 13. The
closure panel assembly 13 includes an outer closure
panel 14 connected to the lower edge of the side
panel 11 along a fold line 15. The closure panel
20 assembly 13 also includes an inner closure panel 16
connected to the lower edge of the side panel 12
along a fold line 17. The closure panels 14 and 16
are interconnected by-a-closure interlock formed in
accordance with this invention and generally identi-
25 fled by the numeral 18.
At this time it is pointed out that wealth closure interlock 18 has universal application,
it is particularly adapted for forming an interlock
between closure panels of a carton intended to wrap
30 four items with the closure interlock 18 being eon-
toned between these four items.
Referring now to Figure 1, it will be seen
that the closure panel 14 has formed along the free
edge thereof a terminal flap portion 19 which is de-
I fined in part by an interrupted fold line 20 and a
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cut line 21. The combination of the fold line Andy the cut line 21 defines a pair of primary lock-
in tabs 22 which are spaced along the length of
the closure and which are separated by a secondary
5 locking shoulder 23. These are best seen in Figure
2 wherein the terminal flap portion 19 is folded
out of the plane o* the panel 14 so that the primary
locking tabs 22 are upstanding.
It is also to be noted that opposing the
10 secondary locking shoulder 23 and between the prim
many locking tabs 22 is a further tab 24 which is
connected tooth closure panel 14 along a fold line
25. The purpose of the folding of the tab 24 will
be described hereinafter.
The closure panel 16 has formed therein a
cut line 26 which generally defines a secondary
locking tab 27 which is carried by a secondary flap
US. The secondary flap 28 is connected to the do-
sure panel 16 along a fold line 30. It is to be
20 noted that the secondary locking tab 27 is connected
to the flap 28 by a reduced width neck portion 31
and generally along a fold line 320
Referring now particularly to Figure 2,
it will be seen that when the secondary locking tab
25 27 and its associated flap 28 are struck from the
panel 16, there is defined on the panel 16 a pair of
primary locking shoulders 33, one on each side of
the position of the secondary locking tab 27. There
is also formed on the closure panel 16 facing in the
30 opposite direction from the primary locking shoulders
33 two secondary locking shoulders 34.
In the formation of the closure interlock
18, the terminal flap portion I and the secondary
locking tab and flap 28 are folded to the positions
35 shown in Figure 2 prior to the overlapping of the
closure panels 14 and 16. The adjacent edge portions
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of the closure panels 14 and 16 are then brought
into overlapping relation with the primary locking
tabs 22 extending through the opening and the do-
sure panel 16 defined by the displacement of the
5 secondary locking tab 27 and the locking flap 28
and are engaged behind the primary locking shoulders
33, as is shown in Figure 4. The primary locking
tabs 22 thus interlocked behind the shoulders 33,
the terminal flap portion 19 is folded up generally
10 through the opening in the inner closure panel 16
to the position illustrated in Figure 5 and the
secondary locking tab 27 is folded or hinged rota-
live to the slap 28 and inserted through the open-
ins formed in the closure panels 14 and 16 with
15 the secondary locking tab 27 first engaging behind
the secondary locking shoulder 23 and then behind
the secondary locking shoulders 34, as is shown in
Figure 5.
Further movement of the secondary locking
20 tab 27 and the associated flap 28 results in the_ _
completion of the closure interlock 18 with both
the primary locking tabs I and the secondary lock-
- -I in tab 27 being disposed inwardly of the carton
10 and secured in place.
At this time it is to be noted that when
the secondary locking tab 27 passes through the outer
closure panel 14, it engages the flap 24 and it
displaces the same to permit the secondary locking
tab 27 to move into position through the outer do-
30 sure panel 14.
Reference is now made to Figure 9 wherein
there is illustrated an outer closure panel 50 and
an inner closure panel 51 of closure panel assembly
52 of a carton 53 of which the lower portion only is
35 shown in Figure 14. :
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The closure panel 50 is provided with a
combination of fold or hinge lines 54 and cut lines
55 to define along the free edge thereof a terminal
flap portion 56 which carries a pair of primary
5 locking tabs 57 which are spaced along the general
length of the closure panel So.
The inner closure panel 51 is provided
with a fold or hinge line 58 generally parallel to
its tree edge and which in association with a cut
10 line 60 defines a secondary flap 61 carrying a pair
of secondary locking tabs 62. Each secondary locking
tab 62 is hingedly connected to the secondary flap
61 along a hinge or fold line 63.
Further, each locking tab 62 is provided
15 with a reduced width neck portion 64 generally de-
.. fined by an elongated finger 65 which projects gent
orally into the secondary locking tab 62. The fingers
65 are arranged in generally opposed relation.
When the secondary flap 61 and the second
20 defy locking tab 62 are struck downwardly out of the plane of the inner closure panel 51, as is
shown in Figure 11-, a relatively large opening 66
is formed in the inner closure panel 51 and there it
defined on the inner closure panel 51 primary lock-
25 in shoulders 67 and on the fingers 65 secondary locking shoulders 68.
With the secondary locking tab 62 and the
secondary flap 61 struck downwardly out of the inner
closure panel 51 and the terminal flap portion 56
30 folded to a downward position, an initial interlock
may be map by inserting the primary closure tab 57
through the opening 66 and behind the shoulders 67,
as it shown in Figure 11. The terminal flap portion
56 may then be folded upwardly against top underside
35 of the inner closure panel 51~ as shown in Figure 12,
after which the secondary locking tabs 62 may be
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hinged relative to the secondary flap 61 and a-
Vance through the outer closure panel 50 to the
right of the primary locking tabs 5? and through
those portions of the inner closure panel 51 from
5 which the secondary locking tabs have been struck,
as it shown in Figure 12. It will be seen that the
secondary locking shoulders 68 underlie the primary
locking tabs 57 and are so positioned whereby the
angle of entry of the secondary locking tabs 62
10 is relatively shallow so that the secondary locking
tabs 62 is relatively shallow so that the secondary
locking tabs 62 may enter beneath overlying articles
which are being formed into a package within the
carton 53.
The movement of the secondary locking tab
. 62 into the interior of the carton continues until
the secondary locking tabs 62 are totally within
the carton and overlying the inner closure panel 51,
as is shown in Figure 6. The closure interlock,
20 generally identified by the numeral 70 is now come
plate.
; Referring now to Figure 8, it will be seen
that there is illustrated a carton of the wrap around
type which is generally identified by the numeral 71
25 and includes an outer closure panel 72 and an inner
closure panel 73 generally corresponding to the do-
sure panels 50 and 51, respectively. The carton 71
is provided with two closure interlocks generally
corresponding to the closure interlock 70 for inter-
30 locking the closure panels 72 and 73 in the manner illustrated in Figure 14.
In Figure 8 there is also illustrated a
conventional type of wrap around carton generally
identified by the numeral 74. It is to be understood
35 that the carton 74 will be ox the same overall size
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for forming a package of one or more items in the
same manner as in the case of the carton 71. However,
the carton 74 is provide with an outer closure panel
75 and an inner closure 76 with an entirely dip-
5 fervent type of closure interlock. The closure inter-
took of the carton 74 includes cutouts 77 in the
inner closure panel 76 which define primary locking
shoulders 78 spaced from secondary locking shoulders
80. In a like manner, the outer closure panel 75 is
10 provided with one or more terminal flap portions 81
which carry primary locking tabs 82 and secondary
locking tabs 83 for engagement with the locking
shoulders 78 and 80, respectively.
It will be seen that the locking shoulders.
15 78 and 80 are spaced a considerable distance trays-
.. tersely of the length of the closure panels 75, Warsaw in aeeordanee with the specific illustra-
lions of Figures 9-14, the inner closure panel 73
of the carton 71 is provided with primary locking
20 shoulders 84 and secondary locking shoulders 85
which are spaced closely together transversely of
the length of the closure panels 72, I As a no-
suit, the overall length of the blank of the carton
71 is a length 1 which is lesser than the length
25 of the blank for the carton 74~ 2 by a distance 3.
The distance 3 is basically equal to the spacing
between a locking shoulder 78 and a locking shoulder
80 less the spacing between a locking shoulder 84
and a locking shoulder 85. This distance will be
80 on the order of one half inch to three quarters
inch and depending on the overall length of the
carton blank may constitute a saving of carton
stock equal to six percent or greater.
Referring now to Figure I it will be
35 seen that there is illustrated a modified eartvn 86
having a closure panel assembly defined by a slightly
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modified form of closure interlock 87. The closure
panel assembly includes an inner closure panel 88
and outer closure panel 90.
The outer closure panel 90 has wormed
5 along the free edge thereon a terminal slap portion
91 which is defined by a combination of hinge lines
92 and cut lines 93 with the cut lines 93 defining
along the terminal flap portion 91 primary locking
tabs 94.
The inner closure panel 88 has in align-
mint with each of the primary closure tabs 94 a fold
line 95 and a cooperating cut line 96 which define
a secondary flap 97 carrying a secondary locking tab
98 with the secondary locking tab 98 being hingedly
15 connected to the secondary flap 97 along a hinge
line 100.
Each of the secondary locking tabs 98 is
provided with a narrow neck 101 defined ho a pair of
opposed fingers 102 generally projecting into the
20 secondary locking tab 98.
When each secondary locking tab and its
associated flap 97 is struck downwardly out of the
inner closure panel 88, there is formed in the do-
sure panel 88 a relatively large opening 103. This
25 opening provides on opposite sides of the initial
position of each secondary locking tab 98 a primary
locking shoulder 104. also, each finger 102 defines
a secondary locking shoulder 105.
In forming the closure panel assembly ox
30 Figure 20, the closure panels 88 and 90 are brought
together with the closure panel 90 underlying the
closure panel 88, as is generally shown in Figures
g and 10. The primary closure tabs 94 are then
passed through the openings 103 and engage behind
35 the primary locking shoulders 104. Then the ton-
final slap portion 91 is swung up to a position
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generally underlying the adjacent portion of the
closure panel 88, as is shown in Figure 18. Next,
each secondary locking jab 98 is hinged relative to
its associated secondary flap 97 and is inserted
5 through aligned opening portions in the closure
panels 88~ 90, as is shown in Figure 18. It will
be seen that the angle of entry of the secondary
locking tabs 98 is relatively shallow as in the case
of the secondary locking tabs 62 of the embodiment
10 of the invention illustrated in Figures 9-14.
The secondary locking tabs 98 are contain-
used to be moved into the container until they assume
the positions illustrated in Figure 19 overlying
the adjacent portion of the inner closure panel 88
15 to complete closure interlock 87.
. It is to be understood that because of the
; shallow angle of entry of the secondary locking tabs
into the interior of the carton 86, the secondary
locking tabs 98 may underlie articles which are being
20 formed into a package by the carton 86.
Referring now to Figure 25 in detail, it
; will be seen that there is illustrated an outer do-
sure panel 120 and an inner closure panel 121 of a .
closure panel assembly 122 of a carton of the wrap
25 around type intended to have packaged therein items
- in two rows. The closure panels lZ0, 121 are secured
together by a plurality of closure interlocks 123
which may be aligned with a set or pair of such items
within the carton.
Each closure interlock 123 includes a prim
many locking tab 124 which is carried by a terminal
flap portion 12~ of the cuter closure panel 120.
The terminal flap portion 125 and each primary
locking tab 124 carried thereby is defined by a
35 series of hinge or fold lines 126 and cut lines 127.
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Each closure interlock also includes
formed in the inner closure panel 121 by means of
a hinge or fold line 128 and cut lines 130 and 131,
a secondary locking tab 132, a secondary flap 133
and a separator tab 134. Each secondary locking
tab 132 is joined to the secondary flap 133 along
a hinge line 135 and includes a narrow neck portion
136 defined by a pair of opposed fingers 137 pro-
equating whereinto.
When the secondary locking tab 132 and
the secondary flap 133 are struck out of the inner
closure panel 121~ an opening 138 is formed with
the boundaries of the opening 138 defining primary
locking shoulders 14~ and secondary locking shoulders
15 141.
It is also to be noted that the separator
tab 134 is hingedly connected to the secondary flap
133 along a fold line 142.
Referring now to Figure 22, it will be
20 seen that the separator tabs 134 are struck from
the inner closure panel 121 so as to assume a
generally vertical position and pass between a pair
of items 143 which are arranged in two adjacent rows.
The illustrated items are bottles, but the items may
25 be any type.
At this time the secondary locking tab
132 and the secondary flap 133 have been struck
from the inner closure panel 121 and depend there-
from. Further, the terminal flap portion 125 has
I been folded downwardly about the fold line 12Ç and
the primary locking tabs 124 have been locked behind
the primary locking shoulders 140.
referring now Jo figure 23, it will be seen
that the terminal flap portion 125 has been swung up
35 beneath the inner closure panel 121 and the primary
locking tabs 124 hove assumed their fully locked
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positions Further, each secondary locking tab
132 has been folded relative to its associated
secondary flap 133 and has entered Pinto the aligned
openings in the closure panels 120, 121 at a very
5 shallow angle.
Referring to Figure 24, it will be seen
that in the completed closure interlock, the second
defy locking tab 132 has moved to its fully inter-
locked position wherein the secondary flap 133 under-
10 lies the terminal flap portion 125, the secondary locking tab 132 underlies the primary locking tab
124, and the primary locking tab 132 is engaged
behind the secondary locking shoulders 141. Further,
the secondary locking tab 132 is at least partially
15 seated in that portion of the opening 138 in the
inner closure panel 121 from which it was initially
struck. The closure interlock 123 is now completed.
It is to be understood that while only
two of the closure interlocks 123 have been specie
20 filially illustrated, the carton closure panel assembly 122 may be provided with as many of the
closure interlocks 123 as there are items in a row
within the carton.
Although only a preferred embodiment of
25 the closure interlock has been specifically thus-
treated and described herein, it is to be understood
that minor variations may be made in the closure
interlock without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended
30 claims.
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