Special receptacle or package – For plural beverage-type receptacles – Four-sided wrapper
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-17
2001-11-13
Gehman, Bryon P. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For plural beverage-type receptacles
Four-sided wrapper
C206S140000, C229S103200, C229S198200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315123
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a carton having a pair of panels secured together by locking means in a mutually overlapping relationship and, more particularly, to a carton having improved locking means that is hardly loosened or disengaged.
Wraparound paperboard cartons have been known as means for packaging in one unit a plurality of beverage cans or bottles. To form packages with wraparound cartons, the carton blanks are supplied to a packaging machine where each blank is applied to the exterior of a group of cans or bottles followed by interlocking of the opposite ends of the respective blank by a suitable means such as an adhesive. By this means, each blank is formed into a tubular carton.
As an alternative to adhesives, the so-called mechanical locks have been used to secure the opposite ends of carton blanks. An example of the mechanical lock may be found by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,095 which is hereby incorporated by reference. The mechanical lock disclosed in this patent is a locking means for securing together the first and second opposite end panels of a blank in an overlapping relationship. The locking means comprises a locking tab struck from the first panel, a retaining tab struck from the second panel and a locking aperture defined by the retaining tab in the second panel. The locking tab is foldably joined at its proximal end to the first panel whereas the retaining tab is foldably joined at its proximal end to the second panel. The blank is applied to a group of articles, and then the first and second panels are controlled to be in an overlapping relationship to form a composite bottom wall of the carton whereupon the locking tab is folded upward into the locking aperture. When the locking tab is moved into the aperture, the retaining tab is thrust aside by the locking tab and is thereby folded upward to define an angle with the second panel. This brings the retaining tab into abutment at its free end against the lower side of the locking tab, which in turn retains the locking tab in the folded position. In this manner, the locking tab is held in the locking aperture with the perimeter of the aperture in engagement with the locking tab.
Another example is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,116 owned by the applicant. There is disclosed a panel interlocking arrangement comprising a locking tab arranged to be driven through a locking aperture defined by a retaining tab. Holding means is formed in the locking tab for receiving the free end of the retaining tab to hold the locking tab and the retaining in angular based relation to each other. There further comprises a securing tab projecting from the transverse edge of the locking aperture which is disposed within a securing aperture disposed at the base of the locking tab to positively secure the panels together against relative movement.
Wraparound cartons are tightly wound around groups of articles with no slack to assure that the articles are held inside the cartons. Therefore, the locking means such as mentioned above continually undergoes tension. If a carton with the locking means is subjected to vibration during, for example, its transportation, the locking tab could be unfolded to some degree, which in the worst case could result in disengagement of the retaining tab from the underside of the locking tab. Once the tabs are disengaged, the carton could be loosened to the extent that the accommodated articles are dislodged from the carton.
What is needed, therefore, is a wraparound carton having an improved locking means wherein unfolding of the locking tabs are practically inhibited
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention in one form provides a carton having an improved locking means that can substantially reduce the risk of unfolding of locking tabs. The carton comprises first and second overlapping panels and locking means for securing the panels to each other. The locking means comprises a locking tab stuck from the first panel, the locking tab being foldably joined at one end thereof to the first panel and having an opposed free end, a retaining tab struck from the second panel and defining a locking aperture with opposed end edges. The returning tab is foldably connected to one of the opposed end edges wherein, the locking tab is foldably displaceable out of the plane of the first panel and received in the locking aperture along the other of the opposed end edges whereby the retaining tab is foldably displaced out of the plane of the second panel to put the locking tab into abutting relationship with the retaining tab, so that the locking tab is retained in the locking aperture. One of the locking tab and retaining tab comprises a tongue projecting from the free end edge thereof and the other of the locking tab and retaining tab is provided with complementary means for receiving the tongue to provide positive mutually locking components of the respective tabs. Preferably, the retaining tab may be folded in an angular relationship with the second panel, to abut the free end edge thereof of one of the opposite sides of the locking tab, whereby the locking tab is retained in the locking aperture.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention the receiving means may be a notch formed along the free end edge of the retaining tab. Alternatively, the receiving means may be an engaging aperture formed in the retaining tab.
According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention the locking tab may have a pair of opposed side edges extending between its hinged proximal and free end thereof, and the locking tab may include a wing projecting sideward from at least one of the side edges, the width of the locking tab at the wing being greater than the length of the one end edge of the locking aperture.
A second aspect of the invention provides a blank forming locking means for securing first and second panels in overlapping relationship which blank comprising a locking tab struck from the first panel. The locking tab is foldably joined at one end thereof to the first panel and having an opposed free end, a retaining tab struck from the second panel and defining a locking aperture with opposed end edges. The retaining tab is foldably connected to one of said end edges of the locking aperture. One of the locking tab and retaining tab comprises a tongue projecting from the free end edge thereof, and the other of the locking tab and retaining tab is provided with complementary means for receiving the tongue to provide positive mutually locking components of the respective tabs.
Optionally, the receiving means may be a notch formed along the free end edge of the retaining tab.
According to an optional feature of either aspect of the invention the locking means may further comprise an anchoring tab projecting from the one end of the locking aperture into the locking aperture. The locking tab is preferably provided near a proximal end edge thereof with an anchoring aperture for receiving the anchoring tab.
According to another optional feature of either aspect of the invention the locking aperture may have a pair of opposing side edges extending between the one and other end edges thereof, and the locking means may further comprise a stopper tab projecting from at least one of the opposed side edges of the locking aperture into the locking aperture, the width of the locking aperture at the stopper tab being less than that of the locking tab at the wing.
According to another optional feature of either aspect of the invention the tongue may be disposed at an intermediate position along the length of the free end edge of the one tab so that the free end edge of the one tab is interrupted by the tongue, and the one tab is disposed in abutment at the interrupted free end edge on one of opposite sides of the other tab whereby the other tab is retained in a folded position.
A third aspect of the invention provides panel interlocking means for securing first and second panels together comprising a locking tab struck from said first panel. The lockin
Gehman Bryon P.
Suzuki Tsugihiko
The Mead Corporation
LandOfFree
Carton with panel locking means does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Carton with panel locking means, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Carton with panel locking means will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2571494