Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – With closure for an access opening
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-26
2002-10-29
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
With closure for an access opening
C229S123100, C229S141000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06471123
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to cartons and, more particularly to closure mechanisms for folding cartons. As used herein, a “carton” is a type of container which is formed of a substantially rigid, inextensible (substantially non-plastic or non-flexible) material such as “carton board” which is cut and folded to form a substantially three-dimensional structure which has the form of a rectangular prism having a length (or height), a width and a depth. A piece of carton board which has been cut and otherwise formed for use as a carton is referred to herein as a “carton blank”. (A carton blank is also sometimes referred to as a “formed blank”.) The cutting and forming of a piece of carton board typically involves die cutting. As used herein, “die cutting” refers to the process of cutting a sheet of material into a shape suitable for assembly into a carton.
As used herein, “carton board” is a heavy weight, sheet of paper or other fiber substance including paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard, containerboard, tagboard and corrugated board. The following materials are also known for use as carton board:
Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) is a premium grade of folding carton board, which is a solid sheet of paperboard manufactured from bleached kraft pulp, and which is generally clay-coated on one side.
Clay-Coated Recycled Boxboard (CRB): A key paperboard grade for folding cartons. CRB is made from recycled material—mainly, old newsprint and old corrugated containers—and coated with a layer of clay to provide a smooth white surface for packaging graphics.
Uncoated Recycled Board (URB): Uncoated paperboard grades manufactured primarily from old newsprint and old corrugated and used in both folding cartons and in the manufacture of paper tubes and cores. URB is typically made on cylinder machines and often referred to generically as cylinderboard.
As used herein, “paperboard” is a term used to describe a material which comprises laminated layers of paper. As used herein, “paper” is a general term used to describe sheets of intertwined plant fiber. Synthetic papers from mineral, animal, or synthetic materials can also be made. Paper and paperboard are non-specific terms which could be applied to either form. Paperboards used in packaging generally have a thickness between 0.010 and 0.024 inches (0.25-0.60 mm).
The present invention relates to folding cartons. As used herein, a “folding carton” refers to a general class of container which is distinct from either a rigid box or case. As discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, it is also distinct from a bag or envelope. The folding carton is typically a plain or printed container of paperboard, including both single and multi-layer paperboard, which is delivered either flat or folded, glued, and collapsed, to be erected, filled, and closed by the user. Folding cartons are designed to protect a product during shipment and on the store shelf, and to enhance the product's appeal to the consumer. Folding cartons typically feature high-quality graphics to maximize shelf appeal in a retail outlet and to provide information about the product and its use. The market is primarily consumer nondurable goods.
In order to facilitate folding a carton blank into a carton—in other words, assembling the carton from a carton blank, the carton blanks may also incorporate “creases” or “score lines”. As used herein, a “score line” is a rupturing of the surface of blank paperboard sheet material, typically resulting in a depression on one side of the sheet and a welt on the other, which facilitates the paperboard blank being folded along that line. As used herein, to “score” a carton (or paperboard) blank is the act of making an impression or partial cut in a flat material for the purpose of facilitating bending, creasing, folding or tearing. A “folding score” in which the fibers of the carton board are compressed but not cut, helps ensure that a fold or bend takes place along the score line.
Sometimes, slits are formed in the material of the paperboard. As used herein, a “slit” comprises a cut which extends completely through the material of the paperboard to separate a one portion (e.g., panel) of the paperboard blank from another portion thereof. Sometimes, perforations are formed in the material of the paperboard. As used herein, a “perforation” is a series of slits, typically along a straight or curved line, extending completely through the material of the paperboard, typically for facilitating tearing along the line by a user. A type of “score” which functions much like a “perforation” is the “tearing score”, in which the fibers of the carton board are cut approximately halfway through the carton board to permit tearing along the score lines. A tearing score can, of course, also function as a folding score.
A number of closure mechanisms are known for cartons. A one type of pressure-activated closure includes hook and loop material, which is bulky, expensive and difficult to apply automatically.
As described hereinabove, a carton is a type of packaging that uses relatively rigid (inflexible) materials. In contrast thereto, bags and envelopes are a type of “flexible packaging” that uses flexible material such as foils, films, paper, plastic films, laminates or sheeting to form a container which, when filled and closed, can be readily changed in shape.
Viewed from another perspective, a carton is a substantially three-dimensional container having a length (or height) H, a width W and a depth D. And, as used herein, the term carton is limited to containers having such dimensions which are substantially on the same order of magnitude (within one-tenth or ten times) each other. For example, a carton may have a depth dimension D of 1.0 inches (2.5 mm), and height H and width W dimensions which are each approximately 5 inches (12.5 mm). In other words, the depth dimension D of a “carton” (as the term is used herein) is a substantial fraction, such as greater than one-tenth of the lesser of the height H and width W dimensions.
Another type of container is the bag or envelope. As used herein, a “bag” or an “envelope” is a type of container which is formed of a substantially flexible material, such as lightweight paper or plastic which is generally formed as two rectangular sheets joined along three sides thereof, a one sheet extending beyond the remaining edge of the other sheet and forming a flap which is folded over to close the envelope or bag. The “thickness” of the resulting bag or envelope is substantially zero, considering that there is no distinct top or bottom panel, but rather merely a fold line defining where the flap portion of the panel begins. The sheet typically has a thickness which is less than 0.010 inches or 0.25 millimeters (mm). Whereas a carton is a substantially three-dimensional container, a bag or envelope is a substantially two-dimensional container having no substantial depth dimension. A number of closure mechanisms are known for bags or envelopes.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,066 discloses temporary sealing means permitting ready opening and reclosure of a bag (6). A closure flap (10) is provided with at least one opening (11) therethrough. A strip (12) is secured to the outer surface of the closure flap (10) in overlying relation to the openings (11). The strip (12) is provided on one side thereof with an adhesive layer (13) which may be of any tacky, non-permanent type adhesive. The tape (12) is secured to the closure flap (10) by means of the adhesive coating (13). When the closure flap (10) is in its bag-closing position, the strip (12) will have those portions thereof overlying the openings (11) depressed into the openings (11), with the adhesive layer (13) engaging the underlying portion of the body (7) of the bag (6).
U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,941 discloses a reclosable plastic bag (10) which is easily shut without heat-sealing, and which is easily opened without cutting or tearing. A flap (20) is provided with a series of mutually equidistant spaced holes (22). A strip (24) of polyethylene (or paper, or aluminum foil) whic
Elkins Gary E.
International Paper Company
Pitts & Brittian P.C.
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