Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – With closure for an access opening
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-18
2001-08-21
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
With closure for an access opening
C206S273000, C229S160100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276600
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a modification for a round-corner container with a reclosable hinger-lid. Such structures of this type, generally, relocated the inner frame in order to improve reclosability.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in
FIG. 1
, round-corner flip top boxes
2
that are currently in the market will pop open slightly after their initial opening thus creating a “smiley face”
4
appearance on the front of the package. There have been many attempts to resolve this problem. Exemplary of such prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,384 ('384) to H. Focke et al., entitled “Hinge-Lid Pack for Cigarettes or The Like,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,984 ('984) to H. Focke et al., entitled “Hinge-Lid Packet for Cigarettes,” and European Patent Application 0 894 737 A1 to H. Tambo et al., entitled “Hinged-Lid Pack.” While these references employ small catch flaps on the inner frame that engage the lid to hold it shut, they are not aesthetically appealing because the tabs pop out, thereby disrupting the visual flow of the package.
It is also known to employ an inner frame that is tapered, in that it grows larger as you move toward the top of the pack. Exemplary of such prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,905 ('905) to H. Focke et al., entitled “Hinge-Lid Pack, Especially for Cigarettes.” Again, as with the other references, its ever widening shoulder does not work because it is not aesthetically appealing.
It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a round-corner, flip-top pack which is light weight through simplicity of parts and uniqueness of structure, and which eliminates the “smiley face” appearance, but which at the same time is aesthetically appealing. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, this invention fulfills these needs by providing a container comprising a round-corner body and a round-corner lid. The lid is hingedly attached to the body along a curved perimeter. The body comprises upright longitudinal edges and has a closed end and an open end. An inner frame with two side panels is secured to the inside of the body. The top of the inner frame extends above the body and the inner frame is partially surrounded by the lid when the lid is in a closed position.
In another further preferred embodiment, the use of the inner frame and the curved hinged lid means improve the reclosability of the pack by substantially eliminating the “smiley face”.
The preferred pack, according to this invention, offers the following advantages: lightness in weight; ease of assembly; good stability; excellent durability; and excellent economy. In fact, in many of the preferred embodiments, the factor of durability is optimized to the extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known packs.
The above and other features of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which:
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Bowman D. L.
Elkins Gary E.
McDaniel T. B.
Schmalz R. L.
Westvaco Corporation
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