Cutting – Tool carrier or guide affixed to work during cutting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-13
2001-07-17
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Tool carrier or guide affixed to work during cutting
C083S745000, C083S912000, C030S289000, C030S294000, C030S258000, C030S254000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260462
ABSTRACT:
THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of opening waxed paper or plastics or metal foil coated paper board cartons and the like containing liquid, semi-liquids or powders that may be poured, and to a device for opening such cartons. In particular, the invention provides a hand-held or wall-mounted means for enabling the seal closures of milk cartons and the like to be severed so that the carton may be readily opened and re-closed, but not re-sealed, as required.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
The type of paper carton used particularly for domestic milk supply is well known. The form of carton is marketed under the Registered Trade Marks “ELOPAK”, or “TETRA PAK”. Such cartons are sealed by inclining the upper portions of the side walls inward with two opposite faces folded together to form so called “wings”, and heat treating or otherwise sealing the mating internal extremities of the inclined portions to form a ridge. This ridge may be folded flat on the upper face of the carton, or it may be left in an upstanding attitude so that the upper face of the carton appears “gabled”. The flat top types of cartons generally have tongues at each end of the folded ridge which are detachably secured to the side walls of the carton to keep the ridge in a flat folded position for transportation and sales display. Printed on such cartons are opening instructions, sometimes with illustrations.
However, many people find the opening instructions difficult to follow. People who are not particularly dextrous find their failure to open the cartons very frustrating. The failed attempts to open the cartons as instructed, can cause the wings to be tom, badly buckled or otherwise mutilated. This is hygienically undesirable and may cause the milk or other liquid in the carton to pour badly or dribble down the outside of the carton.
PRIOR ART
It is known to cut the entire ridge closure from the upper face of the carton. This action enables the entire upper face of the carton to be opened but not readily closed. It is also known to cut off part or all of one of the wings to gain access to the contents of the carton. Neither solution is a satisfactory alternative to the suggested instructions on the cartons.
NOVEL ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes that the suggested method of opening cartons would be satisfactory if the force required to release the carton closure by applying a force to the wings could be significantly reduced. The present invention facilitates the opening of cartons simply and cleanly. It severs and removes a segment of the closure ridge of the carton so that the wings are no longer secured together and are free to be opened in accordance with the general instructions.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of opening cartons having a body within which a pourable material is stored, and a winged sealed ridge closure, comprising the steps of: (a) severing substantially half of the sealed portion of the ridge closure from the body of carton along a first line substantially parallel to the ridge; (b) removing the severed portion of the ridge from above the wings; (c) folding the wings back through at least 90° and, (d) pressing the opposed wings towards the ridge to open the carton.
The severed portion of the ridge may be removed from above the ridge by bending or a second severing action. The line of bending or second severing may be inclined to the first line between 45° and 150°.
The second severing action may be effected at the same time as the severing of the ridge from the body of the carton.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a device to facilitate the opening cartons according to the first aspect of the invention, which device includes a guide slot for locating the ridge, a first severing means for severing a portion of the ridge closure along a first line and limiting means for limiting the length along the first line that is severed.
The device may include a second severing means for severing the ridge along a second line meeting the first line substantially in the middle of the length of the ridge and at an angle between 45° and 150°.
Preferably the severing means is a thin cutting blade, although it may be shearing means, guillotine means, or, snipping means. The severing action may be achieved by the force applied between a first and a second handle, or by a motor, or by reaction between the device and the carton in line with the ridge. The device is preferably constructed to achieve a mechanical advantage sufficient to enable a relatively weak force to be applied to the device to effect the required severing action.
The device may include a tongue aligned with the guide slot for supporting the device in the required alignment during the severing action. The tongue fits under the ridge between the wings to ensure that the blade severs the carton along the first line below the sealed portion of the ridge.
The first and second means for severing may be formed together so as to sever the ridge along the first and second lines simultaneously. The severing means may be detachable for replacement, sharpening or cleaning.
The device may include a second guide means for bearing on the edge of the ridge remote from the first line of severing to maintain the first line substantially parallel to the edge of the ridge. This ensures that the sealed portion of the ridge is removed to leave the wings free to be opened.
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Creighton Wray James
Narasimhan Meera P.
Rachuba M.
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