Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – With closure for an access opening
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-02-06
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
With closure for an access opening
C229S139000, C229S221000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182889
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to containers and particularly to packages which are folded from a single package blank and to package blanks as such. Conveniently, the packages can be used for storing, shipping, shop presentation and by the end user, especially in connection with loose foodstuff.
BACKGROUND ART
Numerous packages which are foldable from a single package blank are known in the art. For example, DE 44 07 877 A1 discloses a cube-shaped container with a bottom wall, side walls, and a hinged lid. The lid is provided with a triangular tongue and one of the side walls comprises two layers. In the closed disposition of the container, the tongue is inserted between these two layers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Under consideration of the known packages, it is an underlying technical problem of the present invention to provide a package which is inexpensive to manufacture, sufficiently stable to protect the contents of the package and repeatedly and consistently openable and closeable. Further, it is an underlying technical problem of the present invention to provide a package blank for producing such a package.
According to one aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by a package, folded from a single package blank and comprising front wall, back wall and side wall segments. The front and the back wall segments extend into congruent closure segments defining an end of the package. At least two of the closure segments overlay one another in a substantially coplanar manner to form a pocket with one open side, and at least a further one of the closure segments is inserted into the pocket from the open side thereof in such a manner as to permit repeatable opening and closing of the package end. The package further comprises tabs and flaps on margins of the segments to permit, by folding and attaching, formation of the package from the blank.
In another aspect according to the invention, there is provided a foldable package blank, comprising front wall, back wall and side wall segments. The front and the back wall segments extend into congruent closure segments. At least two of the closure segments are arranged to be foldable on top of one another to form a pocket with one open side, and at least a further one of the closure segments is arranged to be insertable into the pocket from the open side thereof in such a manner as to permit repeatable opening and closing of an end of the package. The blank further comprises tabs and flaps on margins of the segments to permit, by folding and attaching, formation of the package from the blank.
The package according to the invention provides significant advantages over previously known packages. It is designed such that closure segments which are substantially congruent, overlie one another in a substantially coplanar manner to form a pocket with one open side. A further one of the package closure segments is, in the closed disposition of an end of the package, inserted into this pocket from the open side thereof. The pocket of congruent closure segments consequently surrounds the further closure segment substantially entirely. A locking effect of the further closure segment in the pocket is thus achieved. As this locking effect is achieved without making use of any latching or notching action, consistent and reliable functioning of the closure mechanism in accordance with the present invention is obtained without wear of the constituting elements of the closure. To this end, the plane defined by the substantially coplanar closure segments can preferably be angled relative to the front wall and the back wall segments from which the closure segments extend, typically in an obtuse angle. In a further preferred embodiment, the pocket is dimensioned such that friction between the pocket and the further closure segment enhances the locking effect. The inventive solution advantageously permits a manufacturer to design the shape of the closure to resemble the shape of the packaged goods.
A preferred embodiment of the invention suggests a shape of the congruent closure segments, which is substantially triangular. Accordingly, the closure of the package resembles a peak. Alternatively, the congruent closure segments can be of substantially semi-circular shape.
A further preferred feature of the inventive solution contributes to the repeatable and consistent opening and closing of the package end. Accordingly, each side wall segment is provided with crease lines to permit relative movement between the front wall and the back wall segments when the further closure segment is moved between the open and closed dispositions of the package end. In particular, the crease lines permit to move the front and the back wall segments towards and away from one another by enabling mainly the respective side wall segments to deform. Accordingly, the front and the back wall segments can be moved substantially without deformation thereof.
It has been found that crease lines substantially in the shape of an inverted Y represent a particularly beneficial compromise between simple and less costly manufacturing and consistent deformation of the side wall segments. Additionally, storage space within the inventive package is maximized.
Generally, the package can be of any desired cross-sectional shape. However, for most space efficient storage of several packages, it is preferred that the packages are of substantially rectangular cross-section and/or the side wall segments and the front and the back wall segments are located on opposite sides of the package, respectively.
A further preferred embodiment of the inventive package, as regards repeatability and consistency of the opening and closing function, provides that the relative dimensions of the side wall segments and the closure segments are such that the side wall segments prevent opening of the package beyond a limited clearance between the further closure segment and the open side of the pocket. In particular, upon opening of the package end, the side wall segments straighten out along the crease lines and, when they are substantially straight, prevent further relative movement between the front wall and the back wall segments. This mechanical stop leaves a limited clearance between the further closure segment and the open side of the pocket, which is sufficient for inserting the further closure segment into the pocket. Typically, the clearance is dimensioned such that an end of the further closure segment slides on the wall segment of the package adjacent to the pocket so that insertion of the further closure segment into the pocket is more easily facilitated.
An important commercial aspect in the typical field of application of the present invention requires to provide a tamper evident closure mechanism of the package. To this end, at least one of the closure segments is provided with a tear strip.
In semi-automatic and automatic manufacturing and filling of the package, it has proven to be particularly efficient if the package further comprises a crash lock end. Preferably, the crash lock end is located at the bottom and the closure segments at the top of the package.
Many applications of the present invention require the package to hold goods which are sensitive as regards contamination. A particularly beneficial way to avoid contamination from the package material provides that the inventive package is, in accordance with a further preferred embodiment, made from a laminated compound blank material. This ebodiment of the present invention permits to provide a sterile inner compound. Additionally, this further embodiment permits to provide the outside of the inventive package with a layer of the desired aesthetic appearance while not compromising the carrier structure of the material in terms of strength and costs.
In the context of the present invention, terminologies such as “front” and “back” as well as “top” and “bottom” are used for the sake of simplification of the description and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, unless explicitly sta
Heeley John
Kowalewski Alain Ernest Michel
Rapp Jean-Phillipe
Tettamanti Luigi
Elkins Gary E.
Kraft Jacobs Suchard R&D, Inc.
Marcoux Thomas A.
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