The present invention is directed to a closing clip for a carton having with an edge that can be opened, like a paperboard box classically used for the treatment of milk or powdered products. The invention also refers to a carton equipped with a similar panel and to a fabrication process for such a carton.
The use of a handle is known from Stuart, U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,333, for purposes of keeping the upper multifold edge of a cardboard carton closed. Jackson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,967 also shows the use of a metal or plastic flap in the shape of a spout and equipped with ridges intended to create a concentration zone with constraints on an upper edge of a paperboard carton in view of the articulation of this flap on this panel. In the traditional approach, such a flap is obtained by extrusion and cutting. The means by which the flap is affixed to the carton is not secure, and sometimes such a flap can become loose during transport or when the carton is exposed for sale, and subject to petty larceny. Moreover, in order to be rigid enough to maintain the edge of the carton effectively closed, the flap must be of a fairly significant thickness, which complicates its manufacture and increases its final cost.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a closing flap which can be manufactured using a totally different approach, and which allows the upper multifold edge of a carton to be kept effectively closed.
A closing clip or flap for a carton having an edge, is intended to cap this edge in a primary position and to free access to a part of this edge in a secondary position. The flap is also designed to pass from the primary position to the secondary position by pivoting around a geometric axis that is perpendicular to the edge.
The flap consists of two panels which can be used in position on all sides of the flap and whose first extremity is crossed by the geometric axis. The flap
The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.
Referring to the figures and in particular
Panel 11 features, at its center, a medium-thickness web 111. This web 111 is bounded by longitudinal borders 112 of thickness e1, which are greater than those of the web 111. Similarly, a central web 121 of panel 12 is of a relatively small thickness and is bounded by edges 122 of a greater thickness e2.
The hinge 13 is of a thickness e3 that is less than thicknesses e1 and e2 which are identical or similar to each other. The geometric axis, indicated at X-X′ of hinge 13 is indicated here.
Panel 11 features an extension 113, cylindrical in form and equipped with a radial flange 113a at its free end 113b. Extension 113 is centered on axis Y-Y′, which is globally perpendicular to the plane of panel 11 and to axis X-X′. The extension 113 extends from the end 114 of panel 11.
At the end 115 of web 111, opposite end 114, this panel features a projection 116, of thickness e′1, which is greater than thickness e1, from which extends a tab 117. Tab 117 projects, relative to zone 115, in the direction YA-Y′A parallel to direction Y-Y′, and reaches longitudinally in direction Z-Z′, which is noticeably perpendicular to axis X-X′ and to direction YA-Y′A. Tab 117 features a ridge at its end 117a, which extends for its whole length.
Panel 12 is provided, at the level of its first end 124, with a circular opening 123 of which the diameter d123 is indicated. This diameter is slightly larger than that of the main portion of extension 113 and less than that of the flange 113a.
Panel 12 features, at its secondary end 125 opposite the first end 124, a projection 126 of thickness e′2 which is greater than the thickness e2 of edges 122. In this projection 126, a groove 127 is provided whose dimensions are such that it can receive the tab 117 when the hinge 13 is folded along axis X-X′. The width l127 of the groove 127 is greater than the width l117 of the tab 117 at its base and less than the width l117a of ridge 117a. In fact, groove 127 has an internal shape which noticeably complies with, e.g., corresponds to the external form of tab 117 and, on the side of panel 12 that is not visible in
Mounting the flap 10 on the carton 20 is explicitly referred to in FIGS. 2 to 5. Carton 20 is of a globally parallelipipedic shape and comprises, at its upper portion, an edge 21 which is formed by two paperboard folds 22 and 23. As is shown in
Mounting flap 10 on carton 20 is accomplished by introducing extension 113 in a hole 24 formed in edge 21, as represented by arrow F1 in
As such, flap 10 is folded along axis X-X′ of hinge 13, as represented by arrow F2 in
Introduction of extension 113 into opening 123, and of tab 117 into groove 127, takes place by elastic deformation of panel 10, which is compatible with its constituent material. It is noted here that the movement of folding of flap 10 is a simple movement which can be effected automatically by a robotic manipulator, similar to the movement introducing extension 113 into hole 24 in the direction of arrow F1.
The folding movement in the direction of arrow F2 allows the position in
When the user needs the contents of carton 20, all s/he has to do is pivot the flap 10 around the geometric axis Y-Y′ of extension 113, in the direction of arrow F5 in
When the consumer wants to close carton 20, all s/he has to do is press folds 22 and 23 against each other, in the direction of arrows F6 and F′6 and to put the cap back on edge 21 with flap 10 with a pivoting movement F′5 in the opposite direction of the previous movement F5. Movements F3, F′3, F4 and F′4 allow edge 21 to be kept in a closed configuration, including the time after folds 22 and 23 have been pulled apart.
Since it is manufactured by a flat blank molding process, flap 10 can be easily adapted, for example as a function of the brand of the product contained in carton 20. In fact, all that needs to be done is to apply inserts into the flap's 10 fabrication mold so that they will appear on the external surfaces of panels 11 and 12, so that surface 128, which is visible in
Moreover, the roughness of surfaces 128 and their equivalent can be modified at will in order to improve the grip on flap 10.
The process described above can easily be carried out at the time of manufacture of the product contained in carton 20. To this end, the hole 24 can be formed in flap 21 immediately before application of extension 113.
The second embodiment of the flap and the method for making the flap are illustrated in
At the level of the first end 314, panel 211 is equipped with an extension 313 which reaches along an axis Y-Y′ which is globally perpendicular to axis X-X′ and to the plane of panel 211. Extension 313 consists of two parts 3131 and 3132 which are cut into a globally cylindrical envelope surface and separated by a space or gap 3133 which is also inscribed into a cylindrical envelope surface.
Each part 3131 and 3132 is provided with a portion of the external radial flange 3131a and 3132a, of which the far side of panel 211 is in the shape of a truncated cone and converges opposite this panel. Two openings 3134 and 3135 are provided at the base of parts 3131 and 3132 for the passage of casting drawers for parts 3131 and 3132.
An opening 323 is provided at the level of a first end 324 of flap 212 and allows it to receive extension 313 and to lock it into position, in the same way as opening 123 of the first method of production allows extension 113 to be received and locked.
Edge 323a of opening 323 is in the shape of a truncated cone, which eases the introduction of extension 313.
Introduction of extension 313 into opening 323 takes place by elastic deformation of parts 3131 and 3132, which can be brought together by reduction of gap or volume 3133, when flanges 3131a and 3132a are passed into opening 323.
At end 315 of panel 211, opposite extension 313, this panel is provided with a tab 317 which projects, relative to the plane of panel 211 in the direction YA-Y′A parallel to direction Y-Y′. Tab 317 extends longitudinally in a direction Z-Z′ perpendicular to axis X-X′ and to direction YA-Y′A.
Tab 317 is provided with a ridge 317a extending from one side, and whose upper surface 317b is inclined relative to the plane defined by axis X-X′ from direction Z-Z′. The lower surface 317c of ridge 317a, i.e. the surface facing panel 211, is perpendicular to direction YA-Y′A. An opening 318 is provided at the base of axis 317 for passage of a casting drawer.
Panel 212 features, at the level of its end 325 opposite end 324, an extension 326 in which a receiving and pinching groove 327 is provided for tab 317. Groove 327 is provided with an interior flange 327b for engagement by ridge 317a of tab 317 to immobilize tab 317 inside groove 327 when flap 210 is folded along hinge 213.
Part 327a of groove 327, which is shown more clearly in
The flange 327 is defined between an inclined surface, consisting of a ridge introduction ramp 317a (this inclined surface is visible in
Mounting of flap 210 on a package, such as carton 20, represented in FIGS. 2 to 5, takes place in a manner similar to that described for the first described embodiment.
All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically do so within the text of this disclosure.
In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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01 08493 | Jun 2001 | FR | national |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10153951 | May 2002 | US |
Child | 11233662 | Sep 2005 | US |