Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6305597
-
Patent Number
6,305,597
-
Date Filed
Thursday, July 20, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, October 23, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 229 11718
- 229 11722
- 229 11724
- 206 163
- 206 806
- 493 162
- 493 183
- 493 909
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A folding carton is described that includes a hang tab that is slidable between a first position in which the hang tab is tucked behind a first carton panel, and a second position in which the hang tab extends out of the carton for hanging the carton on a display. The carton further includes a hang tab restraint for preventing the hang tab from being pulled entirely out of the carton. The hang tab is initially held in its first position by breakaway nicks that attach the hang tab to the carton. According to further aspects of the invention, the hang tab restraint comprises a yoke flap folded over the hang tab or, alternatively, a tongue member that fits into a central slot of the hang tab.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements in folding cartons, and particularly to advantageous aspects of a folding carton having a built-in, sliding hang tab.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Certain retail goods, such as cosmetics, are packaged in small cartons that are typically fabricated from a sheet of cardboard or plastic that has been cut into a predetermined shape, folded, and then glued. There are two basic modes for displaying these goods in a retail store. In a first “counter display” mode, the cartons are stacked on a flat surface, such as a counter or a shelf. In a second “hang display” mode, the cartons are hung on posts extending horizontally outward from a pegboard or other vertical surface. In a hang display, the upper portion of each carton is typically provided with a tab or flap having a hole or slot that slides over the post.
The choice of display mode is governed by two major considerations: the attractiveness of the display, and the efficient use of retail space. A counter display is typically more attractive than a hang display and is therefore chosen for higher-end products. Further, a hang tab or flap on a carton can be unsightly and interfere with the esthetic design of the carton. However, a counter display typically does not use retail space as efficiently as a hang display, in which several different items can be spaced closely together in both a vertical and a horizontal direction.
It may be desired for a number of reasons to use a counter display for a particular product in one retail setting, but to use a hang display for the same product in a different retail setting. It is desirable for reasons of economy and efficiently to use the same carton for both a counter display and a hang display. However, because of esthetic considerations, it is desirable for the hang tab to be hidden from view in a counter display and yet easily accessible for use in a hang display. Further, it desirable for such a hang tab to be manufactured as economically as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a folding carton having a hang tab that is slidable between a first, retracted position in which the hang tab is tucked behind a first carton panel, and a second, extended position in which the hang tab extends out of the carton for hanging the carton on a display. The carton further includes a hang tab restraint for preventing the hang tab from being pulled entirely out of the carton. The hang tab is initially held in its first position by breakaway nicks that attach the hang tab to the carton. According to further aspects of the invention, the hang tab restraint comprises a yoke flap folded over the hang tab or, alternatively, a tongue member that fits into a central slot of the hang tab.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A and 1B
show rear perspective views of a carton according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In
FIG. 1A
, the carton's hang tab is in its initial, retracted position. In
FIG. 1B
, the hang tab is in its second, extended position.
FIG. 2
shows an interior plan view of a carton blank that can be used to fabricate the carton shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
.
FIGS. 3A through 3E
show sequential perspective views of the carton blank shown in
FIG. 2
, illustrating the construction and operation of the sliding hang tab.
FIG. 4
shows an interior plan view of a carton blank according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5
shows an interior plan view of a carton blank according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A through 6C
show sequential rear perspective views of the carton blank shown in
FIG. 5
, illustrating the construction and operation of the sliding hang tab.
FIGS. 7A and 7B
show rear perspective views of a carton according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In
FIG. 7A
, the hang tab is in its initial, retracted position, and in
FIG. 7B
, the hang tab is in its second, extended position.
FIG. 7C
shows a plan view of the sliding hang tab used in the carton shown in
FIGS. 7A and 7B
.
FIG. 8
is an interior plan view of a carton blank that can be used to fabricate the carton and hang tab shown in
FIGS. 7A through 7C
.
FIGS. 9A through 9D
show sequential rear perspective views of the carton blank shown in
FIG. 8
, illustrating the construction and operation of the sliding hang tab.
FIG. 10
shows an interior plan view of a carton blank according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11
shows an interior plan view of a carton blank according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1A and 1B
show rear perspective views of a first embodiment of a folding carton
10
according to the present invention. The carton
10
includes a hang tab
12
that, in
FIG. 1A
, is tucked behind the rear panel
14
of the carton
10
. In
FIG. 1B
, the hang tab
12
has been pulled out into an extended position, exposing an eye
16
that is dimensioned to fit over a post in a hang display. The hang tab
12
freely slides between its tucked and extended positions.
As described below, in the first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in
FIGS. 1A-B
,
2
, and
3
A-E, and in the alternative embodiments of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 4
,
5
, and
6
A-C and discussed below, the carton includes a yoke arrangement that acts as a restraint, preventing the hang tab from being pulled all the way out of the carton. In the alternative embodiments of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 7A-C
,
8
,
9
A-D,
10
, and
11
, discussed further below, the hang tab is prevented from being pulled all the way out of the carton by a tongue member extending from an interior surface of the carton that engages a slot in the hang tab.
In the first embodiment of the invention, the carton
10
shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
is fabricated from a sheet of cardboard that is cut and scored to form a blank that is then folded and glued, as described below. Other suitable materials that can be used to fabricate the carton include paperboard, corrugated or fluted board, plastic, etc. Also, it is possible to incorporate the present invention into a carton fabricated from more than one sheet of material, such as the windowed carton shown in FIG.
5
and discussed below, in which a sheet of mylar or other clear plastic is glued over an opening in a carton panel.
FIG. 2
shows an interior plan view of a blank
20
according to the present invention. When the blank
20
is fabricated from cardboard, the blank typically includes a glossy, coated side forming the exterior surfaces of the finished carton and a matte, uncoated side forming the interior surfaces of the finished carton. The exterior surface of the blank typically includes a graphic design, as well as printed text identifying the product and its ingredients. Although it would be theoretically possible to use cardboard having two glossy, coated sides, this adds to the cost of the carton. In
FIG. 2
, the blank
20
is shown from its uncoated, interior side.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the blank
20
includes the following components: a right side panel
22
, a front panel
24
, a left side panel
26
, a rear panel
28
, a glue flap panel
30
having two sections
30
a
and
30
b,
and a hang tab support panel
32
. A hang tab
34
is affixed to the right section of the glue flap panel
30
b
by a breakaway nick
38
. The hang tab
34
is also affixed to a support arm
36
extending upward from the hang tab support panel
32
by breakaway nicks
40
. The hang tab
34
includes a head section
42
having an eye
44
punched therein, the eye
44
being dimensioned to fit over a display rod. The size and shape of the eye
44
may be modified, as needed. The hang tab
34
further includes a pair of shoulders
46
and
48
. In addition, the hang tab
34
, hang tab support arm
36
, hang tab support panel
32
and glue flap panel
30
b
together define a square opening
50
, the function of which is described further below.
The blank
20
further includes a top panel
52
with an integrally formed tuck
54
and a pair of dust flaps
56
,
58
for closing the top of the finished carton and a bottom panel
60
with its own integrally formed tuck
62
and dust flaps
64
,
66
for closing the bottom of the finished carton. This particular configuration of tucks
54
and
62
relative to the carton panels
22
-
28
is known as a French tuck. However, alternative configurations may also be used in conjunction with the present invention. In addition, the bottom panel
60
and tuck
62
include a pair of slit locks
68
,
70
that fit over corresponding locking projections
72
,
74
on the bottom dust flaps
64
,
66
for holding the bottom panel
60
and tuck
62
in place after they have folded to close the bottom of the finished carton.
Extending from the top of the rear panel
28
is a yoke flap
76
and yoke flap glue tab
78
. Between the base of the yoke flap
76
and the rear panel
28
is a yoke opening
80
. The yoke opening
80
is dimensioned such that the head section
42
of the hang tab
34
passes freely through the yoke opening
80
. However, the sides of the yoke opening
80
engage the shoulders
46
and
48
of the hang tab
34
to prevent the hang tab
34
from being pulled all the way through the yoke opening
80
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, score lines
82
and
84
are provided at either side of the yoke opening
80
to facilitate the folding of the yoke flap
76
down over the rear carton panel
28
.
In the first embodiment of the invention, the score line
86
between the rear panel
28
and the glue flap panel
30
, and all of the score lines to the left of that score line, are pressed into the blank
20
without penetrating the surface of the cardboard. The score line
88
between the two sections
30
a
and
30
b
of the glue flap panel
30
is cut part way through the cardboard because of the length of the score line
88
and because the two sections
30
a
and
30
b
of the glue flap panel
30
must be folded 180 degrees so that the two section
30
a
and
30
b
abut each other. The score line
90
between the glue flap panel
30
and the hang tab support panel
32
is perforated. This perforation is desirable because the blank
20
is first folded along score line
88
, and then folded along score lines
86
and
90
simultaneously. The use of a perforated score
90
allows both the exterior fold along score line
86
and the interior fold along score line
88
to be made cleanly.
FIGS. 3A through 3E
are sequential perspective views illustrating the construction and functioning of a sliding tab using the blank
20
shown in FIG.
2
. As shown in
FIG. 3B
, a first fold is made along score line
90
. After this fold is made, the two sections
30
a
and
30
b
of the glue flap panel
30
abut each other, and the hang tab support panel
32
abuts the rear panel
28
. In addition, the hang tab
34
is now positioned directly underneath the yoke opening
80
.
As illustrated in
FIG. 3C
, the yoke flap is then folded down over the hang tab
34
along score lines
82
and
84
. Score lines are provided through yoke side sections
82
and
84
to facilitate this fold. After the fold is made, the yoke flap glue tab
78
lies directly over the opening
50
underneath the hang tab
34
. As illustrated in
FIG. 3D
, the yoke flap glue tab
78
is glued to the rear panel
28
through the opening
50
. The gluing of the yoke flap glue tab
78
to the rear panel
28
traps the hang tab
34
underneath the yoke flap glue tab
78
. The uppermost portion of the hang tab
34
peeks through the yoke opening.
In the finished carton, the hang tab
34
is held in its tucked position by a first set of breakaway nicks
38
that connect it to the glue flap panel
30
and a second set of breakaway nicks
40
that connect it to the hang tab support arm
36
. However, these nicks
38
and
40
are easily broken by pulling upward on the exposed uppermost portion of the hang tab
34
. As illustrated in
FIG. 3E
, the hang tab
34
is prevented from being pulled all of the way out of the carton by the yoke flap
76
that engages the hang tab shoulders
46
and
48
.
The carton is further assembled by folding the front panel
24
, rear panel
28
, and side panels
22
and
26
so that they form a rectangular tube and by gluing the glue flap panel
30
to the inside of the right side panel
22
. The bottom dust flaps and tuck are then folded to close the bottom of the carton. The carton is filled, and then the top dust flaps and tuck are folded to close the top of the carton. These operations are typically performed by machine, but can also of course be performed by hand.
It will be appreciated that once the carton has been constructed, filled and closed, the lateral motion of the hang tab
34
underneath the yoke flap
76
is limited on one side by the left side panel
26
and on the other side by the glue flap panel
30
that has been glued to the right side panel
22
, which are now perpendicular to the rear panel
28
. If desired, the carton blank
20
may initially only be partially folded and assembled for shipping purposes and then completed at a later point in time.
Thus, the carton
10
illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
is suitable for use in both a counter display mode, shown in
FIG. 1A
, and a hang display mode, shown in FIG.
1
B. In the counter display mode, the hang tab
18
is in a first, retracted position, in which the hang tab
18
is tucked behind a first carton panel
14
. In the hang display mode, the hang tab
18
protrudes out of the carton
10
in a second, extended position, in which the hang tab
18
extends out from behind the first carton panel
14
for hanging the carton on a display. Further, the carton
10
may be converted back and forth between its counter display and hang display modes as many times as needed. This provides a retailer with maximum flexibility, without requiring different cartons for each display mode.
FIG. 4
shows a plan view of the interior side of a carton blank
100
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the blank includes a hang tab
102
having a pair of shoulders
104
and
106
and a narrower head section
108
. The hang tab
102
is mounted to a hang tab support panel
110
by a set of breakaway nicks
112
. The hang tab support panel
110
extends from the right side of a glue flap panel
114
having two sections
114
a
and
114
b
that are folded along a score line
116
, such that they abut each other in the finished carton.
The glue flap panel
114
extends from the right side of a rear carton panel
118
. Extending upward from the rear carton panel
118
is a yoke flap
120
. Between the yoke flap
120
at the rear carton panel
118
is a yoke opening
122
that is dimensioned so that the hang tab head section
108
passes freely through the yoke opening
122
. However, the hang tab
102
is prevented from being fully pulled through the yoke opening
122
by the engagement of the hang tab shoulders
104
and
106
by the sides of the yoke opening
122
.
The hang tab
102
and the yoke flap
120
are positioned with respect to each other such that when the glue flap panel
114
is folded along its central score
116
, the hang tab
102
is aligned directly under the yoke flap
120
. When the yoke flap
120
is then folded over the hang tab
102
, an upper portion of the hang tab
102
protrudes through the yoke opening
122
, thereby providing user access to the hang tab
102
. Further the yoke flap
120
includes at either side a pair of rectangular glue sections
124
and
126
, which are glued to the rear panel
118
on either side of the hang tab
102
. This traps the hang tab
102
beneath the yoke flap
120
, preventing lateral movement of the hang tab
102
.
When the carton has been fully assembled, if the user wishes to use the carton in a hang display, the user grasps the upper portion of the hang tab
102
protruding through the yoke opening
122
and pulls upward. This breaks the nicks
112
holding the hang tab
102
to the hang tab support panel
110
, along the hang tab
102
to be pulled upward until the sides of the yoke opening
122
engage the hang tab shoulders
104
and
106
.
FIG. 5
shows a plan view of the interior side of a carton blank
130
according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the hang tab
132
again is provided with a pair of shoulders
134
and
136
and a narrow head section
138
. However, in the
FIG. 5
embodiment of the invention, the hang tab
132
is attached by a pair of nicked sections
140
and
142
to the top of a yoke flap
144
, which in turn extends from the top of a rear carton panel
146
. A yoke opening
148
is provided between the yoke flap
144
and the rear carton panel
146
. The yoke opening
148
is dimensioned to allow the hang tab head section
138
to pass freely through the opening
148
. However, the hang tab
132
is prevented from being pulled all the way through the opening
148
by the engagement of the hang tab shoulders
134
,
136
by the sides of the yoke opening
148
. The top of the yoke flap
144
includes a semicircular glue tab
150
that is used to glue the yoke flap
144
to the rear carton panel
146
around the hang tab
132
.
The construction of the yoking arrangement of the
FIG. 5
carton blank
130
is illustrated in
FIGS. 6A through 6C
. As shown in
FIG. 6A
, the hang tab
132
is folded downward along its nicked sections
140
and
142
, which function as score lines, until the hang tab
132
abuts the yoke flap
144
. This folding exposes the yoke flap glue tab
150
. As shown in
FIG. 6B
, the folded hang tab
132
and yoke flap
144
are then folded down over the rear carton panel
146
, and the yoke flap glue tab
150
is glued to the rear carton panel
146
. For purposes of illustration, in
FIG. 6B
, the yoke flap
144
is transparent, showing the position of the hang tab
132
. Typically, yoke flap
144
will be opaque. The dimensions and position of the hang tab
132
and the yoke opening
148
are chosen such that after this operation is performed, an upper portion of the hang tab
132
protrudes through the yoke opening
148
for user access.
If a user wishes to use the finished carton in a hang display, the user grasps the upper portion of the hang tab
132
protruding through the yoke opening
148
and pulls upward. This causes the hang tab
132
to break away from the yoke flap
144
along the nicked sections
140
and
142
. As illustrated in
FIG. 6C
, the hang tab
132
can then be pulled upward until the hang tab shoulders
134
and
136
engage the sides of the yoke opening
148
. It will be seen that the gluing of the glue tab
150
to the rear carton panel
146
traps the hang tab
132
between the yoke flap
144
and the rear carton panel
146
.
FIG. 7A
shows a further embodiment of a folding carton
160
according to the present invention. The carton
160
includes a hang tab
162
that, in
FIG. 7A
, is tucked behind the rear panel
164
of the carton
160
.
FIG. 7D
shows the hang tab
162
pulled out to its fully extended position, exposing an eye
166
in the hang tab
162
that is dimensioned to fit over a post in a hang display.
FIG. 7C
is a front view of the hang tab
162
, removed from the carton
160
. In addition to the eye
166
, the hang tab
162
further includes a central slot
168
and a bottom crossbar
170
.
As shown in
FIGS. 7A and 7B
, the rear panel
164
of the carton
160
further includes a tongue member
172
that pushes into the interior of the carton
160
. The tongue member
172
is dimensioned to closely fit within the central slot
168
of the hang tab
162
. Thus, as illustrated in
FIG. 4B
, when the tongue member is inserted into the hang tab slot
168
, the upward movement of the hang tab
168
is restrained by the hang tab crossbar
170
engaging the base of the tongue member
166
.
FIG. 8
shows a blank
180
that can be used to construct the carton
160
shown in
FIGS. 7A and 7B
. The blank
180
is shown from its unfinished interior side, and includes the following elements: a right side panel
182
, a front panel
184
, and left side panel
186
, a rear panel
188
with an integrally formed tongue member
190
, and a glue flap panel
192
. The top of the blank
180
includes a top panel
194
with a tuck
196
and a pair of dust flaps
198
and
200
for closing the top of the finished carton. The bottom of the blank
180
includes a bottom panel
202
with a tuck
204
and a pair of slit locks
206
and
208
, and a pair of dust flaps
210
and
212
with projections
214
and
216
that interlock with the slit locks
206
and
208
to close the bottom of the finished carton.
Extending from the top of the rear panel is a hang tab
218
, which is upside-down in the blank
180
, as during fabrication of the carton, it will be folded down towards the rear panel
188
along a pair of breakaway nicked sections
220
and
222
that, until they are broken, function as score lines. The hang tab
218
includes an eye
214
dimensioned to fit over a post in a hang display. The hang tab
218
further includes a central square
226
that is cut through on three sides and is held in place by a series of nicks
228
at its bottom. The central square
226
is positioned such that when the hang tab
218
is folded down over the rear panel
188
along nicked sections
220
and
222
, the central square
226
is positioned directly over the tongue member
190
in the rear panel
188
. A cut
230
is provided between nicked sections
220
and
222
. The cut
230
is shaped such that when the hang tab
218
is folded down over the rear panel
188
, the uppermost portion of the hang tab
218
projects upward, allowing ready access to the hang tab by the user of the carton.
FIGS. 9A through 9D
show a series of sequential perspective views illustrating the construction and operation of the hang tab
218
shown in FIG.
5
. As shown in
FIGS. 6B
and
6
C, the hang tab is folded along score lines
220
and
222
until it abuts the rear panel
188
. In addition, the central square
226
lies directly over and abuts the tongue member
190
in the rear panel
188
.
The central square
226
is glued onto the tongue member
190
, such that when the tongue member
190
is pushed into the interior of the carton, the central square
226
breaks off and becomes part of the tongue member
190
. This construction serves to reinforce the tongue member
190
and also ensures a close fit of the tongue member
190
into the central slot remaining in the hang tab after the central square
226
has been broken away. As illustrated in
FIG. 6D
, after the tongue member
190
has been pushed into the interior of the carton and the central square
226
has been broken away, the hang tab
218
can then be pulled upward by breaking the nicked sections
220
and
222
at either side of the hang tab
218
. As described above, the tongue member
190
and the attached central square
226
prevent the hang tab from being pulled completely out of the carton by engaging the cross bar at the bottom of the hang tab's central slot.
When the box is fully constructed, the front panel
184
, right and left side panels
182
and
186
, rear panel
188
and glue flap panel
192
are folded into a rectangular tube, and the glue flap panel
192
is glued to the interior surface of the right side panel
182
. It will be seen that the lateral movement of the hang tab
218
after it has been broken away from the rear panel
188
is limited by the left side panel
186
and the right side panel
182
with its attached glue flap panel
192
.
FIG. 10
shows a plan view of the interior side of a carton blank
240
according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Although the overall shape of the carton is somewhat flatter and wider, this carton blank
240
is similar in structure and function to the carton blank shown in
FIGS. 7A-C
,
8
, and
9
A-D. Of particular interest in the
FIG. 10
carton blank
240
is the cutout section
242
between the hang tab
244
and the rear carton panel
246
. The cutout
242
is crescent-shaped and serves to facilitate the folding of the hang tab
244
down over the rear carton panel
246
and to facilitate access to the hang tab
244
in the finished carton. In particular, the cutout
242
prevents the unattached portion of the hang tab
244
immediately adjacent to the rear carton panel
246
from getting caught by the rear carton panel
246
during the folding operation. It is this unattached portion of the hang tab
244
that protrudes upward in the finished carton to provide ready access by the user. Again, after the hang tab
244
is folded down over the rear carton panel
246
, a breakaway central square section
245
of the hang tab
244
is glued to a tongue member
247
formed in the rear carton panel
246
.
FIG. 11
shows a plan view of the interior side of a carton blank
250
according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Here, instead of being cut into the rear carton panel, the tongue member
252
is disposed inside of a supporting frame
254
that extends from a glue flap panel
256
, which in turn extends from the carton's right side panel
258
. The blank
250
further includes a front panel
260
, a left side panel
262
, and a rear panel
264
. A hang tab
266
having a breakaway central square portion
268
extends upward from the rear panel
264
. During construction of a carton from the blank
250
, the hang tab
266
is folded down over the rear carton panel
264
. After the tongue member
252
, supporting frame
254
and glue flap panel
256
have been folded into position, the hang tab's central breakaway square portion
268
is glued to the tongue member
252
, and the glue flap panel
256
is glued to a corresponding portion of the rear carton panel
264
. In the finished carton, when the hang tab
264
is pulled upward, it causes the central square member
268
to break away, remaining attached to the tongue member
252
which engages the central slot remaining in the hang tab
266
after the central square member
268
has been broken away.
While the foregoing description includes details which will enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognized that the description is illustrative in nature and that many modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of these teachings. It is accordingly intended that the invention herein be defined solely by the claims appended hereto and that the claims be interpreted as broadly as permitted by the prior art.
Claims
- 1. A carton, comprising:a hang tab slidable between a first, retracted position in which the hang tab is tucked behind a first carton panel, and a second, extended position in which the hang tab extends out from behind the first carton panel for hanging the carton on a display, the carton including a hang tab restraint for preventing the hang tab from extending beyond its second position, the hang tab being initially held in its first position by a breakaway attachment that attaches the hang tab to the carton.
- 2. The carton of claim 1, further including second and third panels that are angled and positioned with respect to the first panel such that the second and third panels limit the lateral motion of the hang tab.
- 3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the second and third panels are perpendicular to the first panel.
- 4. The carton of claim 1, wherein the hang tab has a pair of shoulders and a narrower head section, and wherein the hang tab restraint comprises:a yoke flap extending from one end of the first carton panel, the yoke flap folded over the hang tab and having an opening dimensioned such that the head section of the hang tab passes through the opening and such that the hang tab is prevented from passing entirely through the opening by the hang tab shoulders engaging the yoke flap on either side of the opening.
- 5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the yoke flap includes a glue tab extending from one end, the glue tab being attached to the first carton panel below the hang tab such that the hang tab is trapped beneath the yoke flap.
- 6. The carton of claim 4, wherein the yoke flap includes glue sections on either side of the yoke opening, the glue sections being attached to the first carton panel on either side of the hang tab such that the hang tab is trapped beneath the yoke flap.
- 7. The carton of claim 4, wherein the hang tab is initially held in its first position by a first set of breakaway nicks that attach the hang tab to a hang tab support arm extending upward from a hang tab support panel abutting the first carton panel.
- 8. The carton of claim 7, wherein the hang tab is additionally initially held in the first position by a second set of breakaway nicks that attach the hang tab to a glue flap panel abutting a second carton panel.
- 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the hang tab support arm, the hang tab support panel, the glue flap and the hang tab together define an opening through which a yoke glue flap extending from the yoke flap can be glued to the first carton panel.
- 10. The carton of claim 4, wherein the hang tab is initially held in its first position by a set of breakaway nicks that attach the hang tab to a hang tab support panel abutting the first carton panel.
- 11. The carton of claim 1, wherein the hang tab includes a central slot, and wherein the hang tab restraint comprises:a tongue member extending from the first carton panel into the interior of the carton, the tongue member dimensioned to fit closely within the hang tab central slot, the tongue member engaging the central slot to prevent the hang tab from being extended beyond its second position.
- 12. The carton of claim 11, wherein the tongue member is cut into the first carton panel.
- 13. The carton of claim 12, wherein the hang tab includes a square member filling the central slot, the square member being attached to the hang tab by breakaway nicks, and wherein the square member is attached to the tongue member, such that when the hang tab is pulled away from the square member, the square member remains attached to the tongue.
- 14. The carton of claim 12, wherein the hang tab is attached to an upper edge of the first carton panel by breakaway nicks.
- 15. The carton of claim 14, further including a cutout portion between the hang tab and the first carton panel between the breakaway nicks to facilitate the folding of the hang tab over the first carton panel, and to facilitate access to the hang tab after it has been folded.
- 16. The carton of claim 12, wherein the tongue member is disposed within a supporting frame extending from a glue flap panel abutting a second carton panel.
- 17. A carton blank, comprising:a first carton panel; a yoke flap extending upward from an upper edge of the first carton panel, the first carton panel and the yoke flap defining between them a yoke opening; a glue flap panel extending from a side edge of the first carton panel; a hang tab support panel extending from a side edge of the glue flap, opposite the first carton panel; a hang tab support and extending upward from the hang tab support panel; and a hang tab attached by breakaway nicks to the glue flap panel and the hang tab support arm, the hang tab being positioned with respect to the yoke opening and glue flap panel such that when the glue flap panel is folded into position for gluing, the hang tab is aligned underneath the yoke opening, with an upper portion of the hang tab protruding through the yoke opening when the yoke flap is folded down over the hang tab.
- 18. The carton of claim 17 further including a yoke glue tab extends upward from the yoke flap, and wherein the hang tab, hang tab support arm, hang tab support panel and glue flap together define a yoke glue tab opening, such that when the glue flap is folded into position for gluing and the yoke flap is folded down over the hang tab, the yoke flap glue tab can be glued to the first panel carton through the yoke glue tab opening, thereby trapping the hang tab underneath the yoke flap.
- 19. A carton blank, comprising:a first carton panel; a yoke flap extending upward from an upper edge of the first carton panel, the first carton panel and the yoke flap defining between them a yoke opening; a glue flap panel extending from a side edge of the first carton panel; a hang tab support panel extending from a side edge of the glue flap, opposite the first carton panel; and a hang tab attached by breakaway nicks to the hang tab support panel, the hang tab being positioned with respect to the yoke opening and glue flap panel such that when the glue flap panel is folded into position for gluing, the hang tab is aligned underneath the yoke opening, with an upper portion of the hang tab protruding through the yoke opening when the yoke flap is folded down over the hang tab.
- 20. The carton blank of claim 19, wherein the yoke flap includes a pair of glue sections on either side of the yoke opening, the glue sections behind positioned such that when the yoke flap is folded down over the hang tab and the glue sections are attached to the first carton panel, the hang tab is trapped beneath the yoke flap.
- 21. A carton blank, comprising:a first carton panel; a yoke flap extending upward from an upper edge of the first carton panel, the first carton panel and the yoke flap defining between them a yoke opening; a hang tab extending upward from the yoke flap, attached to the yoke flap by breakaway nicks; the hang tab being positioned with respect to the yoke opening and glue flap such that when the hang tab is folded down over the yoke flap and the hang tab and yoke flap are folded down over the first carton panel, the hang tab is aligned underneath the yoke opening, with an upper portion of the hang tab protruding through the yoke opening.
- 22. The carton blank of claim 21, wherein the yoke flap includes a glue tab that, after the hang tab and yoke flap are folded down over the first carton panel, is attached to the rear carton panel beneath the yoke flap, trapping the hang tab between the yoke flap and the rear carton panel.
- 23. A carton blank, comprising:a first carton panel; an inverted hang tab extending upward from the first carton panel, the hang tab including a central slot; a tongue member extending from the first carton panel, the tongue member positioned relative to the hang tab such that when the hang tab is folded downward over the tongue member, the tongue member is aligned with the hang tab central slot so that the tongue member engages the hang tab central slot to limit the vertical movement of the hang tab.
- 24. The carton blank of claim 23, wherein the tongue member is cut into the first carton panel.
- 25. The carton blank of claim 23, wherein the hang tab central slot is initially filled by a central breakaway member that, after the hang tab is folded down over the first carton panel, is attached to an edge of the central slot by breakaway nicks, and wherein the central breakaway member is glued to the tongue member, such that when the tongue member is pushed inward, the central breakaway member breaks away from the hang tab and becomes part of the tongue member.
- 26. The carton blank of claim 25, further including a cutout section between the breakaway nicks, the cutout section facilitating the folding of the hang tab down over the first carton panel and facilitating access to the hang tab.
- 27. A carton blank, comprising:a first carton panel; an inverted hang tab extending upward from the first carton panel, the hang tab including a central slot; a tongue member extending from a supporting frame extending from a second carton panel, the tongue member positioned relative to the hang tab such that when the hang tab and supporting frame are folded into position, the tongue member is aligned with the hang tab central slot so that the tongue member engages the hang tab central slot to limit the vertical movement of the hang tab.
- 28. A method for manufacturing a carton, comprising the following steps:(a) attaching a hang tab to a carton blank by breakaway nicks, the hang tab having a pair of shoulders and a narrower head section; (b) positioning the hang tab underneath a yoke flap extending from a first carton panel, the yoke flap having an opening therein dimensioned to allow the hang tab head section to pass therethrough, the yoke flap opening having side sections that prevent the hang tab from passing all the way through the opening by engaging the hang tab shoulders; and (c) folding the yoke flap over the hang tab, such that an upper portion of the hang tab protrudes from the opening.
- 29. The method of claim 28, further including:(d) attaching the yoke flap to the first carton panel such that the hang tab is trapped between the yoke flap and the first carton panel.
- 30. A method for manufacturing a carton, comprising the following steps:(a) attaching a hang tab to a carton blank by breakaway nicks, the hang tab having a central slot; and (b) folding the hang tab over a first carton panel such that the hang tab central slot is aligned over a tongue member that engages the central slot to prevent the hang tab from being pulled all the way out of the carton.
- 31. The method of claim 30, further including cutting the tongue member into the first carton panel.
- 32. The method of claim 30, further including placing the tongue member into a supporting frame extending from a second carton panel.
US Referenced Citations (13)