SEAL ENDS BOX WITH HORIZONTAL SLIDE OPENINGS FOR DISPENSING

Abstract

A blank for folding into a box, and a method of folding same. The blank has a top end, a bottom end, an interior front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel opposite the first side panel, a rear panel foldably connected to the second side panel opposite the interior front panel, a third side panel foldably connected to the rear panel opposite the second side panel, an exterior front panel foldably connected to the third side panel opposite the rear panel, a slide formed by a portion of the third side panel and the exterior front panel, and a second catch formed by a portion of the exterior front panel.

Description

BACKGROUND

Clever product packaging, from both a functional and aesthetic standpoint, is proven to drive and generate sales. Applicant is the named inventor on numerous U.S. patents directed to specialty packaging including, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,337,904, 9,085,386 and 9,394,076. Applicant is also the inventor of the subject matter disclosed in abandoned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/321,283 published Jun. 15, 2006 and entitled “Convenient Solid Product Dispensing Package.”

While Applicant's packages described in the patents and published applications offer many advantages including easy opening/closing, most are not truly pocket sized nor easily entirely operable with one hand or have other disadvantages. For example, for the candy/mint boxes disclosed in the patents mentioned above, the slide opening operates in conjunction with the top of the box. If these boxes are held upright in one hand and actuated by a user's thumb to partially open the top of the box, the user's thumb tends to block the product being dispensed.

Applicant has continued to develop boxes of new and differing functionality which offer improvements over the prior art including ease of operation. Applicant is also the inventor of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,973 entitled “Thumb-Actuated Candy Or Mix Box” which discloses a box formed by a single blank sheet or paper or cardboard stock with a horizontal, thumb-activated slide opening. The packaging apparatus of the '973 patent, however, has a flap forming the top closure of the box, but which vertically protrudes from the blank thus wasting a significant amount of the blank upon assembly of the box. Additionally, a flap that houses the thumb-actuated slide was designed to be formed and glued during filling, thus slowing the process.

Accordingly, one important objective of the present apparatus is to provide a package that offers double conventional seal ends that can be loaded from the top or bottom of the box and having the convenient slide opening for dispensing product. Another objective is to offer a slide opening that moves in a sideways direction perpendicular to the top opening of the box, that can be actuated by a user's thumb and tending not to block the opening. Other objectives include providing a package that is easily held and actuated by a single hand, can be easily dispensed while the user is driving without overly distracting or interfering with the user's operation of the moving vehicle, and which can be sized to fit well into a user's pocket. It is a still further objective of the present apparatus to provide such a box that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture on a mass scale, for example being made from a single sheet of blank stock and with minimal discard of the blank. Lastly, another objective is to provide packaging designed to form the flap that houses the actuation slide at the packaging house, such that the blank is ready to be formed into a box and filled during the filling process and using a standard filling machine.

SUMMARY

The present invention addresses this need. The present invention is directed to a blank for folding into a box. The blank comprises a top end, a bottom end, an interior front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel opposite the first side panel, a rear panel foldably connected to the second side panel opposite the interior front panel, a third side panel foldably connected to the rear panel opposite the second side panel, an exterior front panel foldably connected to the third side panel opposite the rear panel, a slide formed by a portion of the third side panel and the exterior front panel, and a second catch formed by a portion of the exterior front panel.

The interior front panel can have a first aperture adjacent the top end of the interior front panel, a second aperture adjacent the bottom end of the interior front panel, a first catch, and a pair of ears foldably connected to the interior front panel.

The first side panel can have a closing tab foldably connected to the first side panel, a first side panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the first side panel, and a front panel tab foldably connected to the top end of the interior front panel.

The second side panel can have a second side panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the second side panel, and a second side panel bottom tab foldably connected to the bottom end of the second side panel.

The rear panel can have a rear panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the rear panel, the rear panel top tab having an insertion tab foldably connected thereto, and a real panel bottom tab foldably connected to the bottom end of the rear panel.

The slide can have a first portion, a second portion having a pair of slide stops at an end of the second portion of the slide, and a cut, wherein when the slide is folded, a slide tab is formed that is configured for engagement with a user's thumb.

The present invention is also directed to a method of folding the blank into a box. The method comprises the steps of: folding up the closing tab, first side panel, interior front panel, second side panel, rear panel, third side panel and exterior front panel; folding across a middle portion of the slide adjacent the slide tab; gluing exterior front panel to interior front panel; gluing closing tab to an interior surface of rear panel; folding the second side panel bottom tab, rear panel bottom tab, third side panel bottom tab and exterior front panel tab to close the bottom end of the blank; folding the first side panel top tab, second side panel top tab and rear panel top tab substantially 90 degrees; folding the insertion tab substantially 90 degrees respective to the rear panel top tab such that the insertion tab inserts behind the top end of interior front panel; folding the slide such that the first portion overlaps the first side panel, and second portion overlaps the interior front panel; folding the front panel tab substantially 180 degrees such that the front panel tab overlaps the second portion of the slide, interior front panel and a portion of the exterior front panel, and the first aperture and second aperture align to form a single opening, thereby forming a space between the front panel tab and interior front panel to house the slide therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flat pattern view of a single cardboard blank from which a first embodiment of the box is made;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the partially constructed box of the first embodiment showing the structure that provides the horizontal slide;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the constructed box;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the box being filled from the top;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the box showing operation of the horizontal slide;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the box in a user's hand with the horizontal slide in an open position and product being dispensed;

FIG. 7 is a flat pattern view of a single cardboard blank from which a second embodiment of the box is made;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the partially constructed box of the second embodiment showing the structure that provides the horizontal slide;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the constructed box;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the box being filled from the top;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the box showing operation of the horizontal slide; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the box in a user's hand with the horizontal slide in an open position and product being dispensed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.

As used in this disclosure, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers ingredients or steps.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any system, any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding features throughout the several views. Further, described herein are certain non-limiting embodiments of my invention.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a flat pattern of a single blank sheet or paper or cardboard stock 11 used to make a box 10 (FIGS. 2-6) for solid, pourable food products such as small candies or mints. The blank 11 has a top end 12 and a bottom end 14 and is scored for folding between six (6) major sides including an interior front panel 16, a first side panel 18, a second side panel 20, a rear panel 22, a third side panel 24 and an exterior front panel 26.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a closing tab 36 is foldably connected to the first side panel 18, and the interior front panel 16 is foldably connected to the first side panel 18 opposite the closing tab 36. The first side panel 18 includes a first side panel top tab 38 foldably connected to the top end 12 of the first side panel 18. The interior front panel 16 includes a first aperture 30 adjacent the top end 12 of the interior front panel 16, and a front panel tab 32 foldably connected to the top end 12 of the interior front panel 16. A portion of the interior front panel 16 is cut away to form a first catch 31. The front panel tab 32 includes a second aperture 34 adjacent the bottom end 14 of the front panel tab 32 and preferably has a pair of ears 35 at the top end 12. The ears 35 of the front panel tab 32, and the closing tab 36 foldably connected to the first side panel 18 may serve as areas to apply glue or other adhesive to hold the constructed box 10 together. The second side panel 20 is foldably connected to the interior front panel 16 opposite the first side panel 18 and includes a second side panel top tab 40 foldably connected to the top end 12, and a second side panel bottom tab 42 foldably connected to the bottom end 14 of the second side panel 20. The rear panel 22 is foldably connected to the second side panel 20 opposite the interior front panel 16 and includes a rear panel top tab 44 foldably connected to the top end 12, and a rear panel bottom tab 46 foldably connected to the bottom end 14 of the rear panel 22. An insertion tab 45 is foldably connected to the rear panel top tab 44 opposite the rear panel 22.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the third side panel 24 is foldably connected to the rear panel 22 opposite the second side panel 20, and the exterior front panel 26 is foldably connected to the third side panel 24 opposite the rear panel 22. A portion of the third side panel 24 and exterior front panel 26 are cut away during manufacture to form a slide 28. The slide 28 includes a first portion 52 and second portion 54 and includes a cut such that when folded, forms a slide tab 56 configured for engagement by a user's thumb. Additionally, a portion of the exterior front panel 26 is cut away to form a second catch 48 that corresponds in configuration with a pair of slide stops 58 at the end of the second portion 54 of the slide 28.

The box 10 is constructed by folding the blank 11 in a particular sequence such that no specialized automated packaging machinery is needed to insert the slide 28 within the box 10. Still referring to FIG. 1, the construction begins by folding up the closing tab 36, first side panel 18, interior front panel 16, second side panel 20, rear panel 22, third side panel 24 and exterior front panel 26, and folding across the middle portion of the slide 28 adjacent the slide tab 56. When all panels are folded, exterior front panel 26 overlaps with and is potentially glued to interior front panel 16 and closing tab 36 is glued to an interior surface of rear panel 22 proximate the fold line between rear panel 22 and third side panel 24. Then, the second side panel bottom tab 42, rear panel bottom tab 46, third side panel bottom tab 50 and exterior front panel tab 60 may then be folded to close the bottom end 14 of the box 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, next assembly steps may be folding the first side panel top tab 38, second side panel top tab 40 and rear panel top tab 44 substantially 90 degrees towards the interior of the box 10. The insertion tab 45 is folded substantially 90 degrees respective to the rear panel top tab 44 such that the insertion tab 45 inserts behind the top end 12 of interior front panel 16 and within the interior of the box 10. The slide 28 is folded such that the first portion 52 overlaps the first side panel 18, and second portion 54 overlaps the interior front panel 16. The first catch 31 and second catch 48 prevent advancement of the slide stops 58 beyond the third side panel 24 and keep the slide 28 contained in the box 10. A next assembly step may be folding the front panel tab 32 substantially 180 degrees such that the front panel tab 32 overlaps the second portion 54 of the slide 28, interior front panel 16 and a portion of the exterior front panel 26, and the first aperture 30 and second aperture 34 align to form a single opening in the box 10. A space is thereby formed between the front panel tab 32 and interior front panel 16 to house the slide 28 therebetween.

FIG. 3 shows the box 10 in complete assembly with the slide 28 contained within the box 10 and slide tab 56 is still fully accessible.

FIG. 4 shows the fully-constructed box 10 being filled from the top, although the box 10 may be filled from the bottom (not shown).

FIG. 5 shows dispensing of product through the first aperture 30 and second aperture 34 after the slide 28 has been moved sideways unblocking the first aperture 30 and second aperture 34.

FIG. 6 shows the box 10 being held in a user's right hand. Should the box 10 be used in the user's left hand (not shown) it may be turned about 90 degrees clockwise between the user's fingers and thumb to enable the user to use his or her left thumb to engage the slide tab 56 and move the slide 28 to dispense the product.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a flat pattern of a single blank sheet or paper or cardboard stock 111 used to make a box 110 (FIGS. 8-12) for solid, pourable food products such as small candies or mints. The blank 111 has a top end 112 and a bottom end 114, and is scored for folding between six (6) major sides including an interior front panel 116, first side panel 118, second side panel 120, rear panel 122, third side panel 124 and exterior front panel 126.

Still referring to FIG. 7, a closing tab 136 is foldably connected to the first side panel 118, and the interior front panel 116 is foldably connected to the first side panel 118 opposite the closing tab 136. The first side panel 118 includes a first side panel top tab 138 foldably connected to the top end 112 of the first side panel 118. The interior front panel 116 includes a first aperture 130 adjacent the top end 112 of the interior front panel 116 and a front panel tab 132 foldably connected to the top end 112 of the interior front panel 116. A portion of the interior front panel 116 is cut away to form a first catch 131. The front panel tab 132 includes a second aperture 134 adjacent the bottom end 114 of the front panel tab 132 and preferably has a pair of ears 135 at the top end 112. Second aperture 134 is formed by flap 137. The ears 135 of the front panel tab 132, and the closing tab 136 foldably connected to the first side panel 118 may serve as areas to apply glue or other adhesive to hold the constructed box 110 together.

The second side panel 120 is foldably connected to the interior front panel 116 opposite the first side panel 118 and includes a second side panel top tab 140 foldably connected to the top end 112, and a second side panel bottom tab 142 foldably connected to the bottom end 114 of the second side panel 120. The rear panel 122 is foldably connected to the second side panel 120 opposite the interior front panel 116 and includes a rear panel top tab 144 foldably connected to the top end 112, and a rear panel bottom tab 146 foldably connected to the bottom end 114 of the rear panel 122.

Still referring to FIG. 7, the third side panel 124 is foldably connected to the rear panel 122 opposite the second side panel 120, and the exterior front panel 126 is foldably connected to the third side panel 124 opposite the rear panel 122. A portion of the third side panel 124 and exterior front panel 126 are cut away during manufacture to form a slide 128. The slide 128 includes a first portion 152 and second portion 154 and includes a cut such that when folded, forms a slide tab 156 configured for engagement by a user's thumb. Additionally, a portion of the exterior front panel 126 is cut away to form a second catch 148 that corresponds in configuration with a pair of slide stops 158 at the end of the second portion 154 of the slide 128. A portion of the exterior front panel 126 and the exterior front panel tab 160 preferably include a first adhesive area 127 and second adhesive area 161, respectively, to which glue or other adhesive may be applied prior or during construction of the box 110.

The box 110 is constructed by folding the blank 111 in a particular sequence such that no specialized automated packaging machinery is needed to insert the slide 128 within the box 110. Still referring to FIG. 1, the construction begins by folding up the closing tab 136, first side panel 118, interior front panel 116, second side panel 120, rear panel 122, third side panel 124 and exterior front panel 126, and folding across the middle portion of the slide 128 adjacent the slide tab 156. When all panels are folded, exterior front panel 126 overlaps with and is potentially glued to interior front panel 116 and closing tab 136 is glued to an interior surface of rear panel 122 proximate the fold line between rear panel 122 and third side panel 124. Aperture 130 is not covered by exterior front panel 126. Next, the second side panel bottom tab 142, rear panel bottom tab 146, third side panel bottom tab 150, and exterior front panel tab 160 may then be folded to close the bottom end 114 of the box 110.

Referring to FIG. 8, assembly steps for folding the top 112 of the box include folding the first side panel top tab 138, second side panel top tab 140, rear panel top tab 144, and flap 137 substantially 90 degrees towards the interior of the box 110. The slide 128 is folded such that the first portion 152 overlaps the first side panel 118, and second portion 154 overlaps the interior front panel 116. The first catch 131 and second catch 148 prevent advancement of the slide stops 158 beyond the third side panel 124, and keep the slide 128 contained in the box 110. A

Next, flap 132 is folded substantially 180 degrees such that the second aperture 134 and first aperture 130 are substantially aligned to form a single opening in the box 110. In this configuration, a space is formed between the interior front panel 116 and flap 132 to house the slide 128 there between. The final assembly step may be folding second side panel top tab 140, first side panel top tab 138, a rear panel top tab 144 and flap 137 substantially 90 degrees towards the interior of the box 110 such that the rear panel top tab 144 overlaps flap 137, adhesively connecting to one another via adhesive applied preferably to the second adhesive area 145, thereby forming the top end 112 of the box 110.

FIG. 9 shows the box 110 in complete assembly with the slide 128 contained within the box 110. Note that flap 137 is folded backwards under rear top panel 144. The advantage to having flap 137 is that the box 110 is now fully sealed.

FIG. 10 shows the fully-constructed box 110 being filled from the top, although the box 110 may be filled from the bottom (not shown).

FIG. 11 shows dispensing of product through the first aperture 130 and second aperture 134 after the slide 128 has been moved sideways unblocking the first aperture 130 and second aperture 134.

FIG. 12 shows the box 110 being held in a user's right hand. Should the box 110 be used in the user's left hand (not shown) it may be turned about 90 degrees clockwise between the user's fingers and thumb to enable the user to use his or her left thumb to engage the slide tab 156 and move the slide 128 to dispense the product.

The present invention has the following advantages which include:

• • A smaller footprint, meaning, it costs less to manufacture and there is less waste because of its unique design;
  • It can be top-loaded with conventional box filling machinery, meaning, no special machinery is needed to fill it; and
  • It offers convenient opening and closing mechanisms that allow the user to selectively open and close and access the contents, contributing the shareability of the product inside, and removing the need to actually touch the contents in order to access and share, perfect for a post-COVID world.

While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited except by the appended claims.

Although a very narrow claim is presented herein, it should be recognized the scope of this invention is much broader than presented by the claim. It is intended that broader claims will be submitted in an application that claims the benefit of priority from the application.

Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the single claim below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.

Claims

1. A blank for folding into a box, the blank comprising: a) a top end;b) a bottom end;c) an interior front panel having: i) a first aperture adjacent the top end of the interior front panel;ii) a second aperture adjacent the bottom end of the interior front panel;iii) a first catch; andiv) a pair of ears foldably connected to the interior front panel;d) a first side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel, the first side panel having: i) a closing tab foldably connected to the first side panel;ii) a first side panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the first side panel; andiii) a front panel tab foldably connected to the top end of the interior front panel;e) a second side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel opposite the first side panel, the second side panel having: i) a second side panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the second side panel; andii) a second side panel bottom tab foldably connected to the bottom end of the second side panel;f) a rear panel foldably connected to the second side panel opposite the interior front panel;g) a third side panel foldably connected to the rear panel opposite the second side panel;h) an exterior front panel foldably connected to the third side panel opposite the rear panel;i) a slide formed by a portion of the third side panel and the exterior front panel, the slide having: i) a first portion;ii) a second portion having a pair of slide stops at an end of the second portion of the slide; andiii) a cut;wherein when the slide is folded, a slide tab is formed that is configured for engagement with a user's thumb; and j) a second catch formed by a portion of the exterior front panel.k) and has:

2. The blank of claim 1, wherein the rear panel has: a) a rear panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the rear panel, the rear panel top tab having an insertion tab foldably connected thereto; andb) a real panel bottom tab foldably connected to the bottom end of the rear panel.

3. A blank for folding into a box, the blank comprising: a) a top end;b) a bottom end;c) an interior front panel;d) a first side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel;e) a second side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel opposite the first side panel;f) a rear panel foldably connected to the second side panel opposite the interior front panel;g) a third side panel foldably connected to the rear panel opposite the second side panel;h) an exterior front panel foldably connected to the third side panel opposite the rear panel;i) a slide formed by a portion of the third side panel and the exterior front panel, the slide having: i) a first portion;ii) a second portion having a pair of slide stops at an end of the second portion of the slide; andiii) a cut;wherein when the slide is folded, a slide tab is formed that is configured for engagement with a user's thumb; and j) a second catch formed by a portion of the exterior front panel.

4. The blank of claim 3, wherein the interior front panel has: a) a first aperture adjacent the top end of the interior front panel;b) a second aperture adjacent the bottom end of the interior front panel;c) a first catch; andd) a pair of ears foldably connected to the interior front panel.

5. The blank of claim 3, wherein the first side panel has: a) a closing tab foldably connected to the first side panel;b) a first side panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the first side panel; andc) a front panel tab foldably connected to the top end of the interior front panel.

6. The blank of claim 3, wherein the second side panel has: a) a second side panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the second side panel; andb) a second side panel bottom tab foldably connected to the bottom end of the second side panel.

7. The blank of claim 3, wherein the rear panel has: a) a rear panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the rear panel, the rear panel top tab having an insertion tab foldably connected thereto; andb) a real panel bottom tab foldably connected to the bottom end of the rear panel.

8. A blank for folding into a box, the blank comprising: a) a top end;b) a bottom end;c) an interior front panel;d) a first side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel;e) a second side panel foldably connected to the interior front panel opposite the first side panel;f) a rear panel foldably connected to the second side panel opposite the interior front panel;g) a third side panel foldably connected to the rear panel opposite the second side panel;h) an exterior front panel foldably connected to the third side panel opposite the rear panel;i) a slide formed by a portion of the third side panel and the exterior front panel; andj) a second catch formed by a portion of the exterior front panel.

9. The blank of claim 8, wherein the interior front panel has: a) a first aperture adjacent the top end of the interior front panel;b) a second aperture adjacent the bottom end of the interior front panel;c) a first catch; andd) a pair of ears foldably connected to the interior front panel.

10. The blank of claim 8, wherein the first side panel has: a) a closing tab foldably connected to the first side panel;b) a first side panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the first side panel; andc) a front panel tab foldably connected to the top end of the interior front panel.

11. The blank of claim 8, wherein the second side panel has: a) a second side panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the second side panel; andb) a second side panel bottom tab foldably connected to the bottom end of the second side panel.

12. The blank of claim 8, wherein the rear panel has: a) a rear panel top tab foldably connected to the top end of the rear panel, the rear panel top tab having an insertion tab foldably connected thereto; andb) a real panel bottom tab foldably connected to the bottom end of the rear panel.

13. The blank of claim 8, wherein the slide has: a) a first portion;b) a second portion having a pair of slide stops at an end of the second portion of the slide; andc) a cut;wherein when the slide is folded, a slide tab is formed that is configured for engagement with a user's thumb.

14. A method of folding the blank of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: a) folding up the closing tab, first side panel, interior front panel, second side panel, rear panel, third side panel and exterior front panel;b) folding across a middle portion of the slide adjacent the slide tab;c) gluing exterior front panel to interior front panel;d) gluing closing tab to an interior surface of rear panel;e) folding the second side panel bottom tab, rear panel bottom tab, third side panel bottom tab and exterior front panel tab to close the bottom end of the blank;f) folding the first side panel top tab, second side panel top tab and rear panel top tab substantially 90 degrees;g) folding the insertion tab substantially 90 degrees respective to the rear panel top tab such that the insertion tab inserts behind the top end of interior front panel;h) folding the slide such that the first portion overlaps the first side panel, and second portion overlaps the interior front panel;i) folding the front panel tab substantially 180 degrees such that the front panel tab overlaps the second portion of the slide, interior front panel and a portion of the exterior front panel, and the first aperture and second aperture align to form a single opening, thereby forming a space between the front panel tab and interior front panel to house the slide therebetween.