Patent Application
20220153469
The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to cartons and more particularly to a tamper evident carton.
Various products are known to be purchased by consumers which require a carton for ease of transport. For example, in the food and grocery industry it is common to place food items in individual carry-out food cartons. There may be certain drawbacks to commonly used carry-out food cartons. For example, cardboard-, paper-, and/or paperboard-based cartons may be designed in a fashion that cannot ensure that the contents have been held secure in an untampered with state.
In one embodiment, a tamper evident carton is provided. The tamper evident carton may include a floor panel; side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel; corner gussets extending between adjacent side panels, wherein the bottom panel, side panels, and corner gussets may be configurable to form a compartment region; a first lid flap and a second lid flap opposite that of the first lid flap, wherein the first lid flap may extend from an uppermost edge of a first one of the side panels forming a first moveable joint therebetween, and the second lid flap may extend from an uppermost edge of a second one of the side panels opposite that of the first side panel forming a second moveable joint therebetween, and wherein the first lid flap and second lid flap may include a first interlocking feature and a second interlocking feature, respectively, such that the first lid flap and second lid flap may be configured to interlock with one another when in a folded closed configuration; a third lid flap and a fourth lid flap opposite that of the third lid flap, wherein the third lid flap may extend from an uppermost edge of a third one of the side panels forming a third moveable joint therebetween, and the fourth lid flap may extend from an uppermost edge of a fourth one of the side panels opposite that of the third side panel forming a fourth moveable joint therebetween, and wherein the third lid flap and fourth lid flap may include a third interlocking feature and a fourth interlocking feature, respectively, such that the third lid flap and fourth lid flap may be configured to interlock with one another when in a folded closed configuration; and a tear strip disposed in one of the third lid flap or fourth lid flap. The first interlocking feature of the first lid flap may include a first locking tab and slot and the second interlocking feature of the second lid flap may include a corresponding second locking tab and slot, wherein the slot of the first locking tab and the slot of the corresponding second locking tab may be configure to engage and interlock with one another to secure the first lid flap and the second lid flap in the folded closed configuration. The third interlocking feature of the third lid flap may include a locking tab extending from an upper portion of the third lid flap, and wherein the locking tab may include two folding tabs, one extending perpendicular out from each side of the locking tab. The fourth lid flap may include a folding portion extending from an uppermost edge of the fourth lid flap forming a fifth moveable joint therebetween, and wherein the folding portion may include a locking tab slot formed in the fifth moveable joint. The locking tab slot may be configured to receive the locking tab with the two folding tabs in a folded position, wherein in the folded position the two folding tabs may be folded substantially flat against a surface of the locking tab. The two folding tabs may be configured to unfolded to a degree once fully inserted through the locking tab slot. Once fully inserted through the locking tab slot the two folding tabs may be configured to unfolded to a degree such that the locking tab cannot be removed from the locking tab slot without causing visible damage to at least one of the locking tab, locking tab slot, and/or one or both of the two folding tabs. The tear strip may be disposed along a length of an upper portion of the third lid flap and below the third interlocking feature. Upon removal of the tear strip the third lid flap may be releasable from the folded closed configuration without unlocking the third interlocking feature from the fourth interlocking feature.
In another embodiment, a method of securing contents in a tamper evident carton is provided. The method may include providing a tamper evident carton providing a tamper evident carton; inserting contents into the compartment region; interlocking the first lid flap and the second lid flap together; and interlocking the third lid flap and the fourth lid flap together. Interlocking the first lid flap and the second lid flap together, may include folding the first lid flap and the second lid flap together and interlocking the first interlocking feature of the first lid flap with the second interlocking feature of the second lid flap. The first interlocking feature of the first lid flap may include a first locking tab and slot and the second interlocking feature of the second lid flap may include a corresponding second locking tab and slot, wherein the slot of the first locking tab and the slot of the corresponding second locking tab may be configure to engage and interlock with one another to secure the first lid flap and the second lid flap in the folded closed configuration. Interlocking the third lid flap and the fourth lid flap together, may include folding the third lid flap and the fourth lid flap together and interlocking the third interlocking feature of the third lid flap with the fourth interlocking feature of the fourth lid flap. The third interlocking feature of the third lid flap may include a locking tab extending from an upper portion of the third lid flap, and wherein the locking tab may include two folding tabs, one extending perpendicular out from each side of the locking tab. The fourth lid flap may include a folding portion extending from an uppermost edge of the fourth lid flap forming a fifth moveable joint therebetween, and wherein the folding portion may include a locking tab slot formed in the fifth moveable joint. Interlocking the third lid flap and the fourth lid flap together further may include, folding the two folding tabs into a folded position substantially flat against a surface of the locking tab and inserting the locking tab into the locking tab slot. The two folding tabs may be configured to unfolded to a degree once fully inserted through the locking tab slot. Once fully inserted through the locking tab slot the two folding tabs may be configured to unfolded to a degree such that the locking tab cannot be removed from the locking tab slot without causing visible damage to at least one of the locking tab, locking tab slot, and/or one or both of the two folding tabs.
In yet another embodiment, a method of providing access to contents in a secured tamper evident carton is provided. The method may include providing a secured tamper evident carton with contents therein; removing the tear strip; folding open the third lid flap and the fourth lid flap; unlocking the first interlocking feature of first lid flap from the second interlocking feature of the second lid flap; and folding open the first lid flap and the second lid flap. The tear strip may be disposed along a length of an upper portion of the third lid flap and below the third interlocking feature.
Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
In some embodiments, the subject matter of the invention provides a tamper evident carton and method of using same. In one example, the subject tamper evident carton may be a food carton and may be a disposable tamper evident food carton that is, for example, a cardboard-, paper-, and/or paperboard-based carton.
In some embodiments, the subject tamper evident carton may include a carton body and a set of four carton lid flaps, and wherein the carton body includes a floor panel and side panels that may be coupled via webbed corners. Accordingly, the subject tamper evident carton may be used as, for example, a disposable food carry-out (or take-out) carton that is suitable for holding wet foods reliably for some useful period of time.
In some embodiments, the webbed corners of the subject tamper evident carton may be held by glue or other adhesive.
In some embodiments, the carton body and/or hinged carton lid of the subject tamper evident carton may include various tabs and slots that may be engaged for holding shut the four carton lid flaps to the carton body.
In some embodiments, the carton body and/or the carton lid flaps of the subject tamper evident carton may include one of more tamper-evident features that may be used to indicate a “secure” condition of the carton and wherein the tamper-evident feature may be, for example, the condition of certain closure mechanisms (e.g., flaps, tabs, and/or slots), a perforated tear line, a tear-away strip, and/or the like.
In some embodiments, the subject tamper evident carton may include a substantially flat carton lid that allows for easy stacking of multiple of the presently disclosed tamper-evident cartons.
Additionally, a method of using the subject tamper evident carton is provided.
The tamper-evident carton 100 may include a carton body 110, a pair of foldable lid end flaps 120, and a pair of foldable lid side flaps 126 (e.g., side flaps 126a, 126b). For example, the carton body 110 may include a floor panel 112, two opposing side panels 114 (e.g., side panels 114a, 114b), and two opposing end panels 116 (e.g., end panels 116a, 116b). The ends of the side panels 114 and the end panels 116 may be coupled via webbed corners 118. The webbed corners 118 may be, for example, a webbed corner inside (or outside) glue design. The webbed corners 118 may be secured, for example, via an adhesive, thermal bonding, or any other suitable technique or mechanism. Each of the end panels 116 may include a foldable lid end flap 120 that has a locking tab 122 with a slot 124. The side panel 114a may include a foldable lid side flap 126a. The side panel 114b may include a foldable lid side flap 126b. Further, the lid side flap 126a may include a tear-away strip 128 and a locking tab 130 that may be flanked by two folding tabs 132. The lid side flap 126b may include a folding portion 134 along a fold line 136 that has a receiving slot 138 for receiving locking tab 130 of the lid side flap 126a.
With respect to tamper-evident carton 100 being, for example, a disposable tamper-evident food carton, tamper-evident carton 100 may be formed of any lightweight, rigid or semi-rigid material that is suitable for holding and/or transporting, for example, a quantity of food and that is also suitable for disposing of after use. For example, the tamper-evident carton 100 may be formed of corrugated cardboard, paper, paperboard, post-consumer paperboard (i.e., recycled materials), biodegradable materials (e.g., sugarcane and paper), polystyrene foam (e.g., Styrofoam), plastic, molded fiber, and the like.
The tamper-evident carton 100 may include certain tamper-evident features that may be used to indicate a “secure” condition. The tear-away strip 128 and tamper-evident features as indicated by the condition of the locking tab 130, folding tabs 132, receiving slot 138, and/or locking tabs 122 with slots 124 are examples of the tamper-evident features of the tamper-evident carton 100. In one example, when the tear-away strip 128 is fully intact (see for example
In one embodiment tamper-evident carton 100 may be closed folding together the two lid end flaps 120 and engaging the opposing locking tabs 122 using the slots 124. Engaging the opposing locking tabs 122 helps prevent anyone from reaching into the tamper-evident carton 100 from above the two lid end flaps 120 after the tamper-evident carton 100 is fully closed and in the “secure” condition.
The lid side flap 126a and the lid side flap 126b may then be folded together. More specifically, locking tab 130 of the lid side flap 126a engages with the receiving slot 138 of the lid side flap 126b. For example, before the locking tab 130 is engaged in the receiving slot 138, the folding tabs 132 may be folded over fully against the inside surface of the locking tab 130. Then, while holding the folding tabs 132 folded over flat against the inside surface of the locking tab 130, both the locking tab 130 and the folded folding tabs 132 may be inserted into the receiving slot 138 of the lid side flap 126b. Once the locking tab 130 and the folded folding tabs 132 are fully inserted into the receiving slot 138, the folding tabs 132 pop out to at least a partially unfolded state and lock inside the lid side flap 126b at the receiving slot 138.
In one example, the folding tabs 132 may be folded around the locking tab 130. Two other phots show the tamper-evident carton 100 fully closed with the locking tab 130 engaged in the receiving slot 138.
In one example, to open the tamper-evident carton 100, a user 140 may grasp the tear-away strip 128 and then pull and tear it away. In one example, the tear-away strip 128 may be removed along perforation lines 142. In so doing, the lid side flap 126b is fully released from the closed or secure state. Accordingly, the tamper-evident carton 100 can be opened and the contents retrieved, as shown in
At a step 210, the tamper-evident carton 100 that includes the carton body 110, the foldable lid end flaps 120, and the foldable lid side flaps 126 with certain temper-evident features is provided. The tear-away strip 128 and tamper-evident features as indicated by the condition of the locking tab 130, folding tabs 132, receiving slot 138, and/or locking tabs 122 with slots 124 are examples of the tamper-evident features of the tamper-evident carton 100.
At a step 215, any contents may be placed into the carton body 110 of the tamper-evident carton 100. For example, food may be placed into the tamper-evident carton 100.
At a step 220, the two lid end flaps 120 having the locking tabs 122 are folded together, then the slots 124 of the two locking tabs 122 are engaged.
At a step 225, the folding tabs 132 of the locking tab 130 of the lid side flap 126a are folded inward and flat around the locking tab 130.
At a step 230, the lid side flaps 126a and 126b are folded together.
At a step 235, the folded folding tabs 132 and the locking tab 130 of the lid side flap 126a are inserted into and engaged with the receiving slot 138 of the lid side flap 126b. For example, while holding the folding tabs 132 folded over flat against the inside surface of the locking tab 130, both the locking tab 130 and the folded folding tabs 132 are inserted into the receiving slot 138 of the lid side flap 126b. Once the locking tab 130 and the folded folding tabs 132 are fully inserted into the receiving slot 138, the folding tabs 132 pop out to at least a partially unfolded state and lock inside the lid side flap 126b at the receiving slot 138. The tamper-evident carton 100 is now fully closed and in the “secure” condition.
At a step 240, the tamper-evident carton 100 is opened by tearing away the tear-away strip 128. Then, any contents may be removed and the tamper-evident carton 100 may be discarded.
In summary and referring now again to
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.
Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.
For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.
Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.
Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/733,282, filed Apr. 30, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29733282 | Apr 2020 | US |
| Child | 17587629 | US |
