This application claims the benefit of German Utility Model application No. 202022100653.9, filed on Feb. 4, 2022.
The disclosure of German Utility Model application No. 202022100653.9, which was filed on Feb. 4, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
The present disclosure generally relates to cartons/boxes for holding one or more products. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a carton with an inner construct at least partially within an outer construct and with locking features for selectively limiting relative movement between the constructs of the carton.
Telescoping cartons/boxes can be used for a wide variety of different products, such as dishwasher tabs, medicines, household cleaners, candles, cosmetics, tobacco, and other products that should be kept out of the hands of children, as they may put the products in their mouths, swallow them, or use them in other dangerous ways. In examples, one may want to keep certain products out of the reach of toddlers, kindergarten children, and children of preschool age, i.e., up to about the age of six, for example.
In general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a carton comprising an inner construct that can comprise a plurality of inner panels extending at least partially around an interior of the inner construct and a first opening for at least partially receiving one or more products in the interior of the inner construct. The inner construct can comprise an inner locking tab foldably connected to at least one inner panel of the plurality of inner panels. The carton further can comprise an outer construct comprising a plurality of outer panels extending at least partially around at least a portion of the inner construct and a second opening. The outer construct can comprise an outer locking tab foldably connected to at least one outer panel of the plurality of outer panels. The inner locking tab and the outer locking tab can cooperate to limit movement between the inner construct and the outer construct. At least the inner locking tab is moveable with respect to the outer locking tab for allowing the inner construct to move relative to the outer construct from a first position at least partially through the second opening to a second position.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to, in combination, a first blank and a second blank for cooperating to at least partially form a carton. The first blank can comprise a plurality of inner panels and an inner locking tab foldably connected to at least one inner panel of the plurality of inner panels. The first blank can be for forming an inner construct with a first opening for at least partially receiving one or more products in an interior of the inner construct formed from the first blank. The second blank can comprise a plurality of outer panels and an outer locking tab foldably connected to at least one outer panel of the plurality of outer panels. The second blank can be for forming an outer construct with the plurality of outer panels at least partially extending around the inner construct formed from the first blank, and the outer construct formed from the second blank can comprise a second opening. The inner locking tab and the outer locking tab can be configured for selectively cooperating to limit movement between the inner construct formed from the first blank and the outer construct formed from the second blank when the carton is formed from the first blank and the second blank.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton. The method can comprise obtaining a first blank comprising a plurality of inner panels and an inner locking tab foldably connected to at least one inner panel of the plurality of inner panels. The method further can comprise forming an inner construct from the first blank by folding the plurality of inner panels at least partially around an interior of the inner construct. The inner construct comprises a first opening for at least partially receiving one or more products in the interior of the inner construct. The method can comprise obtaining a second blank comprising a plurality of outer panels and an outer locking tab foldably connected to at least one outer panel of the plurality of outer panels. The method further can comprise forming an outer construct from the second blank by folding the plurality of outer panels at least partially around the inner construct. The outer construct can comprise a second opening. The inner locking tab and the outer locking tab can cooperate to limit movement between the inner construct and the outer construct. At least the inner locking tab is moveable with respect to the outer locking tab for allowing the inner construct to move relative to the outer construct from a first position at least partially through the second opening to a second position.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
The present disclosure generally relates to constructs, boxes, cartons, carriers, trays, or the like, and packages for holding one or more products or articles such as those that should be kept out of the hands of children (e.g., for safety reasons). The product or products can be cleaning products such as dishwasher tabs, household cleaners, soaps, and the like; medicines; cosmetics; candles; tobacco; objects that may pose a choking hazard; any other suitable product or material; or combinations thereof.
Constructs according to the present disclosure can accommodate product or articles of any shape. In this specification, the terms “inner,” “interior,” “outer,” “exterior,” “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright constructs and cartons. As described herein, constructs can be formed from blanks by being glued with multiple panels, portions, tabs, and/or flaps, which may be designated herein in terms relative to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or nonsequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
According to
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the inner panels 2, 4 are foldably connected at their upper edges via first folding lines 11, 12 (e.g., longitudinal fold lines 11, 12) to first and second inner locking tabs 13, 14. In embodiments, the first and second inner locking tabs 13, 14 are arranged next to the ends of the two inner panels 2, 4 that are remote from each other in the first blank 1 (e.g., the inner locking tabs 13, 14 are proximate to the respective lateral fold lines 5a, 6a as shown in
In a first processing step for forming the inner construct 27 from the first blank 1, the proximal inner locking portions 13.1, 14.1 are folded along the first folding lines 11, 12 against the exterior sides of the inner panels 2, 4. In exemplary embodiments, the proximal inner locking portions 13.1, 14.1 can be glued to the respective inner panels 2, 4. Furthermore, the distal inner locking portions 13.2, 14.2 are folded along the second folding lines 15, 16 against the outer sides of the proximal inner locking portions 13.1, 14.1. In exemplary embodiments, the distal inner locking portions 13.2, 14.2 can be glued to the respective proximal inner locking portions 13.1, 14.1 (e.g., along portions that are spaced apart from the second fold lines 15, 16, which can help promote a stronger build-up of the material in the area of the second fold lines 15, 16). In the illustrated embodiments, the inner locking portions 13.1, 13.2, 14.1, 14.2 of the respective inner locking tabs 13, 14 can cooperate to form respective inner locking edges. For example, the edges of the inner locking portions 13.1, 13.2, 14.1, 14.2 that are folded over one another and face the inner panel 3 respectively form the inner locking edges 21, 22 (e.g., see
The inner construct 27 further can be formed by folding the inner attachment flap 6 against the inside of the inner panel 2 and folding the inner panel 3 about its common fold line 4a with the side panel 4 so that the inner attachment flap 6 is brought into face-to-face contact with the inner panel 5. In embodiments, the outside of the inner attachment flap 6 is bonded to the inside of the inner panel 5 (e.g., with adhesive). In this pre-glued, flat-lying state or in the flattened state folded along fold lines 3a, 5a as shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the pre-glued blank 1 as shown in
According to
In the illustrated embodiments, the outer panels 30, 32 are foldably connected to outer interlocking (locking) tabs 40, 41 at edges remote from (opposite to) the end flaps 36, 37 by third fold lines 38, 39 (e.g., longitudinal fold lines 38. 39). In embodiments, the outer locking tabs 40, 41 include proximal outer locking portions or panels 40.1, 41.1 foldably connected to respective distal outer locking portions or flaps 40.2, 41.2 at edges remote from (e.g., spaced apart from, opposite to) the third fold lines 38, 39 via fourth fold lines 42, 43 (e.g., longitudinal fold lines 42, 43). As shown in
As shown in
According to
According to
As shown in
As shown in
The telescope carton or box 59 is shown in its erected state in
In embodiments, the gluing of the tear-away panels 50a, 51a of the outer construct 57 to the inner panels 2, 4 of the inner construct 27 can provide a first opening protection for the carton 59. For example, the inner construct 27 can be secured (e.g., glued) to the outer construct 57 at the tear-away panels 50a, 51a to resist or prevent movement between the constructs 27, 57. As shown in
Moreover, as can be seen from
In the illustrated embodiments, the carton 59 can be manipulated so that the inner construct 27 can be moved from the first (e.g., closed) position (e.g., wherein the inner construct 27 is partially or fully contained within the outer construct 57 with the first opening 26 covered by the outer construct 57, e.g., by the outer panel 29) to the second (e.g., open) position (e.g., wherein the inner construct 27 partially extends through the second opening 58 so that the first opening 26 is accessible). For example, to pull the inner part 27 out of the outer part 57, a user can press the inner panels 2, 4 together slightly with the thumb and index finger of one hand through the first engagement holes 48, 49 so that the inner engagement edges 21, 22 come free from the outer engagement edges 54, 55. With the thumb and index finger of the other hand, the user can grasp an edge portion of the inner member 27 through the second engagement recesses 52, 53 and pull the inner construct 27 partially out of the outer member 57 through the second opening 58. The pull-out can be finally limited by abutment of the inner stop edge 20 of the inner stop flap 19 against the outer stop edge 46 of the outer stop flap 45, as shown in
After removing product, the user can close the telescope carton 59 again by pushing the inner part 27 into the outer part 57. Here, due to the inclined insertion edges 23, 24 of the inner locking tabs 13, 14, the friction between the inner part 27 and the outer part 57 increases only gradually, facilitating the insertion and causing a secure locking of the locking edges 21, 22, 54, 55. The locked carton 59 is again protected against unwanted opening (e.g., by children) with the inner construct 27 in the first position (
In exemplary embodiments, the shortest distance of the engagement apertures 48, 49 and/or the recesses 52, 53 from each other along the outer sides of the upper part and/or the lower part is dimensioned such that it is difficult or impossible for a child (e.g., with an age of up to three years, of up to four years, of up to five years, of up to six years, etc.) to unlock the carton 59, and it is difficult or impossible to pull the outer construct 57 and inner construct 27 apart when in the locked configuration. In embodiments, this dimensioning is based on average body measurements of a child in the EU, regardless of gender, in the respective age group. In examples, the distance between the outer sides of the second side walls can be about 50 to about 120 mm, about 70 to about 100 mm, or about 80 to about 90 mm. This can help ensure that a child's hands cannot engage in all the engagement holes simultaneously in order to unlock the folding carton, while an adult (e.g., who may have larger hands) is able to reach the locking features to unlock and open the carton 59.
In the telescope carton 59 according to the present disclosure, the inner locking tabs 13, 14 and the outer locking tabs 40, 41 form an interlock when the inner construct 27 is moved into the outer construct 57. This is because the inner locking edges 21, 22 then bear against the outer locking edges 54, 55 so that they prevent the inner construct 27 from being pulled out of the outer construct 57. Pulling the inner construct 27 out of the outer construct 57 can require, for example, that the interlock between the outer part and the inner part be released. To do this, the user can use the thumb and index finger of one hand to engage the engagement openings 48, 49 and compress the inner locking tabs 13, 14 slightly so that the outer locking edges 54, 55 no longer block the path of the inner locking edges 21, 22. With the thumb and index finger of the other hand, the user can grip a portion of the inner construct 27 (e.g., along the inner panel 3) through the second engagement openings/recesses 52, 53 and pull the inner construct 27 and outer construct 57 apart. In doing so, the inner locking tabs 13, 14 slide past the user's thumb and index finger that engage the first engagement apertures 48, 49 and compress the first locking tabs 13, 14 slightly. Unlocking by a child may be prevented or made difficult by sizing the carton so that the child, due to the comparatively small size of his or her hands, is not able to engage in the engagement openings 48, 49 in the manner described. Unlocking can require, for example, a certain understanding of the function of the latch, which is usually not yet present in a child up to the age of six, for example. As a result, a child is prevented from unlocking the telescope carton 59 according to the disclosure and is protected from the associated dangers. In addition, the telescope carton 59 is protected against unintentional opening, which can occur with a telescope carton that does not include the locking features, for example, if it is lifted at the outer construct without supporting the inner construct, so that the inner construct slips out of the outer construct.
In embodiments, the insertion edges 23, 24 of the inner locking tabs 13, 14, which are inclined at an acute angle to the top wall of the carton, can help reduce the initial frictional resistance when the inner construct 27 is inserted into the outer construct 57 and can facilitate insertion of the inner construct 272 into the outer construct 57. During insertion, the frictional resistance gradually increases so that the outer construct 57 fits tightly against the inner construct 27 and securely locks the first and second locking edges 21, 22, 54, 55 together. This provides reliable protection against unintentional opening, even when tolerances are taken into account when producing the blanks and erecting and gluing the telescope carton. In embodiments, the inclined insertion edges can facilitate improved sheet utilization and material-saving production of the carton. In exemplary embodiments, the second folding lines 15, 16 can run at an acute angle to the grain direction of the flat material of the inner construct 27, e.g., when the grain direction is perpendicular to the folding lines 3a, 4a, 5a between the inner panels 2, 3, 4, 5 or the inner panels 2, 3, 4, 5 and the bottom wall 25. As a result, the restoring force in the flat material can be greater at the second fold lines 15, 16, so that it builds up more in the overlap area of the proximal and distal inner locking portions of the inner locking tabs 13, 14. This can help compensate for tolerances between the inner construct 27 and outer construct 57 and can help promote secure locking of the inner construct 27 and outer construct 57.
In embodiments of the telescope carton 59 according to the disclosure, initial opening protection is achieved by bonding the outer side panels 30, 32 to the inner side panels 2, 4 in the area defined by the weakening lines 50, 51 (e.g., along the tear-away panels 50a, 51a). For example, only by tearing along the lines of weakness 50, 51 is it possible to open the telescope carton 59 for the first time. To do this, the user can use the thumb and forefinger of one hand to slightly compress the areas bounded by the lines of weakness 50, 51 (e.g., the tear-away panels 50a, 51a), thereby breaking the lines of weakness 50, 51, and then use the same hand to pull the inner construct 27 out of the outer construct 57 while holding the outer construct 57 with the other hand (e.g., at the apertures 48, 49 while pressing inwardly on the inner locking tabs 13, 14 as described above). Initial opening by a child can be prevented by dimensioning the telescope carton 59 in such a way that the child, due to the comparatively small size of his or her hands, is not able to break open the weakening lines 50, 51 in the manner described. For this purpose, the tear-away panels 50a, 51a can also be dimensioned (e.g., spaced apart) in such a way that they cannot be broken open by a child. In addition, initial opening requires a certain understanding of initial opening protection, which is usually not yet present in a child up to the age of six, for example. As a result, a child can be prevented from first opening the telescope carton 59 according to the disclosure and is protected from the associated dangers. In addition, the package is prevented from being opened prior to purchase by an interested consumer. For example, tearing of the lines of weakening 50, 51 can provide a potential purchaser an indication that the package has been accessed or tampered with.
In exemplary embodiments, the carton 59 may have tolerances in its formation, for example, when the constructs 27, 57 are formed from the flat, glued blanks 1, 28 by a packager. These tolerances may lead to small variations in the relative sizes of the constructs 27, 57. However, the two layers of thickness of the inner locking tabs 13, 14 and of the outer locking tabs 40, 41 (e.g., where their respective proximal and distal portions are in overlapping relationships) can help compensate for such tolerances and variations that can occur during the production of the blanks and the erection and bonding of the inner part and/or the outer part. This can be advantageous for secure locking of the telescope carton despite the tolerances.
The blanks according to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blank can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blank may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blank can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, but various other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the disclosure as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20 2022 100 653.9 | Feb 2022 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2023/012298 | 2/3/2023 | WO |