The present invention relates to cartons or trays which are formed from a sheet of cardboard-like material and have a model vehicle configuration for the enjoyment and amusement of the user.
Disposable cardboard trays and cartons for holding food items have been used by restaurants and theaters as a convenience for their customers and in particular, to organize and hold food for children and create additional interest by designs that are displayed on the tray or carton. When intended as a promotional device, it is desirable for a cardboard model to be easily and quickly constructed preferably from a die cut cardboard sheet by folding various panels and tabs along score lines in the material into an assembled shape. Particularly with respect to young children, printed material on the carton adds to the child's interest. Advantages of a one sheet, i.e., one-piece unit, include factors such as lower cost, easier printing of the model design or artwork on the cardboard, compact shipping, and ease and quickness in construction; however, the one-piece system can also make it very difficult to realistically replicate the contours and features of certain designated objects, such as modern cars.
In an embodiment of the present invention a method of forming a carton having a model vehicle configuration is provided by a cardboard-like sheet having a first end portion that presents the cabin, rear deck and rear of the vehicle, a central portion that presents the bottom and sides of the vehicle and a second end portion that presents the hood and front windshield of the vehicle, with the first end portion including a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal fold lines defining first and second side segments of the vehicle and having a first pair of substantially parallel transverse fold lines between the first end portion and the central portion and a second pair of substantially parallel transverse fold lines between the second end portion and the central portion. The first end portion is folded along the first pair of transverse fold lines and secured in a position to present an open cabin, rear deck and rear of the vehicle, whereby the open cabin may provide the container for food and other items. The central portion is folded upwardly along the pair of longitudinal fold lines to present the sides of the vehicle, and the second end portion is folded along the second pair of transverse fold lines and secured in a position to present the hood and front windshield of the vehicle.
Other advantages of this carton assembly and method of making the same will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” “leftwardly,” “upper,” “lower,” “forwardly,” “reawardly,” “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “inwardly” and “outwardly,” etc., may refer to an installed position (as shown in the drawings) of the item to which the reference is made, or may refer to directions toward and away from, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology may include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar import. Similarly, the words “or” and “and” are not limiting and may mean “either,” “one or the other,” or “both.”
Referring initially to
The first side panel 28 transitions to upper panel 30 along fold line 42. Upper panel 30 includes a lower hood panel 44, an interior portion or cabin 46, a rear deck panel 48, and an upper rear flap 50. The lower hood panel 44 includes first 52 and second 54 lower hood tabs extending forwardly from lower hood panel 44 along fold lines 56 and 58, respectively, and first and second hood retaining slots 60 and 62, respectively, which are cut generally parallel to the front 24 of the vehicle 22. First 64 and second 66 windshield slots are cut generally parallel to the fold line 42 on opposite sides of the upper panel 30 generally at the transition between the lower hood panel 44 and the interior portion 46.
The interior portion 46 of upper panel 30 includes first and second cutouts 68 and 70, a dash panel 72, which extends from the rear of lower hood panel 44 along fold line 74. Dash panel 74 includes a console 76 extending rearwardly from the dash panel 72 when the dash panel 72 is not folded, and extending downwardly from the dash panel 72 when the dash panel is folded along fold lines 74 and 75 and separates from lower hood panel along die cut 77 to form the front interior of the vehicle 22. The dash panel 72 is free from interior panel first 78 and second 80 upper sides along die cuts 82 and 84.
An interior portion rear panel 86 extends forwardly from the rear deck panel 48 along fold line 88, and is free from interior panel first 78 and second 80 upper sides along die cuts 90 and 92. The interior portion rear panel 86 includes a tab 87 extending forwardly and separated from tab 76 extending rearwardly from the dash panel 76 by die cut 89. When the dash panel 72 and interior portion rear panel 86 are folded downwardly and inwardly to the interior section, a cabin of the vehicle is presented.
The upper rear flap 50 extends rearwardly from the rear deck panel 48 along fold line 94. A first 96 and second 98 tab extends rearwardly from rear flap 50 along fold lines 100 and 102 respectively. First tab 96 is die cut on opposite sides 104 and 106 as is second tab 98 on opposite sides 108 and 110, which presents wings on opposite sides of the tabs 96 and 98 to help lock the tabs 96 and 98 into their respective engaging slots disclosed herein below.
The upper panel 30 transitions to the second side panel 32 along fold line 112. The second side panel 32 includes a second side tab extending forwardly from the second side panel 32 separated by fold line 116. The second side tab 114 includes an engaging slit 118 for engaging and locking to the engaging slit 40 of the first side tab 36.
The second side panel 32 transitions to the bottom panel 34 along fold lines 120, 122 and 124, and die cut second front wheel 126 and second rear wheel 128. The bottom panel 34 includes a base panel 130 with a first cutout 134 for receiving the tab 87 of interior portion rear panel 86, which secures the interior portion rear panel 86 is folded along fold line 88 into the interior space and in place.
The bottom panel 34 includes first 136 and second 138 front tabs, which transition along fold lines 140 and 142, respectfully from bottom panel 34 at the front end 24. Second front tab 138 is separated from second side tab 114 along die cut 144. A grill panel 146 transitions along fold line 148 from base panel 130 to an upper hood panel 150 along fold line 152. A windshield panel 154 extends from upper hood panel 150 along fold lines 156, 158 and 160, and dies cut lines 162 and 164, which form first 166 and second 168 hood retention tabs. The windshield panel 154 includes first 170 and second 172 wings which each include a tab 174 and 176, respectively, for engaging slots 64 and 66, respectively, to secure the windshield panel 154 in position to the upper panel 30. The first wing 170 extends from the windshield panel 154 along fold line 178, and the second wing 172 extends from the windshield panel 154 along fold line 180.
A lower rear panel 182 transitions from base panel 130 along fold line 184. The lower rear panel 182 transitions to a lower rear flap 186 along fold lines 188, 190 and 192, and die cuts 194 and 196 presenting slots for receiving tabs 96 and 98. An adhesive tab 198 extends from base panel 130 along fold line 200.
Referring to
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The interior portion of the vehicle 22 is configured by folding dash panel 72 downwardly into the interior space along fold lines 74 and 75. Because the fold line 88 is slightly curved, and the length of interior portion rear panel 86 is slightly longer than the depth of the interior space, when the interior portion rear panel 86 is folded along fold line 88 downwardly into the interior space, the rear deck panel 48 is given a slight curvature above the plane of the upper panel 30 presenting an aesthetically pleasing view of the vehicle 22.
Referring to
First 236 and second 238 corners of the lower hood panel 44 overlap the upper edges of first and second curved front corners 226 and 228 respectively to prevent the lower hood panel 44 from collapsing into the front opening 224 behind the curved front end panel 230. The combination of the tension exerted by the first and second side tabs 36 and 114, the inward curvature of the first and second curved front corners 226 and 228, the engagement of the outside edges 232 and 234 of first and second lower hood panel tabs 52 and 54 respectively with fold lines 116 and 226, stabilize the lower hood panel 44 and result in the lower hood panel having a slight curvature toward the front 24 of the vehicle 22.
Next, the grill panel 146 is folded upwardly along fold line 148 until it is generally perpendicular to the base panel 130 and seam between the first and second side tabs 36 and 114. Upper hood panel 150 is folded downwardly over lower hood panel 44 along fold line 152. Windshield panel 154 is folded along fold lines 156, 158 and 160 freeing first and second hood retention tabs 166 and 168 which extend downwardly to engage slots 62 and 60 respectively. First windshield wing 170 is folded along fold line 178 and tab 174 is received by slot 66. Second windshield wing 172 is folded along fold line 180 and tab 176 is received by slot 64. Tabs 174 and 176 received in slots 66 and 64 in combination with hood retention tabs 168 and 166 received in slots 60 and 62 create a slight tension in upper hood panel 150 to present a surface curving from the windshield panel 154 to the front end 24 to present an aesthetically pleasing front view of the vehicle 22.
Referring to
The first side panel 28 transitions to upper panel 30 along fold line 42. Upper panel 30 includes a lower hood panel 44, an interior portion 46, a rear deck panel 48, and an upper rear flap 50. The lower hood panel 44 includes first 52 and second 54 lower hood tabs extending forwardly from lower hood panel 44 along fold lines 56 and 58, respectively, and first and second hood retaining slots 320 and 322, respectively, which are cut generally parallel to the fold lines 42 and 112. First 64 and second 66 windshield slots are cut generally parallel to the fold line 42 on opposite sides of the upper panel 30 generally at the transition between the lower hood panel 44 and the interior portion 46.
The interior portion 46 of upper panel 30 includes first and second cutouts 68 and 70, a dash panel 72, which extends from the rear of lower hood panel 44 along fold line 74. Dash panel 74 includes a console 76 extending rearwardly from the dash panel 72 when the dash panel 72 is not folded, and extending downwardly from the dash panel 72 when the dash panel is folded along fold lines 74 and 75 and separates from lower hood panel along die cut 77 to form the front interior of the vehicle 22. The dash panel 72 is free from interior panel first 78 and second 80 upper sides along die cuts 82 and 84.
An interior portion rear panel 86 extends forwardly from the rear deck panel 48 along fold line 88, and is free from interior panel first 78 and second 80 upper sides along die cuts 90 and 92. The interior portion rear panel 86 includes a tab 87 extending forwardly and separated from tab 76 extending rearwardly from the dash panel 76 by die cut 89. The upper rear flap 50 extends rearwardly from the rear deck panel 48 along fold line 94. A first 96 and second 98 tab extends rearwardly from rear flap 50 along fold lines 100 and 102 respectively. First tab 96 is die cut on opposite sides 104 and 106 as is second tab 98 on opposite sides 108 and 110, which presents wings on opposite sides of the tabs 96 and 98 to help lock the tabs 96 and 98 into their respective engaging slots disclosed herein below.
The upper panel 30 transitions to the second side panel 32 along fold line 112. The second side panel 32 includes a second side tab extending forwardly from the second side panel 32 separated by fold line 116. The second side tab 114 includes an engaging slit 118 for engaging and locking to the engaging slit 40 of the first side tab 36.
The second side panel 32 transitions to the bottom panel 34 along fold lines 120, 122 and 124, and die cut second front wheel 126 and second rear wheel 128. The bottom panel 34 includes a base panel 130 with a first cutout 134 for receiving the tab 87 of interior portion rear panel 86, which secures the interior portion rear panel 86 in place when folded along fold line 88 into the interior space. The fold line 88 is slightly curved, and the length of interior portion rear panel 86 is slightly longer than the depth of the interior space
The bottom panel 34 includes first 136 and second 138 front tabs, which transition along fold lines 140 and 142, respectfully from bottom panel 34 at the front end 24. Second front tab 138 is separated from second side tab 114 along die cut 144. A grill panel 146 transitions along fold line 148 from base panel 130 to an upper hood panel 350 along fold line 352. The upper hood panel 350 includes a first tab 354 extending from a first edge 356 of upper hood panel 350 along fold line 358. The first tab 354 is die cut on opposite sides 360 and 362. A second tab 364 extending from a second edge 366 of upper hood panel 350 along fold line 368. The second tab 364 is die cut on opposite sides 370 and 372. A raisable hood panel 374 extends from the upper hood panel 350 along fold line 376 and is die cut along edges 378, 380, 382, 384 and 386.
A windshield panel 154 extends from upper hood panel 350 along fold line 388. The windshield panel 154 includes first 170 and second 172 wings which each include a tab 174 and 176, respectively, for engaging slots 64 and 66, respectively, to secure the windshield panel 154 in position to the upper panel 30. The first wing 170 extends from the windshield panel 154 along fold line 178, and the second wing 172 extends from the windshield panel 154 along fold line 180.
A lower rear panel 182 transitions from base panel 130 along fold line 184. The lower rear panel 182 transitions to a lower rear flap 186 along fold lines 188, 190 and 192, and die cuts 194 and 196 presenting slots for receiving tabs 96 and 98. An adhesive tab 198 extends from base panel 130 along fold line 200.
Assembly of the rear end of the vehicle 302 and interior portion is the same as described above for the vehicle 22, so it will not be repeated here.
Referring to
Next, the grill panel 146 is folded upwardly along fold line 148 until it is generally perpendicular to the base panel 130 and seam between the first and second side tabs 36 and 114. Upper hood panel 350 is folded downwardly over lower hood panel 44 along fold line 352. First and second tabs 354 and 364 are folded downwardly along fold lines 358 and 368 respectively and received in slots 322 and 320 respectively. Windshield panel 154 is folded forwardly along fold line 388. First windshield wing 170 is folded along fold line 178 and tab 174 is received by slot 66. Second windshield wing 172 is folded along fold line 180 and tab 176 is received by slot 64. Tabs 174 and 176 received in slots 66 and 64 in combination with tabs 354 and 364 received in slots 322 and 322 create a slight tension in upper hood panel 150 to present a surface curving from the windshield panel 154 to the front end 24 to present an aesthetically pleasing front view of the vehicle 22. The raisable hood panel 374 may be folded upwardly from the upper hood panel 350 along fold line 376 to reveal the upper surface of lower hood panel 44.
It is to be understood that while certain now preferred forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of co-pending application Ser. No. 62/000,330, filed on May 19, 2014, entitled VEHICLE REPLICA CARTON AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62000330 | May 2014 | US |