U.S. patent application number 11/233662 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for hinged clip for gable top carton.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A.. Invention is credited to Peder Andersson, Craig Boyd.
Application Number | 20060071059 11/233662 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8864841 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060071059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andersson; Peder ; et
al. |
April 6, 2006 |
Hinged clip for gable top carton
Abstract
A closing flap or clip is adapted to cap the edge of a carton in
a first position and to free the access to a part of the edge in a
second position. The flap passes from the first position to the
second position by pivoting around a geometric axis that is
perpendicular to the carton edge. The flap is formed from two
panels or webs that are configured to fit on each of both sides of
the edge when in the first position. First ends of the panels are
crossed by the geometric axis. The flap has a hinge linking the two
webs and includes means for connecting second ends of the opposing
webs to their respective first ends.
Inventors: |
Andersson; Peder; (Lund,
SE) ; Boyd; Craig; (Arlington Heights, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TETRA PAK US INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT;TETRA PAK INC.
101 COPORATE WOODS PARKWAY
VERNON HILLS
IL
60061
US
|
Assignee: |
Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance,
S.A.
Pully
CH
|
Family ID: |
8864841 |
Appl. No.: |
11/233662 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10153951 |
May 23, 2002 |
6948652 |
|
|
11233662 |
Sep 23, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/125.39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/069 20130101;
Y10T 24/34 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/125.39 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/22 20060101
B65D043/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2001 |
FR |
01 08493 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A clip element for closing a package, the package having an
upstanding edge, comprising: first and second opposing, facing
webs, each of the webs adapted to be disposed on either side of the
edge, each of the webs having first and second ends; means for
connecting the webs to one another at their respective second ends;
a flexible hinge joining the webs to one another, the flexible
hinge extending substantially between the first and second ends;
and an extension extending from one of the webs in a direction
substantially perpendicular to a plane of the web, the extension
being configured for insertion into a passage formed in the edge,
the extension defining a pivot axis, the other of the webs
including a receiving element for receiving the projection to
secure the first and second webs to one another, wherein the clip
is pivotable about the pivot axis, substantially perpendicular to
the edge, between a first position in which the clip covers the
package edge and a second position in which the clip uncovers the
package edge for opening a portion of the package edge, the pivot
axis being spaced from the respective second ends of the webs.
14. The clip element in accordance with claim 13, wherein the means
for connecting the webs to one another includes cooperating shapes
engageable with one another.
15. The clip element in accordance with claim 14 wherein the
cooperating shapes include a projecting element extending from one
of the webs and a housing provided on the other of the webs
receiving and engaging the projecting element.
16. The clip element in accordance with claim 13, wherein the
second ends of the webs have a thickness that is greater than a
thickness of a central portion and a longitudinal edge of the
webs.
17. The clip element in accordance with claim 14 wherein the
extension includes a radial projection having a diameter greater
than a diameter of the opening.
18. The clip element in accordance with claim 13 wherein the clip
is formed as a flat, molded element, and wherein the hinge and the
formed integral with the webs.
19. A method for manufacturing a package having an edge that is
openable, at least in part, and a clip element for closing the
package comprising the steps of: molding the clip in a flat form,
having first and second webs, each of the webs having first and
second ends and a hinge connecting the webs, the hinge extending
substantially along the webs between the first and second ends, the
clip being molded having an extension extending from the first web
in a direction substantially perpendicular to the edge and a
receiving element for receiving the extension, the extension
configured to define a pivot axis for pivoting the clip element
about the edge; mounting the clip on the package by introducing, in
a passage made in the edge, the extension extending from the first
web; folding the clip along the hinge, bringing the second web
toward the edge; connecting the first and second webs at their
respective ends farthest from the extension, such that the webs are
in an opposing, facing orientation; and securing the extension in
the receiving element.
20. The method according to claim 19, including the step of
connecting the second web and the extension substantially
simultaneously with the step of connecting the first and second
webs at their respective ends farthest from the extension.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a closing clip for a
carton having with an edge that can be opened, like a paperboard
box classically used for the treatment of milk or powdered
products. The invention also refers to a carton equipped with a
similar panel and to a fabrication process for such a carton.
[0002] The use of a handle is known from Stuart, U.S. Pat. No.
3,361,333, for purposes of keeping the upper multifold edge of a
cardboard carton closed. Jackson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,967 also
shows the use of a metal or plastic flap in the shape of a spout
and equipped with ridges intended to create a concentration zone
with constraints on an upper edge of a paperboard carton in view of
the articulation of this flap on this panel. In the traditional
approach, such a flap is obtained by extrusion and cutting. The
means by which the flap is affixed to the carton is not secure, and
sometimes such a flap can become loose during transport or when the
carton is exposed for sale, and subject to petty larceny. Moreover,
in order to be rigid enough to maintain the edge of the carton
effectively closed, the flap must be of a fairly significant
thickness, which complicates its manufacture and increases its
final cost.
[0003] Accordingly, there exists a need for a closing flap which
can be manufactured using a totally different approach, and which
allows the upper multifold edge of a carton to be kept effectively
closed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A closing clip or flap for a carton having an edge, is
intended to cap this edge in a primary position and to free access
to a part of this edge in a secondary position. The flap is also
designed to pass from the primary position to the secondary
position by pivoting around a geometric axis that is perpendicular
to the edge.
[0005] The flap consists of two panels which can be used in
position on all sides of the flap and whose first extremity is
crossed by the geometric axis. The flap
[0006] The benefits and advantages of the present invention will
become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flap or clip embodying the
principles of the present invention, the flap being shown in a
state before it is mounted on the carton;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first step in mounting
the flap of FIG. 1 to a carton;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a view following that of FIG. 2 illustrating the
second step in mounting the flap;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a view following that of FIG. 3 in terms of
mounting the flap, illustrating the flap in its first utilization
position;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a view following that of FIG. 4, showing the flap
in its second utilization position;
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrated an alternate embodiment of the flap in a
position similar to that of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the flap of FIG. 6, viewed
from the opposite side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described a presently preferred embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0015] It should be further understood that the title of this
section of this specification, namely, "Detailed Description Of The
Invention", relates to a requirement of the United States Patent
Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the
subject matter disclosed herein.
[0016] Referring to the figures and in particular FIG. 1, a flap 10
is formed from two panels or webs 11 and 12 connected by a hinge.
Flap 10 is molded in the position shown in FIG. 1. The flap is
formed as a single block of plastic, e.g. as a unitary element.
[0017] Panel 11 features, at its center, a medium-thickness web
111. This web 111 is bounded by longitudinal borders 112 of
thickness e.sub.1, which are greater than those of the web 111.
Similarly, a central web 121 of panel 12 is of a relatively small
thickness and is bounded by edges 122 of a greater thickness
e.sub.2.
[0018] The hinge 13 is of a thickness e.sub.3 that is less than
thicknesses e.sub.1 and e.sub.2 which are identical or similar to
each other. The geometric axis, indicated at X-X' of hinge 13 is
indicated here.
[0019] Panel 11 features an extension 113, cylindrical in form and
equipped with a radial flange 113a at its free end 113b. Extension
113 is centered on axis Y-Y', which is globally perpendicular to
the plane of panel 11 and to axis X-X'. The extension 113 extends
from the end 114 of panel 11.
[0020] At the end 115 of web 111, opposite end 114, this panel
features a projection 116, of thickness e'.sub.1, which is greater
than thickness e.sub.1, from which extends a tab 117. Tab 117
projects, relative to zone 115, in the direction Y.sub.A-Y'.sub.A
parallel to direction Y-Y', and reaches longitudinally in direction
Z-Z', which is noticeably perpendicular to axis X-X' and to
direction Y.sub.A-Y'.sub.A. Tab 117 features a ridge at its end
117a, which extends for its whole length.
[0021] Panel 12 is provided, at the level of its first end 124,
with a circular opening 123 of which the diameter d.sub.123 is
indicated. This diameter is slightly larger than that of the main
portion of extension 113 and less than that of the flange 113a.
[0022] Panel 12 features, at its secondary end 125 opposite the
first end 124, a projection 126 of thickness e'.sub.2 which is
greater than the thickness e.sub.2 of edges 122. In this projection
126, a groove 127 is provided whose dimensions are such that it can
receive the tab 117 when the hinge 13 is folded along axis X-X'.
The width l.sub.127 of the groove 127 is greater than the width
l.sub.117 of the tab 117 at its base and less than the width
l.sub.117a of ridge 117a. In fact, groove 127 has an internal shape
which noticeably complies with, e.g., corresponds to the external
form of tab 117 and, on the side of panel 12 that is not visible in
FIG. 1 but is visible in FIG. 4, shows a wider part 127a to receive
tab 117a. Taking their respective geometries into consideration,
tab 117 can be immobilized by cooperation of the shapes in groove
127. In practice, edge 117 can be caught in groove 127.
[0023] Mounting the flap 10 on the carton 20 is explicitly referred
to in FIGS. 2 to 5. Carton 20 is of a globally parallelipipedic
shape and comprises, at its upper portion, an edge 21 which is
formed by two paperboard folds 22 and 23. As is shown in FIG. 5,
folds 22 and 23 can be separated from each other to form a spout V
for the product contained in carton 20.
[0024] Mounting flap 10 on carton 20 is accomplished by introducing
extension 113 in a hole 24 formed in edge 21, as represented by
arrow F.sub.1 in FIG. 2. In this step, and in the following steps,
axis Y-Y' is perpendicular to edge 21. In terms of this
introduction, panel 11 adjoins edge 21 of the side of fold 23 and
tab 117 reaches this immediate area of a border before 21a of edge
21.
[0025] As such, flap 10 is folded along axis X-X' of hinge 13, as
represented by arrow F.sub.2 in FIG. 3, which allows the use of
opening 123 around extension 113 and groove 127 around tab 117.
[0026] Introduction of extension 113 into opening 123, and of tab
117 into groove 127, takes place by elastic deformation of panel
10, which is compatible with its constituent material. It is noted
here that the movement of folding of flap 10 is a simple movement
which can be effected automatically by a robotic manipulator,
similar to the movement introducing extension 113 into hole 24 in
the direction of arrow F.sub.1.
[0027] The folding movement in the direction of arrow F.sub.2
allows the position in FIG. 4 to be reached, where flap 10 caps
edge 21; a tightening motion indicated by arrows F.sub.3 and
F'.sub.3 is exercised by cooperation of flange 113a and of opening
123 at the level of the first extremities 114 and 124 of panels 11
and 12, whereas a second tightening motion, indicated by arrows
F.sub.4 and F'.sub.4 is exercised by cooperation of elements 117
and 127 at the level of secondary ends 115 and 125 of panels 11 and
12. Groove 127 extends through extension 125, which allows easy
molding of part 127a of width l.sub.127a, which is greater than
width l.sub.127.
[0028] When the user needs the contents of carton 20, all s/he has
to do is pivot the flap 10 around the geometric axis Y-Y' of
extension 113, in the direction of arrow F.sub.5 in FIG. 4, which
brings flap 10 to the position in FIG. 5 where it does not prevent
the separation of folds 22 and 23 to form spout V.
[0029] When the consumer wants to close carton 20, all s/he has to
do is press folds 22 and 23 against each other, in the direction of
arrows F.sub.6 and F'.sub.6 and to put the cap back on edge 21 with
flap 10 with a pivoting movement F'.sub.5 in the opposite direction
of the previous movement F.sub.5. Movements F.sub.3, F'.sub.3,
F.sub.4 and F'.sub.4 allow edge 21 to be kept in a closed
configuration, including the time after folds 22 and 23 have been
pulled apart.
[0030] Since it is manufactured by a flat blank molding process,
flap 10 can be easily adapted, for example as a function of the
brand of the product contained in carton 20. In fact, all that
needs to be done is to apply inserts into the flap's 10 fabrication
mold so that they will appear on the external surfaces of panels 11
and 12, so that surface 128, which is visible in FIGS. 4 and 5,
shows technical or advertising notes relating to this product.
[0031] Moreover, the roughness of surfaces 128 and their equivalent
can be modified at will in order to improve the grip on flap
10.
[0032] The process described above can easily be carried out at the
time of manufacture of the product contained in carton 20. To this
end, the hole 24 can be formed in flap 21 immediately before
application of extension 113.
[0033] The second embodiment of the flap and the method for making
the flap are illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which like elements
have like numbers that are increased in increments of 200 from
those that correspond to elements of the previous embodiment and
method first production. Flap 210 includes two panels 211 and 212
connected to one another by a hinge 213 extending along an axis
X-X'.
[0034] At the level of the first end 314, panel 211 is equipped
with an extension 313 which reaches along an axis Y-Y' which is
globally perpendicular to axis X-X' and to the plane of panel 211.
Extension 313 consists of two parts 3131 and 3132 which are cut
into a globally cylindrical envelope surface and separated by a
space or gap 3133 which is also inscribed into a cylindrical
envelope surface.
[0035] Each part 3131 and 3132 is provided with a portion of the
external radial flange 3131a and 3132a, of which the far side of
panel 211 is in the shape of a truncated cone and converges
opposite this panel. Two openings 3134 and 3135 are provided at the
base of parts 3131 and 3132 for the passage of casting drawers for
parts 3131 and 3132.
[0036] An opening 323 is provided at the level of a first end 324
of flap 212 and allows it to receive extension 313 and to lock it
into position, in the same way as opening 123 of the first method
of production allows extension 113 to be received and locked.
[0037] Edge 323a of opening 323 is in the shape of a truncated
cone, which eases the introduction of extension 313.
[0038] Introduction of extension 313 into opening 323 takes place
by elastic deformation of parts 3131 and 3132, which can be brought
together by reduction of gap or volume 3133, when flanges 3131a and
3132a are passed into opening 323.
[0039] At end 315 of panel 211, opposite extension 313, this panel
is provided with a tab 317 which projects, relative to the plane of
panel 211 in the direction Y.sub.A-Y'.sub.A parallel to direction
Y-Y'. Tab 317 extends longitudinally in a direction Z-Z'
perpendicular to axis X-X' and to direction Y.sub.A-Y'.sub.A.
[0040] Tab 317 is provided with a ridge 317a extending from one
side, and whose upper surface 317b is inclined relative to the
plane defined by axis X-X' from direction Z-Z'. The lower surface
317c of ridge 317a, i.e. the surface facing panel 211, is
perpendicular to direction Y.sub.A-Y'.sub.A. An opening 318 is
provided at the base of axis 317 for passage of a casting
drawer.
[0041] Panel 212 features, at the level of its end 325 opposite end
324, an extension 326 in which a receiving and pinching groove 327
is provided for tab 317. Groove 327 is provided with an interior
flange 327b for engagement by ridge 317a of tab 317 to immobilize
tab 317 inside groove 327 when flap 210 is folded along hinge
213.
[0042] Part 327a of groove 327, which is shown more clearly in FIG.
7, is of width l.sub.327a greater than width l.sub.327 of groove
327 at the level of flange 327b. This part 327a allows ridge 317a
of tab 317 to be fitted in a closed configuration of tab 210,
corresponding to the configuration of FIGS. 4 and 5 of tab 10 of
the first method of production.
[0043] The flange 327 is defined between an inclined surface,
consisting of a ridge introduction ramp 317a (this inclined surface
is visible in FIG. 6), and a surface that is globally perpendicular
to the plane of panel 212 (this surface is visible in FIG. 7).
[0044] Mounting of flap 210 on a package, such as carton 20,
represented in FIGS. 2 to 5, takes place in a manner similar to
that described for the first described embodiment.
[0045] All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated
herein by reference, whether or not specifically do so within the
text of this disclosure.
[0046] In the present disclosure, the words "a" or "an" are to be
taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any
reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the
singular.
[0047] From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous
modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present
invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect
to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be
inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended
claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the
claims.
* * * * *