Carton For Tape Cartridges

Abstract

A carton for tape cartridges has an interior partition wall extending between top and bottom panels. The interior partition wall and a side wall have a tape cartridge located therebetween and the cartridge is prevented from movement in directions normal to such walls by at least one stop member formed from said interior wall.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The structure according to the present invention is particularly applicable to the merchandising of small cassettes for magnetic tape recordings. Their small size makes them easy of pilferage in retail establishments. The same small size makes it difficult to furnish information about recording stars.

The structure according to the present invention makes it possible to display the cassettes in conventional record racks, and the size of the packaging structure makes it difficult of concealment on a person having intent to purloin same. Moreover, the size makes it possible to provide adequate information about the nature of the recording within the tape cartridge.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the carton according to the present invention in position for loading thereof;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a pair of stops for restraining an article loaded within the carton;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank for forming the carton seen in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along line 4--4 os FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the loaded carton, showing the cartridge in a position for display in a display opening thereof;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 8--8 of FIG. 7 certain parts being shown in plan view; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 9--9 of FIG. 7;

The improved carton according to the present invention is referred to by the reference numeral 10 and is adapted to store and display therein a cassette or tape cartridge C. The latter C has a greater length and breadth than depth, and is of a size making it convenient to pilfer when on display but for the provision of the carton according to the present invention.

The cassette C does not ordinarily lend itself to any degree of display of advertising material or reference to the recording therein, but the carton C not only lends itself to graphics thereon referring to the cassette stored and displayed therein, but it is of a dimension making it difficult to be concealed about the person. Moreover, the carton is of a dimension lending itself to storage and display in the conventional record racks storing larger size recordings in paperboard jackets.

The container 10 is formed from the cut and scored blank 10A seen in FIG. 3 and is comprised of a top panel 11, a first side panel 12, a bottom panel 13 and an opposite side panel 14, these being foldably connected along panel score lines 16. The aforesaid panels are joined to define a carton sleeve, a glue panel 17 being foldably connected in a fold line 18 and glued to the inside of the top panel 11 in a manner well-known.

Structure is provided within the sleeve thus far described for providing in the interior thereof a recess of a desired dimension. Glue panel 17 accordingly has a partition panel 19 extending therefrom, the latter being foldably connected to glue panel 17. The partition panel 19 is also defined by a pair of spaced cut lines 24 extending laterally of the score line 21, and partition panel 19 is held in position by a foot 22 glued to the bottom panel 13 as seen particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, and foldable with respect to partition panel at fold line 23.

Each end of the partition panel 19 is flanked by a stop comprised of tab portions 27 and 28 formed from panel 19 and foot 22, tab 27 being foldably connected to the foot 22 by score line 26 and tabs 27 and 28 being foldably connected to each other and with respect to the glue flap 17 along continuations of the score lines 21 and 23.

The tab portions 27 and 28 are disposed with relation to a window opening 31 in the top panel 11, at each end thereof. Window 31 is defined by a cut line 33 spaced from and parallel to fold line 16 connecting top panel 11 with side panel 12, and spaced and parallel cut lines 32 extending between cut line 33 and fold line 16. A flap 34 extends into the opening 31, and is foldable downward along continuation of the fold line 16 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The cassette C is adapted to be loaded to the carton sleeve thus far described from the open end thereof, the inner stop being formed by folding the tab 27 out of the plane of the foot 22, tab 28 extending along the underside of the top panel 11. The cassette C is then locked in position in the recess defined in the carton sleeve, by similarly folding the tab 27 adjacent the open end of the sleeve.

The cassette C is restrained in position within the recess thus far described by the bias of the flap 34 which urges the cassette against the partition 19. It will be noted that the top panel 11 has a degree of overhang with respect to partition 19 so as to prevent the movement thereof. Moreover, the edges 32, 32 of the opening 31 overhang the cassette C to prevent removal thereof.

Once the cassette has been loaded into position and the tab 27 at the end of the carton as seen in FIG. 2 is erected, closure of the carton is had at that time. The closure means for the carton 10 includes dust flaps 42 and a closure panel 44 having a tuck flap 47 extending therefrom and foldable with respect to closure panel 44 along a score line 48.

In order to maintain the outer tab 27 in the erect position tuck flap 47 has a notch 49 therein cooperating with a notch 51 seen in FIG. 9 formed in the tab 27 adjacent the end of the carton sleeve.

The opposite end of the carton sleeve is closed by a closure structure consisting of dust flaps 36 extending from the side panels 12 and 14, and foldable with respect thereto along score lines 35. A closure panel 37 is foldable with respect to the top panel 11 along fold line 38, a tuck flap 39 foldable with respect to the end closure panel 37 being provided.

Claims

We claim:

1. A one piece carton particularly adapted to store an article such as a tape cartridge or the like, said carton being formed from a unitary blank of paperboard or the like and comprising:

a. foldably interconnected top, bottom and opposed side panels defining a carton sleeve;

b. a partition panel extending between said bottom and top panels;

i. said partition panel being spaced from one of said side panels a distance equal at least to one of the major dimensions of said article;

c. a stop formed in said partition panel and spaced from an end of said sleeve to define a cavity for the reception of said article;

d. said partition panel having a foot foldably attached thereto with means securing said foot to one of of said top and bottom panels;

e. said stop being folded out of the planes of said partition panel and said foot.

2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein a stop is formed at each end of said partition panel and said foot.

3. A carton according to claim 2 wherein a stop is formed adjacent one end of said carton sleeve, and wherein said carton sleeve is provided with closure means cooperating with said stop in the erected position to maintain said stop in erected position.

4. A carton according to claim 1 wherein an opening is provided in said top panel to define said cavity.