Device For Creating Playthings Out Of Milk Cartons Or The Like

Abstract

A paper sheet is scored or perforated to form a decorative cover for a milk carton or the like of the type having a peaked top with triangular inward folds. The cover is marked with four main panels and appropriately imprinted to resemble a castle or other play object. The top has two rectangular extensions for the peaked container top and two triangular extensions for the folds. The cover is placed around the carton and attached with tabs and slits along its edges. The triangular extensions are slipped under the top to lock the cover in place. Sheets may be made with various decorations and of different sizes so that groups of playthings may be assembled.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to playthings of the cutout variety, and particularly to paper objects which may be used by children to create individual three-dimensional playthings decorated and arranged to suit their fancy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved cutout device especially adapted to be mounted on conventional rectangular milk cartons or the like which have peaked tops with triangular inward folds. The invention enables the user to decorate a number of such cartons of various sizes so as to provide playthings which may then be arranged and rearranged. The invention is especially adapted to create playthings which resemble castles, houses or similar structures, but may nevertheless be used to create almost any desired play object.

Briefly, the invention comprises a cutout cover sheet of generally rectangular shape, the total size of the cover being sufficient to cover the four panels of a rectangular milk carton of the type described above. Two rectangular extensions at the top of the cover overlap the peaked top of the carton, and two triangular extensions are shaped so as to slip under the top and overlie the triangular inward folds. Tabs and slits on the side margins and rectangular extensions secure the cover on the carton, with the triangular extensions locking the cover in place.

The cover may be decorated in any of a variety of ways, such as to resemble a castle or house. Covers of various sizes may be made to fit different cartons. Thus, a child may create groups of playthings such as a town or village.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a sheet incorporating the principles of this invention, showing the fold and cutout lines as well as cutout figures and instructions;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a milk carton after it has been decorated; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional plan view showing an interlocking tab and slit, along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A rectangular paper sheet 11 has imprinted thereon a decorated milk carton cover generally indicated at 12. The cover, which may be in one or several colors, is of generally rectangular shape, having four contiguous main panels 13, 14, 15 and 16 with an extension 17 along the outer edge of panel 16. Panels 13 through 16 match in dimensions the sides of a conventional milk carton 18 or the like seen in FIG. 2. The carton has a peaked top 19 and a pair of triangular inward folds 21 on opposite sides. Panels 13 through 16 are separated by scored or marked fold lines 22.

A pair of rectangular panels 23 and 24 extend upwardly from panels 13 and 15 respectively and are shaped as to overlap peaked top 19 when sheet 12 is assembled onto the carton. A pair of triangular panels 25 and 26 extend upwardly from panels 14 and 16 respectively and are shaped so as to overlie triangular folds 21. Scored or marked fold lines 27 are formed at the junctures of panels 23 through 26 with their respective main panels.

A pair of tabs 28 are formed on the outer edge of panel 13 and a pair of slits 29 are cut at the fold line 22 between panel 16 and extension 17. The tabs and slits are so shaped and positioned as to hold the cover onto the milk carton when it is assembled.

A tab 31 extends from the upper edge of panel 24 and a slit 32 is formed adjacent the upper edge of panel 23. This tab and slit will interfit when the cover is assembled onto the carton to hold panels 23 and 24 against the peaked carton top.

A perforated or cut border 33 surrounds the entire imprinted cover including the tabs so that the cover may be easily removed from the remainder of sheet 11. The design of cover 12 may be of any appropriate nature such as a castle, building, house or anything else which would be instructive or entertaining and excite a child's imagination.

The remaining portions of sheet 11 may be utilized for various purposes. Illustrated are an instruction panel 34, a suggested layout 35 of several decorated cartons, and various cutout figures such as that indicated at 36.

While the illustrated cover 12 is for a relatively tall carton, the cover could be such as to fit on other sizes of cartons.

In use, cover 12 will be removed from sheet 11 along line 33. The child will then fold the cover along lines 22 and 27. He will then place panel 13 against one side of the milk carton and wrap the cover around the remaining sides. Tabs 28 will be inserted in slits 29 to hold the cover against opening, as shown in FIG. 3.

Triangular panels 25 and 26 will be slipped into place overlying inward folds 21. Panels 23 and 24 will be placed against the peaked top 19 of the carton and tab 31 inserted in slit 32. It will be observed in FIG. 2 that the triangular panels will be held in place under peaked top 19, thus locking the cover in place on the milk carton.

Claims

I claim:

1. In combination with a milk carton of the type having a peaked top and triangular inward folds beneath the top, a cover imprinted to simulate said plaything and having four contiguous rectangular main panels, each panel approximating the size of one milk carton side, fold lines connecting the panels, means interconnecting the outer edges of the first and fourth panels after the panels have been placed around the carton, a pair of top panels extending upwardly from alternate main panels and overlapping the peaked top of said carton, means interconnecting the outer edges of said top panels, and triangular panels having the same shape and area as said triangular inward folds of the carton, said triangular panels being contiguous with the tops of the remaining main panels and inserted beneath the top of said carton to a position overlying said triangular folds so as to lock the cover in place on the carton.

2. In combination with a rectangular milk carton of the type having a peaked top and triangular inward folds beneath the top, a sheet, a decorative carton cover imprinted on said sheet, said cover having four contiguous main panels corresponding in shape to the sides of the carton and an extension along the outer edge of the fourth panel, fold lines between said panels and between the fourth panel and extension, tab and slit means along the outer edge of the first panel and the juncture of the fourth panel and extension initially holding the cover in place on said carton, a pair of rectangular top panels extending upwardly from two alternate main panels and overlapping said peaked carton top, means interconnecting the outer edges of said top panels, a pair of triangular panels having the same area and shape as said triangular inward folds of the milk carton, said triangular panels extending upwardly from the other two main panels and overlying said triangular carton folds when they are slipped under the peaked top so as to lock the cover in place on the carton, and a line surrounding the entire cover whereby it may be removed from the remainder of the sheet.

3. The combination according to claim 2, said interconnecting means at the outer edges of the top panels comprising a tab and slit.

4. The combination according to claim 2, there being two tabs and two slits interconnecting the first and fourth panels.

5. The combination according to claim 2, said cover being decorated in the form of a castle.

6. The combination according to claim 2, said sheet being further provided with imprinted cutout designs along its margin and outwardly of said cover.

7. In combination with a milk carton or the like, a flat paper sheet imprinted to simulate the plaything and having four contiguous rectangular main panels, each panel approximating the size of one milk carton side, fold lines connecting the panels, means interconnecting the outer edges of the first and fourth panels after the panels have been placed around the carton, a pair of top panels extending upwardly from alternate main panels and overlapping the peaked top of said carton, and means interconnecting the outer edges of said top panels.