US3552635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking mechanism for egg cartons
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1969-05-23
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1989-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A locking mechanism for an egg carton having an integrally hinged tray and cover. The locking mechanism includes a plurality of locking flanges that extend forwardly from the bottom longitudinal edge of the cover''s front wall and that fit into a plurality of rearwardly opening locking fingers on the top of the tray''s front wall when the carton is closed. To prevent inadvertent opening of the carton, the fingers form part of a locking flap that is hingedly connected to the tray''s front wall and that folds into the interior of the tray, where the packaged eggs hold the flap and its attached fingers in proper locking position.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore P Martens
- 👤 James R Patton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:38
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D85/00; B65D85/30; B65D85/32; B65D85/324
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An egg carton comprising a bottom section having a front wall, a rear wall, and a plurality of rows of egg accommodating cells; a cover section having a front wall and a rear wall, the cover and bottom sections'' rear walls being hingedly connected so that the cover section can assume a closeD superimposed position with respect to the bottom section; and interlocking means along the front walls of the cover and bottom sections for releasably holding the carton closed, said interlocking means comprising: a. a locking flap hingedly connected to the top of the bottom section''s front wall and folded into overlapped relation with the inside of the bottom section''s front wall, said flap being held in folded position by eggs packaged in the forward row of egg accommodating cells; b. a plurality of rearwardly opening locking fingers integral with the locking flap and having an upper locking edge, said fingers projecting upwardly from the top of the bottom section''s front wall when the flap is in folded position; and c. a plurality of correspondingly spaced locking flanges projecting forwardly from the bottom longitudinal edge of the cover section''s front wall, the locking flanges fitting into the locking fingers and engaging the underside of the fingers'' upper locking edge when the carton is closed to hold the sections together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An egg carton comprising a bottom section having a front wall, a rear wall, and a plurality of rows of egg accommodating cells; a cover section having a front wall and a rear wall, the cover and bottom sections'' rear walls being hingedly connected so that the cover section can assume a closeD superimposed position with respect to the bottom section; and interlocking means along the front walls of the cover and bottom sections for releasably holding the carton closed, said interlocking means comprising: a. a locking flap hingedly connected to the top of the bottom section''s front wall and folded into overlapped relation with the inside of the bottom section''s front wall, said flap being held in folded position by eggs packaged in the forward row of egg accommodating cells; b. a plurality of rearwardly opening locking fingers integral with the locking flap and having an upper locking edge, said fingers projecting upwardly from the top of the bottom section''s front wall when the flap is in folded position; and c. a plurality of correspondingly spaced locking flanges projecting forwardly from the bottom longitudinal edge of the cover section''s front wall, the locking flanges fitting into the locking fingers and engaging the underside of the fingers'' upper locking edge when the carton is closed to hold the sections together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The carton of claim 1, wherein the carton and interlocking means are of unitary molded construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The carton of claim 2, wherein the carton and interlocking means are formed of molded polystyrene foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The carton of claim 1, including a laterally extending flange along the top of the bottom section''s front wall, in which the locking flap is hinged to the forward edge of the lateral flange so that it overlies the top of a portion of the flange when in folded position and in which the locking flap includes a plurality of depending tabs that extend into the interior of a plurality of egg cells, said tabs being engaged by the eggs packaged in said cells to hold the flap in folded position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The carton of claim 4, including a laterally extending flange along the bottom of the cover section''s front wall lying in substantial flush engagement with the bottom section''s flange when the carton is closed, the portion of said cover''s flange adjacent the locking flap being raised so that is lies flush with the top of the folded flap when the sections are in closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The carton of claim 5, wherein the locking flanges on the cover section are coplanar with and interrupt the raised portion of the cover section''s lateral flange adjacent the locking fingers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The carton of claim 1, wherein the hinged connection between the cover and bottom sections'' rear walls resiliently urges the sections apart so that the locking flanges tightly engage the underside of the locking fingers'' upper locking edges when the sections are in closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3100593A
Cited
US3506182A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |