Flip-top carton lock

Claim 2

A flip-top carton comprising a body having a plurality of panels and a flip-top hingedly connected thereto, means for releasably locking said flip-top in closed condition, said locking means including a locking flap hingedly connected by spaced aligned fold lines to one of said panels, said locking flap being folded along said fold lines into sandwiched relationship between said one panel and said flip-top in said closed condition and an elongated continuous slit between said locking flap and said one panel and between said fold lines for permitting said locking flap to readily flex transversely of its length as said slit progressively opens between said fold lines upon the application of an inwardly directed force against said one panel to thereby facilitate the release of said locking means.

Claim 3

The carton of claim 1 wherein said locking means further includes locking tabs associated with said flip-top adapted to cooperate with said locking flap for releasably locking said flip-top in closed condition.

Claim 4

The carton of claim 2 wherein each of said locking tabs includes a curved surface for cammingly engaging said locking flap.

Claim 5

The carton of claim 3 wherein said curved surfaces include a terminal edge portion, said locking flap having corners in engagement with said curved surfaces in the locked condition of said flip-top, and wherein inward bending of said one panel in response to said inwardly directed force will cause said locking flap to flex whereby said corners will slide along said curved surfaces until they pass said terminal edge portions thereby releasing said locking means.

Claim 6

A flip-top carton comprising a body having a plurality of panels and a flip-top hingedly connected thereto, means for releasably locking said flip-top in closed condition, said locking means including a locking flap hingedly connected by fold line means to one of said panels, said locking flap being folded along said fold line means into sandwiched relationship between said one panel and a panel of said flip-top in said closed condition, said locking flap including a pair of opposite corners, each of said corners in said closed condition normally being in engagement with an associated upwardly facing edge of tabs secured to said flip-top panel thereby defining said locking means, each tab having terminal edges inboard of said upwardly facing edges, and said upwardly facing edges define cam means responsive to inward bending of said one panel and said locking panel for cammingly guiding each corner toward its adjacent terminal edge until passing the same to thereby release said locking means.

Claim 7

A flip-top carton comprising a body having a plurality of panels and a flip-top hingedly connected thereto, means for releasably locking said flip-top in closed condition, said locking means including a locking flap hingedly connected by fold line means to one of said panels, said locking flap being folded along said fold line means into sandwiched relationship between said one panel and a panel of said flip-top in said closed condition, said locking flap including a pair of opposite corners, each of said corners in said closed condition normally being in engagement with an associated upwardly facing edge of tabs secured to said flip-top panel thereby defining said locking means, each tab having terminal edges inboard of said upwardly facing edges, and said upwardly facing edges define cam means responsive to inward bending of said one panel and said locking panel for cammingly guiding each corner toward its adjacent terminal edge until passing the same to thereby release said locking means.