US3688971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Egg carton latching design
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-16
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1990-10-16
Abstract
Abstract An egg carton incorporating an easy-open latching feature comprising an outwardly extending protuberance on the carton locking flap which extends into a cutout section at the bottom edge of the cover front wall. By depressing the protuberance, the carton latching mechanism is disengaged permitting convenient, one-handed opening of the carton. There is also provided an improved latching mechanism wherein the bottom surface of each locking lug is planar and horizontally oriented when the carton is closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert James Phillips
- 👤 Robert L Reasor
- 👤 Donald F Wiley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D85/00; B65D85/30; B65D85/32; B65D85/324
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A molded egg carton comprising a cellular tray, an overlying tray-like cover hingedly connected to the tray along mutually adjacent edges and a locking flap integrally and hingedly connected to the tray along the side thereof opposite the side to which the cover is connected, the cover front wall and locking flap having at least one set of latching elements which are adapted to interengage upon closing of the carton with the locking flap projecting upwardly from the tray in face-to-face relationship with the inside surface of the cover front wall, said cover front wall having a cutout section therein adjacent the midpoint of the lower edge thereof, and said locking flap having an outwardly extEnding protuberance adjacent the midpoint of the lower margin thereof, said protuberance adapted to extend into said cutout in the cover front wall, whereby said protuberance may be depressed causing the locking flap to be deflected inwardly thereby disengaging the latching elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A molded egg carton comprising a cellular tray, an overlying tray-like cover hingedly connected to the tray along mutually adjacent edges and a locking flap integrally and hingedly connected to the tray along the side thereof opposite the side to which the cover is connected, the cover front wall and locking flap having at least one set of latching elements which are adapted to interengage upon closing of the carton with the locking flap projecting upwardly from the tray in face-to-face relationship with the inside surface of the cover front wall, said cover front wall having a cutout section therein adjacent the midpoint of the lower edge thereof, and said locking flap having an outwardly extEnding protuberance adjacent the midpoint of the lower margin thereof, said protuberance adapted to extend into said cutout in the cover front wall, whereby said protuberance may be depressed causing the locking flap to be deflected inwardly thereby disengaging the latching elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A molded carton according to claim 1, wherein said outwardly extending protuberance on the locking flap does not extend beyond the plane of the outer surface of the cover front wall when the carton is in the closed configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A molded carton according to claim 1, wherein said latching elements comprise a pair of spaced apertures on the cover front wall and a pair of outwardly extending locking lugs on the locking flap, said lugs adapted to extend through said apertures when the carton is in the closed configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A molded carton according to claim 3, wherein the entire lower surface of each locking lug is substantially planar and lies in an essentially horizontal plane when the carton is in the closed configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A molded carton according to claim 4, wherein the lower periphery of each of said apertures in the cover front wall is straight-cut and biaxially horizontal when the carton is in the closed configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
A molded carton according to claim 1, fabricated from pulp fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A molded carton according to claim 1, fabricated from foamed thermoplastic synthetic plastic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |