Patent US3998380A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3998380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Carton having an openable and closeable pour opening
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-12-16
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Granted: 1976-12-21
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Expires: 1995-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A carton having a rectanguloid, cylindrical or other conventional shape formed from suitable material has a plurality of walls arranged to define a container body. One of the plurality of walls of the container body is provided with a section having two panels arranged in a gradually deepening infolded V shape beginning at a point within the one wall and extending to another of the plurality of walls intersecting and adjacent the one wall, the section being of its greatest depth at the intersecting adjacent wall. A pull tab extends along the axial centerline of the section. In one embodiment tabs are adhesively joined to the panels and are attached along the edge of the intersecting adjacent wall along lines of weakening. In alternative embodiments, the panels are attached to the edge of the intersecting adjacent wall along lines of weakening. To open the carton, an outwardly directed force is exerted on the pull tab and the tabs or, as in the alternative embodiments the panels, will separate from the intersecting adjacent wall along the lines of weakening. The panels will articulate outwardly about the centerline of the section to form a pour opening in the carton. To close the carton, an inwardly directed force is exerted on the pull tab and the panels will articulate inwardly about the centerline to close the pour opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Kanelos John Kanelous
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:03
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/72; B65D5/74; B65D5/741; B65D5/745
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
A carton formed from a single carton blank of semi-stiff sheet material, said carton comprising: a. a pair of side wall panels, each of said side wall panels having an upper edge; b. a first end wall panel having an upper edge and a width of a constant dimension; c. a second end wall panel having an upper edge; d. bottom closure flap means arranged with said pair of side wall panels and said first and second end wall panels to define a portion of a container body; e. flap means joined to said pair of side wall panels and arranged to define a top wall of said container body, said top wall having a first section and a second section, said first section being flat and being located adjacent said edge of said second end wall panel, said second section having an infolded V shape of varying depth, being deepest immediately adjacent said upper edge of said first end wall panel and having an axial centerline said second section adapted to articulate about said axial centerline to assume an inverted V shape; f. a pull tab means associated with said second section; and g. a pair of tabs, each of said tabs attached to said upper edge of said first end wall panel along a line of weakening, each of said pair of tabs adapted to be secured to said second section of said top wall, said pair of tabs separating from said first end wall panel along said lines of weakening when an upwardly directed force is first exerted on said pull tab means and said second section articulating about said axial centerline to assume an inverted V shape to form a pour opening in said first end wall panel and said top wall, said second section returning to its infolded V shape to close said pour opening when a downwardly directed force is exerted on said pull tab means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
A carton formed from a single carton blank of semi-stiff sheet material, said carton comprising: a. a pair of side wall panels, each of said side wall panels having an upper edge; b. a first end wall panel having an upper edge and a width of a constant dimension; c. a second end wall panel having an upper edge; d. bottom closure flap means arranged with said pair of side wall panels and said first and second end wall panels to define a portion of a container body; e. flap means joined to said pair of side wall panels and arranged to define a top wall of said container body, said top wall having a first section and a second section, said first section being flat and being located adjacent said edge of said second end wall panel, said second section having an infolded V shape of varying depth, being deepest immediately adjacent said upper edge of said first end wall panel and having an axial centerline said second section adapted to articulate about said axial centerline to assume an inverted V shape; f. a pull tab means associated with said second section; and g. a pair of tabs, each of said tabs attached to said upper edge of said first end wall panel along a line of weakening, each of said pair of tabs adapted to be secured to said second section of said top wall, said pair of tabs separating from said first end wall panel along said lines of weakening when an upwardly directed force is first exerted on said pull tab means and said second section articulating about said axial centerline to assume an inverted V shape to form a pour opening in said first end wall panel and said top wall, said second section returning to its infolded V shape to close said pour opening when a downwardly directed force is exerted on said pull tab means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
313 words
The carton in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flap means comprises: a. a first top closure flap adjoining one of said pair of side wall panels along said upper edge, said first top closure flap having an first portion adjacent said second end wall panel and a second portion adjacent said first end wall panel having an edge of a length greater than one half said width of said first end wall panel and an oblique fold line extending from said edge toward a transverse edge of said first portion, said transverse edge having a length equal to one half said width of said first end wall panel; b. a second top closure flap adjoining the other of said pair of side wall panels along said upper edge, said second top closure flap having a first portion adjacent said second end wall panel and a second portion adjacent said first end wall panel having an edge of a length greater than one half said width of said first end wall panel and equal to said length of said edge of said second portion of said first top closure panel and an oblique fold line extending from said edge toward a transverse edge of said first portion, said transverse edge having a length equal to one half said width of said first end wall panel; c. said first portion of said first and second top closure flaps being in registry to form said first section in said top wall and said second portions of said first and second top closure flaps abutting and joined along said oblique fold lines to form said second section of said top wall, said oblique fold lines lying on said axial centerline of said second section, said edges of said second portions being adjacent said lines of weakening when said second section is in its infolded V shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The carton in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pull tab means comprises a pair of strips, one of said strips attached to said second portion of said first top closure flap along said oblique fold line and the other of said pair of strips attached to said second portion of said second top closure flap, said second portion being adhesively joined by said strips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The carton in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a top closure panel adjoining said second end wall panel along said upper edge and adapted for joinder to said first portion of said first and second top closure flaps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
253 words
A carton comprising: a. a plurality of walls arranged to define a container body; b. a pair of hinged panels in one of said plurality of walls to form when said container body is closed, an infolded V-shaped section in said one wall extending from a point within said one wall to another of said plurality of walls intersecting and adjacent said one wall, said infolded V-shaped section having its greatest depth immediately adjacent said another of said plurality of walls and having an axial centerline said panels constructed and arranged to articulate about said axial centerline to assume an inverted V shape; c. an edge of said another of said plurality of walls immediately adjacent said infolded V-shaped section, V-shaped to conform to said infolded V-shaped section; d. a pull tab means associated with said section; and e. means providing lines of weakening securing said pair of panels to said another of said plurality of walls, said pair of panels separating from said another of said plurality of walls along said lines weakening when a force outwardly directed with respect to the interior of said container body is exerted on said pair of panels, said pair of panels articulating about said axial centerline to assume in inverted V-shape to form a pour opening in said container body, said pair of panels returning to their infolded V-shape to close said pour opening when a force inwardly directed with respect to the interior of said container body is exerted on said pair of panels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
253 words
A carton comprising: a. a plurality of walls arranged to define a container body; b. a pair of hinged panels in one of said plurality of walls to form when said container body is closed, an infolded V-shaped section in said one wall extending from a point within said one wall to another of said plurality of walls intersecting and adjacent said one wall, said infolded V-shaped section having its greatest depth immediately adjacent said another of said plurality of walls and having an axial centerline said panels constructed and arranged to articulate about said axial centerline to assume an inverted V shape; c. an edge of said another of said plurality of walls immediately adjacent said infolded V-shaped section, V-shaped to conform to said infolded V-shaped section; d. a pull tab means associated with said section; and e. means providing lines of weakening securing said pair of panels to said another of said plurality of walls, said pair of panels separating from said another of said plurality of walls along said lines weakening when a force outwardly directed with respect to the interior of said container body is exerted on said pair of panels, said pair of panels articulating about said axial centerline to assume in inverted V-shape to form a pour opening in said container body, said pair of panels returning to their infolded V-shape to close said pour opening when a force inwardly directed with respect to the interior of said container body is exerted on said pair of panels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The carton in accordance with claim 5 wherein said carton is formed from a single carton blank of semi-stiff sheet material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The carton in accordance with claim 5 wherein said carton is formed from a moldable material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The carton in accordance with claim 5 wherein said plurality of wall panels are arranged in the form of a rectanguloid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The carton in accordance wih claim 5 wherein said plurality of walls are arranged to form a right circular cylindrical container body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The carton in accordance with claim 9 wherein said one wall of said plurality of walls is a right circular cylindrical side wall and said another of said plurality of walls is a top wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The carton in accordance with claim 9 wherein said one wall of said plurality of walls is a top wall and said another of said plurality of walls is a right circular cylindrical side wall.
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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) | 1979-12-21 | 1980-06-21 | 1980-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-21 | 1984-06-21 | 1984-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-21 | 1988-06-21 | 1988-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |