Dispenser carton with improved end closure

Claim 2

A dispenser carton having end closures sealable on automatic equipment comprising: front, buttom, rear and top panels hingedly connected in series to define an elongated, generally rectangular tube and further including an outer panel hingedly connected to said top panel and disposed in contiguous relationship with said front panel and being releasably connected to said front panel externally of said tube; and a pair of opposed end closures for sealing the ends of said tube, with each said end closure including a plurality of flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of said panels and being disposed in overlapping relationship, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tube, each said end closure including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration substantially conforming to the rectangular cross section of said tube; a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel and overlying said first flap, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration extending towards but spaced from said rear panel, a third flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel and having a generally triangular configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially parallel to said hinged connection between said first flap and said rear panel, said third flap overlying a portion of each of said first and second flaps and being adhesively connected thereto; a fourth flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a generally triangular configuration, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap, said fourth flap overlying said first and second flaps, and a fifth flap hingedly connected to said top panel and being generally triangular in configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially parallel to said hinged connection between said outer panel and said fourth flap, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap, said fifth flap overlying said fourth flap and being adhesively connected thereto whereby when said end closure is erected, said second and fourth flaps may be simultaneously folded over said first flap, prior to the folding of said third and fifth flaps such that the number of folding steps to erect said end closure is reduced, said carton being openable by breaking the releasable connection between said front and outer panels enabling said top panel and outer panels to be rotated about said hinged connection between said top and rear panels with said fourth and fifth panels being rotated therewith.

Claim 3

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 1 wherein the opposed side edges of said first flap are tapered to facilitate the erection of said end closures.

Claim 4

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 1 wherein said third flap includes a rectangular portion extending towards said top panel, said rectangular portion underlying said fifth flap thereby rigidifying said end closure.

Claim 5

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending free edge of said outer panel is straight, said straight edge being reinforced by a plastic strip.

Claim 6

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 4 wherein said outer panel extends towards but is spaced from said bottom panel.

Claim 7

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 4 wherein said reinforced straight edge of said outer panel extends below the plane of said bottom panel.

Claim 8

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 6 wherein said outer panel includes upper and lower segments defined by an intermediate, longitudinally extending cut score line, with said lower segment being adhesively connected to said front panel, said carton being openable by breaking said cut score line thereby releasing said upper segment with said lower segment remaining adhesively connected to said front panel.

Claim 9

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 7 wherein said outer panel further includes an aperture, contiguous with said cut score line to facilitate the tearing of said cut score line during the opening of said carton.

Claim 10

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 7 wherein said front panel includes a reinforcing segment hingedly connected adjacent the free edge thereof, said reinforcing segment being folded into coplanar relationship with said front panel and adhesively connected thereto to define a reinforced edge.

Claim 11

A dispenser carton having end closure sealable on automatic equipment comprising: front, bottom, rear and top panels hingedly connected in series to define an elongated, generally rectangular tube and further including an outer panel hingedly connected to said top panel and disposed in contiguous relationship with said front panel, with said outer panel being connected to said front panel externally of said tube, and with a longitudinally extending free edge of said front panel being straight, said straight edge being reinforced by a plastic strip; and a pair of opposed end closures for sealing the ends of said tube, with each said end closure including a plurality of flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of said panel and being disposed in overlapping relationship, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tube, each said end closure including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration substantially conforming to the rectangular cross section of said tube, a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel and overlying said first flap, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration extending towards but spaced from said rear panel, a third flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel and having a generally triangular configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially parallel to said hinged connection between said first flap and said rear panel, said third flap overlying a portion of each of said first and second flaps and being adhesively connected thereto, a fourth flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a generally triangular configuration, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap, said fourth flap overlying said first and second flaps, and a fifth flap hingedly connected to said top panel and being generally triangular in configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially parallel to said hinged connection between said outer panel and said fourth flap, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap, said fifth flap overlying said fourth flap and being adhesively connected thereto whereby when said end closure is erected, said second and fourth flaps may be simultaneously folded over said first flap, prior to the folding of said third and fifth flaps such that the number of folding steps to erect said end closure is reduced, said carton being openable by breaking the connection between said front and outer panels enabling said top panel and outer panels to be rotated about said hinged connection between said top and rear panels, said fourth and fifth panels being rotated therewith.

Claim 12

A dispenser carton having end closure sealable on automatic equipment comprising: front, bottom, rear and top panels hingedly connected in series to define an elongated, generally rectangular tube and further including an outer panel hingedly connected to said top panel and disposed in contiguous relationship with said front panel, with said outer panel being connected to said front panel externally of said tube, and with a longitudinally extending free edge of said front panel being straight, said straight edge being reinforced by a plastic strip; and a pair of opposed end closures for sealing the ends of said tube, with each said end closure including a plurality of flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of said panel and being disposed in overlapping relationship, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tube, each said end closure including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration substantially conforming to the rectangular cross section of said tube, a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel and overlying said first flap, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration extending towards but spaced from said rear panel, a third flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel and having a generally triangular configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially parallel to said hinged connection between said first flap and said rear panel, said third flap overlying a portion of each of said first and second flaps and being adhesively connected thereto, a fourth flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a generally triangular configuration, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap, said fourth flap overlying said first and second flaps, and a fifth flap hingedly connected to said top panel and being generally triangular in configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially parallel to said hinged connection between said outer panel and said fourth flap, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap, said fifth flap overlying said fourth flap and being adhesively connected thereto whereby when said end closure is erected, said second and fourth flaps may be simultaneously folded over said first flap, prior to the folding of said third and fifth flaps such that the number of folding steps to erect said end closure is reduced, said carton being openable by breaking the connection between said front and outer panels enabling said top panel and outer panels to be rotated about said hinged connection between said top and rear panels, said fourth and fifth panels being rotated therewith.

Claim 13

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 10 wherein said outer panel is releasably connected to said front panel and extends towards but is spaced from said bottom panel.

Claim 14

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 10 wherein said outer panel includes upper and lower segments defined by an intermediate longitudinally extending cut score line, with said lower segment being adhesively connected to said front panel, said carton being openable by breaking said cut score line thereby releasing said upper segment while said lower segment remains adhesively connected to said front panel.

Claim 15

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 12 wherein said outer panel further includes an aperture contiguous with said cut score line to facilitate the tearing of said cut score line during the opening of said carton.

Claim 16

A dispenser carton having end closures sealable on automatic equipment comprising: front, bottom, rear and top panels hingedly connected in series to define an elongated, generally rectangular tube and further including an outer panel hingedly connected to said top panel and disposed in contiguous relationship with said front panel and being releasably connected to said front panel externally of said tube; and a pair of opposed end closures for sealing the ends of said tube, with each said end closure including a plurality of flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of said panels and being disposed in overlapping relationship, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tube, each said end closure including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration substantially conforming to the rectangular cross section of said tube; a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel and overlying said first flap, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration extending towards but spaced from said rear panel, a third flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel and extending towards but spaced from said top panel, said third flap overlying a portion of each of said first and second flaps and being adhesively connected thereto; a fourth flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a configuration complimentary to said third flap, such that said fourth flap overlies only said first and second flaps, and a fifth flap hingedly connected to said top panel and extending towards but spaced from said bottom panel with the opposed free end of said fifth flap having a configuration complimentary to the free end of said third flap, such that said fifth flap overlies only said fourth flap and is adhesively connected thereto whereby when said end closure is erected, said second and fourth flaps may be simultaneously folded over said first flap, prior to the folding of said third and fifth flaps such that the number of folding steps to erect said end closure is reduced, said carton being openable by breaking the releasable connection between said front and outer panels enabling said top panel and outer panels to be rotated about said hinged connection between said top and rear panels with said fourth and fifth panels being rotated therewith.

Claim 17

A dispenser carton having end closures sealable on automatic equipment comprising: front, bottom, rear and top panels hingedly connected in series to define an elongated, generally rectangular tube and further including an outer panel hingedly connected to said top panel and disposed in contiguous relationship with said front panel and being releasably connected to said front panel externally of said tube; and a pair of opposed end closures for sealing the ends of said tube, with each said end closure including a plurality of flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of said panels and being disposed in overlapping relationship, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tube, each said end closure including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration substantially conforming to the rectangular cross section of said tube; a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel and overlying said first flap, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration extending towards but spaced from said rear panel, a third flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel and extending towards but spaced from said top panel, said third flap overlying a portion of each of said first and second flaps and being adhesively connected thereto; a fourth flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a configuration complimentary to said third flap, such that said fourth flap overlies only said first and second flaps, and a fifth flap hingedly connected to said top panel and extending towards but spaced from said bottom panel with the opposed free end of said fifth flap having a configuration complimentary to the free end of said third flap, such that said fifth flap overlies only said fourth flap and is adhesively connected thereto whereby when said end closure is erected, said second and fourth flaps may be simultaneously folded over said first flap, prior to the folding of said third and fifth flaps such that the number of folding steps to erect said end closure is reduced, said carton being openable by breaking the releasable connection between said front and outer panels enabling said top panel and outer panels to be rotated about said hinged connection between said top and rear panels with said fourth and fifth panels being rotated therewith.

Claim 18

A dispenser carton as recited in claim 14 wherein said third flap is generally triangular in configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially parallel to said hinged connection between said first flap and said rear panel, and wherein said fourth flap is generally triangular in configuration, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap, and wherein said fifth flap is generally triangular in configuration with one leg of said triangle being substantially parallel to said hinged connection between said outer panel and said fourth flap, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap.

Claim 19

A paperboard blank for forming a dispenser carton having end closures sealable on automatic equipment comprising: generally rectangular front, bottom, rear, top and outer panels hingedly connected in series; and two sets of end closure flaps for sealing the ends of the erected carton, each set of end closure flaps being respectively hingedly connected to the opposed side edges of said blank, with each said set including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration, a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration and extending away from said front panel a distance less than the width of said top and bottom panels, a third flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel and having a generally triangular configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially colinear with said hinged connection between said bottom and rear panels, a fourth flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a generally triangular configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said top and outer panels, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular configuration of said third flap, and a fifth flap hingedly connected to said top panel and being generally triangular in configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said top and outer panels, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap.

Claim 20

A paperboard blank for forming a dispenser carton having end closures sealable on automatic equipment comprising: generally rectangular front, bottom, rear, top and outer panels hingedly connected in series; and two sets of end closure flaps for sealing the ends of the erected carton, each set of end closure flaps being respectively hingedly connected to the opposed side edges of said blank, with each said set including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration, a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration and extending away from said front panel a distance less than the width of said top and bottom panels, a third flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel and having a generally triangular configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially colinear with said hinged connection between said bottom and rear panels, a fourth flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a generally triangular configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said top and outer panels, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular configuration of said third flap, and a fifth flap hingedly connected to said top panel and being generally triangular in configuration, with one leg of said triangle being substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said top and outer panels, said triangular configuration being complimentary to said triangular third flap.

Claim 21

A blank as recited in claim 16 wherein the opposed side edges of said first flap are tapered.

Claim 22

A blank as recited in claim 16 wherein said third flap includes a rectangular portion extending away from said bottom panel.

Claim 23

A blank as recited in claim 16 wherein said longitudinally extending free edge of said outer panel is straight, said straight edge being reinforced by a plastic strip.

Claim 24

A blank as recited in claim 19 wherein the width of said outer panel, measured along an imaginary line perpendicular to the hinged connection to said top panel, is less than the width of said rear panel.

Claim 25

A blank as recited in claim 19 wherein the width of said outer panel measured along an imaginary line perpendicular to the hinged connection to said top panel is greater than the width of said rear panel.

Claim 26

A blank as recited in claim 21 wherein said outer panel includes upper and lower segments defined by an intermediate longitudinally extending cut score line.

Claim 27

A blank as recited in claim 22 wherein said outer panel further includes an aperture contiguous with said cut score line.

Claim 28

A blank as recited in claim 22 wherein said front panel includes a reinforcing segment hingedly connected adjacent the free edge thereof, said reinforcing segment being defined by a longitudinally extending fold line.

Claim 29

A paperboard blank for forming a dispenser carton having end closures sealable on automatic equipment comprising: generally rectangular front, bottom, rear, top and outer panels hingedly connected in series; and two sets of end closure flaps for sealing the ends of the erected carton, each set of end closure flaps respectively hingedly connected to the opposed side edge of said blank, with each set including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration, a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration and extending away from said front panel a distance less than the width of said top and bottom panels, a third generally triangular flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel, said third flap extending away from said bottom panel a distance less than the width of said rear panel, and one leg of said triangular third flap being substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said bottom and rear panels, a fourth generally triangular flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a configuration complimentary to said third flap, said fourth triangular flap having one leg which is substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said top and outer panels; and a fifth generally triangular flap hingedly connected to said top panel, said fifth flap extending away from said top panel a distance less than the width of said rear panel, said triangular fifth flap having a configuration complimentary to said third flap, and said fifth triangular flap having one leg which is substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said top and outer panels.

Claim 30

A paperboard blank for forming a dispenser carton having end closures sealable on automatic equipment comprising: generally rectangular front, bottom, rear, top and outer panels hingedly connected in series; and two sets of end closure flaps for sealing the ends of the erected carton, each set of end closure flaps respectively hingedly connected to the opposed side edge of said blank, with each set including, a first flap hingedly connected to said rear panel and having a generally rectangular configuration, a second flap hingedly connected to said front panel, said second flap being generally rectangular in configuration and extending away from said front panel a distance less than the width of said top and bottom panels, a third generally triangular flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel, said third flap extending away from said bottom panel a distance less than the width of said rear panel, and one leg of said triangular third flap being substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said bottom and rear panels, a fourth generally triangular flap hingedly connected to said outer panel and having a configuration complimentary to said third flap, said fourth triangular flap having one leg which is substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said top and outer panels; and a fifth generally triangular flap hingedly connected to said top panel, said fifth flap extending away from said top panel a distance less than the width of said rear panel, said triangular fifth flap having a configuration complimentary to said third flap, and said fifth triangular flap having one leg which is substantially colinear with the hinged connection between said top and outer panels.