Recloseable paperboard carton with thermoformed closure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9630741-B2
Application number	US-201514868667-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2015
Priority date	Sep 29, 2014
Publication date	Apr 25, 2017
Grant date	Apr 25, 2017

Abstract

A recloseable container comprising a substantially rectilinear, paperboard-based carton and a plastic recloseable device is provided. The carton defines a container interior and has a face panel defining an opening. The opening has a perimeter sized to receive the recloseable device. The recloseable device may be a plastic unitary structure similar to a clamshell type blister pack and may comprise a frame attached to the carton and a door hingedly attached to the frame.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A container comprising:
a carton comprising two opposing side panels, two opposing end panels, a planar face panel extending inwardly from the side panels and the end panels, and a rear panel opposite the face panel, the carton defining an interior, the face panel defining a carton opening, the carton opening having a perimeter sized to receive a recloseable device; and
a unitary, plastic, hinged recloseable device, the recloseable device comprising:
a frame sized to fit snugly within the opening and comprising a planar securing flange extending around the perimeter of the carton opening and having an underside abutting the face panel, a frame annular side wall extending perpendicularly from the securing flange into the carton opening, and a planar bottom wall extending peripherally inwardly from the annular side wall and defining a dispensing opening; and
a door comprising a planar peripheral portion attached to the securing flange by one or more integrally formed hinges, a door annular side wall extending perpendicularly from the peripheral portion, and a cover extending from the peripheral portion and configured to cover the dispensing opening.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the carton is made of paperboard.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the door annular side wall includes first fastening means that form a snap fit with complementary fastening means on the frame.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein the first fastening means comprises undercuts defined by the door annular side wall.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the door is hingedly moveable between a first position in which the cover covers the dispensing opening and a second position in which the cover does not cover the dispensing opening.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein in the first position the door is substantially parallel to the frame and forms a snap fit with the frame.

7. The container of claim 5 wherein in the second position the door forms an angle with the frame.

8. The container of claim 5 wherein the door comprises a pull tab extending from the peripheral portion of the door and configured to be gripped by a user opening the container.

9. A container comprising:
a carton defining an interior and comprising two opposing side panels and two opposing end panels having top edges defining a carton perimeter, a planar top panel extending inwardly from the two opposing side panels and the two opposing end panels and defining a carton opening, the carton opening being smaller than the carton perimeter and sized to receive a recloseable device, and a bottom panel opposite the top panel; and
a unitary, plastic, hinged recloseable device attached to the carton top panel, the recloseable device comprising:
a frame sized to fit snugly within the carton opening and comprising a planar securing flange extending around the perimeter of the carton opening and having an underside abutting the top panel and a frame annular side wall extending from the securing flange into the carton opening; and
a door comprising a planar peripheral portion attached to the securing flange by one or more integrally formed hinges, a door annular side wall extending downward from the peripheral portion, and a cover portion extending from the peripheral portion and configured to completely enclose the carton interior.

10. The container of claim 9 wherein the frame further comprises:
a planar bottom wall extending inwardly from the frame annular side wall

and defining a dispensing opening.

11. The container of claim 10 wherein:
the door is hingedly moveable between a first position in which the cover portion covers the dispensing opening and a second position in which the cover portion does not cover the dispensing opening.

12. The container of claim 10 wherein:
when the door is in the second position, at least a portion of the door cover portion mates with the planar bottom wall of the frame in flat abutting relationship therewith.

Assignees

• Sonoco Dev Inc

Inventors

• Mcclaughry Thomas Ryan

Classifications

• B65D43/169

  the lid, the hinge and the element connecting them to the container being made of one piece · CPC title

• B65D5/6697 Primary

  Separate lids attached to the container body by a hinge element · CPC title

• B65D51/20

  Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing {(B65D51/185 takes precedence; co-operating with an auxiliary container for additional articles or materials B65D51/28)} · CPC title