Twin package carton

Disclosed is a twin-package carton having a pair of separable carton components separably joined side-by-side. Connecting tabs of one carton component are secured to the other carton component with an adhesive and are severable along lines of perforation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention pertains to paperboard cartons, and in particular to 
cartons having separate, divisible compartments. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Attempts have been made to provide a divisible package, one having multiple 
compartments which are separable one from the other. For example, U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,101,880 discloses a carton formed from an integral blank which 
has two compartments side-by-side, which are joined together. The two 
compartments are covered by flaps which are common to both compartments. 
Medial portions of the carton sidewalls are slotted throughout their 
entire height, with the slots extending partly into the upper and lower 
closure flaps. Thus, the slots extend partly into the top of the completed 
carton and partly into the bottom of the completed carton. To divide the 
compartments of the carton, the top and bottom portions of the carton are 
cut between the ends of the slots. Although mention is made that 
perforations could extend between the slot ends, such perforations are not 
desired because of the possibility of a premature rupture of the carton 
compartments if the carton is roughly handled. Thus, a user would have to 
cut both the top and bottom of the carton and a reduction of this effort 
in separating the compartments is desired. Also, after the carton 
compartments are cut apart, each resulting compartment has an upper end 
secured with only three overlapping flaps, on three of the four sidewalls 
of the resulting carton compartment. Thus, one side of the carton is left 
exposed at its upper corner. While this may not present a particular 
problem for packaging canned goods, other applications are more demanding 
and complete sealing of the carton is sometimes required. Further, the 
carton blank of U.S. Pat. No. 3,101,880 does not lend itself to economical 
automated fabrication and improvements in the fabrication of cartons, 
leading to cost reductions, are becoming increasingly essential if a 
marketing advantage is to be maintained. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,099,380 and 3,677,458 each disclose a pair of completely 
formed cartons joined together by a single line of perforation formed in a 
panel which is common to both cartons. However, these cartons are directed 
to users having specialized requirements and are not suitable for broader 
applications. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,458 has an upper end with 
carrying handles formed in the top wall of the carton, that wall 
perforated for subsequent division of the carton into two half portions. 
Dust intrusion is not an important factor since striking of the handles 
out of the plane of the upper compartment wall exposes the contents of the 
carton to dust intrusion. Further, flaps for filling and emptying the 
carton are located on the endwalls of the carton, an arrangement which is 
sometimes not desired. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,327,529 discloses a pair of cartons joined side-by-side by 
lines of perforation formed in a panel common to both cartons. The lines 
of perforation are formed on two opposed sidewalls of the carton requiring 
the connected compartments to be severed at the line of perforation, with 
a cutting instrument or the like, since it would be difficult to tear the 
compartments apart. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,634,041 and 2,651,449 have partially overlapping top flaps 
for securing separately formed carton compartments together. The overlying 
flaps are of irregular configuration and are not believed to be suitable 
for economical automated fabrication. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,046,751; 2,686,000; 3,365,109; 4,083,879; and 4,467,923 
are directed to divisible cartons of irregular special-purpose 
construction, unsuitable for general purpose use. 
Improved carton constructions and methods of fabrication, which overcome 
the deficiencies above and other deficiencies in prior art visible cartons 
are still being sought. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object according to the present invention to provide a divisible 
carton, having two or more compartments joined together by a line of 
perforation, which can be torn apart to form separate carton 
constructions. 
Another object according to the present invention is to provide a divisible 
carton of the above-described type formed from two identical carton 
members which can be economically joined together to form a multiple 
compartment carton assembly. 
A further object according to the present invention is to provide an 
improved method of fabrication of cartons of the above-described types. 
These and other objects according to the present invention which will 
become apparent from studying the appended description and drawings are 
provided in a carton apparatus, comprising: 
first and second compartment members each having a plurality of sidewalls, 
bottom flaps and top flaps and defining a substantially enclosed interior 
volume; 
said first and second compartment members each comprising a tab extending 
from a top flap and joined thereto with a line of weakness so as to be 
manually severable therefrom; 
the tab of one compartment member overlying a top flap of the other 
compartment member and secured thereto with securement means; and 
the lines of weakness of the first and second compartment members, being 
aligned end-to-end. 
Other objectives are accomplished by a method according to the present 
invention, comprising the steps of: 
providing first and second compartment members, each with a plurality of 
sidewalls, bottom flaps and top flaps and defining a substantially 
enclosed interior volume; 
providing each of the first and second compartment members with a tab 
extending from a top flap and joining the tab to the top flap with a line 
of weakness so as to be manually severable therefrom; 
arranging the first and second compartment members so that the tabs of one 
compartment member extend toward the other compartment member and so that 
first sidewalls of the first and second compartments are mutually 
opposing; 
bringing the mutually opposing sidewalls of the first and second 
compartment members adjacent one another so that the tab of one 
compartment member overlies the other compartment member; and 
securing the tab of one compartment member to the other compartment member 
so as to join the two compartment members together along the lines of 
weakness to form said carton apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-5, a carton assembly 
10, according to principles of the present invention is shown. The carton 
assembly is comprised of two carton components 12a, 12b joined together 
along a line of perforation 16. Preferably, the two carton components 12a, 
12b are substantially identical to one another and are held together by 
connecting tabs 72a, 72b (see FIG. 9) which are secured to the top closure 
flaps 76 of the other carton with a suitable means such as staples or 
other mechanical fasteners, but preferably a suitable adhesive. The 
cartons are readily separated from one another along the line of 
perforation 16, as indicated in FIG. 9. After separation, each carton 
component remains sealed, and in effect, comprises a separate, independent 
sealed carton. Further, the appearance of each carton component is 
suitably attractive for merchandising and display in a separated 
condition. 
As mentioned, the carton components 12a, 12b are preferably identical to 
one another, and with reference to FIG. 16, a blank 50 for forming the 
carton components is illustrated. The blank 50 has a central section 
formed by the serial succession of a sidewall 56, a major sidewall 52, a 
minor sidewall 58 of dimensions similar to that of sidewall 56, and a 
second major sidewall 54 of proportions similar to those of the 
aforementioned major sidewall 52. A manufacturer's flap 60 completes the 
serial succession of the panels formed at the central portion of blank 50. 
Bottom closure flaps 62-68 extend from a common side of sidewall panels 
52-58, respectively. According to one aspect of the present invention, 
full-sized closure flaps are formed to extend only from three of the four 
sidewall panels of the carton blank. That is, top closure flaps 74-78 
extend from sidewall panels 54-58, respectively. A connecting tab 72, of 
smaller size than the top closure flaps 74-78, is attached to the 
remaining sidewall panel 52. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, the connecting tab 72 
is joined to its neighboring top closure flap 78 by a line of weakness 
such as scoring, but preferably a line of perforation 16. The serial 
succession of panels 52-60 are joined to one another by hinge or fold 
lines and the bottom closure panels 62-68 are joined to respective 
sidewall panels also by a fold or hinge line, which preferably is unbroken 
and of linear configuration. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, the top closure flap 
76 is joined to sidewall panel 56 by a fold or a hinge line 82. The top 
closure flaps 74, 78 are joined to sidewall panels 54, 58 by a common fold 
or hinge line 84, which is preferably colinear with the fold line 82. The 
connecting tab 72 is also preferably joined to its neighboring sidewall 
panels 52 by the fold line 84, although as can be seen in FIG. 16, there 
is a substantial gap between the connecting tab 72 and the neighboring top 
closure flap 76. 
As can be seen from the above, the preferred configuration of the carton 
components 12a, 12b is generally rectangular, with opposing sidewalls of 
the carton being of generally similar size and configuration. However, as 
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, upon examining the 
description the drawings, the present invention also contemplates the 
joinder of carton components having any number of sidewall panels with 
opposing sidewall panels of the carton components carrying the connecting 
tabs being substantially in contact with one another. Thus, the carton 
components could comprise octagonal or hexagonal cartons having octagonal 
or hexagonal end closures, for example. Also, if desired, an hexagonal 
carton could be joined to a rectangular carton and such, may be desired 
for aesthetic considerations in certain applications. 
Turning now to FIGS. 1-7, two carton components 12a, 12b are joined 
together to form a completed carton assembly 10. FIG. 8 shows the carton 
component 12a separated from its neighboring carton component 12b. As can 
be seen in FIG. 8, the carton component 12a has opposing sidewalls 56a, 
58a at the minor sidewall dimensions, and opposing sidewalls 52a, 54a at 
the major side surfaces of the carton component. Three top closure flaps 
74a-78a enclosure the upper surface of the carton. A line of perforation 
16a is located to one side of top closure flap 78a, the connecting tab 72a 
of carton component 12a having been separated from the carton component. 
With reference to the right-hand portion of FIG. 8, the connecting tab 
portion 72b remains affixed to top closure flap 76a, having been separated 
from the carton component 12b. 
With reference to FIGS. 1-7, although the carton components 12a, 12b are 
preferably substantially identical to one another, the carton components 
are preferably rotated about a vertical axis for marrying or joinder in 
the manner indicated in FIG. 1, for example. Thus, with reference to the 
right-hand portion of FIG. 1, the face of carton assembly 10 is made up of 
adjacent sidewall panels 56a, 58b. In this manner, the connecting tab 72a 
of carton component 12a overlies a carton component 12b. In a similar 
manner, the connecting tab 72b of carton component 12b overlies carton 
component 12a and as mentioned, is preferably joined thereto with a 
suitable adhesive. With further reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that 
the connecting tabs 72 of the respective carton components are joined to 
the top closure flaps 76 of the neighboring carton component. The lines of 
perforation associated with each connecting tab are butted end-to-end and 
are preferably colinearly aligned one with another so as to form a single 
line of weakness. The present invention contemplates that lines of 
weakness other than perforation be used to secure the connecting tabs to 
their respective carton components. For example, the lines of weakness may 
be formed by scoring the carton blank, if desired. 
With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the bottom closure flaps 62a, 
64a and 62b, 64b are preferably oriented in parallel directions, and it is 
generally preferred that the directions of corrugation of the closure 
flaps be similarly aligned to provide shipping and handling advantages. 
With reference to FIG. 6, the carton assembly 10 is shown in a 
cross-sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5. The 
manufacturer's flap 60b, visible in FIG. 6, is shown secured to carton 
sidewall 56b with adhesive portions 88, although a continuous strip of 
adhesive or other alternative adhesive configurations could be employed as 
well, if desired. 
Turning now to FIG. 7, a completed carton assembly 10 is shown prior to 
sealing the top closure flaps. As can be seen, the opposing sidewall 
panels 52a, 52b are preferably butted one against the other, and if 
desired may be secured or "tacked" together by adhesive portions 90 
indicated in FIG. 16, and located adjacent the bottom portion of the 
carton assembly. When employed, the adhesive portions 90 are preferably of 
a low tack adhesive or of such small size that they are readily broken 
when the carton components are pried apart in the manner illustrated in 
FIG. 9, preparatory to tearing along the line of weakness 16. As will be 
appreciated by those familiar with the automated carton filling art, the 
completed carton assembly 10, as illustrated in FIG. 17, is readily 
adaptable for automated or mechanized procedures with the opposing 
sidewalls 52a, 52b, even if not joined together by adhesive 90 or the 
like, being held in close contact with one another so as to eliminate any 
voids therebetween through which product may be lost during a filling 
operation. The close butting joinder of the opposed sidewalls 52a, 52b is 
provided, for the most part, by the connecting tabs 72 located at the top 
closure flaps. It can now be seen that the connecting tabs 72 form two 
opposed top closure means 73, 75 extending between opposed sidewalls 54a, 
54b of apparatus 10. 
After the carton assembly is filled, the top closure flaps 74, 74b are 
closed, and thereafter the remaining top closure flaps are lowered into 
position, and secured to the top closure flap 74 with a suitable adhesive. 
Although less preferred, the carton components could be individually 
filled and sealed and then butted together in the manner indicated in FIG. 
15, with the connecting tab 72 being secured to respective top closure 
flaps 76 by adhesive portions 94. Such an arrangement may be desired where 
the product associated with each carton assembly is to be kept carefully 
separate from one another to prevent mixing or inadvertent contact of the 
product contained in each carton component. However, as mentioned, it is 
generally preferred that the carton components be joined together prior to 
filling, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. 
With reference now to FIGS. 10-14, assembly of the completed carton 10 will 
now be described. Referring to FIG. 10, an inlet station 100 is located 
near the outlet of a conventional carton forming station which includes a 
ram 102 for pushing a completed carton component 12 to the inlet station 
100. The carton is then advanced along a channel 104 to a final assembly 
station 106. As mentioned above, it is generally preferred that the carton 
components 12a, 12b of a completed carton assembly be substantially 
identical, although one carton component is rotated with respect to the 
other for the inner fitting joinder illustrated in FIG. 1, for example. It 
is generally preferred that a single carton forming station be used to 
form both carton components. Accordingly, with reference again to FIG. 10, 
a carton fed to the input station 100 is rotated in the manner indicated 
by arrow 108 to assume the position at the upper left-hand corner of FIG. 
10, which is inverted such that the previously upwardly facing side panel 
58 is now downwardly facing in contact with the support surface of the 
input station. 
As indicated in FIG. 11, a pair of carton components are associated one 
with another after inversion, and travel in channels 104 in a downstream 
direction of arrows 110. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the connecting tabs 72 
are located opposite one another and pass a glue applicator device 114 
which applies adhesive to the connecting tabs 72. The device 114 may be of 
a spray type or pressure roller type, for example. After the application 
of a suitable adhesive to the connecting tabs, the carton components are 
advanced toward the final assembly station 106. 
Referring now to FIG. 13, the leading surfaces of the carton components are 
preferably coplanar aligned, by being pressed against a stop rail or stop 
surface not shown in the drawings, so that the connecting tabs 72 and the 
top closure panel 76 of the cartons are coplanar aligned. Thereafter, the 
cartons are advanced toward one another so that the connecting tabs 
overlay the other carton component in the manner indicating in FIG. 1, for 
example. It is generally preferred that one carton component be supported 
during the marrying of the carton components. For example, as illustrated 
in FIG. 14, carton component 12b is maintained in a stationary position, 
in contact with guide rails not shown in the drawings, while the remaining 
carton component 12a is advanced thereto in the direction of arrow 112. 
Depending upon the type of adhesive used, it may or may not be required to 
clamp the connecting tabs 72 in contact with the mating top closure panel 
76 during an 25 adhesive set-up time. 
As shown in FIGS. 10-14, the top closure flaps of each carton component are 
preferably pre-folded so as to form a self-supporting object with the top 
closure flap 76 and 78 being aligned in planes defined with respect to 
their sidewalls, so as to facilitate automated handling and the particular 
marrying of the cartons in an efficient, automated step. Further, it has 
been found advantageous when securing connecting tabs to top closure flaps 
76, that the top closure flaps be folded to a self-supporting position as 
indicated in FIG. 14 for example, so as to eliminate the need for 
additional tooling to provide backing support for the top closure flaps 
76. 
The present invention also contemplates an alternative embodiment wherein 
the connecting tabs 72 are placed underneath the top closure flaps 76 of 
an adjacent carton, thus being joined to the underneath surface of the top 
closure flaps, rather than their upper, exposed surface. Accordingly, a 
twin package carton is produced having a relatively smooth continuous 
upper surface. For example, referring to FIG. 17, a carton 110 has 
connecting tabs 72a, 72b located underneath top closure flaps 76b, 76a, 
respectively. Thus regardless of which embodiment is employed, the 
connecting tabs and top closure flaps may be said to be in overlapping 
relationship. It may be advantageous in some automated carton handling 
environments, that the overlapping relationship of top closure flaps and 
connecting tabs be such that the connecting tabs are located underneath 
the top closure flaps. However, certain cost savings and simplified 
material handling is possible if the overlapping relationship of top 
closure flaps and connecting tabs is such that the connecting tabs are 
located to overlie the top closure flaps. Of course, it is possible for a 
particular twin pack carton, to have one connecting tab underneath its 
adjacent top closure flap, and the other connecting tab located on top of 
its adjacent top closure flap. 
The drawings and the foregoing descriptions are not intended to represent 
the only forms of the invention in regard to the details of its 
construction and manner of operation. Changes in form and in the 
proportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents, are 
contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient; and 
although specific terms have been employed, they are intended in a generic 
and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation, the 
scope of the invention being delineated by the following claims.