Abstract:
A pressure-sensitive closure mechanism for a folded carton incorporates a pressure-sensitive tape having adhesive on one surface thereof disposed on a one side of a hinged lid panel, with the adhesive exposed through an opening in the lid panel and releasably engaging an outer surface of a flap-receiving panel. The hinged lid panel is formed by folding an inner lid panel over an outer lid panel. Both lid panels have openings. The pressure-sensitive tape is disposed between the two lid panels. When the lid is closed over the opening in the carton, the user applies pressure with his finger to the backside (non-adhesive) side of the pressure-sensitive tape. The pressure pushes the tape against flap-receiving panel of the carton. Repeated closings and openings are possible.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Non-provisional application of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/235,285 filed Sep. 26, 2000. Priority is claimed based on the aforesaid Provisional application Ser. No. 60/235,285. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to cartons and, more particularly to closure mechanisms for folding cartons. As used herein, a “carton” is a type of container which is formed of a substantially rigid, inextensible (substantially non-plastic or non-flexible) material such as “carton board” which is cut and folded to form a substantially three-dimensional structure which has the form of a rectangular prism having a length (or height), a width and a depth. A piece of carton board which has been cut and otherwise formed for use as a carton is referred to herein as a “carton blank”. (A carton blank is also sometimes referred to as a “formed blank”.) The cutting and forming of a piece of carton board typically involves die cutting. As used herein, “die cutting” refers to the process of cutting a sheet of material into a shape suitable for assembly into a carton. 
     As used herein, “carton board” is a heavy weight, sheet of paper or other fiber substance including paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard, containerboard, tagboard and corrugated board. The following materials are also known for use as carton board: 
     Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) is a premium grade of folding carton board, which is a solid sheet of paperboard manufactured from bleached kraft pulp, and which is generally clay-coated on one side. 
     Clay-Coated Recycled Boxboard (CRB): A key paperboard grade for folding cartons. CRB is made from recycled material—mainly, old newsprint and old corrugated containers—and coated with a layer of clay to provide a smooth white surface for packaging graphics. 
     Uncoated Recycled Board (URB): Uncoated paperboard grades manufactured primarily from old newsprint and old corrugated and used in both folding cartons and in the manufacture of paper tubes and cores. URB is typically made on cylinder machines and often referred to generically as cylinderboard. 
     As used herein, “paperboard” is a term used to describe a material which comprises laminated layers of paper. As used herein, “paper” is a general term used to describe sheets of intertwined plant fiber. Synthetic papers from mineral, animal, or synthetic materials can also be made. Paper and paperboard are non-specific terms which could be applied to either form. Paperboards used in packaging generally have a thickness between 0.010 and 0.024 inches (0.25-0.60 mm). 
     The present invention relates to folding cartons. As used herein, a “folding carton” refers to a general class of container which is distinct from either a rigid box or case. As discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, it is also distinct from a bag or envelope. The folding carton is typically a plain or printed container of paperboard, including both single and multi-layer paperboard, which is delivered either flat or folded, glued, and collapsed, to be erected, filled, and closed by the user. Folding cartons are designed to protect a product during shipment and on the store shelf, and to enhance the product&#39;s appeal to the consumer. Folding cartons typically feature high-quality graphics to maximize shelf appeal in a retail outlet and to provide information about the product and its use. The market is primarily consumer nondurable goods. 
     In order to facilitate folding a carton blank into a carton—in other words, assembling the carton from a carton blank, the carton blanks may also incorporate “creases” or “score lines”. As used herein, a “score line” is a rupturing of the surface of blank paperboard sheet material, typically resulting in a depression on one side of the sheet and a welt on the other, which facilitates the paperboard blank being folded along that line. As used herein, to “score” a carton (or paperboard) blank is the act of making an impression or partial cut in a flat material for the purpose of facilitating bending, creasing, folding or tearing. A “folding score” in which the fibers of the carton board are compressed but not cut, helps ensure that a fold or bend takes place along the score line. 
     Sometimes, slits are formed in the material of the paperboard. As used herein, a “slit” comprises a cut which extends completely through the material of the paperboard to separate a one portion (e.g., panel) of the paperboard blank from another portion thereof. Sometimes, perforations are formed in the material of the paperboard. As used herein, a “perforation” is a series of slits, typically along a straight or curved line, extending completely through the material of the paperboard, typically for facilitating tearing along the line by a user. A type of “score” which functions much like a “perforation” is the “tearing score”, in which the fibers of the carton board are cut approximately halfway through the carton board to permit tearing along the score lines. A tearing score can, of course, also function as a folding score. 
     A number of closure mechanisms are known for cartons. A one type of pressure-activated closure includes hook and loop material, which is bulky, expensive and difficult to apply automatically. 
     As described hereinabove, a carton is a type of packaging that uses relatively rigid (inflexible) materials. In contrast thereto, bags and envelopes are a type of “flexible packaging” that uses flexible material such as foils, films, paper, plastic films, laminates or sheeting to form a container which, when filled and closed, can be readily changed in shape. 
     Viewed from another perspective, a carton is a substantially three-dimensional container having a length (or height) H, a width W and a depth D. And, as used herein, the term carton is limited to containers having such dimensions which are substantially on the same order of magnitude (within one-tenth or ten times) each other. For example, a carton may have a depth dimension D of 1.0 inches (2.5 mm), and height H and width W dimensions which are each approximately 5 inches (12.5 mm). In other words, the depth dimension D of a “carton” (as the term is used herein) is a substantial fraction, such as greater than one-tenth of the lesser of the height H and width W dimensions. 
     Another type of container is the bag or envelope. As used herein, a “bag” or an “envelope” is a type of container which is formed of a substantially flexible material, such as lightweight paper or plastic which is generally formed as two rectangular sheets joined along three sides thereof, a one sheet extending beyond the remaining edge of the other sheet and forming a flap which is folded over to close the envelope or bag. The “thickness” of the resulting bag or envelope is substantially zero, considering that there is no distinct top or bottom panel, but rather merely a fold line defining where the flap portion of the panel begins. The sheet typically has a thickness which is less than 0.010 inches or 0.25 millimeters (mm). Whereas a carton is a substantially three-dimensional container, a bag or envelope is a substantially two-dimensional container having no substantial depth dimension. A number of closure mechanisms are known for bags or envelopes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,066 discloses temporary sealing means permitting ready opening and reclosure of a bag (6). A closure flap (10) is provided with at least one opening (11) therethrough. A strip (12) is secured to the outer surface of the closure flap (10) in overlying relation to the openings (11). The strip (12) is provided on one side thereof with an adhesive layer (13) which may be of any tacky, non-permanent type adhesive. The tape (12) is secured to the closure flap (10) by means of the adhesive coating (13). When the closure flap (10) is in its bag-closing position, the strip (12) will have those portions thereof overlying the openings (11) depressed into the openings (11), with the adhesive layer (13) engaging the underlying portion of the body (7) of the bag (6). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,941 discloses a reclosable plastic bag (10) which is easily shut without heat-sealing, and which is easily opened without cutting or tearing. A flap (20) is provided with a series of mutually equidistant spaced holes (22). A strip (24) of polyethylene (or paper, or aluminum foil) which has pressure-sensitive adhesive coating (26) on one surface is applied to the rear surface of the flap (20). The adhesive coating (26) binds the strip (24) to the flap (20). To close the bag, the flap is folded and pressed against the front wall of the bag. The plastic bag is described as polyethylene, and various different flexible plastic materials can be used, including cellophane, paper and other traditional bag materials. 
     Canadian Patent No. 745,888 discloses an envelope having a closure flap which may adhere to the main body of the envelope, be pulled away from the envelope, and adhere again a plurality of times without losing its effectiveness of adherence. An envelope has a closure flap (2). Apertures (3,4,5,6,7,8,9) of different shapes are provided in the flap. An adhesive tape (10), such as the one known by the trademark “SCOTCH TAPE”, is disposed on the outside surface of the flap, and the adhesive is exposed in the apertures. A peelable strip (11) is disposed on the inside surface of the flap to protectively mask the exposed adhesive, and is peeled off before sealing the flap. The portion of the envelope which will receive the closure flap is provided with a tape (12) having a relatively high glossy surface. When the exposed adhesive of the adhesive tape (10) comes in contact with the glossy surface of the tape (12), a good reliable bond exists, and when the closure flap is pulled away from the tape (12), the glossy surface retains very little or no tacky material from the adhesive tape (10). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved construction for a folding carton and, more particularly, an improved closure mechanism for a folding carton. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a closure mechanism for a folding carton which is low in profile, low cost, and which can readily be applied by automated machinery. 
     According to the invention, a pressure-sensitive closure mechanism is incorporated into a container which is a carton, preferably a folded carton. The closure mechanism incorporates a pressure-sensitive tape having adhesive on one surface thereof disposed on a one side of a hinged lid panel, with the adhesive exposed through an opening in the lid panel. The adhesive releasable engages an outer surface of a flap-receiving panel. 
     The carton which is used to illustrate the closure mechanism for this invention has a rectangular body with a hinged lid panels. The lid panel is preferably a double thickness (two plies) of paperboard material. These two plies are formed by folding over an additional inner lid panel, which is connected to an outer lid panel via a score or fold. Both plies of the lid have holes or voids cut into them that line up with each other. Before the lid panel is doubled over, a pressure-sensitive tape (or label) is placed over an opening in the inner lid panel. The lid panels are then doubled over to form one double ply lid. The outer edges of the tape or label are thus hidden from view for a clean appearance. When the lid is closed over the opening in the carton, the user applies pressure with his finger to the backside (non-adhesive) side of the pressure-sensitive tape. The pressure pushes the tape against the adjacent face of the carton. The lid (closure flap) is thus temporarily secured to the carton body. The adhesive on the tape is chosen such that upward force on the lid will break the bond between the tape and the carton face allowing the lid to be opened. Repeated closings and openings are possible. 
     The pressure-adhesive tape, which is the principal element of the closure mechanism of the present invention, is a relatively flexible element. Although some similar closure mechanisms are known for bags and envelopes, it is not obvious that such closure mechanisms would function well (if at all) on a carton. The flaps of the bags and envelopes are also very flexible. The flap of a carton is relatively inflexible (rigid). As mentioned hereinabove, cartons are quite different from bags or envelopes. A carton is a substantially rigid container, formed of a substantial material (c., at least 0.010 inch thick paperboard), and each of its (typically six) sides has substantial dimensions (within the same order of magnitude as the dimensions of another side). A carton, more particularly an empty carton, can thus readily support and balance itself on any of its sides (e.g., front, back, top, bottom, left, right). This is in marked contrast to a substantially flexible and/or two-dimensional (when empty) bag or envelope. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in light of the following description thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention will be described in the context of these preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these particular embodiments. 
     Elements of the figures are typically numbered as follows. The most significant digits (hundreds) of the reference number corresponds to the figure number. Elements of FIG. 1 are typically numbered in the range of 100-199. Elements of FIG. 2 are typically numbered in the range of 200-299. Similar elements throughout the drawings may be referred to by similar reference numerals. For example, the element 199 in a figure may be similar, and possibly identical to the element 299 in an other figure. In some cases, similar (including identical) elements may be referred to with similar numbers in a single drawing. For example, each of a plurality of elements 199 may be referred to individually as 199 a , 199 b , 199 c , etc. Such relationships, if any, between similar elements in the same or different figures will become apparent throughout the specification, including, if applicable, in the claims and abstract. 
     Throughout the following descriptions(s) of the drawings, the following terms may be used to describe and/or “point to” various portions of elements in the drawings. The terms “top”, “upper”, “bottom”, “lower”, “left” and “right” refer to directions on the Figure being discussed in its normal orientation. The terms “inside”, “inner”, “outside”, and “outer” may also be used, and should be given their ordinary meanings, as consistent with the overall description, unless specified otherwise. 
     The structure, operation, and advantages of the present preferred embodiment of the invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a carton blank, according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away of a carton assembled from the carton blank of FIG. 1, with its flap open, according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2, with its flap closed, according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the carton shown in FIG. 3, taken on a line  3 A— 3 A through FIG. 3, according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of a carton, comparable to the view of FIG. 3A, according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of a carton, comparable to the view of FIG. 3A, according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 4C is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of a carton, comparable to the view of FIG. 3A, according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a carton blank  100  for a folding carton of the present invention. The carton blank  100  may be die cut from paperboard stock, and generally comprises a plurality of panels which are defined and foldably connected to one another by a plurality of creases or score lines. The various panels of the carton blank  100  are described in greater detail hereinbelow. FIG. 1 generally shows the outside surface of the assembled folding carton  150  shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     A back panel  102  is generally rectangular, has four sides,  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c ,  102   d , and has a height H 1  and a width W 1 . The height H 1  and width W 1  of the panel  102  correspond (and are substantially equal) to the height H and width W of the assembled carton  150  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     A bottom panel  104  is generally rectangular, has four sides,  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c ,  104   d , and has a height H 2  and a width W 1 . The panel  104  is foldably connected to the panel  102  at its side  104   b  which is substantially coincident with the side  102   d  of the panel  102 . The sides  104   b  and  102   d  are suitably a score line. The height H 2  of the panel  104  corresponds (and is substantially equal) to the depth D of the assembled carton  150  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     A top panel  106  is generally rectangular, has four sides,  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c ,  106   d , and has a height H 3  and width W 1 . The panel  106  is foldable connected to the panel  102  at its side  106   d  which is substantially coincident with the side  102   b  of the panel  102 . The sides  106   d  and  102   b  are suitably a score line. The height H 3  of the panel  106  is approximately equal to the height H 2  of the panel  104 . 
     An outer lid panel  108  is generally rectangular, has four sides,  108   a ,  108   b ,  108   c ,  108   d , and has a height H 4  and a width W 1 . The panel  108  is foldably connected to the panel  106  at its side  108   d  which is substantially coincident with the side  106   b  of the panel  106 . The sides  108   d  and  106   b  are suitably a score line. The height H 4  of the panel  108  is suitably equal to, but no greater than, the height H 1  of the panel  102 . 
     An inner lid panel  110  is generally rectangular, has four sides,  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c ,  110   d , and has a height H 5  and a width W 1 . The panel  110  is foldably connected to the panel  108  at its side  110   d  which is substantially coincident with the side  108   b  of the panel  108 . The sides  110   d  and  108   b  are suitably a score line. The height H 5  of the panel  110  is suitable equal to, but no greater than, the height H 4  of the panel  108 . A height H 5 ′ for the panel  110  which is a fraction, such as approximately one-half of the height H 4  of the panel  108  is illustrated. As described in greater detail hereinbelow, the panels  108  and  110  cooperate to form a single “closure flap”  108 / 110  for the folding carton  150 . 
     A flap-receiving panel  112 , which is a partial front panel for the assembled carton  150 , is generally rectangular, has four sides,  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c ,  112   d , and has a height H 6  and a width W 1 . The panel  112  is foldably connected to the panel  104  at its side  112   b  which is substantially coincident with the side  104   d  of the panel  104 . The sides  112   b  and  104   d  are suitably a score line. The heights H 6  of the panel  112  is a fraction, such as approximately one-half, of the height H 1  of the panel  102 . However, it is within the scope of the invention that the height H 6  can be equal to the height H 1 . 
     A side panel  114  has four sides,  114   a ,  114   b ,  114   c ,  114   d , and has a height H 1  and overall width W 2 . The panel  114  is foldably connected to the panel  102  at its side  114   c  which is substantially coincident with the side  102   a  of the panel  102 . The sides  114   c  and  102   a  are suitably a score line. A line  116  which may be a fold line or a line of perforations (e.g., cutscores and nicks) extends lengthwise along the paperboard blank  100 , parallel to the side  114   c , and divides the side panel  114  into a generally rectangular side portion  118  which is foldably connected to the panel  102 , and a front portion  120 . The side portion  118  itself has a height H 1  which is equal to the height of the side panel  114 , and has a width dimension W 2   a  (not shown, which is the distance between the line  116  and the side  114   c ) which is substantially equal to the height H 2  of the panel  104 . The flap portion has a height substantially equal to H 1 , and a width dimension W 2   b  (not shown, which is the distance between the line  116  and the side  114   a ) which is suitably approximately equal to the width dimension W 2   a.    
     A side panel  122  has four sides,  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d , has a height H 1  and an overall width W 2 . The panel  122  is foldably connected to the panel  102  at its side  122   a  which is substantially coincident with the side  102   c  of the panel  102 . The sides  122   a  and  102   c  are suitably a score line. A line  124  which may be a fold line or a line of perforations (e.g., cutscores and nicks) extends lengthwise along the paperboard blank  100 , parallel to the side  122   a , and divides the side panel  122  into a generally rectangular side portion  126  which is foldably connected to the panel  102 , and a front portion  128 . The side portion  126  itself has a height H 1  which is equal to the height of the side panel  122 , and has a width dimension W 3   a  (not shown, which is the distance between the line  124  and the side  122   a ) which is substantially equal to the height H 2  of the panel  104 . The flap portion  128  has a height substantially equal to H 1 , and a width dimension W 3   b  (not shown, which is the distance between the line  124  and the side  122   c ) which is suitably approximately equal to the width dimension W 3   a.    
     A corner panel  130  is generally rectangular, has four sides,  130   a ,  130   b ,  130   c ,  130   d , and has a height H 2  and a width W 2   a . The panel  130  is foldably connected to the panel  104  at its side  130   c  which is substantially coincident with the side  104   a  of the panel  104 . The sides  130   c  and  104   a  are suitably a score line. The side  130   b  is separated from the side  114   d  by a slit. 
     A corner panel  132  is generally rectangular, has four sides,  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ,  132   d , and has a height H 2  and a width W 3   a.  The panel  132  is foldably connected to the panel  104  at its side  132   a  which is substantially coincident with the side  104   c  of the panel  104 . The sides  132   a  and  104   c  are suitably a score line. The side  132   b  is separated from the side  122   d  by a slit. 
     The overall length L of the carton blank  100  is equal to the sum of the heights of the six panels  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  and  112 , described hereinabove—in other words, L=H 6 +H 2 +H 3 +H 4 +H 5 . 
     The overall width W of the carton blank  100  is equal to the sum of the widths of the three panels  102 ,  114  and  122 —in other words, W=W 1 +W 2 +W 3 . 
     A periphery of the carton blank  100  comprises the sides  106   a ,  108   a ,  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c ,  108   c ,  106   c ,  122   c ,  132   c ,  112   c ,  112   d ,  112   a ,  130   d ,  130   a    114   d ,  114   a  and  114   b.    
     FIG. 2 illustrates the folding carton  150  which is assembled from the carton blank  100  of FIG.  1 . The various panels of the carton blank  100  are folded, as illustrated, to form a three-dimensional carton having height H, width W and depth D dimensions, as described hereinabove. Additionally, some of the panels may be glued to one another with a suitable adhesive (not shown). For example, the front portion  128  of the side panel  122 , and the front portion  120  of the side panel  114  are both glued to flap-receiving panel  112 . 
     The panel  110  is folded inward onto the panel  108  to form an overall closure flap  108 / 110  for the carton  150  which is of double thickness. In FIG. 2, the closure flap  108 / 110  is shown in an open configuration. In FIG. 3, the closure flap  108 / 110  is shown in a closed configuration. 
     Closure Mechanism 
     A closure mechanism for the assembled carton  150  is provided in the carton blank  100 —more particularly, in the closure flap  108 / 110 , as follows. An opening or aperture  140  is provided in the panel  108 , at a distance H 7  from the side  108   b  of the panel  108 , and is preferably centered widthwise between the two sides  108   a  and  108   c  of the panel  108 . A corresponding opening or aperture  142  is provided in the panel  110  and, when the panel  110  is folded onto the panel  108  (as best viewed in FIG.  2 ), the opening  142  is aligned with the opening  140 . Therefore, the opening  142  is also preferably at a distance H 7  from the side  110   d  of the panel  110 , and centered widthwise between the two sides  110   a  and  110   c  of the panel  110 . The opening  142  is preferably substantially the same shape and size as the opening  130 . It is within the scope of the invention that the openings  140  and  142  are each two or more openings. 
     A strip of pressure-sensitive tape  144  is disposed on (applied to) the back side (as viewed in FIG. 1) of the carton blank  100 , and is shown in dashed lines in FIG.  1 . The tape  144  is sized and shaped to completely cover (extend completely across) the opening  142  in the panel  110 . The tape  144  has two surfaces, a front surface and a back surface. As best viewed in both FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, an adhesive  146  is disposed on (e.g., coated onto) the front surface of the tape  144 . As best viewed in FIG. 3, the back surface of the tape  144  is not tacky (i.e., does not have an adhesive coating). The tape  144  is secured to the back surface of the panel  110  by the adhesive coating  146 . 
     To close the carton  150 , the closure flap  108 / 110  is folded over and pressed against the flap-receiving panel  112  of the carton  150 . The opening  140  in the panel  108  is preferably large enough to permit a user to insert a finger into the opening  140  to apply pressure to the non-tacky side of the tape  144 . In this manner, the portion of the tape  144  which is exposed through the opening  142  in the panel  110  will engage a corresponding underlying portion of the outer surface of the panel  112  of the carton  150 . As best viewed in FIG. 3A, the tape  144  is disposed between the folded-over inner and outer lid panels  108  and  110 , and the adhesive  146  on the tape  144  is exposed through the opening  142  in the inner lid panel  110 . To seal the carton  150 , the user (not shown) would apply pressure to the non-sticky side of the tape  144  through the opening  140  in the outer lid panel  108 . 
     The strip of pressure-sensitive tape  144  is suitably a thin film of material such as polyethylene, paper, or aluminum foil which has a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating  146  on one surface thereof. The tape  144  is suitably ordinary adhesive tape, such as the one known by the trademark “SCOTCH TAPE”. 
     Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4A, at least the portion of the panel  112  to which the pressure-sensitive tape  144  adheres can be provided with a relatively high gloss surface, in the way of a varnish or coating, or a plastic film  113  applied to the surface of the panel  112 , in order to optimize the adhesion and release properties of the closure flap  108 / 110 . In this manner, when the exposed adhesive  146  of the tape  144  comes in contact with the glossy surface of the panel  112 , a good reliable bond will result, and when the closure flap  108 / 110  is opened, the glossy surface will retain very little or no tacky material from the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape  144 . 
     Optionally as shown in FIG. 4B, a peelable strip  147 , such as waxy-paper or mylar film can be disposed on the inside surface of the flap  108 / 110 , across the opening  142  to protectively mask the exposed adhesive  146 , and would be peeled off before sealing the flap  108 / 110 . 
     Optionally, the height of the panel  110  may be shortened (to be H 5 ) to only that which is sufficient to define the opening  142 . In a similar manner, the width of the panel  110  may be narrowed to that which is sufficient to define the opening. 
     Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4C, the panel  110  can be omitted. In such a case, the pressure-sensitive tape  144  would be applied directly across the opening  140  in the panel  108 , on the front surface of the blank  100  (the visible surface in FIG. 1) with the adhesive  146  oriented towards the back surface (the not visible surface in FIG.  1 ), so that the adhesive  146  is exposed through the opening  140  and contacts the panel  112  when the panel  108  functioning as the closure flap is closed. This results in a single ply lid instead of a double ply lid, and the edges of the tape, are not to be hidden from view as they are in the double ply lid construction described hereinabove. In either case, single ply or double ply lid, the tape  144  extends across the opening  140  and is oriented so as to adhere to the outer surface of the flap-receiving panel  112 . The tape  144  is adhered to a one surface of the panel  108  oriented with the adhesive  146  towards the opposite surface of the panel  108  and, if a peelable strip (e.g.,  147 ) were used in this embodiment, it would be on the opposite surface of the panel  108  extending across the opening  140 . 
     Materials and Dimensions 
     The carton blank  100  and assembled carton  150  may be formed of the following exemplary materials and may have the following approximate dimensions (expressed in both inches and millimeters (mm)). These materials and dimensions are not intended to be limiting—other materials and dimensions being within the scope of the invention. 
     The carton blank  100  is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard, containerboard, boxboard, tagboard and corrugated board. The carton blank is preferably made of “paperboard” or Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS), but may also be formed of Clay-Coated Recycled Boxboard (CRB) or Uncoated Recycled Board (URB). 
     The carton blank  100  has a thickness of at least 0.010 inches (0.25 mm), preferably approximately 0.018 inches (0.46 mm), preferably no greater than 0.024 inches (0.60 mm). 
     The carton blank  100  may have the following exemplary dimensions: 
     W 1 =approximately 1.81 inches, or 46 mm; 
     W 2 =approximately 0.9 inches, or 23 mm; 
     W 3 =approximately 0.9 inches, or 23 mm; 
     H 1 =approximately 2.25 inches, or 57 mm; 
     H 2 =approximately 0.47 inches, or 12 mm; 
     H 3 =approximately 0.50 inches, or 13 mm; 
     H 4 =approximately 2.31 inches, or 59 mm; 
     H 5 =approximately 2.25 inches, or 57 mm; 
     H 5 ′=approximately 1.00 inches, or 25 mm; 
     H 6 =approximately 0.88 inches, or 22 mm; and 
     L=approximately 8.66 inches, or 220 mm. 
     The assembled carton  150  may have the following exemplary dimensions: 
     H=approximately 2.25 inches, or 57 mm; 
     W=approximately 1.81 inches, or 46 mm; and 
     D=approximately 0.50 inches, or 13 mm. 
     The assembled carton  150  may have the following exemplary ratios of dimensions: 
     H/W=approximately 1.25 (125%); 
     W/H=approximately 0.80 (80%); 
     D/H=approximately 0.22 (22%); and 
     D/W=approximately 0.28 (28%), 
     from which it becomes apparent that: 
     the height H and width W dimensions are approximately equal to one another (one is less than ten times the other); 
     and the depth D is a substantial fraction, such as greater than one-tenth of the lesser of the height H and width W dimensions. 
     The tape  144  is suitably a thin (approximately 0.001 inches, or 0.025 mm) plastic strip with adhesive  146  on only one side thereof. 
     The present invention is useful for containing products in a carton that is readily opened and closed by the consumer. The closure mechanism of the present invention is suitable for readily being applied automatically. 
     While the invention has been described in combination with embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.