Patent Publication Number: US-10766662-B2

Title: Integrated carton reclose feature

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/548,007 filed on Aug. 21, 2017. The disclosure of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a food packaging system and an integrated carton reclose feature. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Food packaging and storage systems are known. For example, containers for storing several individual packages are known. While existing packaging and storage configurations perform adequately for their intended purpose, improvements to packaging and storage configurations are continuously being sought in order to advance the arts. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     One aspect of the present disclosure provides a storage assembly comprising a sleeve and a container. The sleeve defines an interior void operable to receive a foodstuff. The container defines an interior cavity operable to receive the sleeve. The container comprises a clip removably attached to the container and having an aperture for receiving a portion of the sleeve therein. 
     Implementations of the disclosure may comprise one or more of the following optional features. For example, the container may comprise an opening at a first end, and the clip may be removably attached to the container adjacent the opening. The clip may be removably attached to the container along a perforated seam. 
     In some implementations, the interior cavity of the container may be defined by a first sidewall and the clip may be removably attached to a terminal end of the sidewall. A pair of the clips may be removably attached to the terminal end of the sidewall. The pair of clips can be removably attached to each other along a common seam. The pair of clips may define a flap of the container. 
     In some implementations, the clip comprises a passage extending between the aperture and an outer perimeter of the clip. 
     In some aspects, the sleeve is a cylindrical sleeve and the container is a box. 
     In some examples, the container is operable to receive a plurality of the sleeves, and the container comprises a plurality of the clips equal to the plurality of the sleeves. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, a storage assembly comprises a container defining an interior cavity. The container comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A first side flap is fixedly attached to the first sidewall and a second side flap is removably attached to the second sidewall of the container. The second side flap comprises an aperture formed therethrough. 
     In some implementations, the second side flap comprises a first clip and a second clip attached to each other along a perforated seam. 
     In some examples, the second side flap is attached to the second edge of the container along a perforated seam. 
     In some examples, the second side flap comprises a passage extending from the aperture to an outer perimeter of the second side flap. The passage may comprise a tapered inlet disposed adjacent the outer perimeter. 
     In some implementations, the aperture comprises a first pair of converging sidewalls and a second pair of straight sidewalls connecting the converging sidewalls. The aperture may be hourglass shaped. 
     In some implementations, the first side flap and the second side flap are operable between an open position to expose the interior cavity of the container, and a closed position to enclose the interior cavity of the container. In the closed position, second side flap may be concealed by the first side flap. 
     In some implementations, the sidewall, the first side flap, and the second side flap are integrally formed. 
     The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a storage assembly comprising a container and a plurality of sleeves. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the storage assembly of  FIG. 1 , where the container is in an open position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the storage assembly of  FIG. 1 , where one of the sleeves is removed from the container. 
         FIG. 4A-4C  are partially exploded perspective views of the storage assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing the steps of resealing the sleeve. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the storage assembly of  FIG. 1 , where resealed sleeve is replaced within the container. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of an end flap of the container. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an unfolded material blank for forming the container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a storage assembly comprising a container and a plurality of sleeves. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating a storage assembly comprising a container and a plurality of sleeves. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to comprise the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” comprises any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , one example of a storage assembly  10  according to the instant disclosure comprises a container  12  and a plurality of sleeves  14  disposed within the container  12 . The sleeves  14  are configured to store a plurality of foodstuffs F, as discussed further, below. 
     In some examples, the container  12  comprises a main body  16  and a plurality of flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  extending from a first end of the main body  16 . Generally, the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  are operable between a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1A , and an open position, as shown in  FIG. 1B , to selectively enclose and expose an interior cavity  20  of the container  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  are shown and described with respect to a first end  22   a  of the container  12 . Additionally, or alternatively, a second end  22   b  of the container  12  may comprise flaps (see, e.g.,  FIG. 7 ) for providing a second opening to the interior cavity  20 . However, the second end  22   b  of the container  12  may be sealed by other means, such as a single flap, a detachable cover or lid, or the like. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-7 , the main body  16  of the container  12  comprises one or more sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  defining the interior cavity  20 . For example, the container  12  may comprise four sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  defining a box-shaped interior cavity  20 . The sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  comprise a front sidewall  24   a , and opposing back sidewall  24   b , and a pair of end sidewalls  24   c  extending between the front sidewall  24   a  and the back sidewall  24   b . Terminal ends  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  of each of the front sidewall  24   a , the back sidewall  24   b , and the end sidewalls  24   c  collectively define an opening  28  into the interior cavity  20  of the container  12 . 
     As shown, the end sidewalls  24   c  are shorter in length than the front and back sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b , and define a lateral dimension of the container  12 , while the front and back sidewalls,  24   a ,  24   b  define a longitudinal dimension of the container  12 . However, in alternate implementations, the end sidewalls  24   c  may be equal to or greater in length than the front and back sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b . In other examples, the container  12  may comprise more than or less than four sidewalls. For example, the container  12  may comprise a single cylindrical sidewall, or may comprise three sidewalls to define a triangular interior cavity  20 . Furthermore, although the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  of the illustrated example are substantially planar, the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  may have curved or irregular profiles. Additionally or alternatively, the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  may comprise cutout portions or windows for providing visibility into the interior cavity  20  of the container  12 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  of the container  12  extend from the terminal ends  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  of each of the respective sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c , and are configured to selectively open and close the opening  28  of the container  12 . Particularly, a front-side flap  18   a , a back-side flap  18   b , and a pair of end flaps  18   c  extend from the terminal ends  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  of each of the front sidewall  24   a , the back sidewall  24   b , and the end sidewalls  24   c , respectively. Each flap  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  comprises a proximal end  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  joined to the main body  16  and a distal end  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  extending away from the main body  16 . Particularly, the proximal end  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  of each of the flaps  18   a ,  18   b    18   c  is joined to the terminal end  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  of the each of the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  along a respective flap seam  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c . The flap seams  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c  may function as living hinges to allow each of the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  to be moved between the open and closed positions. Particularly, the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  may rotate about axes defined by the respective flap seams  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c.    
     The front-side flap  18   a  and the back-side flap  18   b  may comprise a closure, which is operable to maintain the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  in the closed position. For example, the front-side flap  18   a  may comprise a tongue  36  configured to engage a corresponding slit  38  formed in the back-side flap  18   b  when the front-side flap  18   a  and the back-side flap  18   b  are in the closed position. In other examples, the closure may be an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, such as a zipper or button, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , at least one of the end flaps  18   c  is removably attached to the main body  16 . For example, the flap seams  34   c  joining the end flaps  18   c  to the main body  16  may comprise perforations  40  formed therein. The perforations  40  provide a predefined tear path for removing the end flaps  18   c  from the main body  16  with minimized effort. 
     At least one of the end flaps  18   c  defines a clip  48  configured to receive the sleeve  14  therein. In the illustrated example, each of the end flaps  18   c  comprises a pair of the clips  48 . Accordingly, a single clip  48  may be provided for each of the sleeves  14  comprised in the storage assembly  10 . In other examples, each of the end flaps  18   c  may comprise more or less than two of the clips  48 , as desired. Additionally or alternatively, the front-side flap  18   a  and/or the back-side flap  18   b  may comprise one or more of the clips  48 , formed similarly to the clips  48  of the end flaps  18   c  described herein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , one of the end flaps  18   c  comprising a pair of the clips  48  is shown in detail. The clips  48  may be joined together along a common seam  50  extending between the proximal end  30   c  of the end flap  18   c  and the distal end  32   c  of the end flap  18   c . In some examples, the common seam  50  comprises perforations  52  to provide a predefined tear path for separating the clips  48  from each other. With reference to the implementation of the storage assembly  10 ′ shown in  FIG. 8 , any one of the flaps  18   a ′,  18   b ′,  18   c ′ may comprise an intermediate member  49   a ′,  49   b ′,  49   c ′ formed between the clips  48 , whereby the clips  48  are spaced apart from each other by the intermediate member  49   a ′,  49   b ′,  49   c ′. For example, the front-side flap  18   a ′ and/or the back-side flap  18   b ′ may comprise one or more of the clips  48  formed at each end, whereby an intermediate member  49   a ′,  49   b ′ is continuously formed and does not comprises the clips  48 . In use, the clips  48  may be removed, while the intermediate member  49   a ′,  49   b ′,  49   c ′ remains attached to the main body  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , each clip  48  comprises a proximal edge  54  and a distal edge  56 . In some examples, the proximal edge  54  and the distal edge  56  are commonly formed with the proximal end  30   c  and the distal end  32   c  of the end flap  18   c ,  18   c ′, as shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . In some examples, the proximal edge  54  of the clip may be spaced apart from the proximal end  30   c  of the end flap  18   c ″. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the end flap  18   c ″ may comprise an intermediate member  49   c ″ disposed between the proximal end  30   c  of the end flap  18   c ″ and the proximal edge  56  of the clip  48 , whereby when the clip  48  is removed from the end flap  18   c ″, the intermediate member  49   c ″ remains. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 6 , an opposing pair of sides  58  extend between the proximal edge  54  and the distal edge  56 . Accordingly, the proximal edge  54 , the distal edge  56 , and the sides  58  collectively define an outer perimeter  60  of the clip  48 . As shown, one of the sides  58  of one the clips  48  may be joined to one of the sides  58  of another one of the clips  48  along the common seam  50  to form the end flap  18   c . Accordingly, the clips  48  are separable from each other by tearing the end flap  18   c  along the common seam  50  to separate the joined sides  58  of the clips  48 . As provided above, the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c , may include the intermediate member  49   a ,  49   b ,  49   c , whereby the clips  48  are spaced apart from each other. 
     Each clip  48  further comprises an opposing pair of tabs  62  defining an aperture  64  and a passage  66 . A shown, the aperture  64  is formed in an intermediate portion of the clip  48 , and the passage  66  extends between the aperture  64  and the outer perimeter  60  to provide a path for insertion of the sleeve  14  into the aperture  64 . The tabs  62  of the clip  48  may be bent in opposite directions to expand the passage  66   
     In some examples, the aperture  64  is formed through the thickness T of an intermediate region of the clip  48 . The aperture  64  may comprise a narrowed portion  68  configured to crimp the sleeve  14  within the aperture  64 . For example, a width W A  of the aperture  64  may be variable or tapered along direction from the proximal edge  54  to the distal edge  56  of the clip  48 , wherein the width W A1  at an intermediate region of the aperture  64  is less than the width W A2  at an end of the aperture  64 . In the illustrated example, the aperture  64  is hourglass shaped, and comprises a first opposing pair of convergent sidewalls  70  and a second opposing pair of straight sidewalls  72  extending between the convergent sidewalls  70 . Although the convergent sidewalls  70  are shown as being convex, they may also be polygonal, irregular, or a combination thereof. 
     The passage  66  extends between the aperture  64  and the outer perimeter  60  of the clip  48  so that the sleeve  14  can be received in the aperture  64  via the passage  66 . In the illustrated example, the passage  66  extends between one of the straight sidewalls  72  of the aperture  64  and the distal edge  56  of the clip  48 . In other examples, the passage  66  may extend between any one of the sidewalls  70 ,  72  of the aperture  64  and a corresponding one of the sides  58  or the proximal edge  54  of the clip  48 . 
     A width W P  of the passage  66  is substantially constant and a may be selected to accommodate a passage of the sleeve  14  therethrough. Alternatively, the width W P  of the passage  66  may be variable. The passage  66  may comprise an inlet  74  formed adjacent the outer perimeter  60  of the clip  48 , configured to guide the sleeve  14  into the passage  66 . For example, the inlet  74  may be a flared portion of the passage  66 , whereby a width of the passage  66  increases along a direction from the aperture  64  to the distal edge  56 . 
     The sleeves  14  are configured to store one or more of the foodstuffs F therein. In some examples, the sleeves  14  are formed of one or more pliable sheets arranged to define an interior void  76  for receiving a plurality of foodstuffs F therein. The interior void  76  may initially be hermetically sealed to minimize exposure of the foodstuffs F to an ambient environment. In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , each of the sleeves  14  is a slug configured to receive a stack of foodstuffs F, such as crackers, biscuits, wafers, potato chips, or the like. More particularly, the illustrated sleeves  14  are a cylindrical slugs configured to receive a stack of cylindrical or disc-shaped foodstuffs F therein. In other examples, the sleeves  14  may be multi-sided slugs for receiving foodstuffs F having a corresponding shape, such as polygonal or irregular-shaped foodstuffs. Alternatively, the sleeves  14  may be two-sided bags or packets, or may be rigid enclosures having a pliable closure portion. 
     In some examples, the container  12  may be a carton, whereby the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  and the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  of the main body  16  are integrally formed from a single piece of material, such as a wax-coated cardboard and folded to form the container  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , a substantially planar blank  42  comprising the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  and flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  is cut from the single piece of the material and configured to be folded along respective sidewall seams  43  to form the container  12 . As shown, the blank  42  comprises an inner surface  44  and an opposing outer surface  46  defining respective inner surfaces  44  and outer surfaces  46  of each of the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  and the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c . A distance between the inner surface  44  and the outer surface  46  defines a thickness T of each of the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  and the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  (see e.g.,  FIG. 6 ). In other examples, any one of the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  or the sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  may be separately formed and joined together with the other flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  and sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  using fasteners, such as adhesive, tape, or mechanical fasteners, and may have a different thickness from other flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  and sidewalls  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c.    
     With renewed reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , an example of one implementation of the instant disclosure is provided. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the container  12  is initially provided in a sealed configuration, wherein each of the sleeves  14  is sealingly enclosed within the interior cavity  20  of the container  12 . In the sealed configuration, the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  of the container  12  are in the closed position, whereby the end flaps  18   c  of the container  12  are disposed beneath the front-side flap  18   a  and the back-side flap  18   b . At least two of the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  may be joined to each other to secure the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  in the closed position. For example, the inner surface  44  of the front-side flap  18   a  may be adhesively bonded to the outer surface  46  of the back-side flap  18   b.    
     At  FIG. 2  of the disclosure, the container  12  is initially opened by a consumer  100  to expose the interior cavity  20 , comprising the sleeves  14 . As shown, each of the end flaps  18   c  is initially formed as a unitary body, whereby the clips  48  forming each of the end flaps  18   c  are joined to each other along the common seam  50 . 
     At  FIG. 3 , one of the sleeves  14  is withdrawn from the interior cavity  20 , and a first end  78  of sleeve  14  is opened to expose the interior void  76  of the sleeve  14 , including the foodstuffs F contained therein. The consumer  100  may remove a first portion of the foodstuffs F, while leaving a second portion of the foodstuffs F within the interior void  76  of the sleeve  14 . 
     Once the desired first portion of the foodstuffs F is removed from the interior void  76  of the sleeve  14 , one of the clips  48  may be separated from the container  12  by tearing the clip  48  along the common seam  50  and a corresponding portion of the end flap seam  34   c , as shown in  FIG. 4A . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the sleeve  14  may be resealed by rolling or twisting the opened first end  78  to form a necked portion  80  configured to be received within the aperture  64  of the clip  48 . The necked portion  80  of the sleeve  14  is then introduced to the passage  66  via the tapered inlet  74 . In some examples, where the clip  48  may be formed of a resilient material, such as a cardboard or plastic, the tabs  62  of the clip  48  can be spread apart from each other to temporarily increase the width W P  of the passage  66 . The necked portion  80  of the sleeve  14  is then passed through the passage  66  and received in the aperture  64  of the clip  48 , as shown in  FIG. 4C . The necked portion  80  of the sleeve  14  may be disposed within the narrowed portion  68  of the clip  48  to prevent the necked portion  80  from reopening. 
     At  FIG. 5  the resealed sleeve  14 , including the clip  48 , is replaced within the interior cavity  20  of the container  12  and the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  are moved to the closed position to enclose the interior cavity  20 . As discussed above, the front-side flap  18   a  may engage the back-side flap  18   b  to secure the flaps  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  in the closed position. 
     In the illustrated example, a single one of the sleeves  14  is removed and opened at a time. This may be the case where each of the sleeves  14  comprises identical foodstuffs, and the sleeves  14  are opened sequentially. In other examples, the sleeves  14  may contain different varieties of foodstuffs and the consumer  100  may open each of the sleeves  14  simultaneously. In this case, each of the clips  48  may be simultaneously removed from the container  12  so that the container  12  is left with only the front-side flap  18   a  and the back-side flap  18   b.    
     The examples of the packaging assemblies described above advantageously provide an integrated means for resealing a secondary package contained within the storage assembly  10 . Accordingly, preservation of unconsumed foodstuffs remaining within the secondary package after a serving session is maximized. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.