Tearing Provides A Reclosable Box Having Reduced Volume When Reclosed Patents (Class 229/101.2)
  • Patent number: 10494135
    Abstract: An improved storage container is disclosed for housing items in an enclosed housing with a tamper-evident closure that is easily removed to form a storage container for the items. The storage container includes a container formed as a thin walled, hollow body closed at either end by end members and a peripheral wall defining top and bottom openings which are suitable for closure by the end members. The end member include a plurality of flaps that are integral with and extend from the hollow body and are folded over one another and then joined to each other. A perforation and tear strip encircles the peripheral wall of the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventors: Sholom Pinson, Schneur Langsam
  • Patent number: 9051076
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a container or a carton having a plurality of selectable volumes. The present invention is also directed to a container having a plurality of identified markings to reduce container volume upon partial consumption of content. The container includes a plurality of fold facilitating creases adapted to allow panels to be folded or removed along a fold facilitating crease and/or perforation. At least one set of perforations or identified creases are provided in the box so as to form a shell and a second or a secondary box, where the shell is removed after the contents of the box have been partially consumed and space becomes available. The container may further include perforations, flaps, tabs, slits, indentations, notches, along or at an edge of the panel. A blank of bendable and creaseable material for forming a predefined selectable volume carton box is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Leena Ahsan
  • Publication number: 20150014402
    Abstract: A carton for holding a product. The carton having a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprises a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel and a second side panel. A tear away panel in at least one of the plurality of panels, the tear away panel providing access to the interior. A hinge in at least one of the plurality of panels and at least one tear line extending at least partially across at least one of the plurality of panels. The at least one tear line dividing the carton into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion configured to be pivotable at the hinge between an open position allowing access to the interior and a closed position with the first portion at least partially overlapping the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Felicia A. Pinkstone
  • Patent number: 8870055
    Abstract: A package (1) manufactured in a single piece of a flexible sheet (2). The package (1) comprises a lid (3) that can be opened and re-closed. The lid (3) is integrated with the package (1). The lid (3) is joined to the package 81) along a perforation line (5). The lid (3) has side walls (7a-d) of double-folded sheet material folded downwards along the perforation line (5) and then folded back upwards. There are cuts (8a, b) in the perforation line (5) in distal opposite ends thereof such that loose lid flaps (11 a, b) are provided on each side of the sheet (2) when the package (1) is folded along a longitudinal side, wherein a loose corner (12) is provided in the lid (3). The package (1) comprises a lid (3) that can be opened by a user a first time tearing off the lid (3) from the package (1). The package is provided with transverse tear-off strips (13) arranged around the package (1). The lid can be put back to reclose the package (1), also after partial drawing of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Gunnar Backman
  • Publication number: 20140191022
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using a disposable pizza box that may also be used as a storage container for holding leftover pizza. In a preferable embodiment, the original box is first divided into two portions. The resulting open end of one or both portions may then be readily folded shut, thereby forming reduced-sized, additional closed box structures. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, one portion of the divided box is sized so that when the open end is folded shut, the reduced-sized box is essentially half the volume of the original box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: William Gerard Volz, Brady Neal Ware
  • Patent number: 8714435
    Abstract: An end-loaded collapsible carton is provided and includes a first pair of side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from a second pair of side walls. The first and second pair of side walls form a first end opening and a second end opening opposite the first end opening. The carton further includes a first carton closure extending from the first and second carton walls for covering the first end opening, and a second carton closure extending at an opposite end of the first and second carton walls for covering the second end opening. The first carton closure is formed from a first plurality of lid panels, and the second carton closure is formed from a second plurality of lid panels. The carton further includes scores for creating pleats fashioned in the carton side walls and lid panels for collapsing the side walls and lid panels in a uniform manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Weissbrod
  • Patent number: 8690043
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reducible carton formed from a one-piece unitary blank of material. The reducible carton comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, opposite side walls, a front wall and a back wall. Means enabling the reducible carton to transversely separate it into a reusable rear carton component and a discardable front carton component. The reusable carton component comprises the back wall and a rear portion of each of the top wall, the bottom wall and the side walls, wherein the rear top wall portion, the rear bottom wall portion and the rear side wall portions in the reusable carton component each terminate in a forward edge defining an open forward end of the reusable carton component. The forward edge of one of the rear top wall portion or the rear bottom wall portion defines a seal flap that is foldable into closing relationship over the open forward end of the reusable carton component. The seal flap has a locking tab on a free edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Frederick R. Holch, Nicholas A. Philips
  • Publication number: 20140084046
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container that has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion are adapted to be separated from so that each portion can form its own smaller rectangular shaped container by being reconfigured along its respective plurality of a plurality of perforation lines, fold lines, tear lines and cut lines to hold food products such pizza therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Epifanic Colon
  • Patent number: 8672214
    Abstract: A carton includes a pivoting, reclosable lid that allows a top end of the carton to be accessed and subsequently closed. If a bag or other flexible vessel is accommodated within the carton, a first section of the lid can be pivoted toward a first side panel so that the vessel is pressed between the first lid section and the first side panel. The bag contents are thereby securely retained within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim Manaige
  • Publication number: 20140048588
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a container or a carton having a plurality of selectable volumes. The present invention is also directed to a container having a plurality of identified markings to reduce container volume upon partial consumption of content. The container includes a plurality of fold facilitating creases adapted to allow panels to be folded or removed along a fold facilitating crease and/or perforation. At least one set of perforations or identified creases are provided in the box so as to form a shell and a second or a secondary box, where the shell is removed after the contents of the box have been partially consumed and space becomes available. The container may further include perforations, flaps, tabs, slits, indentations, notches, along or at an edge of the panel. A blank of bendable and creaseable material for forming a predefined selectable volume carton box is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Leena Ahsan
  • Patent number: 8517609
    Abstract: A container, or package, that is separable for resizing the container after the contents are partially consumed. One or more mid-package separable seals are positioned between the top and bottom of a package. The seal in the sealed configuration flexibly provides package integrity with an air-tight seal and connection. In the operated configuration, the seal separates the package into two sections, allowing the package to assume a size that is suitable for the volume of material remaining. In one embodiment, the mid-package separable seal includes a sealing strip that is adhesively attached to the outside of the package and covers a tear line/strip formed in the material of the package. Removal of the sealing strip allows the tear line to separate the package into two sections. In another embodiment, a connecting strip is attached to two sections of the package and the connecting strip has an integral tear line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher W. Conner
  • Publication number: 20130068830
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reusable pizza box that may also be used as a storage container for holding leftover pizza. In the most preferable embodiment a simple tear is utilized as primary means of weakening the box structure, which facilitates separating the first box into two portions. The resulting open end of one portion may be readily folded shut, thereby forming a second closed box structure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second box is essentially half the volume of the first box. The remaining portion may also be folded shut thereby forming a third closed box structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Epifanio Colon
  • Patent number: 8393529
    Abstract: The present invention provides an easily disposable pizza box that may also be used as a storage container for holding leftover pizza. In the most preferable embodiment, a pull-tab cord design is used as the primary means of weakening the box structure, which facilitates separating the first box into two portions. The resulting open end of one or both portions may be readily folded shut, thereby forming a second closed box structure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one portion of the split first box is sized so that when the open end is folded shut, the second box is essentially half the volume of the first box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventors: William Gerard Volz, Brady Neal Ware
  • Patent number: 8087568
    Abstract: A carton includes scores that create pleats fashioned in the walls of the carton. As weight from subsequently stacked materials impinge on the carton, the side walls collapse in a substantially uniform manner leaving the carton top in tact and substantially level with the bottom of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Weissbrod
  • Publication number: 20110253772
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reducible carton formed from a one-piece unitary blank of material. The reducible carton comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, opposite side walls, a front wall and a back wall. Means enabling the reducible carton to transversely separate it into a reusable rear carton component and a discardable front carton component. The reusable carton component comprises the back wall and a rear portion of each of the top wall, the bottom wall and the side walls, wherein the rear top wall portion, the rear bottom wall portion and the rear side wall portions in the reusable carton component each terminate in a forward edge defining an open forward end of the reusable carton component. The forward edge of one of the rear top wall portion or the rear bottom wall portion defines a seal flap that is foldable into closing relationship over the open forward end of the reusable carton component. The seal flap has a locking tab on a free edge thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventors: Frederick R. Holch, Nicholas A. Philips
  • Publication number: 20110138750
    Abstract: A container for pizza formable into a smaller, space saving box useful as, for example, refrigerator containers for pizza slices. Also disclosed are easily environmentally friendly disposable pizza boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: William R. Walsh
  • Patent number: 7959060
    Abstract: A carton is formed from an inner blank and an outer blank. The outer blank ply of the carton includes a pivoting, reclosable lid that allows a top end of the carton to be accessed and subsequently closed. A latch feature is included in the carton to allow the lid to be securely closed over the open top of the carton. The inner blank may form a closed and/or sealed liner vessel within the outer blank ply of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston R. Wilson, Robert L. Conatser, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20080197177
    Abstract: The present invention provides an easily disposable pizza box that may also be used as a storage container for holding leftover pizza. In the most preferable embodiment, a pull-tab cord design is used as the primary means of weakening the box structure, which facilitates separating the first box into two portions. The resulting open end of one or both portions may be readily folded shut, thereby forming a second closed box structure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one portion of the split first box is sized so that when the open end is folded shut, the second box is essentially half the volume of the first box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: William Gerard Volz, Brady Neal Ware
  • Patent number: 7407087
    Abstract: A carton that can be opened and incrementally reduced in size and reclosed is provided. A horizontal tear line is provided in a main panel of the carton and is connected to a tear line in each side panel that extends across to the other main panel. When these tear lines are torn, the carton is reduced in size by that increment. A reclosable top is formed in a main panel by two fold lines that extend across that panel. This carton may have several sections that can be incrementally reduced in size and reclosed as items are removed from the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. DeBusk, Colin P. Ford
  • Patent number: 7407088
    Abstract: A cardboard blank for constructing a first larger size food storage box and also constructing a smaller size food storage box is provided. The blank includes a first plurality of panels foldably connected to one another along a plurality of primary fold lines in order to foldably construct the larger box, and further includes a series of tearable line elements for defining removable portions of the blank and a second smaller blank. The second smaller blank includes a second plurality of panels foldably connected to one another along a plurality of secondary fold lines in order to foldably construct the smaller box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventors: Amy Hafkin, David Ashen
  • Publication number: 20080035716
    Abstract: A cardboard blank for constructing a first larger size food storage box and also constructing a smaller size food storage box is provided. The blank includes a first plurality of panels foldably connected to one another along a plurality of primary fold lines in order to foldably construct the larger box, and further includes a series of tearable line elements for defining removable portions of the blank and a second smaller blank. The second smaller blank includes a second plurality of panels foldably connected to one another along a plurality of secondary fold lines in order to foldably construct the smaller box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Amy Hafkin, David Ashen
  • Patent number: 7306135
    Abstract: A carton that can be opened and incrementally reduced in size and reclosed is provided. A horizontal tear line is provided in a main panel of the carton and is connected to a diagonal tear line in each side panel that extends upwardly and crosses to the other main panel. When these tear lines are torn the carton is reduced in size by that increment. A reclosable top is formed in a main panel by two fold lines that extend across that panel. A gusset fold line in each side panel that extends from each tear line downwardly to a main panel allows the top panel and closing flap of the carton to be closed. This carton may have several sections that can be incrementally reduced in size and reclosed as items are removed from the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. DeBusk, Colin P. Ford
  • Patent number: 6799715
    Abstract: A sliceable product container device for sectioning a container of ice cream into equal portions. The sliceable product container device includes a container having a base wall and also having a plurality of band members forming a side wall of the container and having a base band member being securely attached upon the base wall; and also includes a plurality of peal-able sealing strips for removably attaching the band members together to form the side wall of the container; and further includes a lid being removably disposed upon the container; and also includes a fastening strip being attached to the band members; and further includes an assembly of cutting ice cream into sections for easy removal from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bennett, Toni L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6676009
    Abstract: A container having a plurality of selectable volumes including a plurality of fold facilitating creases adapted to allow panels to be folded or removed along a fold facilitating crease and/or perforation, further including a first set and a second set of perforations or other separating mechanism extending substantially parallel to a corner edge to thereby define a removable strip for unconnecting panels that form a corner edge from one another. The first set of perforations and the second set of perforations or other separating mechanism are positioned at a spaced distance from each other. The first set of perforations or other separating mechanism is provided on a first panel while the second set of perforations or other separating mechanism is provided on either the corner edge itself or a second panel that form the corner edge. The container may further include lateral perforations as well as flaps, tabs, slits and slots along a top edge of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Harold J. Rose
  • Publication number: 20030121961
    Abstract: A single piece paperboard container for holding relatively flat circular food products is formed from a container having top and bottom walls with at least four side walls integrally connected to the top and bottom walls. The improved container includes a plurality of integral fold lines providing for substantial separation between the top wall and the bottom wall such that the remaining portion of the single piece paperboard container is capable of being reduced in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Alan Pilgrim, Maia Lee Vasquez
  • Patent number: 6547263
    Abstract: A convertible cart and container may be assembled by folding a blank of paperboard and attaching a wheeled carriage thereto. The blank includes a floor panel connected to front and back panels along fold lines, the back panel having side panels connected thereto along fold lines. The blank includes a plurality of lines of weakness which facilitate separation of the assembled cart into an upper handle portion which may be discarded and a container portion. The assembled cart conveniently includes an opening in a front panel and a pair of doors which are hinged to the front panel along fold lines to permit access to the chamber within the cart while obscuring the contents from view. The cart includes a top flap portion which may be separated from the upper handle portion and folded over a substantially rectangular box-type container for enclosing items received in the container and permitting shipping of the reduced size container without the need for emptying the contents for conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Pitsco, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd McGeorge, Bill Holden
  • Patent number: 6460759
    Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products with at least one region of weakened strength and method for manufacturing same is provided. The composite container includes a multi-ply composite tube having a tubular body ply, a liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply and a label ply adhered to the outer surface of the body ply. The composite container also includes at least one circumferential score line in the multi-ply composite tube through the label ply and the body ply. The container and method overcome limitations imposed by conventional composite containers by providing a composite container which provides for easy opening, better consumer access, resealability, storage for left over food product, and easier consumer recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Lowry, Manson Drew Case, Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: 6450355
    Abstract: A reversible overcap for an adjustable volume container for consumer products is provided. A first side of the overcap includes a radially extending surface and an annular rim extending outwardly therefrom for engaging a retaining rim of the adjustable volume container. A second side of the overcap includes an annular member that is adapted to frictionally engage the exposed end of the remaining portions of the container that are formed by separating a portion of the container from the remaining portion of the container. The reversible overcap of the present invention is thus a multi-functional end closure and forms part of a completely self-contained adjustable volume container for consumer products that continuously accommodates the volume of the food product in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6440050
    Abstract: A generally rectangular blank of preferably cardboard material having a multitude of strategically positioned cut lines, fold lines, and perforated tear lines. The present invention can be formed into at least two differently shaped and sized boxes; thus, efficiently accommodating a whole pizza in its original rectangular shape, and efficiently accommodating a slice or other portion of pizza in its reduced-size, triangular shape. In addition to the typical cut and fold lines found in a common pizza box, the present invention provides, generally, eight sets of perforated tear lines strategically positioned such that a rectangularly-shaped pizza box may be torn along the perforated tear lines to form a generally triangularly-shaped, smaller dimensioned pizza box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventors: Patsy R. Capparelli, Timothy D. Davis
  • Patent number: 6375066
    Abstract: An improvement is provided for a pizza-style paperboard container. The improvement includes first and second separation lines extending through first and second lateral panels, respectively. An additional fold line is provided in the first lateral panel at a location rearward of the first separation line, the material therebetween defining a closure flap. The first lateral panel includes opposed side panels. These side panels include a pre-formed hinge. The second lateral panel also includes opposed side panels. As assembled, the side panels of the first lateral panel are exterior to the side panels of the second lateral panel. After the carton is first assembled in a conventional manner, it may be reduced in size by breaking the carton in two along the separation lines. The closure flap is then pushed inward while the hinges of the outer side panels capture the inner side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: Karl M. Ritter
  • Patent number: 6364199
    Abstract: A container having a plurality of selectable volumes having a bottom portion, two side panels, and two end panels with lateral perforations extending across these panels to allow removal of at least a portion thereof. Each of the two end panels includes hypotenuse creases adapted to allow the two end panels to be selectively inwardly folded to thereby form a top closure for the container with a portion of the two side panels. In addition, the containers may be provided with a vertical perforation, a closure flap with side flaps, and identifiable marking to facilitate identification of the perforations and hypotenuse creases. Moreover, the container may also include a plurality of fold facilitating creases laterally extending across the two side panels and the two end panels, as well as through-holes on the hypotenuse creases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Harold J. Rose
  • Patent number: 6336584
    Abstract: The present invention is a carton carrying packaging box such as the ones used to carry multiple aluminum cans of soft drinks and the like, that is, after this initial usage, transformed and modified by disposing of certain portions of the carton blank and re-assembled into another type of hand-carried container, such as a lunch box and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventors: François Roch, Patrick Leblanc
  • Patent number: 6279818
    Abstract: A multipurpose adjustable single sheet container for storing and shipping various sizes and shapes of items. The single sheet container is characterized by having end flaps that can be either cut or folded, at the option of the user, for enclosing the ends of the container. The container has vertical fold lines which allow the user of the container to adjust the length and the width of the container for forming different geometric shapes. The container includes a plurality of side panels. Opposite sides of the side panels are divided by vertical fold lines. Opposite ends of the side panels include upper horizontal fold lines and lower horizontal fold lines. The upper horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from a plurality of upper flaps. The lower horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from a plurality of lower flaps. Opposite sides of the upper and lower flaps are divided by vertical perforated lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Richard H. Kim, Bobby Kim, Susie Y. Kim, Debra Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 6168075
    Abstract: An improved breakaway container for food and other perishable products comprising a simple construction and reliable breakage mechanism using a thumb cut scoring. By applying pressure to the thumb cut scoring, a tear is initiated in a circumferential scoring, thereby allowing for the separation of excess container wall from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: RECOT, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Paul Sagel