US3853260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bellows fold end closure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-29
•
Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An improved bellows fold end closure facilitates withdrawal of a tuck tab from a bellows fold without damage to any closure element and at the same time provides a closure element in itself providing a closure stiffening means for enhancing the security of the closure throughout repeated openings and closings.
Inventors
- 👤 C Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:44
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/02; B65D5/0263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An improved bellows fold end closure for a folding box having two opposite side panels, a top panel and an opposite bottom panel, the improved closure comprising: a bellows fold end panel hinged to ends of each side panel, a hinged end panel hinged to said bottom panel along one edge thereof and to respective bellows fold end panels on other opposite edges thereof, said hinged end panel being folded inwardly toward said bellows fold end panels to form a bellows fold in conjunction therewith, a tuck tab hinged to said top panel along one edge thereof, a first pull tab hingedly connected to an opposite edge of said tuck tab, said tuck tab being insertable into said bellows fold between said hinged end panel and said bellows fold end panels to form said closure, said first pull tab also being insertable into said bellows fold adjacent said tuck tab, and said first pull tab having an end, opposite its connection with said tuck tab, extending outwardly from said bellows fold and providing means for pulling said tuck tab out of said bellows fold when said closure is to be opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An improved bellows fold end closure for a folding box having two opposite side panels, a top panel and an opposite bottom panel, the improved closure comprising: a bellows fold end panel hinged to ends of each side panel, a hinged end panel hinged to said bottom panel along one edge thereof and to respective bellows fold end panels on other opposite edges thereof, said hinged end panel being folded inwardly toward said bellows fold end panels to form a bellows fold in conjunction therewith, a tuck tab hinged to said top panel along one edge thereof, a first pull tab hingedly connected to an opposite edge of said tuck tab, said tuck tab being insertable into said bellows fold between said hinged end panel and said bellows fold end panels to form said closure, said first pull tab also being insertable into said bellows fold adjacent said tuck tab, and said first pull tab having an end, opposite its connection with said tuck tab, extending outwardly from said bellows fold and providing means for pulling said tuck tab out of said bellows fold when said closure is to be opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An end closure as in claim 1 further including a second pull tab hingedly connected along one edge to said end of said first pull tab opposite the connection of said first pull tab with said tuck tab.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An end closure as in claim 2 wherein said first pull tab has a length approximately equal to that of said tuck tab.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An end closure as in claim 3 wherein said second pull tab is shorter in length than said first pull tab.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An end closure as in claim 4 wherein said second pull tab is inserted into said bellows fold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An end closure as in claim 4 wherein said second pull tab is folded over an end of said hinged end panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An end closure as in claim 1 wherein said tuck tab is scored parallel to its said one edge to facilitate its bending and insertion into said bellows fold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
An end closure as in claim 2 wherein said tuck tab and said first pull tab have portions of approximately the same widths and wherein each of said tuck tab and said first pull tab tapers on both sides to a narrower width toward the connection between the two.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An end closure as in claim 1 wherein said pull tab remains relatively straight, planar and stiff, with respect to said tuck tab, during tuck tab insertion and withdrawal into and from said bellows fold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
186 words
A carton blank for providing a folding Box having an improved bellows fold end closure, said blank comprising: four side panels serially connected to each other along panel sides at respective score lines and a glue tab connected to one side panel at one side of the blank for connection to a side panel at an opposite side of the blank when the box is formed, first and third side panels forming opposite sides and second and fourth panels forming other opposite sides when said box is formed, a bellows fold end panel connected at respective score lines to each of said first and third side panels at ends thereof, an end panel connected at one edge along a score line to an end of said second panel, said end panel also being connected at opposite edges to said bellows fold end panels along respective score lines, a tuck tab connected at one edge to an end of said fourth panel along a score line, and a first pull tab connected at one edge to an opposite edge of said tuck tab along a score line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
186 words
A carton blank for providing a folding Box having an improved bellows fold end closure, said blank comprising: four side panels serially connected to each other along panel sides at respective score lines and a glue tab connected to one side panel at one side of the blank for connection to a side panel at an opposite side of the blank when the box is formed, first and third side panels forming opposite sides and second and fourth panels forming other opposite sides when said box is formed, a bellows fold end panel connected at respective score lines to each of said first and third side panels at ends thereof, an end panel connected at one edge along a score line to an end of said second panel, said end panel also being connected at opposite edges to said bellows fold end panels along respective score lines, a tuck tab connected at one edge to an end of said fourth panel along a score line, and a first pull tab connected at one edge to an opposite edge of said tuck tab along a score line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A carton blank as in claim 10 further including a second pull tab connected to said first pull tab along a score line at an edge of said first pull tab opposite to the connection of said first pull tab to said tuck tab.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A carton blank as in claim 10 wherein said tuck tab is scored at an area spaced from and parallel to its one edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A carton blank as in claim 10 wherein said tuck tab and said first pull tab have portions of predetermined widths, and wherein said tuck tab and said first pull tab each taper respectively from said widths toward a narrower width at said score line along said opposite edge of said tuck tab and along said one edge of said pull tab.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |