General Mills, Inc.

Marsha D Thompson

Arne H Brauner

Duane R Mode

Stuart N Bernard

Christianne L Strauss

A collapsible, tubular carton (12) is disclosed having a non-linear fold line between the side edges (20) of the front panel (18) and the second side panel (32) which are planar in the collapsed condition of the carton (12). The fold line extends in a non-linear manner between top and bottom locations (72, 74) at the top edges (48, 68) and the bottom edges (40, 44) of the front and side panels (18, 32). In the preferred form, the fold line includes first and second, arcuate portions (82, 84) in the form of a sine curve extending from and on opposite sides of a linear line (76) extending between the top and bottom locations (72, 74). In its erect condition in the most preferred form, the carton (12) has a right parallelepiped shape, with the front and second side panels (18, 32) forming two of the sides of the parallelepiped shape. In the erect condition, the fold line between the front and second side panels (18, 32) creates a rippled corner having a tendency to attract the consumer's attention because of the difference in shape of the package (10) created thereby.

Right parallelepiped package including non-linear fold line

A pan (10) is formed from a single blank (12) of plastic-coated paperboard and is foldable between a three-dimensional, erect condition and a flat condition. In the flat condition, first and second isosceles trapezoid-shaped side panels (20) are folded about the side edges (18) of a bottom panel (14) to overlie the bottom panel (14) and with their upper edges (22) abutting. Additionally, in the flat condition, first and second triangular panels (34) are folded about the side edges (32) of end panels (28) to overlie the end panels (28). The end panels (28) are in the shape of isosceles trapezoids and are integrally connected to the opposite end edges (16) of the bottom panel (14) and extend continuously therefrom in the flat condition. Attachment panels (38) are foldable about the outer edges (36) of the triangular panels (34) and are secured to the side panels (20) with the side edges (24) of the side panels (20) abutting with and being foldable with the outer edges (36) of the triangular panels (34). In the three-dimensional condition, the side panels (20), the end panels (28), and the triangular panels (34) upstand from the bottom panel (14) to define a volume and form a water-tight container for holding batter. Once erected, tabs (48) can be folded down along a fold line (46) extending across the triangular panels (34) and the end panels (28) at the height of the side panels (20), with the folded tabs (48) helping hold the pan (10) in the erect condition and for use as handles in carrying the pan (10). In the preferred form, parabolic slots (50) are formed in the side panels (20) to prevent overfilling and for safety reasons.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Marsha D Thompson