The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 15, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 17, 1997
James L Stone, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
David F Gnadt, Grandville, MI (US);
Thomas J Brink, Kentwood, MI (US);
Tenneco Packaging Inc., Lake Forest, IL (US);
Abstract
A one-piece, flip-top reclosable container embodying the present invention includes an outer carton having opposing top and bottom walls, front and back walls, and first and second side walls. The first and second side walls and the front wall include a preferential area of weakness for opening the carton from a sealed form to an unsealed form. The preferential area of weakness forms a lid hingedly connected to the top wall. The top wall includes a front top minor flap hingedly connected to an upper end of the front wall. An internal collar is integrally formed with the front top minor flap. The internal collar is disposed within the carton when the carton is in the sealed form. The internal collar includes a front panel and opposing first and second side panels adjacent to the respective front wall and the opposing first and second side walls of the carton. The front panel of the internal collar is detachably connected to the front top minor flap along at least one horizontal fold line. The internal collar optionally includes an extension flap comprised of at least one hinged portion and at least one island portion disposed in forcibly displaceable mutual engagement such that opening the lid exerts a force which disengages the mutual engagement and closing the lid leads to snap re-engagement of the hinged portion and the island portion.