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US 5,174,444 AGranted
Two cartons joined as a dual carton separable into two individual cartons
AssigneePhilip Morris Incorporated
InventorsJohn M. Adams, Christopher N. Chance, James A. DeBlasio, Donald H. Evers, William C. Harris, Jr., Michael A. Kirby, Sr., Reginald W. Newsome, Robert E. Talley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual carton formed from two substantially identical individual cartons secured together along their top flaps such that the means for securing the cartons is not readily apparent to a consumer. An additional means for securing the individual cartons together is provided across the bottom walls of the individual cartons. A dual cigarette carton of dimensions compatible with tax-stamping machinery is also shown.
Claims25
A dual carton comprising:
- first and second cartons each having a first pair of first and second opposed walls, a second pair of third and fourth opposed walls, a bottom wall joining at least said first pair of opposed walls, a first extension flap extending from said first wall and having a free edge, and a second extension flap extending from said second wall and having a free edge;
- wherein:
- said second extension flap is substantially the same width as said bottom wall such that said second extension flap extends across the top of said carton so that said free edge of said second extension flap lies adjacent said first wall when said second extension flap is folded over the top of said carton;
- and
- said first and second cartons are positioned adjacent one another with said first wall of said first carton adjacent and coextensive with said first wall of said second carton such that the borders of said coextensive walls are aligned;
- said dual carton further comprising:
- means for joining said first extension flap of said first carton and said first extension flap of said second carton after said first extension flap of said first carton is folded over the top of said first carton and said first extension flap of said second carton is folded over the top of said second carton, such that said first and second cartons are joined to form said dual carton;
- and
- means for securing said second extension flap of said first carton and said second extension flap of said second carton to said means for joining said first extension flaps of said first and second cartons, such that said means for joining is hidden from view by said second extension flaps.
6 more elements
A method for securing two cartons together to form a dual carton, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second cartons each having a first pair of first and second opposed walls, a second pair of third and fourth opposed walls, a bottom wall joining at least said first pair of opposed walls, a first extension flap extending from said first wall, and a second extension flap extending from said second wall;
- positioning said first and second cartons adjacent one another with said first wall of said first carton adjacent and coextensive with said first wall of said second carton such that the borders of said adjacent walls are aligned;
- :
- folding said first extension flap of said first carton over the top of said first carton;
- folding said first extension flap of said second carton over the top of said second carton;
- positioning a joining means over said first extension flap of said first carton and said first extension flap of said second carton after said extension flaps are folded over the tops of said cartons, such that said first and second cartons are joined to form said dual carton;
- and
- securing said second extension flap of said first carton and said second extension flap of said second carton to said joining means.
5 more elements
A method for packaging cigarette packs which are to be passed through tax-stamping machinery used in the automated processing of cigarette cartons and later may be separated into groups of cigarette packs, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second cartons each having a first pair of first and second opposed walls, a second pair of third and fourth opposed walls, a bottom wall joining at least said first pair of opposed walls, a first extension flap extending from said first wall, and a second extension flap extending from said second wall;
- folding said first extension flap of said first carton such that it lies adjacent the outside of said first carton adjacent said first wall;
- folding said first extension flap of said second carton such that it lies adjacent the outside of said second carton adjacent said first wall;
- positioning said first and second cartons adjacent one another with said first wall of said first carton adjacent and coextensive with said first wall of said second carton with said first extension flaps adjacent one another between said first and second cartons;
- positioning securing means across the bottom walls of said first and second cartons to secure said first and second cartons together to form a dual carton of dimensions compatible with existent taxstamping machinery;
- folding said second extension flap of said first carton over the top of said first carton;
- folding said second extension flap of said second carton over the top of said second carton;
- positioning a temporary joining means over said second extension flap of said first carton and said second extension flap of said second carton to temporarily seal said first and second cartons in said dual carton configuration.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.