FORM-2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2006
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
A CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT FOR A PACKAGING CARTON
PARKSONS PACKAGING LTD.
an Indian Company
of Gate Mo. 357/ 77,79,81, Chakan-Telegaon Road, Kharabwadi,
Tal: Khed, Chakan, Pune - 410501
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

Field of the Invention:
The present invention generally relates to the field of packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to a packaging carton.
Background of the Invention
Cartons have been in use since decades for packaging various edible and non edible items like chocolates, sweets, candles; powdered items such as glucose, custard, corn flour, spices and the like. Most of the cartons which have been in use before and are now in use have a four flap arrangement for opening and closing as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. Also, a three flap arrangement as illustrated in Figure 2 has been in use for opening and closing the carton.
Opening and closing arrangement is provided to allow the access to the contents stored in the carton and at the same time preventing insects, moisture, and the like from entering the carton and deteriorating the contents of the carton.
Some of these cartons are laminated or have a lining there-inside so as to provide protection against moisture and insects however protection provided by the lamination or liner is limited and fails to provide foolproof protection against moisture. Further, even after closing the carton or the box, there exists some gaps which let a path for air and air contained moisture to enter the carton and deteriorate the contents of the carton. Additionally, if the carton is not properly closed there is always a chance for small insects to get inside the carton.

For all the above stated reasons, conventionally the contents of a carton or box are taken out and preserved in a separate container, which is not cost effective and people from the non privileged class of society find it difficult to have separate containers for different items.
Therefore, there is felt a need for a closure arrangement for a packaging carton or box which provides a solution to all the above stated problems and at the same time is cost effective and economically affordable by people of any class of the society.
Objects of the Invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a closure arrangement for preventing moisture and air from entering inside the packaging carton.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure arrangement for a packaging carton which can be used for preserving the contents stored inside the packaging carton for a long time.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective closure arrangement for a packaging carton.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a closure arrangement for a packaging carton which can be easily opened and closed.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a conventional closure arrangement with four flaps used for opening and closing a packaging carton;
Figure 2 illustrates a conventional closure arrangement with three flaps used for opening and closing a packaging carton;
Figure 3 illustrates a closure arrangement as envisaged by the present invention for opening or closing a packaging carton;
Figure 4 illustrates a detailed view of a flap member for the closure arrangement as illustrated in Figure 3;
Figure 5 illustrates a detailed view of a set of panels for the closure arrangement as illustrated in Figure 3;
Figure 6 illustrates a detailed perspective view of operative top of the packaging carton wherein the flap member is completely folded and the set of panels is partially folded;
Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the closure arrangement of the packaging carton in closed configuration;

Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the packaging carton with the operative top thereof in closed configuration and the operative bottom thereof in an open configuration;
Figure 9 illustrates the steps in closing the packaging carton right after the manufacture and factor sealing of the lining;
Figure 10 illustrates a comparative graph showing deterioration in the taste rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 11 illustrates a comparative graph showing deterioration in the odor rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 12 illustrates a comparative graph showing deterioration in the appearance rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 13 illustrates a comparative graph showing deterioration in the flow character rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 14 illustrates a comparative graph showing deterioration in the mouth feel rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 15 illustrates a comparative bar chart showing increase in moisture level in the sample of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention.
Summary of the Invention:
A closure arrangement for re-closing an operative top opening of a packaging carton is disclosed. The operative top opening is defined by an operative front edge, an operative rear edge and a pair of opposite side edges connecting the operative front edge to the operative rear edge of the opening. The closure arrangement includes a liner, a set of panels and a flap member. The liner is extending at-least along operative walls of the packaging carton and is adapted to hold contents of the packaging carton. The set of panels are connected to each other and include a pair of collar flaps and a back panel. The collar flaps are hinged from the side edges of the top opening. Each collar flap is provided with a combination of a cut and a crease, wherein each cut and crease diagonally extends from a corner formed between the operative rear edge and one of the side edges of the operative top opening of the packaging carton, the cut and crease combinations is adapted to facilitate folding of the collar flaps. The back panel is disposed between the pair of collar flaps and is connected thereto. The back panel is adapted to facilitate folding of each collar flap along respective cut and crease thereof, the back panel is further provided with a tongue member. The flap member is hinged from the operative front edge of the top opening and is adapted to swing towards the operative rear edge of the top opening to close the top opening, the flap member is adapted to facilitate folding of the liner into an interior of the packaging carton. The flap member includes a pinching member and an

elongate slit. The elongate slit is disposed on the flap member and is adapted to receive the tongue member disposed on the back panel.
Typically, the liner is of a flexible material.
Generally, the set of panels and the flap member is of same material as that of the packaging carton.
Further, a method of re-closing an operative top opening of a packaging carton is disclosed. The method of re-closing the operative top opening of the packaging carton includes the steps of folding a flap member of a closure arrangement towards an operative rear edge of the top opening to close the top opening such that a pinching member hinged to a distal edge of the flap member presses against a back panel and pushes a liner into an interior of the packaging carton. Pushing a pair of collar flaps of the closure arrangement towards each other by folding the pair of collar flaps along the respective cut and crease combinations. The cut and crease combinations are diagonally extending from corners formed between the operative rear edge and a pair of side edges. Thereafter, pressing the back panel of the closure arrangement downwardly for facilitating folding of each collar flap along respective cut and crease thereof. Finally, engaging a tongue member disposed on the back panel with an elongate slit disposed on the flap member for maintaining the closure arrangement in a closed configuration.

Detailed Description of the accompanying drawings
Figure 1, of the accompanying drawings illustrate a conventional closure arrangement 10 with four flaps 1, 2, 3 and 4 used for opening and closing a packaging carton. Similarly, Figure 2, of the accompanying drawings illustrates another conventional closure arrangement 20 with three flaps 21, 22 and 23 used for opening and closing a packaging carton. Referring to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a box/carton 100 which has an internal lining 114 of flexible material along the walls (116A, 118A, 116B, 118B) of the carton for preventing moisture from entering the carton. The end of inner lining 114 is closed as bag or pouch at the operative bottom of the carton 203. At the operative top end 201 of the carton, there is provided an opening through which the internal lining is extending outwardly (extended internal lining 114) from the carton. More specifically, the internal lining 114 is extending at-least along operative walls of the packaging carton. The internal lining 114 is sufficiently long and extends beyond the walls (116A, 118A, 116 B and 118B). The internal lining 114 forms a content holding pouch within the carton 100. Further, the internal lining 114 in its in use configuration defines a mouth opening which in its unused configuration is sealed. This mouth opening of the internal lining 114 may be formed by either cutting the sealed mouth by a transverse cut as shown by dotted line 114B or by a diagonal cut as shown by dotted line 114A. The opening of the carton is defined by an operative front edge, an operative rear edge and a pair of opposite side edges connecting the operative front edge to the operative rear edge of the opening.

Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a flap member hinged from said operative front edge of the top opening is illustrated. The flap member 102 which is disposed at the operative top end 201 of the carton 100. The flap member 102 is hingedly connected to the wall 116A at the operative front edge of the opening and is adapted to move inwardly and outwardly. The flap member 102 can be a hinged extension of wall 116A and is movable inwardly along the hinge to close the opening of the carton 100. The flap member 102 is also adapted to move outwardly along the hinge to open the carton 100. The flap member 102 further includes a pinching member 106 which is hingedly connected to a distal edge of the flap member 102 and is adapted to pinch the extended internal lining 114 when the flap member 102 is closed or is moved inside towards the wall 116B. Also, the flap member 102 is provided with an elongate slit 104.
Referring to figure 3 and figure 5 there is shown a set of panels connected to each other, more specifically the set of panels include a pair of collar flaps 112A and 112B hingedly connected to walls 118A and 118B respectively of the packaging box. The set of panels further includes a back panel 108 hingedly connected to the wall 116B of the packaging box. The back panel 108 is also hingedly connected into two collar flaps 112A and 112B. There is provided a cut and a crease line on the two collar flaps 112A and 112B which is represented by numerals 120A and 120 B. More specifically, each cut and crease diagonally extends from a corner formed between the operative rear edge and one of the side edges of the opening of the packaging carton. These cut and crease lines 120A and 120 B are located such that when the back panel 108 is moved inwards (i.e. towards the wall

116A) to cover the opening, the collar flaps 112A and 112B are automatically moved inwards towards the wall 118B and 118A respectively. More specifically, the cut and crease combinations are adapted to facilitate folding of the pair of collar flaps 112A and 112B. Also, the cut and crease lines 120A and 120B form a bellow type arrangement so that the back panel 108 which after contraction or pressing for closing the carton, provides resilience necessary for moving the flap outwards at the time of opening. The back panel 108 is also provided with a tongue member 110 which is located at the central portion of the lateral edge of the flap 108 and is adapted to engage with the elongate slit 104 disposed at the flap member 102.
When the packaging carton or box has to be closed the flap member 102 is folded inside (i.e. towards wall 116B not visible in figure) letting the pinching member 106 to pinch the extending internal lining 114 against the back panel, thereby making the extending internal lining 114 reasonably airtight. The back panel 108 is then folded inside (i.e. towards the opening, thereby letting both the collar flaps 112A and 112B to automatically fold inwards (i.e. towards 118B and 118A respectively) and letting the back panel 108 to overlie the flap member 102 which was folded earlier. This position of back panel 108 provides further pinching of the extended internal lining 114 between pinching member 106 and the folded back panel 108, this provides a double degree of protection against moisture and air and restricts the amount of moisture or air entering the mouth of the pouch.
Referring to Figure 6 illustrates a partially closed perspective view of the operative top end 201 in which the flap member 102 is completely closed

and the extended internal lining 114 getting pinched by pinching member 106 and the back panel 108 is in a partially folded position where the collar flaps 112A and 112B are partially folded inwards.
The tongue member 110 disposed on the back panel 108 is illustrated in Figure 7. The tongue member 110 disposed on the back panel 108 is dimensioned so as to engage with the elongate slit 104 disposed on the flap member 102. The tongue member 110 and the elongate slit 104 is adapted to facilitate interlocking of the back panel 108 with the flap member 102, to close the opening of the packaging carton, when both the collar flaps 112A and 112B are in folded configuration.
Referring to figure 8, the packaging carton 100 is illustrated in a partially open configuration. More specifically, the operative bottom end 203 of the carton 100 is shown in an open configuration. However, the operative bottom end 203 can be closed by means of bottom flaps 3001A and 3003A connected to bottom edges of the walls 116A and 118A. The bottom flaps 3001A and 3003A are adapted to close the carton permanently from the operative bottom end 203. These flaps are symmetric or exactly similar to the bottom flaps on the respective opposite walls 116B and 118B which are not shown in the figure.
Referring to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings, the steps for closing the packaging carton are illustrated. The method for re-closing the packaging carton involves the step of positioning the extended internal lining 114 to be pinched, the flap member 102, and the set of panels pair of collar flaps 112A and 112B and the back panel 108. Folding the flap 102 of the closure

arrangement towards an operative rear edge of the top opening to close the top opening such that a pinching member 106 hinged to a distal edge of the flap member 102 presses against a back panel 108 and pinches the extended internal lining. Thereafter, pushing the pair of collar flaps 112A and 112B of the closure arrangement towards each other by folding the pair of collar flaps 112A and 112B along respective cut and crease combinations diagonally extending from corners formed between the operative rear edge and a pair of side edges of the opening. Thereafter, pushing the back panel 108 inwardly for bringing the tounge member 110 disposed thereon to suitably engage with the elongate slit 104 disposed on the flap member 102. Engaging the tongue member 110 disposed on the back panel 108 with the elongate slit 104 disposed on the flap member 102, to interlock the back panel to the flap member 102.
The extended internal lining 114 shown therein is factory sealed, however following the steps disclosed herein above, the packaging carton can be re-closed to almost the same sealing effect as that of the factory sealing even if the packaging carton has been once opened.
TEST SET-UP
In order to claim the improvement over the existing design of liner carton, tests were conducted to validate the performance of carton with an identified set of parameters. The tests were comparative tests, between the existing design of liner carton and new design of liner carton. Various potential products were identified to be used as product in the carton for this test. These were Coffee powder, Glucose powder, Salt, Tea, Milk powder etc.

Finally Glucose powder was chosen, for ease of availability, possible to taste it as it is and because of its identifiable odor. In order to compare the deterioration of the physical properties, various physical properties were identified, which will act as measure of the performance of liner carton. Following properties were identified:
a. Change in Taste of Glucose powder.
b. Change in Odor of Glucose powder.
c. Change in Appearance of Glucose powder.
d. Change in Free Flowing nature of Glucose powder.
e. Change in the Mouth Feel of Glucose powder.
f. Change in the Moisture Content of Glucose powder.
Out of the properties listed above, properties 'a' to 'e' can not be measured physically but can be felt. These are purely subjective in nature. The method used for evaluation of these subjective properties was 'Sensory evaluation of above parameters by group of selected evaluators.
It is possible to measure the property 'f in the above list by quantitative methods. Hence it was categorized separately and measured separately.
In order to get accurate results and biases due to material properties due care was taken in making / procuring the specimen for this test. The specimens were numbered properly to identify each sample of existing design and new design. Suitable location with ample light, ventilation and humidity was identified for storing these specimens, to create a real life scenario.

The specimen of both existing design and new design of liner carton were manufactured using same specification of board and MetPET lamination. MetPET lamination was used to create more realistic test conditions since, many of the products sold in liner carton use a MetPET film lamination under the printing. The liners for both the designs of cartons were prepared from same specification of poly-coated paper.
The Glucose to be filled the liner carton as the test material was procured in bulk, to eliminate the possibility of batch variation. This was filled in each carton in measured equal quantity.
TEST PROCEDURE
The principle of the test was to evaluate properties of the sample with respect to the properties of the sample in an initial state thereof and thereby determining the deterioration in the sample.
Following steps were involved in conducting the test:
1. The test has to be conducted before lunch.
2. Open each pack and test the Glucose for the specified properties.
3. Use approximately same quantity of Glucose for each testing activity.
4. Wipe the spoons with tissue paper before repeating each testing activity to avoid effect of environmental humidity.
5. Rinse mouth with water before testing each sample, to nullify the effect of leftover Glucose in the mouth.
6. Fill in the ratings in tables assigned for each evaluator for each specimen of pack.

7. After testing is over, close all the pack in the specified manner, and keep at the designated location.
Test Rating
1. The rating is to be on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 indicate maximum rating.
2. Starting rating on the first day will be 10 for all the samples, since they are from the same batch of production.
3. Rating in fraction is allowed.
Duration of test and test frequency
1. The duration of the test is One month (Four weeks).
2. Testing frequency -
Week 1 - Three times
Week 2 - Four times
Week 3 - Five times
Week 4 - Six times That makes it total 18 readings for the ratings. Test based on moisture content of the glucose:
Tests were conducted in the laboratory for determining the moisture content of Glucose as a percentage of its oven-dried weight. The method is based on removing moisture by oven-drying a Glucose sample until the weight remains constant. The moisture content (%) is calculated from the sample weight before and after drying. A thermostatically controlled oven, capable of maintaining a temperature between 105°C and 110°C is used for removing moisture from the glucose.

Procedure for determining effectiveness of the packaging carton based on moisture content of the glucose stored inside the packaging carton:
1. Clean and dry the weighing petridish and weigh to 0.01 g (Wl). Select a representative quantity of Glucose sample. Place the sample in the petridish and Weigh the petridish and contents to 0.01 g (W2).
2. Place the petridish with contents in the oven and dry to constant weight between 105°C and 110°C for XXX min.
3. Remove the petridish with contents from the oven.
4. Weigh the petridish and contents to 0.01 g (W3).
Calculate the moisture content of the Glucose as a percentage of the dry Glucose weight.
MC% = (W2 - W3)/ (W3 - Wl) X 100
Where:
Wl = Weight of petridish (g)
W2 = Weight of Glucose + petridish (g)
W3 = Weight of oven dried Glucose + petridish (g)
Test for Subjective parameters
As discussed earlier the properties under consideration in this section are -
Change in Taste of Glucose powder.
Change in Odor of Glucose powder.
Change in Appearance of Glucose powder.

Change in Free Flowing nature of Glucose powder. Change in the Mouth Feel of Glucose powder.
For analyzing the subjective parameters, method of averaging the ratings from all the evaluators was used. Using the procedure described in section 3.5, graphs were plotted for each character. The graphs had the average rating on the y axis plotted against days on x axis. The graphs show comparative deterioration of each property for both the designs of liner carton,
Figure 10 illustrates comparative graphs showing deterioration in the taste rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton (represented by graphical line ED) and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention (represented by graphical line ND).
Similarly, Figure 11 illustrates comparative graphs showing deterioration in the odor rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton (represented by graphical line ED) and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention (represented by graphical line ND).
Further, Figure 12 illustrates comparative graphs showing deterioration in the appearance rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton (represented by graphical line ED) and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention (represented by graphical line ND).
Still Further, Figure 13 illustrates comparative graphs showing deterioration in the flow character rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional

carton (represented by graphical line ED) and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention (represented by graphical line ND).
Furthermore, Figure 14 illustrates comparative graphs showing deterioration in the mouth feel rating of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton (represented by graphical line ED) and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention (represented by graphical line ND).
Figure 15 illustrates comparative bar charts showing increase in moisture level in the sample of the glucose stored inside a conventional carton (represented by graphical line ED) and a packaging carton in accordance with the present invention (represented by graphical line ND). Further, line 'A' in the Figure 15 represents initial moisture level of 7.2 %.
CONCLUSIONS DERIVED FROM THE TESTS:
From the above graphs it is clear that for all the results except appearance, the deterioration in physical properties is less in the new design of the Liner carton. For Appearance property, the deterioration for both the designs is same, at the same time, it is very marginal (~ 1.2%). Further, based on the results of all the parameters except appearance, we can conclude that the performance of the new design of Liner carton is better than the existing design.

Technical Advancement
The closure arrangement for the packaging carton in accordance with the present invention has many advantages over the prior art, the technical advancements being of the following nature:
Providing double sealed closure arrangement disposed at the operative top end of the packaging carton for facilitating easy re-closing of the packaging carton after accessing the contents thereof.
The closure arrangement prevents moisture and air from entering inside the packaging carton.
The closure arrangement for a packaging carton is capable of preserving the contents stored inside the packaging carton for a long time.
Providing a cost effective closure arrangement for the packaging carton, wherein the closure arrangement can be used for accessing the contents stored in the packaging carton even after initial unsealing of the carton.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing

descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

We Claim:
1. A closure arrangement for re-closing an operative top opening of a packaging carton defined by an operative front edge, an operative rear edge and a pair of opposite side edges connecting said operative front edge to said operative rear edge of said opening, said closure arrangement comprising:
• a liner extending at-least along operative walls of said packaging carton, said liner adapted to hold contents of said packaging carton;
• a set of panels connected to each other, wherein said set of panels comprises:
o a pair of collar flaps hinged from said side edges of said top opening, each collar flap provided with a combination of a cut and a crease, wherein each cut and crease diagonally extends from a corner formed between said operative rear edge and one of said side edges of said operative top opening of said packaging carton, said cut and crease combinations adapted to facilitate folding of said collar flaps; and
o a back panel disposed between said pair of collar flaps and connected thereto, said back panel adapted to facilitate folding of each collar flap along respective cut and crease thereof, said back panel provided with a tongue member; and
• a flap member hinged from said operative front edge of said top
opening and adapted to swing towards said operative rear edge
of said top opening to close said top opening, said flap member

adapted to facilitate folding of said liner into an interior of said packaging carton, said flap member comprising:
o a pinching member hinged to a distal edge of said flap member, wherein said pinching member is adapted to press against said back panel; and o an elongate slit disposed on said flap member and adapted to receive said tongue member disposed on said back panel.
2. The closure arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said liner is of flexible material.
3. The closure arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said set of panels and said flap member is of same material as that of said packaging carton.
4. A method of re-closing an operative top opening of a packaging carton, said closure arrangement comprising the following steps:

• folding a flap member of a closure arrangement towards an operative rear edge of said top opening to close said top opening such that a pinching member hinged to a distal edge of said flap member presses against a back panel and pushes a liner into an interior of said packaging carton;
• pushing a pair of collar flaps of said closure arrangement towards each other by folding said pair of collar flaps along respective cut and crease combinations diagonally extending from corners formed between said operative rear edge and a pair of side edges of said top opening;

• pressing said back panel of said closure arrangement downwardly for facilitating folding of each collar flap along respective cut and crease thereof; and
• engaging a tongue member disposed on said back panel with an elongate slit disposed on said flap member for maintaining the closure arrangement in a closed configuration.