DESC:Field of invention

The present invention relates to multi frame side opening carton. The cartons of the present invention are useful in packing household products, personal care products and industrial products.

Background of the invention

Cartons are generally understood to be packaging containers, commonly made from cardboard or paperboard. Sometimes plastic may also be used. Cartons come in many different varieties but most cartons can be folded and assembled from a flat form known as a carton blank.

US6390290 discloses a soft-carton-type cigarette pack made from a one-piece blank of paper or the like. A base wall is reinforced by a double-layered design of base tabs and, in addition, is provided with a reinforcing strip which runs around the inside. An opening aid is provided, in interaction with a Z-fold, in the region of an end wall. An exposed grip tab can be gripped for the purpose of removing a tear-open flap, bounded by perforation lines, in the region of the end wall. US6390290 describes pack suitable for soft carton with limited opening at the lid for ease of removal of cigarette. Further the pack is single frame pack with provision of smaller opening aid at lid and is suitable for cigarettes which are smaller article.

US8011564 discloses a carton having a dispensing opening. The carton can be formed from a paperboard blank so it has six corners and two corner panels and has perforations formed therein to provide an easy opening feature for dispensing product. In addition, the formed carton has improved stacking strength. Construction of US‘564’ carton comprising: a top: a bottom spaced from the top: a first side wall interconnecting the top and the bottom; a second side wall generally parallel to and spaced from the first side wall and interconnecting the top and the bottom; a first end wall adjoining the top and the bottom; a second end wall generally parallel to and spaced from the first end wall and adjoining the top and the bottom and wherein the second end wall is removably interconnected to the second side wall by a perforation line; a first corner panel adjoining the first end wall, the first side wall, the top and the bottom, the first corner panel comprising a first edge disposed in direct contact with an edge of the first end wall, a second edge disposed in direct contact with an edge of the first side wall, a third edge disposed in direct contact with an edge of the top, and a fourth edge disposed in direct contact with an edge of the bottom; and a second corner panel adjoining the second end wall, the first side wall, the top and the bottom and wherein the second corner panel is removably interconnected to the top, the bottom and the first side wall. US‘564’ also teaches that the length of inclined edges should not be excessively long or short which result in a carton with corner panels having increased aesthetic and functionality.

WO2007/071081 discloses a medicament pack, in the form of a packaging box which can be opened at the front end side, is formed by virtue of a single punched cardboard or plastic component being folded, the packaging box being distinguished in that it has at least six folding edges about which the punched component is folded transversely to the later direction of removal through the front end side wherein the folds about the first four folding edges form an inner compartment which is open on both sides and serves for accommodating the actual substance or medicament, and the further two folds about the remaining folding edges form the box which encloses said inner compartment, in which case a second, usually smaller inner compartment which serves for accommodating the pack insert, is formed in the process. However WO’081 describes package made using single punched cardboard having at least six folds and suitable for medicine. It does not describe pack with side opening giving visibility and ease of removal of its contents.

283/MUM/2008 discloses a carton comprising an outer frame and an inner frame that substantially reinforce the outer frame across at least one frame surface wherein the inner frame and the outer frame are provided by folding a substantially planner carton layout along a plurality of creases.
None of the prior art describes the carton pack with complete side opening for ease of removal and visibility of its contents.

Therefore there is a need for a carton that addresses easy opening up; multiple opening closing; can be open from the side with a smaller hinge; improve aesthetic appeal, is cost effective and consumer friendly.

Object of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi frame side opening carton.

Summary of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi frame side opening carton comprising plurality of planes, said planes being folded along folding lines so as to form a (i) Lid (1); (ii) Inner-frame (2); (iii) Outer-frame (3) and (iv) Hinge (4).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for preparing a multi frame side opening carton comprising steps of : i) preparing a layout; ii) printing on the carton; iii) cutting and creasing as per the design; iv) folding the carton along crease lines; and v) gluing the appropriate surfaces to form said carton.

Brief description of accompanying figures

Figure 1 illustrates the fully formed carton of the present invention

Figure 2 illustrates the cardboard with creases and perforations which when folded forms the carton of the present invention

Figure 3 illustrates the process flow for preparing multi frame side opening carton

Figure 4 illustrates a single piece of cardboard along with the various planes and creases along which the planes are folded to form the carton of the present invention.

Description of the invention

The present invention provides a carton comprising a notch which helps consumer hold the strip to open it; front and back panel with a cut line which facilitates opening up the carton easily; a hinge is provided on the other side panel which allows opening closing of the carton retaining its aesthetic value; and inner-frame support which is provided to add strength to the carton and help preventing any damage during machine runnability and transportation. Accordingly the cartons of the present invention are machine compatible. The cartons of the present invention can be used in home, personal care application and industrial application for example packaging of soap.

The carton of the present invention is formed from a single piece of paper or cardboard or material alike. A fully formed carton of the present invention is illustrated as in Figure 1 which shows the various essential component of the carton which are (i) Lid (1); (ii) Inner-frame (2); (iii) Outer-frame (3) and (iv) Hinge (4).

The carton has easy opening through perforation provided at side panel of the carton. It is provided with a notch which helps consumer hold the strip to open it. Cut lines are provided in front and back panel which helps very easy opening up of the carton. A hinge is provided on other side panel which helps multiple opening closing of the carton. The easy opening up of the carton makes it consumer friendly. Further the side opening of the carton gives consumer a unique feel which is never experienced before in cartons specifically in soap cartons.
The carton of the present invention is provided with an inner-frame support which adds strength to the carton and help preventing any damage during machine runnability and transportation.

Accordingly to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cartons can be formed from a single piece of cardboard as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 3 illustrates the flow chart of the process of preparing the multi frame side opening carton of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 3, the process for preparing the multi frame side opening carton comprises the steps of i) preparing a layout; ii) printing on the carton; iii) cutting and creasing as per the design; iv) folding the carton along crease lines; and v) gluing the appropriate surfaces to form the carton of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a single piece of cardboard along with the various planes and creases along which the planes are folded to form the carton of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 4 the cardboard for forming the carton according to the present invention is formed of 15 planes ((1’) to (15’) and creases ((a) to (p)). The folding step as mentioned above during the process of preparation of the carton of the present invention includes folding of the planes (1’-7’) along crease lines (a, f, i, l, m and n); folding of planes (8’, 10’, 12’ and 14’) along crease lines (j, g, e and b); and folding of planes (9’, 11’, 13’ and 15’) along crease lines (k, h, d and c). The folding of the cardboard is done such that plane 3’ overlaps with 7’, plane 1’ overlaps with 5’ and plane 2’ overlaps with 6’ in order to give support to the box in open position. There are cut lines on planes 2’ and 4’ along lines (X) and (Y).

In order to open the cardboard box there is a small perforated line/plane or tear plane (Z) on plane (3’) which connects the cut lines on planes (2’, and 4’) as illustrated in figure 4. To open the carton the tear plane (Z) is cut/removed. This actuates the opening of the carton with the help of the hinge (4), formed by crease lines (o and p which lies on planes (1’ and 5’). The carton planes (8’, 10’, 12’, 14’ and 9’, 11’, 13’ and 15’) are glued such that the carton is held together. The carton opens by the cut lines (X and Y) so as to expose the inner content to a greater extent than when the opening is in front. This helps in easy access to the content of the carton.

The lid (1) is made up of the portion of planes (1’, 2’, 3’, 4’ and 5’) above the cut line (X and Y) and tear line (Z) and is formed by crease lines (a, b, e, f, g, i and j). the lid is the portion above the hinge (4) Inner frame (2) is made up of plane (6’) and crease lines (m and n). Outer frame (3) is made up of the portion of planes (1’, 2’, 3’, 4’, 5’ and 7’) below the cut line (X and Y) and tear line (Z) and is formed by crease lines (a, c, d, f, h, k, l, m and n). the outer frame (3) is the portion below the hinge (4). The hinge (4) is formed by crease lines (o and p) which lies on planes (1’ and 5’) between the lid and the outer frame.
,CLAIMS:1. A multi frame side opening carton comprising plurality of planes, said planes being folded along folding lines so as to form a (i) Lid (1); (ii) Inner-frame (2); (iii) Outer-frame (3) and (iv) Hinge (4).

2. The multi frame side opening carton as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carton is formed from a single piece of material.

3. The multi frame side opening carton as claimed in claim 2, wherein said material is selected from paper or cardboard.

4. The multi frame side opening carton as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said carton has planes (1’) to (15’) and creases ((a) to (p)), said planes (1’-7’) being folded along crease lines (a, f, i, l, m and n); planes (8’, 10’, 12’ and 14) being folded along crease lines ((j, g, e and b); and planes (9’, 11’, 13’ and 15’) being folded along crease lines (k, h, d and c).

5. The multi frame side opening carton as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein folding of the cardboard is done such that plane (3’) overlaps with (7’), plane (1’) overlaps with (5’) and plane (2’) overlaps with (6’) to give support to the box in open position.

6. The multi frame side opening carton as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein perforated line/plane (Z) on plane (3’) connects the cut lines (X) and (Y) on planes (2’ and 4’) actuates the opening of the carton when removed, such that the box is held together at hinge formed by crease lines (o and p) which lies on planes (1’ and 5’).

7. The multi frame side opening carton as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said carton is machine compatible.

8. A process for preparing a multi frame side opening carton comprising steps of : i) preparing a layout; ii) printing on the carton; iii) cutting and creasing as per the design; iv) folding the carton along crease lines; and v) gluing the appropriate surfaces to form said carton.