Packaging incorporating serrated cutting edge and method of forming same

Abstract

A package or carton is provided that incorporates a cutting edge without the need for a separate cutting element. The front panel of the package has an upper exposed end that is formed into a cutting edge by a plurality of complementary and opposing pair of cutting teeth. The package is especially adapted to hold material that is stored in a roll. A selected length of the material can be separated from the roll by pressing the material against the cutting edge and pulling the length of material thereby cutting the material in a linear fashion. The package of the present invention provides a more economical and environmentally friendly packaging solution with an integral cutting feature.

1 . A package for holding a roll of material therein, said package comprising:
 a plurality of panels including opposing front and rear panels, opposing upper and lower panels, and opposing end panels formed by flaps extending from at least two of the panels, said plurality of panels when assembled along respective folded edges forming the package enclosing an interior open space therein; and   said front panel having a plurality of perforations interconnected by a corresponding plurality of linear extending fold segments, said perforations having a zigzagged pattern forming a plurality of apexes and bases, said front panel being folded along said linear extending fold segments to form a cutting edge and wherein complementary groups of teeth are formed from said perforations.   
   
   
       2 . A package, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said cutting edge comprises a first pair of teeth each having corresponding apexes, and a second pair of teeth each having corresponding apexes, and wherein said apexes of each pair are staggered from one another and substantially evenly spaced from one another along said cutting edge.   
   
   
       3 . A package, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 an overhang extends from said perforations, and said overhang is folded back against said front panel and adhered thereto.   
   
   
       4 . A package, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said cutting teeth have pitch angles defined by angles A 1  or A 2 , and which define an angle at which edges of the teeth extend from a line drawn parallel to a longitudinal axis of the package.   
   
   
       5 . A package, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 said angles A 1  and A 2  are substantially equal.   
   
   
       6 . A package, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 said angles A 1  and A 2  are different.   
   
   
       7 . A package, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 said teeth each have a height H substantially equal to one another.   
   
   
       8 . A package, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 each of said teeth have a width W that is substantially equal to one another.   
   
   
       9 . A package, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 an apex of each of said teeth and a channel between an opposing pair of teeth are vertically aligned.   
   
   
       10 . A method of forming a package for holding a product such as a roll of material to be dispensed from the package, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of panels to enclose an interior open space in which a roll of material is stored;   forming a discontinuous zigzagged perforation pattern on a front panel; and   folding the front panel along fold segments disposed between perforations to expose a plurality of complementary extending teeth formed from the perforation pattern, and securing an overhang of said front panel against an interior surface of said front panel.   
   
   
       11 . A package for holding a roll of material therein, said package comprising:
 a plurality of panels forming the package enclosing an interior open space therein;   said plurality of panels having a front panel and said front panel including a plurality of perforations interconnected by a corresponding plurality of linear extending fold segments, said perforations having a zigzagged pattern forming a plurality of apexes and bases, said front panel being folded along said linear extending fold segments to form a cutting edge and wherein complementary groups of teeth are formed from said perforations.   
   
   
       12 . A package for holding a roll of material therein, said package comprising:
 a plurality of panels forming the package enclosing an interior open space therein;   said plurality of panels having a front panel and said front panel including means for forming a discontinuous zigzagged cut pattern interconnected by a corresponding plurality of linear extending fold segments, said front panel being folded along said linear extending fold segments to form a cutting edge by said means for forming that extend to create interlocking teeth.