Tab lock closure for a container

Abstract

A container with a tab lock closure is provided. The container may be constructed from a folded blank of material. The container can consist of a front panel, rear panel, two opposing side panels, and first and second ends. The ends include two opposing minor end flaps and two opposing major end flaps. One major end flap includes a tab that is cut from the flap and is foldably connected to the front panel along a common fold line with the major end flap. The other major end flap includes a corresponding aperture. When the end is closed, the minor end flaps are folded inwardly, the major end flap with the tab is folded inwardly while the tab remains upright, and the other major end flap is then folded inwardly. The tab is then folded inwardly and inserted into the aperture thereby locking the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container with a tab lock closure, the container comprising:
 a first end flap foldably connected to a first sidewall panel by a first fold line;   a second end flap foldably connected to a second sidewall panel by a second fold line;   a tab cut from the first end flap, the tab being foldably connected to the first sidewall panel by a tab fold line and having a distal end, wherein the tab fold line is generally axially coextensive with the first fold line; and   an aperture defined in the second end flap, the aperture having a locking edge suitable for engagement by the distal end of the tab.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein when the container is in a closed position, the first end flap is folded inward into a folded orientation and the second end flap is folded inward into a folded orientation overlying the first end flap. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein when the container is in a locked position, the tab at least partially overlies the second end flap and the tab distal end is at least partially underneath the locking edge of the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein a first distance is defined between the tab distal end and the tab fold line and a second distance is defined between the locking edge of the aperture and the tab fold line when the container is in the closed position, and wherein the first distance is slightly greater than the second distance so that the tab distal end engages and is retained underneath the locking edge of the aperture when the container in placed in the locked position from the unlocked position. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein a cut forming the tab extends beyond the tab fold line and into the first sidewall panel a distance suitable for allowing the tab to be moved laterally to disengaged the tab distal end from the locking edge of the aperture when the container is in the locked position. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is defined completely within a perimeter of the first end flap. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is located at least partially within the first sidewall panel and at least partially within the first major end flap. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a peripheral shape of the distal end of the tab substantially corresponds to a peripheral shape of the locking edge of the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . A container with a tab lock closure, the container comprising:
 a first end flap connected to a front panel by a first fold line, the first end flap adapted for folding inwardly to a folded orientation;   a second end flap connected to a rear panel by a second fold line, the second end flap adapted for folding inwardly to a folded orientation;   a tab at least partially cut out of and at least partially defined within the first end flap, the tab having a distal end; and   an aperture defined in the second end flap, the aperture having a locking edge adapted for engaging with and at least partially overlapping the distal end of the tab;   wherein when both of the first end flap and the second end flap are in their respective folded orientations, the second end flap substantially overlaps the first end flap and the container is in a closed position.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the tab at least partially overlies a portion of the second end flap and the tab distal end is at least partially underneath the locking edge of the aperture when the container is in a locked position. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the tab is connected to the front panel by a tab fold line. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein a first distance is defined between the tab distal end and the tab fold line and a second distance is defined between the locking edge of the aperture and the tab fold line when the first and second end flaps are in their respective folded orientations, and wherein the first distance is slightly greater than the second distance so that the tab distal end engages and is retained underneath the locking edge of the aperture when the container is placed in the locked position. 
     
     
         13 . The container in  claim 11 , wherein a cut forming the tab extends beyond tab fold line a distance suitable for allowing the tab to be moved laterally to disengage the tab distal end from the locking edge of the aperture when the container is in the locked position. 
     
     
         14 . The container in  claim 11 , wherein the tab fold line and the first fold line are generally axially coextensive with one another. 
     
     
         15 . A foldable blank for forming a container, the blank comprising:
 a front panel;   a rear panel;   a first end flap connected to the front panel by a first fold line;   a second end flap connected to the rear panel by a second fold line;   a tab cut from the first panel and connected to the front panel by a tab fold line, the tab having a distal end opposite the tab fold line; and   an aperture defined within the second end flap, the aperture having a locking edge;   wherein when the blank is formed into the container, the second end flap is adopted to substantially overly the first end flap when the container is in a closed position, and wherein the tab fold line and the first fold line form a common fold line.   
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein when the blank is formed into the container, a first distance is defined between the tab distal end and the tab fold line and a second distance is defined between the locking edge of the aperture and the tab fold line when the container is in the closed position, and wherein the first distance is slightly greater than the second distance so that the tab distal end may engage the locking edge of the aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein the first end flap includes a tab void corresponding to the shape of the tab. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein the tab void is defined within a perimeter of the first end flap.