Locking arrangement, carton, blank and method

Abstract

A locking arrangement secures together first and second panels. The arrangement includes locking tabs ( 54, 56, 58 ) projecting from an end edge ( 64 ) of the first panel ( 12 ) and locking slits ( 50 a, 50 b, 50 c ) in the second panel ( 28 ). Each locking slit is provided for receiving a respective one of the locking tabs. The locking tabs and the locking slits are engageable by relative sliding movement with each other. At least one of the locking tabs and locking slits is configured to secure the first and second panels in a first overlapping position while at least another one of the locking tabs and locking slits is configured to secure the first and second panels in a second overlapping position.

1 . A locking arrangement for securing together a pair of panels, the arrangement comprising locking tabs projecting from an end edge of a first panel of the pair of panels and locking slits provided adjacent an end edge of a second panel of the pair of panels, wherein the locking slits are provided for receiving the locking tabs respectively, the locking tabs and the locking slits being engageable by relative sliding movement therebetween, wherein at least a first one of the locking tabs and locking slits is configured to secure the first and second panels in a first position in which the first and second panels overlap at a first degree of overlap, and wherein at least a second one of the locking tabs and locking slits is configured to secure the first and second panels in a second position in which the first and second panels overlap at a second degree of overlap. 
     
     
         2 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the second degree of overlap is greater than the first degree of overlap. 
     
     
         3 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the at least a first one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least one of the locking tabs, and wherein the at least one of the locking tabs comprises an engaging edge spaced from the end edge of the first panel by a first distance. 
     
     
         4 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 3  wherein the at least a second one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least another one of the locking tabs, and wherein the at least another one of the locking tabs comprises an engaging edge spaced from the end edge of the first panel by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         5 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 3  wherein the engaging edge is a trailing edge of the locking tab. 
     
     
         6 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the at least a first one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least one of the locking slits, and the at least one of the locking slits is spaced apart from the end edge of the second panel by a first distance. 
     
     
         7 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 6  wherein the at least a second one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least another one of the locking slits, and the at least another one of the locking slits is spaced apart from the end edge of the second panel by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         8 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the at least a first one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least one of the locking slits, the at least one of the locking slits defines an abutment edge spaced from the end edge of the second panel by a first distance. 
     
     
         9 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 8  wherein the at least a second one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least another one of the locking slits, the at least another one of the locking slits defines an abutment edge spaced from the free end edge of the second panel by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         10 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the locking tabs are each coupled to the first panel by a fold line. 
     
     
         11 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the at least a first one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least one of the locking tabs, the at least one of the locking tabs is coupled to the end edge of the first panel by at least one first fold line, the at least a second one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least another one of the locking tabs, and the at least another one of the locking tabs is coupled to the end edge of the first panel by at least one second fold line, the at least one first fold line being offset from the at least one second fold line. 
     
     
         12 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the at least a first one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least one of the locking tabs, the at least one of the locking tabs projects from the end edge of the first panel by a first dimension. 
     
     
         13 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 12  wherein the at least a second one of the locking tabs and locking slits comprises at least another one of the locking tabs, the at least another one of the locking tabs projects from the end edge of the first panel by a second dimension, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the locking tabs are arranged in first and second groups, wherein each of the locking tabs in the first group sharing a common cutline with at least one adjacent locking tab in the first group, wherein each of the locking tabs in the second group sharing a common cutline with at least one adjacent locking tab in the second group, and wherein the locking tabs in the first group are spaced apart from the locking tabs in the second group. 
     
     
         16 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 15  wherein one of the locking tabs in the first group is spaced apart from one of the locking tabs in the second group. 
     
     
         17 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 15  wherein the spacing between a locking tab in the first group and an adjacent locking tab in the second group is greater than the spacing between a pair of adjacent locking tabs in either of the first and second groups. 
     
     
         18 . A locking arrangement according to  claim 21  wherein an aperture is defined between the locking tabs which share the common cutline, the aperture being struck in part from the first panel and defining in part a recess along the end edge of the first panel. 
     
     
         19 . A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a first panel, a second panel and a locking arrangement for securing together the first and second panels, the arrangement comprising locking tabs projecting from an end edge of the first panel and locking slits provided adjacent an end edge of the second panel, wherein the locking slits are provided for receiving the locking tabs respectively, the locking tabs and the locking slits being engageable by relative sliding movement therebetween, wherein at least a first one of the locking tabs and locking slits is configured to secure the first and second panels in a first position in which the first and second panels overlap at a first degree of overlap, and wherein at least a second one of the locking tabs and locking slits is configured to secure the first and second panels in a second position in which the first and second panels overlap at a second degree of overlap. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A blank for forming a carton for packaging one or more articles, the blank comprising a plurality of panels, wherein a first one of the plurality of panels comprises locking tabs projecting from an end edge of the first panel, and a second one of the plurality of panels comprises locking slits in the second panel, wherein each locking slit is provided for receiving a respective one of the locking tabs, the locking tabs and the locking slits being engageable by relative sliding movement therebetween, wherein at least one of the locking tabs shares a common cutline or weakened line of severance with at least an adjacent one of the locking tabs. 
     
     
         22 . A blank according to  claim 21  wherein a portion of the at least one of the locking tabs defined by the common cutline or weakened line of severance is complementary in shape to a portion of the at least an adjacent one of the locking tabs.