Finger tab

Abstract

A carton having a finger tab of a flap is easily opened by users but is also able to withstand the rigors of shipping and handling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carton ( 1 ) comprising a finger tab ( 3 ) for initiating the opening of a flap ( 5 ), wherein the finger tab ( 3 ) comprises a first intersection ( 31 ), wherein the first intersection is formed by a first ½ cut line of weakness ( 11 ) intersecting a first perforation ( 21 ), wherein the first perforation is at least 1 mm in length. 
     
     
         2 . The carton ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , further comprising an opposing second ½ cut line of weakness ( 12 ) intersecting a second perforation ( 22 ) to form a second intersection ( 32 ), and at least one linkage ( 7 A) in-between said first and second perforations ( 21 ,  22 ) to form a first perforation line ( 41 );
 preferably the length of the first perforation ( 21 ) is from 2 mm to 7 mm, preferably greater than 2 mm to 5 mm, more preferably from 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm; 
 more preferably the length of the second perforation ( 32 ) is at least 2 mm, preferably from 2 mm to 7 mm, more preferably greater than 2 mm to 5 mm, yet more preferably from 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm; 
 yet more preferably the length of the least one linkage ( 7 A) is from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, preferably from 0.3 mm to 2 mm, more preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, yet more preferably from 0.7 mm to 1.3 mm; 
 yet still more preferably the carton is a paperboard carton ( 1 ). 
 
     
     
         3 . The carton ( 1 ) of  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising a third perforation ( 33 ) intersecting at the first intersection ( 31 );
 preferably a fourth perforation ( 44 ) intersecting at the second intersection ( 32 ); 
 more preferably at least a second linkage ( 9 A) in-between the third and fourth perforations ( 33 ,  44 , respectively) to form a second perforation line ( 42 ); and 
 even more preferably wherein the first perforation line ( 41 ) is proximate the flap ( 5 ) while the second perforation line ( 42 ) is distal the flap ( 5 ). 
 
     
     
         4 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first alpha angle ( 51 ) is formed in the flap ( 5 ) between the first ½ cut line of weakness ( 11 ) and the first perforation ( 21 ), and is from 120 degrees to 200 degrees, preferably from 140 degrees to 180 degrees, more preferably from 150 degrees to 175 degrees; and
 preferably a second alpha angle ( 52 ) is formed in the flap ( 5 ) between the second ½ cut line of weakness ( 12 ) and the second perforation ( 22 ), and is from 140 degrees to 190 degrees, preferably from 150 degrees to 180 degrees, more preferably from 160 degrees to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         5 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of  claims 3 - 4 , wherein a first beta angle ( 61 ) is formed between the first ½ cut line of weakness ( 11 ) and the third perforation ( 33 ), and is from 110 degrees to 170 degrees, preferably 120 degrees to 160 degrees, more preferably 130 degrees to 150 degrees; and
 preferably a second beta angle ( 62 ) is formed between the second ½ cut line of weakness ( 12 ) and the fourth perforation ( 44 ), and is from 110 degrees to 170 degrees, preferably 120 degrees to 160 degrees, more preferably 130 degrees to 150 degree. 
 
     
     
         6 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of  claims 3 - 5 , wherein a first theta angle ( 71 ) is formed between the first perforation ( 21 ) and the third perforation ( 33 ), and is from 10 degrees to 70 degrees, preferably from 20 degrees to 60 degrees, more preferably from 30 to 50 degrees;
 preferably a second theta angle ( 72 ) is formed between the second perforation ( 22 ) and the fourth perforation ( 44 ), and is from 10 degrees to 70 degrees, preferably from 20 degrees to 60 degrees, more preferably from 30 degrees to 50 degrees.   
     
     
         7 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linear distance between the first intersection ( 31 ) and the second intersection ( 32 ) is from 10 mm to 70 mm, preferably from 20 mm to 50 mm, more preferably from 24 mm to 34 mm;
 preferably wherein the first perforation line ( 41 ) between the first and second intersections ( 31 ,  32 ) is substantially linear, preferably linear.   
     
     
         8 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first perforation line ( 41 ) further comprises a plurality of additional linkages ( 7 B- 7 F), preferably from 2 to 18 additional linkages, more preferably from 3 to 9 additional linkages;
 preferably wherein each of the plurality of additional linkages are independently from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, preferably from 0.3 mm to 2 mm, more preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm in length.   
     
     
         9 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first perforation line further comprises a plurality of additional perforations ( 70 A- 70 E), preferably from 2 to 16 additional perforations, more preferably from 3 to 8 additional perforations;
 preferably wherein each of the plurality of additional perforations are independently from 0.5 mm to 6 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 5 mm, more preferably 2 mm to 4 mm in length.   
     
     
         10 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second perforation line ( 42 ) is nonlinear, preferably arced, more preferably a regular arc, yet more preferably the regular arc having a radius from 10 mm to 30 mm, preferably from 12 mm to 24 mm, more preferably from 15 mm to 21 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second perforation line ( 42 ) has a length of 15 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 20 mm to 45 mm, more preferably from 28 mm to 38 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second perforation line ( 42 ) further comprises a plurality of additional linkages ( 9 B- 9 E), preferably from 2 to 12 additional linkages, more preferably from 3 to 5 additional linkages;
 preferably wherein each of the plurality of additional linkages are independently from 0.1 mm to 6 mm, preferably from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, more preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm in length.   
     
     
         13 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second perforation line ( 42 ) further comprises a plurality of perforations ( 90 A- 90 D), preferably from 2 to 12 additional perforations, more preferably from 3 to 5 additional perforation;
 preferably wherein each of the plurality of additional perforations are independently from 4 mm to 7 mm, preferably from 4.5 mm to 6.5 mm, more preferably 5 mm to 6 mm in length.   
     
     
         14 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the area of a body ( 2 ) the finger tab ( 3 ) is from 60 mm 2  to 210 mm 2 , preferably from 90 mm 2  to 180 mm 2 , more preferably from 110 mm 2  to 160 mm 2 ; wherein the body ( 2 ) of the finger tab ( 3 ) is defined by the portion circumscribed between the first and second points of intersection ( 31 ,  32 ) and the first and second perforation lines ( 41 ,  42 ). 
     
     
         15 . The carton ( 1 ) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
 at least the flap ( 5 ) is made from paperboard, preferably the carton is made from paperboard, preferably the paperboard has a density from 50 g/m 2  to 700 g/m 2 , more preferably from 100 g/m 2  to 600 g/m 2 , yet more preferably from 200 g/m 2  to 500 g/m 2 , yet still more preferably from 300 g/m 2  to 400 g/m 2 ;   preferably the carton ( 1 ) is a six-sided rectangular carton ( 1 ) having the following dimensions: length of the carton ( 1 ) is from 10 cm to 40 cm, preferably 18 cm to 30 cm; preferably width of the carton ( 1 ) is from 3 cm to 9 cm, preferably 4 cm to 8 cm; and more preferably height of the carton ( 1 ) is from 2 cm to 8 cm, preferably from 3 cm to 7 cm;   more preferably wherein the six-sided rectangular carton ( 1 ) containing an interior volume, when devoid of contents, is from 300 cm 3  to 900 cm 3 , preferably from 400 cm 3  to 800 cm 3 ;   yet more preferably wherein the length of the first and second ½ cut line of weakness ( 11 ,  12 ) are each independently at least 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, more preferably at least 3 cm, as measured from each respective first and second intersection point ( 31 ,  32 )   yet still more preferably wherein said six-sided rectangular carton ( 1 ) contains an oral care product in the interior volume, preferably wherein the oral care product comprises a tube of toothpaste;   yet still even more preferably wherein the openable flap ( 5 ) of the carton ( 1 ) is formed as at least a portion of a front side ( 4 ) and adjoining a top side ( 2 ) of the carton ( 1 ), and wherein said single long side location of the finger tab ( 3 ) is the front side ( 4 ); and   yet still more preferably the body ( 2 ) of the finger tab ( 3 ) is located on the front side ( 4 ) of the carton, preferably located in the in the middle ⅓ of the front side ( 4 ) in both the length and width dimension.