Closeable Carton with Slotted Lid Hinge and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A closeable carton with a slotted lid hinge and method of using same. The closeable carton (or container) with a slotted lid hinge may include a floor panel; a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels may include a front side panel, an opposing rear side panel, a first side end panel, and an opposing second side end panel, wherein the configuration of the side panels and floor panel form a container body; a lid portion hingeably attached at an upper edge of the rear side panel forming a moveable joint therebetween such that the lid portion may be configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; and one or more slots formed along the moveable joint.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A carton, comprising:
 a. a floor panel;   b. a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels comprising a front side panel, an opposing rear side panel, a first side end panel, and an opposing second side end panel, wherein the configuration of the side panels and floor panel form a container body;   c. a lid portion hingeably attached at an upper edge of the rear side panel forming a moveable joint therebetween such that the lid portion is configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; and   d. one or more slots formed along the moveable joint.   
     
     
         2 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more slots comprise two slots spaced substantially evenly apart from one another. 
     
     
         3 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more slots comprise three slots spaced substantially evenly apart from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more slots are generally ovular in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more slots have a width of about ¼ inch. 
     
     
         6 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more slots comprise a length in the range of about 1 inch to about 3 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more slots comprise a spacing therebetween in the range of about ¾ inches to about 2 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of each of the one or more slots extends into the lid portion and a lower portion of each of the one or more slots extends into the rear side panel. 
     
     
         9 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein a center horizontal axis of the one or more slots is in horizontal alignment with the moveable joint formed where the lid portion and upper edge of the rear side panel intersect. 
     
     
         10 . The carton of  claim 1 , further comprising a window formed within the lid portion. 
     
     
         11 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein the window comprises at least one of a transparent film or a semi-transparent film. 
     
     
         12 . The carton of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking tab provided in a front panel of the lid portion, the locking tab being configured to be receivable by a locking slot formed in the front side panel of the container body when the lid portion is in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . A method of using a carton, comprising:
 a. providing a carton, comprising:
 i. a floor panel; 
 ii. a plurality of side panels extending about a periphery of the floor panel, the plurality of side panels comprising a front side panel, an opposing rear side panel, a first side end panel, and an opposing second side end panel, wherein the configuration of the side panels and floor panel form a container body; 
 iii. a lid portion hingeably attached at an upper edge of the rear side panel forming a moveable joint therebetween such that the lid portion is configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position; and 
 iv. one or more slots formed along the moveable joint; 
   b. placing contents into the container body; and   c. folding the lid portion along the moveable joint to the closed position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the carton further comprising a locking tab provided in a front panel of the lid portion, the locking tab being configured to be receivable by a locking slot formed in the front side panel of the container body when the lid portion is in the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising engaging the locking tab with the locking slot after folding the lid portion along the moveable joint to the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising folding the lid portion along the moveable joint to the open position prior to placing contents into the container body.