Folding carton

Abstract

Disclosed is a re-closable carton for holding and transporting prepared foods that is assembled from a planer, unitary, blank. The blank may be formed from paperboard, plastic resin, foam materials, or other suitable materials. To assemble the carton, the blank can be folded about preformed fold lines. The assembled carton has an enclosed volume defined by a bottom panel, a plurality of extending side panels and a hingedly connected cover that can be moved adjacent to the top edges of the side panels. The cover may include a window for viewing the enclosed volume. To seal the carton against leakage, gussets are provided at the corners and flanges extend between the cover and the side panels. To prevent the carton from unfolding, tabs extending from the gussets may be attached to the flanges.

1 . A blank for producing an enclosable carton, the blank comprising: 
 a centrally located bottom panel;    an outward extending first side panel and a opposing outward extending third side panel each attached to the bottom panel along a respective first and second fold line;    an outward extending second side panel and a opposing outward extending fourth side panel each attached to the bottom panel along a respective second and fourth fold line;    a first flange extending outwardly from the first side panel and attached to the first side panel along a first flange fold line;    a second flange extending outwardly from the second side panel and attached to the second side panel along a second flange fold line;    a third flange extending outwardly from the third side panel and attached to the third side panel along a third flange fold line;    a first gusset extending between the first side panel and the second side panel;    a second gusset extending between the second side panel and the third side panel;    a third gusset extending between the third side panel and the fourth side panel;    a fourth gusset extending between the fourth side panel and the first side panel;    a tab extending outwardly from each gusset, the tabs being coextensive with the flanges;    a cover extending outwardly from the fourth side panel.    
     
     
         2 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the blank is formed of material selected from the group consisting of paperboard, resin material, foam material, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein each tab includes an adhesive spot.  
     
     
         4 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein a slot is disposed between the first side panel and the first flange and a slot is disposed between the third side panel and the third flange.  
     
     
         5 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a window.  
     
     
         6 . A carton produced from a carton blank, the carton comprising: 
 a bottom panel;    a first pair of opposing side panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel and a second pair of opposing side panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel, the first pair of side panels arranged substantially normal to the second pair of side panels to define corners of the carton;    a cover hingedly connected to one side panel of the first pair and extending toward the remaining side panel of the first pair, the cover substantially parallel with the bottom panel;    a flange extending from each side panel of the second pair underneath the cover;    a gusset extending between each side panel of the first pair and each side panel of the second pair; each gusset including a tab, each gusset folded adjacent to one of the side panels of second pair, the tab of each gusset adjacent and attached to one of the flanges of the side panels of the second pair.    
     
     
         7 . The carton of  claim 6  wherein the cover includes a window.  
     
     
         8 . The carton of  claim 7 , wherein the window is formed of cellophane.  
     
     
         9 . The carton of  claim 6 , wherein the remaining side panel of the first pair includes an extended flange.  
     
     
         10 . The carton of  claim 9 , wherein the cover includes an insert that can be received in a slot disposed between the remaining side panel of the first pair and the flange extending from the remaining side panel of the first pair.  
     
     
         11 . The carton of  claim 6 , wherein the carton blank is formed of material selected from the group consisting of paperboard, resin material, foam material, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The carton of  claim 6 , wherein the tab is attached to the flange with adhesive.  
     
     
         13 . The carton of  claim 6 , wherein the tab is attached to the flange by insertion of the tab through a slot disposed between the side panels and the flange.  
     
     
         14 . A carton comprising: 
 a bottom panel;    a plurality of upright side panels extending from the bottom panel;    a flange extending from a side panel generally parallel with the bottom panel;    a gusset extending between two side panels;    a tab extending from the gusset, the tab attached to the flange.    
     
     
         15 . The carton of  claim 14 , further comprising a cover parallel with the bottom panel and overlapping the flange.  
     
     
         16 . The carton of  claim 14 , wherein the tab is attached to the flange with adhesive.  
     
     
         17 . The carton of  claim 14 , wherein the carton is produced from a unitary blank.