Carton panel interlocking means and carton blank to form panel interlocking means

摘要

In the present invention, there are disclosed panel interlocking means for securing together a first panel (10) and a second panel (12) in overlapping relationship, said first panel (10) comprising a locking tab (14) struck from said first panel (10) and having a neck portion (20) hinged from said first panel (10) plane along a fold line (16), and a shoulder portion (22) associated with said neck portion (20). Said second panel (12) includes a retaining tab (30) defining a locking aperture (48) struck from said second panel (12) wherein the retaining tab (30) can be displaced out of the plane of said second panel (12) and is adapted for locking the carton panels (10, 12) by inserting a main portion (21) extending from the shoulder portion (22) of the locking tab (14) through the a locking aperture (48) underneath said retaining tab (30) wherein the locking aperture (48) dimension and form are adapted to provide smooth passage of the locking tab (14) therethrough and a locking edge (25) of the locking tab (14) is adapted at the shoulder portion (22) to interengage with at least one portion (43, 45) of the second panel (12) adjacent to the edge of the locking aperture (48) to interengage with the retaining tab (30) to maintain said first panel(10) and said second panel (12) in a locked overlapped relationship. Said locking edge (25) is curved, said panel portion (43, 45) cooperating with the locking edge (25) of the locking tab (14) is defined by a curved cut line (44, 46) of a rounded-off cutout and the radius of curvature for the curved cut lines (44, 46) is greater than or equal to the radius of curvature of the locking edge (25). The invention also relates to a carton blank containing interlocking means according to the present invention.