Package with interlocking tear line mechanical lock

Abstract

The present invention provides a package (1) with a locking mechanism, such as for a finished package, such that the lid (10) and the base box (20) can be secured together in a closed configuration. An interlocking tear line mechanical lock may include a slot (10) and an insert tear line (30) integrated into a package. As an example, a package using a corrugated material may utilize the thickness of the corrugated material to lock tabs within an opening, such as a slot, such that the base box is held and coupled to the lid, thereby preventing the base box from sliding out of the lid if a user extracts the package through the lid. Once the tear line is removed, the mechanical lock is thereby released from the base and the lid, allowing a consumer to open the package.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 17 / 849,108, filed on June 24, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The described embodiments generally relate to retail packaging. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to folding panel packaging using an interlocking tear cord (ripcord) mechanical lock for security purposes. The tear cord may include a corrugated material that interferes with a cutout or slot in a lid of the package when assembled so that the lid is mechanically locked to the base box before the package is opened. Background Art

[0004] Product packaging is an integral part of the customer experience. It gives customers their first glimpse into their product and can influence how they feel about the product and the company that created it. Simple, clean, secure packaging can help influence a customer's impression of the packaged product. At the same time, intuitive security elements strike a balance between securing the package in a closed state prior to purchase and providing easy access to the product within the package, for example, once a transaction is complete.

[0005] Structural and environmental considerations may also play a role in designing packaging. For example, packaging may be designed to be environmentally friendly while maintaining sufficient structure to ensure robust protection of the product contained therein. Many tear lines used in finished packaging are plastic films (either in the form of strips or in the form of complete packaging enclosures), or labels adhered to the outside of the package to seal the package to make it closed. For larger packages, and for packages that will benefit from an interesting consumer experience, tear line-type mechanical locking mechanisms that utilize the intuitive nature of the tear line while providing a mechanical lock are advantageous. The packaging described in this document achieves these and other beneficial properties by balancing structural robustness, environmentally friendly materials, secure closure mechanisms, and intuitive user experience and aesthetic elements. Summary of the invention

[0006] Some embodiments include packaging, the packaging includes a base box, a lid and a tear line, the tear line is configured to mechanically lock the base box and the lid so that the base box and the lid are fixed together in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the tear line is not fixed to the lid. In some embodiments, the tear line is removable when the tear line is pulled with sufficient force so that the mechanical lock is released so that the packaging can be opened.

[0007] In some embodiments, the base box includes a substrate to which a tear line is secured such that the substrate tears when the tear line is pulled with sufficient force, thereby releasing the mechanical lock. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a wrap panel that covers a corrugated cardboard panel of the base box. In some embodiments, the substrate is configured to tear along a tear path that extends along the direction of the pulling force.

[0008] Some embodiments include a package including a base box having a first side panel. In some embodiments, the package includes a lid and a slot, the lid including the first side panel, the first side panel being parallel to the first side panel of the base box and outside the first side panel of the base box, the slot being formed in the first side panel of the lid. In some embodiments, the package includes a tear line disposed in the slot and fixed to the base box when the package is in a closed configuration so that the base box and the lid are fixed together in the closed configuration.

[0009] In some embodiments, the lid comprises a corrugated cardboard having a thickness, and the tear line comprises a corrugated cardboard having a thickness such that the corresponding edges of the slot and the edges of the tear line interfere with each other, thereby holding the lid in place relative to the base box until the tear line is removed from the package. In some embodiments, the tear line is attached to a substrate formed on a first side panel of the base box such that in response to sufficient force applied along a tearing direction of the tear line, the substrate tears away from the base box but remains secured to the tear line, thereby releasing the lid and the base box.

[0010] In some embodiments, the tear line is attached to the base box via a releasable adhesive such that in response to sufficient force applied along a removal direction of the tear line, the releasable adhesive separates such that the tear line is removed, thereby releasing the lid and base box.

[0011] In some embodiments, the substrate is part of the wrap panel and is not secured to the first side panel of the base box.

[0012] In some embodiments, the tear line further comprises a tab configured to allow a user to grasp the tear line, and the substrate terminates at a tab connected to the tab of the tear line and is accessible via a cut along the first side panel of the base box. In some embodiments, the tear line does not include plastic. In some embodiments, the length of the slot is longer than the length of the tear line along the removal direction of the tear line. In some embodiments, the tear line extends between 50% and 85% of the length of the first side panel of the base box along the removal direction of the tear line.

[0013] Some embodiments include a package comprising: a base box comprising a first side panel and a first wrap panel, the first side panel comprising a first material, the first wrap panel covering an outwardly facing surface of the first panel and comprising a second material; a lid comprising a first side panel and a first wrap panel, the first side panel being parallel to and external to the first side panel of the base box and comprising the first material, the first wrap panel covering an outwardly facing surface of the first panel and comprising the second material. In some embodiments, a slot is disposed in the first side panel and the first wrap panel of the lid, and a tear line is disposed in the slot and is secured to the first wrap panel of the base box when the package is in a closed configuration, such that the base box and the lid are secured together in the closed configuration via a mechanical lock formed by the tear line and the slot together.

[0014] In some embodiments, when the tear line is pulled with sufficient force, a portion of the first wrap panel of the base box tears away along with the tear line, thereby allowing the tear line to be removed from the slot and releasing the mechanical lock. In some embodiments, the package includes a second panel that includes a second material and is disposed below the first wrap panel of the base box such that the first material is not visible to a user when the tear line is removed.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first material is corrugated cardboard and the second material is not corrugated cardboard.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first material has a thickness and the tear line comprises the first material such that the thickness of the slot and the thickness of the tear line interfere with each other, thereby forming an interlocking mechanical lock until the tear line is removed from the package. In some embodiments, wherein the tear line further comprises a tear line wrap panel, the tear line wrap panel comprises the second material, and the first material is corrugated cardboard and the second material is not corrugated cardboard. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present disclosure will be readily understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like structural elements, and in which:

[0018] Figure 1 An exploded view of a package with an interlocking tear line mechanical lock is shown according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 Shown in closed configuration Figure 1 Assembly drawing of the package shown in .

[0020] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The package shown in , showing partial removal of the tear line.

[0021] Figure 4 Shows Figures 1 to 3 The package shown in , with the tear line removed and the upper cover lifted off the base box.

[0022] Figure 5 In the embodiment, the pre-assembled state is shown Figures 1 to 4 The packaging shown in .

[0023] Figure 6 In the embodiment, the pre-assembled state is shown Figures 1 to 5 The packaging shown in .

[0024] Figure 7 A blank for covering a lid in an embodiment is shown.

[0025] Figure 8 A blank for forming a lid in an embodiment is shown.

[0026] Fig. 9 A blank is shown for covering a base box in an embodiment.

[0027] Fig.10 A blank for forming a base box in an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to the representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to a preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover substitutions, modifications and equivalents that may be included in the essence and scope of the described embodiments defined by the appended claims.

[0029] As mentioned above, many tear lines used in finished packaging are plastic films, or labels adhered to the outside of the package, thereby sealing the closed package. As described herein, packages with interlocking tear line mechanical locks provide an interesting and safe alternative to such closure elements as film tear lines. A locking mechanism is provided, such as for finished packaging, so that the lid and base box can be fixed together in a closed configuration.

[0030] Interlocking tear line mechanical lock can comprise slot and the insert tear line integrated into the package.As an example, the package using corrugated material can utilize the corrugated material thickness and contact edge to lock the tear line in the opening (such as slot), so that the base box is kept and connected to the lid, thereby preventing the base box from sliding out of the lid when the user lifts the package by the lid.In some embodiments, the corrugated material (and therefore the panel of the lid, base box and tear line) is at least 1.0mm thick.In some embodiments, the corrugated material (and therefore the panel of the lid, base box and tear line) is about 1.5mm thick.In some embodiments, the corrugated material (and therefore the panel of the lid, base box and tear line) is greater than 1.5mm thick.

[0031] Once the tear line is removed, the mechanical lock is thereby released from the base and lid, allowing the consumer to open the package. These features also provide a packaging solution that utilizes environmentally friendly materials while allowing the tear line to act as a tamper-evident seal to provide additional assurance to the customer or retailer that the package has not been opened or tampered with (e.g., there has been an "unauthorized" opening of the package prior to the intended opening).

[0032] The packaging may be a retail packaging for a product that people might expect to find on a shelf in a retail store and that can be opened for direct use after purchase (i.e., a finished product packaging such as that can be used in a retail environment for containing a product and delivering the product to a user, rather than a shipping packaging that provides an outer packaging for containing a packaged product during transportation). The packaging may be made of recyclable and / or biodegradable materials, such as paper, cardboard, grayboard, corrugated cardboard (e.g., E-type flute or F-type flute), or other cellulose-based products that can reduce the impact on the environment, particularly when it is intuitive for consumers to properly recycle the packaging and the packaging can be recycled in a single-stream system. In some embodiments, the outward-facing surface of the packaging may be covered in a wrapper of a panel of a cellulose-based finished product (e.g., cardboard, such as solid bleached sulfate "SBS"), while the structure of the packaging may be provided by a different material, such as corrugated cardboard for added thickness and strength.

[0033] The product contained in the package may be, for example, an electronic device, such as, for example, a headset, a laptop, a tablet, or a smart phone, or it may be a non-electronic device, such as, for example, a book. In any case, the package may contain additional elements (e.g., a headset within a housing) to contain the product.

[0034] These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these drawings is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

[0035] Figure 1 Shown is an exploded view of packaging 1, which has a lid 10, a base box 20 and a tear line 30. As shown, the base box 20 comprises a first side panel 200, a second side panel 202 and a base panel 204, thereby defining a cavity 206, in which a product or its part can be received. The lid 10 similarly comprises a first side panel 100, a second side panel 102 and a top panel 104, thereby defining a cavity 106, in which a product or its part can be received. In some embodiments, the first side panel 100 of the lid 10 is configured to be parallel to the first side panel 200 of the base box 20 respectively and outside the first side panel of the base box.

[0036] The tear line 30 may include a main portion 300 and a tab 302 extending from the main portion 300. In some embodiments, the tab 302 may include a bend or curve so that the tear line 30 is more easily grasped by the user when the user desires to remove the tear line 30. In some embodiments, the package 1 may utilize a tear line feature on multiple panels, for example, on the opposing first side panels of the package 1. In some embodiments, the tear line 30 is not secured to the lid 10 (e.g., the tear line 30 may be secured to the base box 20 but not to the lid 10, as shown, for example, in the discussion below). Figure 2 In some embodiments, the tear line 30 is not secured to the base box 20 (e.g., the tear line 30 may be secured to the base box 20).

[0037] In these ways, by configuring the tear line 30 to not be anchored to the lid or base, it differs from many existing tear lines, which are essentially fixed to both the base and the lid, and tearing of the tear line will tear a portion of both the lid and the base. Instead, the mechanical interlocking feature of the tear line with the lid or base in the mechanical lock provides a secure closure of the package, but does not require tearing both the lid and the base.

[0038] Figure 21 shows an assembly view of the package 1. In some embodiments, the lid 10 can be lowered onto the base box 20 so that the first side panel 100 of the lid 10 is parallel to the first side panel 200 of the base box 20, and the second side panel 102 of the lid 10 is parallel to the second side panel 202 of the base box 20. In addition, in some embodiments, the first side panel 100 of the lid 10 is adjacent to the first side panel 200 of the base box 20, and the second side panel 102 of the lid 10 is adjacent to the second side panel 202 of the base box 20, so that they are in contact with each other, so that the tear line 30 does not slide out of the opening 110 due to the lateral movement of the panel. In some embodiments, the lid 10 is not connected to the base box 20, which is in contrast to the existing tear line design that can be connected via a cushion tape. In some embodiments, when in a closed position, the lid 10 completely covers the base box 20 so that the lower edges of the side panels 100 and 102 are flush with the plane of the base panel of the base box 20.

[0039] During assembly, the lid 10 can be lowered onto the base box 20, and the tear line 30 can be secured to the first side panel 200 of the base box 20, for example at the substrate 208. The substrate 208 is a portion of the base box 20, for example as a wrap panel as described herein. In this way, the tear line does not need to tear a major portion of the base box 20, instead, the wrap panel can be torn from the side panel 200, rather than tearing the structure of the entire side panel 200. In some embodiments, the tear line 30 is received in the opening 110 of the first side panel 100. The tear line 30 and the opening 110 are configured to have a thickness that locks the lid 10 and the base box 20 together when in position (e.g., via interference of the edges of the tear line 30 and the opening 110). In some embodiments, the thickness of the tear line 30 is at least as great as the thickness of the panel 100. The thickness of the tear line is at least thicker than the maximum value that the panel 100 can be bent from the panel 200 at any point around the opening 110. In some embodiments, the thickness is provided by the corrugated nature of the base box 20 and lid 10 materials, for example, as folded corrugated cardboard. For smaller packages, a gray cardboard structure can be used. And as mentioned above, in some embodiments, the outwardly facing surface of the package is covered in a wrapper of a panel of cellulose-based finished product, while the structure of the package can be provided by a different material, such as corrugated cardboard for added thickness and strength. In some embodiments, the tear line does not include plastic.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, for example, in some embodiments, the tear line 30 extends along the length of the first side panel 100 such that it extends across at least 50% of the length of the edge of the first side panel 100 defining the cavity 106. In some embodiments, the tear line 30 extends along the longer length of the first side panel 100 such that it extends across about 60% of the length of the edge of the first side panel 100 defining the cavity 106. In some embodiments, the tear line 30 extends along the longer length of the first side panel 100 such that it extends across about 75% of the length of the edge of the first side panel 100 defining the cavity 106. In some embodiments, the tear line 30 extends along the longer length of the first side panel 100 such that it extends across about 80% or more of the length of the edge of the first side panel 100 defining the cavity 106. In some embodiments, the length of the opening 110 extends a complementary distance along the length of the edge of the first side panel 100 such that it closely matches the extension of the tear line 30.

[0041] As the length of the edge of the first side panel 100 increases, the additional extension of the tear line 30 along the first side panel 100 helps prevent bending of the first side panel 100 from being able to bypass the mechanical lock of the tear line 30, and ensures the engagement between the tear line 30 and the opening 110, so that the package 1 remains closed until the tear line 30 is removed. In some embodiments, the upper and lower edges of the opening 110 and the upper and lower edges of the tear line 30 fit tightly together so that the lid 10 and the base box 20 cannot slide vertically relative to each other when the tear line 30 is engaged. In some embodiments, the thickness of the tear line 30 is at least thicker than the maximum value that the panel 100 can bend from the panel 200 at any point around the opening 110. In some embodiments, the panel 100 is maintained in contact with the panel 200 (e.g., by fitting the box together).

[0042] The opening 110 may be configured as a slot as shown, and may include an additional opening 112 that may include a larger dimension than the opening 110. When in the assembled configuration, the opening 112 allows the user to grasp the tab 302 of the tear line 30. Together they form the complete opening 108 (see Figure 5 ).

[0043] In some embodiments, the substrate 208 and the tear line 30 may be connected via an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a fabric tape, a releasable adhesive, a peelable adhesive, etc. To install the tear line 30, the adhesive portion 211 attaching the tear line 30 to the base box 20 may be exposed and secured to the first side panel 202, and the lid 10 is lowered onto the base box 20. Before the lid 10 is lowered onto the base box 20, the adhesive portion attaching the tear line 30 to the base box 20 may not be exposed (e.g., there may be a tape backing so that it does not inadvertently stick to an unwanted surface). After the lid 10 and base box 20 are closed, the backing may be removed (e.g., by having an extended tab of the backing protrude from the closed package), and the tear line 30 may be pressed toward the first side panel 202 at the substrate 208, thereby securing the tear line 30.

[0044] to the base box 20. Alternatively, the adhesive may be placed first on the tear line 30 itself, and then the tear line 30 is secured to the panel through the opening 110.

[0045] In this manner, the tear line 30 and the base box 20 are effectively coupled and secured together in the closed configuration. The substrate 208 terminates in a tab 201 accessible from the cutout 212 and may include a tear path, such as perforations 209, that assists in tearing the substrate 208 from the first side panel 200 during removal of the tear line 30. The surface 213 is visible and may be as described below with reference to Figure 6 and Fig. 9 A portion of the additional wrapping panel. In some embodiments, score lines, thin layers, or other features designed to allow easy and / or guided tearing of the substrate 208 may be provided.

[0046] Steering Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the insert 302 (coupled to insert 201) is removable when pulled with sufficient force, causing the mechanical lock to be released, allowing the package to be opened. For example, when a force F is applied T209, the edge of the substrate 208 tears while its outer surface remains fixed to the tear line 30. In this way, when the tear line 30 is coupled to the base box 20, the base box 20 and the lid 10 are coupled via the locking action of the tear line 30 within the opening 110. After the user separates the tear line 30 by pulling, for example, the tab 302 with sufficient force so that the substrate 208 tears along the perforations 209, the tear line 30 no longer connects the base box 20 and the lid 10, and the package 1 can be opened. Due to the destructive nature of the tearing of the substrate 208, the tear line 30 can no longer be attached to the base box 20. The surface 215 is then visible, extending from the surface 213 to below where the substrate 208 was previously located, and provides the final appearance of the base box 20 even after the tear line 30 no longer connects the base box 20 and the lid 10. By securing the substrate 208 to the tear line 30, rather than making the tear line 30 part of the corrugated structure of the base box 20, sufficient force F T Typically, this may be less than the case where the user must tear the entire material thickness of the tear line 30. Thus, compared to large corrugated shipping boxes that may include a corrugated tear strip, the package 1 improves on this design by maintaining a structurally intact corrugated tear line 30 while improving the user experience when removing the tear line 30 because only the substrate 208 needs to be torn. Once the tear line 30 is removed (see FIG. Figure 4 ), the user can use force F L The cover 10 is lifted off the base box 20 .

[0047] In some embodiments, substrate 208 will not tear, but can be peeled in the case of using a separable or peelable adhesive. When tear line 30 is connected to base box 20, this realizes a similar locking function, but avoids the need to tear parts. In these cases, in response to a force applied in a direction away from the package (e.g., in the removal direction, at the insert 302), one or more of the adhesives are configured to peel so that substrate 208 will not tear. As a tamper-proof mechanism, the adhesive is configured so that once the tear line 30 is removed, for example, by exposing a non-sticky surface, or simply leaving a sticky surface attached to the package during the removal of the tear line 30, they may not be used or reapplied.

[0048] Usually, for the adhesive (for example, removable adhesive) that is intended to be peeled off, they peel off when the force applied on tear line 30 (for example, at insert 302) is less than the force (for example, the tear strength of substrate) that can tear open substrate.On the contrary, for the adhesive that is not intended to be peeled off (for example, permanent adhesive), the force required for removing them is greater than the force that substrate will tear.And usually, once the removable adhesive is in fact separated, the newly exposed inner surface (previously inside the removable adhesive between its outer surface) will not adhere again.In some embodiments of removable adhesive, once split, the previous inner surface will not adhere to other parts.In the embodiment utilizing removable adhesive, removable adhesive can provide the tearing similar function of other embodiments, that is, the separation of adhesive layer makes tear line 30 break away from, so that can open packaging 1.

[0049] Once the package 1 is opened, the user can retrieve the product and any accessories from the package 1. And when ready, the package can be recycled, for example in a single stream system, without worrying about film plastic wrap or polymer tear lines.

[0050] Go to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , further illustrating the material structure of the package 1. As described above, the lid 10, base box 20, and tear line 30 may include a corrugated cardboard (e.g., E-shaped or F-shaped) structure and are folded into shape. The corrugation provides structural support and thickness for the engagement of the interlocking tear line mechanical lock. And, in some embodiments, the outward-facing surface of the package may be covered in a wrapper of a panel of a cellulose-based finished product (e.g., paperboard, such as solid bleached sulfate "SBS"). Such a wrapper is in Figure 6 is shown partially removed.

[0051] The wrapping panel can be formed of a blank and folded around the corrugated panel, thereby hiding the corrugated panel and having a more polished and finished appearance. An adhesive portion 221 can be provided to bond the corresponding panel to other panels, or to the corrugated panel of the package 1. As an example, the inner wrapping panel 218 can be folded inwardly and cover, for example, a portion of the second side panel 202. In some embodiments, a second panel 217 is provided, and it can be L-shaped. In this way, when the tear line 30 is finally removed, the second panel 217 provides surfaces 213 and 215, and provides the same polished and finished appearance (the seam where the second panel 217 meets is not shown, and the material disposed under, for example, the corrugated cardboard is not shown).

[0052] In some embodiments, the outer wrap panel 214 is folded upward during assembly and adhered to the second panel 217 at the adhesive portion 221. For example, Figure 6As shown, the substrate 208 remains unsecured to the second panel so that when the package 1 is finally opened, it can be torn along the tear line 209.

[0053] In some embodiments, the interior panel 216 is then folded inward during assembly and covers the interior portion of the first wall 200. Figures 7 to 10 As shown in the blanks shown in , similar wrap panels are provided for both the lid 10 and the base box 20.

[0054] exist Figures 7 to 10 In FIG. 1 , the dotted lines show the boundaries of the corresponding parts and indicate the positions of the folded parts. Figure 7 A blank 70 for covering the lid 10 is shown. The blank 70 can be formed from several wrap panels, such as the cellulose-based finished product (e.g., paperboard, such as solid bleached sulfate "SBS") described above in some embodiments. The tear line wrap panel 71 can be fixed to either side of the tear line 30, for example, to provide a polished finished appearance. As shown, the first wrap panel 700 can correspond to the first side panel 100, and the second side panel 102 can correspond to the second wrap panel 702. In some embodiments, the cutout 708 corresponds to the opening 108. In some embodiments, the top wrap panel 704 corresponds to the top panel 104, and the auxiliary panel 701 can be similarly folded inward to secure the blank 70 and cover the lid 10. The connecting panel 703 can secure the outermost first and second side wrap panels 700 / 702.

[0055] Figure 8 A blank 80 for forming the lid 10 is shown. The blank 80 may be formed from several panels of corrugated paperboard (e.g., E-flute, F-flute, etc.). The tear line blank 801 provides a structure for securing the tear line wrap panel 71 to either side thereof. As shown, the first panel 800 may correspond to the first side panel 100, and the second side panel 102 may correspond to the second panel 802. In some embodiments, the cutout 808 corresponds to the opening 108. In some embodiments, the top panel 804 corresponds to the top panel 104.

[0056] Fig. 9A blank 90 for covering a base box 20 is shown. The blank 90 may be formed from a number of wrapping panels, such as a cellulose-based finished product (e.g., paperboard, such as solid bleached sulfate "SBS") as described above in some embodiments. As shown, a side wrapping panel 901 is folded upward and is configured to be folded over a first side panel and a second side panel 200 / 202 of the base box 20. The side panels 908 may correspond to the first side panel 100, and the second side panel 102 may correspond to the second wrapping panel 702. Once in an assembled configuration, the panel 908 may take the form of a substrate 208. In some embodiments, a second panel 917 is provided, and these second panels are configured to be the second panels 217 when assembled. In some embodiments, the second panel is L-shaped.

[0057] Fig.10 A blank 40 is shown for forming the base box 20. The blank 40 can be formed from several panels of corrugated paperboard (e.g., E-flute, F-flute, etc.). As shown, the first panel 400 can correspond to the first panel 200, and the second side panel 202 can correspond to the second wrapping panel 402. In some embodiments, the panel 404 corresponds to the base panel 204.

[0058] The inserts, flaps and areas without the blank adhesive are folded so that the adhesive is not visible in the finished package. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted and the flaps and inserts may be attached in another suitable manner (e.g., by mechanical interlocking or pressure fitting).

[0059] Each of the components and their constituent parts and other variations described herein may include corresponding features described with reference to each of the other components as well as features described without limitation.

[0060] In some embodiments, any surface finishing may be performed after the component is cut from the blank, or alternatively before the blank is cut into individual sheets for assembly into the final product. In addition, some operations may be performed simultaneously. All or a portion of the surface of the package may be coated or laminated, which may improve structural strength properties such as stiffness and may protect the product within the package or avoid scratches.

[0061] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Therefore, for the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments described herein is presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are feasible.

[0062] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

Claims

1. A package, comprising: Base box; cover; and a tear line configured to mechanically lock the base box and the lid so that the base box and the lid are secured together in a closed configuration, wherein the tear line is not secured to the lid, Wherein the tear line is removable when pulled with sufficient force so that the mechanical lock is released, allowing the package to be opened.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the base box comprises a substrate, the tear line being secured to the substrate such that the substrate tears when the tear line is pulled with sufficient force, thereby releasing the mechanical lock.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the substrate comprises a wrap panel covering the corrugated cardboard panel of the base box.

4. The package of claim 2, wherein the substrate is configured to tear along a tear path extending along a direction of the pulling force.

5. A package, comprising: a base box comprising a first side panel; A cover, comprising: a first side panel parallel to and outside of the first side panel of the base box; and a slot formed in a first side panel of the cover; and A tear line is disposed within the slot and secured to the base box when the package is in the closed configuration such that the base box and the lid are secured together in the closed configuration.

6. The package of claim 5, wherein the lid comprises corrugated cardboard having a thickness, and wherein the tear line comprises corrugated cardboard having a thickness such that respective edges of the slot and edges of the tear line interfere with each other, thereby holding the lid in position relative to the base box until the tear line is removed from the package.

7. The package of claim 5, wherein the tear line is attached to a substrate formed on a first side panel of the base box such that in response to sufficient force applied along a tearing direction of the tear line, the substrate tears away from the base box but remains secured to the tear line, thereby releasing the lid and the base box.

8. The package of claim 5, wherein the tear line is attached to the base box via a releasable adhesive such that in response to sufficient force applied along a removal direction of the tear line, the releasable adhesive separates, allowing the tear line to be removed, thereby releasing the lid and the base box.

9. The package of claim 5, wherein the substrate is part of a wrap panel and is not secured to the first side panel of the base box.

10. The package of claim 5, wherein the tear line further comprises a tab configured to allow a user to grasp the tear line, and wherein the substrate terminates at a tab connected to the tab of the tear line, and wherein the substrate is accessible via a cut along the first side panel of the base box.

11. The package of claim 5, wherein the tear line comprises no plastic.

12. The package of claim 5, wherein along a removal direction of the tear line, a length of the slot is longer than a length of the tear line.

13. The package of claim 5, wherein the tear line extends between 50% and 85% of the length of the first side panel of the base box along a removal direction of the tear line.

14. A package, comprising: A base box, the base box comprising: a first side panel, the first side panel comprising a first material; a first wrap panel covering an outwardly facing surface of the first panel and comprising a second material; A cover, comprising: a first side panel parallel to and outside of the first side panel of the base box and comprising the first material; and a first wrap panel covering an outwardly facing surface of the first panel and comprising the second material, wherein slots are provided in the first side panel of the cover and the first wrap panel; and A tear line is disposed within the slot and secured to the first wrap panel of the base box when the package is in the closed configuration such that the base box and lid are secured together in the closed configuration via a mechanical lock formed by the tear line and the slot together.

15. The package of claim 14, wherein when the tear line is pulled with sufficient force, a portion of the first wrapping panel of the base box tears away along with the tear line, thereby allowing the tear line to be removed from the slot and releasing the mechanical lock.

16. The package according to claim 15, further comprising: A second panel includes the second material and is disposed beneath the first wrap panel of the base box such that the first material is not visible to a user when the tear line is removed.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein the first material is corrugated cardboard and the second material is not corrugated cardboard.

18. The package of claim 14, wherein the first material is corrugated cardboard and the second material is not corrugated cardboard.

19. The package of claim 14, wherein the first material has a thickness, and wherein the tear line comprises the first material such that the thickness of the slot and the thickness of the tear line interfere with each other to form an interlocking mechanical lock until the tear line is removed from the package.

20. The package of claim 19, wherein the tear line further comprises a tear line wrap panel, the tear line wrap panel comprising the second material, and wherein the first material is corrugated cardboard and the second material is not corrugated cardboard.

Images