U.S. patent application number 10/219207 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-10 for tubular container with side opening.
Invention is credited to Stewart, Noel G..
Application Number | 20030066870 10/219207 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29219594 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030066870 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart, Noel G. |
April 10, 2003 |
Tubular container with side opening
Abstract
A paperboard container for releasably dispensing contents
contained therein is convertible from a substantially sealed
orientation to a substantially open, dispensing orientation and
back to the substantially sealed orientation. The paperboard
container comprises a tubular container member, a bottom member and
a top member, with the top member being telescopically received
within the container member to seal the top member to the
container. The top member is pivotable about the hinge portion and
is pivotable to the sealed orientation to substantially reseal the
container member. The present invention is directed to a paperboard
container with an opening on the side, including a tubular body, a
first end panel and second end panel, and a tear-out panel
initially contained within said tubular body. The tear-out panel is
separated from the remainder of the tubular body by cuts or
perforations, and may be partially or completely removed to allow
access to the contents of the container. A means for sealably
reclosing the tear-out panel is also provided to allow for
reclosing of the container. An internal membrane may also be
adhered to the inner surface of the body below the tear-out
panel.
Inventors: |
Stewart, Noel G.; (Conyers,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG, P.C.
77 WEST WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60601-1732
US
|
Family ID: |
29219594 |
Appl. No.: |
10/219207 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10219207 |
Aug 15, 2002 |
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09586451 |
Jun 2, 2000 |
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6471122 |
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09586451 |
Jun 2, 2000 |
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09437968 |
Nov 10, 1999 |
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6349866 |
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60120030 |
Feb 13, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/125.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 3/14 20130101; B65D
47/286 20130101; B65D 2251/0021 20130101; B65D 5/703 20130101; B65D
47/0852 20130101; B65D 51/222 20130101; B65D 2251/0093 20130101;
B65D 5/706 20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101; B65D 2251/0025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/125.09 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/54; B65D
005/66 |
Claims
1. A substantially paperboard container for allowing access to
product within by means of a removable side panel, the paperboard
container comprising: a substantially tubular body, fabricated
substantially from paperboard material, the tubular body having an
outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge defining a first
opening, and a second edge defining a second opening; a first end
panel substantially corresponding in shape to the shape of the
first opening, the first end panel having an outer edge portion; a
second end panel substantially corresponding in shape to the shape
of the second opening, the second end panel having an outer edge
portion; at least one of the first end panel and the second end
panel being fabricated substantially from paperboard material; the
first end panel being telescopically received within the first
opening of the body, with the first edge of the body being rolled
up over the outer edge of the first end panel to seal the first end
panel to the body; and a tear-out panel initially contained at
least partially within the body, said tear-out panel capable of
being at least partially separated from the body by means of cuts
or perforations.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion
of said tear-out panel is capable of frictionally engaging a
portion of said body in order to sealably reclose said container
after said tear out panel has been partially separated from said
body.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said tear-out panel
further comprises a tab portion not initially integrated within
said body, said tab portion capable of frictionally engaging a
portion of said body in order to sealably reclose the container
after said tear-out panel has been partially separated from said
body.
4. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said
first end panel and said second end panel comprises a transparent
portion for viewing of product within the container prior to
separation of said tear-out panel from said body.
5. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a
membrane below said tear-out panel, said membrane adhered to the
inner surface of the container body.
6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the membrane is made
of barrier protective materials.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
09/586,451, filed Jun. 2, 2000, presently pending, which in turn,
is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/437,968, filed Nov. 10,
1999, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/120,030, filed Feb. 13, 1999.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable. REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention is directed to paperboard lids for
paperboard containers and, more specifically, to an integrated
paperboard lid having a hinge on the lid. The present invention is
further directed to a paperboard container with an opening on the
side.
[0006] 2. Background Art
[0007] Paper containers are often used to hold consumer items such
as cereals, grains, etc. To open the container, often, the consumer
simply opens the entire top of the container. This allows access to
the inner liner that holds the products. This arrangement is
typical of boxes of breakfast cereal. Other boxes include a
perforated portion on the side of the box, near the top, or on the
top of the box, near the side. The perforated portion, when
separated from the box, creates an openable flap that allows access
to the interior of the box. This type of construction, which is
often found on boxes of grain, soap and other products, does not
allow for effective closing of the box.
[0008] Paper containers with tear-out side panels are also known in
the art. Such tear-out panels are commonly found in boxes for
holding beverage cans and bottles as well as in containers for
facial tissue, and allow easy access to product within such
containers. These panels are typically perforated and are
completely removable from the container itself to provide access to
the contents within the container. However, such containers
typically do not contain a mechanism for sealably reclosing the
container once the tear-out panel has been separated from the
container body. As a result, the container is no longer capable of
being reclosed, and a permanent opening is created. Such an
arrangement is not always desirable, however, particularly where
the container contains a perishable product.
[0009] It would be desirable to provide a paperboard container with
a tear-out side panel that is capable of being reclosed in order to
preserve the contents within.
[0010] It would further be desirable to provide a container that is
convertible from a substantially sealed orientation to a
substantially open, dispensing orientation and back to the
substantially sealed orientation.
[0011] It would also be desirable to provide a container that is
capable of remaining in a substantially open, dispensing
orientation without obstructing the dispensing of contents
contained therein.
[0012] It would also be desirable to provide a container that is
capable of reclosing from a substantially open orientation to a
substantially sealed orientation without the loss of contents
contained therein.
[0013] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent in light of the present specification, claims and
drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention comprises a paperboard container for
releasably dispensing contents contained therein. The container is
convertible from a substantially sealed orientation to a
substantially open, dispensing orientation and back to the
substantially sealed orientation. The container includes a
substantially tubular container member, a paperboard bottom member
and a paperboard top member.
[0015] The container member has an upper edge defining an upper
opening and a lower edge defining a lower opening. The bottom
member substantially corresponds in shape to the shape of the lower
opening, and the top member substantially corresponds in shape to
the shape of the upper opening. The top member circumference is
larger than the circumference of each of the upper edge and the
upper opening of the container member.
[0016] The top member has a front portion, a hinge portion, a back
portion, an outer edge and a circumference. The top member is
telescopically received within the upper opening of the container
member, and the upper edge of the container member is rolled up
over the outer edge of the top member to seal the top member to the
paperboard member. The top member is also pivotable to the sealed
orientation to substantially reseal the container member.
[0017] In one embodiment, the container includes a membrane adhered
to inner surfaces of the container member below the container top
member. The membrane has a back portion and a front portion. The
back portion is substantially equal in width to the width of the
top member, and the front portion has a width which is less than
the width of the top member and substantially equal in width to the
width of the container member. Preferably, the membrane is made of
barrier protective materials.
[0018] The hinge portion includes means for maintaining the hinge
portion in a pivoted position relative to the remainder of the top
member, and the maintaining means is located substantially adjacent
the hinge axis. In one embodiment, the hinge portion extends
generally straight across the top member and the hinge portion
buckles under the top member back portion to create a friction fit
that holds the top member front portion in its opened position.
Moreover, the hinge portion includes outer portions and an inner
portion extending between the outer portions, with the outer
portions and the inner portion defining the hinge portion. The
hinge portion is also sized to engage the membrane when the top
member front portion is in its open orientation and to hold the
front portion in the open orientation.
[0019] In another embodiment, the hinge portion includes a pair of
outer segments, a pair of inner segments spaced axially from the
outer segments, and a pair of axial segments joining the inner and
outer segments. The top member hinge portion further includes a tab
extending rearwardly toward the top member back portion. The tab is
sized to engage the membrane when the top member front portion is
in its open orientation and to hold the front portion in the open
orientation. Preferably, the tab extends between the inner segments
of the hinge portion.
[0020] In yet another embodiment, the top member front portion
includes at least one tooth for engaging the container member upper
edge when the top member is in its sealed orientation.
[0021] In another embodiment, the hinge portion includes at least
two tabs extending rearwardly toward the top member back portion.
The tabs are sized to engage the membrane when the top member front
portion is in its open orientation and to hold the front portion in
the open orientation.
[0022] In yet another embodiment, the top member hinge portion
includes a biasable cover member. The cover member has a closure
flap extending rearwardly toward the top member back portion for
securing the cover member to the top member when the top member is
in its sealed orientation. The cover member further includes a tab
for facilitating the manipulation of the top member from its sealed
orientation to its open, dispensing orientation.
[0023] The present invention is also directed, in part, to a
substantially paperboard container for allowing access to product
contained within by means of a removable side panel. The container
of this embodiment comprises a substantially tubular body,
fabricated substantially from paperboard material, and having an
outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge defining a first
opening, and a second edge defining a second opening. A first end
panel substantially corresponds in shape to the shape of the first
opening, and has an outer edge portion. A second end panel
substantially corresponds in shape to the shape of the second
opening, and has an outer edge portion. Further, at least one of
the first end panel and the second end panel are fabricated
substantially from paperboard material. The first panel is
telescopically received within the first opening of the body, the
first edge of the body being rolled up over the outer edge of the
first end panel to seal the first end panel to the body. In
addition, a tear-out panel is initially contained at least
partially within the body, and is capable of being at least
partially separated from the body by means of cuts or
perforations.
[0024] In addition, at least a portion of the tear-out panel may be
capable of frictionally engaging a portion of the body in order to
sealably reclose the container after the tear-out panel has been
partially separated from the body.
[0025] In another embodiment, the tear-out panel further comprises
a tab portion not initially integrated within the body. The tab
portion is capable of frictionally engaging a portion of the body
in order to sealably reclose the container after the tear-out panel
has been partially separated from the body.
[0026] At least one of the first end panel and the second end panel
may also comprise a transparent portion for viewing of product
within the container prior to separation of the tear-out panel from
the body.
[0027] The container may also comprise a membrane below the
tear-out panel which is adhered to the inner surface of the
container body. The membrane may be made of barrier protective
materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of the present
invention, with the container being closed;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the container of FIG. 1
with the lid opened;
[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank from which the lid of FIG.
1 is made;
[0032] FIG. 5a is a perspective, exploded view of an alternative
blank from which the lid is made, this lid including a laminated
underside;
[0033] FIG. 5b is a perspective, exploded view of an alternative
blank from which the lid is made, this lid also including a
laminated underside;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of
FIG. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the lid
of FIG. 5 used to cover the container;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1,
with an alternative lid construction, with the lid being
closed;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 7,
with the lid being open;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a blank used to form the lid for
the container of FIG. 7;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of
FIG. 8, and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the lid
in its opened position;
[0039] FIG. 11a is a perspective view of a blank used to form an
alternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid
being closed;
[0040] FIG. 11b is a perspective view of FIG. 11a, showing teeth
212 upon articulation and prior to positioning the container in its
sealed orientation;
[0041] FIG. 12a is a perspective view of a blank used to form
another alternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with
the lid being closed;
[0042] FIG. 12b is a perspective view of FIG. 12a, showing teeth
312 upon articulation and prior to positioning the container in its
sealed orientation;
[0043] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a blank used to form yet
another alternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with
the lid being open;
[0044] FIG. 14a is a perspective view of a blank used to form an
alternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid
being closed;
[0045] FIG. 14b is a perspective view of a blank used to form an
alternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid
being open;
[0046] FIG. 15a is a perspective view of a blank used to form
another alternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with
the lid being closed; and
[0047] FIG. 15b is a perspective view of a blank used to form
another alternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with
the lid being open.
[0048] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a tubular container with
side opening embodying the present invention, prior to separation
of the tear-out panel from the container.
[0049] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 16,
showing the container after the tear-out panel has been partially
separated from the container.
[0050] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 16,
showing the container after the tear-out panel has been completely
separated from the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, they are shown in the drawings and will be
described in detail herein, several specific embodiments with the
understanding that the present invention is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
[0052] One embodiment of a paperboard container 1 of the present
invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-3. The container 1 includes
a main body or tube portion 3 having a top edge 5 and a bottom edge
7. The body 3 has side walls defining a chamber that is opened at
its top and bottom. The body 3 shown in the drawings is generally
quadrilateral in plan view. However, the body could be circular,
triangular, or any other desired shape. A top member 9 and a bottom
member 11 are provided to close the top and bottom openings of the
body 3. The top and bottom members 9 and 11 are of the same shape
and size. They are also generally in the same shape as the body 3,
but are proportionally larger than the body 3. That is, the
circumference of the top and bottom members 9 and 11 is greater
than the circumference of the body portion 3.
[0053] The top member 9 can be a single ply. Alternatively, as seen
in FIGS. 5a and 6, a laminate 13 can be applied to the bottom
surface of the top member 9 to form a top member assembly.
Likewise, as shown in FIG. 5b, a laminate 13' can be applied to the
bottom surface of the top member 9' to form a top member
assembly.
[0054] To apply the top and bottom members 9 and 11 to the body 3,
the respective member is pressed into the body 3, as seen in FIG.
6. When the member is pressed into the body 3, the peripheral edges
15 of the member will be turned up (in the case of top members 9
and 9'). The member is pushed into the body until the outer edge of
the member is below the top (or above the bottom) edge of the body
3. The edge of the body 3 is then rolled over to form a lip 16 that
extends around the circumference of container 1.
[0055] As seen in FIG. 4, the top member 9 includes a front portion
17 and a rear portion 19 separated by a line 21. The line 21
includes cuts, perforations, or other lines of weakness 23 that
extend inwardly from the side edges of the top member 9. The lines
of weakness 23 are then separated by a fold line 25. As seen in
FIG. 1, the slice 23 extends up the peripheral portion 15 of the
top member 9.
[0056] As seen in FIG. 5a, in the top member 9, the laminate 13 has
a back portion 27 having a side-to-side width substantially equal
to the side-to-side width of the top member 9. The laminate back
portion 27 is substantially as long as the top member rear portion
19, and extends from the back edge of the top member 9 to the line
21. As shown in FIG. 5b, at approximately line 21, laminate 13'
steps down, as at 29, to form the front portion 31 of laminate 13.
The laminate front portion 31' has a side-to-side width
approximately equal to the side-to-side width of the body 3 (which
is less than the side-to-side width of the top member 9').
Additionally, the laminate front portion 31' does not extend to the
front edge of the top member 9'. Rather, it is sized to extend to
the front edge of the body 3 when the top member assembly is placed
in the body 3.
[0057] After the top member 9 is applied to the container body 3, a
cut, perforation, or other line of weakness 23 is formed beneath
the top edge 5 of the container 1. The cut 23 is positioned on the
body 3 to be approximately equal with or slightly below the bottom
of the lip 16 (i.e., the original top edge 5 of the body 3). The
cut 23, however, is above the upper surface of the top member 9, as
is best seen in FIG. 2. The cut 23 extends from a point co-linear
with the top member line 21 around the front of the body 3 and back
to a point co-linear with the top member line 21. The cut 23 thus
enables the front portion 17 of the cover 9 to be lifted up, as
seen in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2, when the cover front portion 17
is lifted to its opened position, the lower part of the lip 16 is
exposed. Additionally, when the cover front portion 17 is opened,
the rear edges 36 of the lip 16 are forced inside of the lip of the
cover rear portion 19. The two portions create a friction fit that
holds the cover front portion 17 in its opened position. Further,
because the lip 16 is exposed below the cut 23, the lip 16 will
frictionally engage the wall of the container body 3 when the cover
forward portion 17 is closed, as shown in FIG. 1. This will help
retain the cover forward portion 17 in its closed position.
[0058] As seen in FIG. 2, the container 1 can include a membrane or
seal 37 below cover member 9. The seal 37 closes the container
below the cover 9 and must be broken before product can be poured
from the container 1.
[0059] A second embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIGS.
7-10. The container 101 of FIGS. 7 and 8 is substantially identical
in construction to the container 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2. It varies only
in the construction of the cover member 109. The cover member 109,
in turn, is substantially similar to the cover member 9. The
difference lies in the line 121 that separates the cover front
portion 117 from the cover back portion 119. The line 121 (FIG. 9)
includes opposing outer scores 123 which have outer ends spaced
from the side edges of the cover member 109 and extend inwardly
slightly. A second pair of opposing scores 125 extend rearwardly
(and orthogonally) from the inner edges of the first score lines
121. A pair of inner fold lines 127 extends inwardly from the ends
of the second score lines. Lastly, a tab 129 connects the inner
ends of the fold lines 127. The tab 129 is formed to extend toward
the cover rear portion 119.
[0060] A line of weakness or cut 135, identical to the cut 23,
extends around the forward portion of the container body 103.
Rather than having vertical slices at the ends of the cut 135, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cut 135 has a sloped end, as at 135.
(FIG. 7) The sloped end 135 of the slice connects with the scores
123 of the cover line 121. Thus, when the cover 109 is assembled
into the body 103 to produce the container 101, the cover front
portion 117 can be opened. The cover front portion 117 is
substantially the same, and operates in substantially the same
manner as the cover front portion 19 of container 1. However, the
cover 109 has the tab 129 that engages the membrane or seal 137
when the cover front portion 117 is opened, as seen in FIG. 10. The
engagement of the tab 129 with the seal 137 will create a further
frictional engagement between the lid and the membrane that will
help maintain the cover in its opened position.
[0061] A third embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIGS.
11-12. The container (not shown) associated with the cover member
209 and 309 of FIGS. 11a and 12 is substantially identical in
construction to container 1 of FIGS. 12. It varies only in the
construction of cover member 209. The cover member 209, in turn, is
substantially similar to the cover member 109. The difference lies
in the peripheral edges of cover front portion 217 and 317. Cover
front portion 217 and 317 includes equidistantly-spaced teeth 212
and 312 (FIGS. 11b and 12b) on its peripheral edges. Engagement of
teeth 212 and 312 with the tube body portion (not shown) creates a
further frictional engagement between the lid and the membrane that
will help maintain cover member 209 and 309 in its closed
position.
[0062] A fourth embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIG. 13.
The container (not shown) associated with FIG. 13 is substantially
identical in construction to container 1 of FIGS. 1-2. It varies
only in the construction of cover member 409. The cover member 409,
in turn, is substantially similar to cover member 109. The
difference lies in line 421 that separates the cover front portion
417 from the cover back portion 419. Line 421 includes three
equidistantly-spaced tabs or detentes 429. The tab 429 is formed to
extend toward the cover back portion 319. To form each of tabs 429,
a partial cut, in a semi-circular shape, is formed on the bottom
side of cover back portion 419. The engagement of tabs 429 with the
seal 437 creates a further frictional engagement between the lid
and the membrane that will help maintain the cover member 409 in
its opened position.
[0063] A fifth embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIGS. 14a
and 14b. Container (not shown) associated with FIGS. 14a and 14b is
substantially identical in construction to the container 1 of FIGS.
1-2. It varies only in the construction of cover member 509. The
cover front portion 517 includes closure assembly 520, which
comprises an octagonally-shaped closure 528, tab 529 and slot 530.
To secure cover member 509, closure 528 is inserted in slot 530
until tab 529 is in contact with cover front portion 517 (FIG. 14).
To maintain cover member 509 in its substantially open, dispensing
orientation, closure 528 is manually biased to a position
substantially perpendicular to the cover member axis (FIG. 14b).
Although closure 528 is illustrated as octagonally-shaped, it is
likewise contemplated that it may be circular, rectangular, square
or any other geometric shape.
[0064] A sixth embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIGS. 15a
and 15b. Container (not shown) associated with FIGS. 15a and 15b is
substantially identical in construction to the container 1 of FIGS.
1-2. It varies only in the construction of cover member 609. The
cover front portion 617 includes closure assembly 620, which
comprises and octagonally-shaped closure 628, tab 629 and slot 630.
To secure cover member 609, tab is inserted in slot 630 until
closure 628 is in contact with cover front portion 617 (FIG. 15a).
Although closure 628 is illustrated as octagonally-shaped, it is
likewise contemplated that it may be circular, rectangular, square
or any other geometric shape.
[0065] In a still further embodiment of the invention, shown in
FIGS. 16-18, tubular container 701 with side opening 710 is shown
as comprising body tube 720, top lid panel 722, bottom lid panel
723, and tear-out panel 724 within body tube 720. Body tube 720
further comprises front side 730, back side (not shown), first side
734 and second side 736 (not shown). While in this embodiment, body
tube 720 is generally quadrilateral in plan view, the body could
also be circular, triangular or any other desired shape.
[0066] Tear-out panel 724 is shown in FIG. 16 before separation
from body tube 720. Tear-out panel 724 includes first panel 740,
second panel 742, and tab portion 744. Initially, all of tear-out
panel 724 is contained within body tube 720, except for tab portion
744, which extends from the edge of second panel 742. First panel
740 comprises a portion of front side 730, and second panel 742
comprises a portion of first side 734. Tear-out panel 724 is
separated from the remainder of body tube 720 by a line 746. The
line 746 includes cuts, perforations, or other lines of weakness
that will allow tear-out panel 724 to be easily removed from body
tube 720.
[0067] The product within container 701 may be accessed by pulling
upward on tab portion 744 in order to separate tear-out panel 724
from the remainder of body tube 720 along line 746, as shown in
FIG. 17. There, tear-out panel 724 has been separated from body
tube 720 along three sides, leaving one remaining side attached to
body tube 720. In this orientation, container 701 can be sealably
reclosed by returning tear-out panel 724 to its closed position and
tucking tab portion 744 inside body tube 720, thereby frictionally
engaging tab portion 744 with the inner surface of body tube 720,
resulting in a secure closure.
[0068] Alternatively, tear-out panel 724 can be completely
separated from body tube 720 along line 746 so that tear-out panel
724 may be permanently removed, as shown in FIG. 18. In such a
case, container 701 is then in a permanently open state, as is
typically the case with containers for such products as facial
tissue. Such a design allows the consumer to either retain tear-out
panel 724 in place in order to reclose container 701 or to remove
tear-out panel 724 in order to allow for unobstructed access to the
contents of container 701.
[0069] Initially, tear-out panel 824 is integrated within body tube
820, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 16-18. Access to the contents of
container 801 is provided by pulling up on second panel 842,
causing tear-out panel 824 to separate from body tube 820 along
line 846. As in the previous embodiment, tear-out panel 824 may be
either retained in place along one edge in order to allow for
reclosing of container 801, or may be completely removed from body
tube 820 in order to allow unobstructed access to the contents of
container 801 as desired.
[0070] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and
illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto
except insofar as the pending claims are so limited as those
skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able
to make modifications and variations therein without departing from
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *