U.S. patent application number 11/170008 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-05 for box with widest possible pouring spout.
Invention is credited to Sam Wein.
Application Number | 20060000880 11/170008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35512869 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060000880 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wein; Sam |
January 5, 2006 |
Box with widest possible pouring spout
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a box with the widest
possible pouring spout. The spout is an integrated portion of the
box with no additional or external portions required for
manufacture. The spout has a means by which a person using the
spout may conveniently open the spout, a means by which the spout
will be secured from opening beyond the position required for
maintaining the spout pouring area and a means by which the spout
will be secured in a closed position when not in use. Because the
spout is an integrated portion of the box, the box with widest
possible pouring spout will be efficient and economical to produce
and will provide the largest possible pouring area for large, bulky
or cumbersome products.
Inventors: |
Wein; Sam; (Oceanside,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD D. CLARKE;LAW OFFICE OF RICHARD D. CLARKE
3755 AVOCADO BLVD., #1000
LA MESA
CA
91941-7301
US
|
Family ID: |
35512869 |
Appl. No.: |
11/170008 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60583727 |
Jun 29, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/215 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/744 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/215 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72 |
Claims
1. A box having a widest possible pouring spout integrated therein,
comprising a cardboard structure defining a container having two
side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and two end panels, one of
said panels including a first outer layer and a second layer
inwardly of said first layer, wherein said first layer includes a
first flap pivotal about one edge thereof; said second layer
includes a second flap pivotal about one edge thereof; said second
flap including means for permitting bending of said second flap at
a location spaced from said one edge thereof; said first flap
overlying and being secured to said second flap between said one
edge of said second flap and said location; said structure
including a third layer inwardly of said second layer, said first
layer including a portion overlying a portion of said second flap;
said third layer having an opening covered by said second flap; and
further wherein said flaps are constructed such that the resulting
pouring spout opening extends form the edge of one side to the edge
of the other side of the box thereby enabling the widest possible
pouring spout opening to be formed; and whereby to achieve an open
position, said first flap is pivoted about said one edge thereof,
said second flap is caused to pivot about said one edge of said
second flap, said second flap is bent at said location, said
portion of said second flap is withdrawn from said portion of said
first layer over-lying the same, and said opening in said third
layer is uncovered to permit dispensing through said opening in
said third layer.
2. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 1, wherein the
spout is constructed in an extra large configuration to accommodate
pouring and retention of large particle container contents.
3. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 1, wherein said
flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and act to lock
the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouring
while in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in
the closed position.
4. A box having a widest possible pouring spout comprising: a
fibrous structure defining a box, said box further comprising two
side panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and two end panels, one
of said panels including a first outer layer and a second layer
inwardly of said first layer, said first layer being pivotal about
one edge thereof, said second layer being pivotal about one edge
thereof, said second layer including means for lifting said second
flap at a location spaced from one edge thereof, said second layer
including two wing flaps at opposite ends of said second layer,
said wing flaps including means for permitting bending of said wing
flaps at scored junctures in said second layer, said wing flaps
further including additional means for permitting bending of said
wing flaps at perforations in locations proximately and equally
spaced from said opposite ends thereof, said first flap overlying
and being secured to said second flap between said one edge of said
second layer and said location in said second layer, said structure
including a third layer inwardly of said second layer, said third
layer being secured to said second layer; and said third layer
having an opening covered by said second layer; and further wherein
said flaps are constructed such that the resulting pouring spout
opening extends form the edge of one side to the edge of the other
side of the box thereby enabling the widest possible pouring spout
opening to be formed; and whereby to achieve an open position, said
first layer is pivoted about said one edge thereof, said second
layer is caused to pivot about said one edge of said second layer,
said wing flaps are bent at said junctures and virtually
simultaneously at said perforations, and said opening in said third
layer is uncovered to permit dispensing through said opening in
said third layer.
5. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 4, wherein the
spout is constructed in an extra large configuration to accommodate
pouring and retention of large particle container contents.
6. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 4, wherein said
flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and act to lock
the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouring
while in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in
the closed position.
7. A box having a widest possible pouring spout comprising: a
fibrous structure defining a container, said container further
comprising two side panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and two
end panels, said container having two or more flaps forming a
pouring spout; said container having a flat pattern during
manufacture and before assembly, and further wherein said two or
more flaps are constructed such that the resulting pouring spout
opening extends form the edge of one side to the edge of the other
side of the box thereby enabling the widest possible pouring spout
opening to be formed.
8. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 7, wherein the
spout is constructed in an extra large configuration to accommodate
pouring and retention of large particle container contents.
9. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 7, wherein said
flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and act to lock
the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouring
while in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in
the closed position.
10. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 7, further
comprising: a fibrous structure defining a container, said
container further comprising two side panels; a top panel; a bottom
panel; and two end panels, one of said panels including a first
outer layer and a second layer inwardly of said first layer, said
first layer being pivotal about one edge thereof, said first layer
including a portion overlying a portion of said second flap, said
second layer being pivotal about one edge thereof, said second
layer including means for lifting said second flap at a location
spaced from one edge thereof, said second layer including two wing
flaps at opposite ends of said second layer, said wing flaps
including means for permitting bending of said wing flaps at scored
junctures in said second layer, said wing flaps further including
additional means for permitting bending of said wing flaps at
perforations in locations proximately and equally spaced from said
opposite ends thereof, said first flap overlying and being secured
to said second flap between said one edge of said second flap and
said location in said second layer, said structure including a
third layer inwardly of said second layer, said third layer having
an opening covered by said second flap, and further wherein said
flaps are constructed such that the resulting pouring spout opening
extends form the edge of one side to the edge of the other side of
the box thereby enabling the widest possible pouring spout opening
to be formed; and whereby to achieve an open position, said first
layer is pivoted about said one edge thereof, said second layer is
caused to pivot about said one edge of said second layer, said wing
flaps are bent at said junctures and virtually simultaneously at
said perforations, and said opening in said third layer is
uncovered to permit dispensing through said opening in said third
layer, said container having a flat pattern during manufacture and
before assembly.
11. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 10, wherein the
spout is constructed in an extra large configuration to accommodate
pouring and retention of large particle container contents.
12. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 10, wherein
said flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and act to
lock the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouring
while in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in
the closed position.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/583,727 filed on Jun. 29, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to fibrous
structures, and more particularly to a box-like container which has
the widest possible integrated pouring spout, thereby providing a
larger opening for more efficient pouring of coarse or larger
materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Although many pouring spout arrangements have been devised
in the past, very few have gained commercial acceptance. One of
these is a metal spout attached to the end panel of a cardboard box
and covered with paper for sealing prior to the opening of the
spout. This type of spout is not only expensive to produce, but is
limited in size and thus has insufficient pouring areas useful for
pouring course or large products such as course or bulky
products.
[0004] Plastic spouts in the top of a box have also been designed,
however, again the design requires the attachment of a separate
element and is also relatively small in size, again prohibiting the
dispensing of coarse or large products and are relatively expensive
to produce.
[0005] As a consequence, there has been a need for an improved
pouring spout with the largest possible opening for use in
dispensing products which are larger, course or bulky in nature
which is also efficient and economical to manufacture.
[0006] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides an improved pouring spout
arrangement which requires virtually no added expense in producing
a cardboard box. The spout will provide for the easy pouring of the
material from the box and can be closed once the material has been
dispensed. This spout arrangement provides for the largest possible
spout opening which is important for materials that are large or
bulky or which tend to form lumps.
[0008] The spout arrangement provides a cardboard box made from a
single sheet of material defining two opposite end panels, one of
which has two layers, positioned one on top of the other. The outer
layer includes a cutout for a portion of the closure flap, pivotal
about its lower edge with an opening above it. Additionally, the
outer layer has a reinforcing flap which will adhere to the side
wall frontal or rear portion of the box as a stabilizing feature of
the structure.
[0009] The inner layer has a remainder of the closure flap which is
pivotal about its lower edge and bendable transversely at its
intermediate portion. Above the bendable portion the inner layer is
attached to the outer portion of the stationary side of the
cardboard box and will act to secure the pouring spout in a closed
position when not in use. Above the bendable portion it is attached
to the outer portion of the stationary side wall.
[0010] The box is opened by pulling outwardly on the closure flaps
to pivot them about the lower edges. This removes the bottom
closure flap from inside of the opening and causes it to bend
transversely, uncovering the openings through the end panel of the
box. The closure flaps may be retained in the opened position by
locating the top edge of the closure flap adjacent the pivot point
of the closure flap bearing, against the wall of the outer panel on
either side of the opening. Therefore, it is unnecessary to hold
the pouring spout open manually as the contents of the box are
being dispensed.
[0011] The spout is closed by reversing the operation and inserting
the bottom edge of the closure flap inside the lower edge of the
stationary cutout in the inner panel.
[0012] The principle object of this invention is to provide for the
largest possible opening for a pouring spout arrangement on a
cardboard box.
[0013] Another object of this invention is to create a pouring
spout arrangement that is an integral portion of the cardboard
blank from which such a box is constructed with no need for
additional element.
[0014] It must be clearly understood at this time although the
preferred embodiment of the invention consists of the pouring spout
which is an integral portion of the cardboard blank from which a
cardboard box is manufactured, that many conventional pouring
spouts exist that will achieve the a similar operation and they
will also be fully covered within the scope of this patent.
[0015] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as
illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further,
since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to
those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention
to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the
invention and together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of this invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a fragmentary perspective view of a box
according to prior art;
[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a box incorporating the
spout of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a fragmentary perspective view of the spout
in an open position;
[0020] FIG. 4 depicts a box blank prior to assembly of the
cardboard box with integrated spout according to the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 depicts a fragmentary portion of the blank prior to
assembly of the cardboard box illustrating the outer portion of the
integrated spout according to the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 6 depicts a fragmentary portion of the blank prior to
assembly of the cardboard box illustrating the inner portion of the
integrated spout according to the present invention.
[0023] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification,
illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like
reference numerals. There is seen in FIG. 1 a fragmentary
perspective view of the prior art integrated spout with cardboard
container. FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the box with integrated widest possible spout 10
according to the present invention illustrating the widest possible
spout 18 in an open position. Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a container
12 with a top panel portion 14, side panel portion 22 and the
external end panel portion 20 with an external side panel portion
16 attached to a side panel portion 22 of the container 12. It must
be understood that any number of materials may be used in
manufacturing the container 12 and will be covered within the scope
of this patent.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box with
integrated spout 10 with the widest possible spout 18. The
container 12 has a box top portion 14, a side panel portion 22, an
external side panel portion 16 and an external end panel portion
20. The widest possible spout 18 is composed of an external spout
front panel 32 attached to an internal spout front panel 42. This
external spout front panel is foldably attached to the spout side
panels 44 and 46. These spout side panels 44 and 46 are pulled
through the external spout cuts 36 and 38 and through the internal
spout cut 50 as seen in FIG. 3. The bottom portion of the widest
possible spout 18 is held in place by the internal spout closure
panel 35 which is attached to the external spout closure panel
34
[0026] FIG. 4 depicts the exterior of an unassembled blank of the
box with integrated spout 30. The box blank is assembled by folding
the blank along the internal side panel score 56, the internal end
panel score 58, the side panel scores 60 and 62, the external end
panel score 64 and the external side panel score 66, the bottom
side flap scores 68 and 72, the bottom end flap score 70, the top
side flap scores 74 and 78 and the top end flap scores 76 and 88.
The internal side panel portion 28 is affixed to the interior of
the side panel portion 24. The external side panel portion 16 is
affixed to the exterior of the side panel portion 22 and the
internal end panel portion 29 is affixed to the external end panel
portion 20. The top end flaps 80 and 82 are secured to the internal
box top side portion 26 and the box top side portion 26 is then
secured to the second box top side portion 27. Similarly, the
bottom end flaps 84 and 86 are secured to a bottom side flap 90 and
that secured bottom side flap 90 is affixed to the second bottom
side flap 92.
[0027] The internal spout front panel 42 is affixed to the external
spout front panel 32. The internal spout front panel 42 is folded
along the lower internal spout score 54 as well as the spout side
panels 44 and 46 and the external spout front panel 32 is folded
along the lower external spout score 52 allowing the spout to open
as the spout side panels 44 and 46 move outwardly through the
external spout cuts 36 and 38, and the internal spout cuts 48 and
50 which are now aligned with one another. The spout securing
portions of the spout 94 and 96 prevent the spout side panels 44
and 46 from opening further than is necessary to form the spout
opening. The bottom portion of the spout circular cut 40 forms a
convenient finger pull for opening the spout which is secured in
the closed position by the bottom portion of the external spout
closure panel 34.
[0028] FIG. 5 depicts a fragmentary view of the unassembled box
blank with a closer view of the exterior portion of the spout. FIG.
5 includes external side panel portion 16, side panel portion 24,
box top side portion 27, top end flap 80, external spout front
panel 32, with external spout closure panel 34 and external spout
cuts 36 and 38 as well as the spout circular cut 40. Score lines
depicted in FIG. 5 include lower external spout score 52, side
panel score 60, external end panel score 64, top side flap score
74, and top end flap score 88.
[0029] FIG. 6 depicts a fragmentary view of the unassembled box
blank with a closer view of the interior portion of the spout. FIG.
6 includes a side panel portion 22, a box top side portion 26, the
internal end panel portion 29, the internal spout front panel 42,
the spout side panels 44 and 46 with the spout securing portions of
the spout side panels 94 and 96 together with the internal spout
cuts 48 and 50. Score lines seen in FIG. 6 are lower internal spout
score 54, internal side panel score 56, internal end panel score
58, and top side flap score 78.
[0030] The box with widest possible spout 10 shown in the drawings
and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of
particular construction and configuration for illustrating the
preferred embodiment of structure and method of construction of the
present invention. It is to be understood however, that elements of
different construction and configuration and other arrangements
thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed
for providing a box with widest possible spout 10 in accordance
with the spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations
and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are
considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly
defined in the claims.
[0031] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the invention in any way.
* * * * *