U.S. patent application number 11/127838 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for container with flexible pour spout.
This patent application is currently assigned to Graphic Packaging International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Aaron Joseph Green.
Application Number | 20060255109 11/127838 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37418179 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060255109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Aaron Joseph |
November 16, 2006 |
Container with flexible pour spout
Abstract
A carton with a spout is erected from a blank having a flexible
patch attached thereto. The patch cooperates with a pivotable flap
of the blank to define the spout. The patch includes a central
portion and at least first and second appendages that extend
outwardly from the central portion. The central portion is attached
to the flap, the first appendage is attached to a first portion of
the blank, and the second appendage is attached to a second portion
of the blank.
Inventors: |
Green; Aaron Joseph;
(Oregon, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC
ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING 32ND FLOOR
P.O. BOX 7037
ATLANTA
GA
30357-0037
US
|
Assignee: |
Graphic Packaging International,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37418179 |
Appl. No.: |
11/127838 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/125.04 ;
229/215 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/742 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/125.04 ;
229/215 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72; B65D 43/00 20060101 B65D043/00 |
Claims
1. A container with a spout for dispensing goods from the
container's interior, comprising: at least one sidewall extending
at least partially around said container's interior; at least one
flap operative for pivoting relative to said sidewall between open
and closed configurations, with said flap being adjacent an opening
to said container's interior during the open configuration, and
said flap at least partially closing said opening during the closed
configuration; and at least one piece of material connected to both
said flap and said sidewall, with said piece of material being
operative for cooperating with said flap for at least partially
defining said spout, at least partially holding said flap in the
open configuration by restricting said flap from pivoting to more
than a predetermined angle relative to said sidewall in the open
configuration, and being at least partially automatically folded
while said flap is moved from the open configuration to the closed
configuration.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said piece of
material is fixedly attached to both said flap and said
sidewall.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said piece of
material is less rigid than said sidewall.
4. The container according to claim 1, wherein: said piece of
material at least primarily comprises a material selected from the
group consisting of a polymeric film and a textile, and said
sidewall at least primarily comprises paperboard.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein said piece of
material is attached to: an inner-facing surface of said flap, and
an inner-facing surface of said sidewall.
6. The container according to claim 1, wherein: said piece of
material includes a central portion and at least first and second
appendages, said first appendage is proximate a first side of said
central portion, and said second appendage is proximate a second
side of said central portion that is opposite from said first side
of said central portion.
7. The container according to claim 6, wherein while the carton is
in the open configuration, each of said first and second appendages
functions as a guide that at least spans between said flap and said
sidewall for assisting in guiding the goods through said spout.
8. The container according to claim 6, wherein: said piece of
material further includes a third appendage that is proximate a
third side of said central portion; said central portion is
attached to said flap; said first appendage is attached to a first
portion of said side wall; said second appendage is attached to a
second portion of said side wall, with said first and second
portions of said side wall being on opposite sides of said opening;
and said third appendage is attached to a third portion of said
sidewall that is below said opening.
9. The container according to claim 6, wherein while said spout is
in the closed configuration: at least a first fold is defined in
said first appendage, and at least a second fold is defined in said
second appendage.
10. The container according to claim 9, wherein: said first fold
includes portions of said first appendage being in at least
opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another, and
said second fold includes portions of said second appendage being
in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one
another.
11. The container according to claim 9, wherein while said spout is
in the closed configuration: at least a third fold is defined
between said first appendage and said central portion, and at least
a fourth fold is defined in said second appendage and said central
portion.
12. The container according to claim 11, wherein: said third fold
includes a portion of said first appendage and a portion of said
central portion being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation
with respect to one another, and said fourth fold includes a
portion of said second appendage and a portion of said central
portion being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with
respect to one another.
13. The container according to claim 9, wherein while said spout is
in the closed configuration: at least a third fold is defined in
said piece of material at least partially by said first appendage,
and at least a fourth fold is defined in said piece of material at
least partially by said second appendage.
14. The container according to claim 13, wherein: said first fold
comprises at least a crease in said piece of material; said second
fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material; said
third fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;
said fourth fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of
material; said crease of said first fold extends obliquely with
respect to said crease of said third fold while said spout is in
said closed configuration; said crease of said second fold extends
obliquely with respect to said crease of said fourth fold while
said spout is in said closed configuration; said crease of said
first fold and said crease of said second fold extend at least
generally convergently with respect to one another while said spout
is in said closed configuration; and said crease of said first fold
and said crease of said second fold extend at least generally
parallel with respect to one another while said spout is in said
closed configuration.
15. A carton with a spout, comprising: first and second ends that
are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction; and
a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the
carton's interior and includes, at least, first and second panels
that are spaced apart from one another and extend in the
longitudinal direction, and a third panel that extends in the
longitudinal direction and has edges respectively attached to edges
of said first and second panels, wherein said third panel includes
at least one flap defined by at least one fold line, and said flap
can be pivoted along said fold line to open an opening in said
third panel; and at least one piece of material that is flexible,
is positioned at least partially within the carton's interior, and
is attached to at least each of said flap, said first panel and
said second panel so that said piece of material cooperates with
said flap to at least partially define said spout.
16. The carton according to claim 15, wherein said piece of
material is less rigid than said first, second and third
panels.
17. The carton according to claim 15, wherein said piece of
material is constructed of a different type of material than said
plurality of panels.
18. The carton according to claim 15, wherein said piece of
material includes a central portion and at least first and second
appendages, wherein said first appendage is proximate a first side
of said central portion, said second appendage is proximate a
second side of said central portion that is opposite from said
first side of said central portion, said central portion is
attached to said flap, said first appendage is attached to said
first panel, and said second appendage is attached to said second
panel.
19. The carton according to claim 18, wherein: said central portion
is fixedly attached to said flap, a marginal portion of said first
appendage is fixedly attached to said first panel, and a marginal
portion of said second appendage is fixedly attached to said second
panel.
20. The carton according to claim 19, wherein said piece of
material further includes a third appendage that is proximate a
third side of said central portion of said piece of material, and
said third appendage is fixedly attached to said third panel at a
position that is below said flap.
21. The carton according to claim 18, wherein: at least a first
fold is defined in said first appendage, and at least a second fold
is defined in said second appendage.
22. The carton according to claim 21, wherein: said first fold
includes portions of said first appendage being in at least
opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another, and
said second fold includes portions of said second appendage being
in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one
another.
23. The carton according to claim 22, wherein: at least a third
fold is defined in said piece of material at least partially by
said first appendage; at least a fourth fold is defined said piece
of material at least partially by said second appendage; said first
fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material; said
second fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;
said third fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of
material; said fourth fold comprises at least a crease in said
piece of material; said crease of said first fold extends obliquely
with respect to said crease of said third fold; said crease of said
second fold extends obliquely with respect to said crease of said
fourth fold; said crease of said first fold and said crease of said
second fold extend at least generally convergently with respect to
one another; and said crease of said first fold and said crease of
said second fold extend at least generally parallel with respect to
one another.
24. An article for being erected into a carton with a spout, the
article comprising: a blank for at least partially forming the
carton after the article is erected, wherein said blank includes at
least one flap defined by at least one fold line, and said flap can
be pivoted along said fold line; and at least one piece of material
operative for cooperating with said flap and thereby at least
partially defining the spout after the article is erected, said
piece of material including a central portion and at least first
and second appendages, wherein said first appendage is proximate a
first side of said central portion, said second appendage is
proximate a second side of said central portion that is opposite
from said first side of said central portion, said central portion
is attached to said flap, said first appendage is attached to a
first portion of said blank, and said second appendage is attached
to a second portion of said blank, with said first and second
portions of said blank being on opposite sides of said flap.
25. The article according to claim 24, wherein: said first portion
of said blank comprises a first panel of said blank, whereby said
first appendage is attached to said first panel, said second
portion of said blank comprises a second panel of said blank,
whereby said second appendage is attached to said second panel,
said blank further includes a third panel, said flap is defined in
said third panel, said third panel is attached along a first fold
line to said first panel, said third panel is attached along a
second fold line to said second panel, and said piece of material
includes at least first and second creases that are respectively
proximate and at least about parallel to said first and second fold
lines.
26. The article according to claim 25, wherein said piece of
material further includes a third appendage that is proximate a
third side of said central portion of said piece of material, and
said third appendage is fixedly attached to said third panel at a
position that is adjacent said flap.
27. The article according to claim 24, wherein said piece of
material is less rigid than said blank.
28. The article according to claim 24, wherein: at least a first
fold is defined in said first appendage, and at least a second fold
is defined in said second appendage.
29. The article according to claim 28, wherein: said first fold
includes portions of said first appendage being in at least
opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another, and
said second fold includes portions of said second appendage being
in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one
another.
30. The article according to claim 28, wherein: at least a third
fold is defined in said piece of material at least partially by
said first appendage, and at least a fourth fold is defined said
piece of material at least partially by said second appendage.
31. The article according to claim 30, wherein: said first fold
comprises at least a crease in said piece of material; said second
fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material; said
third fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;
said fourth fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of
material; said crease of said first fold extends obliquely with
respect to said crease of said third fold; said crease of said
second fold extends obliquely with respect to said crease of said
fourth fold; said crease of said first fold and said crease of said
second fold extend at least generally convergently with respect to
one another; and said crease of said first fold and said crease of
said second fold extend at least generally parallel with respect to
one another.
32. A flexible patch that is separate from, and for being attached
to, a carton blank, the patch comprising: a central portion; a
first appendage that extends at least partially obliquely from a
first side of said central portion; a second appendage that extends
at least partially obliquely from a second side of said central
portion; and a third appendage that extends from a third side of
said central portion
33. The patch according to claim 32, wherein: an acute angle is
defined between said first appendage and said third appendage, and
an acute angle is defined between said second appendage and said
third appendage.
34. The patch according to claim 32, wherein: an acute angle is
defined between adjacent edges of said first appendage, and an
acute angle is defined between adjacent edges of said second
appendage.
35. The patch according to claim 32, wherein: the patch includes a
first plurality of fold lines that are at least proximate said
first appendage, and acute angles are respectively defined between
adjacent fold lines of said first plurality of fold lines, and the
patch includes second plurality of fold lines that are at least
proximate said second appendage, and acute angles are respectively
defined between adjacent fold lines of said second plurality of
fold lines.
36. The patch according to claim 32, wherein the patch includes a
plurality of folds, with each fold of the plurality of folds
defining at least an opposing face-to-face configuration in the
patch.
37. A method for at least folding a piece of material that is for
both being attached to a blank and at least partially defining a
spout in a carton erected from the blank, the method comprising:
providing a piece of material; forming at least a first fold in the
piece of material so that a first portion of the piece of material
is in at least opposing face-to-face-relation with at least part of
a second portion of the piece of material; and forming at least a
second fold in the piece of material so that the first portion of
the piece of material is in at least opposing face-to-face relation
with at least part of a third portion of the piece of material.
38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising: providing
a blank having at least first, second and third panels, with the
first panel being attached along a first fold line to the second
panel, the third panel being attached along a second fold line to
the first panel, and the first panel including a flap; and
attaching the piece of material to the blank, including attaching
the first portion of the piece of material to the flap while at
least the first and second folds are present, attaching the second
portion of the piece of material to the second panel while at least
the first and second folds are present, and attaching the third
portion of the piece of material to the third panel while at least
the first and second folds are present.
39. The method according to claim 38, further comprising erecting
the blank into a carton after the attaching of the piece of
material to the blank, wherein the erecting of the blank includes
folding along the first and second fold lines.
40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising pivoting
the flap outwardly form the carton, whereby the piece of material
and the flap cooperate to at least partially define the spout.
41. The method according to claim 37, further comprising: forming
at least a third fold in the piece of material so that at least
part of a fourth portion of the piece of material is in at least
opposing face-to-face-relation with the second portion of the piece
of material; and forming at least a fourth fold in the piece of
material so that at least part of a fifth portion of the piece of
material is in at least opposing face-to-face relation with the
third portion of the piece of material.
42. The method according to claim 41, further comprising: providing
a blank having at least first, second and third panels, with the
first panel being attached along a first fold line to the second
panel, the third panel being attached along a second fold line to
the first panel, and the first panel including a flap; and
attaching the piece of material to the blank, including attaching
the first portion of the piece of material to the flap, attaching a
margin of the fourth portion of the piece of material to the second
panel while at least the first and third folds are present, and
attaching a margin of the fifth portion of the piece of material to
the third panel while at least the second and fourth folds are
present.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to containers with
pour spouts.
[0002] It is conventional for cartons to include pour spouts made,
for example, of paperboard, metal or plastic, for use in dispensing
goods (e.g., cereal, candy or detergent) from the carton's
interior. Metal spouts can be relatively expensive, and often must
be installed after the associated cartons are erected, which can
complicate the process of erecting cartons and filling them with
goods. At least some paperboard and plastic spouts also present
challenges.
[0003] There is always a desire for containers and spouts that
provide a new balance of properties.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
container (e.g., a carton) with a spout can be erected from a blank
having a piece of material attached thereto. The blank can include
a flap defined by at least one fold line and at least one cut in
the blank, and the flap can be pivoted along the fold line. The
piece of material that is attached to the blank can be referred to,
for example and not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the
present invention, as a patch. The patch is for cooperating with
the flap and thereby at least partially defining the spout after
the carton is erected.
[0005] The patch can include a central portion and at least first
and second appendages that extend outwardly from the central
portion. The first appendage can be proximate a first side of the
central portion, and the second appendage can be proximate a second
side of the central portion. The central portion can be attached to
the flap, the first appendage can be attached to a first portion of
the blank, and the second appendage can be attached to a second
portion of the blank, with the first and second portions of the
blank being on opposite sides of the flap. Optionally, a third
appendage extends from the central portion of the flap and is
attached to the blank at a position below the flap.
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
patch is folded prior to being attached to the blank, and the patch
is attached to the blank while the patch is in its folded
configuration. After the carton with the spout is erected, the flap
can be pivoted outwardly from the carton, with the result being
that the patch and the flap cooperate to at least partially define
the spout. Typically, the patch at least partially automatically
unfolds each time the spout is opened, and the patch at least
partially automatically folds each time the spout is closed.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
patch includes multiple folds. One, two, three or four folds, or a
different number of these folds, can each define an opposing
face-to-face configuration in the patch, and optionally each of
these one or more opposing face-to-face configurations can be
opposing face-to-face contacts.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
patch's first and second appendages are operative for at least
partially holding the flap in the open configuration by restricting
the flap from pivoting to more than a predetermined angle relative
to the carton. In addition, the first and second appendages can
function as guides that span rearward from the flap for guiding
goods passing through the spout.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
carton includes first and second panels that are spaced apart from
one another, and a third panel that has edges respectively attached
to edges of the first and second panels. The third panel can
include the flap. The patch's central portion can be attached to
the inner-facing surface of the flap, the patch's first appendage
can be attached to the inner-facing surface of the first panel, and
the patch's second appendage can be attached to the inner-facing
surface of the second panel.
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the patch
is less rigid than the blank.
[0011] In one example, the patch can be a polymeric film and/or a
textile, or the like, and the blank can be paperboard, or the
like.
[0012] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Having described some aspects of the invention in general
terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are illustrative of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention and are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic, pictorial view of a carton with a
pour spout in a closed configuration;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a portion of the carton with
the spout in an open configuration;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a portion of the carton from
within the carton, with the spout in the closed configuration;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic, isolated plan view of a patch that is
part of the spout, with the patch in a flat and unfolded
configuration;
[0018] FIG. 5 is like FIG. 4, except that a first pair of folds has
been made in the patch;
[0019] FIG. 6 is like FIG. 5, except that a second pair of folds
has been made in the patch;
[0020] FIG. 7 is like FIG. 6, except that the patch has been turned
over, and targets for an adhesive substance are schematically shown
by broken lines;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a blank for forming the
carton;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the blank
with the patch mounted thereto; and
[0023] FIG. 10 is an isolated plan view of the patch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, in which
like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, a
container, which can more specifically be referred to as a carton,
of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designated
by the numeral 10. As best understood with reference to FIG. 1, the
carton 10 includes top and bottom ends 12, 14 that are spaced apart
from one another in a longitudinal direction. A sidewall extends
longitudinally between the top and bottom ends 12, 14. The sidewall
can be in the form of a front panel 16, right side panel 18, left
side panel 20 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 8) and rear panel 22 (FIG. 8) that
are respectively connected to one another at their side edges so
that they collectively extend around the carton's interior. In
accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the carton 10 is in the form of a box, namely a rectangular
parallelepiped, while its pour spout 24 is closed. Accordingly, for
each of the panels 16, 18, 20, 22, the panel is at least generally
planer, and typically substantially planar. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the spout 24 of the present invention can be
incorporated into a wide variety of different types and shapes of
containers.
[0025] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the pour spout 24 is in the front panel 16 of the carton
10. For example, the spout 24 can be used for allowing goods (not
shown), such as food products, detergent, or any other type of
goods that are conventionally contained in cartons with pour
spouts, to be dispensed from the carton 10 via the spout. The spout
24 is in a closed configuration in FIGS. 1 and 3, and in an open
configuration in FIG. 2. In accordance with the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, the spout 24 includes a flap
26 and a piece of flexible material; the piece of flexible material
can be referred to as a patch 28. For the exemplary embodiment,
portions of the patch 28 are respectively fixedly attached to
inner-facing surfaces of the front, right and left side panels 16,
18, 20 and the flap 26, as will be discussed in greater detail
below.
[0026] Some of the features of the carton 10 in its initial closed
configuration will be described in the following, primarily with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, and in accordance with the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. Dashed lines are included in
FIG. 1 to schematically illustrate some of the features of the
carton 10 that would otherwise be hidden from view in FIG. 1. As
schematically illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 1, after being
initially closed, the carton's top and bottom ends 12, 14 typically
remain closed by respective overlapping, fastened (e.g., adhered)
together arrangements of upper and lower flaps 30, 32. The flaps
30, 32 are respectively connected to the upper and lower edges of
the panels 16, 18, 20, 22. The carton's top and bottom ends 12, 14
can be closed in any conventional manner, and optionally they can
be opened and closed after being initially closed. Also shown in
dashed lines in FIG. 1 is an attachment panel 34. The attachment
panel 34 is hingedly attached to the right side panel 18, and it is
fastened to a margin of the inner-facing surface of the rear panel
22, as will be discussed in greater detail below. FIG. 1 can be
characterized as a right side, front, top perspective view of the
carton 10. Disregarding the dashed lines and upper flaps 30, a
generally corresponding left side, front, top perspective view of
the carton is a mirror image of FIG. 1.
[0027] As best understood with reference to FIG. 1, in the initial
closed configuration, the flap 26 of the spout 24 is defined by
(e.g., bounded by) a pair of tear lines 36 that respectively extend
between a cut line 38 and a fold line 40. In addition, a fold line
42 extends between intermediate portions of the cut line 38 to
define a pull-tab 44 for being grasped by a user for opening the
spout 24, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
[0028] For ease of understanding and consistency with FIG. 3, in
FIGS. 4-6 the patch is being viewed "as if from within the carton
10". As best understood with reference to FIG. 4, the patch 28
includes what can be designated (e.g., generally with reference to
the opened spout as illustrated in FIG. 2) forward, intermediate
and rear right fold lines 46, 48, 50; and forward, intermediate and
rear left fold lines 52, 54, 56. The patch 28 also includes a lower
fold line 58. With the patch 28 in the flat configuration
illustrated in FIG. 4, the forward right and left fold lines 46, 52
can be characterized as extending in a longitudinal direction, and
the lower fold line 58 can be characterized as extending the a
lateral direction. Therefore, the intermediate and inner right fold
lines 48, 50, as well as the intermediate and inner left fold lines
54, 56, can be characterized as extending obliquely with respect to
the longitudinal and lateral directions.
[0029] With continued reference to FIG. 4, the patch 28 includes
right and left appendages 60, 62 that respectively extend from a
central portion 64 of the patch at the forward right and left fold
lines 46, 52. There is also a lower appendage 66 that extends from
the patch's central portion 64 at the lower fold line 58.
Optionally, the lower appendage 66 can be omitted. The right
intermediate and rear fold lines 48, 50 segregate the right
appendage 60 into what can be designated (e.g., generally with
reference to the opened spout 24) as being forward, intermediate
and rearward right portions 68, 70, 72. Similarly, the left
intermediate and rear fold lines 54, 56 segregate the left
appendage 62 into forward, intermediate and rearward left portions
74, 78, 80.
[0030] As best understood primarily with reference to FIG. 3 and as
will be discussed in greater detail below, the patch 28 is folded
and attached so that: the central portion 64 is fixedly attached to
the inward-facing surface of the flap 26; the central portion 64
and the forward right portion 68 are in an overlapping
configuration, or more specifically an opposing face-to-face
configuration, with respect to one another; the forward right
portion 68 and the intermediate right portion 70 are in an
overlapping configuration, or more specifically an opposing
face-to-face configuration, with respect to one another; the
rearward right portion 72 is fixedly attached to a margin of the
inward-facing surface of the right side panel 18; the central
portion 64 and the forward left portion 74 are in an overlapping
configuration, or more specifically an opposing face-to-face
configuration, with respect to one another; the forward left
portion 74 and the intermediate left portion 78 are in an
overlapping configuration, or more specifically an opposing
face-to-face configuration, with respect to one another; the
rearward left portion 80 is fixedly attached to a margin of the
inward-facing surface of the left side panel 20; and the lower
appendage 66 is fixedly attached to the inward-facing surface of
the front panel 16. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, each of the above-described opposing
face-to-face configurations typically will at least initially be an
opposing face-to-face contact.
[0031] An acceptable method for opening the spout 24 as well as
some of the features of the carton 10 while the spout is in its
open configuration will be described in the following, with
reference to FIG. 2 and in accordance with the exemplary
embodiment. Whereas FIG. 2 can be characterized as a right side,
front perspective view of a portion of the carton 10 with the spout
24 in the open configuration, a generally corresponding left side,
front perspective view is a mirror image of FIG. 2. As illustrated
in FIG. 1, tearing has not yet occurred along the spout-defining
tear lines 36. A user can transition the spout 24 from the closed
configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 to the open
configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 by grasping the spout's
pull-tab 44 and pivoting it away from the front panel 16. As a
result, tearing occurs along the spout-defining tear lines 36 and
the spout 24 pivots outwardly, with this pivoting being about the
fold line 40.
[0032] This pivoting of the spout 24 can continue until the spout's
flap 26 defines a predetermined angle (e.g., an oblique angle and
more specifically an acute angle) with respect to the front panel
16, at which time the patch 28 functions to arrest the pivoting.
That is, during this pivoting, the right and left appendages 60, 62
can unfold respectively at the intermediate right and left fold
lines 48, 54 until the forward and intermediate right portions 68,
70 become substantially coplanar and/or the forward and
intermediate left portions 74, 78 become substantially coplanar.
Typically, the forward and intermediate right portions 68, 70 will
become substantially coplanar at about the same time as the forward
and intermediate left portions 74, 78 become substantially
coplanar. Not only do the substantially coplanar forward and
intermediate right portions 68, 70 control how far the spout 24 can
open, they also function as a guide that spans between the flap 26
and the right panel 18 for assisting in guiding the goods (from the
container's interior) through the spout. Similarly, the
substantially coplanar forward and intermediate left portions 74,
78 function as a guide that spans between the flap 26 and the left
panel 20 for assisting in guiding the goods through the spout.
[0033] Once the spout-defining tear lines 36 are torn, they
typically remain torn and can be generally characterized as cut
lines. Otherwise, the spout 24 can be transitioned from the open
configuration to the closed configuration by generally reversing
the above-described procedure for opening the spout. More
specifically and for example, with the spout 24 in the open
configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, a user can push the flap 26
toward the front panel 16 so that the flap pivots about the fold
line 40 and the flap 26 becomes coplanar with the front panel 16.
During this process, and in accordance with the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, the patch 28 will
automatically transition from the configuration illustrated in FIG.
2 (e.g., a generally or substantially unfolded configuration) to
the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 (e.g., a folded
configuration). Typically, the side and upper edges of the flap 26
frictionally engage the adjacent edges of the front panel 16 after
the spout 24 is returned to the closed configuration, and this
frictional engagement releasably holds the flap in its closed
configuration.
[0034] FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 9 are illustrative of folds in the patch
28 being at least generally "pressed and smooth", so that folds of
the patch that define opposing face-to-face configurations in the
patch more specifically respectively define opposing face-to-face
contacts in the patch, as discussed above and below. Such "pressed
and smooth" folds in the patch 28 can result from initial folding
of the patch, as discussed below, and/or because blanks 84 (FIGS. 8
and 9) with patches 28 attached thereto can be provided in stacks,
with the weight of the stack causing the folds to be "pressed and
smooth". On the other hand, the folds in the patch 28 are not
required to be "pressed and smooth", and in some situations they
will not necessarily be "pressed and smooth". For example, it is
possible in some situations where a spout 24 is opened and closed
many times that, over time, the folds in the patch 28 will become
less "pressed and smooth" (e.g., over time the folds will tend to
define less face-to-face contact). Indeed, and in accordance with
an alternative embodiment of the present invention, at least some
of the folds in the patch 28 are "loose" such that they do not
include fold lines or even creases, although such folds would
likely be characterized by the patch at least partially overlapping
itself.
[0035] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the carton 10 can be erected from a blank 84 that has
the patch 28 attached thereto, with the patch 28 being in a folded
configuration. An acceptable method for folding the patch 28 as
well as some of the features of the patch 28 will be described in
the following, with reference to FIGS. 4-7.
[0036] As best understood with reference to FIG. 4, the periphery
of the patch 28 defines numerous oblique angles with respect to the
longitudinal and lateral directions. More specifically, each of the
angles A1 illustrated in FIG. 4 is an acute angle of about 45
degrees, and each of the angles A2 illustrated in FIG. 4 is an
acute angle of about 22.5 degrees.
[0037] Before folding the patch 28, it is in the flat configuration
illustrated in FIG. 4. As best understood with reference to FIG. 5,
the right appendage 60 is folded forward through 180 degrees along
the forward right fold line 44 so that the right appendage 60 and
the central portion 64 are in opposing face-to-face-relation with
respect to one another. Then, the left appendage 62 is folded
forward through 180 degrees along the forward left fold line 52 so
that the right appendage 60 and the central portion 64 are in
opposing face-to-face-relation with respect to one another. The
portion of the right appendage 60 that is hidden from view in FIG.
5 is illustrated by dashed lines.
[0038] Thereafter, and as best understood with reference to FIG. 6,
the intermediate left portion 78 is folded rearward through 180
degrees along the intermediate left fold line 54 so that the
intermediate left portion 78 and the forward left portion 74 are in
opposing face-to-face-relation with respect to one another.
Similarly, the intermediate right portion 70 is folded rearward
through 180 degrees along the intermediate right fold line 48 so
that the intermediate right portion 70 and the forward right
portion 68 are in opposing face-to-face-relation with respect to
one another. The order in which the above-described folds are
formed can be varied, and each of the above-described opposing
face-to-face configurations typically will be opposing face-to-face
contacts. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the intermediate right and
left fold lines 48, 54 each extend obliquely (with respect to the
other fold lines of the carton 10 and patch 28) and convergently
with respect to one another.
[0039] FIG. 7 is identical to FIG. 6, except that the patch 28 has
been turned over, and areas 82 where an adhesive substance
typically is applied to the patch, for attaching the patch to the
blank 84, are schematically illustrated by broken lines.
[0040] The blank 84 from which the carton 10 can be formed, an
acceptable method for attaching the patch 28 to the blank, and an
acceptable method for erecting the blank are described in the
following, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. As best understood with reference to FIG. 8, the
panels 16, 18, 20, 22 are respectively connected by longitudinal
fold lines 86, 88, 90. The attachment panel 34 is connected to the
right side panel 18 by a longitudinal fold line 92. The upper flaps
30 are respectively connected to the upper edges of the panels 16,
18, 20, 22 by lateral fold lines 94, 96, 98, 100. The lower flaps
32 are respectively connected to the lower edges of the panels 16,
18, 20, 22 by lateral fold lines 102, 104, 106, 108.
[0041] Areas 110 where an adhesive substance is typically applied
to the blank 84, for attaching the patch 28 to the blank 84, are
schematically illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 8. The patch 28
is attached to the blank 84 (while the patch is in the folded
configuration illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7) by respectively mating
together the patch's areas 82 for adhering and the blank's areas
110 for adhering, with there being an adhesive substance, or the
like, respectively at the areas 82, 100. FIG. 9 illustrates the
patch 28 attached (e.g., adhered) to the blank 84 while the blank
is flat. Other means for attaching the patch 28 to the blank 84 are
also within the scope of the present invention.
[0042] After the patch 28 is mounted to the blank 84 as described
immediately above, the carton 10 is erected by folding along the
longitudinal fold lines 86, 88, 90, 92 so that the patch 28 and the
attachment panel 34 are positioned within the carton's interior.
More specifically in this configuration, the attachment panel 34 is
securely fastened to a marginal portion of the inner-facing side of
the rear panel 22 to secure the carton 10 in its erected
configuration. Alternatively, any conventional means can be used to
hold the carton 10 in its erected configuration. The carton's top
end 12 is formed by folding the upper flaps 30 inwardly and
respectively fastening them. Similarly, the carton's bottom end 14
is formed by folding the lower flaps 32 inwardly and respectively
fastening them. Throughout this Detailed Description section of
this disclosure, the fastening and attaching can be via adhering,
such as with an adhesive substance such as glue or rubber cement,
or any other adhesive substance that is suitable. Alternatively or
in addition, the fastening and attaching can be via any other
conventional means.
[0043] As best understood with reference to FIG. 9 and in
accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the patch's rear right and left fold lines 50, 56 are respectively
aligned with the blank's longitudinal fold lines 86, 88, after the
patch 28 is fastened to the blank 84. Therefore, the folding along
the longitudinal fold lines 86, 88 (e.g., during the erecting of
the carton 10) simultaneously causes corresponding folding of the
patch 28 along the patch's rear right and left fold lines 50, 56.
Automatically as a result of the carton 10 being fully erected, the
patch's rearward right and left portions 72, 80 extend
perpendicular to the front and rear panels 16, 22. Accordingly, the
patch's rearward right and left portions 72, 80 extend
perpendicular to patch's central portion 64 and the spout's flap 26
while the spout 24 is closed and the carton 10 is fully
erected.
[0044] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a fold line can be any at least somewhat line-like
arranged, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that
facilitates folding therealong; and a tear line can be any at least
somewhat line-like arranged, although not necessarily straight,
form of weakening that facilitates tearing therealong. More
specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the
present invention, conventional fold lines include: a crease, such
as formed by folding; a score line, such as formed with a blunt
scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the
material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends
partially into the material along the desired line of weakness,
and/or a series of spaced apart cuts that extend partially into
and/or completely through the material along the desired line of
weakness; or various combinations of these features. More
specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the
present invention, conventional tear lines include: a cut that
extends partially into the material along the desired line of
weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart cuts that extend
partially into and/or completely through the material along the
desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these
features.
[0045] As a more specific example, one type of conventional tear
line is in the form of a series of spaced apart cuts that extend
completely through the material, with adjacent cuts being spaced
apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like
piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent cuts for
typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line.
The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks
typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and
alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line
such that the tear line is a continuous cut line.
[0046] In situations where cutting is used to provide a fold line,
typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that
might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line
to be a tear line. In contrast, where nicks are present in a cut
line (e.g., tear line), typically the nicks will not be overly
large or overly numerous in a manner that might cause a reasonable
user to incorrectly consider the subject line to be a fold
line.
[0047] In accordance with one specific version of the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, all of the fold lines in the
blank 84 are score lines. On the other hand, for all of the fold
lines in the patch 28, they are not necessarily formed in advance
of the initial folding of the patch, such that each of the fold
lines in the patch is merely a crease line resulting from the
initial and any subsequent folding therealong. Nonetheless, a
crease line can be characterized as a fold line, since a crease
line is a line of weakening that at least partially facilitates a
subsequent folding therealong. On the other hand and in accordance
with one specific version of the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention that is illustrated in FIG. 10, each of the fold
lines 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 is in the form of a relatively short,
single slit that extends completely through the patch 28, whereas
the lower fold line 58 is in the form of two relatively short,
single slits that extends completely through the patch 28.
Reiterating from above, and in accordance with an alternative
embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the folds in
the patch 28 can be "loose" such that they do not include fold
lines or even creases, although such folds would typically be
characterized by the patch at least partially overlapping
itself.
[0048] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the blank 84 is constructed of paperboard, or the like,
and the paperboard can optionally have one or more other materials
coated or laminated thereon. For example, paperboard typically
weighs at least about 100 pounds per ream, with each sheet of
paperboard typically being at least about 0.012 inches thick, so
that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank 84
can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or
any other material having properties suitable for enabling the
carton to function at least generally as described above.
[0049] For example, one or both sides of the blank 84 can be coated
with a clay coating, or the like. The clay coating can be printed
over with product, advertising, and other information or images.
The blank 84 may then be coated with a varnish or other protective
coating to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank
84 may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer,
on either or both sides of the blanks. Other coating and laminating
upon the blank 84 is also within the scope of the present
invention.
[0050] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, and optionally disregarding tear, cut and fold lines,
the patch 28 is more flexible than the blank 84. Also in accordance
with the exemplary embodiment, the patch 28 is thinner than the
blank 84. For example, an acceptable patch 28 can be cut from a
piece of polymeric film or textile material (e.g., a woven or
nonwoven fabric), or the like. According to the exemplary
embodiment, the patch 28 is cut from a continuous piece of material
so that the patch is a continuous piece of material (e.g., it is
unitary). As one specific example, the patch 28 can be made of a
spunbonded olefin type nonwoven fabric, or the like. A suitable
spunbonded olefin type nonwoven fabric is Tyvek brand fabric that
is available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, of
Wilmington, Del.
[0051] The directional references, for example "top", "front",
"left side" and "longitudinal", referred to in this Detailed
Description section are used for ease of understanding rather than
for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention.
For example and alternatively, the front panel 16 can be referred
to as the rear panel or a side panel, and the other directional
references can also be modified and/or exchanged.
[0052] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while
the present invention has been discussed above with reference to
exemplary embodiments, various additions, modifications and changes
can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *