U.S. patent application number 11/609378 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for carton having a pivotable dispenser.
Invention is credited to Edward W. Jones.
Application Number | 20070131752 11/609378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37857090 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070131752 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Edward W. |
June 14, 2007 |
Carton Having a Pivotable Dispenser
Abstract
A carton includes a spout dispenser formed in a top panel of the
carton. The spout dispenser is formed from a spout section of a
side top flap adhered to an end top flap. Pivoting the spout
section away from the top panel causes part of the end top flap to
be pulled through an aperture through which product can be
dispensed.
Inventors: |
Jones; Edward W.; (Marietta,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC
ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING 32ND FLOOR
P.O. BOX 7037
ATLANTA
GA
30357-0037
US
|
Family ID: |
37857090 |
Appl. No.: |
11/609378 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60749889 |
Dec 12, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/215 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/742 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/215 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72 |
Claims
1. A carton, comprising: a first side panel; a first end panel; a
second side panel; a second end panel; a bottom panel; and a top
panel comprising: a first end top flap; a first side top flap
overlying the first end top flap; and a second side top flap
overlying the first side top flap, wherein a plurality of lines of
disruption in the second side top flap define in part a pivotable
dispenser in the top panel.
2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the first end top flap is adhered
to an underside of the second side top flap through an aperture in
the first side top flap.
3. The carton of claim 2, wherein a plurality of lines of
disruption in the first end top flap define in part the pivotable
dispenser.
4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the plurality of lines of
disruption in the second side top flap define a spout section
having a central spout portion.
5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the plurality of lines of
disruption in the second side top flap further define a first wing
portion extending from a first side of the central spout portion
and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the
central spout portion.
6. The carton of claim 4, wherein the plurality of lines of
disruption in the first end top flap define a central portion in
the first end top flap, the central portion of the first end top
flap being adhered to an underside of the central spout
portion.
7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the plurality of lines of
disruption in the first end top flap further define a base portion,
the base portion being pivotably connected to the central
portion.
8. The carton of claim 7, wherein the plurality of lines of
disruption in the first end top flap define a first wing portion
extending from a first side of the central portion and a second
wing portion extending from a second side of the central
portion.
9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the aperture in the first side
top flap defines a first shoulder and a second shoulder, the first
shoulder overlying the first wing portion in the first end top
flap, and the second shoulder overlying the second wing portion in
the first end top flap.
10. The carton of claim 4, wherein the plurality of lines of
disruption in the second side top flap comprises breachable lines
of disruption that in part define a perimeter of the spout section
so that the dispenser is pivotable away from the top panel.
11. The carton of claim 2, wherein the carton is substantially
parallelepipedal.
12. The carton of claim 2, wherein the bottom panel comprises a
plurality of bottom flaps.
13. A blank, comprising: a first side panel; a first end panel; a
second side panel; a second end panel; a first side top flap
foldably connected to the first side panel and having an aperture
formed therein; a first end top flap foldably connected to the
first end panel and having a first plurality of lines of disruption
formed therein; a second side top flap foldably connected to the
second side panel and having a second plurality of lines of
disruption formed therein; and at least one bottom flap extending
along a bottom marginal area of the blank.
14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the second plurality of lines of
disruption in the second side top flap defines a central spout
portion.
15. The blank of claim 14, wherein the second plurality of lines of
disruption in the second side top flap further defines a first wing
portion extending from a first side of the central spout portion
and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the
central spout portion.
16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of lines of
disruption defines a central portion and a base portion, the base
portion being pivotably connected to the central portion.
17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the first plurality of lines of
disruption further defines a first wing portion extending from a
first side of the central portion and a second wing portion
extending from a second side of the central portion.
18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the aperture in the first side
top flap defines a first shoulder and a second shoulder.
19. The blank of claim 15, wherein the second plurality of lines of
disruption comprises a transverse fold line at a first end of the
central spout portion, and defines an access flap at a second end
of the central spout portion.
20. A carton constructed from the blank of claim 13.
21. A method of dispensing product from a carton, comprising:
providing a carton with dispensable product contained therein, the
carton comprising: a first side panel; a first end panel; a second
side panel; a second end panel; a bottom panel; and a top panel
comprising: a first end top flap having a first plurality of lines
of disruption formed therein; a first side top flap overlying the
first end top flap, the first side top flap having an aperture
formed therein; and a second side top flap overlying the first side
top flap and having a second plurality of lines of disruption
formed therein, the second plurality of lines of disruption
defining a spout section in the second side top flap; breaching the
second plurality of lines of disruption; pivoting the spout section
away from a remainder of the top panel, wherein pivoting the spout
section pulls at least a portion of the first end top flap through
the aperture in the first side top flap; and dispensing product
through the aperture in the first side top flap.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein sides of the first end top flap
engage interior edges of the aperture as the spout section is
pivoted.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first end top flap is
adhered to the spout section through the aperture in the first side
top flap.
24. A substantially parallelepipedal carton, comprising: a first
side panel; a first end panel; a second side panel; a second end
panel; a bottom panel; and a top panel comprising: a first end top
flap; a first side top flap; and a second side top flap, wherein a
dispenser is defined in the top panel by a plurality of lines of
disruption in the top panel, the dispenser consisting essentially
of portions of the first end top flap, the first side top flap, the
second side top flap, and adhesive securing two or more of the
flaps together.
25. The carton of claim 24, wherein the first side top flap
overlies the first end top flap.
26. The carton of claim 25, wherein the second side top flap
overlies the first side top flap.
27. The carton of claim 26, wherein the first end top flap is
adhered to an underside of the second side top flap through an
aperture in the first side top flap.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Dispensing cartons are known. Such cartons typically have a
top panel formed from flaps that are separable to open the top of
the carton. The contents of the carton can then be dispensed from
the open carton top. Such cartons, however, typically are not
easily closed once opened, and may not provide for easy dispensing
of the carton contents. One solution to this problem is to include
a pivotable dispenser that can be opened for dispensing the carton
contents and then closed for storage. Conventional pivotable
dispensers, however, may be difficult to open and/or to place in a
dispensing configuration. Many conventional dispensers also require
a metal or plastic insert spout piece to form the dispensing
portion of the carton, which may increase costs and/or complexity
of manufacture.
SUMMARY
[0002] According to a first aspect of the invention, a carton
comprises a first side panel, a first end panel, a second side
panel, a second end panel, a bottom panel and a top panel. The top
panel comprises a first end top flap, a first side top flap
overlying the first end top flap and having an aperture formed
therein, and a second side top flap overlying the first side top
flap. The first end top flap is adhered to the underside of the
second side top flap through the aperture in the first side top
flap. A plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top
flap define in part a pivotable dispenser in the top panel.
[0003] The pivotable dispenser may be placed in a dispensing
configuration by breaching the plurality of lines of disruption in
the second side top flap and pulling the dispenser open. An access
flap can be defined in the dispenser to allow a user to insert a
finger into the top panel and thereby access the dispenser.
Accessing and opening the dispenser can be performed using a
relatively simple motion.
[0004] According to a second aspect of the invention, the first end
top flap can include a spout section having wing portions. The wing
portions can engage inside edges of the aperture in the first side
top flap to secure the dispenser in the dispensing configuration.
Locking cuts may be formed in the top panel in which the wing
portions can be removably engaged to further secure the dispenser
in the dispensing configuration. The dispenser can be closed by
pressing the dispenser back into the top panel.
[0005] According to a third aspect of the invention, the spout
dispenser can be formed from the top flaps of the carton such that
no additional inserts or pieces etc. are required.
[0006] Other aspects, features, and details of the present
invention can be more completely understood by reference to the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
drawings and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0007] According to common practice, the various features of the
drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be
expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of
the invention.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first side of a blank used to
form a carton having a pivotable spout dispenser according to a
first embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially erected
carton.
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the erected
carton.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view of the spout
dispenser.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates the spout dispenser being opened.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates the spout dispenser being opened.
[0014] FIG. 7 is an end view of the carton with the spout dispenser
opened and in a dispensing configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention generally relates to dispensing or
pour features for cartons. The present invention can be used, for
example, in cartons that contain articles or other products such
as, for example, food and beverages. The articles can also include
particulate products such as, for example, rice, beans, sugar, and
other pourable dry products. In this specification, the relative
terms "bottom," "side," "end," and "top" may indicate orientations
determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank 8 used to form a carton 190
having a pivotable spout dispenser 160 (illustrated in FIGS. 3A and
3B) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The blank 8
comprises a first side panel 10, a first end panel 20 connected to
the first side panel 10 at a first transverse fold line 21, a
second side panel 30 foldably connected to the first end panel 20
at a second transverse fold line 31, and a second end panel 40
foldably connected to the second side panel 30 at a third
transverse fold line 41. An adhesive panel 50 may be foldably
connected to the first side panel 10 at a fourth transverse fold
line 51.
[0017] The first side panel 10 is foldably connected to a first
side top flap 12 and a first side bottom flap 14. The first end
panel 20 is foldably connected to a first end top flap 22 and a
first end bottom flap 24. The second side panel 30 is foldably
connected to a second side top flap 32 and a second side bottom
flap 34. The second end panel 40 is foldably connected to a second
end top flap 42 and a second end bottom flap 44. The top flaps 12,
22, 32, 42 extend along a first or top marginal portion of the
blank 8, and may be foldably connected along a first longitudinal
fold line 62. The bottom flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 extend along a second
or bottom marginal portion of the blank 8, and may be foldably
connected along a second longitudinal fold line 64. The
longitudinal fold lines 62, 64 may be straight fold lines, or may
be offset at one or more locations to account for, for example,
blank thickness. When the carton 190 is erected, the top flaps 12,
22, 32, 42 close a first or top opening of the carton 190, and the
bottom flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 close a second or bottom opening of the
carton 190.
[0018] A spout dispenser pattern 100 is formed in the blank 8.
According to an aspect of the invention, the spout dispenser
pattern 100 includes lines of disruption formed in the first side
top flap 12, the first end top flap 22, and the second side top
flap 32. The spout dispenser pattern 100 defines the pivotable
spout dispenser 160 in the erected carton 190 (FIGS. 3A and
3B).
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the spout dispenser pattern 100
includes an aperture 110 formed from a plurality of lines of
disruption in the first side top flap 12. The aperture 100 is
defined by spaced side cut lines 112, an end cut line 114, and an
arcuate end cut line 116. The cut lines 112 define shoulders 118 on
either side of the aperture 110. The cut lines 112, 114, 116 of the
exemplary embodiment define the opening or aperture 110 in the
first side top flap 12. Alternatively, the lines 112, 114, 116
could be breachable lines of disruption (e.g. tear lines) in the
flap 12 defining a knockout panel (not illustrated). The knockout
panel could be removed during erection of the blank 8 or during use
of the carton 190.
[0020] In the first top end flap 22, a pair of dogleg-shaped
cut-crease lines 128 (e.g., fold lines) extend from a distal end of
the flap 22 to the first longitudinal fold line 62. A
longitudinally extending cut-crease fold line 130 extends through a
medial portion of the first top end flap 22 and across the
cut-crease lines 128. The lines 128, 130 define a central portion
120, first and second wing portions 122, and a base 124 in the
first end top flap 22. The central portion 120 is foldably
connected to the base 124 at the fold line 130. At the first end
top flap 22, the longitudinal fold line 62 can include a cut-crease
section 132.
[0021] In the second side top flap 32, a spout section 138 is
defined by a plurality of lines of disruption. The spout section
138 includes a central spout portion 140 and first and second wing
portions 142 defined by dogleg-shaped interior side cut-crease
lines 148 (e.g., fold lines), spaced exterior side cut-space lines
149 (e.g., tear lines), and a laterally extending end fold line
152. An access flap 144 is defined by an arcuate cut-space line 145
(e.g., tear line) connecting the side cut-space lines 149 and a
lateral fold line 150. Oblique locking cuts 154 extend outwardly
from the exterior side cut-space lines 149.
[0022] The lines 128, 130, 148 may be formed from, for example,
cut-crease lines having 100% cuts (i.e., cuts that extend through
the entire blank) in FIG. 1, or partial cuts may also be used.
Cut-space lines, for example, may also be used to form the lines
128, 130, 148. The lines 145, 149 are breachable lines of
disruption that may be, for example, cut-space lines having 100%
cuts or partial cuts. Cut-crease lines, for example, may also be
used to form the lines 145, 149.
[0023] An exemplary process of erecting the carton 190 will be
discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 1,
adhesive may be applied to the exterior side of the adhesive panel
50 and/or to the interior side of the second end flap 40. The blank
8 is folded about the transverse fold lines 21 and 41 to bring the
exterior side of the adhesive flap 50 into contact with the
interior or underside of the second end panel 40. The panels 40, 50
are thereby adhered together. The resulting article is then
"opened" to have a generally closed tubular structure.
[0024] In order to close the top of the carton, adhesive is applied
to the exterior side of the first end top flap 22 between the
dogleg shaped cut-crease lines 128 and/or to the interior or
underside of the spout section 138 of the second side top flap 32,
between the dogleg shaped interior side cut-crease lines 148.
Adhesive may also be applied to the underside of part of or the
entirety of the exterior side of the first side top flap 12 except
in the area of the shoulders 118. Alternatively or in addition to
adhesive applied to the first side top flap 12, adhesive may be
applied to the entirety of or part of the underside of the second
side top flap 32 outside of the area defined by the lines 145, 149,
152, and so that the shoulders 118 are not adhered to the second
side top flap 32. Adhesive may be applied to the entirety of or
part of the upper surface of the second end top flap 42.
[0025] The top flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 may be closed by folding the
first and second end top flaps 22, 42 down as shown in FIG. 2. The
first side top flap 12 is then folded over onto the end top flaps
22, 42 so that the side flap 12 overlies the end flaps 22, 42. The
first side top flap 12 may be adhered to the second end top flap 42
at any desired location or locations. The underside of the first
side top flap 12 may be adhered to the upper side of the first end
top flap 22 in the area of the base 124.
[0026] The second side top flap 32 is folded over the first side
top flap 12 so that the flap 32 overlies the flap 12. The underside
of the second side top flap 32 may be adhered to the exterior or
upper side of the first side top flap 12 in areas outside of the
spout section 138. The upper or exterior side of the central
portion 120 may be adhered to the underside of the central spout
portion 140 of the second side top flap 32 through the aperture
110.
[0027] The bottom flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 may then be folded and
adhered together to close the bottom of the carton. The resultant
carton 190 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Dispensable product
may be loaded into the carton 190 before closing both ends of the
carton. If the contents of the carton 190 are to be held within a
bag or other vessel, the bag (not shown) may be inserted into the
partially closed carton before closing both ends of the carton.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the top flaps 12, 22, 32, 42
are adhered together to form a top panel 170, and the bottom flaps
14, 24, 34, 44 are adhered together to form a bottom panel 180. The
dispenser pattern 100 (illustrated in FIG. 1) in the top flaps 12,
22, 32 defines a pivotably (e.g., hingedly or foldably) attached
spout dispenser 160 in the top panel 170. FIG. 4 is a top plan view
of a portion of the top panel 170 illustrating the pivotable
dispenser 160 in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the dispenser 160 can
be formed entirely from the top flaps 12, 22, 32 comprising the top
panel 170.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the shape of the central portion 120
in the first end top flap 22 generally corresponds to the shape of
the central spout portion 140 of the spout section 138, and the
upper surface of the central portion 120 is adhered to the
underside of the central spout portion 140 through the aperture 110
in the first end top flap 12. The wings 122 of the first end top
flap 22 may remain unadhered to any other part of the carton
190.
[0030] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an exemplary process of opening of the
dispenser 160. Referring to FIG. 5, a user inserts a finger, tool
or other object into the top panel 170 at the access flap 144. The
top panel 170 tears along the arcuate breachable line 145 as the
access flap 144 is pressed inwardly.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 6, the top panel 170 is further torn along
the breachable lines 149 as the central spout portion 140 and wing
portions 142 in the second side top panel 32 are pivoted outwardly
about the fold line 152. The central portion 120 in the first end
top flap 22 is adhered to the central spout portion 140 and the
portion of the first end top flap 22 beyond the fold line 130 also
pivots outwardly. This movement pulls the central portion 120 of
the first end top flap 22 through the aperture 110 in the first
side top panel 12. At the same time, contact with the sides of the
aperture 110 causes the wings 122 in the first end top flap 22 to
be folded inwardly at the lines 128 with respect to the central
portion 120.
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates the pivotable spout dispenser 160 opened
and in its dispensing configuration, thereby forming a dispenser
opening 165. Friction between the wings 122 and the interior edges
of the aperture 110 serves to maintain the dispenser 160 in its
dispensing configuration. If desired, the spout dispenser 160 can
be pivoted open further so that the wings 122 engage the locking
cuts 154. The pivotable dispenser 160 can be reclosed by simply
pushing the dispenser 160 back towards the top panel 170. The
shoulders 118 at each side of the aperture 110 project inwardly to
partially occlude the aperture 110, and abut the wing portions 142
to prevent the dispenser 160 from being pressed too far in through
the aperture 110.
[0033] According to the above-described embodiments, cartons can be
provided with dispensers that are simple in construction, and that
are easily opened and reclosed. The carton provides a relatively
simple, one-step action for opening and dispensing product from the
carton. The spout dispenser is formed from the top flaps of the
carton and no additional inserts or pieces are required.
[0034] In the exemplary embodiment discussed above, the blank is
formed from clay coated newsprint (CCN). In general, the blank may
be constructed of paperboard, having a caliper of at least about
14, so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The
blank, and thus the carton, 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.
[0035] The first and second sides of the blank can be coated with,
for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed
over with product, advertising, and other information or images.
The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect any
information printed on the blank. The blank may also be coated
with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both
sides of the blanks. The blank can also be laminated to or coated
with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel
sections.
[0036] In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line
can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight,
form of weakening or disruption in a blank that facilitates folding
therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing
the scope of the present invention, fold lines include: score
lines, creases, cuts that extend partially into a material along a
desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend
partially into and/or completely through the material along the
desired line of weakness, and various combinations of these
features.
[0037] For purposes of the description presented herein, the term
"line of disruption" can be used to generally refer to either a cut
line, a crease line, a tear line, or a fold line formed in the
material (or a combination of at least one cut line, tear line,
fold line, etc.). A breachable line of disruption is a line of
disruption that is intended to be breached during ordinary use of
the carton. An example of a breachable line of disruption is a tear
line.
[0038] A tear line can be any form of weakening that facilitates
tearing therealong. Specifically, but not for the purpose of
narrowing the scope of the present invention, tear lines include: a
cut that extends partially into the material along the desired line
of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into
and/or completely through the material along the desired line of
weakness, or various combinations of these features.
[0039] The term "line" as used herein includes not only straight
lines, but also other types of lines such as curved, curvilinear or
angularly displaced lines.
[0040] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more
panels adhered together by glue. The term "glue" is intended to
encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure
paperboard carton panels in place.
[0041] In the present specification, a "panel" or "flap" need not
be flat or otherwise planar. A "panel" or "flap" can, for example,
comprise a plurality of interconnected generally flat or planar
sections.
[0042] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while
the present invention has been discussed above with reference to
preferred embodiments, various additions, modifications, and
variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *