U.S. patent application number 12/138960 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-18 for container with improved content material release opening.
Invention is credited to William F. Jennings.
Application Number | 20080308617 12/138960 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40131381 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080308617 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jennings; William F. |
December 18, 2008 |
Container with Improved Content Material Release Opening
Abstract
A container having a compose content material release opening
formed from a wall having a major opening and a flap having one or
more smaller flap edge openings.
Inventors: |
Jennings; William F.;
(Omaha, NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STINSON MORRISON HECKER LLP;ATTN: PATENT GROUP
1201 WALNUT STREET, SUITE 2800
KANSAS CITY
MO
64106-2150
US
|
Family ID: |
40131381 |
Appl. No.: |
12/138960 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60934434 |
Jun 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/125.09 ;
229/152 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/701 20130101;
B65D 5/705 20130101; B65D 5/724 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/125.09 ;
229/152 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/18 20060101
B65D043/18; B65D 5/00 20060101 B65D005/00 |
Claims
1. A box blank comprising: a top wall panel; a bottom wall panel; a
plurality of side wall panels, said plurality of side wall panels
comprising a first side wall panel a second side wall panel; a
major opening in a wall panel, said major opening having a
peripheral edge; a flap having a flap edge, said flap edge having
at least one flap edge opening; said flap configured so that said
at least one flap edge opening may be aligned with said major
opening in said wall panel to form a composite content material
release opening.
2. The box blank of claim 1, wherein said major opening comprises a
foldable flap in said first side wall panel.
3. The box blank of claim 2, wherein said major opening comprises a
foldable flap which extends to an edge of said first side wall
panel.
4. The box blank of claim 1, wherein said flap edge has a plurality
of flap edge openings.
5. The box blank of claim 1, wherein at least one flap edge opening
comprises a rectangular slot.
6. The box blank of claim 1, wherein said major opening is formed
in said first side wall panel, and wherein said flap having said at
least one flap edge opening is a side flap connected to said second
side wall panel.
7. The box blank of claim 1, wherein said major opening is formed
in said top wall panel, and wherein said flap having said at least
one flap edge opening is a top flap connected to said second side
wall panel.
8. A one-piece box formed of foldable material comprising: a top
wall; a bottom wall; a plurality of side walls, said plurality of
side walls comprising a first side wall and a second side wall; a
major opening in a wall, said major opening having a peripheral
edge; a flap having a flap edge, said flap edge having at least one
flap edge opening; said flap configured so that said at least one
flap edge opening is aligned with said major opening in said wall
to form a composite content material release opening.
9. The box of claim 8, wherein said major opening comprises a
foldable flap in said first side wall.
10. The box of claim 8, wherein said flap edge has a plurality of
flap edge openings.
11. The box of claim 8, wherein at least one flap edge opening
comprises a rectangular slot.
12. The box of claim 8, wherein said major opening is formed in
said first side wall, and wherein said flap having said at least
one flap edge opening is a side flap connected to said second side
wall.
13. The box of claim 8, wherein said major opening is formed in
said top wall, and wherein said flap having said at least one flap
edge opening is a top flap connected to said second side wall.
14. The box of claim 8, further comprising a sticker having
pressure sensitive adhesive covering at least a portion of said
composite content material release opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/934,434, filed on Jun. 13,
2007, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to containers with a novel
content material release opening.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Many different containers are found in the prior art which
are designed to dispense granular materials held therewithin, with
the type of granular material ranging from coarse granular material
such as coarse sea salt to finer granular material such as baby
powder, baking soda, or other such fine granular materials. The
number of different types of dispensing openings used in the prior
art to dispense the granular materials is quite large, to say the
least. For example, there are pour spouts, funnels, basic openings
in the walls of the container, and many other types of dispensing
openings. However, the vast majority of these dispensing openings
are designed to release granular material in quantity, but are not
well-suited to "sprinkling" granular material such as artificial
sweetener, salt, or the like onto foodstuffs or liquids for
flavoring thereof. Therefore, there is a need for a container
having a dispensing opening which is capable of sprinkling the
granular material to control the dispensing of the granular
material from the container.
[0007] Of course, it is true that there are many different
sprinkling-type dispensing openings found in the prior art, but in
general these all include some type of opening having a rigid cover
having a plurality of smaller openings formed therein, as is found
in a salt shaker or the like. The problem with these types of
dispensing containers is that they cannot be assembled by standard
carton assembly machines and the container generally cannot be
formed from a single blank of material, thereby requiring
additional assembly steps and therefore increasing the production
cost of the container. There is therefore a need for a container
having a dispensing opening which is capable of sprinkling the
granular material from the container and which is constructed in
such a fashion that it can be manufactured by standard carton blank
manufacturing devices and moreover can be assembled by standard
carton assembly machines.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to containers having a novel
content material release opening. The invention is particularly
useful for gradually sprinkling or otherwise releasing granular
materials from the container.
[0009] In one aspect, a wall of the container is combined with a
standard flap (such as a dust flap or glue flap) in order to form a
composite content material release opening. The flap includes one
or more small openings along its edge. These small edge openings
can be manufactured much more easily compared to a small punch
hole, which often becomes stuck in the container material (similar
to a card hole aggregate debris or "chad").
[0010] In one aspect, the container is formed using a novel box
blank. The box blank generally comprises a top wall panel, a bottom
wall panel, and a plurality of side wall panels. A major opening is
formed in one of the wall panels. The box blank also comprises a
flap having a flap edge with at least one flap edge opening. The
flap is configured so that the at least one flap edge opening may
be aligned with the major opening in the wall panel to form a
composite content material release opening.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the major opening is formed in a wall
panel selected from the group consisting of the top wall panel, the
bottom wall panel, or a side wall panel. In still a further aspect,
the major opening comprises a foldable flap in one of the wall
panels. The foldable flap may extend to an edge of the wall panel.
In another aspect, the opening comprises a hole in one of the wall
panels.
[0012] In another aspect, the flap edge has a plurality of flap
edge openings. The flap edge openings may be any suitable shape or
size, but preferably comprises a rectangular slot.
[0013] The present invention is also directed to a one-piece box
formed of foldable material formed using the box blank as discussed
above. A sticker with pressure sensitive adhesive may be optionally
used to cover at least a portion of composite content material
release opening formed by the flap edge openings and the major
opening in the wall.
[0014] Additional aspects of the invention, together with the
advantages and novel features appurtenant thereto, will be set
forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the
following, or may be learned from the practice of the invention.
The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and
attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container box in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carton blank shown in FIG.
1 prior to assembling the container box of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the assembled box shown in FIG.
1 showing how the glue flap extends behind the side wall.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container box in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the carton blank shown in FIG.
4 prior to assembling the container box of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container box in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the carton blank shown in FIG.
6 prior to assembling the container box of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The present invention is directed to novel containers, novel
blanks for making the containers, and methods of making the
containers. The container is generally comprised of three or more
side walls, and typically comprises both a top wall and a bottom
wall. In addition, the container has at least one flap, such as a
dust flap or glue flap. At least one of the walls of the container
has a major opening covered at least in part by the flap. The flap
has an edge with at least one flap edge opening therein so that
together the major opening in the wall and the flap edge opening
form a composite content material release opening. In one aspect,
the major opening is formed in a side wall of the container, and a
side glue flap covers at least a portion of the major opening to
form the composite content release opening. In another aspect, the
major opening is formed in a top wall of the container, and a top
glue flap covers at least a portion of the major opening to form
the composite content release opening. It will be appreciated to
those skilled in the art that other flap and wall combinations
(side walls, top wall, bottom wall, etc.) may be used to form the
composite content release opening by making modifications to the
teachings and various embodiments discussed herein.
[0023] The composite content release opening is preferably
resealable. In one aspect, a foldable flap used to form the major
opening in the container wall resealably covers the opening by
frictionally engaging the periphery of the major opening. In
another aspect, the foldable flap used to form the major opening
removably engages one or more slots in the glue flap to resealably
cover the composite content release opening. Further, a sticker
having pressure sensitive adhesive can be optionally applied to
reseal the composite content release opening.
[0024] Although specific exemplary embodiments are discussed
herein, it will be readily appreciated that the flap edge openings
and the major opening in the wall may combine to form many
different arrangements and types of composite content material
release openings. However, when dispensing granular material, it is
generally preferred that the composite content material release
opening formed by the interaction of the flap edge openings and the
major opening in the wall be generally rounded rectangles in shape.
The exact shape of the composite content material release opening
is not particularly critical to the present invention so long as
the dispensing of the contents of the container is facilitated.
Typically, the flap edge openings have dimensions on the order of
5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 mm, or less.
[0025] Further, one of the advantageous features of the present
invention is that the major opening in the wall can be easily
formed during the manufacturing process. Similarly, the flap edge
openings in the glue or dust flap may likewise be die cut from the
sheet of construction material from which the box blank is being
removed merely by using slightly modified die cut machines already
used in the packaging industry. This means that the container of
the present invention can be manufactured and assembled without
requiring large-scale transformations of already existing
equipment. In fact, as virtually all other granular dispensing
containers include elements which must be added to the container
after manufacturing or require punching of small holes through the
material, the production of these prior art containers is more
time-consuming and labor-intensive than the production of the
present invention. Therefore it is believed that the present
invention provides a significant improvement over those prior art
containers.
First Embodiment
[0026] Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference
numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views,
FIG. 1 illustrates a container having a composite content material
release opening formed from the box blank illustrated in FIG. 2.
The blank 50 is constructed of a generally planar, sheet-like
material which is separated into a plurality of panels by a
plurality of fold lines 13. It should be noted that the fold lines
13 may represent physical areas of weakness prone to folding, for
example by having been scored or pre-folded, or they may simply be
virtual lines along which folds take place during a manufacturing
process. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include paper,
paperboard, plastic, fabrics, and sheet metal. In the illustrated
example, the blank is constructed from paperboard.
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate a container 10 and corresponding
container blank 50 in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention. The container 10 is a generally rectangular box
12, which includes a top wall 14, bottom wall 16, side walls 18a
and 18b, and side walls 20a and 20b. As shown in FIG. 2, the box
blank 50 comprises various panels which correspond to the top wall
14, bottom wall 16, side walls 18a and 18b, and side walls 20a and
20b. The box blank 50 also illustrates additional top and bottom
gluing or dust flaps 22a-d and side glue flap 24 which facilitate
assembly of the container 10.
[0028] The container 10 is of general standard design and
construction. However, in this embodiment of the present invention,
side wall 20a includes a major opening 30. The major opening 30 is
preferably a generally rectangular, oval or circular opening formed
in side wall 20a and extending therethrough, as shown best in FIGS.
1 and 2. This major opening 30 is formed by punching out or die
cutting the specific section of side wall 20a during the
manufacturing process. In this embodiment, the major opening is
formed by making a foldable flap 40 in side wall 20a.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, side glue flap 24 is connected to
and extends outward from side wall 18b. The side glue flap 24 has a
flap edge 26 having a plurality of flap edge openings 28 extending
into the side glue flap 24 from the flap edge 26. The flap edge
openings 28 are generally rectangular in shape with rounded inner
edges. The specific shape of the flap edge openings 28 may be
modified or changed depending on the content material to be
released from container 10 and the desired flow rate for the
content material. The side glue flap 24 preferably has a width so
that the flap edge 26 is aligned with or extends slightly beyond
the edge of the major opening 30 of the side wall 20a as shown in
FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the side glue flap 24 has a width of at
least one-half of the side wall 20a in order to properly position
the flap edge openings 28 behind the major opening 30 when the side
glue flap 24 is affixed to the side wall 20a.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, when the side glue flap 24 is placed in
parallel alignment behind the side wall 20a in preparation for
assembly of the container 10, the width of the side glue flap 24
positions the flap edge openings 28 in alignment with and directly
behind the major opening 30 with the flap edge 26 of the side glue
flap 24 preferably being positioned just beyond the major opening
30. The glue flap 24 thus covers and closes a large portion of the
major opening 30 with the only open portions remaining in the major
opening 30 being those corresponding with the flap edge openings 28
of the side glue flap 24. The side glue flap 24 is then secured to
the side wall 20a as shown in FIG. 3 by at least one line of glue
or other adhesive (or using other sealing means, such as heat
sealing as is known in the art) which is placed on the outer face
of the side glue flap 24 then is pressed into contact with the side
wall 20a. The container 10 is thus assembled in the form shown in
FIG. 1. Together, the major opening 30 formed in the side wall 20a
of the container and the flap edge openings 28 in the side glue
flap 24 form a composite content release opening.
[0031] In this embodiment, the major opening 30 is covered by a
resealable flap 40 which is hingedly connected to the side wall 20a
via fold line 42. The resealable flap 40 is operative to resealably
cover the major opening 30 and thus the flap edge openings 28 to
alternatively prevent and permit dispensing of the contents of the
container (typically granular material) through the flap edge
openings 28 and the major opening 30. Optionally, a sticker having
pressure sensitive adhesive (not shown) may be applied over at
least a portion of the resealable flap 40 in order to assist with
closure of the flap.
Second Embodiment
[0032] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a container 1 10 and corresponding
container blank 150 in accordance with a second embodiment of the
present invention. The container 10 is a generally rectangular box
112, which includes atop wall 114, bottom wall 116, side walls 118a
and 118b, and side walls 120a and 120b. As shown in FIG. 5, the box
blank 150 comprises various panels which correspond to the top wall
114, bottom wall 116, side walls 11 8a and 118b, and side walls
120a and 120b. The box blank 150 also illustrates additional top
and bottom gluing or dust flaps 122a-d and side glue flap 124 which
facilitate assembly of the container 110.
[0033] The container 110 is of general standard design and
construction. However, in this embodiment of the present invention,
top wall 114 includes a major opening 130. The major opening 130 is
preferably generally rectangular, oval, or circular opening formed
in top wall 114 and extending therethrough. This major opening 130
is formed by punching out or die cutting the specific section of
top wall 114 during the manufacturing process. In this embodiment,
the major opening is formed by making a hole in top wall 114.
[0034] Top glue flap 122b is connected to and extends upward from
side wall 120b. The top glue flap 122b has a flap edge 126 having a
flap edge opening 128 extending into the top glue flap 122b from
the flap edge 126. The flap edge opening 128 is a generally
semi-circle opening. The specific shape of the flap edge opening
128 may be modified or changed depending on the content material to
be released from container 110 and the desired flow rate for the
content material. The top glue flap 122b preferably has a width so
that the flap edge 126 is aligned with or extends slightly beyond
the edge of the major opening 130 of the top wall 114.
[0035] When the top glue flap 122b is placed in parallel alignment
behind the top wall 114 in preparation for assembly of the
container 110, the width of the top glue flap 122b positions the
flap edge opening 128 in alignment with and directly behind the
major opening 130 with the flap edge 126 of the top glue flap 122b
being preferably positioned beyond the major opening 130. The top
glue flap 122b thus covers and closes a large portion of the major
opening 130 with the only open portions remaining in the major
opening 130 being those corresponding with the flap edge opening
128 of the top glue flap 114. The top glue flap 122b is then
secured to the top wall 114 by at least one line of glue or other
adhesive (or using other sealing means, such as heat sealing as is
known in the art) which is placed on the outer face of the side
glue flap 122b then is pressed into contact with the top wall 114.
The container 110 is thus assembled in the form shown in FIG. 4.
Together, the major opening 130 formed in the top wall 114 of the
container and the flap edge opening 128 in the top glue flap 122b
form a composite content release opening.
[0036] In this embodiment, the major opening 130 is covered by a
sticker having pressure sensitive adhesive on its periphery (not
shown). The sticker is operative to resealably cover the major
opening 130 and thus the flap edge opening 128 to alternatively
prevent and permit dispensing of the contents of the container
(typically granular material) through the flap edge opening 128 and
the major opening 130.
Third Embodiment
[0037] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a container 310 and corresponding
container blank 350 in accordance with a third embodiment of the
present invention. The blank 350 is similar in design to that of
the first embodiment. Again, the container 310 is a generally
rectangular box 312, which includes a top wall 314, bottom wall
316, side walls 318a and 318b, and side walls 320a and 320b. As
shown in FIG. 7, the box blank 350 comprises various panels which
correspond to the top wall 314, bottom wall 316, side walls 318a
and 318b, and side walls 320a and 320b. The box blank 50 also
illustrates additional top and bottom gluing or dust flaps 322a-d
and side glue flap 324 which facilitate assembly of the container
310.
[0038] In this embodiment of the present invention, side wall 320a
includes a major opening 330. The major opening 330 is preferably a
generally rectangular opening formed in side wall 320a and to the
edge of the side all 320a. This major opening 330 is formed by
punching out or die cutting the specific section of side wall 320a
during the manufacturing process. In this embodiment, the major
opening is formed by making a foldable flap 340 in side wall 320a,
in which the foldable flap 340 extends to the edge of the side wall
320a.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, side glue flap 324 is connected
to and extends outward from side wall 318b. The side glue flap 324
has a flap edge 326 having a plurality of flap edge openings 328
extending into the side glue flap 324 from the flap edge 326. The
flap edge openings 328 are generally rectangular in shape with
rounded inner edges. The specific shape of the flap edge openings
328 may be modified or changed depending on the content material to
be released from container 3 10 and the desired flow rate for the
content material. The side glue flap 324 preferably has a width so
that the flap edge 326 is aligned with or extends slightly beyond
the edge of the major opening 330 of the side wall 320a. In this
embodiment, the side glue flap 324 has a width of at least one-half
of the side wall 320a in order to properly position the flap edge
openings 328 relative to the major opening 330 when the side glue
flap 324 is affixed to the side wall 320a. The glue flap also has
at least one slot 329 for receiving the foldable flap 340.
[0040] The container is assembled in a manner similar to the
container described in the first embodiment. When the side glue
flap 324 is placed in parallel alignment behind the side wall 320a
in preparation for assembly of the container 310, the width of the
side glue flap 324 positions the flap edge openings 328 in
alignment with and positioned directly behind the major opening 330
with the flap edge 326 of the side glue flap 324 being preferably
positioned beyond the major opening 330. The glue flap 324 thus
covers and closes a large portion of the major opening 330 with the
only open portions remaining in the major opening 330 being those
corresponding with the flap edge openings 328 of the side glue flap
324. The side glue flap 324 is then secured to the side wall 320a
by at least one line of glue or other adhesive (or using other
sealing means, such as heat sealing as is known in the art) which
is placed on the outer face of the side glue flap 324 then is
pressed into contact with the side wall 320a. The container 10 is
thus assembled in the form shown in FIG. 6. Together the major
opening 330 formed in the side wall 320a of the container and the
flap edge openings 328 in the side glue flap 324 form a composite
content release opening.
[0041] In this embodiment, however, the major opening 330 is
covered by a resealable flap 340 which is hingedly connected to the
side wall 320a via fold line 342. The resealable flap 340 removably
engages one or more corresponding cuts or slots 329 in the side
glue flap 324, preferably by folding the resealable flap 340 along
the dashed fold line 343 shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the resealable flap
340 is operative to resealably cover the major opening 330 and thus
the flap edge openings 328 to alternatively prevent and permit
dispensing of the contents of the container (typically granular
material) through the flap edge openings 328 and the major opening
330.
[0042] It is to be understood that numerous additions,
substitutions, and modifications may be made to the container of
the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of
the above description. For example, the size, shape, and
construction materials used in the construction of the various
elements of the present invention may be modified or changed so
long as the functionality of the invention is neither degraded nor
destroyed. Also, it should be noted that although the present
invention has been described as being used with granular materials,
it is entirely possible that the present invention may be used with
other materials which will be determined by the end user of the
container. Finally, the location and arrangement of the various
openings such as the major opening, and the flap edge openings, may
be moved, modified, or changed to any of the top wall, bottom wall,
side walls, and such modifications should be understood to be a
part of this disclosure.
[0043] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set
forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and
which are inherent to the invention. Since many possible
embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the
scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set
forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted
as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. While specific
embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications
may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the
specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein,
except insofar as such limitations are included in the following
claims. Further, it will be understood that certain features and
subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without
reference to other features and subcombinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *