U.S. patent application number 12/753656 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-07 for stackable fluid carton.
Invention is credited to Rocia Michelle Gayoso, Tony A. Gayoso.
Application Number | 20100252620 12/753656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42825370 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100252620 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gayoso; Rocia Michelle ; et
al. |
October 7, 2010 |
Stackable Fluid Carton
Abstract
A stackable gable top container and a series of such containers
including a top portion, bottom portion and at least one side wall.
The top portion including a gable structure having two opposed
inclined sides extending away from a peak. The bottom portion
including a gable recess for matingly receiving a form
substantially matching at least a portion of the gable structure.
The at least one side wall extending between the top and bottom
portions forming an inner chamber, wherein together the top
portion, the bottom portion and the sides walls are capable of
retaining a fluid substance within the inner chamber.
Inventors: |
Gayoso; Rocia Michelle;
(Woodbury, NY) ; Gayoso; Tony A.; (Woodbury,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Tony A. Gayoso
22 Victor Lane
Woodbury
NY
11797
US
|
Family ID: |
42825370 |
Appl. No.: |
12/753656 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61166241 |
Apr 2, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/249 ;
229/183; 229/915.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/067 20130101;
B65D 21/0231 20130101; B65D 5/746 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/249 ;
229/183; 229/915.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/06 20060101
B65D005/06; B65D 5/74 20060101 B65D005/74; B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A stackable gable top container comprising: a top portion
including a gable structure having two opposed inclined sides
extending away from a peak; a bottom portion including a gable
recess for matingly receiving a form substantially matching at
least a portion of the gable structure; and at least one side wall
extending between the top and bottom portions forming an inner
chamber, wherein together the top portion, the bottom portion and
the sides walls are capable of retaining a fluid substance within
the inner chamber.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two
opposed inclined sides includes a closeable pouring spout, wherein
the pouring spout when opened provides fluid communication between
an inside and an outside of the container.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the gable recess includes a
pouring spout recess, wherein a form substantially matching an
exterior form of the pouring spout can be matingly received within
the pouring spout recess.
4. The container of claim 2, wherein the closeable pouring spout
includes a removable cap.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the peak includes a peak ridge
that rises vertically from the two opposed inclined sides, wherein
a longitudinal extent of the peak ridge extends from a first side
of the top portion to an opposed second side of the top portion,
wherein the longitudinal extent is smaller than an outer width of
the bottom portion.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the gable recess includes two
opposed inclined surfaces extending from opposed sides of the
bottom portion, wherein the two opposed inclined surfaces are
joined by a peak ridge recess, wherein a form substantially
matching an exterior form of the peak ridge can be matingly
received within the peak ridge recess.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the peak ridge recess includes
two opposed planar surfaces that are substantially parallel.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
gable recess is formed by an insert, the insert formed separately
from and fixedly secured to the side walls or a part of the bottom
portion.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each of
the top portion, the at least one side wall and the bottom portion
are formed together from a continuous unitary material.
10. A series of stackable containers comprising: a first container
including a top portion having a first gable structure, the first
gable structure having a peak ridge and two opposed inclined sides
extending away from the peak ridge, wherein the peak ridge rises
from the two opposed inclined sides vertically; a second container
including a bottom portion having a first gable recess for matingly
receiving the first gable structure, wherein each of the first and
second containers includes an inner chamber capable of retaining a
fluid substance therein.
11. The series of stackable containers of claim 10, wherein at
least one of the two opposed inclined sides includes a closable
pouring spout, wherein the pouring spout when opened provides fluid
communication between an inside and an outside of the first
container.
12. The series of stackable containers of claim 11, wherein the
first gable recess includes a pouring spout recess, wherein the
pouring spout can be matingly received within the pouring spout
recess.
13. The series of stackable containers of claim 11, wherein the
pouring spout includes a removable cap.
14. The series of stackable containers of claim 10, wherein the
peak ridge extends longitudinally from a first side of the first
container top portion to an opposed second side of the first
container top portion, wherein the peak ridge longitudinal extent
is smaller than an outer width of the second container bottom
portion.
15. The series of stackable containers of claim 10, wherein the
first container includes a bottom portion substantially identical
to the second container bottom portion.
16. The series of stackable containers of claim 10, wherein the
second container includes a top portion substantially identical to
the first container top portion.
17. The series of stackable containers of claim 10, wherein each of
the first and second containers includes external indicia
representing a product retained therein, wherein the external
indicia on the first container represents a different product from
the product represented by the external indicia on the second
container.
18. The series of stackable containers of claim 17, at least one of
the first and second containers is substantially formed from a
continuous unitary material.
19. The series of stackable containers of claim 10, wherein the
second container is mounted atop the first container, whereby the
gable structure is matingly secured within the gable recess.
20. The series of stackable containers of claim 10, further
comprising: a third container including a bottom portion
substantially identical to the second container bottom portion,
wherein the second container includes a top portion substantially
identical to the first container top portion, whereby the third
container is mounted atop and matingly received by the second
container.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The presently disclosed technologies are directed to
stackable fluid containers and particularly thermoplastic coated
paper containers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Common household drinks, such as milk, juice and other dairy
and juice products are often sold in polyethylene coated paper
cartons with four flat sides and a gable-style top. U.S. Pat. No.
5,421,512 to Poole discloses one of such contemporary designs.
Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,366 to Yamada et al. discloses a similar
design. A "gable-style," as used herein refers to a structure
including a triangular top portion with opposed sloped upper
surfaces inclined downwardly from a peak ridge. The traditional
"gable style" fluid carton has been augmented over the years with
the addition of a pouring spout or flip-top lid, as demonstrated in
Yamada et al. as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,562 to Gordon or U.S.
Pat. No. 5,152,438 to Gordon et al.
[0003] Often consumers buy the largest size available of these
drink cartons in an effort to reduce costs as well as the number of
trips back to the store. However, a half gallon of liquid can weigh
too much for small children or people with problems lifting objects
approaching the weight of a half gallon. While consumers can try to
avoid the weight of such large container by buying multiple smaller
containers, multiple smaller containers tend to take up more
storage space than a single larger liquid-equivalent container that
holds about the same volume of liquid. Also, the peak ridge on
gable-style containers makes them un-stackable in a single column,
which might otherwise alleviate some of the requirement for needing
more storage space. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a
fluid container design that overcomes these shortcomings of the
prior art.
SUMMARY
[0004] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed technologies
there is disclosed herein a stackable gable top container including
a top portion, bottom portion and at least one side wall. The top
portion including a gable structure having two opposed inclined
sides extending away from a peak. The bottom portion including a
gable recess for matingly receiving a form substantially matching
at least a portion of the gable structure. The at least one side
wall extending between the top and bottom portions forming an inner
chamber, wherein together the top portion, the bottom portion and
the sides walls are capable of retaining a fluid substance within
the inner chamber.
[0005] Additionally, at least one of the two opposed inclined sides
can include a closeable pouring spout, wherein the pouring spout
when opened provides fluid communication between an inside and an
outside of the container. Also the gable recess can include a
pouring spout recess, wherein a form substantially matching an
exterior form of the pouring spout can be matingly received within
the pouring spout recess. The closeable pouring spout can include a
removable cap. The peak can include a peak ridge that rises
vertically from the two opposed inclined sides. A longitudinal
extent of the peak ridge can extend from a first side of the top
portion to an opposed second side of the top portion, wherein the
longitudinal extent is smaller than an outer width of the bottom
portion. Additionally, the gable recess can include two opposed
inclined surfaces extending from opposed sides of the bottom
portion. The two opposed inclined surfaces can be joined by a peak
ridge recess, wherein a form substantially matching an exterior
form of the peak ridge can be matingly received within the peak
ridge recess. The peak ridge recess can include two opposed planar
surfaces that are substantially parallel. Further, at least a
portion of the gable recess can be formed by an insert, the insert
formed separately from and fixedly secured to the side walls or a
part of the bottom portion. Further still, at least a portion of
each of the top portion, the at least one side wall and the bottom
portion can be formed together from a continuous unitary
material.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed
technologies there is disclosed herein a series of stackable
containers including a first container and a second container. The
first container including a top portion having a first gable
structure. The first gable structure having a peak ridge and two
opposed inclined sides extending away from the peak ridge, wherein
the peak ridge rises from the two opposed inclined sides
vertically. The second container including a bottom portion having
a first gable recess for matingly receiving the first gable
structure, wherein each of the first and second containers includes
an inner chamber capable of retaining a fluid substance
therein.
[0007] Additionally, at least one of the two opposed inclined sides
can include a closable pouring spout, wherein the pouring spout
when opened provides fluid communication between an inside and an
outside of the first container. The first gable recess can include
a pouring spout recess, wherein the pouring spout can be matingly
received within the pouring spout recess. The pouring spout can
include a removable cap. The peak ridge can extend longitudinally
from a first side of the first container top portion to an opposed
second side of the first container top portion, wherein the peak
ridge longitudinal extent is smaller than an outer width of the
second container bottom portion. The first container can include a
bottom portion substantially identical to the second container
bottom portion. The second container can include a top portion
substantially identical to the first container top portion. Also,
each of the first and second containers can include external
indicia representing a product retained therein, wherein the
external indicia on the first container represents a different
product from the product represented by the external indicia on the
second container. At least one of the first and second containers
can be substantially formed from a continuous unitary material. The
second container can be mounted atop the first container, whereby
the gable structure is matingly secured within the gable recess.
Further the series of stackable containers can include a third
container, wherein a bottom portion of the third container is
substantially identical to the second container bottom portion. The
second container can include a top portion substantially identical
to the first container top portion, whereby the third container can
be mounted atop and matingly received by the second container.
[0008] These and other aspects, objectives, features, and
advantages of the disclosed technologies will become apparent from
the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments
thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a set of containers in
accordance with an aspect of the disclosed technologies.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of two separate containers in
accordance with an aspect of the disclosed technologies.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the two containers shown in FIG. 2,
in a stacked configuration.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of two separate
containers in accordance with an aspect of the disclosed
technologies.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank for a
container in accordance with an aspect of the disclosed
technologies.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lower insert shown in
position, with a lower portion of a container including flaps
indicated in dashed lines.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an insert in
position with a lower portion of a container, with an additional
container inserted from below indicated in dashed lines.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a cut and scored alternative blank
for a container in accordance with an aspect of the disclosed
technologies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Describing now in further detail these exemplary embodiments
with reference to the Figures. In accordance with aspects of the
technologies disclosed herein are various aspects of stackable
gable-top containers. It should be understood that these containers
can be made with varying dimensions and proportions as desired.
Thus, only a portion of exemplary containers in accordance with the
disclosed technologies are illustrated and discussed herein.
[0018] As used herein, terms such as "top", "bottom", "vertical",
"horizontal" or related terms refer to the orientations as shown in
the accompanying figures. It should be understood that such
containers can be tipped, rotated, flipped or otherwise moved into
different orientations. Thus, these terms are for reference only
and are not intended to limit the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a container set 50 of individual stackable
containers 10 in accordance with the disclosed technologies.
Preferably, the set of containers 50 is sized to match closely to
the width and depth of contemporary drink containers, for example
the half-gallon, quart or pint of milk or juice that is sold in the
United States. Such matching to contemporary drink container
dimensions is desirable because many refrigerators and storage
devices are designed for commonly sizes containers. Accordingly,
one of ordinary skill would understand that the outer dimensions of
each container of the set could be altered to achieve similar goals
in places or settings where different sizes or units of measure are
common. Additionally, the stackable configuration disclosed herein
is even suitable for large or smaller sizes. Whether large or small
containers, the stacking makes for efficient packaging of multiple
containers, as compared to traditional gable-top style
containers.
[0020] The disclosed technologies are particularly suited to an
adaptation of contemporary paper fluid cartons, particularly
gable-style cartons as cited above. While cartons generally refer
to light cardboard or pasteboard containers, this disclosure is not
limited to such materials. In this way, the fluid containers
disclosed herein can be made from other known materials to achieve
the advantages disclosed herein. Thus, the individual containers 10
can be formed as thermoplastic coated paper cartons, similar to the
contemporary cartons described above. However, the containers 10
could alternatively be formed from polymers or more complex
composite materials. The container 10 as disclosed herein is
intended for retaining fluid substances. As used herein, the
expression "fluid substances" means a liquid, gas or mixed
substance that is not rigid and generally has no fixed shape or
yields easily to external pressure. While a fluid substance can
include solids therein, they generally retain the property of being
able to flow, change shape and/or move readily when
unrestrained.
[0021] The container 10 as shown in FIG. 1 includes a top gable
structure 20, which is made of two opposed inclined sides 22 and a
vertically extending overlap seam that forms the gable peak 24. The
inclined sides 22 are generally planar surfaces disposed at an
angle relative to the generally planar gable peak 24. It should be
understood that the incline angle of the sides 22 could be varied.
In fact, a more shallow or steep incline could be formed as
desired.
[0022] Additionally, shown in FIG. 1 is the pouring spout 26 that
includes a screw-on cap. This element is optional, but should be
taken into account when designing the form of the bottom mating
cavity, discussed further below. An alternative flip-top cap, as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,366 or the like, could similarly
be included. In fact, almost any closable pouring spout design
could be used, as long as it can be made to fit within the bottom
mating cavity. A pouring spout 26 provides fluid communication
between an inside and an outside of the container 10. In this way,
the contents of the container 10 can enter or be removed from the
container. Usually, such pouring spouts 26 are provided to simplify
the removal of the fluid contents of the container by pouring. In
its simplest form, the pouring spout 26 provides access or a means
of access between the inside and the outside of the container.
[0023] Generally, the top gable structure 20 also forms a pair of
opposed cavities 28. The cavities 28 are a product of the way
contemporary designs are made of folded paper, but such cavities 28
do often assist users in handling the container 10 and are thus
desirable. However, the cavities 28 could be eliminated to
compensate for the fluid capacity lost in forming the bottom mating
cavity of each container.
[0024] The containers 10 should separate easily from one another.
In this way, the containers 10 can be stacked and unstacked with
little effort by the end user. An additional sleeve (not shown)
could also be provided to hold the set of containers 50 together,
at least until the consumer is ready to remove the sleeve and use
the products for daily consumption. Such a sleeve could be made of
various materials, such as paper, plastic or other suitable
material. Also the sleeve could be made substantially solid or in
the form of a mesh or net-type structure. The sleeve could
alternatively carry informative or promotional material.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each container 10 is preferably
formed with a top gable structure 20 as well as a bottom mating
cavity 35. The bottom mating cavity 35 is formed as a recess or
depression relative to the bottom edges 30 of each container. The
bottom mating cavity 35 is formed by two opposed inner inclined
surfaces 32 and a peak recess 34. The bottom mating cavity 35 is
also referred to herein as a gable recess. Alternatively, if a
pouring spout is included, the gable recess 35 should include a
pouring spout recess 36. Thus as shown in FIG. 3, when the two
containers 10 are mated together by stacking, the gable recess 35
of the upper container receives the top gable structure 20 of the
lower container. In this way, a gable structure 20 of one container
can be matingly received by the gable recess 35 of another
container. As used herein, the expression "matingly received" means
that the two elements when brought together have a good and proper
fit together. A snug fit of the gable structure 20 within the gable
recess 35 can provide added stability to the containers when
stacked.
[0026] It should be understood that by forming a gable recess 35,
and inner chamber of the container 10 will hold less volume as
compared to a contemporary container with a flat bottom.
Accordingly, efforts can be made to minimize the size of bottom
mating cavity 35, by making the top gable structure 20 smaller.
However, the bottom mating cavity 35 preferably has a mating form,
such that the top gable structure 20 can be well seated in the
gable recess 35 as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, should the top 20 be
formed with a more shallow design, such that the inclined sides 22
are inclined less, then the bottom cavity should be formed with a
matching inclined for inner surfaces 32. Similarly, it is
advantageous to make the rise of the gable peak 24 as small as
possible, in order to minimize the size of gable peak recess 34.
Alternatively, the peak ridge 24 could be eliminated entirely,
especially when the pouring spout 26 is included. Elimination of
the peak ridge would allow for the elimination of the gable peak
recess 34. One additional way of increasing the inner capacity of
container 10, would be to eliminate one or both cavities 28. The
elimination of cavities 28 would not require a corresponding
modification to the form or shape of the bottom cavity 35.
[0027] One consideration when including a pouring spout 26, is that
it be positioned such that it does not protrude too far toward a
side wall of the container 10. As noted on the lower container 10
shown in FIG. 2, the height h of the pouring spout 26 must not
extend too far toward a plane 15 extending vertically from at least
one of the side walls of the container. If the pouring spout 26
extends too far (as shown for exemplary purposes on the bottom
pouring spout 26 in FIG. 2), then the pouring spout recess 36
cannot be formed within the walls of the container 10. Also, if the
far left edge 27 of the pouring spout 26 extends too far, the spout
recess 36 will come too close to the side walls of the container
making for a weak spot 37. A thickness of the container walls at
the weak spot 37 could be designed to be at least a double wall
thickness, including the thickness of the outer vertical wall and
the thickness of the material forming the surfaces of the bottom
cavity 35, particularly the spout recess 36.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a bottom isometric view of two containers 10
separated from one another. The inner side wall 38 of the gable
recess 35 is more readily viewable from this angle. It should be
understood that while side wall 38 is included on the sides of
bottom cavity 35, it need not contain any fluid within or behind
that portion of the container. Accordingly, some or all of side
wall 38 could be eliminated, perhaps only leaving that portion
adjacent the gable peak recess 34. Alternatively, for designs
including the pouring spout 26, which provides lateral stability to
the stacked containers 10, all or most of the side wall 38 could be
eliminated. It should be understood that the side wall 38 provides
stability for the stacked set of containers 50 and is thus
desirable. Also, side wall 38 provides for a more solid look when
multiple containers 10 are stacked, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus for
marketing purposes, when displayed as a container set 50, they can
appear more like a single contemporary container.
[0029] Another aspect of the disclosed technologies, as shown in
FIG. 1 is that a set of containers 50 can include individual
containers 10 that each contain a different product. Thus, for
households that enjoy different kinds of drinks, the set of
containers 50 can be sold as a mixed set. For example, one
container code holds fat free milk, while another contains whole
milk and yet another contains 1% milk (as shown in FIG. 1).
Alternatively, two of some containers 10 could hold the same
products with a third container 10 holding a different product. In
this way mixed and matched sets 50 can be bought and/or sold as
desired.
[0030] Alternatively, containers for various products each having
the common mating structure described herein, would allow an end
user to stack the containers 10, taking up less space in the
refrigerator, cooler or other means of storage or transport. Also,
such common mating structures can assist in stacking numerous
containers 10 for shipping or commercial transportation.
[0031] As a further alternative, containers 10 could be formed with
different heights while maintaining a common mating structure. For
example, a single container could be formed that extends as long as
the two top containers 10, shown in FIG. 1. In this way, the longer
or larger containers could still stack on the smaller size lowest
container shown in FIG. 1, or vice versa.
[0032] The set of containers 50 in FIG. 1 is preferably formed to
collectively match the size and shape of a traditional half or
quarter gallon carton and is formed by three individual containers
10. However, it should be understood that the traditional carton
size could be divided into a greater or lesser number of cartons.
The division of three, as shown in FIG. 1, is merely an exemplary
embodiment. Thus, a stackable set of two containers could be sized
to equal the size of a traditional half or quarter gallon
carton.
[0033] As with typical gable-style fluid containers, the major
portions of the container 10 can be formed from a continuous
unitary material, usually in the form of a web, such as a cardboard
sheet. FIGS. 5 and 8 show exemplary container blanks 11, which can
be used to form the stackable containers in accordance with the
disclosed technologies. The web is cut-out as a blank 11 and is cut
C and scored S in order to allow it to be folded and secured to
form all or a substantial part of container 10. Based on the
orientation in FIGS. 5 and 8, the upper sections X are used to form
the top portion including the gable structure; the lower sections Z
form the bottom portion including the gable recess; and the central
sections Y form the vertical walls. As is customary with
gable-style fluid containers, the blank 11 includes four vertical
panels with two alternating pairs having the same design. In this
way, the four panels form the four vertical sides of the container
with the upper and lower portions folding inwardly to close off
those respective portions. Also, by alternating the pairs of panels
each panel ends-up being disposed directly opposed from its
matching pair.
[0034] The upper sections X can follow contemporary gable-style
container design. Alternatively, the upper sections can be adapted
to more closely match the dimensions of the lower gable recess into
which it is intended to be matingly inserted. As the lower gable
recess is somewhat narrower than the outer width of the container
10, the upper sections X can be modified to fit in the gable
recess. FIG. 5 shows trim lines 23 where the flaps that form the
upper opposed inclined sides 22 of the gable can be trimmed and
made narrower. In this way the inclined sides 22, particularly the
uppermost flap 24 that forms the peak ridge, will have a
longitudinal extent that is smaller than the outer width of the
container bottom 30. A longitudinal extent of the uppermost flap 24
extends from a first side of flap 24 to an opposed second side of
flap 24 (horizontally in the figure).
[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower section Z includes cuts C and
scores S in order to form the gable recess 35, including the peak
ridge recess 34. The lateral gable recesses flaps 39 form the gable
recess side walls 38. The open portion of the walls 38 is formed by
flap 38b, while flaps 38c, 38d get folded over and sealed with
adjacent panel flaps 32b, 32c. The various flaps formed by the cuts
and scores get at least partly folded over one another and then
sealed together to form the container as is known in the art. It
should be understood that various known bonding and/or sealing
techniques can be employed for the final assembly of the container
10.
[0036] While the entire container 10 can be formed from a single
continuous unitary sheet, alternatively, the container 10 can be
formed by adding and joining separate elements. The separate
elements could include more than one blank or other pieces. For
example, as noted above a closeable pouring spout 26 can be added
as taught by the prior art. Additionally, reinforcement material
can be added, particularly to the bottom portion to prevent a fluid
from leaking out of the container. Such reinforcement can take the
form of tape or other thin web material that is bonded to the
container walls were needed. Alternatively, an added element can
take the form of an insert that forms a portion of the
container.
[0037] FIG. 6 shows an insert 40 that can be added to form part of
the bottom portion of a container 10 (shown in dotted lines). In
particular, insert 40 in this embodiment forms a peak recess 34
within the gable recess 35. A preformed insert 40 can be
advantageous to avoid the complex folding and flap overlay
structure needed to form a gable recess 35, including the peak
recess 34. As shown, lower portions 42, 43 of insert 40 directly
engage some of the lower section flaps 32b, 38b (shown with dotted
lines). The alternative blank 11 shown in FIG. 8, is suited for use
with insert 40. It should be noted that fewer lateral gable
recesses flaps 39 are needed for this embodiment, since the insert
40 completes and closes-off the recessed inner portion of the
bottom of container 10. For example, an upper portion 41 of insert
40 completes the upper part of wall 38. The only fold-over of flaps
on flaps for this embodiment is between flap 38c and flap 32b.
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a slightly modified
insert 40, which has a more rounded upper tip. It is shown how the
inclined flaps 32b overlap with a lower insert portion 42. These
two segments 32b, 42 can be bonded and/or sealed together as is
known in the art. FIG. 7, also shows how the peak ridge recess 44
in the insert 40 is formed to matingly receive the vertically
extending gable peak 24 (shown in dotted lines) from another
container (the two opposed inclined sides 22 from the other
container also shown in dotted lines).
[0039] In should be understood that while two exemplary embodiments
of insert 40 are shown above in FIGS. 6 and 7, further variations
could be employed within the scope of the instant disclosed
technologies. For example, the insert 40 could be significantly
smaller or larger than that shown. The insert shown in FIGS. 6 and
7 is relatively small as compared to the overall container 10. In
this way, a container that includes insert 40, as shown, and even a
added plastic pouring spout 26 could still be said to be
substantially formed from a continuous unitary material, namely the
cardboard blank 11. In this context, "substantially formed" refers
to the proportionate area of the container formed by the material
in question. Insert 40 could be made larger so that it forms all or
almost all of the bottom of the container 10. Such a larger insert
40 could even include vertically extending walls intended for being
secured to the container side wall panels in section Y. Also, it
should be understood that insert 40 could be made from various
materials, including plastic and paper as are used in the gable-top
carton industry. Closeable pouring spouts 26 are generally formed
from a polymer for precision and durability of features like
screw-on caps. In contrast, insert 40 would not require any more
durability than traditional paper carton bottoms and could thus be
made from paper stock or formed from as a paper product. However,
added reinforcement could be desirable. Further, a somewhat larger
insert 40 could include pouring spout recess 36 incorporated
therein. As yet a further alternative, a separate insert could be
added to panel flaps 32b or other bottom flaps to form the pouring
spout recess 36.
[0040] It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
desirably combined into many other different systems or
applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated
alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein
may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also
intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
* * * * *