U.S. patent application number 12/816036 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for reclosable container.
This patent application is currently assigned to KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC. Invention is credited to Kofi N. AMPADU, Gary N. Langer, Thomas Tedeschi, JR..
Application Number | 20110049147 12/816036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43623336 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110049147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AMPADU; Kofi N. ; et
al. |
March 3, 2011 |
RECLOSABLE CONTAINER
Abstract
A container for retaining one or more inner packets can have a
first front panel having an irregular pattern on at least one edge;
a shrink band disposed along an axis of the container to engage the
irregular pattern on at least one edge; a second front panel having
at least a back and a flap, the flap including a first layer and a
second layer which are joined along side edges thereof to create a
pocket in the flap that is open along only one side, wherein the
flap is divided from the back by a fold line; at least one inner
packet slot configured to receive the inner packet, the inner
packet slot being defined between the first and second layers of
the flap; whereby an opened inner packet can be partially inserted
behind the inner packet slot and into the pocket between the first
and second layers of the flap of the outer package, so that when
the outer package is folded along the fold line, the inner packet
is folded against itself and is pinched shut to retain its
contents; and whereby the irregular patterns inhibits lateral
movement of the shrink band.
Inventors: |
AMPADU; Kofi N.; (Mount
Vernon, NY) ; Langer; Gary N.; (New City, NY)
; Tedeschi, JR.; Thomas; (Brewster, NY) |
Assignee: |
KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS
LLC
Northfield
IL
|
Family ID: |
43623336 |
Appl. No.: |
12/816036 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12623837 |
Nov 23, 2009 |
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12816036 |
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61239688 |
Sep 3, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/04 20130101;
B65D 5/0254 20130101; B65D 77/003 20130101; B65D 5/18 20130101;
B65D 5/2057 20130101; B65D 2577/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.89 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A container for retaining one or more inner packets, the
container comprising: a first front panel having an irregular
pattern on at least one edge; a shrink band disposed along an axis
of the container to engage the irregular pattern on at least one
edge; a second front panel having at least a back and a flap, the
flap including a first layer and a second layer which are joined
along side edges thereof to create a pocket in the flap that is
open along only one side, wherein the flap is divided from the back
by a fold line; at least one inner packet slot configured to
receive the inner packet, the inner packet slot being defined
between the first and second layers of the flap; whereby an opened
inner packet can be partially inserted behind the inner packet slot
and into the pocket between the first and second layers of the flap
of the outer package, so that when the outer package is folded
along the fold line, the inner packet is folded against itself and
is pinched shut to retain its contents; and whereby the irregular
patterns inhibits lateral movement of the shrink band.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the shrink band is composed of
a material selected from the list costing of oriented
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and
glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG).
3. The container of claim 1, wherein a gauge of shrink band is
between about 45 and 55 microns.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the shrink band further
comprises two substantially parallel perforations spanning a width
of the shrink band.
5. The container of claim 1, further comprising relief score lines
on a back panel of the container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of, and
claims priority to, currently pending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/623,837 filed on Nov. 23, 2009 and entitled RECLOSABLE
CONTAINER, which claims priority from provisional patent
application No. 61/239,688, filed Sep. 3, 2009 and entitled
RECLOSABLE CONTAINER, the contents of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
FIELD
[0002] The embodiments described herein relate to containers, and
in particular to containers having a means to keep opened inner
packets sealed.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Reclosable containers that include a plurality of inner
packets or liners that contain product are known in the art. Some
containers can be opened and closed by the use of locking flaps and
made of paperboard.
[0004] Containers of this type are susceptible to spillage of
product when the inner packet has granular or powdered material and
is opened and returned to the container. Containers of this type do
not form adequate seals to hold any inner product that has
spilled.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a desire and need for a container that
can be reliably closed and additionally can seal an opened inner
packet from spillage.
SUMMARY
[0006] A reclosable container is provided that can be reliably
closed and can seal one or more opened inner packets.
[0007] One embodiment can provide a container having a first front
panel having an irregular pattern on at least one edge; a shrink
band disposed along an axis of the container to engage the
irregular pattern on at least one edge; a second front panel having
at least a back and a flap, the flap including a first layer and a
second layer which are joined along side edges thereof to create a
pocket in the flap that is open along only one side, wherein the
flap is divided from the back by a fold line; at least one inner
packet slot configured to receive the inner packet, the inner
packet slot being defined between the first and second layers of
the flap; whereby an opened inner packet can be partially inserted
behind the inner packet slot and into the pocket between the first
and second layers of the flap of the outer package, so that when
the outer package is folded along the fold line, the inner packet
is folded against itself and is pinched shut to retain its
contents; and whereby the irregular patterns inhibits lateral
movement of the shrink band.
[0008] In some embodiments the shrink band can be composed of a
material selected from the list costing of oriented polypropylene,
polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and preferably
glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG). The shrink band
gauge can be between about 45 and 55 microns and optionally have
two substantially parallel perforations spanning a width of the
shrink band.
[0009] In other embodiments, the container can have relief score
lines on a back panel of the container.
[0010] Other features will become more apparent to persons having
ordinary skill in the art to which the container pertains and from
the following description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing features, as well as other features, will
become apparent with reference to the description and figures
below, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a closed
exemplary container;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1 in an open
position;
[0014] FIG. 3A is a front view of the container of FIG. 1 with an
inner packet disposed in a flap cavity;
[0015] FIG. 3B is a cross-section of the container of FIG. 1 taken
along line 3B-3B with an inner packet pinched shut using the
flap;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front view of a blank of the first embodiment of
an exemplary container;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a planar view of a blank for a second embodiment
of an exemplary container;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the first embodiment container in
an open position having and alternate slot; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front view of the first embodiment container in
an open position having a plurality of slots;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the first embodiment exemplary
container;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a planar view of a blank for a third embodiment of
an exemplary container;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a front view of the first embodiment of a closed
exemplary container having an optional shrink band;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the first embodiment of a closed
exemplary container having an optional shrink band;
[0024] FIGS. 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a show alternative embodiments of
blanks of the bottom edge of an exemplary container; and
[0025] FIGS. 12b, 13b, 14b, and 15b show alternative embodiments of
the bottom edge of an exemplary container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring now to the figures, like elements are represented
by like numerals throughout the several views.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a closed container
10. Container 10 includes a front, two side panels 12 and a back
14. The front can have a first front panel 16 and a second front
panel 18. First front panel 16 can be smaller than back 14 and can
continuously adjoin back 14 along a bottom edge 20. Back 14 can
continuously adjoin second front panel 18 along a top edge 22 and
each side panel 12 along a respective side edge 24. First front
panel 16 can also be connected to each of the two side panels 12,
and at least a portion of each edge 30 between first front panel 16
and each of the side panels 12 can be arcuate. Arcuate edges 30
connecting first front panel 16 and side panels 12 result in a
bowing out of first front panel 16 so that it is at least partially
outwardly-convex, defining a cavity between first front panel 16
and back 14. This allows an area for one or more inner packets 32
(FIG. 2) containing products to be placed therein. Although any
number of products can be placed within inner packet 32, examples
herein can include granulated or powdered drink mixes.
[0028] As shown in the FIGS. 10 and 11, container 10 can have an
optional shrink band 23. Shrink band 23 can be applied to envelop
at least part of container 10 prior to use by a consumer (See,
FIGS. 10-11) to inhibit access to the contents disposed therein.
Shrink band 23 can be transparent, opaque, or have printed layers.
Shrink band 23 can be formed from a variety of film materials such
as oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and preferably glycol-modified
polyethylene terephthalate (PETG). Shrink band 23 can be between
about 40 to 70 microns, preferably about 45 to 55 microns, and most
preferably about 50 microns. Shrink band 23 can also have
perforations 45 to allow easy removal by a user. As shown in FIG.
11, perforations 45 can be two substantially parallel spaced
lateral perforations spanning a width shrink band 23.
[0029] Also, as shown in the figures, a pattern or irregularity can
be die cut into a container edge. As shown, at least one tab 21 can
be added to bottom edge 20. Tab 21 can facilitate the retention of
a shrink band 23 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, in
embodiments having a longitudinal shrink band (shown), the shrink
band could potentially be removed laterally and replaced without
evidence to the user when the engaged edges are smooth and/or
undistorted. The irregular pattern formed by the at least one tab
21 can inhibit the lateral removal of the shrink band. Further, tab
21 can be used to provide tamper evidence when shrink band 23 is
configured to rupture if lateral movement of the band is attempted.
In preferred shrink band gauges, tab 21 would also be configured to
provide sufficient rigidity to rupture the film upon attempted
lateral removal. Several pattern variations to produce an irregular
edge to container 10 are possible. FIGS. 12-15 show just a few of
these potential variations. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, these
irregularities can be formed from the dies cutting the container
blanks.
[0030] It is also noted that the irregular pattern, such as tabs
21, can be formed on any of the package sides, such as bottom
and/or top side, and left side and/or right side so long as at
least one of the irregular patterns engages the shrink band 23 as
described. In embodiments where a right side and/or left side
irregular pattern is included, shrink band 23 would envelop the
container in a lateral direction. Thus, as shown, preferably three
tabs 21 can be provided and the shrink band configured to engage
all three tabs.
[0031] First front panel 16 can also include a slot 28 for
receiving a lower edge 26 of second front panel 18 to close
container 10. Second front panel 18 can at least partially overlap
first front panel 16. In exemplary embodiments, when container 10
is initially purchased and is unopened, an adhesive means can be
used to retain the first front panel 18 over second front panel 16.
Adhesive retaining means can include such things as cold glue, hot
melt glue, tape, stickers, labels, band overwrap, shrink overwrap,
and the like. In such embodiments, slot 28 is unused until the
adhesive retaining means is broken.
[0032] The combination of slot 28 and reclosing edge 26 can
generally be referred to as reclosing mechanism. The exact position
of slot 28 on first front panel 16 can vary, though it has been
found that placement near the apex of the arcuate edge 30 is
preferable and can provide a closure that will not readily open by
itself when upside down or inverted, when first front panel 16 is
folded to an acute angle, when container 10 is dropped, or when
container 10 is subjected to compressive forces. The folding angle
can adjust to accommodate the convex curvature of container 10. The
reclosing mechanism can be configured for a consumer to open using
one hand.
[0033] Container 10 can be made from a variety of materials such as
a single sheet of foldable material (blank). Preferably, container
10 is made of paperboard of the type conventionally used in food
containers or product packages, and more specifically, can be made
of 14 point paperboard (approximately 0.3 mm thick). Other
materials can include plastic, paperboard-plastic composites,
cardboard, fabric, leather, vinyl and the like. Container 10 can
additionally include texture on one or more of the surfaces,
indicia, or other designs to make the package aesthetically
pleasing to consumers.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows the package of FIG. 1 in an open position. FIG.
2 also shows a plurality of internal packets 32, which may contain,
for example, powdered or granulated products, such as powdered
beverage mix or powdered juice or coffee, salad dressing, instant
pudding or gelatin mix, ice cream toppings, desserts and dessert
toppings, sprinkles, cookie crumbs, confections such as gum sticks,
or other products.
[0035] Referring back to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, second front
panel 18 can have at least two layers: an interior layer 34 and an
exterior layer 36, which can be joined at the edges, defining an
interior cavity. The edges can be joined by an adhesive layer 68 in
a number of manners such as hot melt glue, cold glue, adhesive
tape, and the like. Interior layer 34 of second front panel 18
defines an inner packet slot 38. Inner packet slot 38 is sized to
accommodate at least a portion of one or more inner packets 32. In
one specific example, inner packet 32 is a packet with a powdered
drink mix that may be torn open at its upper end. Inner packet 32
may be, for example, two centimeters wide and inner packet slot 38
is at least that wide.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, inner packet slot 38 can be defined, in
part, by an unattached arcuate portion of an edge of layer 26.
Inner packet slot 38 may alternatively be trapezoidal, or may
include a tab that can be completely folded under to provide a
straight edge under which the inner packet 32 containing product
can be slipped. As shown, inner packet slot 38 has a score line 70
to allow the arcuate portion of inner packet slot 38 to be bent
outwardly forming a tab, thus facilitating easier insertion of
inner packet 32. Additional inner packet slots, such as shown in
FIG. 7, can be optionally provided and allow a consumer to save a
plurality of opened inner packets 32 containing e.g., a variety of
flavors of powdered beverage within the plurality of slots. The
additional inner packet slots can be made by making cuts (arcuate
cuts shown) in interior layer 34. Additionally, score lines 70 can
also be added to form outwardly bent tabs as described herein.
[0037] After an inner packet 32 has been opened by tearing its
upper end, the upper end may be inserted within inner packet slot
38, between interior layer 34 and exterior layer 36 of second front
panel 18, as shown in FIG. 3. Inner packet slot 38 holds inner
packet 32 in place, restricting or eliminating movement
thereof.
[0038] FIG. 3B shows that as second front panel 18 is acutely
folded at top edge 22 to overlap first front panel 16, inner packet
32 is also folded, pinching the inner packet 32 closed, thus
providing a releasable seal.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, an example of a blank 42 for
container 10 is shown. As shown herein, container blank 42 can be
formed from a single sheet of foldable material. Preferably,
container blank 42 is made of paperboard of a type conventionally
used in food containers, such as 14 point paperboard. Other
materials can also be used including plastic, paperboard-plastic
composites, cardboard, fabric, leather, vinyl, and the like.
Additionally, textures on one or more of the surfaces can be
provided in the form of embossing, debossing, coating, and matte or
gloss finishing. Indicia or other designs can be provided on
container blank 42 so that such indicia or designs are visible on
the inside and/or outside of container 10.
[0040] As FIG. 4 illustrates, container blank 42 includes a back
14, preferably in the shape of a rectangle or square. Length and
width of back 14 can be around 10 centimeters to allow for the
container to fit into purses, pockets, briefcases, and to be
otherwise conveniently sized for transportation. Length and width
of back 14 can be greater or smaller, depending on the specific
application contemplated, such as may be necessary to accommodate
smaller or larger products. Container blank 42 includes two
opposing side panels 12, a first front panel 16, and a second front
panel 18 which are adjacent to and integrally connected to the back
14 by fold lines 44, 46, 48, and 50. Fold lines 48 and 50 make up
side edges 24 in FIG. 1. Further, fold line 44 corresponds to top
edge 22 and fold line 46 corresponds to bottom edge 20 of FIG.
1.
[0041] Referring back to FIG. 4, back 14, as illustrated, is larger
than the first front panel 16, and first front panel 16 adjoins
back 14 along a fold line 46 along the bottom of back 14. First
front panel 16 includes a slot 28 cut through first front panel 16
and positioned and shaped to engage reclosing edge 26, or fold line
52 in FIG. 4 of second front panel 18. As discussed in connection
with FIG. 1, slot 28 varies in distance from fold line 46 depending
on the distance of fold line 52 from fold line 44. First front
panel 16 includes two arcuate opposing edges 66 to approximately
match arcuate edges 30 of side panels 12. These opposing edges 66
are adjacent to fold line 46. Edge 62 of first front panel 16,
which opposes fold line 46, is shown in FIG. 4 as having a
hyperbolic shape. Nevertheless, this particular edge can be a
straight line, have a trapezoidal cut out, or include other
shapes.
[0042] Container blank 42, as illustrated, also includes two side
panels 12. Side panels 12 are divided from back 14 along fold lines
48 and 50, located on edges of the back 14 opposing one another,
and each adjacent to first front panel 80. Fold lines 48 and 50, as
shown, are straight edges, which allow back 14 to remain flat when
the package is assembled and contains product so as to minimize the
amount of space the package occupies. Side panels 12 additionally
include precisely scored arcuate edges 30 which define the depth of
the package and provide a convex shape to first front panel 16. In
exemplary embodiments, the distance from fold line 48 or 50 to the
apex of arcuate edge 30 of side panel 12 is about one centimeter to
allow the container to be easily transported in a small purse, bag,
or pocket. The distance from fold line 48 or 50 to the apex of
arcuate edge 30 of side panel 12 varies depending on inner packet
32 to be contained within the container 10. It is this distance
from fold line 48 or 50 to the apex of the arcuate edge 30 that
gives the package its depth. Furthermore, the distance from fold
line 48 to the apex of the arcuate edge 30 of the associated side
panel 12 is equal to the distance from fold line 50 to the apex of
the corresponding arcuate edge 30 of the side panel 12 associated
with fold line 50.
[0043] Other features can be provided to container 10. As shown in
FIG. 5, optionally scored back arcuate edges 72 can further define
the depth of the package by providing a second convex shape to back
14. As shown in FIG. 9, areas of adhesion 25 can be provided.
Preferred adhesives placed in these areas can include hot melt,
pressure sensitive, energy activated, and the like. FIG. 9 also
shows optional cuts and fold lines to better facilitate product
disposed within container 10. As shown, relief score lines 27 and
29 interior to fold lines 33 relieves bowing of back panel 14 when
product is placed therein.
[0044] Side panels 12 can each be connected to an attachment flap
58 along the scored edge using adhesive means described herein.
Attachment flaps 58 are folded into the inside of the container 10
when it is assembled and provides a means by which first front
panel 16 can be joined to side panels 12. Each attachment flap 58
can have a straight edge 56 opposing arcuate edge 30 and a straight
edge 60 adjacent to arcuate edge 30 near fold line 46. Further,
each attachment flap 58 has a contoured edge 54 adjacent to the
arcuate edge 30 near fold line 44. This edge 54 is contoured to
substantially match hyperbolic edge 62 of first front panel 16 when
container blank 42 is folded to form a container. When container 10
is constructed from container blank 42 as shown in FIG. 4,
attachment flaps 58 can substantially overlap one another. The
amount of overlap may vary depending on the desired type and amount
of materials to be used and the amount of support desired.
Additionally, in exemplary embodiments, attachment flaps 58 can
include more than two relief cuts 64, or fewer than two relief cuts
64, depending on the type of material selected and its
flexibility.
[0045] Container 10 can also include a second front panel 18 which,
as shown in FIG. 4, includes at least two layers, an exterior layer
36 and an interior layer 34 of second front panel 18. When shown
spread out in the container blank 42, exterior layer 36 and
interior layer 34 are adjacent to and integrally connected to one
another by a transverse fold line 52, and substantially form an
hourglass shape. As shown in FIG. 4, interior layer 34 and exterior
layer 36 include partially arcuate edges, although the exact shape
of the edges of interior layer 34 and exterior layer 36 vary
depending on the application and overall shape of the container 10.
For example, second front panel 18 can be contoured to match the
shape of first front panel 16, or it can differ in shape from the
shape of first front panel 16. In FIG. 4, fold line 52 divides
second front panel 18 into symmetrical first and second portions,
where each portion includes a narrow edge and a wide edge. The
first portion, or exterior layer 36, is divided from back 14 along
its wide edge, or fold line 44. Fold line 52, located across the
narrow part of the second front panel 18, comprises reclosing edge
26 in FIG. 1, and is received by slot 28 of first front panel 16 to
close the package.
[0046] In preferred embodiments, the second portion of the second
front panel, or interior layer 34, includes an inner packet slot
38. When the container blank 42 is folded to create container 10,
inner packet slot 38 allows the interior layer 34 and the exterior
layer 36 to be easily separated to receive an inner packet 32
containing product between the two layers. Inner packet slot 38 can
vary in size, creating a wider or narrower inner packet slot 38. As
shown in FIG. 4, inner packet slot can located in approximately the
center of the wide edge of the second portion of the second front
panel, and has an arcuate shape. As previously discussed, inner
packet slot 38 can have other shapes, depending on the specific
application contemplated.
[0047] To create the container 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-3, slot 28 is
cut or scored through first front panel 16 of container blank 42 in
FIG. 4. Interior layer 34 is folded down to exterior layer 36 of
second front panel 18 along fold line 52 and secured in place.
Again, this can be secured using an adhesive means described
herein. A portion of interior layer 34 and exterior layer 36,
including at least the location of inner packet slot 38, are not
joined to allow for receipt of an open inner packet 32 containing
product. Container blank 42 is folded along fold lines 44, 46, 48,
and 50. Relief cuts 64 in attachment flaps 58 are cut, and
attachment flaps 58 are folded towards one another along arcuate
edges 30. Attachment flaps 58 overlap and are joined to one another
using an adhesive or the like. Edges 66 of first front panel 16 are
joined to arcuate edges 30 of side panels 12, giving first front
panel 16 an at least partially outward-convex shape. First front
panel 16 is joined to attachment flaps 58. Second front panel 18 is
folded down along fold line 44 and reclosing edge 26 (fold line 52
in FIG. 4) is tucked into slot 28 on first front panel 16 to close
container 10.
[0048] While preferred embodiments have been described in detail,
variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of
the embodiments.
* * * * *