Container For Two Different Products

Abstract

A container for housing two different products is presented wherein the container comprises a primary carton and a secondary carton, with the primary carton being designed to retain the secondary carton in a proportional compartment formed in the primary carton.

Description

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a container for packaging two different products. The products may be considered primary and secondary where only two are involved, however, the container could be adapted for housing several different products by employing the same inventive technique.

More specifically, the invention pertains to a container for shipping and dispensing at least two different products which for the sake of convenience must be retained in a single package. The container is designed to accomplish this result by providing a primary large outer carton which has a proportionally sized compartment formed therein for accommodating a smaller inner carton. The compartment in the outer carton is formed by bracing and positioning bridge-like panels for accepting the inner carton. Another feature of the container resides in the easy opening top of the primary carton whereby the secondary carton may be removed leaving an open area for primary product flow control and pouring.

Prior to the development of this container, there was not available on the market a means for accomplishing the desired results. The packages commonly found were bulky, inconvenient to handle and use, and did not satisfactorily maintain separation of the various packaged products. In the usual form these packages comprised merely a main carton in which the various products were loosely placed, or such a carton which contained loosely placed receptacles for the various packaged products. Due to the handling these packages inevitably received, with no satisfactory means to prevent displacement and intermixing of the products contained therein, there frequently resulted a most unattractive and unusable end product.

Other prior art containers of this type included those formed from a one piece blank and others which were formed from two individual blanks with the individual cartons secured to one another by cooperating tabs and slots. At least one prior device included a plural compartment container wherein one compartment was accessible only by destruction of the container.

With the novel container of the present invention, each of the prior art deficiencies have been overcome. The herein described shipping and dispensing container is constructed from any suitable material such as, paperboard, corrugated paperboard, plastic or other like material and is formed from two distinct blanks which are cut and scored in the desired manner. The outer larger carton includes a two part bridge-like interior panel for retaining and positioning the inner smaller carton in a prescribed, proportionally sized compartment.

As an example of the different types of products susceptible to being packaged in the novel container, the most generally adaptable products would include a dry food product such as rice or noodles packed loosely in the outer carton, and a wet food product such as tomato sauce or gravy in a can in the inner smaller carton. Similarly, a dry soap product and a wet bleach could be packaged in the same container with the wet product located in a bottle or can housed in the smaller inner carton. The different products could also take the form of a product and a prize or bonus to be used for advertising purposes.

It will become readily apparent that the novel container described more specifically in the detailed description herein serves to safely and securely package different products in a single container. In addition to the advantages and features discussed above, numerous other advantages and features will be apparent with reference to the drawing which forms a part of this specification, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flat paperboard blank from which the outer carton of this invention is folded;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a flat paperboard blank from which the inner carton of this invention is folded;

FIG. 3 shows the inner carton erected and ready to be inserted into the primary carton;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view partly in section showing the primary carton inner compartment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but taken on a different angle; and

FIG. 6 shows the two cartons nested together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The container of the present invention takes the form of two flat, cut and scored blanks of paperboard or the like which blanks are adapted to form the primary and secondary cartons referred to hereinbefore. The primary carton, or outer carton would be sized to accommodate the product to be shipped and the blank forming the primary carton would include panels for forming an integral proportionally sized inner compartment for accepting the secondary carton.

FIG. 1 shows in blank form a typical blank which could be used to fabricate the outer or primary carton. A series of panels 10, 12, 14 and 16 separated by fold lines 11, 13 and 15 make up the conventional four sidewalls of an ordinary container. Attached along the opposite free edge of the side panel 16 there is located the additional panels necessary to form the secondary product inner compartment. These latter panels are suitably shaped, cut and scored to form the inner compartment sidewalls and a supporting element or shelf for the secondary carton.

In particular, attached to side panel 16 along fold line 17, there is located a glue panel 18 which is scored to form an odd shape and which is ultimately glued to the inside of sidewall panel 10 to form the basic outer carton shape. The odd shape of flue panel 18 in the preferred embodiment is formed by applying to the glue panel 18 a cut line 26 for approximately one-half the width of the panel. It should be apparent that the cut line 26 could be either raised or lowered from its illustrated position to accommodate a shorter or taller secondary carton. Extending from the end of cut line 26 and down to the base of glue panel 18 is a fold line 25, which, together with the portion of cut line lying in panel 18 and fold line 19 on the opposite side of panel 18, forms a stair step configuration in blank form. In the constructed container, the cut line 26 forms the upper part of the bridge-like partition panel 24 which serves to support the secondary carton in its proportionally sized compartment. The partition panel 24 is bounded by fold line 25 which, in the illustrated embodiment, bisects the width of glue panel 18, and fold line 23 which forms one side of a second glue panel 22. The second glue panel 22 is oppositely shaped from that of glue panel 18 by a continuation of cut line 26 which extends approximately one-half the width thereof. Extending from the end of cut line 26 in glue panel 22 to the top of the blank is a fold line 21 which together with the cut line 26 and fold line 23 forms another stair step configuration in blank form.

Thus it should be apparent that the extension of the basic blank for the primary carton comprises four individual panels 18, 20, 22 and 24, two of which 18 and 22, are glue panels. The remaining panels 20 and 24 comprise the basic elements which form the proportionally sized inner compartment and the means for supporting the secondary product carton within the primary carton. The inner compartment walls become panel 20, a portion of glue panel 18, the sidewall panel 16 and the portion of the backwall panel 14. Panel 24 becomes in the completed carton a bridge-like shelf member which supports the secondary carton within the inner compartment. This panel need not be so constructed as to lie directly under the inner compartment, but it may be offset if desired by simply reorienting the fold lines 23, 25.

In addition to the conventional panel walls 10, 12, 14 and 16 for forming the basic primary carton, conventional bottom closure flaps are provided along the lower edge of the blank for sealing the bottom of the carton. Closure flaps 28, 30, 32 and 34 are illustrated as being foldably connected along fold lines 27, 29, 36 and 37 to their respective panel walls. Flaps 28 and 30 are separated by a cut line 31 while flaps 30 and 32 are separated from one another by a cut line 33. Similarily, flaps 32 and 34 are separated by a cut line 35. The bottom closure flaps are capable of being glued, stapled or stitched to seal the bottom of the primary carton in any convenient or practical manner.

Attached to the top edge of the conventional panel walls 10, 12, 14 and 16 are top closure flaps for releasably sealing the top of the primary carton. Top closure flaps 40, 44 and 48 are shown as being foldably attached to their respective panels along fold lines 41, 45 and 47. For convenience in opening the primary carton and to provide access to both the inner compartment and the contents of the primary carton, the top closure flaps 40 and 48 are each scored to permit ease of entry. Flap 40 includes a second portion 38 which is separated from flap 40 along fold line 39 and from panel 10 along perforated line 42. The perforated line 42 is a part of fold line 41 and allows the second flap portion 38 to be folded back about fold line 39 for entry into the carton. Flap 48 includes a second portion 50 separated from the main portion of flap 48 by a fold line 49. Attached to the opposite free edge of second portion 50 is a closure panel and flap combination including panel 52 separated from second portion 50 by fold line 53 and a flap 54 separated from panel 52 by a fold line 55. The second portion 50 of flap 48 is also separated from panel 14 by a perforated line 51 which is a part of fold line 47.

When the primary container is erected and filled, it is finally sealed by means of the glue panel 52 overlapping the side panel 16. This closure leaves tab 54 free to be used as a lever for opening the container. When tab 54 is pulled to break the seal along panel 52, the corresponding portion 38 of flap 40 along with portion 50 of flap 48 each are allowed to be torn away from their respective panels 10 and 14 along the perforated lines 42 and 51. In this manner entry to the contents of the carton is accomplished. This method for opening the outer carton is deemed the preferred embodiment since the panels 52, 54 could be omitted if desired.

The secondary carton which is adapted to fit into the proportionally sized inner compartment of the primary carton is shown in detail in FIG. 2. This carton includes side, front and back walls 56, 58, 60 and 62 separated from one another by fold lines 57, 59 and 61. Attached to the free edge of sidewall 62 is a sealing flap 64 separated from wall 62 by a fold line 63. Conventional bottom closure flaps 72, 76 and 80 are shown attached to the side and front walls 56, 58 and 60 along fold lines 73, 83 and 87. The flaps 72 and 80 are folded initially with flap 76 being folded last to seal the bottom. Flap 76 is provided with a tuck tab 78 separated therefrom by fold line 79 which is tucked into the secondary carton to accomplish the completed closure.

Similarly the secondary carton is provided with conventional top closure flaps 66, 70 and 82 separated from their respective side and rear walls 56, 60 and 62 along fold lines 65, 69 and 85. These top closure flaps function in the same manner as the above identified bottom closure flaps with flaps 82 and 70 being initially folded and flap 66 folded last. Flap 66 includes a tuck tab 68 separated therefrom by a fold line 67 for finally securing the top. In addition to these closure flaps, the front wall 58 of the secondary carton includes a pull tab 74 separated from the wall 58 by a fold line 75. This tab 74 could also be incorporated with the wall 62 where desirable. In the operative condition, the tab 74 is left on the outside of the secondary carton, but folded adjacent the top closure flap 66. When the secondary carton is placed in the primary carton inner compartment, the tab 74 remains exposed until the primary carton is sealed. Ultimately, when the primary carton is opened, after being filled and sealed, the tab 74 then becomes reexposed and serves as a means for lifting the secondary carton out of the primary carton inner compartment.

To more clearly show the relationship between the primary and secondary cartons, particular attention should be directed to FIGS. 4 and 5. In these two views, the inner compartment of the primary carton is clearly shown, ready to accept the formed secondary carton shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows the finally assembled primary carton with portions broken away to show the walls of the inner compartment including a portion of the backwall panel 14, the end wall panel 16, the glue panel 18 and the partition panel 20 separating glue panel 18 and glue panel 22. In this view the glue panel 22 is shown as being secured to the inside of backwall panel 14 so that the bridge member 24 occupies a position approximately in the center of the inner compartment. The glue panel 18 is secured to the inside of front wall panel 10 so that bridge member 24 effectively prevents the front and back walls 10 and 14 from bulging. Of course bridge member 24 also serves as the bottom support shelf member for the secondary carton once it is slipped into the primary carton inner compartment.

FIG. 5 shows in detail the inner compartment, but as viewed from a different angle. The inner compartment walls 20, 14, 16 and 18 are again illustrated with bridge member 24 clearly being shown in its preferred position as located in the center of and directly below the inner compartment of the primary carton. As pointed out hereinbefore, the shelf member 24 need not be positioned directly in the center of the primary carton inner compartment, but it may be offset to accommodate irregular loads occasioned by the weight and shape of the contents of the secondary inner carton.

The primary carton and the secondary carton are each preferably cut, scored, printed and glued before being dispatched to the customer in a knocked down condition. Conventional fabricating machinery modified for the required sizes of cartons may be used since no unique panels are employed. The novelty herein is one of the particular arrangement of the different panels wherein a two part bridge is used, elements 20, 24, which are offset from one another to form an inner compartment sidewall, panel 20, and a secondary carton support shelf, panel 24.

To form the primary carton, the extension panel scores 19, 21, 23 and 25 would be broken and the extension panel folded 180.degree. about fold line 17 bringing glue panel 22 in contact to be secured to the inside of rear panel wall 14. Next the side and front wall panels 10, 12 would be folded 180.degree. about fold line 13. This step would allow the previously applied glue on glue panel 18 to secure the panel 18 to the inside of front wall panel 10. These two gluing steps would yield a knocked down primary carton which when erected would form the unique inner compartment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The orientation of the inner compartment sidewalls is assured with the proper breaking of the previously mentioned extension panel fold lines 19, 2-, 23, and 25. For example, to erect the carton as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fold line 19 would be scored and broken to allow a fold on the inside of the blank while the fold line 21 would be scored and broken to permit a fold on the outside of the blank. Similarly fold line 25 would be scored and broken on the inside of the blank and fold line 23 scored and broken on the outside of the blank. With these steps properly done, the primary carton when erected would assume the configuration of FIGS. 4 and 5.

In like manner, the carton blank for the secondary product would be scored and broken to produce the carton configuration shown in FIG. 3. The only requirement for this secondary carton being one of leaving the tab 74 on the outside to facilitate removal of the secondary carton from the primary carton inner compartment. This configuration is shown in FIG. 6 wherein the secondary carton is correctly oriented for easy removal from the primary carton. The two cartons thus nested provide the container of this invention.

This specification has thus described a preferred embodiment of the container of the invention including the steps necessary for fabricating the novel inner compartment of the primary carton. It is to be understood, however, that even though only a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, numerous changes and variations could be made in the construction of the container while retaining the novelty of the invention. For instance, the inner compartment could be made larger or smaller or even divided by an integrally attached partition member. The bridge element 24 has been shown as not extending to the bottom of the sidewall panel 16, and this element could be lengthened or shortened as desired. Finally, other different forms of top and bottom closure flaps including regular slotted flaps, overlap slotted, center slotted or full overlap as shown, could be employed if desired.

Claims

I claim:

1. A container for housing two different products comprising:

1. a primary outer carton having an inner compartment and shelf means therein;

2. said primary outer carton including, a first main panel, a first side panel, a second main panel and a second side panel foldably connected along parallel fold lines, a first glue panel hinged to to said second side panel along the free edge thereof, and means connected to said first glue panel to form said primary carton inner compartment and shelf;

3. said primary carton inner compartment and shelf means including, a partition panel divided into an upper part and a lower part, said two parts being connected to said first glue panel along a first pair of parallel fold lines, and a second glue panel connected to said two part partition panel along a second pair of parallel fold lines which are equally spaced from said first pair of parallel fold lines;

4. said primary carton inner compartment being formed by a portion of said second main panel, the second side panel, a portion of said first glue panel and the two part partition panel;

5. said primary outer carton further including a reclosable top closure flap portion which is separable from said second main panel by a perforated line and hingedly attached to said top closure flap by a fold line to permit access to the primary carton inner compartment and to the contents of the primary carton; and

6. a secondary inner carton proportionally sized to fit within said primary carton inner compartment and rest on said primary carton shelf means.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said secondary carton includes:

1. side, top and bottom closure panels, separated from one another by fold lines and a tab means foldably attached to one of said side panels to permit removal of said secondary carton from said primary carton inner compartment.

3. A container for housing two different products comprising:

1. a primary outer carton having an inner compartment and shelf means therein;

2. said primary outer carton including a first main panel, a first side panel, a second main panel and a second side panel foldably connected along parallel fold lines, a first glue panel hinged to said second side panel along the free edge thereof, and means connected to said first glue panel along parallel fold lines to form said primary carton inner compartment and shelf means;

3. a secondary inner carton proportionally sized to fit within said primary carton inner compartment and rest on said primary carton shelf;

4. said secondary carton including side, top and bottom closure panels, separated from one another by fold lines and a tab means foldably attached to one of said side panels to permit removal of said secondary carton from said primary carton inner compartment.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein said primary carton inner compartment and shelf means includes:

a partition panel divided into an upper part and a lower part, said two parts being connected to said first glue panel along a first pair of parallel fold lines, and a second glue panel connected to said two part partition panel along a second pair of offset and parallel fold lines which are equally spaced respectively from said first pair of parallel fold lines.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein said primary carton inner compartment and shelf means are formed by a portion of said second main panel, a portion of said first glue panel and the two part partition panel.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein said primary outer carton further includes:

a reclosable top element which is separable from an outer carton main panel and hingedly attached to a top closure flap to permit access to the primary carton inner compartment and to the contents of the primary carton.