U.S. patent number RE38,377 [Application Number 10/146,289] was granted by the patent office on 2004-01-06 for package for beverages.
Invention is credited to James F. Geshay.
United States Patent |
RE38,377 |
Geshay |
January 6, 2004 |
Package for beverages
Abstract
An improvement to a beverage package that includes a flaccid
beverage bag, a carton around the bag and a fill spout and
dispensing device attached to the bag. The improvement wherein the
carton is collapsible and includes front and rear panels with first
and second spaced-apart side panels extending between the front and
rear panels thereby forming a rectangular upper opening bounded by
the panels. Furthermore, a spout securing panel is received in the
opening and has the spout extending therethrough, and a cover panel
is over the securing panel. A method for transporting and
dispensing a beverage is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Geshay; James F. (Racine,
WI) |
Family
ID: |
22212014 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/146,289 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
327216 |
Jun 7, 1999 |
06062431 |
May 16, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/105; 221/96;
222/1; 222/511; 229/117.3; 229/117.35; 53/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
5/4608 (20130101); B65D 5/528 (20130101); B65D
77/065 (20130101); B65D 77/067 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
5/44 (20060101); B65D 5/46 (20060101); B65D
5/468 (20060101); B65D 5/52 (20060101); B65D
77/06 (20060101); B65D 035/56 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/93,105,183,465.1,482,565 ;221/96 ;229/117.3,117.35
;53/175,449 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mancene; Gene
Assistant Examiner: Buechner; Patrick
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is based upon U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/088,550 filed Jun. 8, 1998.
Claims
What is claimed: .[.
1. In a beverage package including a flaccid beverage bag, a carton
around the bag and a fill spout and dispensing device attached to
the bag, the improvement wherein: the carton includes front and
rear panels and first and second spaced-apart side panels extending
between the front and rear panels and forming a rectangular upper
opening bounded by the panels; a spout securing panel is received
in the opening and has the spout extending therethrough; and a
cover panel is over the securing panel..]. .[.
2. The package of claim 1 including: a cup retention panel attached
to and spaced outwardly from the carton and including a cup
retaining projection..]. .[.
3. The package of claim 1 wherein the front panel includes an
aperture; and the dispensing device protrudes through the
aperture..]. .[.
4. The package of claim 3 wherein: the flaccid beverage bag has a
top portion and a bottom portion and includes an interior and
exterior; the fill spout is connected in flow communication with
the top portion of the beverage bag; and the dispensing device
connected near the bottom portion of the beverage bag in flow
communication with the interior of such bag protrudes through the
aperture..]. .[.
5. The package of claim 1 wherein a spring-closed spigot is
attached to the dispensing device..]..[.
6. The package of claim 1 wherein the carton includes a carrying
handle..]..[.
7. The package of claim 1 wherein: the spout securing panel has a
first width; the front and rear panels have a second width; and the
second width is greater than the first width..]. .[.
8. The package of claim 1 wherein the package is
collapsible..]..[.
9. A foldable blank erectable into a carton for transporting a
beverage, the foldable blank comprising: a front panel and a rear
panel substantially parallel to each other, said front and rear
panels each having an interior surface and an exterior surface and
the front panel includes a flap having scored aperture at one end
while the rear panel includes a scored carry-handle cutout; a first
side panel and a second side panel substantially parallel to each
other and extending between the front panel and the rear panel; a
slit formed between the rear panel and the second side panel; a
cover panel attached to the front panel, said cover panel having a
latch flap; a cup retention panel extending from the rear panel,
said cup retention panel having a lock tab suitable for insertion
in the slit; a first glue tab extending along the first side panel,
said first glue tab adhering to the interior surface of the rear
panel; a first glue flap extending from front panel adhering to a
third glue flap extending from the first side panel; a second glue
flap extending from the rear panel adhering to a fourth glue flap
extending from the second panel, said second and fourth glue flaps
interlocking with the first and third glue flaps,
thereby forming a bottom to the carton..]..[.
10. The foldable blank of claim 9 wherein a spout securing panel
having a scored opening is integrated with and extends from the
rear panel..]..[.
11. The foldable blank of claim 10 wherein: the front and rear
panels have a first width; the securing panel has a second width;
and the first width is greater than the second width..]. .[.
12. The foldable blank of claim 9 wherein a separate spout securing
panel having a scored opening is positioned between the front and
rear panels..]..[.
13. The foldable blank of claim 9 wherein a cup retaining
projection is attached to the cup retention panel..]..[.
14. The foldable blank of claim 9 wherein a series of scored lines
are positioned between the front panel and the first side panel,
the front panel and the second side panel, the second side panel
and the rear panel, and the rear panel and the cup retention
panel..]..[.
15. A method for transporting and dispensing a beverage in a
beverage package that includes a flaccid beverage bag, a carton
around the bag and a fill spout and dispensing device, said method
comprised of the steps of squaring-up a prefolded carton so that
the carton has a top portion, a bottom portion, a front panel, a
rear panel, and a first and second side panel; positioning a spout
securing panel having an opening in the top of the carton; placing
the fill spout in the opening in the spout securing panel;
installing the dispensing device through an aperture in the front
panel; filling the bag through the fill spout with a beverage;
inserting a latch flap attached to the top portion in a
carry-handle located in the rear panel; carrying the carton via the
carry-handle to a desired location; and dispensing the beverage
through the dispensing device into a beverage serving apparatus..].
.Iadd.
16. A unitary foldable blank erectable into a carton for
transporting a beverage, the foldable blank comprising: a front
vertical panel and a rear vertical panel, the panels being
substantially parallel to each other when the blank is erected, the
front and rear vertical panels each having an interior surface and
an exterior surface and the front vertical panel includes an
aperture at one end; side vertical panels that extend between the
front and rear vertical panels when the blank is erected; and a
spout-securing panel integral with and extending from one of the
vertical panels, the spout-securing panel having a spout-receiving
opening..Iaddend..Iadd.
17. The unitary blank of claim 16 further including a cover panel
integral with and extending from another one of the vertical
panels..Iaddend..Iadd.
18. The unitary blank of claim 16 wherein: the front and rear
panels have a first width; the securing panel has a second width;
and the first width is greater than the second
width..Iaddend..Iadd.
19. The unitary blank of claim 16 wherein: the spout-securing panel
is integral with and extends from the rear vertical panel; and the
cover panel is integral with and extends from the front vertical
panel..Iaddend..Iadd.
20. The unitary blank of claim 19 wherein: the rear panel includes
a carry-handle cutout; and the cover panel has a latch flap
engageable with the carry-handle cutout when the blank is
erected..Iaddend..Iadd.
21. The unitary blank of claim 16 wherein the side vertical panels
consist of first and second side vertical panels which, when the
blank is erected, are substantially parallel to each other, each
extending from the front panel to the rear
panel..Iaddend..Iadd.
22. The unitary blank of claim 21 further comprising: a first glue
tab that extends along the first side panel and, when the blank is
erected, adheres to the interior surface of the rear panel; a first
glue flap that extends from front panel and, when the blank is
erected, adheres to a third glue flap that extends from the first
side panel; and a second glue flap that extends from the rear panel
and, when the blank is erected, adheres to a fourth glue flap that
extends from the second side panel, the second and fourth glue
flaps being interlockable with the first and third glue flaps upon
erection of the blank..Iaddend..Iadd.
23. The unitary blank of claim 21 wherein a series of scored lines
are positioned between the front panel and the first side panel,
the front panel and the second side panel, and the second side
panel and the rear panel..Iaddend..Iadd.
24. The unitary blank of claim 21 wherein: a slit is formed between
the rear panel and the second side panel; and a cup retention panel
extends from the rear panel, the cup retention panel having a lock
tab suitable for insertion in the slit when the blank is
erected..Iaddend..Iadd.
25. The unitary blank of claim 24 wherein the cup retention panel
has a cup retaining projection attached thereto..Iaddend..Iadd.
26. A method for transporting and dispensing a beverage in a
package that includes a flaccid beverage bag, a carton around the
bag, a fill spout and a dispensing device attached to the bag, the
method comprising the steps of: providing a unitary non-erected
carton having, as parts of a single piece, (a) front and rear
vertical panels, the front panel having an aperture at one end, (b)
side vertical panels extending between the front and rear vertical
panels, and (c) a spout-securing panel integral with and extending
from one of the vertical panels, the spout-securing panel having a
spout-receiving opening, the non-erected carton enclosing the
flaccid beverage bag with the dispensing device secured through the
panel aperture in the front panel; erecting the carton so that it
has a top portion and a bottom portion, the erecting step including
positioning the integral spout-securing panel at the top portion of
the carton and placing the fill spout in the spout-receiving
opening; filling the bag through the fill spout with a beverage;
carrying the carton to a desired location; and dispensing the
beverage through the dispensing device..Iaddend..Iadd.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of placing a
cover on the top portion of the carton..Iaddend..Iadd.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the cover comprises a cover
panel integral with and extending from another one of the vertical
panels..Iaddend..Iadd.
29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of inserting
a latch flap integral with and extending from the cover panel into
a carry-handle cutout included in the rear vertical
panel..Iaddend..Iadd.
30. A beverage package comprising: a unitary erectable carton that,
in erected condition, has (a) a front vertical panel and a rear
vertical panel substantially parallel to each other, the front
vertical panel having an aperture at one end, (b) side vertical
panels extending between the front and rear vertical panels, and
(c) a spout-securing panel with a spout-receiving opening, all of
such panels being part of a single piece; and a flaccid beverage
bag enclosed in the carton, the bag having a fill spout secured
through the spout-receiving opening and a dispensing device secured
through the aperture..Iaddend..Iadd.
31. The beverage package of claim 30 wherein a spring-closed spigot
is attached to the dispensing device..Iaddend..Iadd.
32. The beverage package of claim 30 wherein: the unitary erectable
carton includes a cup retention panel that is integral with the
carton; and the carton, in erected condition, has the cup retention
panel extending outward from the carton..Iaddend..Iadd.
33. The beverage package of claim 30 wherein the rear panel
includes a carry-handle cutout..Iaddend..Iadd.
34. The beverage package of claim 30 wherein the side vertical
panels consist of first and second side vertical panels and the
unitary erectable carton further comprises: a first glue tab
extending along the first side panel that adheres to the interior
surface of the rear panel; a first glue flap extending from front
panel that adheres to a third glue flap extending from the first
side panel; and a second glue flap extending from the rear panel
that adheres to a fourth glue flap extending from the second side
panel, the second and fourth glue flaps being interlockable with
the first and third glue flaps to form a bottom when the carton is
in erected condition..Iaddend..Iadd.
35. The beverage package of claim 30 wherein: the vertical panels
form an upper opening when the unitary erectable carton is in
erected condition; and the spout-securing panel extends into the
upper opening..Iaddend..Iadd.
36. The beverage package of claim 35 wherein the unitary erectable
carton includes a cover panel that is integral with the carton and
wherein the carton, in erected condition, has the cover panel
extending over the spout-securing panel..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a beverage container and, more
particularly, to a method and apparatus for transporting and
dispensing a beverage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gourmet coffee shops have gained a large share of the beverage
market in recent years. These shops typically sell individual
servings of upscale brands of coffee. These servings are usually
packaged in single serving cups that are suitable for carry-out
orders.
These gourmet coffee shops have so changed to public's taste for
coffee that such coffee is now being requested as part of a coffee
service for large gatherings such as meetings and the like. One
impediment to the serving of gourmet coffee in large gatherings,
however, is the absence of a container large enough to efficiently
transport and serve the beverage outside of the coffee shop.
Therefore, an apparatus that wound allow one to transport and serve
more than one cup of coffee at a time would be an important
advancement in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to an improved beverage package that
includes a flaccid beverage bag, a carton around the bag and a fill
spout and dispensing device attached to the bag. The improvement
involves a carton that includes front and rear panels and first and
second spaced-apart side panels which extend between the front and
rear panels so as to form a rectangular upper opening bounded by
the panels. A spout securing panel with the spout extending
therethrough is received in the opening and a cover panel is placed
over the securing panel.
In one embodiment of the invention, a cup retention panel that
includes a cup retaining projection is attached to and spaced
outwardly from the carton. In another embodiment, the front panel
includes an aperture and the dispensing device protrudes through
the aperture. In a more specific version of such embodiment, the
flaccid beverage bag has a top and bottom portion that encloses the
bag so as to define an interior and an exterior section. The fill
spout is connected in flow communication with the top portion of
the beverage bag and the dispensing device, which is connected near
the bottom portion of the beverage bag in flow communication with
the interior, protrudes through the aperture.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a spring-closed spigot
is attached to the dispensing device. In the most preferred
embodiment, the carton includes a carrying handle. In still another
embodiment, the spout securing panel has a first width, the front
and rear panels have a second width, and the second width is
greater than the first width. A preferred version of all of the
embodiments is one in which the package is collapsible.
The carton used in the invention is formed from a foldable blank
that is comprised of a front panel and a rear panel that are
substantially parallel to each other. These panels each have an
interior and exterior surface and the front panel includes a flap
that has a scored aperture at one end while the rear panel includes
a scored carry-handle cutout. The blank also has a first side panel
and a second side panel which are substantially parallel to each
other and extend between the front panel and the rear panel in such
a manner that a slit is formed between the rear panel and the
second side panel. A cover panel having a latch flap is attached to
the front panel and a cup retention panel extends from the rear
panel. The cup retention panel includes a lock tab that is suitable
for insertion in the slit.
The blank also has a first glue tab that adheres to the interior
surface of the rear panel. Such tab extends along the first side
panel. Furthermore, a first glue flap extends from the front panel
and adheres to a third glue flap that extends from the first side
panel. A second glue flap extends from the rear panel and adheres
to a fourth glue flap that extends from the second panel. The
second and fourth glue flaps interlocking with the first and third
glue flaps in order to form the bottom of the carton.
In one embodiment, the carton includes a spout securing panel that
has a scored opening that is integrated with and extends from the
rear panel. In a specific version of such embodiment, the front and
rear panels have a first width, the securing panel has a second
width, and the first width is greater than the second width.
In another embodiment, a separate spout securing panel having a
scored opening is positioned between the front and rear panels. In
still another embodiment, a cup retaining projection is attached to
the cup retention panel.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a series of scored
lines are positioned between the front panel and the first side
panel, the front panel and the second side panel, the second side
panel and the rear panel, and the rear panel and the cup retention
panel.
The invention also includes a method for transporting and
dispensing a beverage in a beverage package that includes a flaccid
beverage bag, a carton around the bag and a fill spout and
dispensing device. The transporting method is comprised of the
steps of: (1) squaring-up a prefolded carton so that the carton has
a top portion, a bottom portion, a front panel, a rear panel, and a
first and second side panel; (2) positioning a spout securing panel
having an opening in the top of the carton; (3) placing the fill
spout in the opening in the spout securing panel; (4) installing
the dispensing device through an aperture in the front panel; (5)
filling the bag through the fill spout with a beverage; (6)
inserting a latch flap attached to the top portion in a
carry-handle located in the rear panel; (7) carrying the carton via
the carry-handle to a desired location, and (8) dispensing the
beverage through the dispensing device into a beverage serving
apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a corrugated cardboard blank used to make
the new package. Fold lines are shown in dashed line as is a spout
securing panel optionally integral with the blank.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the new package in its knocked-down or
"fold-flat" configuration for shipping.
FIG. 3 is a representative top plan view of the carton showing the
relative width of the spout securing panel with respect to the
widths of the front and rear carton panels.
FIG. 4 is a cutaway side elevation view of the new package with the
cover panel in an intermediate position.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the new package in full
representation and with cups mounted on the cup retention
panel.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the new package in full
representation and with no cups mounted on the cup retention
panel.
FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the new package.
FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the new package with cups
mounted on the cup retention panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before describing the new beverage package 10, this specification
first explains aspects of the blank 11 used to make such package.
FIG. 1 shows a highly preferred blank 11, preferably made of
corrugated cardboard, which includes panels 13 and 15 which form
the front and rear panels, respectively, of the package 10 when the
carton and bag are set up for use. The blank 11 also has first and
second side panels 17 and 19, respectively, and such panels 17, 19
extend between the front and rear panels 13, 15 when the carton and
bag are set up for use. In the erected package shown in FIGS. 5, 7
and 8, the panels 13, 15 are generally parallel to one another and
the panels 17, 19 are generally parallel to one another.
A glue tab 21 extends along the panel 17 and when the carton is
partially assembled in a "flat-fold" configuration for shipping as
shown in FIG. 2, the tab 21 is glued to the interior surface of the
panel 15 generally along the strip 23. Similarly, first and second
glue flaps 25, 27, respectively, extend from the panels 13, 15,
respectively, and third and fourth glue flaps 29, 31, respectively,
extend from the panels 17, 19, respectively. In a specific, highly
preferred embodiment, the first and second flaps 25, 27 have
substantially identical shapes that are .[.substantially identical
to one another and.]. different from that of the flaps .[.25, 27.].
.Iadd.29, 31.Iaddend.. In the flat-fold configuration, the flaps
27, 31 are glued to one another and the flaps 25, 29 are glued to
one another. (As will become apparent, the flaps 25, 27, 29, 31 are
shaped and glued in such a way that all four flaps 25, 27, 29, 31
interlock to form the bottom of the package 10. Configuring and
gluing such flaps 25, 27, 29, 31 is know.Iadd.n .Iaddend.per
se.)
To accommodate the dispensing device 33, the panel 13 includes a
scored aperture 35 and flap 37. In the flat-fold configuration or
when the carton is erected for use, the scored aperture 35 is
pushed out, the flap 37 released, the dispensing device 33 inserted
through the resulting opening and the flap 37 restored to its
original position. The blank 11 also includes a scored carry-handle
cutout 39 which is pushed out when the carton is erected for
use.
Referring also to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, in a highly preferred
embodiment, the blank 11 includes a spout securing panel 41
integral with and extending away from the panel 15. Referring also
to FIG. 3, the width "W" of the panel is preferably slightly less
than the width of either of the panels 13, 15 so that when the
spout securing panel 41 is folded into the rectangular upper
opening 43, clearance slots 45a, 45b are defined between the
securing panel 41 and the panels 19, 17, respectively. When the
cover panel 47 is folded over the securing panel 41, the slots 45a,
45b, receive the wings 49a, 49b, respectively, of the cover panel
47. The securing panel 41 includes a scored opening which receives
the fill spout 51 therethrough when the package 10 is erected for
use.
As described above, the spout securing panel 41 is preferably an
integral part of the blank 11. In another embodiment, such panel
41a may be separate from the blank 11 and simply folded along fold
lines 53 and urged into the opening 43 to secure the fill spout
51.
The blank 11 also includes the cover panel 47 integral with and
extending away from the panel 13. Such cover panel 47 includes, in
addition to the wings 49a, 49b a latch flap 55 having first and
second .[.compartments.]. .Iadd.components .Iaddend.57, 59,
respectively. The second component 59 has fold-scored ears 61 so
that such component 59 may be inserted inwardly through and locked
to the carry-handle cutout 39 when the package 10 is erected for
use.
Configured as described above, the blank 11 has great utility in
making the new package 10. However, a feature highly convenient for
sellers and purchasers of "take-out" coffee involves the cup
retention panel 65. In a specific embodiment, such panel 65 is
integral with the blank 11 and extends laterally away from the
panel 15. The retention panel 65 includes a lock tab 67 inserted
through a slit 69 at the boundary shared by the panels 15 and 19.
The dimension "D" of the retention panel 65 is slightly greater
than the dimension D1 of the panel 15 so that when the package 10
is erected for use and the lock tab 67 is in the slit 69, the
retention panel 65 bows outwardly from the panel 15 and is spaced
therefrom as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
The retention panel 65 includes a cup retaining projection 71
defined in part by an inverted V-shaped opening 73 therearound. As
the package 10 is being filled and otherwise prepared for the
customer, a quantity of nested cups 75 is urged downwardly over the
projection 71. Such cups 75 are retained on the carton by the
projection 71 and by a slight compression fit between the notches
77, which engage the lip of the lowermost cup 75, and the ridge 79
which engages the upwardly extending edge of the uppermost cup 75.
(It is no doubt appreciated that when a cup 75 is taken from the
package 10 for use, such cup 75 is uprighted.)
The flaccid bag 81 includes the dispensing device 33 attached
thereto in flow communication with the bag interior. A highly
preferred dispensing device 33 has a spring-closed spigot
forcefully affixed (to help prevent inadvertent spills) to the
device neck 83. The bag 81 also has the fill spout 51 attached
thereto .Iadd.i.Iaddend.n flow communication with the bag interior.
The fill spout 51 has a closure 85 attached (or re-attached) after
the bag 81 is filled with the beverage. In a specific embodiment,
the fill spout 51 is attached to the top member 87 of the bag 81
and the dispensing device 33 is attached to a side member 89
closely adjacent to the bottom member 91.
Assuming that availability of the blank 11 and the bag 81 and
further assuming that the glue tab 21 is adhered to the panel 15
along the strip 23, that the flaps 25, 29 are glued to one another
and that the flaps 27, 31 are glued to one another, the bag 81 is
urged into the carton 93 and the dispensing device 33 is urged
through the scored aperture 35 and flap 37 as generally shown in
FIG. 2. In such configuration, the package 10 is in it flat-fold or
"knocked-down" intermediate configuration so that the multiple
packages 10 can be stacked for shipping in bulk to, e.g., the point
of retail sale.
When a customer orders, e.g., a gallon of take-out coffee, the
server unfolds the package 10 from the configuration shown in FIG.
2 to a "squared-up" or rectangular configuration. In so doing, the
flaps 29, 31 automatically lock together and jut upwardly toward
the interior of the carton 93.
The server then inserts the fill spout 51 (with closure
factory-attached) through the opening 95 in the spout securing
panel 41 or 41a, folds such panel 41 or 41a and urges it downwardly
into the now-open rectangular top opening 43 of the carton 93 to
the position shown in FIG. 4. Then the bag 81 is filled through the
spout 51, the closure 85 is affixed and the wings 49a, 49b of the
cover panel 47 are then folded toward one another and inserted
downwardly through the slots 45a, 45b.
The ears 61 of the second component 59 of the latch flap 55 are
then folded toward one another to permit such second component 59
to be inserted through the cutout 39. Considering the FIGURES,
particularly FIGS. 1 and 8, the first component 57 is above the
cutout 39 and on the outside of the package 10. The second
component 59 is above the cutout 39 and on the inside of the
package 10 and the fold line 97 is about in registry with the top
edge of the cutout 39. Therefore, the weight of the package 10 and
the beverage contained therein is borne by the user's fingers which
extend inwardly through such cutout 39. Notably, the first and
second components 57, 59 (or one of them) are "pinched" or somewhat
compressed between the fingers and the upper edge of the cutout 39,
thereby additionally securing the cover panel 47 in place.
While the principles of the invention have been shown and described
in connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood
clearly that such embodiments are by way of example and are not
limiting.
* * * * *