CN106573697B

CN106573697B - Snack food container

Info

Publication number: CN106573697B
Application number: CN201580040289.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 爱德华·爱德华兹; 大卫·莱塔热; 史蒂芬·泰纳; 帕特里克·瑞恩·温德里
Original assignee: Freito-Ray North America Co Ltd
Current assignee: Freito-Ray North America Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-29
Filing date: 2015-07-29
Publication date: 2020-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-29
Also published as: WO2016019046A1; US20160031588A1; CA2955484A1; MX2017001174A; CN106573697A; AU2015296567A1; AU2015296567B2; EP3174805A4; BR112017001671A2; EP3174805A1; AU2019246826A1

Abstract

A snack food container having a square base, a sidewall consisting essentially of four right triangular panels and two isosceles triangular panels, and a flat two-dimensional end closure. The container is opened using a tear feature directly below the end closure. The container is a paperboard structure with a barrier liner.

Description

Snack food container

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a snack container having a three-dimensional base and a two-dimensional top. In particular, in one preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a lined paperboard container filled with snack food, the top of the container being sealed by a flat two-dimensional seal and the container having a square three-dimensional base, such as a square base. Such containers are suitable for display on a steel wire display stand in a convenience store setting, for example. Furthermore, the container is shaped such that it fits into a standard automotive cup holder and is easy to hold. By using a tear strip or tear feature located slightly below the top of the container, the container top is removed, the container is opened, allowing easy access to the snack food contained therein and, due to the geometry of the container, a natural reclosing function.

Background

Snack foods such as potato chips or crisps, corn chips or crisps, nuts, popcorn, and other bite-sized (bite-sized) flavor snacks are typically packaged in flexible bags known as pillow bags. The pillow bags are suitable for display on wire racks because they can be easily attached to the rack by gripping the top seal of the pillow bag or by inserting a wire display rod into a hole in the top seal. This property may also allow vending of vending machines using wire hangers. However, since pillow bags are flexible, they do not help protect the product once the bag is opened and the gas pressure within the pillow bag is released. Furthermore, the pillow pouch is not shaped to fit with certain convenience accessories, such as a cup holder in a car or a cup holder in a seat in an entertainment venue (court, movie theatre, etc.). Furthermore, the pillow pouch cannot naturally reclose once opened. Pillow bags typically require some type of external clamp to close the bag so that if the bag is tipped over to the side, the product does not fall out of the bag.

Another container commonly used for snacks is a rectangular paperboard container, such as is conventionally used for crackersAnd other similar products. These rectangular cardboard containers have the advantage of protecting the product even after the container has been opened. Furthermore, the container allows for packaging of a mouth-to-mouth, edible product contained therein. However, such rectangular paperboard containers cannot be displayed in the same manner as pillow bags because these containers do not have a flat or two-dimensional top seal and they typically do not have a hole through the top so that a display rod can be inserted through the hole to hang the package for retail display. Furthermore, due to the size, rectangular boxes are generally not suitable for use with cup holders. Rectangular paperboard containers also typically require folding or manipulation of the top to reseal the container.

Another container used in the snack food industry is a cylindrical container with a top closure, such as for

A container for potato chip products. Like rectangular cardboard containers, cylindrical containers, which are usually made of plastic material or cardboard material, tend to protect the product even after the top of the cylinder has been opened. The cylindrical container is adapted for use with a cup holder and is adapted for one-handed use. However, cylindrical containersThe containers are not typically displayed on wire racks for pillow pouch display because the cylindrical containers do not have a two-dimensional top seal, nor do they have holes into which the display rods can be inserted. Furthermore, in order to reseal the container, the cylindrical container requires manual application of a cap.

Therefore, there is a need for a snack container for flavored or sweet foods that can be displayed on a steel wire display rack in a retail setting or hung in a vending machine similar to a pillow bag, and that has the rigidity of a paperboard or plastic container to protect the product. In addition, such a container should be suitable for use with a cup holder, once opened, should ergonomically fit with a human hand for one-handed use, and allow for packaging of the mouth-to-mouth, consumption of the product contained therein. In addition, the container should be designed to naturally reclose without the need to fold or apply an external clip or cap. The exterior of such containers should be capable of carrying graphics, and such containers should have internal barrier properties sufficient to protect the snack products and improve storage stability.

Disclosure of Invention

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention uses a paperboard structure lined on the interior of the container with a barrier material, typically a combination of a low density polyethylene base layer and aluminum foil or some other metallized layer, to improve the storage stability of the product contained therein. The container includes a relatively square base that transitions to a flat two-dimensional top seal via a geometric design that utilizes fold and crease lines. The term "fold line" or "fold lines" as used herein means that the material is bent more than 89 degrees. The term "crease" or "creases" as used herein means that the material is bent less than 90 degrees.

The transition from the three-dimensional base to the two-dimensional top is accomplished by two opposing fold lines extending vertically from opposing corners of the square base along opposing edges of the container to opposing edges of the top seal. Disposed between these two fold lines are two "V" shaped crease lines that begin at opposite corners of the square base and terminate at a point on each of the aforementioned fold lines below the top seal. This results in a container having a side wall with four right triangle shapes separated by two isosceles triangles all located below the intersection of the "V" shaped crease line and the fold line below the top seal.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, to open the container and remove the top seal, a horizontal tear feature is constructed directly below the top seal. Once the container is opened and the top closure removed, the container may be squeezed from the fold lines, opening the mouth of the container, allowing access to the snack products contained therein and allowing the package to be consumed directly to the mouth. Due to the geometry of the structure, the container essentially recloses once the pressure on the fold line is removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the container is sized to fit easily into a cup holder, ergonomically to fit with a human hand for one-handed use. The use of an end closure at the top allows the container to be retail displayed in a retail setting and vending machine in a similar manner to pillow bags. Specifically, in one embodiment, a hole or opening is made in the center of the top seal so that the container is hung on the rod of a wire display rack by passing the rod through the hole. In addition, the flat end seal allows the container to be hung on a display rack using clips.

Drawings

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a blank for constructing one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention after construction; and

fig. 3A and 3B illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the top seal removed.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 illustrates a cardboard blank for one embodiment of constructing a container. The blank 102 is initially flat, having a front side (shown in fig. 1) and a back side (not shown). In construction, the front face of the side flap (flap)104 is joined with the back face of the blank 102 along the left side 106 of the blank 102. In addition, the left top portion 108 and the right top portion 110 are joined together. This results in a partially constructed container that includes a two-dimensional top feature with a flat end seal formed by

tops

108, 110. In one embodiment, a hole or opening 112 is opened in the left top portion 108 and a corresponding hole or opening 114 is opened in the right top portion 110. When the two

tops

108, 110 are engaged, the

apertures

112 and 114 are aligned, thereby giving the product the function of having an aperture or opening in the top of the container into which a wire rod may be inserted for retail display or vending.

Fig. 1 also shows two "V" shaped crease lines 166. The term "fold line" or "fold lines" as used in the detailed description and claims of this application means that the blank 102 material is bent at greater than 89 degrees. Additionally, as used herein, the term "crease" or "creases" refers to a bend of less than 90 degrees in the blank 102 material.

In one embodiment of the invention, a barrier layer, such as a film composed of MG bleached kraft paper, low density polyethylene, aluminum foil, and Surlyn (Surlyn)1652 sealant, is attached to the paperboard blank 102 on the back side of the blank 102 so that when the side flap 104 is sealed to the left side 106, the partially constructed container then has the barrier layer on the interior thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the paperboard is 0.014, 0.015, 0.016, 0.018, or 0.020 caliper (caliper) paperboard, and the paperboard is SBS, SUS, CCNB, or some combination thereof. The front side of the paperboard includes a patterning process including, but not limited to, a uv (high gloss) coating, a matte coating, a registered matte or high gloss coating, embossing, and/or debossing. Also, special inks such as thermochromic and/or phosphorescent inks may be used.

The partially constructed container as described above is filled with product through the base of the partially constructed container. Such products include, but are not limited to, bite-sized flavored or sweet snack foods, such as potato chips or crisps, nuts, popcorn, hard candy, extruded puffed foods, puff snacks, fried snacks, baked snacks, fruit pieces, marshmallow pieces, chocolate, cookies, oatmeal, and mixtures thereof. Once loaded, the construction is completed by constructing a relatively square base using the four bottom or base flaps 116, 118, 120, 122.

Returning to the description of the blank 102, in a preferred embodiment, the distance 124 from the top end of the blank 102 to the bottom end of the bottom flaps 116, 118, 120, 122 is about 10 inches. The distance 126 from the top end of the blank 102 to the top end of the bottom flaps 116, 118, 120, 122 is about 8 inches. The distance 128 from the top end of the

top portions

108, 110 to the bottom end of the

top portions

108, 110 is about 0.5 inches. The length 130 and width 132 of side flap 104 are about 7.134 inches and about 0.5 inches, respectively. The width 134 of the blank 102 minus the side flaps 104 is about 8 inches. The maximum width 136 of the slightly tapered bottom or base flaps 116, 118, 120, 122 is about 2 inches, resulting in a square base of about 2 inches by 2 inches when the container is finally constructed. The distance 138 from the top end of the blank 102 to the top end of the "V" shaped crease line 166 is 1 inch to 1.75 inches, and in a preferred embodiment is about 1.5 inches.

Referring now to fig. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, a fully constructed container is shown. Fig. 2A is a front view of the container. Fig. 2B is a top perspective view of the right front side of the container. Fig. 2C is a bottom perspective view of the right front side of the container. Fig. 2D is a right side view of the container.

In a preferred embodiment, when fully constructed, the container includes a square base 250 and a two-dimensional flat top seal 252. The left side of the container is defined by a left fold line 256. The right side of the container is defined by a right fold line 254. Thus, the right fold line 254 begins at the right corner (corner)258 of the square base 250 and extends to the right apex 260 of the end seal 252. Likewise, the left fold line 256 begins at the left corner 262 of the base and extends upward to the left top edge 264 of the top seal 252.

Fig. 2A shows a front view of the container and shows a "V" shaped crease line 266 that begins at a front corner 268 of the square base 250, extends to a point 270 in a horizontal plane below the top seal 252, and intersects the right and

left fold lines

254, 256. The same geometry as the geometry of the front side of the container (as shown in fig. 2A and described above) is repeated on the back side of the container. That is, the second "V" shaped crease begins at the rear corner of the base and terminates at a point on the right and

left fold lines

254, 256 that lies in the same vertical and horizontal planes as the top end of the first "V" shaped crease line 266 shown on the front of the container in fig. 2A.

Thus, the container has two sidewalls that are in planar contact with each other above the horizontal crease line 272, which horizontal crease line 272 defines the bottom end of the end seal 252. Also shown is a hole or opening 274 in end seal 252. The geometry of the two

fold lines

254, 256 and the two "V" shaped crease lines 266 provides a container defined by four right triangle shaped side walls 276 and two isosceles triangle shaped side walls 278 below the termination point 270 at the top of the "V" shaped crease line 266.

In a preferred embodiment, the embodiment of the container shown in fig. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D has a horizontal tear feature 280 along at least one sidewall, the horizontal tear feature 280 passing through both sidewalls, below the top seal 252 and above the termination point 270 at the top of the "V" shaped crease line 266. The tear feature 280 may be a partially cut perforated pattern of container material, an embedded tear string in the container, or a separate portion of other forms of paperboard known in the art.

The precise dimensions of the formed containers may vary from embodiment to embodiment. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the square base 250 are less than 3 inches by 3 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the square base 250 are approximately 2 inches by 2 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the length of both fold

lines

254, 256 is less than 10 inches and greater than 6 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the length of both fold

lines

254, 256 is less than 9 inches and greater than 7 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical distance from the

top corners

260, 264 of the top seal 252 to the top end 270 of the "V" shaped crease line 266 is 1 inch to 2 inches.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate the container after the tear feature is applied such that the top is removed, allowing access to the product found inside. Fig. 3A shows the container with the top completely open, allowing the package to be placed directly on the mouth for consumption of the product. Once the top portion above the tear feature is removed, the configuration of the container shown in fig. 3A occurs when the consumer squeezes the package along fold line 354, thereby opening the top portion of the container 382 at that time. Due to the geometry of the container, when the consumer releases the pressure on fold line 354, the container returns to a substantially closed position at top 382 as shown in fig. 3B. This allows the container to be pre-set to a substantially closed position when the container is not squeezed by a consumer's hand.

Returning to fig. 1, a method for constructing one embodiment of a container includes first cutting a paperboard blank having a graphics layer on one side and a barrier layer on the other side. The cut forms a flat blank with four

base flaps

116, 118, 120, 122 and side flaps 104 along one edge. The blank 102 is then folded and creased such that there is a fold line 105 and a crease line 166, the fold line 105 extending longitudinally down the middle of the blank, the crease line 166 forming two "V" shaped crease lines on either side of the middle fold line 105. The two

longitudinal sides

106, 107 of the blank 102 are secured together by the use of side flaps 104. The

top portions

108, 110 of the blank 102 are secured together to form an end seal, resulting in a partially constructed container having an opening in the base.

Once the container is partially constructed, snack products are filled into the container through the opening in the base. Finally, a square base is formed using four

base flaps

116, 118, 120 and 122.

The method may include the step of scoring a tear feature 180 near the top of the blank 102. Additionally, openings may be cut at two

locations

112 and 114 near the top of the blank 102 such that when the end seal is formed, the

openings

112 and 114 align, thereby forming a single opening through the end seal into which a rod may be inserted for displaying the container in a hanging configuration.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it should be understood that the materials used in construction, the methods used to construct the containers, and the products used to fill the containers may vary and are not limited by the specific disclosure described herein.

Claims

1. A snack container having a base, a sidewall, and a top edge having a left side and a right side, the container comprising:

a paperboard having an inner barrier layer;

a substantially square base having a left corner, a right corner, a front corner, and a rear corner, and comprising four flaps secured together;

a first fold line beginning at the left corner of the base and terminating to the left of the top edge of the container;

a second fold line beginning at the right corner of the base and terminating to the right of the top edge of the container;

a first "V" shaped crease line beginning at a front corner of the base and ending at a point of the first and second fold lines that is in the same horizontal plane below the top edge of the container;

a second "V" shaped crease beginning at a rear corner of the base and terminating at a point of the first and second fold lines that is in the same horizontal plane as the tip of the first "V" shaped crease line;

a flat portion extending from a top edge of the container to a horizontal crease line located above a termination point of the "V" shaped crease line;

a top seal extending horizontally across the snack container from a top edge to the horizontal crease line, the top seal comprising two coextensive sidewalls in planar contact with each other, having a central aperture therethrough configured to receive a wire display rack or vending machine stem to suspend the container; and

a horizontal tear feature along at least one sidewall, the tear feature being located below the top seal and above a termination point of a top of the "V" shaped crease line;

wherein below the termination point of the top of the "V" -shaped crease line, the fold line and the "V" -shaped crease line define four right triangle-shaped side walls and two isosceles triangle-shaped side walls;

wherein when the container is opened by tearing along the horizontal tear feature, the container is opened by squeezing the first and second fold lines to allow access to the contents therein, and the container is reclosed when squeezing is stopped; and is

The sealed container thereby improves the storage stability of the contained snack products.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the horizontal tear feature extends through the two sidewalls.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the inner barrier layer comprises low density polyethylene and aluminum foil.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the square base is less than 3 inches by 3 inches.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the square base is about 2 inches by 2 inches.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the two fold lines are both less than 10 inches in length and both greater than 6 inches in length.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the two fold lines are both less than 9 inches in length and both greater than 7 inches in length.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein a vertical distance from the top edge to a termination point of a top of the "V" shaped crease line is 1 inch to 1.75 inches.

9. A method for constructing a snack container having a square base, sidewalls, and a two-dimensional top closure, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) cutting a paperboard blank having a graphics layer on one side and a barrier layer on the other side, wherein the cutting results in a flat blank having four base flaps and side flaps along one edge and two through holes in the top of the blank;

b) folding the blank longitudinally down the middle portion, securing the two longitudinal sides of the blank together using the side flaps;

c) joining by folding together opposite sides of the top so that the two through holes register to form a seal in the top of the blank, thereby forming an end seal with a central through hole therein to engage a steel wire display rack or vending machine pole, and a partially constructed container with an opening in the base;

d) after filling the partially constructed container with snack products through the opening in the base, forming a square base of the container using four base fold lines, thereby forming a container having a three-dimensional base and a two-dimensional top by sealing the container to improve the storage stability of the snack products;

wherein step a) further comprises scoring a tear feature near the top of the blank;

wherein the folding of step b) further comprises creasing the blank to form two "V" shaped crease lines such that after opening the container by tearing along the tear feature, the container is opened by squeezing the container and automatically closes when squeezing is stopped.

10. A snack container formed by the method of claim 9.