EP0297742A2 - Flat top end closure for liquid containers - Google Patents
Flat top end closure for liquid containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0297742A2 EP0297742A2 EP88305321A EP88305321A EP0297742A2 EP 0297742 A2 EP0297742 A2 EP 0297742A2 EP 88305321 A EP88305321 A EP 88305321A EP 88305321 A EP88305321 A EP 88305321A EP 0297742 A2 EP0297742 A2 EP 0297742A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- panels
- score line
- fold
- triangular
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/40—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to contain liquids
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/06—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements formed by folding inwardly a wall extending from, and continuously around, an end of the tubular body
- B65D5/061—Rectangular containers having a body with gusset-flaps folded inwardly beneath the closure flaps
- B65D5/062—Rectangular containers having a body with gusset-flaps folded inwardly beneath the closure flaps with supplemental means facilitating the opening, e.g. tear lines, tear tabs
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to paperboard containers for carrying liquids and blanks for constructing same and, more particularly, to an improved, easy openable flat top end closure therefor.
- Containers for beverages such as milk and juices are conventionally constructed from thermoplastic coated paperboard.
- One common type of these containers includes a top end closure with a folded gable roof having a vertically projecting sealed fin at the roof ridge for sealing the container.
- Such containers are shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,940.
- the bottom end closure for same is conventionally of the infolded type, such as that shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,335.
- Another type of container includes a slant top or a flat top end closure wherein what could otherwise be a vertically projecting sealed find, or a slanted sealed fin, may be folded flat and releasably secured to the rest of the closure.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,869,078 and 4,211,357 disclose such slant and/or flat top closures.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,012,997 and 4,093,115 disclose a container folding method and the container made by the method, wherein one side of the gable panels of the top end closure is provided with double score lines extending parallel to each other. Folding of a sealed top fin of the end closure from a vertical position to a flat position requires the application of a downward force against the outside panel to bend the sealed fin downwardly.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,570 is an example of an improved flat top end closure for a liquid carrying, paperboard container wherein the sealed fin previously used in conjunction with flat end closures is not required, but wherein a pitcher pour spout is included.
- An external lift tab is integrally formed on one outer closure panel for initial lifting of a portion of the pitcher pour spout, and an underlying lift tab is formed on one fold-back closure panel of another portion of the pitcher pour spout, in order to facilitate the opening process.
- top closure In liquid carrying paperboard container constructions generally, for sensitive food products, such as milk or fruit juice, it is essential that the top closure be thoroughly sealable so as to be clean and sanitary and yet be functional from the standpoint of including means for readily opening the pouring spout thereof.
- anti-adhesive or "abhesive" patterns have been utilized, primarily on one or both sides of the rib panels located outward of the infolded triangular fold-back panels and inward of the outer edge sealing flaps.
- arrangements such as shown and described in Patent No. 4,582,246 for releasably sealing the top closure are required.
- a general object of the invention is to provide an improved pouring spout for a flat end closure for a liquid carrying, paperboard container.
- a further object of the invention is to provide an improved flat top end closure, including one set of diagonal score lines to facilitate closing the top closure, and a second set of longer diagonal score lines which extend a predetermined distance down the front wall panel to form a longer pouring spout having a less severe carton tilt angle with an effective venting characteristic when the carton is opened.
- a further object of the invention is to provide a flat top end closure for a container, including two oppositely disposed outer closure panels which are adapted to lie flat on top of the underlying fold-in panels and wherein one is longer and overlaps the edge portion of the other shorter one, with the longer one including a lift tab for lifting a portion of the pour spout from its flat attitude during the opening process, and two oppositely disposed, three-segment fold-in panels, one of which serves as the pour spout when opened and includes a lift tab on one of its segments for first lifting a portion of the pour spout during the opening process and a supplementary diagonal score line arrangement for providing an improved pouring spout.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide the above described flat top end closure wherein the supplementary diagonal score line arrangement includes a horizontal score line across the front panel a distance below the three-segment fold-in pour spout panel approximately equal to the height of the latter panel, and two diverging score lines extending upwardly from each of the ends of the lower horizontal score line.
- Figure 1 illustrates the outside surface of blank 10 including a top closure portion 12, a body portion 14, and a bottom closure portion 15.
- the portions 12 and 14 are separated by a staggered horizontal score line 16, and the portions 14 and 15 are separated by a horizontal score line 17.
- the body portion 14 includes a first side panel 18, a front panel 20, a second side panel 22, a back panel 24, and a narrow fifth panel or side seam 26.
- the panels 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 are defined, respectively, by a first free cut edge 28, vertical score lines 30, 32, 34, and 36, and a second free cut edge 38.
- a pair of outer top closure panels 40 and 42 are integrally connected to the first and second side panels 18 and 22, respectively, at the score line 16.
- a pair of fold-in top panels 44 and 46 are integrally connected to the front and back panels 20 and 24, respectively, at the score line 16.
- the top panels are integrally connected to each other by the above-mentioned vertical score lines.
- An end closure extension 48 of the side seam 26 is integrally connected to the latter at the score line 16 and to the fold-in panel 46 at the score line 36.
- the panel 44 will serve as a pour spout, as will be explained.
- a lift tab 50 is formed on the upper edge portion of the top panel 42 so as to be integrally connected thereto by a score line 52, substantially an extension of the vertical score line 32, extending laterally and substantially parallel to a portion of the free cut edge 53 of the panel 44.
- opening-assist diagonal score lines 54 and 56 are formed on the outer top panels 40 and 42, respectively.
- the line 54 extends substantially from the intersection of the vertical score line 30 and the horizontal score line 16 to a point A on a horizontal score line 58 formed across the panel 40.
- the score line 58 terminates in a free cut edge 60, and divides the panel 40 into segments 62 and 64, while the diagonal score line 54 divides the panel 62 into segments 62a and 62b.
- the score line 56 extends from the intersection of the score lines 32 and 16 to the free cut edge 66 of the panel 42, dividing the panel 42 into segments 42a and 42b, the lift tab 50 extending from the segment 42b.
- a diagonal score line 68 is formed across the panel 64 from the end of the diagonal score line 54 at point A on the score line 58, to the free cut edge 69 of the panel 64.
- the score lines 54 and 56 are not used on the blank illustrated in the preferred embodiment of Figure 1, but have been replaced by other score lines, as will be explained.
- a pair of converging diagonal score lines 70 and 71 are formed on the fold-in top panel 44 so as to form with the horizontal score line 16 a triangular panel portion 72 adjacent the upper edge of the body back panel 20.
- a pair of converging diagonal score lines 73 and 74 are formed on the fold-in top panel 46 so as to form with the horizontal score line 16 a triangular panel portion 75 adjacent the upper edge of the body front panel 24.
- the score lines 70, 71, 73 and 74 may be spaced at their lower ends slightly inward from the respective adjacent vertical score lines 30, 32, 36 and 34 along the horizontal score line 16 to compensate for paperboard thickness for more accurate top folding characteristics, if desired, but may intersect the junctures of score lines 30 and 16, 32 and 16, 36 and 16, and 34 and 16, respectively, as shown.
- the score lines 70 and 71 on the panel 44 have also defined a pair of fold-back panel portions consisting of a panel portion 76 between the score lines 70 and 30, a panel portion 78 between the score lines 71 and 32. It may be noted in Figure 1A that the free cut edge 53 of the panel portion 78 is substantially aligned with the score line 58 and the edge 60, at the apex of the triangular panel portion 72.
- the fold-back panel portion 76 extends beyond the score line 58 and the apex of the triangular panel portion 72, such that it includes a short vertical edge 80 separated by a cut from the panel segment 64 and aligned with the vertical score line 30, a short free cut edge 82 substantially aligned with the diagonal score line 71, and a lateral free cut edge 84 extending between the outer ends of the edges 80 and 82.
- the panel portion 78 is substantially triangular in shape, defined by the score lines 32 and 71 and the edge 53, while the panel portion 76 is substantially four-sided in shape, defined by the score lines 30 and 70 and the edges 80, 82 and 84.
- the portion 86 of the panel portion 76 which extends beyond the aligned score lines 53 and 58 serves as a second lift tab, as will be explained.
- the prior score line 56 has been shortened (hereinafter 56a), and a plurality of supplemental score lines have been utilized to provide an improved spout opening and pouring action.
- a horizontal score line 88 has been formed across the width of the front wall panel 20, positioned below the score line 16 a distance approximately equal to the height of the triangular top closure panel 72.
- Diagonal score lines 90 and 92 are formed to extend from the respective ends of the horizontal score line 88, across the horizontal score line 16, to the apex of the triangular panel 72, where the diagonal score lines 70 and 71 converge.
- the diagonal score line 90 defines with the score lines 30 and 70 a triangular segment 94, while the score line 92 defines with the score lines 32 and 71 a triangular segment 96. There is also defined a triangular segment 98 at the top of the front panel 20 and extending across the central portion of the triangular panel portion 72.
- the score lines 88, 90 and 92 form the triangular segment 98.
- a pair of diagonal score lines 100 and 102 are formed to extend from the respective junctures of the horizontal score line 88 with the diagonal score lines 90 and 92, across portions of the panels 18 and 62 to the score line 58 of the shorter outer closure panel 40 at the point A where the prior score line 54 had terminated and to a point B on the longer outer closure panel 42 symmetrical in Figure 1 to the location of the point A.
- a perforated line 104 extends in a reverse diagonal direction from the point B to the free edge of the longer outer closure panel 42. It is at the point B where the shortened score line 56a terminates.
- the score line 100 serves to divide the panel 62 into segments 62a and 62b.
- the segment 62b is an extension of a triangular segment 106 formed on the corner of the side panel 18.
- the score line 102 and the perforated line 104 divide the panel 42 into segments 42a and 42b.
- the segment 42b is an extension of a triangular segment 108 formed on the corner of the other side panel 22.
- the container blank 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is formed into a side seamed blank, as illustrated in Figure 2, by rotating the body panel 24 and the side seam flap 26 as a unit about the vertical score line 34, and having the inside surfaces of the body panels 24 and 26 come into contact with the inside surface of the body panel 22.
- the body panel 18 is then rotated about the vertical score line 30 to bring its inside surface into contact with the outside surface of the side seam flap 26, and the edge 28 is positioned parallel and substantially aligned with the vertical score line 36.
- the various members of the end closures 12 and 15 will make similar movements, and the upper end of the container will appear as illustrated in Figure 2.
- the container blank 10 is then sealed where the inside areas of the body panel 18 and the enclosure panel 40 come into contact with the outside surface of the side seam flap 26 and its extension 48.
- FIGS 3 and 4 The next steps in forming the side seam blank into a container are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
- the side seamed blank is opened up into a squared or rectangular tubular condition, after which the various parts of the end closure 12 are folded about the various score lines in the following manner.
- Closure panels 72 and 75 are moved around the horizontal score line 16 over the end of the container toward each other.
- the outer closure panels 40 and 42 are also caused to move toward each other about the horizontal score line 16. This causes the fold-back panel portion 76 to bend around the vertical score line 30 and the diagonal score line 70 such that the inside surfaces of the panel portion 76 and the outer panel 40 are approaching each other.
- the panel portion 78 is moved around the vertical score line 32 and the diagonal score line 71 such that the inside surfaces of the panel portion 78 and the panel 42 are approaching each other.
- the outside surfaces of the two fold-back panel portions 76 and 78 also approach the outside. of the triangular panel 72.
- the fold-back panel portions 110 and 112 adjacent the triangular panel 75 and having a free cut edge 114 make the same movements as described for the panel portions 76 and 78, with respect to their adjacent panels 42 and 75 and 40 and 75 respectively.
- the shorter outer closure panel 40 and the adjacent fold-back panels 76 and 112 are caused to move just enough faster than the longer outer panel 42 and the adjacent fold-back panels 78 and 110 such that the panel combination 40/76/112 is flattened before the overlying panel combination 42/78/110.
- the result as evident in Figures 5 and 6, is that an edge portion 116 of the outer panel 42 overlaps and is sealed to the panel segment 64 which has been folded over onto the outer panel 40, and the edge portion 118 of the fold-back panel 78 overlaps and is sealed to the lift tab 86 of the panel 76.
- the lift tab 50 ( Figure 4) may be bent downwardly about the score line 52 and sealed against the front panel 20 to accommodate shipping and stacking.
- opening of the flat top closure is effectuated by first releasing the lift tab 50 from the front body panel 20 and then using the released tab to lift the panel segment 42b and the underlying panel portion 78 about the respective diagonal score line 71.
- Lifting the tab 86 serves to initially lift the panel segments 76 and 62b about the respective diagonal score lines 70 and 71.
- the panel portions 72, 76, 78, 94, 96 and 98 of the panel 44 and the adjacent front panel 20 are caused to assume a substantially planar attitude, whereupon pressure against the vertical edge score lines 30 and 32 tends to cause the triangular panel segment formed by segment 98 and the central portion of segment 72 to extend outwardly.
- the lift tab 86 may be used to lift the panel segments 76 and 94 and, hence, the triangular panel portion 98 and the panel segments 78 and 96 up into a planar attitude and then beyond, into the usual pitcher pour spout for dispensing the contents of the container.
- the outer closure panels 42a and 62a extend upwardly from the score line 16 at the top edge of the back panel 24, as shown in Figure 8.
- the pour spout may, of course, be generally reclosed and ⁇ locked ⁇ after use, as shown in Figure 10.
- angle O of a line from horizontal through the points C and D of Figure 8 with the prior art angle 0′ of a line from horizontal through the points C′ and D′ of Figure 9 that, once fully opened, there results a substantially less severe carton tilt angle, as well as a more effective venting means when pouring the contents from the container. Head space, or the air volume above the liquid level, is effectively reduced, improving chemical stability of the product.
- the flat top closure of the invention includes a pouring spout arrangement which utilizes one set of short diagonal score lines to facilitate closing the carton, and a second set of diagonal score lines to form a longer, more efficient pouring spout once the carton is opened.
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Abstract
There is disclosed herein a flat top end closure (12) for a liquid carrying container, which includes two oppositely disposed, overlapped outer closure panels (40, 42), and two oppositely disposed, fold-in panels (44, 46), one of which cooperates to form the flat top configuration when closed, but serves as a substantially longer pour spout when opened by virtue of incorporating the top portion of the front wall panel (20) as a part thereof. First and second lift tabs (50, 86) are formed on the edges of one of the outer closure panels (42) and the pour spout fold-in panel (44), respectively. Diagonal opening-assist score lines (54, 56, 70, 71, 88, 90, 92) are formed on the outer closure panels and on a portion of the side wall panels adjacent the pour spout.
Description
- This invention relates generally to paperboard containers for carrying liquids and blanks for constructing same and, more particularly, to an improved, easy openable flat top end closure therefor.
- Containers for beverages such as milk and juices are conventionally constructed from thermoplastic coated paperboard. One common type of these containers includes a top end closure with a folded gable roof having a vertically projecting sealed fin at the roof ridge for sealing the container. Such containers are shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,940. The bottom end closure for same is conventionally of the infolded type, such as that shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,335.
- Another type of container includes a slant top or a flat top end closure wherein what could otherwise be a vertically projecting sealed find, or a slanted sealed fin, may be folded flat and releasably secured to the rest of the closure. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,869,078 and 4,211,357 disclose such slant and/or flat top closures.
- Various techniques have been employed to enhance the folding of a sealed fin in one particular direction to facilitate packing the containers in layers on top of each other to minimize storage and cargo space, without requiring any shipping tray between layers. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,715 there is disclosed a top end closure with an inclined sealed fin that includes a ¨harder crease¨ on one side thereof than on the other for facilitating folding of the sealed fin from a vertical position to the inclined position.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,012,997 and 4,093,115 disclose a container folding method and the container made by the method, wherein one side of the gable panels of the top end closure is provided with double score lines extending parallel to each other. Folding of a sealed top fin of the end closure from a vertical position to a flat position requires the application of a downward force against the outside panel to bend the sealed fin downwardly.
- In U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,867, a wide score line is formed on one side of the gable panels, in lieu of the above mentioned double score lines, with a conventional score line of the opposite side providing unequal fold-back panels.
- In the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,357, unequal angles at the base of the infolded gable or gusset panels, with or without lower score lines on one side thereof than on the other, enhance folding in the direction of the larger base angles. In an alternative embodiment, a lowered and/or inclined wide score line provide the inclination to slant in one direction.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,570 is an example of an improved flat top end closure for a liquid carrying, paperboard container wherein the sealed fin previously used in conjunction with flat end closures is not required, but wherein a pitcher pour spout is included. An external lift tab is integrally formed on one outer closure panel for initial lifting of a portion of the pitcher pour spout, and an underlying lift tab is formed on one fold-back closure panel of another portion of the pitcher pour spout, in order to facilitate the opening process.
- In liquid carrying paperboard container constructions generally, for sensitive food products, such as milk or fruit juice, it is essential that the top closure be thoroughly sealable so as to be clean and sanitary and yet be functional from the standpoint of including means for readily opening the pouring spout thereof. As illustrated and described in the above-mentioned Patent No. 3,270,940, anti-adhesive or "abhesive" patterns have been utilized, primarily on one or both sides of the rib panels located outward of the infolded triangular fold-back panels and inward of the outer edge sealing flaps. In the flat top structure disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent No. 4,422,570, wherein there is no conventional sealing fin, such as the usual rib panels and sealing flaps, arrangements such as shown and described in Patent No. 4,582,246 for releasably sealing the top closure are required.
- A general object of the invention is to provide an improved pouring spout for a flat end closure for a liquid carrying, paperboard container.
- A further object of the invention is to provide an improved flat top end closure, including one set of diagonal score lines to facilitate closing the top closure, and a second set of longer diagonal score lines which extend a predetermined distance down the front wall panel to form a longer pouring spout having a less severe carton tilt angle with an effective venting characteristic when the carton is opened.
- A further object of the invention is to provide a flat top end closure for a container, including two oppositely disposed outer closure panels which are adapted to lie flat on top of the underlying fold-in panels and wherein one is longer and overlaps the edge portion of the other shorter one, with the longer one including a lift tab for lifting a portion of the pour spout from its flat attitude during the opening process, and two oppositely disposed, three-segment fold-in panels, one of which serves as the pour spout when opened and includes a lift tab on one of its segments for first lifting a portion of the pour spout during the opening process and a supplementary diagonal score line arrangement for providing an improved pouring spout.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide the above described flat top end closure wherein the supplementary diagonal score line arrangement includes a horizontal score line across the front panel a distance below the three-segment fold-in pour spout panel approximately equal to the height of the latter panel, and two diverging score lines extending upwardly from each of the ends of the lower horizontal score line.
- These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description by way of example of one embodiment of pouring spout arrangement for a flat top end container closure. Reference is made to the accompaning drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a layout view of the outside surface of a container blank from which a top end closure having a pouring spout arrangement in accordance with the invention is formed;
- Figure 1A is a fragmentary layout view of a blank similar to Figure 1, showing a prior art arrangement thereof;
- Figure 2 is a layout view of the outside surface of a blank after it is side seamed from the blank illustrated in Figure 1;
- Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating sequentially various steps in forming the flat top end closure;
- Figure 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating sequentially various steps in opening the flat top end closure;
- Figure 8 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the end closure in a full open condition;
- Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figure 8, showing a prior art arrangement thereof; and
- Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figure 4, showing the top closure in a reclosed condition after having been opened.
- Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, Figure 1 illustrates the outside surface of blank 10 including a
top closure portion 12, abody portion 14, and abottom closure portion 15. Theportions horizontal score line 16, and theportions horizontal score line 17. Thebody portion 14 includes afirst side panel 18, afront panel 20, asecond side panel 22, aback panel 24, and a narrow fifth panel orside seam 26. Thepanels free cut edge 28,vertical score lines free cut edge 38. - A pair of outer
top closure panels second side panels score line 16. A pair of fold-in top panels 44 and 46 are integrally connected to the front andback panels score line 16. The top panels are integrally connected to each other by the above-mentioned vertical score lines. Anend closure extension 48 of theside seam 26 is integrally connected to the latter at thescore line 16 and to the fold-in panel 46 at thescore line 36. The panel 44 will serve as a pour spout, as will be explained. - A
lift tab 50 is formed on the upper edge portion of thetop panel 42 so as to be integrally connected thereto by ascore line 52, substantially an extension of thevertical score line 32, extending laterally and substantially parallel to a portion of thefree cut edge 53 of the panel 44. - As shown in the prior art Figure 1A, opening-assist
diagonal score lines outer top panels line 54 extends substantially from the intersection of thevertical score line 30 and thehorizontal score line 16 to a point A on ahorizontal score line 58 formed across thepanel 40. Thescore line 58 terminates in afree cut edge 60, and divides thepanel 40 intosegments diagonal score line 54 divides thepanel 62 intosegments 62a and 62b. Thescore line 56 extends from the intersection of thescore lines free cut edge 66 of thepanel 42, dividing thepanel 42 intosegments 42a and 42b, thelift tab 50 extending from the segment 42b. Adiagonal score line 68 is formed across thepanel 64 from the end of thediagonal score line 54 at point A on thescore line 58, to thefree cut edge 69 of thepanel 64. Thescore lines - On both Figures 1 and 1A, a pair of converging
diagonal score lines triangular panel portion 72 adjacent the upper edge of thebody back panel 20. Likewise, a pair of convergingdiagonal score lines triangular panel portion 75 adjacent the upper edge of thebody front panel 24. Thescore lines vertical score lines horizontal score line 16 to compensate for paperboard thickness for more accurate top folding characteristics, if desired, but may intersect the junctures ofscore lines - The
score lines panel portion 76 between thescore lines panel portion 78 between thescore lines free cut edge 53 of thepanel portion 78 is substantially aligned with thescore line 58 and theedge 60, at the apex of thetriangular panel portion 72. - The fold-
back panel portion 76 extends beyond thescore line 58 and the apex of thetriangular panel portion 72, such that it includes a shortvertical edge 80 separated by a cut from thepanel segment 64 and aligned with thevertical score line 30, a shortfree cut edge 82 substantially aligned with thediagonal score line 71, and a lateralfree cut edge 84 extending between the outer ends of theedges panel portion 78 is substantially triangular in shape, defined by the score lines 32 and 71 and theedge 53, while thepanel portion 76 is substantially four-sided in shape, defined by the score lines 30 and 70 and theedges portion 86 of thepanel portion 76 which extends beyond the alignedscore lines - In addition to the diagonal opening-
assist score lines prior score line 56 has been shortened (hereinafter 56a), and a plurality of supplemental score lines have been utilized to provide an improved spout opening and pouring action. Specifically, ahorizontal score line 88 has been formed across the width of thefront wall panel 20, positioned below the score line 16 a distance approximately equal to the height of the triangulartop closure panel 72.Diagonal score lines horizontal score line 88, across thehorizontal score line 16, to the apex of thetriangular panel 72, where thediagonal score lines diagonal score line 90 defines with the score lines 30 and 70 atriangular segment 94, while thescore line 92 defines with the score lines 32 and 71 atriangular segment 96. There is also defined atriangular segment 98 at the top of thefront panel 20 and extending across the central portion of thetriangular panel portion 72. The score lines 88, 90 and 92 form thetriangular segment 98. - A pair of
diagonal score lines horizontal score line 88 with thediagonal score lines panels score line 58 of the shorterouter closure panel 40 at the point A where theprior score line 54 had terminated and to a point B on the longerouter closure panel 42 symmetrical in Figure 1 to the location of the point A. Aperforated line 104 extends in a reverse diagonal direction from the point B to the free edge of the longerouter closure panel 42. It is at the point B where the shortenedscore line 56a terminates. - The
score line 100 serves to divide thepanel 62 intosegments 62a and 62b. The segment 62b is an extension of atriangular segment 106 formed on the corner of theside panel 18. Thescore line 102 and theperforated line 104 divide thepanel 42 intosegments 42a and 42b. The segment 42b is an extension of atriangular segment 108 formed on the corner of theother side panel 22. - The container blank 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is formed into a side seamed blank, as illustrated in Figure 2, by rotating the
body panel 24 and theside seam flap 26 as a unit about thevertical score line 34, and having the inside surfaces of thebody panels body panel 22. Thebody panel 18 is then rotated about thevertical score line 30 to bring its inside surface into contact with the outside surface of theside seam flap 26, and theedge 28 is positioned parallel and substantially aligned with thevertical score line 36. The various members of theend closures body panel 18 and theenclosure panel 40 come into contact with the outside surface of theside seam flap 26 and itsextension 48. - The next steps in forming the side seam blank into a container are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The side seamed blank is opened up into a squared or rectangular tubular condition, after which the various parts of the
end closure 12 are folded about the various score lines in the following manner.Closure panels horizontal score line 16 over the end of the container toward each other. At the same time, theouter closure panels horizontal score line 16. This causes the fold-back panel portion 76 to bend around thevertical score line 30 and thediagonal score line 70 such that the inside surfaces of thepanel portion 76 and theouter panel 40 are approaching each other. Concurrently, thepanel portion 78 is moved around thevertical score line 32 and thediagonal score line 71 such that the inside surfaces of thepanel portion 78 and thepanel 42 are approaching each other. The outside surfaces of the two fold-back panel portions triangular panel 72. The fold-back panel portions triangular panel 75 and having afree cut edge 114, make the same movements as described for thepanel portions adjacent panels - The shorter
outer closure panel 40 and the adjacent fold-back panels outer panel 42 and the adjacent fold-back panels panel combination 40/76/112 is flattened before theoverlying panel combination 42/78/110. The result, as evident in Figures 5 and 6, is that an edge portion 116 of theouter panel 42 overlaps and is sealed to thepanel segment 64 which has been folded over onto theouter panel 40, and the edge portion 118 of the fold-back panel 78 overlaps and is sealed to thelift tab 86 of thepanel 76. - The lift tab 50 (Figure 4) may be bent downwardly about the
score line 52 and sealed against thefront panel 20 to accommodate shipping and stacking. - Referring now to Figure 6, it may be noted that opening of the flat top closure is effectuated by first releasing the
lift tab 50 from thefront body panel 20 and then using the released tab to lift the panel segment 42b and theunderlying panel portion 78 about the respectivediagonal score line 71. This exposes the underlying portion of the fold-overpanel 64 such that one may grasp and lift thelift tab 86 formed by the edge portion of thepanel 76, as defined by theedges tab 86 serves to initially lift thepanel segments 76 and 62b about the respectivediagonal score lines tab 86 results in fully opening the pour spout shown in Figure 7 as follows: thepanel portions front panel 20 are caused to assume a substantially planar attitude, whereupon pressure against the vertical edge score lines 30 and 32 tends to cause the triangular panel segment formed bysegment 98 and the central portion ofsegment 72 to extend outwardly. However, in lieu of applying pressure to the edge score lines 30 and 32, thelift tab 86 may be used to lift thepanel segments triangular panel portion 98 and thepanel segments horizontal score line 88 on thefront panel 20, theouter closure panels score line 16 at the top edge of theback panel 24, as shown in Figure 8. The pour spout may, of course, be generally reclosed and ¨locked¨ after use, as shown in Figure 10. - It maybe noted by comparing angle O of a line from horizontal through the points C and D of Figure 8 with the prior art angle 0′ of a line from horizontal through the points C′ and D′ of Figure 9 that, once fully opened, there results a substantially less severe carton tilt angle, as well as a more effective venting means when pouring the contents from the container. Head space, or the air volume above the liquid level, is effectively reduced, improving chemical stability of the product.
- It is apparent that the flat top closure of the invention includes a pouring spout arrangement which utilizes one set of short diagonal score lines to facilitate closing the carton, and a second set of diagonal score lines to form a longer, more efficient pouring spout once the carton is opened.
Claims (4)
1. A pouring spout arrangement for a liquid carrying paperboard container having front, back and two side wall panels, front and back fold-in panels, and two overlying outer closure panels, the front fold-in panel including a central triangular and two adjacent fold-back panel segments, the pouring spout arrangement comprising score line means formed on the upper portion of the front wall panel and one front fold-in panel whereby the upper portion of the front wall panel assumes, in its open position, respective co-planar relationships with portions of the central triangular and two adjacent fold-back panel segments to elongate the resultant pouring spout.
2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the score line means includes a horizontal score line formed across an upper portion of the front wall panel, and two diagonal score lines extending from the ends of the horizontal score line to the apex of the central triangular panel segment.
3. An arrangement according to claim 2, further comprising diagonal opening-assist score lines extending from the ends of the horizontal score line upwardly across respective corners of the two side wall panels, and thence across the two outer closure panels.
4. On a flat top end closure for a liquid carrying paperboard container including a tubular body having a front, a back, and two side wall panels; a bottom end closure; and a flat top end closure having two outer closure panels and two fold-in panels, the one of said two fold-in panels which is connected to the front wall panels serves as part of a pouring spout, the one of said two fold-in panels including a first triangular panel secured to the top edge of the front wall panel and two adjacent fold-back panels on opposite sides of the first triangular panel, the improvement comprising a horizontal score line formed across said front wall panel a predetermined distance below the top edge thereof, two diagonal score lines extending from the respective ends of said horizontal score line to the apex of said first triangular panel, and two additional diagonal score lines extending from said respective ends of said horizontal score line across the corners of the adjacent side wall panels, and then across said two outer closure panels.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US6467087A | 1987-06-22 | 1987-06-22 | |
US64670 | 1987-06-22 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0297742A2 true EP0297742A2 (en) | 1989-01-04 |
EP0297742A3 EP0297742A3 (en) | 1990-05-16 |
Family
ID=22057516
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP88305321A Withdrawn EP0297742A3 (en) | 1987-06-22 | 1988-06-10 | Flat top end closure for liquid containers |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0297742A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH01167047A (en) |
KR (1) | KR890000320A (en) |
AU (1) | AU1769788A (en) |
DK (1) | DK338388A (en) |
FI (1) | FI883000A (en) |
NO (1) | NO882703L (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA884331B (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5008268A (en) * | 1989-01-09 | 1991-04-16 | Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. | 2-aminopyrimidinone derivatives |
WO2016116654A1 (en) * | 2015-01-22 | 2016-07-28 | Tecnografica Y Maquinaria, S.A | Container with fold-out opening |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU626389B2 (en) * | 1989-09-14 | 1992-07-30 | Ada Ann Moro | Lip for cartons |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4520929A (en) * | 1984-05-31 | 1985-06-04 | Ex-Cell-O Corporation | Flat top end closure for liquid container |
EP0201169A2 (en) * | 1985-04-09 | 1986-11-12 | Ex-Cell-O Corporation | Flat top end closure for liquid containers |
-
1988
- 1988-06-10 EP EP88305321A patent/EP0297742A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1988-06-15 AU AU17697/88A patent/AU1769788A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1988-06-17 NO NO882703A patent/NO882703L/en unknown
- 1988-06-17 ZA ZA884331A patent/ZA884331B/en unknown
- 1988-06-20 JP JP63150383A patent/JPH01167047A/en active Pending
- 1988-06-21 DK DK338388A patent/DK338388A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1988-06-22 KR KR1019880007537A patent/KR890000320A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1988-06-22 FI FI883000A patent/FI883000A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4520929A (en) * | 1984-05-31 | 1985-06-04 | Ex-Cell-O Corporation | Flat top end closure for liquid container |
EP0201169A2 (en) * | 1985-04-09 | 1986-11-12 | Ex-Cell-O Corporation | Flat top end closure for liquid containers |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5008268A (en) * | 1989-01-09 | 1991-04-16 | Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. | 2-aminopyrimidinone derivatives |
WO2016116654A1 (en) * | 2015-01-22 | 2016-07-28 | Tecnografica Y Maquinaria, S.A | Container with fold-out opening |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0297742A3 (en) | 1990-05-16 |
DK338388A (en) | 1988-12-23 |
DK338388D0 (en) | 1988-06-21 |
JPH01167047A (en) | 1989-06-30 |
KR890000320A (en) | 1989-03-13 |
NO882703D0 (en) | 1988-06-17 |
AU1769788A (en) | 1988-12-22 |
FI883000A0 (en) | 1988-06-22 |
ZA884331B (en) | 1990-05-30 |
NO882703L (en) | 1988-12-23 |
FI883000A (en) | 1988-12-23 |
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