GB2030964A - Dispensing devices for cardboard cartons and other containers - Google Patents

Abstract

One wall (4A) of a cardboard container is of double thickness. The outer wall has a tab (T) which can be pulled open and pushed closed. The inner wall defines a stop (7) which locates the tab T in its closed position when it it desired to re-close the container and preferably a flap (2B) which is attached to the tab (T) and bends into the channel shape illustrated as it is pulled through the opening formed by the removal of the tab (T). This channel assists in dispensing the contents from the container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispensing devices for cardboard cartons and other containers This invention relates to cardboard cartons and other containers provided with dispensing devices.

In the design of cardboard containers it is common practice to provide some dispensing facility. This can, for example, take the form of a tab on one side of the container which is pushed inwardly to produce a dispensing aperture.

Another known practice is to incorporate a metai or plastics component in the structure of the container, this component incorporating a dispensing device.

None of these previous proposals has been entirely satisfactory since they have either involved too much expense; have failed to provide means for dispensing the contents in a controlled manner; or have failed to allow effective reclosing of the container.

This invention provides a container having: side panels defining a tubular shape; an end structure formed by flaps connected to the side panels; and a dispensing device formed in the end structure by co-operating superposed or overlapping parts of respective flaps.

The invention also provides a carton blank for making a container as defined in the immediate preceding paragraph.

Because the dispensing device is formed in the end structure, its construction can make use of more than one thickness of the cardboard or other material from which the end flaps are made. The dispensing device can therefore be relatiVely sophisticated in design and can provide all or most of the desired characteristics such as ease of pouring and reclosability. Also, since the dispensing device is formed from the material of the end flaps, which material has to be provided even in a conventional container, no extra expense in materials is involved.

In a preferred form of the invention an outer end flap of the container has a tab which can be hinged or otherwise pulled outwardly with respect to the container to form an opening; whilst an inner flap of the container defines a panel which forms a channel or spout to facilitate pouring of material from the opening. In this preferred form of the invention the inner flap also acts as a stop which allows the tab to be returned to its closed position without risk of its being pushed irretrievably into the container.

A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a cardboard blank applied with glue or other adhesive; Figure 2 is a perspective view from above, showing a top corner of a carton or box made from the blank of figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section through the part of the container shown in figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view from below, showing the same part of the carton with parts broken away to reveal the interior.

Referring to figure 1 the blank is formed from a single rectangular sheet of cardboard having peripheral parts cut away as illustrated. The blank is divided into a tab 1 and four walls 2, 3, 4 and 5 by hinges 6. The hinges 6 are crease lines produced conventionally by applying pressure to the cardboard thereby producing a line of weakness which facilitates folding of the cardboard about that line. The word "hinge" when used in this specification is to be construed as covering lines of weakness formed in this way or in any other way: for example by scoring, perforating or folding the cardboard or other material. The walls 1 to 5 are provided with end flaps 1 A to 5A respectively.

The flap 4A is formed with a hinge 48 and a line of weakness 4C. The line of weakness 4C is constituted by a series of slits; though it would be possible in alternative embodiments to use a line of perforations or some other line of weakness which can easily be torn. A small cut-out 4D is included in a central region of the line 4C and the latter, in combination with the hinge 4B, forms a tab the purpose of which will become apparent later.

The flap 2A has a line of severance 2A' which is shaped to define a panel 2B. The ends of the line of severance 2A' are joined by a hinge 2C about which the panel 28 can pivot. The hinge 2C is, in the finished carton, aligned with a hinge 4B and is of the same length. The panel 2B includes two parallel hinges 2D -which meet the ends of the hinge 2C and extend perpendicular thereto. The hinges 2D define flaps or walls 2E having extensions 2F.

During manufacture of the carton from the illustrated blarik, adhesive is first applied to the panel 1 and flaps 1A. Panels 1 and 2 are then folded under panels 3 and 4. Panel 5 is then folded under panels 4 and 1 and adheres to the latter to form a tubular structure in collapsed form.

The flaps 1 A also adhere to the flaps 5A.

The tubular structure is then erected and glue is applied, e.g. by wheels, to the regions 2G, 2H and 21. It is to be noted that the lines 2G, 2H and 21 of adhesive are arranged so that they do not extend over the walls 2E of the panel 28. The wall 1 is then folded inwardly followed by walls 3A and 5A and finally.wall 4A. The top end structure is then complete and it is to be noted that the hinges 4B and 2C overlie each other and that the tab T becomes fixed to the central part but not to the edges of the panel 28. The carton is then filled, glue is applied to the flap 2A at the other end of.

the carton and the flaps 3A and 5A at that end are folded inwardly followed by the final flap 4A.

The particular arrangement o.' end flaps described and illustrated in figure 1 ensures that granular or powdered materials cannot escape. It also makes the carton to some degree moistureproof. The cardboard may be treated with wax or other waterproof material, or may be lined with waterproof material to preserve the contents against damage from moisture.

Referring now to figures 2, 3 and 4, the container is opened by inserting a finger or thumbnail through the notch 4D and under the tab T. The tab T is then pulled away from the surrounding parts of the outer flap'4A. In pulling the tab T away, the line 4C (figure 1 ) of weakness is broken and the tab T hinges upwardly about the horizontal hinge 48. The tab T, being connected to the panel 2B, pulls the latter at least partly through the opening in the flap 4A formed by the hinging of the tab T. Since the panel 2B is bigger than the said opening it is forced to bend before it can pass through the opening. This bending is facilitated by the hinges 2D.Thus, the portions 2E, which overlap the partsofthe flap 4A adjacent the opening, bend or hinge towards each other thereby forming a channel-shaped spout or guide which facilitates pouring of the contents of the container.

It is to be noted that the hinges 2D are inset from the edges of the tab T. This inset is at its greatest near the free end of the tab T and reduces to zero adjacent the hinge 2F. The inset ensures that, as the tab T is pulled away, the side edges of the opening exert a force on the parts 2E such as to push them into the positions illustrated in figures 2 to 4. It would be possible in alternative embodiments to dispense with the hinges 2D. The natural flexibility of the panel 2B would, in such a construction, have to be sufficient to allow it to bend into a channel shape.

The tab T and the panel 28 thus combine to form a dispensing device which facilitates pouring and which allows re-closure. In the open position of this dispensing device the walls 2E rest against the edges of the opening and press against the latter because of the resilience of the hinges 2D which tends to push the walls 2E outwardly. The edges of the opening diverge in an upward direction so that the walls 2E of the channel also diverge. This facilitates the pouring action.

It should be noted that the parts 2E have extensions 2F. When the tab T is closed, these extensions lie to one side of the hinge 2C whilst the rest of the panel 28 lies to the other side of the hinge 2C. Thus, the extensions 2F, in the open condition of the tab T, project into the container, whilst the remaining parts of the panel 2B project out of the container. This arrangement ensures that the walls 2E never completely pass through the opening. This is an advantage since it enables the panel 2B to be pushed back through the opening-when it is desired to close the container.

The free end of the panel 1 B is slightly inset from the free end of the tab T. This means that a portion 7 of the inner flap 2A overlaps the opening formed by removal of the tab T:This portion 7 forms a stop preventing the tab T from being pushed into the container. Because of this stop the container can be closed simply by pushing the tab back into its original position where it is located by the portion 7. When the container has been reclosed the walls 2E tend to spring apart because of the resilience of the hinges 2D. They therefore also help to hold the tab T in its closed position.

When the container has been reclosed it is substantially sift proof; i.e. powdered material cannot escape from the container.

The illustrated embodiment has been described only by way of example and numerous modifications to this are possible. For example the channel forming members 2E could be omitted, whilst still obtaining the benefit of the stop portion 7. Alternatively the portion 7 could be disposed of whilst still obtaining the benefit of the pouring channel formed by the members 2E. Another possible modification would be to apply adhesive to the 'panel 28 by a spot application method instead of applying adhesive along the whole of the line 2G. Yet another possibility would be to apply adhesive to the reverse side of flap 4A instead of flap 2A.

Claims (6)

1. A container one wall of which has an inner and an outer panel the outer panel having a tab which can be hinged outwardly with respect to the container to form an opening, and the inner panel defining a stop which prevents the tab from being pushed into the container.

2. A container according to Claim 1 in which the inner panel also defines a flap which is fixed to the tab so that it is pulled through the opening when the tab is hinged outwardly, the flap being shaped so that, when being pulled through the opening, it bends thereby forming a channel to guide the contents of the container out of the opening.

3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2 comprising a tubular structure formed by four sides, and end flaps which are hinged to the sides and which close the ends of the tubular structure, the said inner and outer panels being constituted by two of the said end flaps.

4. A container according to Claim 3 in which the inner and outer panels are-hinged to opposite sides of the container.

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5. A container substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings and substantially as illustrated therein.

6. A blank for constructing a container as defined in Claim 1, the blank being cut and creased to form the inner and outer panels and the tab.