JP2004530603A - Carton with extensions to hold equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a container for a granular material, a particulate material, or an aggregate of individual materials, having an extension for receiving a device. More particularly, a container is disclosed that has at least one extension with a hole so that the tool can be hooked into the extension and packaged with the substance.

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to containers for granular or particulate matter, in particular for household cleaning products in powder form or for various other assemblages of individual substances. More particularly, the invention relates to a container having at least one extension with an opening, such that the device can be secured to the extension and packaged with said substance.
[Background Art]
[0002]
Tools for measuring the volume of granular products are included in retail packaging and are well known for the convenience of the user. One such tool is a spoon. Such spoons are found in particular with granular detergents and coffee products whose volume measurements are useful for obtaining reproducible results. The measuring spoon is typically manufactured from molded plastic and has a measuring portion connected to the handle. The metering portion typically has a cylindrical or square body forming an open cavity of the same shape.
[0003]
A customer's satisfaction with a spoon is largely dependent on the accessibility of the spoon. The ideal situation is that the first time the carton is opened, the consumer will find a spoon on top of the product. However, in most cases, the spoon will sink into the product during pre-purchase handling, thereby causing consumer dissatisfaction with the accessibility of the spoon.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0004]
Current solutions to the above problem follow two different paths. In the first case, the container is filled with the granular product, and then a small spoon is placed on top of the product before attaching the container lid. In the second path, the container is turned upside down. Place the spoon in the container and then fill the granular product around it. When the container is turned over again, the spoon is on the top of the container, after which the lid is opened by the consumer. The second path is preferred if the spoon is large relative to the size of the container, or if the container does not have enough headspace at the top of the product to drop and store the spoon.
[0005]
However, the above solution has significant disadvantages. In both cases, the spoon generally sinks into the product during transportation of the final product due to vibration and the respective density of the product versus spoon. Furthermore, the above top filling method necessarily requires additional head space to allow for room for the spoon, which generally limits the size of the spoon.
[0006]
Some attempts have been made in the art to provide accessible equipment, but none have been satisfactory. In many cases, the sophisticated equipment required to load the equipment is very expensive. The utensil, or spoon, was glued to the package. However, in this method, there is no way for the consumer to remove the spoon first and then reinstall it for storage. Thus, when the consumer places the spoon on the product, the spoon will sink again.
[0007]
Thus, there is still a need for cartons for granular material packaging that provide a measuring spoon that is easily accessible to consumers at any time. There is still a need for a method of reattaching a spoon once it was initially separated from the package.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0008]
The present invention satisfies the need by providing a container for granular or powdered products as well as for collections of small individual articles (ie, candy, cereals, toys, etc.) to be packaged together. Let it. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a container defining a product storage cavity having an opening through which the product may be removed during use. The container includes a lid that can be secured to the container. When the lid is secured, it may be secured by any known means, preferably by a hinge. The lid covers the cavity opening when in the closed position. The container further includes a front panel, a back panel and a side panel to form a cavity with an opening. When the lid is secured to the container, it can preferably be secured to the upper part of the rear panel. The carton further includes a bottom panel. At least one side panel of the container has at least one extension for securing the utensil. In a preferred embodiment, the extension comprises an opening for securing a tool, a measuring spoon or other measuring device to the extension. This arrangement provides an accessible device (e.g., one that is not embedded in the product of the package), which is easily found by the package user when opening the package for the first time. The extension can be placed anywhere on the side panel as long as the equipment is accessible in that arrangement.
[0009]
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a carton as described above further comprises a bottom panel and a liner. The liner is formed from four side panels. At least one side panel of the liner has at least one extension for securing the tool. In a preferred embodiment, the extension comprises an opening for securing a tool, a measuring spoon or other measuring device to the extension. This arrangement provides an accessible device (e.g., one that is not embedded in the product of the package), which is easily found by the package user when opening the package for the first time. The extension can be placed anywhere on the side panel as long as the equipment is accessible in that arrangement.
[0010]
Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and ratios herein are by weight and all references cited are incorporated herein by reference.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0011]
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As will be discussed more fully below, the present invention relates to a carton for containing granular, powdered or other contents, comprising a tool secured to the carton by an extension of the carton or carton liner. The terms carton, package and container are understood to be interchangeable within the context of the present disclosure. By utensil is meant any type of metering device or tool that can be dispensed into a container for the purpose of dispensing the product contained therein. A particularly preferred carton or package 10 made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. Package 10 is a hexahedral carton having lid 12 formed from flaps 14, 16, 18 and 20 and interconnected with container 22 formed from base 24 and side panels 26, 28, 30 and 32. As illustrated. Each of the lid, base and side panels has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being located inside the package 10 and the outer surface being located around the outside of the package. Each of the side panels 26, 28, 30, and 32 has an upper edge 31 and a lower edge 33. At least one of the side panels 26, 28, 30 or 32 comprises at least one extension 48. In a preferred embodiment, extension 48 is secured to upper edge 31. The extension 48 has an opening 50 to which a tool can be easily fixed. The size and shape of the opening 50 is determined by the particular implement intended to be provided in the package.
[0012]
Another embodiment of a package 10 made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated by FIG. The package 10 is as described above in FIG. 1 and the carton further comprises a liner 34 as more fully shown in FIG. The preferred liner 34 has side panels 36, 38, 40 and 42, each having an upper edge 44 and a lower edge 46 (not visible in FIG. 2). The liner may have only one side panel or may have as many side panels as the carton itself. Liner 34 also has at least one extension 48. Preferably, extension 48 is secured to upper edge 44. The extension 48 has an opening 50 to which a tool can be easily fixed. The size and shape of the opening 50 is determined by the particular implement intended to be provided in the package.
[0013]
Package 10 is preferably used to store powdered or granular products, examples of which include laundry detergents, foodstuffs, and the like. In addition, the package 10 can be used to store any other product for which it is desired to provide equipment. The terms "granular" and "powder" are used interchangeably herein and are intended to refer to any product containing solid or semi-solid particles. Although the present invention is described herein with reference to the exemplary six-sided package of FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention may be adapted for use with other package configurations and shapes. is expected. For example, the present invention can be used with packages having one or more curved or curved panels and the like. Further, the present invention can be used with bottom-filled and side-filled cartons. Although the package 10 with the lid 12 placed on top of the carton is illustrated in FIG. 1, the lid 12 can be placed elsewhere, multiple lids can be provided, and other lid configurations It is anticipated that this can also be handled.
[0014]
In addition, the extensions 48 may be located at the corners of the package 10 or at the upper edges 31,44 of any of the side panels 26,28,30 and 32 or the respective liner side panels 36,38,40 and 42. It is anticipated that it may be placed directly below the. One such embodiment is illustrated in FIG.
[0015]
The package 10 can be formed from a blank 60 illustrated in FIG. As shown, blank 60 has compartments corresponding to each of lid flaps 14, 16, 18 and 20, and each of side panels 26, 28, 30 and 32. For purposes of discussion, visible in FIG. 3 are the flaps of the blank 60 and the inside surface of the panel. The base 24 of the package 10 is preferably formed from base flaps 62, 64, 66 and 68. The blank 60 also includes an adhesive flap 70 located along the edge of the side panel 32. The flaps and panels of the blank 60 are interconnected together by score lines 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 89, 91 and 93. The score lines are scored deep enough to facilitate the various flaps and panels to bend around each score line without breaking or separating from adjacent flaps or panels.
[0016]
The liner 34 can be formed from a blank 90 illustrated in FIG. The blank 90 has a section corresponding to each of the side panels 36, 38, 40 and 42 that are integrally interconnected to one another by score lines 92, 94, 96 and 98. The blank 90 further includes an expansion flap 48 integrally connected to the upper edge 44 of at least one of the side panels 36, 38, 40 and / or 42 by score lines 100. The expansion flap 48 has an opening 50.
[0017]
A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 illustrates a package according to the present invention, wherein package 10 further comprises a laundry detergent composition. FIG. 7 also illustrates a package according to the present invention, wherein package 10 further includes a laundry detergent composition and a measuring spoon.
[0018]
Package 10 is preferably used to store powdered or granular products, examples of which include laundry detergents, food products, cleaning products, and the like. Further, the package 10 can be used to store any other product for which it is desirable to provide easily accessible equipment within the package.
[0019]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible, and the embodiments considered and considered by those skilled in the art in view of the above teachings have been selected and described in order to best explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a package according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the package according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the carton blank before assembly.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the carton liner before assembly.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the package according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a laundry detergent package according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a laundry detergent package and utensil according to the present invention.

Claims (9)

a) a container formed from a base and at least four side panels connected to said base to form a cavity having an opening, each having an upper edge and a lower edge;
b) a package comprising a lid for closing the opening,
At least one of the side panels has an extension secured to the side panel, the extension having an opening disposed in the extension. a) a container formed from a base and at least four side panels connected to said base to form a cavity having an opening, each having an upper edge and a lower edge;
b) a lid for closing the opening;
c) a liner disposed within the cavity of the container, the liner having at least one panel each having an upper edge and a lower edge;
A package wherein at least one panel has an extension secured to the panel, the extension having an opening disposed within the extension. The package of claim 1, further comprising a tool having a handle insertable into the opening of the extension. The package of claim 2, further comprising a tool having a handle insertable into the opening of the extension. a) a container formed from a base and at least four side panels connected to said base to form a cavity having an opening, each having an upper edge and a lower edge;
b) a package comprising a lid for closing the opening,
At least one of the side panels has an extension secured to the side panel, the extension having an opening disposed within the extension, and a tool secured to the extension. Package further including. a) a container formed from a base and at least four side panels connected to said base to form a cavity having an opening, each having an upper edge and a lower edge;
b) a package comprising a lid for closing the opening,
At least one of the side panels has an extension secured to the side panel, the extension having an opening disposed within the extension, and a tool secured to the extension. A package further comprising, wherein the cavity contains a detergent. 3. The package of claim 2, further comprising a tool secured to said extension. 3. The package of claim 2, wherein said cavity contains a detergent composition. The package of claim 1, wherein the lid is secured to the upper edge of at least one side panel.