US2358659A - Carton having a pouring spout - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1944. w. A; RINGLER 2,358,659

4 CARTON HAVING POURING SPOUT Filed June s,- 1942 2 Sheets-Sheqt 1 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 19, 1944. VI, A LER 2,358,659

CARTON HAVING POURING SPOUT Filed June 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. l'V/LL/AM ,4. QINGLEQ.

AfTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 19, 1944 UNITED ST TES PATENT zssatsa emu;

csn'ron navmo s rounmo srou'r William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa., assignor to The Gardner-Richardson Company, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Middletown,

Application June 5, 1942, Serial No. 445,889 14 Claims. (c1. 229-11),

The primary object of my invention is the production of a carton having an erectable pourso simplified that the tendency of the user will be to employ the pouring spout rather than to cut erected carton. during the operation of closing one end.

Figure 12 is a perspective view 'of the closed and sealed carton.

Figure 13 is illustrative of the carton with the pouring spout erected.

Figure v14 is a partial sectional view along the line ll-ll inFigul'e 12.

the carton open.. It is an object of my invention to provide a pouring spout structure which does not involve folding on the part of the user or any similar inconvenient operation such as the insertion of parts in openings. It is an object of my invention to provide a pouring spout structure of such character that its proper operation is insured and failure is prevented.

These and other objects of my invention which will be set forth hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, I accomplish by that particular construction and arrangement of parts of which I shall now describe certain exemplary embodiments.

. Reference is made to the drawings whereinr Figure 1 is a partial plan view of a carton blank embodying the features of construction contemplated by this invention.

. Figure 2 is a partial plan view of the same such an area is readily removed.

carton after the glue has been applied to the glue flap and after the first Figure 31s a similar partial plan view fold has been made in tubing the carton.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view with parts Figure 7 is a view thereof afterthe pouring spout has been reclosed.

Figure 8 is a partial plan view of a blank of somewhat different character.

Figure 9 is a partial plan view thereof after the glue has been applied and the first fold made.

Figure 10 is a similar partial plan view of the completely tubed carton.

Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the lineiB-IB of Figure 4.

Figure 15 is a partial sectional view along the Briefly in the practice of my-invention I pro- 'vide a pouring spout the body and wing of which is formed in the glue fiapof a carton. By consequence, in the completed carton structure the pouring spout member will be completely covered by one of the carton walls. This carton wall may, if desired. be provided with a preformed cutout through which the pouring spout may be erected; but I may provide it with a removable area defined by lines of weakening such as lines of perforations. In the completed structure The type of pouring spout which I provide is one of'triangular or V-shaped cross section, and is adapted to be erected through a triangular opening in the said overlying wall.

It is necessary, however, that the pouring spout structure be easily erectable, and in particular that it will not be difiicult to engage and pull forward the pouring spout. It isessential that so that it will be diflicult or impossible to engage it. Consequently there mustbe provided some type of stop for the pouring spout structure when it is in non-erected form. "I provide such a stop by locating the top.of the pouringspout structure adjacent one or the ends of the carton, where the stop may be pr vided by the edge or .edges of one or'more of. the closure flaps of the carton. This construction also enables me to provide a structure in which the top edge 01 the pouring spout is presentedin a position of easy access.

Again, it is desirable to provide a pouring spout structure which will be strong and sturdy and will accurately direct ,a stream of the contents poured from the package. To this end, I provide a spout structure which has positively acting means to maintain it in erected position as will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

In Figure l I have shown a carton blank comprising walls I. 2, 3 and 4 and a glue flap 5. Sealln tabs 6, i, I and l are attached respectively to i the carton walls. The sealing flap is enlarged as at III and in this portion I provide apouring spout structure indicated generally at II, by shaping the upper comer of the glue fiap generally in an arc I2 and making a slit I3 from the side edge of the glue flap to the center of the are. It will benoted that the uppermost portion of the arc extends slightly above the top edge of the glue flap proper, and slightly above the score line I6 which is a continuation of that top edge. A radial score line Il may be made from the end of the slit I3 to the beginning of the arch shaped portion. A notch in the arc shaped portion is formed as at I3.

In the wall I I may provide lines of weakening I9 demarking the triangular removable portion mentioned above. It will be noted that the top weakened line at I3a lies slightly above the score line I3 which demarks the sealing flaps from the side walls of the carton. The weakened line I 3a may be straight as shown, or it may be arcuate in conformation following generally the arc I2 of the pouring spout.

The carton blank will be tubed in the ordinary fashion and by the ordinary machines. I have shown the application of glue as at 23 in Figure 2 and the formation of the first fold, and the final fold in Figure 3.

The carton is filled and sealed in the usual manner. In sealing, the order in which the flaps are folded and glued is not important excepting that the sealing flap 6 must be folded over and glued last. In a carton such as that shown in Figure 1 flaps I and 9 may first be folded, then flap 3 and then flap 6. This is illustrated in Figure 4. When flap 6 is folded over, that arcuate portion of the .pouring spout II which rises above the score line I3 will produce a slight hump as, shown at 2| in the edge of the sealing flap. This hump facilitates the removal of the triangular removable portion 22 of the wall I. In the cross sectional view, Figure 15, it will be seen how the flaps 3 and 3 both lie behind the upper edge of the pouringspout I I so that the ouring spout cannot be struck inwardly of the carton- As shown in Figure 5, when the triangular portion 22 has been torn out of theoverlying wall I along the lines of perforations I3, I3a the top of the pouring spout II not only will be backed as just explained, but wilr'preferably actually extend slightly above the level of the top of flap 8. It can be readily engaged by the fingernail and the pouring spout erected as in Figure 6. When the pouring spout has beenere'cted, the notch I3 will engage the edges of flaps! or 3 and 8, and will maintain the spout in erected condition.

It is not normally necessary in my construction to provide means for keeping the pouring spout from coming out too far.- In a triangular spout of the type shown, where wall I has substantial width, the cut I3 may be so placed in the glue flap that the wing is too long' to come out through the perforation in the wall I. Yet, if desired, the'tail of the wing may be so shaped as at 23 in Figure '6, as to impinge upon the top of the carton to inhibit further withdrawal. This is not however necessary where the wing may be made substantially as long as desired, since the spout will collapse on the outside of the carton the other edge of the perforation in the outer wall I; but neither the score line I! or 24 are necessary in my construction. In fact, I prefer to omit the score line 24 at least, and may omit both. The omission of the score lines does not interfere with the erection of the spout, and when the spout is erected gives a strong and more rigid construction, for the springiness of the board is thus utilized to give a sturdier spout when the spout is held open by the notch I3.

In the remainder of the figures I have illustrated the application of a modified pouring spout to an hexagonal form of carton having (Figure 8) side walls 25, 26, 21,23, 23 and 33,and a glue flap 3|. Side walls 25 and 23, which are opposite side walls, each bear a sealing flap32 or 33 which is the same in size and shape as the end of the erected structure. The remaining side walls bear triangular sealing flaps 34, 35, 33 and 31.

In the style of pouring spout here shown, which is applicable to any type of carton, the wall 25 is not weakened by lines of perforation but has a preformed triangular cut out 33. The pouring spout itself is again formed in the glue flap 3|.

- It is similar in character to the pouring spout previously described, but it has a flat top 33 to which a wing portion with an equally fiat top 43 is attached. The pouring spout also has the notch I3 previously described, together with a score line I1. The score line 24 may be added if desired.

' Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the stages of tubin the knocked down carton formed from the blank of Figure 8. Figure 11 shows the steps of sealing the end of the carton. The flap 33 is first folded down as shown, then flaps 34, :5, 36 and 21 are folded over and glued to the underlying fiaps,

giving the structure shown in Figure 12. In this structure an end of the flap 33 will lie behind the upper edge 33 of the pouring spout. To prevent the sifting of the contents, the opening 38 in the pouring spout itself may, in the filled and sealed carton shown in Figure 12, have a thin, readily frangible, and preferably transparent sticker 3| pasted over it.

. It will be noted that my construction is such that in all cartons. having appreciable width-of walls, spot gluing is not necessary. Glue as at 20 may be applied by the ordinary non-timed gluewheel. While myconstruction require a greater width in the glue fiaps 3 and 3| than would be required in cartons equipped with no pouring spout, yet considerable board may be saved bymaking the glue flap of full width only for a part of its length as illustrated both in Figures 1 and 8, and nesting the carton blanks on a piece of board as will be readily understood by the skilled die maker.

The exact angularity of the slit I3 in the glue fiaps 5 or 3| is not a limitation on my invention.

. The angularlty should preferably be chosen to give a wing length to the pouring spout such that the wing cannot be withdrawn through the opening in the overlying wall, yet such that the before -the wing can be fully withdrawn. The essential in my construction is the provision of a. notch I8 which will hold the'pouring spout in erected condition. I may,-if desired, provide another score line 24 substantially coincident with underlying wall having a partially severed portion capable of being drawn through said perforation, said portion bending along aline substantially coincident with a side of said triangular perforation, and in an intermediate area, to forma two-wing pouring spout, in which a wing of the pouring spout is provided with a notched portion automatically engageable with another carton portion at another side of said triangular perforation to maintain said pouring spout in withdrawn condition.

2. In a carton, a plurality of walls which are substantially coterminous, som of said walls at least having sealing flaps articulated thereto, one ofsaid walls having a glue flap articulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with another of said. walls which overlies it, said overlying wall having a perforation adjacent its line of articulation to a sealing flap, and said glue flap being configured to provide a pouring spout structure which may be withdrawn through said perforation, said pouring spout structure being located adjacent the line .of articulation of said walls to said sealing flaps, and a portion of said pouring spout being so located that when said carton is erected and closed an edge of one of, said flaps at least will lie behind said portion 0! said pouring spout to, prevent said portion of said pouring vspout from being struck inwardly oi the carton in an attempt to engage it for withdrawal through said perforation.

3. In a carton, a plurality of walls articulated together and a glue flap articulated to one of said walls, said walls being substantially coterminous, and some at least of said wall having sealing flapsarticulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with an overlying well, said overlying wall having substantially a triangular removable portion bounded by lines of weakening, one of said lines being closely adjacent the articulation of said wall to its sealing flap, said glue flap having a portion lying beneath said removable portion and being withdrawable therethrough to form a two-wing pouring spout.

4. In a carton, a plurality of walls articulated together and a glue flap articulated to one of said walls, said walls being substantially coterminous, and some at least of said walls having sealingflaps articulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with an overlying wall, said overlying wall having substantially a triangular removable portion bounded by lines 01' weakening, one oi said lines being closely adjacentthe articulation of said wall to its sealing flap. said glue flap having a portion lying be- 'neath said removable portion and being withdrawable therethrough to form a two-wing pouring spout, said pouring spout bearing on one oi its wings a notch so located as to engage a .carton portion at said last mentioned line of weakening and maintain the said pouring spout in erected condition after it has been so withdrawn.

5. In a carton, a plurality of walls articulated together and a glue flap, articulated to one of said walls, said walls being substantially coterminous, and some at least of said walls having sealing flaps articulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with an overlying wall,

said overlying wall having substantially a trian gular opening, one of the sides of which is closely adjacent the articulation of said wall to its sealing i'iap, said glue flap having a portion lying beneath said open ng and being withdrawable therethrough to form a pouring spout, said pouring spout bearing a notch'so located as teens to maintain the said pouring spout in erected condition after it has been so withdrawn by engagement with other carton portions, the said opening in said overlying wall and the said pouris made to engage the pouring spout portion to erect it.

6. In a carton, a plurality of walls articulated together and a sealing flap articulated to one oi said walls, said walls being substantially coterminous, and some at least of said wallshaving sealingflaps articulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with an overlying wall, said overlying wall having substantially a triangular removable. portion bounded by lines of weakening, one of said lines being closely ad- .iacent the articulation of saidwall toits sealing flap, said glue flap having a portion lying beneath said removable portion and being withdrawable therethrough to form a pouring spout, said pouring spout bearing a notch so located as to tend to maintain the said pouring spout in erected condition after it has been so withdrawn by en agement with other carton portions, the said removable portion of said overlying wall and the said pouring spout portion being so located and configured that when said carton is erected and sealed, an edge of one of said sealing flaps at least will lie behind aportion of said pouring spout in order to preventsaid pouring spout from being struck inwardly of said carton when an attempt is made to engage the pouring spout por tion to erect it, said pouring spout portion comprising a part of said glue flap partially severed therefrom by an incomplete line of cut, the removable portion of said overlying wall beirig substan ,tially triangular. with its apex directed away from the line of articulation of said wall to its sealing flap, said out in said glue flapterminating substantially at said apex, the remainder of said pouring spout portion having substantially an arcuate'c'onflguration of which the center is at the terminationof said line of cut, whereby said pouring spout portion may be withdrawn through said perforation to form a pouring spout of substantially 'U- or V-shapedcross section.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6, wherein said pouring spout portion to be so withdrawn through said perforation is unscored; f

8. In a carton a plurality of walls articulated together and a glue flap articulated to one of said walls, said walls being substantially coterminous, and some at least oi'said walls having sealing flaps articulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesiveunion with an overlyingwall, said overlying wallhaving substantially a triangular removable portion bounded by lines of weakening, one ofsaid lines being closely adjacent the articulation'oi saidwall to its sealing, flap, said, glue flap having a portion lying beneath said. removable portion and being withdrawable therethrough to .form a .pouringsp,o ut, said pouring spout bearing a notch so located 'as totend to maintain the said pouring spout in erected condition after it has been so withdrawn by engagement with other carton portions, the said removable portion of ,ing wall being substantially triangular with its apex directed away from the line of articulation of said wall to its sealing flap, said cut in said glue flap terminating substantially at said apex, the remainder of said pouring spout portion having substantially an arcuate configuration of which the center is at the termination of said line of assaoso ther having a notch therein so directed as to cut, whereby said pouring spout portion may be withdrawn through said opening to form a pouring spout of substantially U- or V-shaped cross section, an arcuate part of said pouring spout portion extending slightly above the line of articulation of said overlying wall and its articulated glue flap, and the line of weakening demarking that portion of the removable part of said overlying wall being configured to lie beyond the said extending part of said pouring spout portion whereby when said carton is closed and sealed a slight protuberance will be made in the top thereof,

permitting the more ready removal of the removable portion of said overlying wall and providing a structure in which after said removable portion has been removed, the extending part of said pouring spout portion will lie slightly above the top of said carton so that it may be more readily engaged;

9. The structure claimed in claim 8, in which said carton is of hexagonal cross section and in which two of said sealing flaps are of hexagonal shape, the remainder of said sealing flaps being triangular in shape.

10. In a carton, an overlying wall and an underlying wall, said overlying wall having a top portion articulated thereto and located substantially at right angles to the wall, said wall having a substantially triangular perforation with one of its sides substantially coinciding with the produce engagement of the pouring spout with another wall portion to maintain the pouring spout erected against .the resiliency of the material of the pouring spout.

12. In a carton, an overlying wall and an underlying wall, said overlying wall having a top portion articulated thereto and located substantially at right angles to the wall, said wall having a substantially triangular perforation with one of its sides substantially coinciding with the line of articulation of said top to said wall, and its apex directed away therefrom, said underlying wall being slit inwardly from an edge to said apex and the portion so partially severed being configured to form a pouring spout withdrawable through said triangular perforation, the top of said pouring spout extending upwardly substantially into the plane of said top when the pouring spout is closed, and said pouring spout when erected having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and being. unscored in that portion which is withdrawn through said perforation, and further having a notch therein so directed as to produce engagement of the pouring spout with line of articulation of said top to said wall, and,

its apex directed away therefrom, said underlying wall being slit inwardly from an edge to said apex and the portion so partially severed being configured to form a pouring spout withdrawable through said triangular perforation, the top of said pouring spout extending upwardly substantially into the plane-of said top when the pouring s ear is closed, and said pouring spout when erected having a substantially. U-shaped cross section.

11. In a carton, an overlying wall and an underlying wall, said overlying wall having a top portion articulated thereto and located substantially at rightangles to the wall, said wall havanother wall portion to 'maintain the pouring spout erected against the resiliency of the material of the pouring spout, the said pouring spout portion having a wing part of such length as substantially to prevent the withdrawal of the entire pouring spout through said perforation.

13. In a cartoma plurality of walls articulated together, and a glue flap articulated to one of 4 said walls, said walls being substantially coterminous, and some at least of said walls having sealing flaps articulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with an overlying wall, said overlying wall having a substantially triangular opening therein, one of said lines being closely adjacent the articulation of said wall to its sealing flap, said glue flap having a portion lying beneath said opening and being withdrawable therethrough to form a pouring spout, said pouring spout bearing a notch so'located as to tend to maintain the said pouring spout in erected condition by engagement with other carton portions after it has been so witlgirawn, the

said opening in said overlying wall and the said pouring spout portion being so located and configured that when said carton is erected and sealed, an edge of one of said sealing flaps at least will lie behind a portion of said pouring spout to prevent said pouring spout from being struck inwardly of said carton when an attempt is made to engage it, said pouring spout portion comprising a part of said glue flap partially seving a substantially triangular perforation with one of its sides substantially coinciding with the line of articulation of said top to said wall', and its apex directed away therefrom, said underlying wall being slit inwardly from an edge to said apex and the portion sov partially severed being configured to form a pouring spout withdrawable through said triangular perforation, the top of said pouring spout extending upwardly substantially into the plane of said top when the pouring spout is closed, and said pouring spout when erected having a substantially U-shaped cross ered therefrom by an incompleted lineof cut,

the said pouring spout having a portion of which the top edge is substantially in alignment with said line of articulation and another portion of which the top edge is at an angle thereto, 'vhereby said pouring spout portion may be withdrawn through said opening to form a pouring spout of substantially U or .V shaped cross section.

14. The-structure claimed in claim 13, in which said carton is of hexagonal cross section, and in which two of said sealing flaps are of hexagonal shape, the remainder of said sealing flaps being triangular in shape. I

1 WILLIAM A. RING-1BR.

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