US2360439A - Container - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 17, 1944.

C. Z. MONROE CONTAINER Filed March 10, 1941 3 Shee ts-Sheet l Oct. 17, 1944. g, z MONROE I 2,360,439

CONTAINER Filed March 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 17 1944. c z, MONROE 2,360,439

CONTAINER Filed March 10, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct, 17, 1944 CONTAINER.

Charles Z. Monroe, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The American Paper Bottle Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 10, 1941, Serial No. 382,638

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to paper containers suitabl for use in the packaging of liquids for distribution, and particularly to containers fabricated of sheet paper such as that disclosed in Patent 2,047,891, granted July 17, 1936, to Henry T. Scott.

The container disclosed in that patent is tubular, square in cross-section, has a flat bottom and a top or upper end closure comprising a plurality of panels folded relatively to one another in such manner as to form a rigid liquidtight closure having a distinctive appearance, two of such panels extending upwardly and inwardly from the upper edges of opposed side panels to the base of a. central rib so that the closure as a whole resembles a gabled structure. The container before being charged and sealed is coated with a substance, usually of paraflinlike nature, which prevents moisture from penetrating into its walls and weakening them and, in the usual case, a staple or other securing device is passed through the multi-ply rib to pro vide increased resistance to accidental opening. A container of this type may be opened by a consumer in various ways, as, for instance, by removing the staple and unfolding the several panels of the top or end closure, but it has been found to be advantageous in practice to provide the container with a separately formed pouring aperture which makes it unnecessary for the user to remove the staple from the sealing rib and to unfold the container top closure.

The present invention relates more particular- 1y to means for facilitating the discharge, from a container of the general type described, of all or any portion of its contents, which means may be readily manipulated by a consumer, provides a highly efilcient extensible spout by means of which a desired quantity of liquid may be accurately poured without drip or wastage, and which is of such character as to ensure that the l quid content of the container is eifectively sealed against contamination at all times. particularly after the container has been opened and portion of its contents discharged, the pouring spout or lip being retracted and shielded from the air and from contact with foreign objects after each pouring operation.

Because of the natural tendency of a paper sheet which has been distorted to remain in distorted condition, the container, after it has once be n opened. w ll tend to remain at least partially open. Where a ortion only of its liouid content has been discharged and it is desired that the remainder be preserved for future use,

it is important that the container be completely reclosed and maintained completely closed until again intentionally opened, to prevent contamination of the contained liquid. The improved container includes as one of its useful features means for positively holding its relatively movable parts in container closing relationship after it has been initially opened and reclosed. The holding means provided is of simple nature, easily manipulated by the consumer and does not add to the cost, nor detract from the appearance of the container. a

The container with the improved liquid discharge means may be fabricated at relatively low cost and is of the type which may be squared out, coated, charged and sealed upon a complete automatic paper container or bottle fabricating machine. The details of construction of the impaper blank from which the container is made;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the complete container. after charging and sealing;

Figure 3 is a similar view but showing the container as it appears after the initial step toward opening the discharge orifice has been taken;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the container as it appears after it has been opened and the pouring spout has been extended to pouring position;

Figure 5 is a view of the container as seen from above, with pouring spout extended as in Figure 4. partly broken away to show constructional details;

Figure 6 is a section on line 6--6 of Figure 5, showing the container in pouring position;

Figure '7 is a further perspective view of the upper portion of the container, showing certain de ails not clearly shown in other views;

Fi ure 8 is an axial section through the container, taken at right angles to the sealing rib, and after the initial opening operation has been completed;

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 8 showing in section those portions of the container which comprise the pouring spout, such portions being shown in full lines as they appear when the container is sealed and in dotted lines as they appear when the pouring spout is extended;

Figure is a plan view of the upper end of a modified form of blank from which a container of the type contemplated herein may be fabricated, such container to have means for positively holding its relatively movable parts in container closing relationship;

Figure 11 is partial plan view of this blank as seen from the reverse side;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a containertion of the container.

The container, when completed, is a rigid selfsupporting structure, although light in weight, being fabricated of good quality sheet paper and folded in such a manner as to ensure maximum strength. Preferably it is fabricated from a single sheet which is cut and scored in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, although, as will hereinafter appear, it may be fabricated in two or more parts, if desired. Generally speaking, the container has three principal portions, the tubular body, the bottom, and the upper end closure, that portion of the blank shown in Figure 1 which lies intermediate the parallel lines A-A and BB, respectively, subsequently becomes the tubular body, that portion below the line B-B the bottom, and that portion above the line A-A the upper end closure. Each of these major portions comprises a plurality of panels the edges of which are defined by incisions or score lines. The four side wall panels are indicated at 20, 2!, 22 and 23, respectively, and the end flap by means of which the outer edge of panel 23 is secured to the outer edge of panel 20, is indicated at 24. The bottom panels are indicated at 25, 26, 21 and 28, panels 25 and 21 being designated the minor bottom flaps and panels 26 and 28 the major bottom flaps.

The foldable top closure includes four principal sections, two sections, the comers of which are indicated at a, I), f, g, and c, d, h, 2', respectively, each comprising a plurality of panels and being generally designated overfolding sections, while the sections the corners of which are indicated at b, c, g, h and d, e, i, k, respectively, are collapsible sections, or underfolding sections, the several panels of which underlie the panels of the overfolding sections previously referred to after the container has been completed. For furtm particulars as to the exact design, construction, and relative proportions of the several panels of the container just referred to, reference may be had to the patent to Henry T. Scott No. 2,047,891, previously referred to.

The completed container may be said to comprise two portions, a displaceable portion on the one hand, and the entire remaining portion of the container on the other. That portion of the container which is displaceable for the purpose of providing an opening and a pouring spout comprises several panels of the foldable ton closure, a panel the corners of which are indicated by the letters n, o, f, g, hereinafter designated an outer panel and which in outline is substantially rectangular, and two triangular panels, one indicated by the letters 0, p, g, positioned at its apices and the other by the letters a, t, k. In the completed container the triangular inner panels Just referred to underlie the rectangular outer panel 12, o, f, g, as may be observed from an inspection of the drawings. The rectangular outer panel defined by the letters n, o, I, a in turn comprises several sub-panels which may be relatively folded as the container is opened and the pouring spout is extended. one of these sub-panels comprising the lift or access tab 30 hingedly connected to the remainder of panel a, b, I, g along the scored portion or line v, w and the remaining sub-panels being those whose corners are indicated at n, v;

f, y and 1/, 1, respectively. The

margin of the lift tab 30 is normally connected to the three sub-panels just described by uncut or bridging elements 3| which alternate with incisions 32 which define a line of severance between the edge of the tab 30 and the adjacent sub-panels, which bridging elements may be readily broken when a lifting force is applied to the end of the tab, as, for instance, by means of a finger-nail inserted into the finger-nail cut-out 33. This line of severance between the tab and the contiguous sub-panels forms the central portion of a longer line of severance between the stationary and displaceable portions of the container, which complete line of severance also ineludes a series of aligned incisions extending from n to v and from w through 0 to p, and from s to t, the points 11. and t being substantially coincident in the completed container. The line of severance t--t' formed in the flap 24 underlies the severance line n, 1: after the blank has been formed into a tube.

The complete line of severance Just described may be formed in various ways but preferably it is formed by aligned incisions spaced apart by narrow uncut portions or elements which may be rather readily broken or severed when it is desired to open the container but which elements are sufficiently strong to resist breakage due to rough handling of the container. With the exception of the lines of severance, which have just been described as comprising alternating incisions and bridging elements, all of the other panel edge defining lines of the foldable top closure (indicated by dotted lines in the drawings) are lines of weakness formed by scoring or indenting the paper just sufliciently deeply to ensure that it may be folded into panels of definite size and shape during the folding operation.

It is preferable to employ a backing member or panel such as that the corners of which are indicated at t, I, m, k in Figure 1, which backing sheet or panel is integral with the flap 24 and underlies the rectangular panel n. 0, f, 0, and the upper portion of the side wall 20, when the blank has been formed into a tube. The upper portion of this panel, like the rectangular panel 1:, 0, f, y, is divided into hingedly interconnected sub-panels by score lines k, z, m, z and k, m, scoring k, z underlying scoring 17, 1/ and scoring m, z underlying scoring .7, .1: when the backing panel is swung into position against the rear face of the outer panel 11., 0, f, 9, so that both panels may be simultaneously folded about superposed scorings or lines of weakness. The backing sheet performs several functions but at this time it need only be stated that one of these functions is to close the aperture 33 in the outer panel provided for the insertion of a finger-nail or the like, and to likewise underlie the spaced incisions which define the free edge of the tab 30, to prevent escape of liquid therethrough.

.efliciency in this respect.

The completed container is shown in Figure 2, the backing sheet being completely hidden and the tab 30 being flush with the remainder of the outer panel, from which panel it is struck or out in the blank forming operation. To open the container for the discharge of all or any portion of its contents, the tab 30 is first lifted as indicated in Figure 3, the several bridging elements 3| connecting the edge of the tab and the outer panel being broken. The severance of the displaceable portion from the remainder of the container has thus been initiated and it remains only to complete the severance by breaking the bridging elements along the lines of severance st, no, we and op (also it). This may be accomplished in various ways without difficulty, by the use of the fingers only, and when it has been accomplished the upper edge of the displaceable portion of the container has been completely released from the remainder and it only remains to manipulate the displaceable portion in such manner that it forms a pouring spout.

This can lreadily be accomplished by inserting a small instrument, such, for instance, as that diagrammatically indicated at 36, beneath the base of the tab 30 and over the edge of the underlying or backing sheet, and then pulling this backing sheet forwardl with the aid of such instrument until the pouring spout is fully formed, as indicated in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Pressure applied by the fingers at the sides of the container and at the upper forward corners, as indicated in Figure 3, serves to assist in the formation of the pouring spout by facilitating the breaking down of the outer panel n, o, g and its backing sheet into sub-panels, about the superposed score lines formed therein. This manipulation of the displaceable section of the container results not only in the opening of the container but simultaneously in the formation of a pouring spout of high efficiency, the pouring lip being relatively high; i. 6., well above the normal level of'the surface of the liquid in the container, thus enabling the container to be tilted to a substantial angle before the liquid reaches the pouring lip, but likewiseprovides an angular pouring lip with sharp clean-cut edges over which a liquid such as milk may pass without drip and without running down the outer surface of the spout.

It is highly advantageous in the pouring of milk or other food products to pour from a spout well above the normal level of the liquid, as the consumer may more accurately control the direction and volume of discharge of the stream of fiuid when this is so. The pouring spout provided by the present invention is of the highest In the event that a portion only of the contents of the container are discharged, and it is desired to reserve the remainder for future use, the pouring spout may be thrust inwardly, the outer panel and'its backing sheet assuming their original shapes and positions and the flap 30 can then be lowered for the purpose of protecting the pouring lip of the pouring spout against contamination and for the further purpose of holding it in retracted position. If desired, .the edge of the tab may be undercut or provided with other means for retaining it in the plane of the panel n, o, f, g and thus closely confining the backing sheet, which may have a: tendency to spring toward pouring position somewhat after having beenonce 8X9 tended.

It is intended that the container shall be coated during the process of formation with a coating of paramn or paraffin-like substance'which stifiens and renders more rigid the container as a, whole and likewise closes any incisions formed in the paper. Despite the formation of the line of severance between the displaceable portion of the container and the remainder, no leakage may occur, this being due to the fact that the leakproofing composition has the effect of sealing the incisions previously made. For some purposes the container may be used without a backing sheet in rear of the displaceable outer panel, particularly when it is not essential that the container be maintained in sanitary condition after it has once been opened. Where no backing sheet is used, of course tab 30 will not be necessary, but I prefer to employ a backing sheet, whether formed as an integral portion of the blank, as illustrated in Figure 1, or formed separately and thereafter attached, especially when the container is to be used in the distribution of liquid as shown.

Having thus described the invention, what is foods.

The blank shown in Figures 10 and 11 may be folded and secured so as to form the container .of Figure 12, having a tubular body with a top having fixed and movable portions as before. Inthe case of this blank, however, the rectangular panel 40 is separately formed and attached at the outset to the main blank 4| instead of comprising an integral part of this blank. The number, shapes and relationship of the several panels is the same,'however, save for a feature to be discussed, and the resulting container may be opened and reclosed in the same manner as that illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, inclusive.

"" In the container of Figures 10 to 15, however, the free end of the access tab 42 is provided with lateral extensions 42 and 42 which underlie bendable tongues 43 and 44, respectively, which are integral portions of the side wall panel 45. These lateral extensions 42 and 42 may be shaped as desired, but preferably the upper edge of each is inclined upwardly and outwardly away from the end of tab 42 so that the lower edge of each of the bendable tongues 43 and 44 will be downwardly and inwardly inclined. With the lower edges of the tongues 43 and 44 so inclined, these tongues will, when bent outwardly as shownin Figures 13. 14 and 15, lie immediately above the tab extensions 42 and 42 respectively, and will positively lock the tongue against upward movement. downward and outward inclinations of the lower edges of the bendable tongues, these members will, when turned outwardly by a consumer at the time Of package reclosure, not permitthe tab extensions to slip over the retaining elements. but will hold the tab firmly in its original, container closing position and the pouring spout in retracted and fully protected position. The value of such looking or retaining means is great when the liquid content of the container is milk, the likelihood of contamination of the milk remaining in a partly emptied container being minimized. If desired, scoring such as 43' and 44' may be impressed in the paper at the base of each bendable tongue, but in the average case this is not needed. It will be apparent that the tab 42, tab extensions 42 and 42 and tongues 43 and 44 may be struck from the upper inclined panel of the top if desired, but I prefer-to make the tab 42 relatively-longand to have the bendable tongues at the upper end of a side panel,

Because of the claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1

1. A self-supporting sheet paper container having a tubular body portion and a plurality of relatively stiff marginally interconnectedpanels disposed to collectively form a rigid normally liquid-tight end closure, portion of said end closure having a permanently fixed relationship to the tubular body at all times and a portion being displaceable to provide a pouring opening and pouring spout, the displaceable portion including an outer panel and two inner panels underlying the outer panel and disposed in generally parallel relationship thereto, one edge of each such panel being hingedly connected to a rigid portion of the container, a second edge of each inner panel being hingedly connected to an edge of the outer panel, and the sole remaining edges of the several panels of the displaceable portion being attached to the rigid portion of the end closure by readily severable connecting means disposed along a continuous line of severance, the outer panel being weakened along fold lines to permit it to be broken down into angularly disposed connected sub-panels after said connecting means has been severed, to facilitate the formation of a pouring spout.

2. A self-supporting sheet paper container having a tubular body portion and a plurality of relatively stifl marginally interconnected panels disposed to collectively form a rigid normally liquid-tight end closure, portion of said end" closure having a permanently fixed relationship to the tubular body at all times and a portion being displaceable to provide a pouring opening and pouring spout, the displaceable portion including a fiat outer panel and two fiat triangular inner panels underlying the outer panel and disposed in generally parallel relationship thereto, one edge of each triangular inner panel being hingedly connected to a rigid portion of the container, a. second edge of each triangular inner panel being hingedly connected to an edge of the outer panel, and the sole remaining edges of the several panels of the displaceable portion being attached to the rigid portion of the end closure by readily severable connecting means disposed along a continuous line of severance, the

.outer panel being weakened along fold lines to permit it to be broken down into angularly disposed connected sub-panels after said connecting means has been severed, to facilitate the formation of a pouring spout.

3. A self-supporting sheet paper container having a tubular body portion and a plurality of relatively stiff marginally interconnected panels disposed to collectively form a rigid normally liquid-tight end closure, portion of said end closure having a permanently fixed relationship to the tubular body at all times and a portion being displaceable to provide a pouring opening and pouring spout, the displaceable portion including a generally rectangular outer panel inclined to the axis of the container body and the lower edge of which is hingedly connected to the container body, and two inner panels underlying the outer panel and disposed in generally parallel relationship thereto, one edge of each such inner panel being hingedly connected to a rigid portion of the container, a second edge of each inner panel being hingedly connected to an edge of the outer panel, and the sole remaining edges of the several panels of the displaceable portion being attached to the rigid portion of the end closure by readily severable connecting means disposed along a continuous line of severance, the outer panel being weakened along 'fold lines to permit it to be broken down into angularly disposed connected sub-panels after said connecting means has been severed, to facilitate the formation of a pouring spout.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which two weakened fold lines extend from a common point on the upper edge of the outer panel to the lower corners of such panel to provide a pointed pouring spout when the panel is displaced.

5. A self-supporting sheet paper container having a tubular body portion and a plurality of relatively stiff marginally interconnected panels disposed to collectively form a. rigid normally liquid-tight end closure, portion of said end closure having a permanently fixed relationship to the tubular body at all times and a portion being displaceable to provide a pouring opening and pouring spout, the displaceable portion having its upper edge connected to the fixed portion of the end closure by readily severable elements and its lower edge hingedly connected in part to the container body and in part to the fixed portion of the end closure, said displaceable portion comprising a plurality of relatively foldable subpanels.

6. A self-supporting sheet paper container having a tubular body portion and a plurality of relatively stiif marginally interconnected panels disposed to collectively form a rigid normally liquid-tight end closure, portion .of said end closure having a permanently fixed relationship to the tubular body at all times and a portion beedges hingedly connected thereto, and being divided by scored portions into relatively foldable panels so that, after severance of its upper'edge from the rigid portion of the, container the displaceable portion may be drawn laterally to open the container and provide a pouring spout.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which a central part of the displaceable portion of the container is two plies in thickness and the outer ply is cut away to normally receive a. lift tab hingedly secured to the rigid portion of the container, for the purpose set forth.

8. A sheet paper container a minor portion of the wall of which is joined to the major portion thereof along a weakened line of severance so that it may be partially separated from said major portion and extended to form an upwardly opening pouring spout, and a tab hingedly connected to said major portion and adapted to overlie and protect said pouring spout when the pouring spout is retracted, the free end of the tab being enlarged and the container major portion having spaced bendable tongues for engaging said tab enlargement and to hold the tab in spout retaining and protecting position after the spout has been extended and retracted.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 in which the free end of the tab is provided with laterally projecting elements and the container major portion is provided with opposed bendable tongues with downwardly and inwardly inclined lower edges, which edges are adapted to engage the upper edges of the said projecting elements of the tab respectively, when bent outwardly, to hold the tab in spout retaining and protecting position after it has been extended and retracted.

10. A self-supporting paper container comprising a plurality of fiat marginally interconnected panels, a group of which at the upper end of the container are so relatively disposed as to form a top closure which includes a transversely extending permanent rib, one panel of said group being an inclined rectangular outer panel connecting the upper edge of a body panel to the base of the rib and the adjacent top closure panels being triangular and folded under the lateral margins of said rectangular panel, said rectangular panel and said triangular underfolded panels being divided, respectively, into upper and lower portions by a continuous severable weakened strip or tear line spaced downwardly from the rib, the laterally connected lower portions of said three panels together comprising a pouring spout which may be extended without disturbing the rib.

11. A sheet paper container a minor portion of I the wall of which is joined to the major portion thereof along a weakened line of severance so that it may be partially separated from said ma- :or portion and extended to form an upwardly opening pouring spout, and a tab hingedly connected to said major portion along a transverse hinge line above the said minor portion of the container wall and adapted to be folded down so as to overlie and protect said pouring spout when the pouring spout is retracted, the free end of the tab and the container major portion having interengageable means for detachably holding the tab in position to protect and retain said spout after it has been extended and retracted.

12. A sheet paper container a portion of the wall of which is partially separable from the remainder to form an upwardly opening pouring spout the lower end of which is hingedly connected to the container wall, and a tab hingedly connected to said container wall above the partially separable portion and normally overlying the said separable portion and protecting the pouring lip against contamination, said tab being upwardly displaceable about a hinge line above the pouring spout to permit extension of the spout and being downwardly displaceable after the spout is retracted to cover andprotect the same.

13. A self-supporting paper container comprising a plurality of flat marginally interconnected panels so angularly disposed as to form a body portion and a top closure therefor, the top closure including a plurality of panels and a transversely extending rigid terminal rib and being weakened along a continuous line spaced from the rib and from the body and extending entirely across three adjacent angularly disposed top panels, each of these three top panels being thus divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, the three marginally interconnected lower portions of the divided panels together comprising an upwardly opening laterally extensible pouring spout, the extension of which is possible when the panels are broken along the weakened line, without disturbing the rib.

' CHARLES Z. MONROE.

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