US3125258A - Dispensing container and blank therefor - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1964 w j's 3,125,258

DISPENSING CONTAINER AND BLANK THEREFOR I Filed Nov. 4, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l E OR RICHARD M. WATTS HIS ATTORNEYS March 17, 1964 R- M. WATTS 3,125,258

DISPENSING CONTAINER AND BLANK THEREFOR Filed Nov. 4, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 44 i i a 63' 63 o g o 6 66 Z:

INVENTOR Z3 6 RICHARD M. WATTS FIG.|4 BY 4M 1 HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,125,258 DISPENSING CONTAINER AND BLANK THEREFGR Richard M. Watts, Henrico County, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 67,282 14 Claims. (Ci. 222-480) This invention relates to an improved dispensing container or the like and to an improved blank for forming such a container or the like.

Heretofore, many different types of containers or oartons have been constructed in such a manner that the contents thereof can be dispensed by merely tilting or inverting the containers to the desired degree and shaking the contents out through openings provided in the tops of the containers, the openings normally being selectively opened and closed by slide members or the like carried by the tops of the containers. Such containers are adapted to readily contain and dispense granulated or powdered edible products, such as cheese, salt, other condiments, and the like, or non-edible products, such as soap, cosmetics, and the like. Further, such containers can also contain and dispense liquid products, if desired.

One of the features of this invention is to provide an improved dispensing container of the above-described type, the container of this invention being relatively inex- I pensive and simple to manufacture and being formed from a minimum of parts.

In particular, the container of this invention is formed from a one-piece container blank of this invention and has a plurality of closure flaps for closing one of the open ends there-of in such a manner that a movable slide member is simply and effectively carried thereby to be guided between the open and closed positions thereof Without jamming and which will positively close the container when in the closed position thereof.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved dispensing container or the like having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved container blank for forming such a dispensing container or the like.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved dispensing container of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the container illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation view of the container illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 4 and 5 are top views of the container illustrated in FIGURE 1 and respectively illustrate the container in its closed and opened positions.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the improved container blank of this invention.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the slide member for the container of this invention.

FIGURE 8 is a side view of the slide member illustrated in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, end elevation view of the container of FIGURE 1, illustrating an initial step in forming the dispensing means thereof.

FIGURE 10 is a top view of the container illustrated in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 and illustrates the step of folding the underlying flap over the open end of the container.

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 and illustrates the method of placing the slide member of FIG- URE 7 thereon.

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 12 and illustrates the method of folding the intermediate flaps over the slide member.

FIGURE 14 is a view similar to FIGURE 13 and illustrates the method of folding the overlapping flap over the open end of the container to complete the dispensing construction thereof.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved dispensing container of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and can be formed from the improved container blank of this invention generally indicated by the reference numeral 21 in FIGURE 6.

The container blank 21 may be formed from any suitable material, such as metal, cardboard, or the like, and, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the container blank 21 is formed from cardboard. The blank 21 can have the exterior surface thereof covered with an attractive facing material, such as aluminum foil or the like, whereby the completed dispensing container 20 will be provided with a pleasing and attractive exterior.

The container blank 21 is a one-piece construction suitably die cut from container blank stock (not shown) and is cut and scored to define a series of four foldably connected side Walls 22, 23, 24, and 25, the side walls 22 and 23 being connected at a suitable fold or score line 26, the side walls 23 and 24- being foldably connected at a fold or score line 27, and the side walls 24 and 25 being foldably connected at a fold or score line 28.

In order to interconnect the side wall 22 to the side wall 25 to form the box-like container structure 20, an interconnecting flap 29 is foldably connected to the outer side edge of the side wall 22 at a fold or score line 30.

A series of bottom closure flaps 31, 32, 33, and 34 are respectively foldably connected to the bottom edges of the side Walls 22-25 at respective score or fold lines 35-38.

Similarly, a series of top closure flaps 39, 40, 41, and 42 are respectively foldably connected to the top edges of the side walls 22-25 at respective score or fold lines 43-46.

While the particular configurations of the side walls 22-25 and closure flaps 31-34 and 39-42 may be designed in any desired manner, the particular constructions thereof illustrated in the drawings permit the side walls 22 and 24 to be slightly arcuate in cross-section and the side walls 23 and 25 to be substantially straight in cross-section when the side walls 22-25 are folded in the manner hereinafter described to form the container 20 illustrated in FIGURES 1-3. Also, the side walls 22-25 taper inwardly from the bottom of the container 20 toward the top thereof.

Such an arrangement is provided because the side walls 22-25 are cut and scored in such a manner that the bottom portions thereof are wider than the top portions thereof, with the opposed pairs of side edges converging toward each other and because the bottom edges 35 and 37 and top edges 43 and 45 of the respective side walls 22 and 24 are arcuate as illustrated, while the bottom edges 36 and 38 and top edges 44 and 46 of the side walls 23 and 25 are substantially straight and substantially parallel to each other.

The outer edges 57, 48, 49, and 50 of the respective closure flaps 31, 33, 39, and 41 are formed substantially arcuate in the same manner as the inner edges 35, 37, 4-3, and 45 thereof, while the end edges of each opposed pair of end edges 51, 52; 53, 54; 55, 5'6 and 57, 5 8 of the respective closure flaps 31, 33, 39 and 41 are substantially parallel to each other.

Thus, when the blank 21 is folded into the box-like configuration of FIGURE 1, the side edges 43 and 45 of the top closure flaps 39 and 41 and the side edges 35 and 37 of the bottom closure flaps 31 and 33 cause the side walls 22 and 24 to become arcuate in cross-section when the flaps 31, 33, 39, and 41 are disposed over the opposed open ends of the container 20. Further, because the score or ' fold lines 35, 37, 43, and 45 are arcuate, the closure flaps 31, 33, 39, and 41 form concave surfaces when the same are folded over the open ends of the container 20 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE *2.

The top closure flap 39, hereinafter referred to as the underlying flap 39, is provided with a plurality of die cut apertures 59 passing through the central portion thereof. As will be apparent hereinafter, only one or any selected number of apertures 59 may be provided in the underlying flap 39, as desired.

The top closure flap 41, hereinafter referred to as the overlapping flap 41, is provided with an enlarged opening '60 which is adapted to be aligned with the apertures 59 in the underlying flap 39 when the overlapping flap 41 is superimposed over the underlying flap 39 in the manner hereinafter described, whereby the contents of the container 20 can be dispensed through the apertures 59 without interference from the overlapping flap 41.

The remaining top closure flaps 40 and -42, hereinafter referred to as intermediate flaps 40 and 42, are each provided with a substantially rectangular slot or opening 61, the openings 61 extending to the respective end edges 44 and 46 of the side walls 23 and 25 foldably connected to the intermediate flaps 40 and 42.

The container blank 21 is scored in such a manner that the various fold or score lines 26, 27, 28, 30, 3538 and 43-46 permit the blank 21 to be readily and quickly folded into the container construction 20. For example, the blank 21 as illustrated in FIGURE 6 is so scored that the various panels thereof are readily folded on their respective score lines in the direction away from the viewer.

The container 20 can be formed from the container blank 21 in any desired folding sequence of the blank 21 and by any suitable apparatus. For example, after the side Walls 2225 have been erected into their boxlike configuration by securing the interconnecting flap 29 to the interior surface of the side wall 25 by gluing or the like to bring the edge 36 of the side wall 22 adjacent the free edge of the side wall 25, the bottom closure flaps 31-34 are utilized to close the bottom thereof, and, after the container has been filled with the desired contents through the upper open end thereof, the top closure flaps 3942 are utilized to close the top of the container 20. However, the top closure flaps 39-42 can be closed before the bottom closure flaps 31-34, whereby the container can be filled through the bottom thereof while in an inverted position and, thereafter, have the bottom closure flaps 31-34 closed.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, after the interconnecting flap 29 is secured to the inner surface of the side wall 25 by a suitable adhesive or other fastening means, the bottom of the container 20 is closed by folding the closure flap 31 over the lower open end thereof (or the closure flap 33, as desired), and then the closure flaps 32 and 34 are respectively folded over the closure flap 31 and secured thereto, if desired. Thereafter, the closure flap 33 is folded over the flaps 3134 and secured thereto by a suitable adhesive or the like.

When the bottom closure flaps 31-34 have been secured in their closed positions in the above manner, the side walls 22-25 assume the configuration illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10, whereby the upper edges 43-46 of the side walls 22-25 define an open end 62 of the container 20 through which the desired product can be inserted in the container 20 before the top closure flaps 39-42 are closed.

When it is desired to close the top closure flaps 3942 of the container 20, the intermediate closure flaps 4t) 4 and 42 are bent outwardly along the respective score or fold lines 44 and 46 to the position illustrated in FIG- UR-ES 9 and 10.

Thereafter, the underlying closure flap 39 is bent along the score or fold line 43, so as to be disposed completely over the open end '62 of the container 20 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 11. The underlying flap 39, when disposed over the open end 62 of the container 20, forms a substantially arcuate and concave surface, because the same is foldably connected to the side wall 22 by the arcuate score or fold line 43-.

A substantially flat and bendable slide member 63, FIGURES 7, 8, and 12, is then placed on top of the underlying flap 39 with its opposed outwardly projecting tabs 64 and 65 respectively being disposed over the slots 61 formed in the intermediate flaps 40' and 42 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 12.

The slide member 63 may be formed of any suitable bendable material, such as metal, plastic, cardboard, or the like, and, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the slide member 63 is formed from aluminum containing metal and has a plurality of openings 66 formed therein in such a pattern that the same are respectively aligned with the apertures 59 formed in the underlying flap 39 when the slide member 63 is disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 12. The tabs 64 and 65 of the slide member 63 project beyond the respective shoulders 67 and 68 of the slide member 63, the shoulders 67 and 68 being slightly wider than the slots 61 formed in the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 to provide stop means engageable with the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 to limit sliding movement of the slide member 63 relative to the container 20 in a manner hereinafter described.

While the slide member 63 is illustrated in FIGURE 12 as being placed over the underlying flap 39 in such a manner that the openings 66 thereof are aligned with the aperture 59, it is to be understood that the slide member 63 can be placed on the underlying flap 39 in a manner whereby the openings 66 do not register with the apertures 59, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The open lugs 66 are so formed in the slide member 63 that the same register with the apertures 59 when the shoulder 68 of the slide member is disposed closely adjacent the side edge 46 of the side wall 25, whereby the shoulder 63 is disposed in abutting engagement with the inter mediate flap 42 when the flap 42 is folded over the slide member 63, as illustrated in FIGURE 13.

After the slide member 63 has been placed over the underlying flap 39, the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 are respectively folded on the score or fold lines 44 and 46 over the underlying flap 39 to dispose the slide member 63 between the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 and the underlying flap 39 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 13. As illustrated in FIGURE 13, the free ends 69 and 70 of the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 terminate short of the series of openings 66 formed in the slide member 63 so that the same do not interfere with the dispensing action of the container 20.

Since the length of each slot 61 is slightly greater than the respective lengths of the tabs 64 and 65 of the slide member 63, the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 can be readily folded to the position illustrated in FIGURE 13 without interference from the slide member 63, even though the slide member 63 is offset toward the flap 40 or 42. Also, if the slide member 63 is placed on the underlying flap 39 with one of its shoulders 67 or 68 projecting beyond the respective side edge 44 or 46 of the side wall 23 or 25, the folding action of the intermediate flaps 4i) and 42 will positively align the slide member 63 in its proper position on the underlying flap 39. Thus, when the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 are folded, the slide member 63 is properly aligned on the underlying flap 39 so that the slide member 63 will not foul or jam when the same is subsequently utilized to open and close the container 20.

When the intermediate flaps 4t) and 4-2 are folded in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 13, suitable adhesive may be placed on the exposed surfaces of the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 and underlying flap 39 in the manner illustrated by the reference numeral 71. However, it is to be understood that the adhesive 71 also can be placed on the inner surface of the overlapping flap 41, in addition to the adhesive 71 on the flaps 39, 4b, and 42, or in lieu thereof. However, the adhesive placed on the overlapping flap 41 must be so positioned that same does not come into contact with the slide member 63 when the flap 41 is subsequently folded over the same.

Thereafter, the overlapping flap 41 is bent at the score or fold line 45 over the open end 62 of the container 20 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 14, whereby the overlapping flap 41 is secured to the intermediate flaps 46 and 42 and the underlying flap 39 by the gluing 71, the overlapping flap 4-1 assuming the arcuate and concave configuration illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 because of the arcuate foid or score line 45 thereof, whereby the slide member 63 is bent into positive contact with the outer surface of the underlying flap 33 by the overlapping flap 41.

As illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 14, the tab 65 of the slide member 63 projects beyond the end edge 46 of the side wall 25 to a greater extent than the tab 64 projects beyond the end edge 44 of the side wall 23, because the slide member 63 is disposed in its fully opened position, whereby the openings 66 thereof are aligned with the apertures 59 in the underlying flap 39. The opening 60 formed in the overlapping flap 41 is so constructed and arranged that the same exposes that portion of the slide member 63 containing the openings 66 thereof when the slide member 63 is in its fully opened position. Thus, when it is desired to dispense the contents of the container 26 with the slide member 63 in its opened position, it is merely necessary to tilt or invert the container 20 to the desired degree whereby the contents thereof can be shaken out of the container through the aligned openings 66 and apertures 59.

When it is desired to close the container 26, the user merely pushes on the tab 65 in the direction of the container 2%), whereby the slide member 63 is moved relative to the underlying flap 39 until the openings 66 in the slide member 63 are disposed out of registration with the apertures 59 in the underlying flap 39 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4. Alternately, the tab 64 can be grasped and pulled away from the container 26 to move the slide member 63 from its opened position in FIGURE 5 to its closed position in FIGURE 4.

As previously stated, the shoulders 67 and 68 of the slide member 63 are slightly wider than the slots 61 in the respective intermediate closure flaps 4t and 42, whereby the shoulder 67 engages the intermediate flap 46 when the slide member 63 is moved to its fully closed position, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the shoulder 67 thus limiting movement of the slide member 63 in its closing direction relative to the container 26. Similarly, when the container is opened by either pushing the tab 64 of the slide member 63 toward the container 23 or by grasping the tab 65 and pulling the same outwardly from the container 26, the slide member 63 is moved toward the intermediate flap 42 until the shoulder 68 of the slide member 63 abuts the intermediate flap 42 and stops further movement of the slide member 63 in the opening direction. The slide member 63 is so constructed and arranged that the openings 66 thereof are in full registration with the apertures 59 in the underlying flap 39 i when the shoulder 68 of the slide member 63 is disposed in engagement with the intermediate flap 42. Similarly,

when the shoulder 6'7 of the slide member 63 is in abutting engagement with the intermediate flap 40, the openings 66 in the slide member 63 are completely out of registration with the apertures 59 in the underlying flap 39, whereby the container 26 is closed and the contents there- '6 of cannot sift out past the slide member 63, because the overlapping flap 41 holds the slide member 63 in intimate contact with the underlying flap 39 throughout its length.

The slots 61 formed in the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 are only slightly wider than the widths of the tabs 64 and 65 of the slide member 63 received therein whereby the intermediate flaps 40 and 42 provide guide means for positively controlling the sliding movement of the slide member 63 between its opened and closed positions and prevent any tendency of the slide member 63 to jam when being moved relative to the container 26. Therefore, should the ultimate consumer pull or push on the tabs 64 and 65 of the slide member 63 in an angular direction relative to the container when opening or closing the same, the side walls of the slots 61 in the intermediate flaps 4t) and 42 control the movement of the slide member 63 in such a manner that the slide member 63 will only move in the proper direction without skewing and jamming as in prior known devices.

Thus, not only do the intermediate flaps and 42 provide means for limiting sliding movement of the slide member 63 relative to the container 20 to assure proper positioning of the slide member 63 in its closed and 'opened positions, but also the intermediate flaps 46 and 42 only permit the slide member 63 to be moved between the side edges 44 and 4 6 of the container 20 and not between the side edges 43 and thereof, whereby there is no tendency of the slide member 63 to become skewed relative to the container 20 during its sliding movement and thus jam or foul.

Further, the overlapping flap 41 bends the sliding member 63 into intimate contact with the underlying flap 39 when the flap 41 is secured in its closed position, whereby the slide member 63 tends to prevent the contents of the container from sifting between the underlying flap 39 and the slide member 63 when the contents are being dispensed. If the contents were permitted to sift be tween the underlying flap 39 and the slide member 63, the particles thereof would tend to prevent sliding movement of the slide member 63 relative to the container 261 because of friction and the like. Such sifting is also prevented when the slide member 63 is in its closed position, because the overlapping flap 4]. holds the slide member 63 into positive contact with the underlying flap 39. Therefore, not only is the slide member 63 adapted to close the container 26 to prevent the con tents from passing through the apertures 59 and dust and the like from entering the container 20 through the open ings 66 in the slide member 63, but also the slide member 63 prevents the contents from shifting between the slide member 63 and the underlying flap 39 when the container 20 is closed. Thus, regardless of the tumbling and the like of the container 26 during its shipment and storage, the slide member 63 will function properly when the container 26 is initially opened by the ultimate consumer, because no particles of the goods packaged therein can become lodged between the slide member 63 and the underlying flap 39 to retard sliding movement of the slide member 63.

Similarly, the intimate contact of the overlapping flap 41 with the slide member 63 prevents the contents of the container 2 0' from being lodged between the slide member 63 and the overlapping flap 41 when the contents are beingdispensed from the container 20.

Therefore, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved dispensing container which can be manufactured in a relatively simple and effective manner from a minimum of parts, whereby relative movement of the slide member thereof is positively controlled so that the container can be opened and closed in a simple and effective manner Without any tendency of jamming of the slide member by either the contents of the container or by the operation of the user.

After the container 20 has been formed in the above manner, the same can be provided with a suitable transparent overwrap (not shown), such as cellophane or the like. The overwrap itself can be provided with suitable advertising medium whereby the dispensing container 20 can be utilized as an attractive table-piece when the over- Wrap is removed by the consumer. In addition to the advertising medium on the overwrap or in lieu thereof, the outer bottom closure flap 33 of the container 20 can be provided with advertising medium whereby the container 29 can be sold in a position where such advertising is readily visible to the customers.

Also, a plurality of containers 20 can be banded together so as to be sold in desired quantities, the multi-pack having only the individual container 20 provided with separate overwraps or the entire multi-pack being covered with an overwrap, the individual containers therein being covered with separate overwraps or being uncovered, as desired.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms maybe used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow:

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing container having side wall means defining an open end of said container at an outer edge of said side wall means, an underlying flap hingedly connected to said edge of said side wall means and being disposed over said open end, said underlying flap having a dispensing aperture provided therein, a pair of opposed intermediate flaps hingedly connected to said edge of said side wall means and respectively having slots provided therein, said intermediate flaps having free edges spaced from each other a distance greater than said aperture so that said aperture is not covered by said intermediate flaps, a slide member disposed against said underlying flap and having a pair of opposed outwardly projecting tabs respectively extending through said slots in said intermediate flaps, said slide member being disposed against and in sliding relation with both of said intermediate flaps, said slide member having a dispensing opening provided therein and being adapted to be moved to oneposition relative to said container to align said opening with said aperture for dispensing the contents of said container out through said aligned opening and aperture and to another position to cover said aperture to prevent dispensing of said contents, and an overlapping flap hingedly connected to said edge of said side Wall means and being disposed over said underlying flap with said intermediate flaps and slide member disposed therebetween, said overlapping flap having an opening provided therein exposing part of said slide member and being aligned with said aperture in said underlying flap.

2. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slide member has stop means adjacent each tab thereof and respectively engageable with said intermediate fiaps, whereby said stop means limit movement of said slide member relative to said container.

3. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slide member has stop means adjacent each tab thereof, one of said stop means engaging one of said intermediate flaps when said slide member is in said one position thereof and the other stop means engaging said other intermediate flap when said slide member is in said other position thereof.

4. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said tabs of said slide member projects beyond said edge of said side wall means when said slide member is in said one position thereof and the other tab of said slide member projects beyond said edge when said slide. member is in said other position thereof.

5. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 Wherein said intermediate flaps respectively have free ends thereof covered by said overlapping flap.

6. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slots in said intermediate flaps extend to said edge of said side wall means.

7. A dispensing container having four interconnected side walls defining an open end of said container at outer edges of said side walls, an underlying flap connected to said edge of one of said side walls and being disposed over said open end, said underlying flap having an aperture provided therein, an overlapping flap connected to said side edge of a side wall disposed opposite to said one side wall and being disposed over said underlying flap, said overlapping flap having an opening aligned with said aperture, a pair of intermediate flaps respectively connected to the edges of the remaining side walls and being disposed between said underlying and overlapping flaps, said intermediate flaps respectively having slots therein, said intermediate flaps having free edges spaced from each other a distance greater than said aperture so that said aperture is not covered by said intermediate flaps, and a slide member disposed between said underlying flap and said intermediate flaps and having outwardly projecting tabs respectively extending through said slots, said slide member being disposed against and in sliding relation with both of said intermediate flaps, said slide member having an opening adapted to be aligned with said aperture when said slide member is in one position relative to said container and adapted to be out of alignment with said aperture when said slide member is in another position.

8. A dispensing container having an open end, an underlying closure flap disposed over said open end and having an aperture provided therein, a pair of opposed intermediate closure flaps disposed over said underlying flap and respectively having slots provided therein, said intermediate flaps having free edges spaced from each other a distance greater than said aperture so that said aperture is not covered by said intermediate flaps, a slide member disposed between said underlying flap and said intermediate flaps and having a pair of opposed tabs respectively projecting through said slots in said intermediate flaps, said slide member disposed against and in sliding relation with both of said intermediate flaps, said slide member having an opening provided therein and being movable to one position to align said opening with said aperture to permit dispensing of the container contents through said aligned opening and aperture and to another position to cover said aperture to prevent dispensing of said contents, and an overlapping flap disposed over said underlying flap with said intermediate flaps and slide members disposed therebetween, said overlapping flap having an opening provided therein exposing part of said slide member and being aligned with said aperture.

9. In combination, a container having an open end, an underlying flap disposed over said open end and having an aperture therein, a pair of opposed intermediate flaps disposed over said underlying flap and respectively having guide means, said intermediate flaps having free edges spaced from each other a distance greater than said aperture so that said aperture is not covered by said intermediate flaps, a slide member disposed against said underlying flap and being operatively interconnected to said guide means of said intermediate flaps, whereby said slide member is movable between two positions relative to said underlying flap, said slide member being disposed against and in sliding relation with both of said intermediate flaps, said slide member having an opening provided therein, said opening being aligned with said aperture when said slide member is in one of said positions and being out of alignment with said aperture when said slide member is in the other position thereof, and an overlapping flap disposed over said underlying and intermediate flaps and having an opening provided therein aligned with said aperture and exposing part of said slide member.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said underlying flap and said overlapping flap extend across the entire open end of said container.

11. In combination, a container having an open end, an underlying flap disposed over said open end and having an aperture therein, a pair of opposed intermediate flaps disposed over said underlying flap and respectively having guide means, said intermediate flaps having free edges spaced from each other a distance greater than said aperture so that said aperture is not covered by said intermediate fiaps, a slide member disposed against said underlying flap and being operatively interconnected to said guide means of said intermediate flaps, whereby said slide member is movable between two positions relative to said underlying flap, said slide member being disposed against and in sliding relation with both of said intermediate flaps, said slide member having stop means limiting movement of said slide member between said two positions and having an opening, said opening being aligned with said aperture when said slide member is moved to one of said positions and being out of alignment with said aperture when said slide member is in the other position thereof, and an overlapping flap disposed over said underlying and intermediate flaps and having an opening provided therein aligned with said aperture and exposing part of said slide member.

12. A container blank being suitably cut and scored to define a series of foldably connected side walls having end edges, an underlying closure flap foldably connected to said end edge of one of said side walls, said underlying flap having an aperture provided therein, an overlapping closure flap foldably connected to said end edge of another side wall and having an opening formed therein which is aligned with said aperture when said overlapping fiap is folded over said underlying flap, and a pair of intermediate closure flaps respectively foldably connected to said end edges of two other side walls and respectively having slots provided therein, said intermediate flaps being adapted to be folded over said underlying flap and have free ends thereof spaced apart a distance suflicient to prevent said intermediate flaps from covering said aperture When said intermediate flaps are so folded.

13. A container blank as set forth in claim 12. wherein said slots in said intermediate closure flaps respectively extend to said end edges of said two side walls.

14. A container blank as set forth in claim 12. wherein said series of side walls comprises four side walls and said intermediate closure flaps are foldably connected to said end edges of alternate side walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,284,844 Wetherbee Nov. 12, 1918 1,769,814 Wilson July 1, 1930 2,349,748 Otto May 23, 1944 2,387,640 Bouchelle Oct. 23, 1945 2,931,553 Tamarin Apr. 5, 1960 2,966,293 Goldsholl Dec. 27, 1960

Claims (1)

1. A DISPENSING CONTAINER HAVING SIDE WALL MEANS DEFINING AN OPEN END OF SAID CONTAINER AT AN OUTER EDGE OF SAID SIDE WALL MEANS, AN UNDERLYING FLAP HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID EDGE OF SAID SIDE WALL MEANS AND BEING DISPOSED OVER SAID OPEN END, SAID UNDERLYING FLAP HAVING A DISPENSING APERTURE PROVIDED THEREIN, A PAIR OF OPPOSED INTERMEDIATE FLAPS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID EDGE OF SAID SIDE WALL MEANS AND RESPECTIVELY HAVING SLOTS PROVIDED THEREIN, SAID INTERMEDIATE FLAPS HAVING FREE EDGES SPACED FROM EACH OTHER A DISTANCE GREATER THAN SAID APERTURE SO THAT SAID APERTURE IS NOT COVERED BY SAID INTERMEDIATE FLAPS, A SLIDE MEMBER DISPOSED AGAINST SAID UNDERLYING FLAP AND HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED OUTWARDLY PROJECTING TABS RESPECTIVELY EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOTS IN SAID INTERMEDIATE FLAPS, SAID SLIDE MEMBER BEING DISPOSED AGAINST AND IN SLIDING RELATION WITH BOTH OF SAID INTERMEDIATE FLAPS, SAID SLIDE MEMBER HAVING A DISPENSING OPENING PROVIDED THEREIN AND BEING ADAPTED TO BE MOVED TO ONE POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID CONTAINER TO ALIGN SAID OPENING WITH SAID APERTURE FOR DISPENSING THE CONTENTS OF SAID CONTAINER OUT THROUGH SAID ALIGNED OPENING AND APERTURE AND TO ANOTHER POSITION TO COVER SAID APERTURE TO PREVENT DISPENSING OF SAID CONTENTS, AND AN OVERLAPPING FLAP HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID EDGE OF SAID SIDE WALL MEANS AND BEING DISPOSED OVER SAID UNDERLYING FLAP WITH SAID INTERMEDIATE FLAPS AND SLIDE MEMBER DISPOSED THEREBETWEEN, SAID OVERLAPPING FLAP HAVING AN OPENING PROVIDED THEREIN EXPOSING PART OF SAID SLIDE MEMBER AND BEING ALIGNED WITH SAID APERTURE IN SAID UNDERLYING FLAP.

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