WO2009103311A1

WO2009103311A1 - Self-reclosing container

Info

Publication number: WO2009103311A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/001277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Filip Klepacki
Original assignee: Sca Packging Marketing Nv
Priority date: 2008-02-19
Filing date: 2008-02-19
Publication date: 2009-08-27
Also published as: ATE554014T1; EP2259971A1; EP2259971B1

Abstract

A self-reclosing container (10) comprises a front panel (12), a rear panel (14) and first and second side edges (16, 18). A dispensing end (22) of the container is provided with an inside dispensing end flap (36) and an outside dispensing end flap (40). A cut-out (42) is provided in at least one of the inside dispensing end flap (36) and the outside dispensing end flap (40) such that, upon pressure being applied along the first and second side edges (16, 18), the inside dispensing end flap and the outside dispensing end flap are caused to be displaced from a container storage position to a dispensing position in which the cut-out (42) is exposed to serve as at least a part of a dispensing opening (44). Upon release of the pressure, the inside dispensing end flap (36) and the outside dispensing end flap (40) return towards the container storage position to thereby cover the cut-out (42).

Description

SELF-RECLOSING CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a self-reclosing container and to a blank for making such a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to package granulate material such as rice, cereals, pasta, candy and pellet food for animals in substantially rigid cardboard containers or flexible bags. Although bags offer the advantage that, as the contents are consumed, the volume of the packaging becomes less, it can be awkward to accurately pour out the desired quantity of contents. Furthermore, it is difficult to reclose a bag such that its contents will not be unduly exposed to the atmosphere and to prevent the contents from spilling out should the bag be knocked over or dropped. Cardboard containers such as cereal packets can be easily gripped to thereby generally permit accurate dispensing of the contents, but such containers require manipulation of one or more flaps to reclose the container. Since the flaps area is normally manipulated by one or more fingers, there is a risk of contaminating the dispensing opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved container with which it is convenient to dispense granulate material through a dispensing opening.

This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by a self-reclosing container comprising a front panel, a rear panel and first and second side edges. The first side edge terminates at a first end point at a dispensing end of the container and the second side edge terminates at a second end point at the dispensing end of the container. The dispensing end is formed by a first flap which is an extension of the rear panel and a second flap which is an extension of the front panel. The first flap is delimited by a first fold line and the second flap is delimited by a second fold line, with the first and second fold lines extending between the first and second end points in an arcuate manner. The first flap is further delimited by a first distal flap edge extending between the first and second end points such that, when the container is in a storage position, the first distal flap edge abuts the front panel at least partially along the second fold line when the first flap is folded about the first fold line to thereby form an inside dispensing end flap. The second flap is further delimited by a second distal flap edge extending between the first and second end points such that the second flap, when folded about the second fold line at least partially overlaps the inside dispensing end flap to thereby form an outside dispensing end flap. To allow for contents of the container to be dispensed, a cut-out is provided in at least one of the inside dispensing end flap and the outside dispensing end flap such that, upon pressure being applied along the first and second side edges, the inside dispensing end flap and the outside dispensing end flap are caused to be displaced from a container storage position to a dispensing position in which the cut-out is exposed to serve as at least a part of a dispensing opening and, upon release of the pressure, the inside dispensing end flap and the outside dispensing end flap return towards the container storage position to thereby cover the cut-out.

Suitable materials for the container are paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, soft resilient metals such as aluminium, plastics (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene) or mixtures or laminates thereof (e.g. plastic-coated cardboard). The preferred material is cardboard.

The invention utilises the fact that such materials have an inherent resilience and, when folded along a curved path, create a pre-tension which strives to return the material to its original non-folded state. This pre-tension is utilised in the invention to maintain the inside and outside dispensing end flaps in an overlapping configuration in which the cut-out is covered. To dispense the contents to the container, the container may be gripped with one hand such that the thumb can apply pressure to one side edge of the container and one or more fingers can apply pressure to the other side edge. As the container is squeezed, the inside dispensing end flap and the outside dispensing end flap move apart and a dispensing opening is revealed. Once a desired quantity of contents has been dispensed, the squeezing pressure is released and the inside and outside dispensing end flaps tend to revert to their original positions, thereby closing the dispensing opening. This implies that a user does not need to manipulate any flaps to open or close the container. Furthermore, should the container be accidently dropped whilst dispensing the contents, the container will automatically reclose to thereby minimise any unwanted spillage. The material that is used to form the container should desirably have good printability to facilitate the production of visually appealing packages. A suitable material is board with grammage of about 300 to 450 grams per square metre. If the container is used for food- stuffs, the material must be food-safe as must the adhesive used for making the container be.

The container according to the invention is eminently suitable for packaging granulate material such as rice, cereals, pasta, candy and pellet food for animals. Granular material of smaller size is also envisaged, such as a free-flowing powder like flour, sugar, coffee or cosmetic powder. The container can also contain materials with pieces of naturally varying size like e.g. tea.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the cut-out is formed in the inside dispensing end flap. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the cut-out is in the form of a first notch which extends from the first distal flap edge of the inside dispensing end flap. In a further embodiment of the invention, a corresponding notch may be provided in the outside dispensing end flap, with the second notch extending from the second distal flap edge of the outside dispensing end flap. In this manner, when the container is brought into its dispensing position, the dispensing opening is delimited by the first and second notches.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cut-out is formed as an opening in the inside dispensing end flap. The opening may be completely delimited by material of the inside dispensing end flap or the opening may extend from the first fold line of the inside dispensing end flap towards the first distal flap edge. In either embodiment, the outside dispensing end flap completely covers the opening when the container is in its storage position and gradually reveals the opening as the first and second side edges of the container are squeezed towards each other.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the container has a transport configuration in which an attachment area of the second flap is permanently affixed, for example by adhesive, to a part of the container. This attachment area is separable from the outside dispensing end flap along a line of separation. In this manner, transportation of the goods without spillage is assured, at the same time that a consumer is able to verify upon purchase that the goods have not been tampered with. In one embodiment, this attachment area of the second flap is affixed to the inside dispensing end flap. In the transport configuration, the line of separation may delimit the second notch, i.e. that notch which is provided in the outside dispensing end flap. Alternatively, the attachment area of the second flap is affixed to the rear panel.

The size of the dispensing opening will of course be dependent on the contents to be dispensed. For the embodiments in which the dispensing opening is provided in the inside dispensing end flap, the dispensing opening may have an area of between 2 % and 40 %, preferably between 3 % and 30 %, more preferably between 4 % and 20 %, of the area covered by an uninterrupted inside dispensing end flap, i.e. an inside dispensing end flap without an opening. For the embodiment in which a notch is provided in the inside dispensing end flap and, where applicable, in the outside dispensing end flap, each notch may correspond to a cut-out region having an area of between 1 % and 30 %, preferably between 2 % and 20 %, more preferably between 3 % and 15 % of the area covered by an uninterrupted inside dispensing end flap, i.e. an inside dispensing end flap without a notch.

For further ease of dispensing, in one embodiment of the invention the dispensing opening is positioned midway between the first and second end points of the first and second side edges of the container.

In order to provide useful volume to the container, in the storage position at a location midway between the first and second end points the dispensing end can have a maximum depth defined by a maximum separation distance between the front panel and the rear panel, the maximum depth lying between 25 % and 70 %, preferably between 35% and 60 %, more preferably between 40 % and 50 %, of the shortest distance between the first and second end points.

When the container is made from a blank of foldable material, the front panel is provided with a side attachment flap extending from the second side edge, the side attachment flap being arranged to be attached to the rear panel. Attachment may be effected by adhesive or any other suitable form of bonding. For aesthetic reasons, the side attachment flap may be attached to the side of the rear panel delimiting the interior of the container. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second side edges extend from said dispensing end to a base of the container. It is then preferred to form the base so that the container can stand on its base by itself without falling over. One way of doing this is to form the base so at least part of the base has a planar surface. To impart stability to the container, the base may be rectangular and have a depth dimension corresponding to at least the maximum depth of the dispensing end.

When the container is made from a blank, the base may be formed by a first base flap being a major extension of the rear panel, a second base flap being a major extension of the front panel, a third base flap being a combined minor extension of the front and rear panels, the third flap being bisected by the first side edge of said container, and a fourth base flap being a combined minor extension of the front panel and the attachment flap.

Finally, the present invention is also directed to a blank for forming the self-reclosing container as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail in the following by way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 A is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a container according to the present invention in a transport configuration;

Fig. 1 B is a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of the container in a dispensing position;

Fig. 1 C is a plan view of a blank for forming the container illustrated in Figs. 1 A and 1 B; a first embodiment of a container according to the present invention;

Fig. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a container according to the present invention in a transport configuration;

Fig. 2B is a schematic perspective view of the second embodiment of the container in an open position; Fig. 2C is a plan view of a blank for forming the container illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B;

Fig. 3A is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a container according to the present invention in a transport configuration;

Fig. 3B is a schematic perspective view of the third embodiment of the container in an open position, and

Fig. 3C is a plan view of a blank for forming the container illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, reference number 10 generally depicts a self-reclosing container according to the present invention. The container may be made from a paper, cardboard or thin plastic. The container has a front panel 12, a rear panel 14 and first and second side edges 16, 18. The front and rear panels are joined together, or integrally formed, to define a container sleeve. The first side edge 16 terminates at a first end point 20 at a dispensing end 22 of the container and the second side edge 18 terminates at a second end point 24 at the dispensing end 22 of the container.

As is most clearly derivable from Figs. 1C, 2C and 3C, the dispensing end 22 is formed by a first flap 26 being an extension of the rear panel 14 and a second flap 28 being an extension of the front panel 12. The first flap 26 is delimited by a first fold line 30 and the second flap 28 is delimited by a second fold line 32. The first and second fold lines extend between the first and second end points in an arcuate manner, i.e. the fold lines follow a generally curved path in a direction away from the dispensing end. It is preferred that the first 30 and second fold line 32 follow the same curvature. The fold lines are created by continuous or interrupted lines of thinned material, for example, by scoring, stamping or moulding. The first flap 26 is further delimited by a first distal flap edge 34 which extends between the first and second end points 20, 24. To impart volume to the sleeve formed by the front and rear panels 12, 14, the first flap is folded about the first fold line 30 such that the first distal flap edge 34 abuts the front panel 12 at least partially along the second fold line 32, i.e. the first distal flap edge generally follows the second fold line, but does not necessarily make contact with it along the entire length of the second fold line. The thus folded-over first flap 26 forms an inside dispensing end flap 36. In a similar manner, the second flap 28 is further delimited by a second distal flap edge 38 which also extends between the first and second end points 20, 24. When folded about the second fold line 32, the second flap 28 at least partially overlaps the inside dispensing end flap 36 to thereby form an outside dispensing end flap 40.

To allow contents of the container to be dispensed, a cut-out 42 is provided in at least one of the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40. As will be apparent from the following description of various embodiments, the expression "cut-out" is hereby intended to encompass any region of absence of material from an otherwise distinguishable continuous shape, irrespective of how material is prevented from being present in that region. In a manner which will be explained in more detail with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention, the cut-out or cut-outs 42 are arranged such that, upon pressure being applied along the first and second side edges 16, 18, for example by the hand of a user, the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 are caused to be displaced from a container storage position to a dispensing position illustrated by way of example in Fig. 1 B in which the cut-out 42 is exposed to serve as at least a part of a dispensing opening 44. Upon release of the pressure, the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 are caused to return towards the container storage position by the pre-tension which is created in the material by the folding over of the first and second flaps to thereby cover the cut-out 42, thus covering the dispensing opening 44.

As will be described in the following, the cut-out 42 can be arranged with respect to the inside and outside dispensing end flaps in a number of different ways to create a self- reclosing dispensing opening.

Thus, a first embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 1 A to 1C in which the cut-out 42 is in the form of a first notch 46 extending from the first distal flap edge 34. Fig. 1 A shows the container in a transport configuration in which displacement of the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 is prevented. Thus, an attachment area 48 of the second flap 28 is affixed to the first flap 26, e.g. by means of an adhesive. The attachment area 48 is separable from the remainder of the second flap 28 by a separation line 49. When it is desired to open the container for the first time, the user applies a pressure to the outside dispensing end flap 40 to press it in a direction towards the interior of the container. An alternative way would be to apply pressure to the side edges 16, 18 until the separation line 49 ruptures. The attachment area 48 then becomes separated from the remainder of the second flap 28, with the remainder of the second flap forming the outside dispensing end flap 40.

In the first embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 A to 1C, the shape of the separation line 49 is such that, once the separation line is ruptured, a second notch 50 is formed in the outside dispensing end flap 40. As is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 B, the first and second notches, in a preferred embodiment, cooperate to delimit the dispensing opening 44. Thus, once the separation line 49 has been broken, pressure to the side edges 16, 18, will cause the first end point 20 and the second end point 24 to approach each other and the front panel 12 and rear panel 14 are forced away from each other at their midpoints at the dispensing end 22. Eventually a dispensing position is reached, as shown in Figure 1 B, in which the dispensing opening 44 is exposed. It is to be understood, however, that a suitable dispensing opening may be attainable by the provision of just one of either the first or second notch.

The size of the dispensing opening 44 is dependent of the nature of the contents of the container. A package for pellet food for animals would for example need a larger dispensing opening than a rice package. It is also possible to have more than one dispensing opening. Generally, the dispensing opening may have an area of between 2 % and 40 %, preferably between 3 % and 30 %, more preferably between 4 % and 20 %, of the area covered by an uninterrupted inside dispensing end flap, i.e. an inside dispensing end flap having no cut-out. This means that, for the first embodiment, the first notch 46 and the second notch 50 each correspond to a cut-out region having an area of between 1 % and 30 %, preferably between 2 % and 20 %, more preferably between 3 % and 15 % of the area covered by an uninterrupted inside dispensing end flap.

When the pressure on the side edges 16, 18 is released, the container returns to its storage position by itself, driven by the built-in tension which arose under the pressure applied when opening the container. The storage position is essentially identical to that illustrated in Figure 1 A , except that the separation line 49 is severed. However, depending on the resiliency of the material of the container, the outside dispensing end flap 40 may not necessarily abut attachment area 48.

Next time the container is to be opened, the user once again applies pressure along the side edges 16, 18. The pressure required may be less than the first time, since the separation line 49 is already broken.

The container 10 is provided with a base 51. The base is preferably such that the container may stand on the base without toppling over. The base 51 may be formed in one piece with the front and rear panels 12, 14, or it may be formed as e.g. a separate molding which is united with the front and rear panels in a suitable fashion.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container 10 as illustrated in Figs. 1 A and 1 B is formed from a blank 52 as illustrated in Fig. 1C. The blank 52 may be punched in a flat material, e.g. a sheet of board. To form the container, the blank 52 includes a side attachment flap 53 extending from the second side edge 18 of the front panel 12. When the blank is folded about the fold line which defines the first side edge 16 of the container, the side attachment flap 53 can be adhered, or otherwise suitably secured, to the inside surface of the front panel 14. The base 51 may be formed from four base flaps, 54, 56, 58, 60. The first base flap 54 is a major extension of the rear panel 12 and the second base flap 56 is a major extension of the front panel 12. The third base flap 58 is a combined minor extension of the front and rear panels, and is bisected by the first side edge 16 of the container. The fourth base flap 60 is a combined minor extension of the front panel 12 and the attachment flap 53. Thus, the first base flap 54 is arranged to be folded about a first base fold line 62, the second base flap 56 is arranged to be folded about a second base fold line 64, the third base flap 58 is arranged to be folded about a third base fold line 66 and the fourth base flap 60 is arranged to be folded about a fourth base fold line 68. As is customary, adhesive may be used to secure the base flaps in a suitable base configuration. The thus partially assembled container may then be filled with the contents to be subsequently dispensed prior to forming the dispensing end 22 of the container. The dispensing end 22 is formed, as explained above, by folding the first flap 26 about the first fold line 30, folding the second flap 28 about the second fold line 32 and securing the attachment area 48 to the first flap 26.

To assist in the forming of a stable container, the blank 52 may be provided with additional fold lines 70 extending from each corner of the base 51 towards the dispensing end of the blank. Two further embodiments of the invention are shown in Figs. 2A to 2C and Figs. 3A to 3C, respectively. For the sake of consistency, the reference numbers used in the description of the first embodiment are used to denote like components in these further embodiments. The embodiments differ primarily in how the dispensing end 22 is formed.

In the second embodiment shown in Figures 2A to 2C₁ the dispensing end is formed as a so-called "pull-up" configuration. With particular reference to the blank 52 illustrated in Fig. 2C, the cut-out 42 in the first flap 26 is an opening which forms the dispensing opening 44 in the inside dispensing end flap 36. The opening extends from the first fold line 30 of the inside dispensing end flap towards the first distal flap edge 34. Alternatively, the opening may be spaced from the first fold line. The size of the opening is adapted to the contents of the container and can have any shape, though it is generally preferred that it be approximately circular.

In the second embodiment, the second flap 28 is larger than the first flap 26. The region of the second flap which forms the attachment area 48 of this embodiment is arranged to be folded about a third fold line 72, as shown in Fig. 2A, such that the attachment area 48 may be affixed to the rear panel 14. The second flap 28 includes a further region in the form of an opening tab 74 which, although folded about the third fold line 72, is not affixed to the rear panel 14. The attachment area 48 is arranged to be separated from the remainder of the second flap 28, including the opening tab 74, by the separation line 49. This separation line coincides with the third fold line 72 delimiting the attachment area 48. As will be explained below, once separated the remainder of the second flap 28 forms the outside dispensing end flap 40.

The container 10 according to the second embodiment of the invention is depicted in Fig. 2A in its transport configuration in which displacement of the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 is prevented. To gain access to the contents of the container, a user lifts the opening tab 74 to thereby separate the opening tab from the attachment area 48. Continued lifting of the opening tab 74 causes the separation of the remainder of the second flap from the attachment area 48 to thereby create the outside dispensing end flap 40. To illustrate the preferred location of the dispensing opening 44 in the inside dispensing end flap 36, the outside dispensing end flap in Fig. 2B is shown in a raised position. However, it is to be understood that once the outside dispensing end flap has been created by separation along the separation line 49, the outside dispensing end flap will overlie the inside dispensing end flap to thereby cover the dispensing opening 44 when the container is in its storage position. Once the container has been opened from its transport configuration, the opening tab 74 becomes redundant and may be torn off from the outside dispensing end flap 40, or folded back over the outside dispensing end flap to prevent blockage of the dispensing opening when the container is to dispense its contents.

In the same manner as for the first embodiment, the dispensing opening 44 is revealed by applying pressure to the first and second side edges 16, 18 of the container. Application of pressure causes the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 to be displaced from the container storage position to the dispensing position in which at least a region of the dispensing opening 44 is exposed. Upon release of the pressure, the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 are caused to return towards the container storage position by the pre-tension which is created in the material by the folding over of the first and second flaps to thereby cover the dispensing opening 44.

In the third embodiment shown in Figures 3A to 3C, the dispensing end 22 is formed as a so-called "push in" configuration. With particular reference to the blank 52 illustrated in Fig. 3C, the cut-out 42 in the first flap 26 is an opening which forms the dispensing opening 44 in the inside dispensing end flap 36.

In the third embodiment, and as is most clearly derivable from Fig. 3A, the second flap 28 is substantially the same size as the first flap 26. The region of the second flap which forms the attachment area 48 of this embodiment is arranged to be affixed to the first flap when the first flap has been folded about the first fold line 30, i.e. the attachment area 48 is to be affixed to the inside dispensing end flap 36. As with the second embodiment, the second flap 28 includes an opening tab 74. In this embodiment, the opening tab divides the attachment area 48 into two distinct regions. The attachment area 48 is arranged to be separated from the remainder of the second flap 28, including the opening tab 74, by the separation line 49. Again, once separated the remainder of the second flap 28 forms the outside dispensing end flap 40.

The container 10 according to the third embodiment of the invention is depicted in Fig. 2A in its transport configuration in which displacement of the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 is prevented. To gain access to the contents of the container, a user lifts the opening tab 74 to thereby separate the opening tab from the attachment area 48. Thereafter, the user pushes down on the region of the outside dispensing end flap 40 which overlies the dispensing opening 44 in the inside dispensing end flap 36. This causes the separation of the remainder of the second flap from the attachment area 48 to thereby create the outside dispensing end flap 40. To illustrate the preferred location of the dispensing opening 44 in the inside dispensing end flap 36, the outside dispensing end flap in Fig. 3B is shown in a raised position. However, it is to be understood that once the outside dispensing end flap has been created by separation along the separation line 49, the outside dispensing end flap will overlie the inside dispensing end flap to thereby cover the dispensing opening 44 when the container is in its storage position. Once the container has been opened from its transport configuration, the opening tab 74 becomes redundant and may be torn off from the outside dispensing end flap 40, or folded back over the outside dispensing end flap to prevent blockage of the dispensing opening when the container is to dispense its contents.

In the same manner as for the earlier embodiments, the dispensing opening 44 is revealed by applying pressure to the first and second side edges 16, 18 of the container. Application of pressure causes the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 to be displaced from the container storage position to the dispensing position in which at least a region of the dispensing opening 44 is exposed. Upon release of the pressure, the inside dispensing end flap 36 and the outside dispensing end flap 40 are caused to return towards the container storage position by the pre-tension which is created in the material by the folding over of the first and second flaps to thereby cover the dispensing opening 44.

The three embodiments described above all relate to a container with a rectangular base. This shape of base will provide a container with a shape suitable for efficient storage. It is further preferred to let the width of the base, i.e. the length of the third 66 and fourth 68 base fold lines, be the same as the maximum width of the dispensing end 22 in its storage position.

The invention is however not restricted to rectangular base shapes. It would for example also work with oval shapes. It is however appropriate that at least parts of the base are planar, so that the container can stand up by itself. In a fourth embodiment (not shown), the first 26 and second flap 28 are similar to the first embodiment, where they both have a notch 46, 48 at corresponding positions. When closing the container, the first flap is on top of the second flap at one side of the notch and the second flap is on top of the first flap on the other side of the notch. The two flaps thereby close each other,

In a fifth embodiment (not shown) the first 26 and second flap 28 are attached to each other in the transport configuration by means of a tape. To open the container the first time the tape could be broken or torn off the container. As such, no separation line 49 would be needed. Such an embodiment is especially suitable for plastic containers.

In all embodiments, adhesive or other suitable forms of bonding may be used to affix the various flaps to their respective surfaces.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a number of embodiments, it should not be understood as being limited thereby. For example, the positioning of the attachment area 48 with respect to the inside dispensing end flap 36 may vary from the locations shown in the drawings. Features from embodiments may be combined at will. The scope of the invention is rather determined by the appended claims.

Reference signs:

10 container

12 front panel

14 rear panel

5 16 first side edge

18 second side edge

20 first end point

22 dispensing end

24 second end point

10 26 first flap

28 second flap

30 first fold line

32 second fold line

34 first distal flap edge

15 36 inside dispensing end flap

38 second distal flap edge

40 outside dispensing end flap

42 cut-out

44 dispensing opening

20 46 first notch

48 attachment area

49 separation line

50 second notch

51 base

25 52 blank

53 side attachment flap

54 first base flap

56 second base flap

58 third base flap

30 60 fourth base flap

62 first base fold line

64 second base fold line

66 third base fold line

68 fourth base fold line

35 70 additional fold lines 72 third fold line 74 opening tab

Claims

1. A self-reclosing container (10) comprising a front panel (12), a rear panel (14) and first and second side edges (16, 18), said first side edge (16) terminating at a first end point (20) at a dispensing end (22) of said container and said second side edge (18) terminating at a second end point (24) at the dispensing end of said container, said dispensing end being formed by a first flap (26) being an extension of said rear panel (14) and a second flap (28) being an extension of said front panel (12), said first flap being delimited by a first fold line (30) and said second flap being delimited by a second fold line (32), said first and second fold lines extending between said first and second end points (20, 24) in an arcuate manner, said first flap (26) being further delimited by a first distal flap edge (34) extending between said first and second end points (20, 24) such that, when the container is in a storage position, said first distal flap edge (34) abuts said front panel (12) at least partially along said second fold line (32) when said first flap (26) is folded about said first fold line to thereby form an inside dispensing end flap (36), said second flap (28) being further delimited by a second distal flap edge (38) extending between said first and second end points such that said second flap, when folded about said second fold line (32) at least partially overlaps said inside dispensing end flap to thereby form an outside dispensing end flap (40), characterized in that a cut-out (42) is provided in at least one of said inside dispensing end flap (36) and said outside dispensing end flap (40) such that, upon pressure being applied along said first and second side edges (16, 18), said inside dispensing end flap and said outside dispensing end flap are caused to be displaced from the container storage position to a dispensing position in which said cut-out (42) is exposed to serve as at least a part of a dispensing opening

(44) and, upon release of said pressure, said inside dispensing end flap (36) and said outside dispensing end flap (40) return towards said container storage position to thereby cover said cut-out (42).

2. The container (10) as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said cut-out (42) is formed in said inside dispensing end flap (36).

3. The container (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said cut-out (42) is in the form of a first notch (46) extending from said first distal flap edge (34) of said inside dispensing end flap (36).

4. The container (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said cut-out (42) is formed as an opening in said inside dispensing end flap (36).

5. The container (10) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said opening extends from said first fold line (30) of said inside dispensing end flap (36) towards said first distal flap edge (34).

6. The container (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that a second notch (50) is provided in said outside dispensing end flap (40), said second notch extending from said second distal flap edge (38) of said outside dispensing end flap such that in said dispensing position of said container, said dispensing opening (44) is delimited by said first and second notches (46, 50).

7. The container (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container has a transport configuration in which an attachment area (48) of said second flap (28) is permanently affixed to a part of said container, said attachment area (48) being separable from said outside dispensing end flap along a separation line (49).

8. The container (10) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said attachment area (48) of said second flap is affixed, preferably adhered, to said inside dispensing end flap (36).

9. The container (10) as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that in said transport configuration, said separation line (49) delimits said second notch (50).

10. The container (10) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said attachment area (48) of said second flap is affixed, preferably adhered, to said rear panel (14).

11. The container (10) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said opening has an area of between 2 % and 40 %, preferably between 3 % and 30 %, more preferably between 4 % and 20 %, of the area covered by an uninterrupted inside dispensing end flap (36).

12. The container (10) as claimed in claim 3 or 6, characterized in that said first notch (46) and, where applicable, said second notch (50) each correspond to a cut-out region having an area of between 1 % and 30 %, preferably between 2 % and 20 %, more preferably between 3 % and 15 % of the area covered by an uninterrupted inside dispensing end flap (36).

13. The container (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening is positioned midway between said first and second end points (20, 24).

14. The container (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said storage position at a location midway between said first and second end points (20, 24), said dispensing end (22) has a maximum depth defined by a maximum separation distance between said front panel (12) and said rear panel (14), said maximum depth lying between 25 % and 70 %, preferably between 35% and 60 %, more preferably between 40 % and 50 %, of the shortest distance between said first and second end points.

15. The container (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said front panel (12) is provided with a side attachment flap (53) extending from said second side edge (18), said side attachment flap being arranged to be attached to said rear panel (14).

16. The container (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first and second side edges (16, 18) extend from said dispensing end

(22) to a base (51 ) of said container.

17. The container (10) as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said base (51) is rectangular and has a depth dimension corresponding to at least said maximum depth of said dispensing end (22).

18. The container (10) as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said base (51 ) is formed by a first base flap (54) being a major extension of said rear panel (14), a second base flap (56) being a major extension of said front panel (12), a third base flap (58) being a combined minor extension of said front and rear panels, said third flap being bisected by said first side edge (16) of said container, and a fourth base flap (60) being a combined minor extension of said front panel (12) and said side attachment flap (53).

19. A blank (52) for forming the container (10) of any one of the preceding claims.