Cylindrical paper container

Abstract

The cylindrical package is formed by folding a blank. The resulting carton is approximately 75% cylindrical and 25% flat. An inner container carries a lid. The inner container has an wrap panel attached to a bottom panel wrapping around the inner container to form a cylindrical outer surface. The cylindrical outer surface is maintained by the profile of the lid. The wrap panel is approximately ⅜th of an inch deeper than the box insuring that the lid panels are always held within the cylinder. A self-adhesive strip on the end of the extension maintains the extension in place after the glue strip is removed by hand. The base of the resultant container is level and allows the container stand evenly.

Description

[0001] This application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/305,599, filed Jul. 17, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Products such as cosmetics are often packaged in rigid cylindrical tubes. Cylindrical tubes are manufactured into their final shape and must be shipped in that form. Other conventional types of packaging made from cardboard can be formed from a flat blank. After the blank is formed by a manufacturer, it can be shipped to a purchaser where it is formed into a container before being filled with a product. The flat blank is substantially smaller than the completed container and therefor inexpensive to ship. The overall costs of manufacturing and shipping a rigid cylindrical tube is a drawback to this type of packaging.

[0003] There is a need in the art for a cylindrical carton to replace rigid tubes currently used for a wide range of products. The cylindrical carton can be folded from a blank at the location where it is loaded with product. The container can be shipped flat from its initial point of manufacture presenting an inexpensive alternative to the rigid tube while preserving the appearance of a value added package.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a cylindrical container folded from a blank.

[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a carton having an inner carton surrounded by an wrap panel extending around the inner carton to give a cylindrical appearance.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a cylindrical carton formed from a blank that can be shipped flat before it is loaded with the product.

[0007] These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the disclosure of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The cylindrical package is formed by folding a blank. The resulting carton is approximately 75% cylindrical and 25% flat. An inner container carries a lid. The inner container has an wrap panel attached to a back panel and extending around the inner container to form a cylindrical outer surface. The cylindrical outer surface is maintained by the profile of the lid. The wrap panel is approximately ⅜th of an inch deeper than the box insuring that the lid panels are always held within the cylinder. A self-adhesive strip on the end of the extension panel maintains the extension panel in place after the glue strip is removed by hand. The base of the resultant container is level and allows the container to stand evenly.

[0009] The cylindrical package can vary in diameter and depth. Apertures can be added to the front of the wrap panel to reveal the top panel of the inner container. Additionally, the inner container can also have an aperture to reveal part of the contents of the package. These apertures can be windowed with cellophane if desired. The lids can incorporate any variety of locks used for paperboard containers. A header can be added to the top of the box providing extra space for graphics. An aperture to allow for the package to hang from cantilevered rods can be provided in the header. The edges of the wrap panel can contain a die cut pattern such as scalloped edges for added decorative effect, as it is the wrap panel which forms the exterior of the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 shows the blank for making the package of the invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 depicts the container with the straight tuck box assembled;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a top view of the container;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the container; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is an end view of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The structure of the container is seen in FIG. 1. The inner container is formed from a top panel 32, a left side panel 34, a right side panel 36, and a bottom panel 38. These four panels are connected in series by fold lines. A glue panel 37 is foldably connected to the left side panel 34. Each end of the inner container has an closure. The closure is formed by a lid 42 foldably connected to each end of the top panel. Side flaps 44, 46 are attached to both ends of the left side panel 34 and right side panel 36. The side flaps 46 have structure allowing them to interlock. Any type of interlocking structure can be used to secure the side flaps to one another. The lid 42 is provided with tab 43 which is folded downwardly and placed within the inner container when assembled.

[0016] A wrap panel 52 extends from bottom panel 38. The wrap panel has a width greater than the combined width of the top panel 32, left side panel 34 and right side panel 36. Attached to the wrap panel is an extension panel 54. The extension panel has a width substantially equal to the width of the bottom panel.

[0017] Assembly of the blank into the completed carton is explained with reference to FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the panels 32, 34, 36 and end 38 are folded to complete an enclosure. The panels are held in this position by adhering the glue flap panel 37 to the inner surface of the bottom panel 38. The inner container is closed by folding the side flaps inwardly and the lid panel 42 downwardly. The tab 43 is folded and tucked into the assembled inner container.

[0018] After assembly of the inner container, to be filled with contents by the ultimate packager, the wrap panel 52 is folded about the inner container to provide the container with a cylindrical appearance. The extension panel 54 is folded against, and made substantially coextensive with, the bottom panel 38. The extension panel and bottom panel form a flat area in the cylindrical container.

[0019] The common edge of the wrap panel 52 and extension panel 54 provide a stable leveled edge 56. This edge allows the container to be stood on end. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the top edge of the wrap panel 52 extends above both the extension panel 54 and the panels making the inner container. The greater extension of the wrap panel insures that the lid 42 will remain within the confines of the package. The edge of the container can be extended further past the lid 42 to create a border. The border provides space for graphics and can be provided with an aperture for supporting the package from a rod. FIG. 4 shows the front view of the package. As can be seen, the front view presents a cylindrical appearance and can be used in place of rigid tubes.

[0020] FIG. 5 depicts an end view of the completely assembled carton. The wrap panel 52 extends from the edge of bottom panel 38 and continues about the edge of the closure flap 42 to give the container a cylindrical appearance. The extension panel 54 can be seen lying against the bottom panel 38. The extension panel 54 has adhesive covered by a protective strip that is removed to adhere the extension panel 54 to the bottom panel 38. The bottom panel 38 and extension panel 54 create a flat surface, but the overall container is about 75% cylindrical.

[0021] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, variations and modifications would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the inner container can be made with any number of panels, such as three panels to make a triangular panel. The invention encompasses such variations and modifications and is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A blank for forming a container, comprising:

a plurality of panels connected to one another by fold lines, each panel having a height and width,

a wrap panel extending from an edge of said plurality of panels, said wrap panel having a width greater than the combined width of at least two of said plurality of panels.

2. The blank of claim 1, wherein said plurality of panels is four.

3. The blank of claim 2, wherein said wrap panel has a width greater than the combined width of three of said plurality of panels.

4. The blank of claim 1, further comprising an extension panel attached to said wrap panel.

5. The blank of claim 4, wherein said extension panel has a width substantially equal to the panel attached to said wrap panel.

6. The blank of claim 4, wherein said extension panel and said wrap panel each have a bottom edge, said bottom edges of said extension panel and said wrap panel being collinear.

7. The blank of claim 1, further comprising a glue flap attached to said plurality of panels.

8. The blank of claim 1, further comprising closure flaps attached to the top and bottom edge of one of said plurality of panels.

9. The blank of claim 8, wherein said closure flaps have an arcuate edge.

10. The blank of claim 8, further comprising a locking tab on said closure flaps.

11. A blank for forming a container, comprising:

a first, second, third and fourth panel connected in series by fold lines,

a wrap panel foldably connected to said fourth panel, said wrap panel having a width greater than the combined width of said first, second and third panel.

12. The blank of claim 11, further comprising an extension panel attached to said wrap panel.

13. The blank of claim 12, wherein said extension panel has a width substantially equal to the panel attached to said wrap panel.

14. The blank of claim 12, wherein said extension panel and said wrap panel each have a bottom edge, said bottom edges of said extension panel and said wrap panel being collinear.

15. The blank of claim 11, further comprising a glue flap attached to said plurality of panels.

16. The blank of claim 11, further comprising closure flaps attached to the top and bottom edge of one of said plurality of panels.

17. The blank of claim 16, wherein said closure flaps have an arcuate edge.

18. The blank of claim 16, further comprising a locking tab on said closure flaps.

19. A container, comprising:

an inner container formed by a plurality of panels including a bottom panel,

a wrap panel foldably connected to said bottom panel by a fold line and having a distal edge, said distal edge substantially coextensive with an edge of said bottom panel opposite the fold line between said bottom panel and wrap panel.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein said inner container is formed by a left side panel, a right side panel, a top panel and said bottom panel.

21. The container of claim 19, further comprising an extension panel attached to said distal edge of said wrap panel.

22. The container of claim 21, wherein said extension panel has a width substantially equal to the width of said bottom panel.

23. The container of claim 19, wherein the bottom edge of said wrap panel and the bottom edge of said extension panel are collinear.

24. The container of claim 19, further comprising a glue flap attached to said plurality of panels.

25. The container of claim 19, further comprising closure flaps attached to said plurality of panels.

26. The container of claim 25, wherein said closure flaps have an arcuate edge.