Box with widest possible pouring spout

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a box with the widest possible pouring spout. The spout is an integrated portion of the box with no additional or external portions required for manufacture. The spout has a means by which a person using the spout may conveniently open the spout, a means by which the spout will be secured from opening beyond the position required for maintaining the spout pouring area and a means by which the spout will be secured in a closed position when not in use. Because the spout is an integrated portion of the box, the box with widest possible pouring spout will be efficient and economical to produce and will provide the largest possible pouring area for large, bulky or cumbersome products.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/583,727 filed on Jun. 29, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fibrous structures, and more particularly to a box-like container which has the widest possible integrated pouring spout, thereby providing a larger opening for more efficient pouring of coarse or larger materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although many pouring spout arrangements have been devised in the past, very few have gained commercial acceptance. One of these is a metal spout attached to the end panel of a cardboard box and covered with paper for sealing prior to the opening of the spout. This type of spout is not only expensive to produce, but is limited in size and thus has insufficient pouring areas useful for pouring course or large products such as course or bulky products.

Plastic spouts in the top of a box have also been designed, however, again the design requires the attachment of a separate element and is also relatively small in size, again prohibiting the dispensing of coarse or large products and are relatively expensive to produce.

As a consequence, there has been a need for an improved pouring spout with the largest possible opening for use in dispensing products which are larger, course or bulky in nature which is also efficient and economical to manufacture.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved pouring spout arrangement which requires virtually no added expense in producing a cardboard box. The spout will provide for the easy pouring of the material from the box and can be closed once the material has been dispensed. This spout arrangement provides for the largest possible spout opening which is important for materials that are large or bulky or which tend to form lumps.

The spout arrangement provides a cardboard box made from a single sheet of material defining two opposite end panels, one of which has two layers, positioned one on top of the other. The outer layer includes a cutout for a portion of the closure flap, pivotal about its lower edge with an opening above it. Additionally, the outer layer has a reinforcing flap which will adhere to the side wall frontal or rear portion of the box as a stabilizing feature of the structure.

The inner layer has a remainder of the closure flap which is pivotal about its lower edge and bendable transversely at its intermediate portion. Above the bendable portion the inner layer is attached to the outer portion of the stationary side of the cardboard box and will act to secure the pouring spout in a closed position when not in use. Above the bendable portion it is attached to the outer portion of the stationary side wall.

The box is opened by pulling outwardly on the closure flaps to pivot them about the lower edges. This removes the bottom closure flap from inside of the opening and causes it to bend transversely, uncovering the openings through the end panel of the box. The closure flaps may be retained in the opened position by locating the top edge of the closure flap adjacent the pivot point of the closure flap bearing, against the wall of the outer panel on either side of the opening. Therefore, it is unnecessary to hold the pouring spout open manually as the contents of the box are being dispensed.

The spout is closed by reversing the operation and inserting the bottom edge of the closure flap inside the lower edge of the stationary cutout in the inner panel.

The principle object of this invention is to provide for the largest possible opening for a pouring spout arrangement on a cardboard box.

Another object of this invention is to create a pouring spout arrangement that is an integral portion of the cardboard blank from which such a box is constructed with no need for additional element.

It must be clearly understood at this time although the preferred embodiment of the invention consists of the pouring spout which is an integral portion of the cardboard blank from which a cardboard box is manufactured, that many conventional pouring spouts exist that will achieve the a similar operation and they will also be fully covered within the scope of this patent.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a fragmentary perspective view of a box according to prior art;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a box incorporating the spout of this invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a fragmentary perspective view of the spout in an open position;

FIG. 4 depicts a box blank prior to assembly of the cardboard box with integrated spout according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a fragmentary portion of the blank prior to assembly of the cardboard box illustrating the outer portion of the integrated spout according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 depicts a fragmentary portion of the blank prior to assembly of the cardboard box illustrating the inner portion of the integrated spout according to the present invention.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals. There is seen in FIG. 1 a fragmentary perspective view of the prior art integrated spout with cardboard container. FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the box with integrated widest possible spout 10 according to the present invention illustrating the widest possible spout 18 in an open position. Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a container 12 with a top panel portion 14, side panel portion 22 and the external end panel portion 20 with an external side panel portion 16 attached to a side panel portion 22 of the container 12. It must be understood that any number of materials may be used in manufacturing the container 12 and will be covered within the scope of this patent.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box with integrated spout 10 with the widest possible spout 18. The container 12 has a box top portion 14, a side panel portion 22, an external side panel portion 16 and an external end panel portion 20. The widest possible spout 18 is composed of an external spout front panel 32 attached to an internal spout front panel 42. This external spout front panel is foldably attached to the spout side panels 44 and 46. These spout side panels 44 and 46 are pulled through the external spout cuts 36 and 38 and through the internal spout cut 50 as seen in FIG. 3. The bottom portion of the widest possible spout 18 is held in place by the internal spout closure panel 35 which is attached to the external spout closure panel 34

FIG. 4 depicts the exterior of an unassembled blank of the box with integrated spout 30. The box blank is assembled by folding the blank along the internal side panel score 56, the internal end panel score 58, the side panel scores 60 and 62, the external end panel score 64 and the external side panel score 66, the bottom side flap scores 68 and 72, the bottom end flap score 70, the top side flap scores 74 and 78 and the top end flap scores 76 and 88. The internal side panel portion 28 is affixed to the interior of the side panel portion 24. The external side panel portion 16 is affixed to the exterior of the side panel portion 22 and the internal end panel portion 29 is affixed to the external end panel portion 20. The top end flaps 80 and 82 are secured to the internal box top side portion 26 and the box top side portion 26 is then secured to the second box top side portion 27. Similarly, the bottom end flaps 84 and 86 are secured to a bottom side flap 90 and that secured bottom side flap 90 is affixed to the second bottom side flap 92.

The internal spout front panel 42 is affixed to the external spout front panel 32. The internal spout front panel 42 is folded along the lower internal spout score 54 as well as the spout side panels 44 and 46 and the external spout front panel 32 is folded along the lower external spout score 52 allowing the spout to open as the spout side panels 44 and 46 move outwardly through the external spout cuts 36 and 38, and the internal spout cuts 48 and 50 which are now aligned with one another. The spout securing portions of the spout 94 and 96 prevent the spout side panels 44 and 46 from opening further than is necessary to form the spout opening. The bottom portion of the spout circular cut 40 forms a convenient finger pull for opening the spout which is secured in the closed position by the bottom portion of the external spout closure panel 34.

FIG. 5 depicts a fragmentary view of the unassembled box blank with a closer view of the exterior portion of the spout. FIG. 5 includes external side panel portion 16, side panel portion 24, box top side portion 27, top end flap 80, external spout front panel 32, with external spout closure panel 34 and external spout cuts 36 and 38 as well as the spout circular cut 40. Score lines depicted in FIG. 5 include lower external spout score 52, side panel score 60, external end panel score 64, top side flap score 74, and top end flap score 88.

FIG. 6 depicts a fragmentary view of the unassembled box blank with a closer view of the interior portion of the spout. FIG. 6 includes a side panel portion 22, a box top side portion 26, the internal end panel portion 29, the internal spout front panel 42, the spout side panels 44 and 46 with the spout securing portions of the spout side panels 94 and 96 together with the internal spout cuts 48 and 50. Score lines seen in FIG. 6 are lower internal spout score 54, internal side panel score 56, internal end panel score 58, and top side flap score 78.

The box with widest possible spout 10 shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating the preferred embodiment of structure and method of construction of the present invention. It is to be understood however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a box with widest possible spout 10 in accordance with the spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the claims.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A box having a widest possible pouring spout integrated therein, comprising a cardboard structure defining a container having two side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and two end panels, one of said panels including a first outer layer and a second layer inwardly of said first layer, wherein

said first layer includes a first flap pivotal about one edge thereof;

said second layer includes a second flap pivotal about one edge thereof;

said second flap including means for permitting bending of said second flap at a location spaced from said one edge thereof;

said first flap overlying and being secured to said second flap between said one edge of said second flap and said location;

said structure including a third layer inwardly of said second layer, said first layer including a portion overlying a portion of said second flap;

said third layer having an opening covered by said second flap; and

further wherein said flaps are constructed such that the resulting pouring spout opening extends form the edge of one side to the edge of the other side of the box thereby enabling the widest possible pouring spout opening to be formed; and

whereby to achieve an open position, said first flap is pivoted about said one edge thereof, said second flap is caused to pivot about said one edge of said second flap, said second flap is bent at said location, said portion of said second flap is withdrawn from said portion of said first layer over-lying the same, and said opening in said third layer is uncovered to permit dispensing through said opening in said third layer.

2. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 1, wherein the spout is constructed in an extra large configuration to accommodate pouring and retention of large particle container contents.

3. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 1, wherein said flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and act to lock the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouring while in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in the closed position.

4. A box having a widest possible pouring spout comprising:

a fibrous structure defining a box, said box further comprising two side panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and two end panels,

one of said panels including a first outer layer and a second layer inwardly of said first layer,

said first layer being pivotal about one edge thereof,

said second layer being pivotal about one edge thereof,

said second layer including means for lifting said second flap at a location spaced from one edge thereof,

said second layer including two wing flaps at opposite ends of said second layer,

said wing flaps including means for permitting bending of said wing flaps at scored junctures in said second layer,

said wing flaps further including additional means for permitting bending of said wing flaps at perforations in locations proximately and equally spaced from said opposite ends thereof,

said first flap overlying and being secured to said second flap between said one edge of said second layer and said location in said second layer,

said structure including a third layer inwardly of said second layer,

said third layer being secured to said second layer; and

said third layer having an opening covered by said second layer; and further wherein said flaps are constructed such that the resulting pouring spout opening extends form the edge of one side to the edge of the other side of the box thereby enabling the widest possible pouring spout opening to be formed; and

whereby to achieve an open position, said first layer is pivoted about said one edge thereof, said second layer is caused to pivot about said one edge of said second layer, said wing flaps are bent at said junctures and virtually simultaneously at said perforations, and said opening in said third layer is uncovered to permit dispensing through said opening in said third layer.

5. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 4, wherein the spout is constructed in an extra large configuration to accommodate pouring and retention of large particle container contents.

6. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 4, wherein said flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and act to lock the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouring while in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in the closed position.

7. A box having a widest possible pouring spout comprising:

a fibrous structure defining a container, said container further comprising two side panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and two end panels,

said container having two or more flaps forming a pouring spout;

said container having a flat pattern during manufacture and before assembly, and

further wherein said two or more flaps are constructed such that the resulting pouring spout opening extends form the edge of one side to the edge of the other side of the box thereby enabling the widest possible pouring spout opening to be formed.

8. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 7, wherein the spout is constructed in an extra large configuration to accommodate pouring and retention of large particle container contents.

9. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 7, wherein said flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and act to lock the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouring while in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in the closed position.

10. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 7, further comprising:

a fibrous structure defining a container, said container further comprising two side panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and two end panels,

one of said panels including a first outer layer and a second layer inwardly of said first layer,

said first layer being pivotal about one edge thereof,

said first layer including a portion overlying a portion of said second flap,

said second layer being pivotal about one edge thereof,

said second layer including means for lifting said second flap at a location spaced from one edge thereof,

said second layer including two wing flaps at opposite ends of said second layer,

said wing flaps including means for permitting bending of said wing flaps at scored junctures in said second layer,

said wing flaps further including additional means for permitting bending of said wing flaps at perforations in locations proximately and equally spaced from said opposite ends thereof,

said first flap overlying and being secured to said second flap between said one edge of said second flap and said location in said second layer,

said structure including a third layer inwardly of said second layer,

said third layer having an opening covered by said second flap, and further wherein said flaps are constructed such that the resulting pouring spout opening extends form the edge of one side to the edge of the other side of the box thereby enabling the widest possible pouring spout opening to be formed; and

whereby to achieve an open position, said first layer is pivoted about said one edge thereof, said second layer is caused to pivot about said one edge of said second layer, said wing flaps are bent at said junctures and virtually simultaneously at said perforations, and said opening in said third layer is uncovered to permit dispensing through said opening in said third layer,

said container having a flat pattern during manufacture and before assembly.

11. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 10, wherein the spout is constructed in an extra large configuration to accommodate pouring and retention of large particle container contents.

12. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 10, wherein said flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and act to lock the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouring while in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in the closed position.