Container with pour spout

Abstract

A container with an integrated pouring spout is provided. The pouring spout is formed by a series of score lines in a panel on the container. The pouring spout includes two triangular portions in vertical alignment. The upper triangular portion is inverted and the vertices of the triangular portions meet. The container includes depressible panels that flex inwardly and assist in forming the pouring spout. When depressed, the lower triangular portion extends outwardly and the upper triangular portion extends inwardly. When released the triangular portions return to their original positions, thereby sealing the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a pour spout formed on a container. More particularly, the invention relates to a container having a reclosable pour spout that is formed on a panel.

2. General Background

Containers with integrated spouts are commonly used to store items that are most easily dispensed by pouring. For example, liquids, such as milk, are conveniently stored in cartons with integrated spouts. Small solid items, such as grains or powdered soap, may also be stored in and dispensed from a carton with a spout.

Containers including integrated spouts are generally more convenient to consumers than containers on which a spout must be assembled. In addition, it is desirable to have a container that can be reclosed after it has been opened. For example, containers often include a panel which can create an opening for pouring. These containers may be opened by applying pressure on the panels adjacent to the panel with the opening. When the pressure is released, the opening is closed and the container is resealed.

Known containers including such spouts often require multiple score lines in order to form a spout large enough to be useful. The multiple score lines may become weak with repeated use and tear, which allows the contents of the container to spill out. U.S. Pat. No. 1,756,150 to Ganz and U.S. Pat. No. 2,475,677 to Ringler disclose such containers. Thus, a container with an integrated pouring spout that can withstand normal wear and tear is needed.

Other containers with pouring spouts included complicated openings. For example, many containers incorporating an integrated spout require that the user lift panels that have been folded over each other before the spout may be formed. U.S. Pat. No. 2,097,647 to Scott discloses a pouring spout that is formed along an edge between the top and side panels. The panels have extensions that must be unfolded to open the container and folded over to seal the container. Therefore, a container utilizing a simple and easy to use mechanism is needed.

In addition, many containers do not reclose automatically, but require that the spout be pushed inwardly in order to close it. Thus, a container with an integrated pouring spout that is closed by simply releasing the container is needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The invention is directed to a container that satisfies the needs described above. The container according to certain embodiments of the invention has a reclosable pour spout that is easily opened and reclosed by a small amount of pressure from the user's hands. The container of the invention is preferably formed from a single blank and is therefore easier and less expensive to manufacture.

Embodiments of the invention include a recloseable pour spout that is formed from gussets along a side panel of the container. The container is preferably an enclosed carton including two side panels connected by a front and rear panel. One of the side panels includes two triangular portions (i.e., gussets) in vertical alignment. The uppermost triangular portion is inverted so that its vertex meets the vertex of the bottommost triangular portion. The triangular portions are formed by score lines and are separated from each other by a horizontal score line that preferably crosses the entire side panel. This arrangement of panels and the horizontal score line form a reclosable spout on the carton according to certain embodiments of the invention.

In use, the horizontal score line between the triangular portions may be broken by the consumer. By pressing the front and back panels on either side of the side panel (which includes the spout) towards each other, the upper triangular portion folds inwardly and the lower triangular portion folds outwardly, creating a pour spout. When the consumer ceases pinching, the triangular portions return substantially to their original positions, thereby resealing the container.

According to certain embodiments, the sides of the upper triangular portion are created from score lines. The base of the upper triangular portion may be created from a score line or preferably, the base may be the upper edge of the side panel. The score lines assist the upper triangular portion in folding inwardly when the spout is opened. To assist in pressing the front and back panels together, the horizontal score line may be contiguous with transverse score lines extending across the front and back panels.

According to other embodiments, the invention includes a container for storing and dispensing contained items including an integrated pouring spout and at least one depressible transverse panel joined to the side panel. The pouring spout includes a side panel including two triangular portions in vertical alignment. The upper triangular portion is inverted so that the vertices of the triangular portions meet and the triangular portions are separated by a horizontal score line. The pouring spout opens when the transverse panel is depressed and closes when the transverse panel is released.

According to other embodiments, the invention includes a container for storing and dispensing contained items including a front panel, a back panel, a top panel, a bottom panel and two side panels. At least one of the side panels includes two triangular portions in vertical alignment such that the upper triangular portion is inverted and the vertices of the triangular portion meet. The triangular portions are separated by a horizontal score line. Applying pressure to the front panel and the back panel causes the lower triangular portion to extend outwardly and the upper triangular portion to extend inwardly thereby forming a spout.

According to certain embodiments, the invention includes a blank of material for forming a container including a side flap having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, a back panel foldably connected to the side flap, the back panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, a first side panel foldably connected to the back panel, the first side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, a front panel foldably connected to the first side panel, the front panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, a second side panel connected to the front panel, the second side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, a first bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the back panel, a first top panel connected to the top edge of the back panel, the first top panel having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, a second bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the front panel, a second top panel connected to the top edge of the front panel, and a plurality of score lines in the first side panel. The score lines form two triangular portions in vertical alignment separated by a horizontal score line and wherein the upper triangular portion is inverted so that the vertices of the triangular portions meet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container with a closed pour spout according to certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container with an open pour spout according to certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a blank that may be used to construct the container of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The container of the invention includes many advantages over known containers with pouring spouts. It is formed from a single blank, thus reducing material and manufacturing costs. It can be assembled very simply, further reducing manufacturing costs. The container provides multiple benefits for consumers.

The pouring spout according to certain embodiments of the invention may be used with any container incorporating a central panel between two larger panels. The pouring spout is particularly useful with a box shaped container. It should be understood that the container may be any container with at least four side panels and a bottom panel. Although a top panel is useful for containing material within the container, the pour spout of the invention may be used to easily pour materials within open-topped containers, too.

This invention will now be described more fully with reference to the drawings, showing preferred embodiments of the invention. However, this invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth. The relational terms “back,” “front,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. are used to refer to the invention as it is depicted in the drawings and is not limiting of the invention in use. As used herein, the term “score line” refers to any line which is shallower than the surface of the container. Score lines may be formed by cutting or depressing an area of the container. The depth of the score lines may be shallow, such as are useful for making folds, to very deep or perforated, such as are useful for tearing.

A constructed container 10 according to certain embodiments of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The container 10 includes a front panel 14, a first side panel 18, a back panel 16 and a second side panel 20. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container may be a simple box, such as a cereal box incorporating a first side panel 18 foldably connected to a front panel 14, which is foldably connected to a second side panel 20, which is foldably connected to a back panel 16. The back panel 16 may be foldably connected to a flap 17 (shown in FIG. 3), which is adhered or otherwise connected to the first side panel 18. To completely enclose the container, it includes top and bottom panels 22, 28.

The second side panel 20 includes structure for defining a pouring spout 12, shown more clearly in FIG. 2. The pouring spout 12 is formed from two triangular portions 42, 44 in vertical alignment. The upper triangle 42 is inverted such that the vertices 46, 48 of the triangles meet. The triangular portions 42, 44 are separated from each other by a transverse score line 50. Preferably, the score line 50 is perforated and can be broken easily by the user.

A first triangular-shaped transverse panel 52 is set within the front panel 14. A second triangular-shaped transverse panel 54 is set within the back panel 16. The transverse panels 52, 54 includes three sides. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one side 70 of first transverse panel 52 is contiguous with an edge between the front panel 14 and the first side panel 18. The remaining sides are formed by score lines 60 cut or depressed into the front panel 14 of the container 10. One side of second transverse panel 54 is contiguous with an edge 72 between back panel 16 and first side panel 18. The remaining sides are formed by score lines 62 cut or depressed into back panel 16. Preferably, the score lines 60, 62 do not perforate the container 10, but are sufficiently deep to allow flexibility between transverse panel 52 and front panel 14 and transverse panel 54 and back panel 16.

The score lines 60 forming first transverse panel 50 meet at the vertex 64 of the transverse panel 52. In order to facilitate the opening of the pouring spout 12, the score lines 60 may join together at the vertex 64 of the transverse panel 52 to form a transverse score line 56. The score lines 62 forming second transverse panel 54 meet at the vertex 66 of the transverse panel 54 and join together to form a transverse score line 58. The transverse score lines 56, 58 extend from the vertices 64, 66 of the transverse panels 52, 54 to the edge of the second side panel 20.

Pressure applied to the front panel 14 and the back panel 16, particularly at the transverse panels 52, 54 results in opening of the pouring spout 12, as shown in FIG. 2. The lower triangular portion 44 of the spout 12 extends outwardly between the lines 74, 76 allowing the contents of the container 10 to be poured out. The upper triangular portion 42 may extend inwardly when pressure is applied to the front panel 14 and the back panel, particularly the transverse panels 52, 54, resulting in a larger opening in the pouring spout 12. When the pressure is released, the natural resiliency of the container 10 and the shallow score lines result in the closing of the pouring spout 12, resealing the container 10 against air, moisture, dust and any other foreign or undesired elements.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, the container 10 with the pouring spout 12 is formed from a single blank 78 as shown in FIG. 3. The blank includes a first side panel 18 attached to a front panel 14. A top flap 34 and a bottom flap 38 are attached to the first side panel 18. A top flap 24 and a bottom flap 30 are attached to the front panel 14. The front panel 14 is also attached to a central side panel 20. A top flap 36 and a bottom flap 40 are attached to the central side panel 20.

The central side panel 20 includes multiple score lines that assist in forming a pouring spout 12 when the blank 78 is constructed to form a container. Score lines form an upper triangular portion 42. Preferably the score lines 80, 82 are perforated to allow easy movement of the upper triangular portion 42 inward. Score lines 74, 76 form a lower triangular portion 44. The score lines 74, 76 allow movement of the lower triangular portion 44 outward to form a pouring spout 12. When the container 10 is used to store and dispense liquid materials, the score lines 74, 76 may be shallow so that the pouring spout 12 is an unbroken structure. When the container 10 is used to store and dispense dry materials, the score lines 74, 76 may be perforated to allow easy opening of the pouring spout 12. The upper triangular portion 42 and lower triangular portion 44 are separated by a substantially horizontal score line 50. The score line 50 is preferably perforated so that it can be broken easily by a consumer to form a pouring spout 12.

When the blank 78 is constructed and a pouring spout 12 is formed, the upper triangular portion 42 moves inwardly and the lower triangular portion 44 moves outwardly. Panels 84, 86 form the sides of the pouring spout 12.

The front panel 14 includes score lines that assist in forming the pouring spout 12. Score line 56 is contiguous with score line 50 separating the upper and lower triangular portions 42, 44. Score line 56 forks and along with score line 70 separating the front panel 14 and side panel 18 forms a first transverse triangular portion 52. The back panel 16 also includes score lines that assist in forming the pouring spout 12. Score line 58 is contiguous with score line 50 separating the upper and lower triangular portions 42, 44. Score line 58 forks and along with score line 72 separating the back panel 16 and side flap 17 form a second transverse triangular portion 54. When the blank 78 is constructed to form a container 10, the first and second transverse triangular portions 52, 54 are substantially parallel to each other.

The central side panel 20 is attached to a back panel. A top flap 26 and a bottom flap 32 are attached to the back panel 16. The back panel 16 is attached to a flap 17.

The blank 78 can be easily assembled to form a container 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 by adhering or otherwise attaching first side panel 18 to side flap 17 and first bottom flap 30 to second bottom flap 32. To completely enclose the container 10, first top flap 24 is adhered or otherwise attached to second top flap 26.

Advertising, product information and graphical indicia may be printed on the paperboard or other material forming the container. The front and back panels 14, 16 in particular are well suited for such indicia and are easily visible. The remaining panels my contain indicia as well. In particular, it may be useful to print “press here”, or other instructions for using the pouring spout, on the transverse triangular panels.

The foregoing description is provided for describing various embodiments and structures relating to the invention. Various modifications, additions and deletions may be made to these embodiments and/or structures without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A container for storing and dispensing items comprising:

an integrated pouring spout; and

at least one depressible transverse panel joined to the side panel;

the pouring spout comprising a side panel including two triangular portions in vertical alignment, wherein the upper triangular portion is inverted so that the vertices of the triangular portions meet and wherein the triangular portions are separated by a horizontal score line; and

wherein the pouring spout opens when the transverse panel is depressed and closes when the transverse panel is released.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one transverse panel is connected to the triangular portions by the horizontal score line.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the at least one transverse panel is bordered by score lines.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein the container comprises two depressible transverse panels.

5. The container of claim 2, wherein the lower triangular portion extends outwardly when the at least one depressible transverse panel is depressed.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the upper triangular portion extends inwardly when the at least one depressible transverse panel is depressed.

7. A container for storing and dispensing comprising:

a front panel;

a back panel;

a top panel;

a bottom panel; and

two side panels, wherein at least one of the side panels comprises two triangular portions in vertical alignment such that the upper triangular portion is inverted and the vertices of the triangular portion meet;

wherein the triangular portions are separated by a horizontal score line; and

wherein applying pressure to the front panel and the back panel causes the lower triangular portion to extend outwardly and the upper triangular portion to extend inwardly thereby forming a spout.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the spout is closed by releasing the pressure on the front panel and the back panel.

9. The container of claim 7, further comprising areas of weakness in the front panel and the back panel to facilitate the opening of the spout.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the areas of weakness comprise a first transverse score line on the front panel and a second transverse score line on the back panel, the first and second transverse score lines aligning with the horizontal score line.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the first transverse score line forks to form a triangular portion on an edge of the front panel and the second transverse score line forks to form a triangular portion on an edge of the back panel.

12. A blank of material for forming a container comprising:

(a) a side flap having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;

(b) a back panel foldably connected to the side flap, the back panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;

(c) a first side panel foldably connected to the back panel, the first side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;

(d) a front panel foldably connected to the first side panel, the front panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;

(e) a second side panel connected to the front panel, the second side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;

(f) a first bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the back panel;

(g) a first top panel connected to the top edge of the back panel, the first top panel having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;

(h) a second bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the front panel;

(i) a second top panel connected to the top edge of the front panel; and

(j) a plurality of score lines in the first side panel, wherein the score lines form two triangular portions in vertical alignment separated by a horizontal score line and wherein the upper triangular portion is inverted so that the vertices of the triangular portions meet.

13. The blank of claim 12, wherein the second side panel is connected to the side flap when a container is constructed from the blank.

14. The blank of claim 12, wherein the first top panel and the second top panel are connected when a container is constructed from the blank.

15. The blank of claim 12, wherein the first bottom panel and the second top panel are connected when a container is constructed from the blank.

16. The blank of claim 12, wherein when a container is constructed from the blank, the plurality of score lines form a spout.

17. The blank of claim 12, wherein the back panel and the front panel each comprise a transverse panel, the transverse panels being formed by score lines and being joined by a horizontal score line, and wherein the transverse panels facilitate the opening of a spout when a container is constructed from the blank.

18. A container for storing and dispensing items comprising:

a front panel;

a back panel;

first and second side panels;

a bottom panel;

a substantially horizontal perforated line extending across the first side panel;

a first angled score line extending from a point above the perforated line to a point below the perforated line and crossing approximately the midpoint of the perforated line;

a second angled fold line extending from a point above the perforated line to a point below the perforated line and intersecting the first angled fold line at approximately the midpoint of the perforated line;

the angled fold lines forming a triangular panel above the perforated line and below the perforated line;

wherein the perforated line may be broken and the front and back panels depressed, allowing the top triangular panel to retract and the bottom triangular panel to protrude, forming a spout.

19. The container of claim 18, wherein the spout closes when the front and back panels are released.

20. The container of claim 18, further comprising a first transverse panel on the front panel and a second transverse panel on the back panel, wherein the first and second transverse panels are connected to the perforated line by a score line and facilitate the opening of the spout when pressured is applied to the first and second transverse panels.