CARTON
A carton (20) comprising an outer container (1) and at least one inner container (10) wherein the outer container receives the inner container(s) is provided. The outer container (1) comprises a lid (2), a bottom wall (3), a rear wall (4), two side walls (5, 6), a substantially open front section and a closure means. Each inner container (10) comprises a bottom panel (11), a top panel (12), two side panels (13, 14), a front panel (15) and a rear panel (16); a section of the rear panel is openable, so as to provide the inner container with an opening. The inner container(s) are hingedly attached to the outer container (1) so that each inner container (10) can pivot from a closed position wherein the inner container (10) is located inside the outer container (1) to an open position wherein the inner container (10) is located substantially adjacent to the outer container (1).
Latest CONOPCO, INC. D/B/A UNILEVER Patents:
The present invention relates to a carton. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a carton that is easily opened and re-closed by a consumer.
BACKGROUNDCartons formed from a paperboard blank or multiple paperboard blanks, are already known. For example, WO 2009/106535 (Unilever) describes a re-closable carton which maintains its integrity when it is opened by a user and is designed to be easily opened without tearing unwanted areas of the carton. Nonetheless there is a continuing need for improved cartons. In particular there is a need for a carton that requires only a small amount of storage space (e.g. in a cupboard or on a shelf), and yet maximises access to the contents of the carton.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn a first aspect the invention relates to a carton comprising an outer container and at least one inner container wherein the outer container receives the inner container(s);
the outer container comprising a lid, a bottom wall, a rear wall, two side walls, a substantially open front section and a closure means;
each inner container comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a rear panel; a section of the rear panel being openable, preferably removable, so as to provide the inner container with an opening;
wherein the inner container(s) are hingedly attached to the outer container so that each inner container can pivot from a closed position wherein the inner container is located inside the outer container to an open position wherein the inner container is located substantially adjacent to the outer container.
We have found that such a carton requires only a small amount of storage space (e.g. in a cupboard or on a shelf), and yet maximises access to the contents of the carton (e.g. tea bags).
Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by the drawings, in which:
Unless otherwise specified, terms such as top, bottom, front, rear, side, upper etc. refer to the carton in the orientation in which it will usually be stored—as illustrated, for example, in
In the embodiment shown in
In order to avoid unwanted spillage of the contents of the inner container, in certain embodiments the opening may comprise a lip 19 extending partially or wholly around the perimeter of the opening. Such a lip 19 helps to keep the contents within the inner container, especially when the inner container is in transition between its open and closed positions.
It should be noted that other closure means may be used. For example, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the lid may comprise a tab or flap attached to the lid panel and adapted so as to be able to engage a locking slit situated on the front panel of the inner container. Similarly, such a tab or flap could be included in addition to the skirted portion, either attached to the lid panel or attached to the skirted portion itself.
The inner container 10 is hingedly attached to the outer container 1 so that it can pivot from a closed position to an open position. The inner container preferably pivots through an angle of 90° in going from its closed position to its open position. Thus when the inner container 10 is in its open position, the front panel 15 of the inner container 10 and the bottom wall 3 of the outer container 1 are substantially coplanar.
The bottom panel 11 of the inner container 10 is hinged to the bottom wall 3 of the outer container 1 such that they can pivot relative to each other about a common axis extending between the two side walls 5, 6 of the outer container 1. In this preferred embodiment, the common axis extends along the front edge of the bottom wall 3 of the outer container 1.
The hinge 21 may be a separate section. However, for ease of manufacture it is preferred that the hinge 21 is integrally formed as part of the outer container 1 or the inner container 10.
For example,
An alternative embodiment is shown in
The inner container is pivotable between an open and a closed position once the closure means has been released, with the substantially open front section of the outer container 1 facilitating this transition. In the embodiment shown in
The lid 2 may be integrally formed as part of the outer container 1, or may be formed as a separate part. Where the lid is formed as a separate part, it may optionally be attached to the outer container 1 (e.g. by gluing). It is preferred that the lid panel 7 is hingedly attached to the outer container 1 via a crease line 9 such that the lid can pivot thereby opening the outer container 1.
The blank 101 shown in
In
As mentioned above, the lid 2 may comprise a skirted section 8 which can serve as the closure means. Preferably the skirted section comprises three end flaps, with each end flap extending partially or wholly along an edge of the lid panel 7. Of course, if the lid 2 is formed as a separate part, it may comprise four end flaps, with the fourth end flap optionally being used to attach the lid 2 to a wall 4, 5, 6 of the outer container 1.
The blank 101 shown in
Two skirt tabs 39, 40 extend from the end flaps 33, 35 and are delimited from them by crease lines 41, 42. When the lid 2 is assembled, these skirt tabs 39, 40 are attached (e.g. glued) to the end flap 34. Thus the end flaps 33, 34, 35 form the skirted portion 8 of the lid 2. Alternative embodiments (not shown) can be envisaged in which one or both of the skirt tabs 39, 40 extend from the end flap 34 and, on assembly of the lid 2, are attached (e.g. glued) to the end flaps 33, 35. The skirted portion 8 of the lid 2 is preferably adapted such that, when the lid 2 is fully closed, the end flaps 33, 34, 35 overlay a portion of the side walls 5, 6 and the substantially open front section of the outer container 1.
In order to ensure that the carton does not open during transport and/or storage prior to reaching a consumer, it is preferred that the carton 20 is manufactured with the lid 2 secured closed. However, it is also desirable that the carton 20 can be easily opened by a consumer. In embodiments wherein the lid 2 comprises a skirted section 8 this can be achieved by including one or more tear-off sections 43, 44 which are attached to the outer container 1 (e.g. by gluing) and are separable from the skirt portion 8 by severance lines 45, 46. Preferably, each tear-off section 43, 44 is secured to the respective side wall 5, 6 of the outer container 1.
The blank 110 shown in
The blank 110 shown in
The top panel 12 comprises a front flap 55 and two side flaps 56, 57. The flaps are connected to the top panel 12 by crease lines 58, 59, 60. When the inner container is assembled, the front flap 55 is attached (e.g. glued) to the front panel 15 and the side flaps 56, 57 are attached (e.g. glued) to the side panels 14, 13. The bottom panel 11 similarly comprises a front flap 61 and two side flaps 62, 63. The flaps are delimited from the bottom panel 11 by crease lines 64, 65, 66. In this embodiment the hinge 21 consists of part of the crease line 64. When the inner container is assembled, the front flap 61 is attached to the front panel 15 and the side flaps 62, 63 are attached to the side panels 14, 13.
An alternative embodiment (not shown) wherein the two inner containers 10a, 10b cannot pivot independently of one another is also a possibility.
The carton of the invention can be used for packaging various different products. In a preferred embodiment, the carton contains tea bags.
Claims
1. A carton (20) comprising an outer container (1) and at least one inner container (10) wherein the outer container receives the inner container(s);
- the outer container (1) comprising a lid (2), a bottom wall (3), a rear (4), two side walls (5, 6), a substantially open front section and a closure means;
- each inner container (10) comprising a bottom panel (11), a top panel (12), two side panels (13, 14), a front panel (16) and a rear panel (16); a section of the rear panel being openable, so as to provide the inner container with an opening;
- wherein the inner container(s) are hingedly attached to the outer container (1) so that each inner container (10) can pivot from a closed position wherein the inner container (10) is located inside the outer container (1) to an open position wherein the inner container (10) is located substantially adjacent to the outer container (1);
- the lid comprising a lid panel (7) which is hingedly attached to the other container (1) via a crease line (9) such that the lid can pivot thereby opening the outer container; wherein the lid (2) comprises a skirted section (8) which forms the closure means.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner container (10) is attached to the outer container (1) by a hinge (21) which is formed by a tab (23) which is a section of the bottom panel (11) of the inner container (10).
5. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner container (10) is attached to the outer container (1) by a hinge (21) which is formed by a hinge flap (24) extending from the bottom wall (3) of the outer container (1).
6. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner container (10) is attached to the outer container (1) by a hinge (21) which is formed by a tab (25) which is a section of the bottom wall (3) of the outer container (1).
7. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner container (10) pivots through an angle of 90° in going from its closed position to its open position.
8. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the openable section of the rear panel (16) is a removable section (17).
9. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opening of the inner container (10) comprises a lip (19) extending partially or wholly around its perimeter.
10. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid (2) is integrally formed as part of the outer container (1).
11. A carton as claimed claim 1 which contains tea bags.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 6, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 23, 2014
Applicant: CONOPCO, INC. D/B/A UNILEVER (Englewood Cliffs, NJ)
Inventors: Norbert Anderie (Rieschweiler-Muhlbach), Paul Anthony Anderson (Leeds), William John Maskell (Marlborough), Daniel Mark Walter (Northampton), Ralf Weis (Hermersberg)
Application Number: 14/355,867
International Classification: B65D 5/52 (20060101); B65D 85/808 (20060101); B65D 77/04 (20060101);