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  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     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.  
         [0003]     2. General Background  
         [0004]     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.  
         [0005]     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.  
         [0006]     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.  
         [0007]     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.  
         [0008]     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  
       [0009]     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&#39;s hands. The container of the invention is preferably formed from a single blank and is therefore easier and less expensive to manufacture.  
         [0010]     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.  
         [0011]     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.  
         [0012]     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.  
         [0013]     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.  
         [0014]     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.  
         [0015]     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  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container with a closed pour spout according to certain embodiments of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a container with an open pour spout according to certain embodiments of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a blank that may be used to construct the container of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     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.  
         [0020]     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.  
         [0021]     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.  
         [0022]     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 .  
         [0023]     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.  
         [0024]     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 .  
         [0025]     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 .  
         [0026]     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.  
         [0027]     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 .  
         [0028]     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 .  
         [0029]     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 .  
         [0030]     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.  
         [0031]     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 .  
         [0032]     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 .  
         [0033]     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.  
         [0034]     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.