Package including an expandable top opening

A package (10) of a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape is disclosed including a liner (14) inside of a carton (12). A first score line (72) extends from the free edges (47, 96) of the front and back top closure panels (48, 60) and onto the front and back panels (18, 28) parallel and intermediate the side edges (20, 22, 26, 30, 50, 52, 59, 64) thereof. Second and third score lines (74, 76) are further located in each of the front and back panels (18, 28) and extend at an obtuse angle from and on opposite sides of the first score lines (72), with the score lines (72, 74, 76) having a Y-shape. The bottom of the carton (12) holds the bottom edges (40, 44) of the front, back, and side panels (18, 24, 28, 32) in a rectangular configuration. With the top closure panels (48, 60) in an open condition, the top closure panels (48, 60) and the front and back panels (18, 28) can be flexed into a non-planar shape with the upper edges (48, 56, 62, 68) of the carton panels (18, 24, 28, 32) being open and generally of an oval shape allowing removal of ingredients from the liner (14) by a measuring cup which could not have been inserted into the top opening in a non-expanded, static condition.

BACKGROUND 
The present invention generally relates to packages, particularly to 
packages formed from a blank of a single layer of material, and 
specifically to packages including an expandable top opening. 
Many dry ingredients for baking or the like such as but not limited to 
pancake mix, biscuit mix, flour, and the like are sold in packaging 
including a liner which holds the ingredients surrounded by a carton. The 
typical shape of packages for such dry ingredients is a rectangular 
parallelepiped to provide narrow widths allowing the package to be held in 
one hand and to provide large face panels for product identification and 
promotion. Additionally, such packaging typically holds more than one 
serving of dry ingredients. Thus, the baker would desire to extract the 
desired amount of dry ingredients from the package while leaving the 
balance of the dry ingredients in the package. The width of the top 
opening of the conventional package is insufficient to allow insertion of 
a measuring cup through the top opening to the interior of the package. 
Thus, one method of removing the dry ingredients from the interior of the 
package was to insert a spoon through the top opening and dig the 
ingredients out for placement in the measuring cup. However, if a large 
amount of dry ingredients is desired, such an approach was very time 
consuming. Alternately, the dry ingredients were attempted to be poured 
from the package into a measuring cup or the like by tipping the package. 
However, dry ingredients do not flow evenly like fluids but rather have an 
avalanche-type flow such that spillage is often a problem. To avoid these 
problems, often the package was emptied into a canister or the like, with 
the package then being discarded and the dry ingredients removed from the 
canister. However, it can be appreciated that once the package is 
discarded, there may no longer be identification of the particular dry 
ingredients in the canister, and the baking instructions from the carton 
are no longer available. Likewise, the consumer may not wish to have 
canisters for each type of dry ingredient product desired due to the cost 
of such canisters and the difficulty in storing such canisters. 
Additionally, the sealing and other attributes of the liner and the 
package are not obtained after the dry ingredients are emptied into the 
canister. 
Thus, a need exists for a package which allows removal of the dry 
ingredients from the interior of conventionally shaped packages in a 
similar manner as allowed by canisters while still maintaining the 
advantages of prior packages and specifically does not require the dry 
ingredients to be poured or emptied from the package for use. In a 
preferred aspect, there is a need for a package which has a top opening 
which is expandable when it is desired to remove the dry ingredients from 
the interior of the package by a measuring cup which could not have been 
inserted into the top opening in its normal, static condition. 
SUMMARY 
Surprisingly, the above needs and other problems in the field of packages 
for dry ingredients can be satisfied by providing, in the preferred form, 
front and back panels which can be flexed into a non-planar shape with the 
top edges of the front, side, and back panels having a generally oval 
shape having a length less than the width between the side edges of the 
front and back panels and a width greater than the width between the side 
edges of the side panels while the bottom edges of the front, side and 
back panels are held in a rectangular configuration. 
In the preferred form, the front and back panels each include top panels 
which can be removably secured together in a closed position to form the 
top of the carton, with the front and back top panels also being flexible 
into a non-planar shape when in an open position. 
In one aspect of the present invention, first score lines are provided 
extending from the top edges towards the bottom edges of the front and 
back panels. In the preferred form, second and third score lines intersect 
with the first score lines in a generally Y-shape on the front and back 
panels. 
These and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will 
become clearer in light of the following detailed description of an 
illustrative embodiment of this invention described in connection with the 
drawings.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the 
present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to 
number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the 
preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the 
art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read 
and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions 
to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements 
will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings 
of the present invention have been read and understood. 
Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals 
designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms "top", 
"bottom", "first", "second", "inside", "outside", "edge", "side", "front", 
"back", "length", "width", "inner", "outer", and similar terms are used 
herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to 
the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing 
the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention. 
DESCRIPTION 
A package according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is 
shown in the drawings and generally designated 10. Generally, package 10 
includes an outer carton 12 and an inner liner 14. Liner 14 can be formed 
of any suitable material, such as glassine, wax paper, or plastic, and can 
be formed in any suitable manner as is well known in the art. 
Carton 12 according to the teachings of the present invention is formed 
from a blank 16 of a single layer of generally stiff material such as 
paperboard. Blank 16 includes an outer surface 17 which has printed 
material and an inner surface 19 which is plain and does not include 
printed material. Blank 16 generally includes a rectangular, front panel 
18 having a side edge 20 and a second, parallel side edge 22 which is 
integrally connected to the side edge 22 of a first, rectangular side 
panel 24 about a fold line. The opposite, parallel side edge 25 of side 
panel 24 is free. Blank 16 further includes a rectangular back panel 28 
having a side edge 26 and a second, parallel side edge 30 integrally 
connected to the side edge 30 of a second, rectangular side panel 32 about 
a fold line. The opposite, parallel side edge 20 of side panel 32 is 
integrally connected to the side edge 20 of front panel 18 about a fold 
line. The side edge 26 of a glue flap 36 is integrally connected to side 
edge 26 of back panel 28 about a fold line. Glue flap 36 in the most 
preferred form has the shape of an isosceles trapezoid with the major base 
extending along edge 26. Outer surface 17 of flap 36 can be secured to 
inner surface 19 of side panel 24 by any suitable means such as glue with 
edges 25 and 26 being coextensive. With the glue flap 36 secured, edge 25 
of panel 24 is connected to edge 26 of panel 28 about the fold line 
between panel 28 and glue flap 36. Panels 18, 24, 28, and 32 have equal 
heights, with panels 18 and 28 having equal widths which are substantially 
larger and particularly a multiple of the widths of panels 24 and 32 and 
specifically which are 2.9 times the widths of panels 24 and 32. In the 
preferred form, side panels 24 and 32 have equal widths and extend 
generally perpendicularly between panels 18 and 28 in the most preferred 
form to form a hollow rectangular parallelepiped. 
The bottom of carton 12 can be formed by any suitable manner and is flat. 
In the preferred form, side panels 24 and 32 include rectangular dust 
flaps 38 integrally extending from their bottom edges 40 about fold lines 
and having widths which are identical to side panels 24 and 32, with 
bottom edges 40 extending perpendicularly between edges 22 and 25 of panel 
24 and between edges 20 and 30 of panel 32. Front and back panels 18 and 
28 each include generally rectangular closure flaps 42 integrally 
extending from their bottom edges 44 about fold lines and having widths 
which are identical to panels 18 and 28, with bottom edges 44 extending 
perpendicularly between edges 20 and 22 of panel 18 and between edges 26 
and 30 of panel 28. The lengths of flaps 38 and 42 from bottom edges 40 
and 44 to their respective free edges are at least equal to one-half of 
the widths of side panels 24 and 32 and of flaps 38 but less than the 
widths of panels 18, 24, 28, and 32, with the lengths of flaps 38 from 
bottom edges 40 to their free edges being less than the lengths of flaps 
42 from bottom edges 44 to their free edges in the most preferred form. 
The side edges of flaps 38 and 42 are separated from each other. The 
bottom of carton 12 can then be formed by folding dust flaps 38 inwardly 
and generally perpendicular to side panels 24 and 32. Then one of the 
closure flaps 42 can be folded such that inner surface 19 thereof overlies 
at least portions of outer surfaces 17 of flaps 38. Thereafter, the other 
closure flap 42 can be folded such that inner surface 19 thereof overlies 
outer surfaces 17 of flaps 38 and possibly of portions of the first 
closure flap 42. The outer surfaces 17 of the inner flaps 38 and/or 42 can 
be secured to the inner surfaces 19 of the outer flap 42 by any suitable 
means such as glue. 
The top of carton 12 according to the teachings of the present invention 
can be formed by any suitable manner and is flat. In the most preferred 
form, blank 16 generally includes a rectangular front top panel 46 having 
a free top edge 47 and a parallel, bottom edge 48 integrally connected to 
the top edge 48 of front panel 18 about a fold line, with edge 48 
extending perpendicularly between edges 20 and 22 of panel 18. Panel 46 
includes a first, free side edge 50 and an opposite, parallel, free side 
edge 52. Blank 16 further includes a first, rectangular, side top panel 54 
having a free top edge 78 and a bottom edge 56 integrally connected to the 
top edge 56 of side panel 24 about a fold line, with edge 56 extending 
perpendicularly between edges 22 and 25 of panel 24. Panel 54 includes a 
first, free side edge 53 adjacent and parallel to side edge 52 of panel 46 
and an opposite, parallel, side edge 58. Blank 16 further includes a 
generally rectangular back top panel 60 having a free top edge 96 and a 
bottom edge 62 integrally connected to the top edge 62 of back panel 28 
about a fold line, with edge 62 extending perpendicularly between edges 26 
and 30 of panel 28. Panel 60 includes a first, free side edge 59 and an 
opposite, parallel, free side edge 64. Blank 16 further includes a second, 
rectangular side top panel 66 having a free top edge 80 and a bottom edge 
68 integrally connected to the top edge 68 of side panel 32 about a fold 
line, with edge 68 extending perpendicularly between edges 20 and 30 of 
panel 32. Panel 66 includes a first, free side edge 65 adjacent and 
parallel to edge 64 of panel 60 and an opposite, parallel, side edge 70 
adjacent and parallel to edge 50 of panel 46. 
The top of carton 12 can then be formed by folding top panels 54 and 66 
inwardly and generally perpendicular to side panels 24 and 32. Then panel 
46 can be folded such that inner surface 19 thereof overlies at least 
portions of outer surfaces 17 of panels 54 and 66. Thereafter, panel 60 
can be folded such that inner surface 19 thereof overlies outer surfaces 
17 of panels 54 and 66 and of portions of panel 46. Panel 60 can be 
secured to panel 46 by any suitable means. For example, at the factory, 
the top of carton 12 can be secured by glue located on outer surface 17 of 
panel 46 abutted by inner surface 19 of panel 60, with the glue securement 
being releasable by the consumer to open the top of carton 12. To 
removably secure panel 60 to panel 46, free edge 96 of panel 60 includes a 
contiguous tab 106 extending therefrom which can be slideably received in 
a U-shaped die cut 110 formed in panel 46 spaced inwardly of free edge 47 
and side edges 50 and 52 of top panel 46 complementary and corresponding 
to tab 106. To open carton 12 for access to the interior thereof and the 
dry ingredients located therein, the securement of panel 60 to panel 46 is 
removed, panels 46, 54, 60, and 66 are then folded to extend generally 
linearly from panels 18, 24, 28, and 32, respectively. Alternately, panels 
46, 54, 60, and 66 can be pivoted about their respective fold lines such 
that inner surfaces 19 thereof extend at an obtuse angle up to 360.degree. 
to inner surfaces 19 of panels 18, 24, 28, and 32. It should be noted that 
the fold lines between edges 20, 22, 26, 30, 40, 44, 48, 56, 62, and 68 
are formed by scoring blank 16 and particularly by linearly indenting 
outer surface 17 creating a concave channel depression therein and 
creating a convex linear projection in inner surface 19. 
Carton 12 as described thus far is of a conventional construction and does 
not form part of the present invention. It should be appreciated that 
carton 12 can have a variety of different types of construction other than 
as shown and described according to the teachings of the present 
invention. 
Carton 12 according to the teachings of the present invention includes 
provisions for expanding the top opening thereof. In the most preferred 
form, panels 18 and 46 include a linear score line 72f extending parallel 
and intermediate edges 20 and 22 and edges 50 and 52 from edge 47 to edge 
48 and from edge 48 towards edge 44 to a location spaced from edge 44 and 
particularly about 28% of the height of panel 18. Similarly, panels 28 and 
60 include a linear score line 72b extending parallel and intermediate 
edges 26 and 30 and edges 59 and 64 from edge 96 to edge 62 and from edge 
62 to a location spaced from edge 44 and particularly about 28% of the 
height of panel 28. Panel 18 further includes first and second, linear 
score lines 74f and 76f extending from and on opposite sides of the end of 
score line 72f at an obtuse angle in the order of 145.degree. and spaced 
from edge 48. The first ends of score lines 74f and 76f are 
interconnected, with score lines 74f and 76f extending at an acute angle 
in the order of 70.degree. from each other. The free ends of score lines 
74f and 76f extend towards but are spaced from edges 20 and 22, 
respectively, with the free ends of score lines 74f and 76f located 
approximately 9% of the width between edges 20 and 22 from edges 20 and 
22, respectively, in the preferred form. Also, the first ends of score 
lines 74f and 76f are located at a greater distance from edge 44 than 
their free ends, with the free ends of score lines 74f and 76f extending 
towards but spaced from edge 44 and specifically with the free ends of 
score lines 74f and 76f located approximately 30% of the height between 
edges 44 and 48 from edge 44 in the preferred form. Thus, score lines 72f, 
74f, and 76f have a Y-shape spaced from edges 20, 22, 44, 50, and 52. 
Similarly, panel 28 further includes first and second linear score lines 
74b and 76b extending from and on opposite sides of the end of score line 
72b at an obtuse angle in the order of 145.degree. and spaced from edge 
62. The first ends of score lines 74b and 76b are interconnected, with 
score lines 74b and 76b extending at an acute angle in the order of 
70.degree. from each other. The free ends of score lines 74b and 76b 
extend towards but are spaced from edges 30 and 26, respectively, with the 
free ends of score lines 74b and 76b located approximately 9% of the width 
between edges 26 and 30 from edges 30 and 26, respectively, in the 
preferred form. Also, the first ends of score lines 74b and 76b are 
located at a greater distance from edge 44 than their free ends, with the 
free ends of score lines 74b and 76b extending towards but spaced from 
edge 44 and specifically with the free ends of score lines 74b and 76b 
located approximately 30% of the height between edges 44 and 62 from edge 
44 in the preferred form. Thus, score lines 72b, 74b, and 76b have a 
Y-shape of an identical shape and size as score lines 72b, 74b, and 76b, 
with score lines 72, 74, and 76 being spaced from edges 26, 30, 44, 59, 
and 64. 
In the most preferred form, score lines 72, 74, and 76 are formed by 
scoring blank 16 and particularly by linearly indenting outer surface 17 
creating a concave channel depression therein and creating a convex linear 
projection in inner surface 19 of panels 18 and 28. 
It can then be appreciated that the bottom of carton 12 formed by the 
securement of outer flap 42 to inner flaps 38 and 42 closes and holds 
bottom edges 40 and 44 of panels 18, 24, 28, and 32, in the most preferred 
form, in a rectangular configuration. The top of carton 12 can be opened 
such as by removing the securement of panel 60 to panel 46, and panels 48, 
54, 60, and 66 are pivoted about their respective fold lines from a closed 
position extending generally perpendicular to panels 18, 24, 28, and 32, 
respectively, to an open position extending other than perpendicularly to 
panels 18, 24, 28, and 32 and typically extending at an angle of 
180.degree. to 360.degree. thereto. After the top of carton 12 is opened, 
panels 18, 28, 46, and 60 can be flexed into a non-planar shape with edges 
48, 56, 62, and 68 of panels 18, 24, 28, and 32, respectively, and edges 
47, 78, 96, and 80 of panels 46, 54, 60, and 66 being open and generally 
of an oval shape. Particularly, the oval shape has a length less than the 
width between side edges 20 and 22 of panel 18 and side edges 26 and 30 of 
panel 28 along edges 44 or of panels 18 and 28 in a static condition. 
Also, the oval shape has a width greater than the width between side edges 
22 and 25 of panel 24 and side edges 20 and 30 of panels 32 along edges 40 
or of panels 24 and 32 in a static condition. While held in this oval 
shape, the expanded opening of the top of carton 12 allows a larger 
container such as a measuring cup to reach into carton 12 and linear 14 
for scooping out the dry ingredients therein. In particular, a container 
having a width much greater than the width between side edges 22 and 25 of 
panel 24 and side edges 20 and 30 of panel 32 can be inserted into the 
expanded opening of the top of carton 12. When removal of the dry 
ingredients from package 10 is no longer desired, carton 12 can be 
returned to its hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. Typically, the 
outward forces of the dry ingredients placed on panels 24 and 32 and the 
tendency of panels 18 and 28 to return to a planar shape in static 
conditions which are enhanced by the bottom edges 40 and 44 being held in 
a rectangular configuration will return carton 12 to its hollow 
rectangular parallelepiped shape. In its static, hollow rectangular 
parallelepiped shape, the top of carton 12 can be closed by securing panel 
60 to panel 46. In this regard, the Y-shape of score lines 72, 74, and 76 
is believed to be advantageous. Specifically, spacing score lines 72, 74, 
and 76 from side edges 20 and 22 of panel 18 and side edges 26 and 30 of 
panel 28 and from bottom edges 44 gives rigidity to panels 18 and 28 to 
assist in their return to a static, planar condition. Additionally, the 
Y-shape divides panels 18 and 28 into 3 flat areas which have a geodesic 
configuration when panels 18 and 28 are flexed outwardly and have a 
tendency to return to a static planar condition. However, inward forces 
can be placed on panels 18 and 28 adjacent to edges 48 and 62, 
respectively, if desired or necessary depending upon the type of dry 
ingredients held in liner 14 and/or the rigidity of carton 12. It can then 
be appreciated that package 10 according to the teachings of the present 
invention includes panels 18 and 28 having larger faces while retaining 
narrow widths for panels 24 and 32 of the typical shape of packages. 
Package 10 allows scoop removal similar to that provided by canisters and 
specifically by containers which were previously too large to remove 
ingredients from typically shaped packages not utilizing the teachings of 
the present invention. 
It can then be appreciated that although flexing is allowed in carton 12 by 
score lines 72, 74, and 76 of a generally Y-shape spaced from and 
intermediate side edges 20, 22, 26, and 30 and spaced from bottom edges 44 
and is believed to be advantageous for strength reasons, flexing can be 
accomplished by other provisions. As an example, score lines in an 
inverted Y-shape, in a V-shape, in an inverted V-shape, or the like in 
panels 18 and 28 or by one or more score lines extending parallel to and 
intermediate side edges 20, 22, 26, and 30. 
Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific 
forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics 
thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments 
described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not 
restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended 
claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which 
come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are 
intended to be embraced therein.