Day of opening reminder for a container

A container (100 and 600) has a sealed top formed from adhered sealing panels at a top of the container that keeps contents of the container sealed until ready for use. A top of the container is provided with a day of opening reminder (131 and 631). The day of opening reminder includes tabs (163, 563 and 663) made of a same material as the container. Each tab includes a different symbol that corresponds to a name of a day of the week. The day of opening reminder includes perforations (134 and 634) or cuts between each tab thereby allowing one of the tabs to be moved into a different position relative to the other tabs, thereby conveying information about the day of week that the container was first opened.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to containers, and more specifically to paperboard-style containers.

2. Related Art

Paperboard-style containers are designed to hold any one of many diverse substances including liquid products, such as dairy and dairy-substitute products. Containers of dairy and dairy-substitute products, such as soy, almond and rice milk, have a “use-by” date imprinted on the container. Containers of other types of perishable liquids and food products may also have a “use-by” date imprinted on the container. Typically, the “use-by” date is a date that is several weeks or months subsequent to a date on which the container was filled with a perishable liquid or food product by a supplier of the product. Oftentimes, the container also specifies that the product should be used within a certain number of days subsequent to the date on which the container was first opened.

A paperboard-style container is formed from a blank which is a single, flat piece of paperboard-like material that is shaped and sized such that it can form a paperboard-style container. The blank usually has several fold lines. The paperboard-style container is formed by folding the blank along the several fold lines. Some type of adhesive maintains the blank in a shape of a container, after folding. The paperboard-style container usually has a shape of a tubular body having a square or rectangular cross-section and four large flat sides, a flat bottom and a gable top or a flat top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Typically, a paperboard-style container (hereinafter “container”) that holds a dairy or dairy-substitute product, other perishable food or any perishable liquid (hereinafter “product” or “contents of the container”) specifies that the product should be used within certain predetermined period subsequent to a date on which the container is first opened. A problem is that once the container is opened, there is nothing on the container to inform a user of the day that the container was first opened; therefore, a user does not know when the certain predetermined period has expired. A user should not rely on a use-by date imprinted on the container because the use-by date could be, and usually is, a date farther in the future than an end date of the certain predetermined period. A typical certain predetermined period is five (5) to ten (10) days.

A container in accordance with the invention comprises a day of opening reminder. The day of opening reminder comprises a plural number of tabs. In one embodiment, the number of tabs is seven (7), each tab representing one of the seven days of a week. The tabs are at a top of the container. In one embodiment, the container has a gable top (seeFIGS. 1-5), and the tabs are at a top edge of the gable. In another embodiment, the container has a flat top (seeFIGS. 6-10). In one embodiment, the tabs are perforated tabs. The perforated tabs are formed during manufacture of the container. In one embodiment, the perforated tabs are formed when the container is still in the form of a blank. In such embodiment, the tab material is an integral part of the blank material, and lines of perforations are made in the blank to form and define the perforated tabs. Typically, the perforations are made in the blank at about the same time that fold lines are made in the blank. The term “perforations” means partial cuts made in the paperboard-like material between the tabs, thereby defining each tab, and allowing a tab to be at least partially separated from the container using reasonable manual force, but otherwise allowing all the tabs to remain completely connected to the container absent application of the reasonable manual force. In another embodiment, a cut is made between each tab during the manufacture of the container.

Each of the seven perforated tabs includes an indication of a different day of the week. In one embodiment, each tab includes a name of a different day of a week or an abbreviation for the name of a different day of a week. In one embodiment, each of the seven perforated tabs has one of the following letters on it: SU, M, T, W, TH, F and S, which represent Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, respectively. The letters are printed or embossed, or both printed and embossed on the tabs. In another embodiment (not shown), each tab includes a numeral that corresponds to a week as a whole, i.e., week one to week seven. In another embodiment, there are eight (8) perforated tabs with one of the following markings on each perforated tab: SU, M, T, W, TH, F, S and 1 WK, which represent Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and one week, respectively. For products that last longer than seven (7) days, the one week tab could be bent using reasonable manual force to show that seven (7) days have passed since the container was opened.

Some containers have the use-by date printed on one side of the gable of the container. In such instances, the letters representing the days of the week, in accordance with the invention, are printed on the opposite side of the gable of the container. However, in some other embodiments, the letters representing the days of the week can be printed on the same side as the use-by date. Furthermore, in still other embodiments, the letters representing the days of the weeks can be printed on the same side as the use-by date and on the side opposite the side that has the use-by date.

When the container in accordance with the invention is opened for the first time, a user folds a tab representing a day of the week on which the container was opened. In the embodiment that has a line of perforations between adjacent tabs, a user folds such tab by manually breaking the perforations on each side of such tab. In the other embodiment that has a cut line between adjacent tabs, a user simply folds such tab. A user who initially opened the container can then be reminded of the day that the user initially opened the container by looking at the state, or condition, of the tabs. A user who did not initially open the container can learn the day that the container was first opened by another user by looking at the state, or condition, of the tabs. In other words, the state, or condition, of the tabs provides evidence of the day that the container was first opened. At all subsequent times, the user, including any user, will then know which day within the certain predetermined period of days that the container was first opened. For example, if the product is to be consumed within seven (7) days, then eight (8) days after the container was first opened, a user will know to dispose of the container and its contents, and possibly purchase more of the product. For example, if a user sees that the tab representing Wednesday is folded down, and the product is to be consumed within seven (7) days from opening, then the user will know to stop using the product in the container after Wednesday of the following week.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gable-top paperboard-style container100(hereinafter “container100”) in accordance with the invention. The container100includes a body that has a general shape of a parallelepiped. In one embodiment, the body has a general shape of a rectangular cuboid.FIG. 1shows the container100with a substantially gable top110, a substantially flat bottom140, and four flat sides (only two of these four flat sides, main body panels157and158, appear inFIG. 1). The container100is a type of container that is widely used for packaging of edible liquids such as milk, dairy, dairy-substitutes, fruit juices, broths, eggs, etc., that have a use-by date. The container100can also be used for packaging non-edible liquids and granular or pourable materials that have a use-by date. The container100is formed from a paperboard blank200(seeFIG. 2). The container100has a sealed gable top at a top of the container that keeps the container sealed until the contents of the container are ready for use. The sealed gable top is created by sealing panels102,103,105,106,129(seeFIG. 2) and 132, which also form a ridge at an apex of the gable top. The ridge at the apex of the gable top is provided with a day of opening reminder131in accordance with the invention. The day of opening reminder131includes a set of seven tabs163made of a same material as the container.

The day of opening reminder131includes lines of perforations134between each tab. The lines of perforations134, when selectively broken, allow any one of the seven tabs163to be moved into a different position relative to the other tabs, thereby conveying information about the day of week that the container100was first opened. Tab138is one tab among the plurality of tabs163which has been assigned a specific reference number for discussion purposes herein. Tab138is the second tab from the left inFIG. 1. ComparingFIG. 1andFIG. 4A, it can be seen that the second tab from the left has an “M” on it. As shown inFIG. 1, tab138has been separated along the lines of perforations134between tab138and the tabs163on each side of tab138. InFIG. 1, the second tab from the left, i.e., tab138, is shown in a bent down position from its original position. Advantageously, a user is able to manually bend down tab138without bending down any of the other tabs, and, in particular, without bending down the adjacent tabs. As shown inFIG. 1, the tab163with “SU” on it and the tab163with “T” on it remain in their original upright positions. Advantageously, repositioning one tab relative to the other tabs does not affect the seal of the container100. The sealing panels prevent the contents of the container100from coming out of the container through the apex in spite of a tab, such as tab138, being bent down.

In one embodiment, the container100includes a cap192on a spout side of the container, as shown inFIG. 1. In such embodiment, cap192is a threaded plastic cap that can be removed so that the product can be poured out. In another embodiment that lacks a spout, the product is poured out by manipulating the gable top so as to open part of the gable top in a manner well known, thereby making a spout.

FIG. 2is a plan view of one embodiment of a blank200of the gable-top paperboard-style container100. In one embodiment, the blank200comprises paper covered with a substance, such as wax, thermoplastic resin or another material appropriate for such application, to make the paper nearly leak-proof or completely leak-proof, and, in some cases, also sterile. In other embodiments, the blank200is not made with paper but instead is made with other suitable materials such as plastic. The blank200is divided in conventional fashion by longitudinal crease, or fold, lines150-153into four main body panels156-159. The blank200has a left edge154, a right edge155, and a flap160between fold line150and the right edge155. An adhesive is applied at the flap160to maintain the blank200in a form of the container100after the blank is folded into the shape of the container. Lateral fold lines115,116,118and128separate the main body panels156-159from the top110of the blank200. Of course, the top110of the blank200becomes the top of the container100, after manufacture.

Still other lateral fold lines142,143,145and147separate the main body panels156-159from the bottom140of the blank200. Angular fold lines144,146,148and170define flaps of the bottom140. The bottom140includes exterior flaps162and164. The other lateral fold lines142,143,145and147separate the main body panels156-159from the bottom140of the blank200. Of course, the bottom140of the blank200becomes the bottom of the container100, after manufacture. The bottom140includes exterior flaps162and164.

The top110of the blank200includes portions of the blank that will form the gable top. The top110includes a rear top panel107and front top panel109directly above main body panels156and158, respectively. Above main body panels157and159are triangular side panels114and113, respectively, each triangular side panel having two subordinate end panels on either side thereof. Above the array of top panels there are corresponding sealing panels that are divided by lateral score lines into sealing panels102,103,105,106,129and132. In one embodiment, the top panel109includes a hole190. The top110of the blank200includes portion(s) of the blank that will form the day of opening reminder131in accordance with the invention. The top110includes tab portions130and tab portions133. InFIG. 2, the day of week indicators are shown on the tab portions130. Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, the tabs163of the day of opening reminder131are formed when the tab portions130and the tab portions133are brought together. The day of opening reminder131is made of a same material as the blank200and is an integral part of the blank.

FIGS. 3A,3B and3C are perspective views of a bottom portion of the container100, at three successive stages of manufacture, in a manner well known, starting withFIG. 3Aand ending withFIG. 3C.

FIGS. 4A,4B and4C are perspective views of a top portion of the container100, at three successive stages of manufacture, in a manner well known, starting withFIG. 4Aand ending withFIG. 4C. After the container100is filled with product, the triangular side panels113and114are folded inward over the top of the container, bringing sealing panels102,103,105,106,129and132into contact with each other, and all of these upper sealing panels are adhered together to form a liquid-tight gable top closure for the filled container. When so adhered, sealing panels102,103,105,106,129and132surmount the top of the container and form a narrow ridge, extending from one end to the other end of the apex of the gable top. In one embodiment, the top panel109includes an element191that fits into hole190, as shown inFIG. 4A. The element191is a threaded plastic element that accepts cap192.

Each tab163of the day of opening reminder131includes a different marking, or symbol, that corresponds to a name of a day of the week. In one embodiment, such symbols are added to the tabs163of the day of opening reminder131when the container is in the form of the blank200. In another embodiment, such symbols are added to the tabs163of the day of opening reminder131after the blank200is formed into the container100. In still another embodiment, such symbols are added to the tabs163of the day of opening reminder131after container100is filled with product and sealed. In yet another embodiment, such symbols are added to the tabs163of the day of opening reminder131after container100is filled with product and sealed, and at a same time as the use-by date is added to the container.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of a top portion500of a gable-top container in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The top portion500includes a gable top510, and a cap582. A sealing panel exists above a lateral crease line536. A day of opening reminder531exists above a lateral crease line533. The day of opening reminder531includes a set of seven bendable tabs563with perforations534, or alternatively cuts, between each tab. Each bendable tab563has a separately curved top edge to further distinguish each bendable tab and to facilitate selection of a single bendable tab. A selected bendable tab563is bendable along the lateral crease line533. The selected bendable tab563is also bendable above the lateral crease line533. The sealing panel532prevents the contents of the container from coming out in spite of a tab being bent down.

Although the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-2and4-5shown the abbreviations for the days of the week on a spout side of the container100, in other embodiments (not shown), the abbreviations for the days of the week are on the side opposite the spout side, or are on both sides.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a flat-top paperboard-style container600(hereinafter “container600”) in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The container600includes a body that a general shape of a parallelepiped. In one embodiment, the body has a general shape of a rectangular cuboid.FIG. 6shows the container600with a flat top610, a substantially flat bottom640, and four flat sides (only three of the four flat sides, main body panels657,658and658A, appear inFIG. 6). The container600is a type of container that is widely used for packaging of edible liquids such as milk, dairy, dairy-substitutes, fruit juices, etc., that have a use-by date and do not need to be refrigerated until opened. The container600can also be used for packaging non-edible liquids and granular or pourable materials that have a use-by date. The container600is formed from a paperboard blank700(seeFIG. 7). The container600has a sealed flat top at a top of the container that keeps the container sealed until the contents of the container are ready for use. The sealed flat top is created by sealing panels1x,2x,3x,4x,5x,6x,7xand8xat the top of the container600. The flat top is provided with a day of opening reminder631in accordance with the invention. The day of opening reminder631includes a set of seven tabs663made of a same material as the container.

The day of opening reminder631includes lines of perforations634, or alternatively cuts, between each tab. The lines of perforations634, when selectively broken, allow any one of the seven tabs663to be moved into a different position relative to the other tabs, thereby conveying information about the day of week that the container600was first opened. Tab638is one tab among the plurality of tabs663which has been assigned a specific reference number for discussion purposes herein. Tab638is the second tab from the left inFIG. 6, and has an “M” on it. As shown inFIG. 6, tab638has been separated along the lines of perforations634or cuts between tab638and the tabs663on each side of tab638. InFIG. 6, the second tab from the left, i.e., tab638, is shown in a bent up position from its original position. Advantageously, a user is able to manually bend up the tab638without bending up any of the other tabs663, and, in particular, without bending up the adjacent tabs663. As shown inFIG. 6, the tab663with “SU” on it and the tab663with “T” on it remain in their original down positions. Advantageously, repositioning one tab (such as tab638) relative to the other tabs663does not affect the seal of the container600. The sealing panels1x,2x,3x,4x,5x,6x,7xand8xprevent the contents of the container600from coming out in spite of a tab, such as tab638, being bent up.

In one embodiment, the container600includes a snap cap691on a spout side of the container, as shown inFIG. 6. The snap cap691is made of plastic or another suitable material. In such embodiment, the snap cap691can be opened and an internal safety seal removed so that the product can be poured out.

FIG. 7is a plan view of one embodiment of a blank700of the container600. In one embodiment, the blank700comprises paper covered with a substance, such as wax or thermoplastic resin, to make the paper nearly leak-proof or completely leak-proof, and, in some case, also sterile. In other embodiments, the blank700is not made with paper but instead is made with other suitable materials such as plastic. The blank700is divided in conventional fashion by longitudinal crease, or fold, lines650-654into five main body panels656,657,658,658A and659. The blank700has a left edge654, a right edge655, and a flap660between seal line650and the right edge655. An adhesive is applied at the flap660to maintain the blank700in a form of the container600after the blank is folded into the shape of the container. Lateral fold lines615,616,618,628and629separate the main body panels656,657,658,658A and659from the top610of the blank700. Of course, the top710of the blank700becomes the top of the container600, after manufacture.

Still other lateral fold lines642,643,643A,645and647separate the main body panels656,657,658,658A and659from the bottom640of the blank700. Angular fold lines644,646,648and670define exterior flaps of the bottom640. The bottom640includes exterior flaps662,664and664A. The other lateral fold lines642,643,643A,645and647separate the main body panels656,657,658,658A and659from the bottom640of the blank700. Of course, the bottom640of the blank700becomes the bottom of the container600, after manufacture. The bottom640includes exterior flaps662,664and664A.

The top610of the blank700includes portions of the blank that will form the flat top. The top610includes a rear top panel607and front top panels609and609A directly above main body panels656and658and658A, respectively. Above the main body panels657and659are triangular side flaps614and613, respectively, each triangular side flap folds down and glues onto the main body panels657and659having two subordinate end panels on either side thereof. Above the array of top panels there are corresponding sealing panels that are divided by lateral score lines into upper sealing panels1x-8x. In one embodiment, the top panel609includes a hole690. The top610of the blank700includes portion(s) of the blank that will form the day of opening reminder631in accordance with the invention. The top610includes tab portions630and tab portions633. InFIG. 7, the day of week indicators are shown on the tab portions630and partly on tab portion630A. Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, the tabs663of the day of opening reminder631are formed when the tab portions630and the tab portions633are brought together. In other words, a single tab663is formed when a single tab portion630and a corresponding single tab portion633are brought together. The day of opening reminder631is made of a same material as the blank700and is an integral part of the blank.

FIGS. 8A,8B and8C are perspective views of a bottom portion of the container600, at three successive stages of manufacture, in a manner well known, starting withFIG. 8Aand ending withFIG. 8C.

FIGS. 9A,9B and9C are perspective views of a top portion of the container600, at three successive stages of manufacture, in a manner well known, starting withFIG. 9Aand ending withFIG. 9C. After the container600is filled with product, the triangular side panels613and614are folded downward over the side main body panels657and659of the container, and sealing panels1x-8xcome into contact with each other, and all of these upper sealing panels are adhered together to form a liquid-tight top closure for the filled container. When so adhered, sealing panels1x-8xsurmount the top of the container and form a narrow ridge, extending from one end to the other end of the apex of the flat top. In one embodiment, the top panel609includes the snap cap691which fits into the hole690, as shown inFIG. 9A.

Each tab663of the day of opening reminder631includes a different marking, or symbol, that corresponds to a name of a day of the week. In one embodiment, such symbols are added to the tabs663of the day of opening reminder631when the container is in the form of the blank700. In another embodiment, such symbols are added to the tabs663of the day of opening reminder631after the blank700is formed into the container600. In still another embodiment, such symbols are added to the tabs663of the day of opening reminder631after container600is filled with product and sealed. In yet another embodiment, such symbols are added to the tabs663of the day of opening reminder631after container600is filled with product and sealed, and at a same time as the use-by date is added to the container.

In another embodiment (not shown), there are no perforations134,634between the tabs163,663. In such other embodiment, the day of opening reminder131,631includes other means to facilitate manual separation of a selected tab, such as tab138,638, from the other tabs163,663.

In yet another embodiment (not shown), there are no perforations134,634between the tabs163,663, and the day of opening reminder131,631does not include any means to facilitate manual separation of a selected tab (such as tab138,638) from the other tabs163,663. In such embodiment, reasonable manual force can nevertheless be used to separate a selected tab from the other tabs163,663.

In still other embodiments, the tabs are completely separated from each other at the time of manufacture, such as by cuts in the paperboard-like material between each tab. In one such embodiment, all seven tabs163remain upright until a user manually folds down, removes, or otherwise alters a selected tab. In another such embodiment, all seven tabs663remain down and flat against the top610of the container600until a user manually folds up, removes, or otherwise alters a selected tab.

In another embodiment (not shown), the tab material is not an integral part of the blank material, but is added to the container.

In another embodiment (not shown), a material of the tab is not a same material as a material of the blank, but is of a different material as the material of the blank. In such other embodiment, the container includes a sticker-type strip that includes the day of opening reminder131,631. In such other embodiment, the sticker-type strip is made of a material different from the material of the blank200,700. In such other embodiment, the sticker-type strip is attached to the material of the blank200,700(and, consequently, is attached to the container100,600).

In another embodiment (not shown), the tabs are formed after the blank is folded into a container.

In another embodiment (not shown), the tabs are formed after the container is filled with product and sealed.

In another embodiment (not shown), each tab has a line of perforations defining a perimeter within the tab to facilitate the punching out of, or otherwise removing, the area of the tab within the perimeter, by a user to indicate the day that the container was first opened.

In another embodiment (not shown), the day of opening reminder includes means for completely removing a selected tab from the container. In such other embodiment, the means may include additional perforations at the bottom of each tab.

In another embodiment (not shown), the container has fewer than seven tabs.

In another embodiment (not shown), the container has more than seven tabs. In one such embodiment, the container has eight (8) tabs including seven (7) daily tabs and one (1) additional tab, such that the condition, or position, of the additional tab indicates that the container has been open for more than one week (in other words, was opened more than one week ago).

The specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Any benefits, advantages or solutions to problems described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required or essential feature or element of any or all the claims.

The Detailed Description section, and not the Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Abstract section may set forth one or more but not all embodiments of the invention, and the Abstract section is not intended to limit the invention or the claims in any way.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.