Abstract:
A packaging container is used to package a regulated fluid dispensing system including a regulated fluid dispensing device and a beverage container. The packaging includes carry handles, and a perforation pattern that allows a front panel of the packaging container to be removed thus exposing working parts of the dispensing device. The dispensing system may remain housed within the packaging during use that assists in stabilizing and protecting the dispensing system.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/128,389, which was filed on May 28, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/123,262, which was filed on May 19, 2008, both of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to packaging for products, and more particularly, to a packaging container for a regulated fluid dispensing system wherein the packaging container is configured to expose a portion of the dispensing system during use. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Paper or cardboard packaging for products remains a common way in which to protect products during shipment and storage. There is an extremely diverse number of packaging designs for products in different industries. 
         [0004]    For beverages such as soda or malt beverages, many different packaging designs are available to store and ship such products, as well as to present them for display at retail locations. For larger bulk containers of beverages, such as kegs of beer, because of their size and the nature of the kegs, it is usually unnecessary to provide separate packaging. However, more recently, beverage containers have been developed that are larger than traditional beverage containers, but smaller than containers such as beer kegs. More specifically, in the malt beverage industry, intermediate sized containers have been used to dispense multiple servings of a beverage, such as six liters, therefore eliminating the need for separate single serving containers. These intermediate sized containers may include an integral source of pressurized gas so that the beverages within the containers may be kept at a desired pressure to prevent loss of carbonization. 
         [0005]    One example of a regulated fluid dispensing system including the aforementioned intermediate sized container is disclosed in Applicant&#39;s co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/123,262 filed on May 19, 2008, entitled “Regulated Fluid Dispensing Device and Method of Dispensing a Carbonated Beverage”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In this fluid dispensing system, a container is provided that is connected to a pressurized source of gas, and an integral regulator maintains the beverage within the container at a desired pressure. The beverage container may have a cylindrical sidewall. For dispensing a beverage, the beverage container is placed on its side such that the cylindrical sidewall touches the surface upon which the system is mounted. 
         [0006]    While traditional packaging may be adequate for standard beverage containers, there is a need to provide special packaging for a regulated fluid dispensing system having an attached container. More specifically, this system requires packaging to store the system, to protect it during shipment, as well as to allow the system to remain within the packaging during use that facilitates dispensing of the beverage when the beverage container is placed on its side. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, a packaging container or carton is provided that is especially adapted for housing a fluid dispensing system wherein the packaging container can be used to ship and store the system, as well as to allow the system to remain protected within the packaging during use. As discussed in more detail below, the packaging container includes a front panel that may be completely removed, thereby exposing the dispensing tap of the fluid dispensing system. The fluid dispensing system including the attached beverage container can remain within the packaging container, thereby providing a stable support for the beverage container such that it does not have a tendency to roll or shift during use. Breakaway flaps are also formed on upper and lower panels of the packaging container, which further assist the user in accessing the working parts of the dispensing system. More specifically, the breakaway flap on the top panel eases access to the tap handle, while the breakaway flap on the bottom or lower panel eases access to the removable cartridge housing which holds a cartridge containing a pressurized gas. Carry handles are also incorporated on the packaging, which enables a user to easily grasp the packaging for movement or transport of the fluid dispensing system. 
         [0008]    In one aspect of the invention, it may be considered a packaging container. In another aspect of the invention, it may be considered a combination of a packaging device along with a regulated fluid dispensing system. Various other features and advantages will become apparent from a review of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the regulated fluid dispensing system packaging container of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the packaging illustrating the front panel being removed from the packaging along the top panel and side panels; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary regulated fluid dispensing system that may be housed by the packaging container of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the packaging container showing the front panel completely removed from the packaging, and showing the fluid dispensing system housed within the packaging; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the packaging blank illustrating the various features of the packaging container including the panels, flaps, fold lines, perforations, and openings in the blank; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is another perspective view showing an optional partition used in the packaging. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the packaging container  10  of the present invention is illustrated. The exterior surface of the packaging is defined by an outer top panel  20 , an opposed bottom panel  18 , and an opposed pair of side panels, shown as first side panel  14  and second side panel  16 . 
         [0016]    Referring also to  FIG. 5 , the plan view of the packaging container  10  illustrates each of the panels and flaps of the packaging container prior to assembly of the packaging. Referring specifically to this  FIG. 5 , the packaging  10  further includes an inner top panel  12 , which resides under the outer top panel  20  when the packaging is assembled. Slot  13  of the inner panel  12  aligns with the slot  21  formed on the outer top panel  20  to form a top carry opening. The back or rear panel of the packaging includes a plurality of closing flaps, namely, a first rear side closing flap  22 , a rear bottom closing flap  24 , a second rear side closing flap  26 , and a top rear closing flap  28 . When the packaging is assembled, the closing flaps close the rear side of the package in a conventional manner wherein pairs of opposing flaps are rotated to close the rear side. The front panel  21  of the packaging also includes a plurality of closing flaps to include first front side closing flap  30 , front bottom closing flap  32 , second front side closing flap  34 , and the front closing flap  36 . Top front closing flap  36  includes a top front carry opening  39 . Each of the front closing flaps includes corresponding slots that form the front carry opening  39 , well as a means to remove the front panel as discussed further below. These slots include first side slot  31 , bottom slot  33 , second side slot  35 , and top slot  37 . When the packaging is folded, the slots  31 ,  33 ,  35  and  37  align with one another as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to form the front carry opening  39 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates further details to include the various fold lines  56  and  58  that allow the packaging to be folded in the configuration shown in the figures. As shown, the fold lines delineate the separation between the various panels and flaps.  FIG. 5  also illustrates other features of the packaging container to include various perforation lines that delineate additional flaps. More specifically, bottom panel  18  includes perforation line  46  that delineates a bottom breakaway flap  60 . A bottom hand pull-tab  52  is defined by (i) a portion of perforation line  46 , (ii) fold  53  that is spaced from perforation line  46 , and (iii) perforation lines  59  that interconnects fold  53  with perforation line  46 . The outer top panel  20  also includes a top breakaway flap  62  defined by perforation line  44 . A top hand pull-tab  54  is formed on the top panel  20  as is defined by (i) a portion of perforation line  44 , (ii) fold line  57 , and (iii) the pair of interconnection perforation lines  55 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , when it is desired to access the interior of the packaging container, the user breaks the portion of the perforation line  44  located at the hand tab  54 , and breaks the interconnecting perforations  55  that therefore allow the hand to be inserted within the container. The user can then pull forward on the front panel, thereby separating the front panel such that the interior of the packaging is exposed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the breakaway flap  62 , when separated from the top panel, forms a slot or notch in the top panel. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the inner top panel  12  has a corresponding cutout  40 , as well as a slot  50  that underlie the breakaway flap  62 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , if it is desired to completely remove the front panel, the user may break the perforation line  46  at bottom tab  52 , and then pull such that the breakaway flap  60  is removed from the bottom panel  18 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary regulated fluid dispensing system is shown including a beverage container  100  having a cylindrical sidewall, which is connected to a regulated fluid dispensing device  80 . The fluid dispensing device  80  generally includes a regulator housing  82 , an outlet housing  84 , an outlet  86 , and an outlet tube  88  that carries the beverage to the outlet. A cartridge housing  90  attaches to the regulator housing  82 . The cartridge housing  90  houses a cartridge (not shown) containing a compressed gas, which is used to pressurize the beverage container  100 . A connection housing  92  interconnects a threaded neck  102  of the beverage container to the dispensing device  80 . A tap handle  94  is used to control the flow of beverage. An inlet tube  104  is used to draw the beverage through the dispensing device to the outlet tube  88 . A weighted tip  106  defines the distal or free end of the inlet tube  104 . Optionally, a plurality of feet  108  may be made integral with the beverage container sidewall, allowing a more stable surface for the beverage container to rest upon when the dispensing device is in use. 
         [0021]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 4 , the fluid dispensing device  80  and beverage container  100  are shown within the packaging container  10 . The dispensing device  80  is exposed allowing a user to conveniently access the working parts of the dispensing device  80 . More particularly, the breakaway flaps  60  and  62  when removed from the packaging create gaps that more easily allow the user to gain access to the working parts, such as the tap handle  94 , and the cartridge housing  90 . Periodically, the compressed gas cartridge must be replaced by unscrewing the cartridge housing and placing a new cartridge in the housing. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the packaging provides additional support to the dispensing device and beverage container such that the dispensing device and beverage container may be conveniently stored on a horizontal surface such as a shelf. 
         [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates an optional partition  110  that may be used to further stabilize the container within the packaging. As shown, the partition  110  extends across the front portion of the container and a slot  112  allows the fluid dispensing device to remain exposed, while the container is hidden on the opposite side of the partition. Accordingly, the slot  112  is formed to surround the neck of the container. The partition  110  includes a pair of side contacting flaps  116  that make contact with respective interior sidewalls of the container. Folds  114  can be positioned so that the partition  110  fits snuggly within the interior of the packaging. 
         [0023]    By the foregoing, packaging is provided for a regulated fluid dispensing device and beverage container wherein the packaging conveniently allows for transport and storage, as well as use of the dispensing device without having to remove the dispensing device from within the packaging. The removable front panel enables access to the interior of the packaging, and to the various working parts of the dispensing device without destroying the basic integrity of the packaging. 
         [0024]    Although the foregoing invention has been disclosed with respect to preferred embodiments, it shall be understood that various other changes and modifications can be made commensurate with the scope of the claims appended hereto.