Patent Description:
There is continuing interest in recyclable packages for household products, including food products, laundry care products, cleaning products and the like. Paper based containers hold great promise for continued improvements since the recycling stream for paper is well established.

Paper based containers typically operate on the principle that the consumer opens the container to access the contents contained therein, acquires or dispenses the contents from the container, then closes the container so that the remaining contents are protected from the environment or do not accidentally spill from the container. Opening, dispensing or obtaining the contents, and reclosing paper based containers can be inconvenient, particularly if container includes a number of flaps and slots on the end that is to be opened.

Many paper based containers are simple prism or right circular cylinder shaped containers having fold and close mechanisms or interlocking tabs and slots to close the container after the package is first opened. Such closure mechanisms are reasonably sufficient for coarsely sized contents provided that the container remains in an upright position during storage. However, when the container is tipped over or inverted, the closure mechanism often lacks sufficient integrity to maintain the contents of the container therein.

With these limitations in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed need for paper based containers that can be easily opened and securely reclosed. Further, there is a continuing unaddressed need for paper based containers that provide for controllably dosing of the contents from the container.

<CIT> discloses a re-sealable container comprising a base and at least one removable lid, wherein the container is made substantially of cartonboard and has a uniform cross-section along its length, wherein the cross-section is substantially oval. <CIT> discloses a paper can container and its manufacturing method. <CIT> discloses a resealable container that can be manufactured from a single material such as paperboard. <CIT> discloses boxes, made wholly or partially of paper, cardboard or other material which can be severed easily, of the kind comprising two like elements each of which is open at one of its ends, in which one of said elements is reversely fitted into the other, which is slightly larger, this latter element either comprising means to permit the peripheral or perimetral cutting of the side wall so as to obtain a removable lid for the box or one of the elements comprising means to cut an end wall of the box to form a window therein.

A container (<NUM>) comprising: a paperboard shell layer (<NUM>) about a longitudinal axis (L) and extending from a shell bottom edge (<NUM>) to a shell top edge (<NUM>), wherein said shell layer comprises: a body portion (<NUM>) extending from said shell bottom edge to a lower line of limitation (<NUM>); a predetermined removable portion (<NUM>) extending from said lower line of limitation to an upper line of limitation (<NUM>); and a cap portion (<NUM>) extending from said upper line of limitation to said shell top edge; and a paperboard core layer (<NUM>) extending at least partially about said longitudinal axis and interior to said shell layer, wherein said core layer is joined to said body portion and extends from below said lower line of limitation to above said upper line of limitation; wherein said body portion comprises a lobe (<NUM>) immediately below said lower line of limitation and has a peripheral exterior length (<NUM>) orthogonally about said longitudinal axis immediately below said lobe; wherein said lobe has an lobe exterior length (<NUM>) orthogonal to or about said longitudinal axis and said lobe exterior length is more than <NUM>% of said peripheral exterior length; wherein said lobe has a lobe exterior height (<NUM>) parallel to said longitudinal axis and said lobe has a lobe exterior length to lobe exterior height ratio greater than <NUM>, and wherein said lobe is configured to function as a wedge to provide for mechanical engagement of the cap portion to the body portion when the container is reclosed, according to claim <NUM>.

A container <NUM> having aspects as those described herein is shown in <FIG>. The container <NUM> can have paperboard shell layer <NUM> about a longitudinal axis L. The container <NUM> can have a height along the longitudinal axis from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The area of the container <NUM> orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L can be from about <NUM><NUM> to about <NUM><NUM>, optionally from about <NUM><NUM> to about <NUM><NUM>. The interior volume of the container can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The container <NUM> can have a base <NUM> upon which the container <NUM> is designed to rest. The container base <NUM> can have a maximum external dimension from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. A cylindrical container <NUM> may have a container base having an exterior diameter from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. A cylindrical container <NUM> having an exterior diameter from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, can be practical. A container <NUM> having an exterior diameter from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or even from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, can be conveniently gripped by a user. The container <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a hollow right circular cylinder having closed ends. Other hollow shapes for the container <NUM> are contemplated, for example an oval column, irregularly shaped column, a prism, or any other statically stable shape.

The paperboard shell layer <NUM> and the paperboard core layer <NUM> can individually have a basis weight greater than <NUM>/m<NUM>, optionally from about <NUM>/m<NUM> to about <NUM>/m<NUM>. The paperboard can be single- or multi-ply. The paperboard shell layer <NUM> and paperboard core layer <NUM> can each have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The paperboard core layer <NUM> and paperboard shell layer <NUM> can be coated with a substance so that the material is printable, to protect the contents of the container <NUM>, protect the paperboard materials of the container <NUM> from the contents, or to provide a sealable or heat sealable layer. For example, a sealable or heat sealable layer or coating can be provided on the surface of the paperboard shell layer <NUM> oriented towards the longitudinal axis L and the surface of the paperboard shell layer <NUM> oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. Such coatings or layers can help provide for sealing or heat sealing of the paperboard shell layer <NUM> along the longitudinal seam <NUM>. A coating or layer to provide for sealing or heat sealing can be provided only at locations proximal the longitudinal seam <NUM>. Ink and or varnish may be applied to the paperboard materials on one or both of the surface facing away from the longitudinal axis L or the surface facing towards the longitudinal axis L. Paper board materials may be made in whole or partially from fibrous cellulose material. Fibrous cellulose material can be virgin, recycled, or a mixture thereof. Cellulose materials may be obtained from hardwood, softwood, or other natural renewable resources for fibers. Fibrous cellulose material can be obtained from bamboo, wheat straw, bulrush, corn, rice husk, sugar cane, grass fiber, or from recycled paper and paperboard. - The exterior and/or interior surfaces of the container <NUM> can be coated with a natural or polymeric coating, by way of nonlimiting example, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene, to provide a moisture barrier. Coatings of wax, clay, starch, kaolin, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polylactic acid, silicates, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, and other natural and or biodegradable coatings that adequately provide a barrier against moisture and/or oxygen and or fragrance migration into or out of the container <NUM> can be useful. The core layer <NUM> can be a spiral wound paperboard material that is cut to an appropriate length and has an outer diameter that is closely conforming to the interior surface of the shell layer <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can be wrapped around a mandrel to form a tube having the appropriate length.

The container <NUM> can be practical for containing articles <NUM> including, but not limited to, laundry scent additive particles, powder laundry detergent, soluble unit does pouches of laundry detergent, laundry detergent tablets, powder dish detergent, soluble unit dose pouches of dish detergent, dish detergent tablets, laundry benefit additives, chlorine tablets, hard surface cleaning tablets. The container can contain articles <NUM> that comprise perfume. The container can contain articles <NUM> that comprise unencapsulated perfume. The articles <NUM> can be particles. The articles <NUM>, which can be particles, can comprise a water soluble or water dispersible carrier and perfume. The articles <NUM>, which can be particles, can comprise from about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% a water soluble or water dispersible carrier and from about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% a fabric care benefit agent. The fabric care benefit agent can be selected from the group consisting of perfume, fabric softener, wrinkle releaser, color protector, color rejuvenator, soil release polymer, antistatic agent, malodor reduction agent, antimicrobial, anti-redeposition compound, optical brightener, graying inhibitor, dye transfer inhibitor, antioxidant, and combinations thereof. The articles <NUM>, which can be particles, can have an individual article <NUM> mass from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The water soluble carrier can be a water soluble salt, water dispersible solid, water soluble carbohydrate, water dispersible carbohydrate, water soluble polymer, water dispersible polymer, by way of nonlimiting examples, sodium chloride, sugar, starch, polysaccharide, polyethylene glycol, block copolymers, and the like. The articles <NUM> can be particles described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The container <NUM> can be practical for containing goods such as food products including, but not limited to, pasta, rice, tea, flour, baking powder, baking soda, potato chips, pretzels, cereal, oats, barley, beans, seasonings, cookies, nutritional supplements, pelleted food products, crackers, and the like. The container <NUM> can be practical for containing medicinal pills, vitamins, nutritional supplements, dry pet food, dry pet snacks, and the like.

The container <NUM> can be sized and dimensioned to contain from about <NUM> to about <NUM> of articles <NUM>, for example particles. The articles <NUM> can be a fabric care benefit product. The articles <NUM> can be particles that comprise a water soluble or water dispersible carrier and a fabric care benefit agent selected from the group consisting of unencapsulated perfume, encapsulated perfume, surfactant, enzyme, bleach, brightener, hueing dye, deposition aid, anti-redeposition aid, foam inhibitor, fabric softener, dye transfer inhibitor, soil release polymer, antioxidant, and combinations thereof.

The container <NUM> can contain from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, of articles. The shell layer <NUM> can extend from the shell bottom edge <NUM> to a shell top edge <NUM>. The shell layer <NUM> can form the majority of the container <NUM>. The shell layer <NUM> can form the outside or exterior surface of the container <NUM>.

The shell layer <NUM> comprises a body portion <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> forms at least part of the lower portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> extends from the shell bottom edge <NUM> to a lower line of limitation <NUM>. The shell bottom edge <NUM> can be the part of the container <NUM> upon which the container <NUM> is designed to sit when placed on a flat surface.

The lower line of limitation <NUM> defines the upper boundary <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. A predetermined removable portion <NUM> extends from the lower line of limitation <NUM> to an upper line of limitation <NUM>. The predetermined removable portion <NUM> can extend about the longitudinal axis L, partially, substantially, or completely. The predetermined removable portion <NUM> can extend about the longitudinal axis except at the longitudinal seam <NUM>. The lower line of limitation <NUM> and upper line of limitation <NUM> can each be a line of frangibility <NUM> around or partially around the longitudinal axis L. The line of frangibility <NUM> can be perforations, partial cuts, or weakened portions of the shell layer <NUM>. The line of frangibility <NUM> can be a structure that can be manually torn by the user in a controllable manner along a predetermined path around or partially around the longitudinal axis L of the container <NUM>. For example, the line of frangibility <NUM> can be a series of intermittent through cuts, a series of score cuts, a series of perforations from which material has been removed, a score line, a partial die cut, partial die cuts on opposing surfaces, offset partial die cuts on opposing surfaces, a zipper die cut, or the like. The line of frangibility <NUM> can be reinforced with a tape that is applied to the inside of the shell layer <NUM>. Polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate tape applied to the shell layer <NUM> can help guide tearing and prevent unintentional breakage of the line of frangibility <NUM>. The line of frangibility <NUM> can be defined by a plurality of structural disruptions of the shell layer <NUM> spaced apart from one another. A lobe <NUM> can be defined by more than two structural disruptions. The structural disruptions can be selected from the group consisting of through cuts, score cuts, through die continuous cuts, partial die continuous cut, partial die cuts, zipper die cuts, reversed partial die continuous cut, reversed partial die interrupted cut, perforations from which material has been removed, laser cut, and combinations thereof.

The upper line of limitation <NUM> can be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. A straight upper line of limitation <NUM> can be easy for the user of the container <NUM> to tear when the container <NUM> is being opened. Furthermore, a straight upper line of limitation <NUM> can provide for a cap portion <NUM> that has straight lip and is convenient to use as a dispensing and or dosing cap.

When the container <NUM> is in an unopened condition, predetermined removable portion <NUM> connects the body portion <NUM> to the cap portion <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> extends from the upper line of limitation <NUM> to the shell top edge <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> can form at least part of the upper portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> can be prepared to open for the first time by removing the predetermined removable portion <NUM> from the container <NUM>. A tear strip <NUM> engaged with the predetermined removable portion <NUM> and positioned between the predetermined removable portion <NUM> and the core layer <NUM> can be provided to assist the user with tearing the predetermined removable portion <NUM> from the container <NUM>. Once the predetermined removable portion <NUM> is removed from the container <NUM>, the cap portion <NUM> can be separated from the body portion <NUM> by the user to access the contents of the container <NUM>.

The container <NUM> can further comprise cap end <NUM>. The cap end <NUM> can form a closed end of the cap portion <NUM>. The cap end <NUM> can close off the top of the container <NUM>, the top of the container <NUM> being the end of the container associated with the cap portion <NUM>. The cap end <NUM> can be a separate piece of paperboard fitted with the cap portion <NUM> near the shell top edge <NUM>. Optionally, the cap end <NUM> can be a flap or flaps of paperboard that are integral extensions of the cap portion <NUM> that are folded to form the cap end <NUM>.

To provide for a container <NUM> that is easily opened and reclosed, a core layer <NUM> extending at least partially about the longitudinal axis L and interior to the shell layer <NUM> is provided. The core layer <NUM> can be described as being between the shell layer <NUM> and the longitudinal axis L. Once the container <NUM> is opened, the core layer <NUM> can provide for structure that can guide fitting of the cap portion <NUM> to one or more parts of the body portion <NUM> to reclose the container <NUM>.

The core layer <NUM> is joined to the body portion <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can be joined to the body portion <NUM> below the lower line of limitation and not above the lower line of limitation. The core layer <NUM> can be joined to the body portion <NUM> only at locations below the lower line of limitation. The core layer <NUM> and the body portion <NUM> can be glued, taped, or heat sealed otherwise bonded to one another to join the two parts. The glue can be a hotmelt, cold glue, or pressure sensitive glue. The core layer <NUM> extends from below the lower line of limitation <NUM> to above the upper line of limitation <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> can be unaffixed to the core layer <NUM> above the lower line of limitation <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> can be unaffixed to the core layer <NUM> above the optional tear strip <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> can be unaffixed to the core layer <NUM> above the predetermine removeable portion <NUM>. Being in such an unaffixed state can make the cap portion <NUM> easy to twist and or slide off of the core layer <NUM> to remove the cap portion <NUM> from the body portion.

Optionally, the container <NUM> can comprise a tear strip <NUM> between the predetermined removable portion <NUM> and the core layer <NUM> and extends around or at least partially about the longitudinal axis L. The tear strip <NUM> can be joined to the predetermined removeable portion <NUM>. The tear strip <NUM> can be a piece of adhesive tape adhered to the shell layer <NUM>. The backing layer of the adhesive tape can be polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, nylon, or other polymers, yarns, and filaments. The adhesive layer of the adhesive tape can be a pressure sensitive glue, heat sensitive glue, solvent or water based adhesive, or similar. The tear strip <NUM> can help to controllably transmit user applied tearing force to the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> so that the predetermined removable portion <NUM> is controllably torn from the shell layer <NUM>.

To open the container <NUM>, the user can pull on the tear strip <NUM> or a free end of the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> to initiate tearing of the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> from the body portion <NUM> and the cap portion <NUM>. The tearing can occur along or near each of the lower line of limitation <NUM> and the upper line of limitation <NUM> along the respective lines of frangibility <NUM>. Once the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> is removed from the container <NUM>, the cap portion <NUM> can be easily removed from the body portion <NUM> to access the contents of the container <NUM>. Once the cap portion <NUM> is removed, the contents of the container <NUM> can be dispensed and or measured into the cap portion <NUM> and used in a directed manner. The cap portion <NUM> can be used as a dosing cup for household products, a serving cup for food products, a measuring cup for consumable dry goods, or similar use.

There are some types of paperboard containers that have been designed to provide for convenient opening. Unfortunately, designs of paperboard containers that are easy to open are often difficult to securely close. For example, paperboard cereal and pasta containers are notorious for being difficult to securely close and the contents of containers like these are frequently spilled when the container tips over as the user pulls out a drawer from a pantry or accidentally bumps a container on a shelf or countertop.

The container <NUM> may contain from about <NUM> to about <NUM> of articles <NUM>. After first opening the container <NUM> to use the contents of the container <NUM>, the user may desire to securely close the container <NUM>. That way, if the container <NUM> is accidentally tipped over or inverted, the contents of the container <NUM> will not spill out. A face-to-face frictional engagement between the cap wall interior facing surface and the core layer <NUM> that sticks up above the lower line of limitation <NUM> may not be sufficient to maintain the container <NUM> in a reclosed condition, particularly if the contents of the container <NUM> are heavy. This may be because the coefficient of friction between typical paperboard materials is low and the cap portion <NUM> may not be able to apply a high enough normal stress since the cap portion <NUM> may relax to some degree after being fitted over the core layer <NUM>. To that end, a mechanism for more securely reclosing the container <NUM> may be desirable. A mechanism based on one or more wedges may be practical.

To provide for a sufficiently secure closure mechanism for a container <NUM> as described herein, the body portion <NUM> of the container <NUM> comprises a lobe <NUM> immediately below the lower line of limitation <NUM>. The shape of the lobe <NUM> per se can be defined by the lower line of limitation <NUM>. That is, the lower line of limitation <NUM> can form the upper boundary <NUM> of the body portion. A lobe <NUM> is a flap or projection of the body portion <NUM> that extends higher up on the core layer <NUM>, that is be longitudinally more extensive, than parts of the body portion <NUM> adjacent to the lobe <NUM>.

Once the cap portion <NUM> is removed from the body portion <NUM>, the user may desire to reclose the container <NUM> by placing the cap portion <NUM> back on the body portion <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can be a guide for fitting the cap portion <NUM> onto the body portion <NUM>. The lobe <NUM> functions as a wedge to provide for mechanical engagement of the cap portion <NUM> to the body portion <NUM> when the container is reclosed. The cap portion <NUM> has the same peripheral shape as the body portion <NUM> and may need to be deformed or stretched to fit over the lobe <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> has a peripheral exterior length <NUM> orthogonally about the longitudinal axis L immediately below the lobe or lobes <NUM>. If the container <NUM> has a shape of a right circular cylinder, the peripheral exterior length <NUM> is the circumference of the outer surface of the container <NUM> immediately below the lobe or lobes <NUM>. If the container <NUM> has the shape of a prism, the peripheral exterior length <NUM> is the sum of the widths of the faces of the prism. If the container has the shape of a square prism, the peripheral exterior length <NUM> is the four times the width of a face of the prism. If multiple lobes <NUM> are provided, then the peripheral exterior length <NUM> is measured immediately below the lobe <NUM> that is closest to the shell bottom edge <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The peripheral exterior length <NUM> is a scalar quantity. The peripheral exterior length <NUM> can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The peripheral exterior length <NUM> can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Each lobe <NUM> has a lobe exterior height <NUM> parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The lobe exterior height <NUM> is the maximum dimension of the lobe <NUM> measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L and the datum from which the lobe exterior height <NUM> is measured is a line that connects the ends of the lobe <NUM> being measured. For semicircular or semi-oval lobes <NUM>, the lobe exterior height <NUM> is the radius of the semicircle. For square lobes <NUM>, the lobe exterior height <NUM> is the edge length of the square. For trapezoidal lobes <NUM>, the lobe exterior height <NUM> is the height of the trapezoid. For triangular lobes <NUM>, the lobe exterior height <NUM> is the height of the triangle. Lobes <NUM> adjacent to one another can have lobe exterior heights <NUM> that vary from one another. Such lobes <NUM> having a staggered lobe exterior height <NUM> may provide for variable engagement of the cap portion <NUM> with the body portion <NUM> depending on how far down the cap portion <NUM> is pushed towards the body portion <NUM>. The lobe exterior height <NUM> is a scalar quantity. The lobe exterior height can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Each lobe <NUM> can have a curved upper contour <NUM>. A curved upper contour <NUM> may be easier to tear along as compared to an upper contour <NUM> comprising straight segments. Further a curved upper contour <NUM> may be easier to engage with the cap portion <NUM> once the container <NUM> is opened and then the cap portion <NUM> is used to close the container <NUM>. The curved upper contour <NUM> may provide for a gradual engagement or wedging of the cap portion <NUM> to the body portion <NUM>. As the user deforms the cap portion <NUM> to fit over the lobe or lobes <NUM>, the rounded or curved upper contour <NUM> provides for gradual engagement of the cap portion <NUM> with the lobe or lobes <NUM> so that the lobe or lobes <NUM> can be gently wedged between the cap portion <NUM> and the core layer <NUM>.

Each lobe <NUM> has a lobe exterior length <NUM> orthogonal to or about the longitudinal axis L. If the body portion <NUM> is cylindrical, the lobe exterior length <NUM> is measured on the exterior surface of the body portion <NUM> and along the part of the circumference of the body portion <NUM> where the lobe <NUM> being characterized is present. If the body portion <NUM> is a regular right prism, the lobe exterior length <NUM> is measured on the exterior surface of the body portion <NUM> and along part of the periphery of the body portion <NUM> where the lobe <NUM> being characterized is present. Portions of a lobe <NUM> may reside on adjacent faces of the body portion <NUM>.

The lobe exterior length <NUM> is more than about <NUM>% of the peripheral exterior length, optionally more than about <NUM>% of the peripheral exterior length, optionally from about <NUM>% of the peripheral length to about <NUM>% of the peripheral length, optionally from about <NUM>% of the peripheral length to about <NUM>% of the peripheral length, optionally from about <NUM>% of the peripheral length to about <NUM>% of the peripheral length. The lobe exterior length <NUM> can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Each lobe <NUM> has a lobe exterior length <NUM> to lobe exterior height <NUM> greater than about <NUM>. Lobes <NUM> having such aspect ratio can provide for a predetermined removeable portion <NUM> that can be easily separated from the body portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>. As the predetermined removable portion <NUM> is removed by pulling on the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> and tearing the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> along the upper line of limitation <NUM> and lower line of limitation <NUM>, the limited directional variation of the lower line of limitation <NUM> reduces the potential for the tear line to deviate from the lower line of limitation <NUM>. Taller lobes <NUM> or a lower line of limitation <NUM> that has vertices or abrupt changes in direction may result in the tear line not optimally following the lower line of limitation <NUM> when the predetermined removable portion <NUM> is removed.

The body portion <NUM> can comprise a plurality of lobes <NUM>. For example, the body portion <NUM> can comprise two lobes <NUM>. The two lobes <NUM> can be spaced apart from one another by straight segments <NUM> of the lower line of limitation <NUM>. Optionally, the two lobes <NUM> can be on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the body portion <NUM> can comprise three or four lobes <NUM> spaced apart about the longitudinal axis L, optionally evenly spaced apart about the longitudinal axis L. The lobes <NUM> can be spaced apart from one another by from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the peripheral exterior length <NUM>. Such spacing can be practical for providing room for the cap portion <NUM> to be deformed to wedge fit over the lobes <NUM> when the cap portion is reengaged with the body portion <NUM> after the container is opened. The lobes <NUM> can be spaced apart from one another by about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

An open container <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the predetermined removable portion <NUM> is separated from the cap portion <NUM> and the body portion <NUM>. The user of the container <NUM> can place the predetermined removable portion <NUM> in a recycling collection bin or waste bin. The core layer <NUM> extends above the upper line of limitation <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can extend above the upper line of limitation <NUM> by more than about <NUM>% of the peripheral exterior length <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM>% of the peripheral exterior length to about <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% of the peripheral exterior length to about <NUM>%, of the peripheral exterior length. Such an arrangement provides for a core layer <NUM> that can support the lobes <NUM> when the cap portion <NUM> is fitted onto the body portion <NUM> to close the container <NUM> after opening.

The core layer <NUM> can be discontinuous about the longitudinal axis L. This can simplify erection of the container <NUM> since the vertical edges of the core layer <NUM> need not be precisely fitted to and joined to one another.

The cap portion <NUM> can serve as a measuring cup for measuring out quantities of the contents <NUM> of the container. The cap portion <NUM> can be sized and dimensioned to have a cap portion interior volume that corresponds to a single dose. In that instance, a completely full cap portion <NUM> can correspond to a single dose of the contents of the container <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> can be sized and dimensioned to have a cap portion interior volume that corresponds to two doses of the contents of the container <NUM>. In that arrangement, a half-full cap portion <NUM> can correspond to a single dose of the contents of the container <NUM>. A full cap portion <NUM> and half full cap portion <NUM> may be intuitive for the user measure out if no dosing indicia <NUM> are provided. Optionally, dosing indicia <NUM> can be provided on the interior facing surface <NUM> of the cap portion <NUM>. The dosing indicia <NUM> can be printed lines, numbers, or graphics, embossments, debossments, pictures, or text that are indicative to the user of the quantity of the contents of the container <NUM> that is required to provide for the intended use or intended benefit of the contents of the container <NUM>. The dosing indicia <NUM> can be printed, embossed, or debossed on the blank or part of the blank from which the container <NUM> is erected. The dosing indicia <NUM> can include a numerical indicator of the size of the dose to deliver the intended benefit. The dosing indicia <NUM> can be printed on what becomes the interior facing surface <NUM> of the cap portion <NUM> by a printing process selected from the group consisting of digital printing, flexography, letterpress printing, offset printing, rotogravure printing, and screen printing. The dosing indicia <NUM> can be printed, embossed, or debossed on flat paperboard on the surface that will become the interior facing surface <NUM> before the container <NUM> is erected, which is a comparatively simpler process than performing the same processes on the interior of an erected container <NUM>.

The paper based container <NUM> described herein has a particular advantage over a plastic based container. For plastic based containers, the dosing indicia <NUM> may be molded into the cap. Molds for plastic parts are expensive. If the manufacturer of the contents of the container <NUM> desires to change the formula of the contents of the container <NUM>, for example by compacting the formulation, a new mold must be employed to make a cap that has molded dosing indicia marked to provide the desired dose. For the paper based container <NUM> described herein, the dosing indicia can be inexpensively changed since only a change to a printing, embossment, or debossment process of a flat substrate from which the container <NUM> is erected is needed. Printing, embossment, and debossment of flat paper substrates tends to be a relatively inexpensive process to implement and make changes thereto compared to implementing and changing plastic molding processes and manufactured parts.

Before the container <NUM> is first opened, the cap portion <NUM> is part of shell layer <NUM>. The shell layer <NUM> can have an interior facing surface <NUM> oriented towards the longitudinal axis L and an opposing exterior facing surface <NUM>. The interior facing surface <NUM> above the lower line of limitation <NUM> can comprise the at least one dosing indicia <NUM>.

The cap portion interior <NUM> can have a cap portion interior volume from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The container <NUM> can have a body portion interior <NUM> and the body portion interior volume from the bottom end <NUM> to the upper line of limitation <NUM> can be from about <NUM> to <NUM>. The cap portion interior volume can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% of the body portion interior volume. That arrangement can provide for a container <NUM> that contains from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, doses of articles <NUM>.

The articles <NUM> in the container can be filled to a fill level <NUM>. The fill level <NUM> can be below the core rim <NUM>. Such an arrangement can be practical if the articles <NUM> have a propensity to fall out of the lower part of the container <NUM> when the container <NUM> is opened in an upright position. Articles <NUM> that are particles may have a such a propensity to spill out of the container <NUM> upon opening. The fill level <NUM> can be below the upper line of limitation <NUM>. That fill level can reduce the potential for accidental spilling of the articles <NUM> from the container <NUM> as the container <NUM> is opened.

In a formed container <NUM>, the shell layer <NUM> can comprise a longitudinal seam <NUM> extending at least partway between the shell bottom edge <NUM> and the shell top edge <NUM>, optionally extending from the shell bottom edge <NUM> to the shell top edge <NUM> excluding the predetermined removable portion <NUM>. The longitudinal seam <NUM> can be a butt seam or overlapping seam and comprise a glue or tape, or be heat sealed to help maintain integrity of the longitudinal seam <NUM>. The longitudinal seam <NUM> can be glued, taped, or heat sealed at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal seam <NUM>. The longitudinal seam <NUM> can be a flange seam in which both edges of the shell layer <NUM> along the longitudinal axis L each have a flange and the flanges are joined to one another. The flange seal can be tucked towards the interior of the container <NUM> or be oriented outwardly from the container <NUM> with tucking towards the interior of the container <NUM> being more discrete. The flanges of the flange seal constituting the longitudinal seam <NUM> can be glued, or taped, or heat sealed to one another. The cap portion <NUM> can have a cap portion height <NUM> measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L between the upper line of limitation <NUM> and the shell top edge <NUM>. The predetermined removeable portion <NUM> can have a predetermined removeable portion maximum height <NUM> measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The predetermined removeable portion maximum height <NUM> is measured at an appropriate location which will be away from a lobe <NUM>. The cap portion height <NUM> can be greater than the predetermined removable portion height <NUM>. Such an arrangement can provide for a cap portion <NUM> that can be fully fitted over the core layer <NUM> to close the container <NUM> after opening.

The user opens the container <NUM> by removing the predetermined removable portion <NUM> from the container <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> is then separated from the body portion <NUM> so that the user can access the contents of the container <NUM>. After a portion of the contents of the container <NUM> have been dispensed, the user can reclose the container <NUM>, for example as shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the cap wall interior facing surface <NUM> is oriented towards the longitudinal axis L. The lobe <NUM> or lobes <NUM> are wedged between the cap wall interior facing surface <NUM> and the core layer <NUM>. As described herein, the cap portion <NUM> and body portion <NUM> are formed from the shell layer <NUM>. The lobes <NUM> are integral extensions of the body portion <NUM>. As such, the cap portion <NUM> cannot fit over the lobes <NUM> unless the lip <NUM> of the cap portion <NUM> is deformed to fit or slide over the lobes <NUM>. For a cylindrical cap portion <NUM>, user can gently squeeze the cap wall <NUM> on opposing sides which results in hoop stress being applied to cap wall <NUM>. The deformation of the cap wall <NUM> in such manner can provide for room for portions of the cap wall <NUM> away from the location that the squeezing forces are applied to deform away from the longitudinal axis L and be slid over the lobe <NUM> or lobes <NUM>. Once the hoop stress is relieved by the user ceasing to squeeze the cap wall <NUM>, the cap wall <NUM> relaxes and leaves the lobe <NUM> or lobes <NUM> wedged between the core layer <NUM> and the cap wall interior facing surface <NUM>. The frictional fit and wedging of the cap portion <NUM> to the body portion <NUM> can help securely close the container <NUM>. The frictional fit and wedging, provides a resistance force in the direction of the longitudinal axis L when the cap portion <NUM> is pulled away from the body portion <NUM> or pushed away from the body portion <NUM> by the contents of the container <NUM> if the closed container <NUM> is tipped over sideways or inverted.

In <FIG>, a partial cross-sectional view of a container <NUM> is shown that has been first opened by removing the predetermined removable portion <NUM> and separating the cap portion <NUM> and then reclosed by replacing the cap portion <NUM> onto the body portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the cap portion <NUM> can be deformed to be fitted over the lobe <NUM>. The lobe <NUM> is wedged between the cap wall interior facing surface <NUM> and the core layer <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> is provided with one or more lobes <NUM>. When only a single lobe <NUM> is provided, the reclosed cap portion <NUM> may be fitted over the lobe <NUM> and the interior facing surface <NUM> of the core layer <NUM> opposite to the location of the lobe <NUM> may be in contact with the core layer <NUM>. The wedging of the lobe <NUM> in between the cap portion <NUM> and core layer <NUM> plus the frictional engagement between the interior facing surface <NUM> of the cap portion <NUM> and the core layer <NUM> opposite the lobe <NUM> can be sufficient to reasonably securely maintain the container <NUM> in a closed condition after the container <NUM> has been first opened.

A plurality of lobes <NUM> can provide additional wedging locations to more securely close a previously opened container <NUM>. Two lobes <NUM> can be advantageously positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis L. In that arrangement, the user can gently pinch the lip <NUM> between his or her thumb and forefinger, for example at a <NUM> o'clock and <NUM> o'clock positions, to deform the lip <NUM> so that locations positions at the <NUM> o'clock and <NUM> o'clock positions along the lip <NUM> are outwardly deformed and can be slide over the lobes <NUM>.

Four lobes <NUM> can be advantageously evenly spaced out at the <NUM>:<NUM> o'clock, <NUM>:<NUM> o'clock, <NUM>:<NUM> o'clock, and <NUM>:<NUM> o'clock position on the body portion <NUM>. The user can gently pinch the lip <NUM> at the <NUM> o'clock and <NUM> o'clock positions to deform the lip <NUM> so that the locations along the lip <NUM> corresponding the lobes <NUM> are deformed to fit over the four lobes <NUM>.

The container <NUM> can be a regular right prism, optionally a regular right rectangular prism (<FIG>). The base <NUM> of the container <NUM> can have a shape selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, oval, elliptical, and stadium. The container can have a shape selected from the group consisting of a regular right rectangular prism, a regular right triangular prism, a regular right square prism, a regular right pentagonal prism, a regular right hexagonal prism, a regular right heptagonal prism, regular right octagonal prism, right circular cylinder, regular right oval, regular right ellipse, a regular right stadium, and shapes that are substantially such shapes within typical manufacturing tolerances and in recognition of the slight variations in the shapes that might occur as a result of longitudinal seams, including overlapping seams, in the core layer and or shell layer that are used construct the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> can have an internal or external cross sectional shape orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L selected from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, an irregular rounded shape, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, an ellipse, an oval, and a stadium. Regular right rectangular, regular right square, and regular right triangular prisms can be efficiently packed, in an outer case, on a pallet, or shelf. Regular right rectangular and regular right square prisms are well suited for ecommerce shipping. Rounded containers <NUM> such as right circular cylinders, regular right oval, regular right ellipse, and regular right stadium can be structurally stable due to their curved shells along the longitudinal axis L.

The cap end <NUM> can be an insert in the top of the container <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The cap end <NUM> can be paperboard or corrugate. The cap end <NUM> can comprise a flange <NUM> peripherally extending from the cap end <NUM>. The flange <NUM> can be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior facing surface <NUM> of the cap portion <NUM>. Optionally, the flange <NUM> can be tucked within a folded extension <NUM> integrally extending from the shell top edge <NUM>. The folded extension <NUM> can be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the flange <NUM> and the flange <NUM> can optionally be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior facing surface <NUM> of the cap portion <NUM>. A similar construct can be provided to form the bottom end <NUM>. The bottom end <NUM> can comprise a flange <NUM> peripherally extending from the bottom end <NUM>. The flange <NUM> can be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior facing surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. Optionally, the flange <NUM> can be tucked within a folded extension <NUM> integrally extending from the shell bottom edge <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. The folded extension <NUM> can be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the flange <NUM>. The flange <NUM> can optionally be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior facing surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. Employing a folded extension <NUM> within which the flange <NUM> is positioned between opposing parts of the folded extension <NUM> and glued, taped, or heat sealed to the folded extension <NUM> can provide for a sturdy container <NUM>. A cold, hotmelt, or pressure sensitive glue or a heat seal or tape or other bond can be used to join the cap end <NUM> to the shell layer <NUM>.

The container <NUM> can be a closed ended container. The shell top edge <NUM> can be closed by a cap end <NUM>. The shell bottom edge <NUM> can be closed by a bottom end <NUM>. The cap end <NUM> can be opposite the bottom end <NUM>. The cap end <NUM> can be proximal the shell top edge <NUM> and form a closed end at the shell top edge <NUM>. The bottom end <NUM> can be proximal the shell bottom edge <NUM> and form a closed end at the shell bottom edge <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the container <NUM> can be provided with a structure that can provide for convenient dispensing of the contents from the container <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> extends to a core rim <NUM> above the upper line of limitation <NUM>. In this arrangement, the core layer <NUM> can provide for back support of the lobe or lobes <NUM> when they are employed to securely reclose the container <NUM>. The core rim <NUM> can be below the shell top edge <NUM> so that the cap portion <NUM> can fit over the core layer <NUM>.

A simple construction of the container <NUM> is one in which longitudinal seam <NUM> is nearer to a low point of the core rim <NUM> than the high point of the core rim <NUM>, as that may simplify layout of the blank from which the container <NUM> is erected. The core rim <NUM> is located at a rim distance <NUM> from the shell bottom edge <NUM> as measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The rim distance <NUM> can be a function of position about the longitudinal axis L.

A container <NUM> in which the rim distance <NUM> is not a function of position about the longitudinal axis L is shown in <FIG>. For the container <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the rim distance <NUM> is constant. Including a non-flat contour to the core <NUM> can provide for convenient dispensing of the contents of the container <NUM>.

The core rim <NUM> can have a rim distance global maxima <NUM> and a rim distance global minima <NUM> relative to the shell bottom edge <NUM> (<FIG>). The rim distance global maxima <NUM> and rim distance global minima <NUM> are locations, not scalar quantities. The variation in rim distance <NUM> can provide for structures that function as a pour spout or weir to help control dispensing from the container <NUM>. One practical arrangement is a core rim <NUM> that is elliptical. For a cylindrical core layer <NUM>, notwithstanding that there can be a small discontinuous portion following the height of the container <NUM>, the core rim <NUM> can be defined by a cylindrical section. Similarly, a for a prismatically shaped container <NUM>, the core rim <NUM> can be defined by a prismatic section. For example, the core rim <NUM> in <FIG> graphically rendered in dashed lines, can be a rectangle. The core rim <NUM> can be parallel to a plane oriented at an angle that is more than about <NUM> degrees out of plane with respect the shell bottom edge <NUM>. The core rim <NUM> can be parallel to a plane oriented at an angle that is more than about <NUM> degrees, or even more than about <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> degrees, out of plane with respect the shell bottom edge <NUM>. The rim distance global maxima <NUM> can be the location on the core rim <NUM> over which the contents of the container <NUM> can be poured.

The shell top edge <NUM> can be above the rim distance global maximum <NUM> by more than the predetermined removable portion height <NUM>. This can provide for enough space for the removed cap portion <NUM> to be fitted over the lobe <NUM> or lobes <NUM> to reclose the container <NUM>.

To provide for improved structural stability of the container <NUM>, at the rim distance global minima <NUM> the core layer <NUM> can extend above the upper line of limitation <NUM> by more than about <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, of the peripheral exterior length <NUM>. In that arrangement, the core layer <NUM> can support the back of the lobe <NUM> or lobes <NUM> and the shell layer <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>.

The rim distance global maxima <NUM> and the rim distance global minima <NUM> can be positioned such that the longitudinal axis L is between the rim distance global maxima <NUM> and the rim distance global minima <NUM>. This arrangement can help the user easily identify the location along the core rim <NUM> that can be conveniently used to pour the contents of the container <NUM>.

In one practical construction, the core layer <NUM> can be discontinuous at a position about the longitudinal axis L at a location within about <NUM> degrees, or even within about <NUM> degrees, or event withing about <NUM> degrees, or even within about <NUM> degrees, of the rim distance global minima <NUM> as measured about the longitudinal axis L. A discontinuity located as such can provide convenient design of the blank from which the container <NUM> is erected and provide the user a visual cue as to how the container <NUM> should be aligned in his or her hand when pouring from the container <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can be discontinuous over a width about the longitudinal axis L. The width of the discontinuity <NUM> is the distance between the core layer side edges <NUM> at the core rim <NUM>. As described herein, the core layer <NUM> extends between the core layer side edges <NUM> and for an erected container <NUM> the core layer <NUM> extends at least partially about the longitudinal axis L, or even entirely about the longitudinal axis L. The width can be measured between the core layer side edges <NUM>. The width of the discontinuity <NUM> can be less than the minimum dimension of an article <NUM>. The width of the discontinuity <NUM> can be sized and dimensioned to retain articles <NUM> stored within the container <NUM>. The width of the discontinuity <NUM> can be sized and dimensioned so that articles <NUM> stored within the container <NUM> cannot pass through the discontinuity <NUM>. This can reduce the potential for an article <NUM> to unintentionally pass through the discontinuity <NUM> when the container <NUM> is opened or the articles <NUM> are dispensed from the container <NUM>. The width can be less than or equal to the nominal sieve opening size at which <NUM> wt% of the articles <NUM> in the container <NUM> is retained. The width of the discontinuity <NUM> can be smaller than the size of each of the individual articles <NUM> in the container <NUM>.

The longitudinal seam <NUM> can be within about <NUM> degrees of the rim distance global minima <NUM> as measured about the longitudinal axis L. Optionally the longitudinal seam <NUM> can be within about <NUM> degrees, or within about <NUM> degrees, or within about <NUM> degrees of the rim distance global minima <NUM>, as measured about the longitudinal axis L. The blank for such a container <NUM> can be more convenient to design. And such a blank can be practically erected.

The cap end <NUM> can be formed by flaps <NUM> that are integral extensions of the shell layer <NUM> that forms the cap portion <NUM>. The flaps <NUM> can be folded over one another and joined to one another by a tape, glue, such as a cold, hotmelt or pressure sensitive glue, or a heat seal or other type of bond (<FIG>). Likewise, the bottom end <NUM> can formed by the same structure with the flaps <NUM> being integral extensions of the shell layer <NUM> that forms the body portion <NUM>.

The core rim <NUM> can be provided with a notch <NUM> to channel pouring of the contents of the container <NUM> (<FIG>). The notch <NUM> can be a V-shaped notch, semi-circular notch, trapezoidal notch or another shape that can channel flow of granular materials. The notch <NUM> can be located proximal the rim distance global maxima <NUM>. The notch <NUM> can be positioned opposite the longitudinal seam <NUM>. The notch <NUM> can have a depth below the core rim <NUM> of more than about <NUM>% of the peripheral exterior length <NUM>. The notch <NUM> can function as a weir to provide for controllable pouring from the container <NUM>.

A variety of structures are contemplated for helping the user remove the predetermined removable portion <NUM> (<FIG>). The predetermined removable portion <NUM> can comprise a free end <NUM> to initiate tearing of the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> from the container <NUM>. The user can pull on the free end <NUM> to initiate tearing of the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> away from the body portion <NUM> and cap portion <NUM>. The free end <NUM> can have the shape a pull tab, such as a trapezoidal end, semicircular end, triangular end, or a curved end. The free end <NUM> can be peripherally more extensive than the upper line of limitation <NUM> and lower line of limitation <NUM>. The free end <NUM> can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM> peripherally more extensive than the upper line of limitation <NUM> and the lower line of limitation <NUM>. The free end <NUM> or tear strip <NUM> can be located at the longitudinal seam <NUM>. Located as such, the lower line of limitation <NUM> and upper line of limitation do not need to cross the longitudinal seam <NUM>. That may reduce the potential for tearing the longitudinal seam <NUM> when the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> is torn from the container <NUM>.

The free end <NUM> of the predetermined removeable portion can be located where the core layer <NUM> is discontinuous about the longitudinal axis L. Such a location can simplify the design of the blank from which the container <NUM> is constructed since the end of the tear strip <NUM> can be located at a transverse edge of the blank.

If the container <NUM> is provided with a core rim <NUM> that that is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis L or is provided with some other structure to improve dispensing from the container <NUM>, the free end <NUM> can be within about <NUM> degrees, optionally within about <NUM> degrees, optionally within about <NUM> degrees, optionally within about <NUM> degrees of the longitudinal seam <NUM> as measured about the longitudinal axis L. The longitudinal seam <NUM> can be unconnected or weakly connected beneath the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> so that the predetermined removeable portion <NUM> can be easily separated from the container <NUM> proximal the longitudinal seam <NUM>. The longitudinal seam <NUM> can extend from the shell bottom edge <NUM> to the shell top edge <NUM> excluding the predetermined removable portion <NUM>. The longitudinal seam <NUM> can extend from the shell bottom edge <NUM> to the shell top edge <NUM> excluding the predetermined removable portion <NUM> and be glued, taped, or heat sealed along the longitudinal seam <NUM>.

By way of nonlimiting example, as shown in <FIG>, a line of frangibility <NUM> can be defined by a plurality of structural disruptions <NUM> of the shell layer <NUM> spaced apart from one another.

Additional detail of the optional tear strip <NUM>, which is described previously, is shown in <FIG>, which is a partial view of a container <NUM>. The optional tear strip <NUM> can provide for improved control of removing the predetermined removable portion <NUM> from the container <NUM>. The tear strip <NUM> can have an initiation end <NUM> that is external to the container <NUM>. If the container <NUM> is provided with a core rim <NUM> that is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis L or is provided with some other structure to improve dispensing from the container <NUM>, the tear strip <NUM> can have an initiation end <NUM> that is within about <NUM> degrees, optionally within about <NUM> degrees, optionally within about <NUM> degrees, optionally within about <NUM> degrees of the global minima <NUM> as measured about the longitudinal axis L. Such arrangements can be practical so that the tear strip <NUM> starts proximal to or at the longitudinal seam <NUM>.

The optional tear strip <NUM> can be located where the core layer <NUM> is discontinuous about the longitudinal axis L. Such a location can simplify the design of the blank from which the container <NUM> is constructed since the end of the tear strip <NUM> can be located at a transverse edge of the blank. When the container <NUM> is erected, the tear strip <NUM> is positioned near the longitudinal seam <NUM>.

By way of nonlimiting example, as shown in <FIG>, a line of frangibility <NUM> can be defined by a plurality of structural disruptions <NUM> of the shell layer <NUM> spaced apart from one another. The lobe <NUM> can be defined by more than two structural disruption <NUM>.

The container <NUM> can be practically formed from a container blank <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The blank <NUM> can be erected into the container <NUM> by wrapping the blank <NUM> around a mandrel to transform the flat blank <NUM> into a partially formed container <NUM>. A cap end <NUM> can be mechanically fitted or trapped by folding and forming a brim from the paperboard shell layer <NUM> or fitted and glued, taped, or heat sealed into the open top and bottom to form the container <NUM>. Optionally flaps <NUM> that extend form the shell layer <NUM> can be folded and glued, taped, or heat sealed to one another to form the top and bottom of the container <NUM>. A hotmelt or pressure sensitive glue, tape, or heat seal can be practical. Other known bonding or welding techniques can be used.

The container blank <NUM> can be a laminate of paperboard materials. The blank <NUM> can comprise the paperboard shell layer <NUM>. The shell layer <NUM> can comprise two transverse edges <NUM> on opposing sides of a central axis A. The paperboard shell layer <NUM> can comprise a shell bottom edge <NUM> extending between the transverse edges <NUM> orthogonal to the central axis A. The paper board shell layer <NUM> can comprise a shell top edge <NUM> opposite the shell bottom edge and extending between the transverse edges <NUM>. Like the container <NUM>, the shell layer <NUM> of the blank <NUM> can comprise a body portion <NUM> extending from the shell bottom edge <NUM> to the lower line of limitation <NUM>. The shell layer <NUM> can comprise a predetermined removeable portion <NUM> extending from the lower line of limitation to an upper line of limitation <NUM>. The upper line of limitation <NUM> can be orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the central axis A. The cap portion <NUM> can extend from the upper line of limitation <NUM> to the shell top edge <NUM>.

The paperboard core layer <NUM> can be provided in facing relationship with the shell layer <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the shell layer <NUM> to provide for rigidity to the erected container <NUM> and provide blank that can be manipulated to erect a container <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can extend from below the lower line of limitation <NUM> to the core rim <NUM> above the upper line of limitation <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can be glued, taped, heat sealed, or otherwise joined to the shell layer <NUM>.

The core layer <NUM> can extend from and be unitary with one of the transverse edges <NUM> and be foldable about the transverse edge <NUM>. That is, a single sheet of paperboard can form both the shell layer <NUM> and the core layer <NUM>. Constructing the blank <NUM> from a single sheet of paperboard can be attractive since individual sheets of paperboard do not need to be precisely positioned with respect to one another during assembly. Further, a single die cut can be made to construct the shell layer <NUM> and the core layer <NUM> from a single flat sheet. The single die cut sheet can be folded along the intended location of the transverse edge <NUM> to bring the core layer <NUM> into facing relationship with the shell layer <NUM> to form the two-layer blank <NUM>. Optionally, the core layer <NUM> and shell layer <NUM> can be nonunitary. For example, the shell layer <NUM> and the core layer <NUM> can be individual pieces of paperboard that are assembled to form the blank <NUM>.

When the core layer <NUM> is in facing relationship with the shell layer <NUM>, the core rim <NUM> can be located at a rim distance <NUM> from the shell bottom edge <NUM> as measured parallel to the central axis A. The rim distance <NUM> can be constant if a core rim <NUM> that is defined by a circle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L is desired for the container <NUM>.

The rim distance <NUM> can be a function of the distance from the central axis A. Such an arrangement can be used to create a core rim <NUM> that varies in distance from the bottom edge <NUM> as a function of position about the longitudinal axis L of the container <NUM>. When the core layer <NUM> is in facing relationship with the shell layer <NUM>, the core rim <NUM> can have a rim distance <NUM> global maxima <NUM> and a rim distance global minima <NUM> relative to the shell bottom edge <NUM>. When such a blank <NUM> is erected into a container <NUM>, the global maxima <NUM> and global minima <NUM> correspond to the same discussed above with respect to the container <NUM>. The global maxima <NUM> can be located at the central axis A. When the container <NUM> is erected, the global maxima <NUM> can be opposite the longitudinal seam <NUM>.

The core rim <NUM> of the blank <NUM> can be sinusoidal. A blank <NUM> having a sinusoidal core rim <NUM> can be erected to provide a container <NUM> in which the core rim <NUM> is a cylindrical section. The core rim <NUM> can be defined by two straight line segments <NUM> having an interior angle less than <NUM> degrees. The two straight line segments <NUM> can approach the central axis A. The interior angle is the interior angle over the over the core layer <NUM>. When a blank <NUM> constructed as such is rolled about the longitudinal axis L, the resulting core <NUM> is sloped relative to the shell bottom edge <NUM>. The transverse edges of the core layer <NUM> can be shorter than the core layer <NUM> along the central axis A. If prism shape container <NUM> is desired, the shape of the core rim <NUM> for the blank <NUM> can be designed so that when the blank <NUM> is folded about the longitudinal axis, the core rim <NUM> of the container has the desired shape.

The blank <NUM> can be designed so that the shell top edge <NUM> is away from the shell bottom edge <NUM> by a distance greater than the rim distance global maxima <NUM> plus a maximum distance between the upper line of limitation <NUM> and the lower line limitation <NUM> measured parallel to the central axis A. This can provide for the cap portion <NUM> being able to fit over the part of the core layer <NUM> that sits above the lower line of limitation <NUM>. Similarly, the cap portion <NUM> can have a cap portion height <NUM> measured parallel to the central axis A between the upper line of limitation <NUM> and the shell top edge <NUM>. The predetermined removeable portion <NUM> can have a predetermined removeable portion maximum height <NUM> measured parallel to the central axis A and the cap portion height <NUM> can be greater than the predetermined removeable portion height <NUM>.

To provide for enhanced control of the tearing path of the predetermined removable portion <NUM>, the predetermined removable portion <NUM> can extend between and intersect the transverse edges <NUM> of the shell layer <NUM>.

The lines of frangibility <NUM> can be provided in the blank <NUM>. If the layers of paperboard are die cut, the die can include crease and cutting knives, partial cutting knives, reversed partial cutting knives or perforations, knives, or combinations thereof or other structures to form the lines of frangibility <NUM>. Optionally, the lines of frangibility <NUM> can be formed in the shell layer <NUM> after die cutting the overall shape of the shell layer <NUM> and core layer <NUM>, for instance by another die or applying a score line or intermittent score line or laser cut or the like to the shell layer <NUM>.

To form a container <NUM> in which the core layer <NUM> sticks up above the lower line of limitation <NUM> sufficiently to act as a guide for replacing the cap portion <NUM> onto the body portion <NUM> to reclose the container, the core layer <NUM> can extend above the upper line of limitation <NUM> by more than about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, of the body portion length <NUM>. The body portion length <NUM> is measured between the transverse edges <NUM> orthogonal to the central axis A immediately below the lower line of limitation <NUM>.

The paperboard from which the blank <NUM> is constructed can be printed. For example, the shell layer interior facing surface <NUM> can comprise the dosing indicia <NUM>. A portion of core layer <NUM> can be in facing relationship with the shell layer <NUM>. The dosing indicia <NUM> can be provided on the interior facing surface <NUM> above the lower line of limitation <NUM>. Printing can also be provided on the exterior surface of the container formed by the shell layer <NUM>. Printing is technically simpler to perform on flat sheets, or reels, or pieces of paperboard than printing on shaped containers <NUM>. For example, the printing of the dosing indicia <NUM> and the printing on the exterior the container <NUM> can be performed on continuous web of paperboard stock. The paperboard stock can be cut to form the blank <NUM> or component parts of the blank <NUM>.

An optional tear strip <NUM> can be joined to the predetermined removable portion <NUM> before or after die cutting of the shell layer <NUM>. The optional tear strip <NUM> can be between the core layer <NUM> and the shell layer <NUM>.

The lobe or lobes <NUM> can be provided in the blank <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> can comprise a lobe <NUM> immediately below the lower line of limitation <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> can have a body portion length <NUM> measured between the transverse edges <NUM> orthogonal to the central axis A immediately below the lobe or lobes <NUM>. The lobe or lobes <NUM> can have a lobe length <NUM> orthogonal to the central axis A and the lobe length can be more than about <NUM>%, optionally more than about <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, of the body portion length <NUM>. Additionally, the lobe or lobes <NUM> can have a lobe exterior height <NUM> parallel to the central axis A and the lobe length <NUM> to lobe exterior height <NUM> ratio can be greater than about <NUM>.

Like the container <NUM>, the blank <NUM> can comprise a plurality of lobes <NUM>. And the upper line of limitation <NUM> can be orthogonal to the central axis A. The container blank <NUM> can comprise two lobes <NUM> spaced apart from one another by straight segments <NUM> of the lower line of limitation <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> can comprise two lobes <NUM> and the lobes <NUM> can be on opposite sides of the central axis A. The lobes <NUM> can be spaced apart from one another by from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the lobe length <NUM>.

The lobe or lobes <NUM> provided as part of the blank can be sized and dimensioned to provide the lobe or lobes <NUM> in the erected container <NUM>. The lobes <NUM> can be spaced apart from one another from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the lobe length <NUM>. The lobe or lobes <NUM> can have a curved upper contour <NUM> and the lobes <NUM> adjacent one another can have lobe exterior heights <NUM> that vary from one another.

A similar blank <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, the blank <NUM> in <FIG> can be formed of a unitary sheet of paper board. The die cut blank <NUM> can be shaped as desired and the lines of frangibility <NUM> can be provided. If desired, a tear strip <NUM> can be joined to the shell layer <NUM> in the desired location. The lines of frangibility <NUM> can be provided before or after joining the tear strip <NUM> to the predetermined removable portion <NUM>.

The core layer <NUM> can be folded about the transverse edge <NUM> to form the blank <NUM> to bring the core layer <NUM> shell layer <NUM> into facing relationship with the core layer <NUM> overlying the predetermined removable portion <NUM>. The core layer <NUM> can be optionally glued, taped, or heat sealed to the shell layer <NUM> to provide for rigidity to the erected container <NUM>.

Providing a core layer <NUM> in which at least parts of the two core layer side edges <NUM> abut or overlap one another can be practical (<FIG>). The parts of the core layer side edges <NUM> that abut or overlap one another can be at least between the lower line of limitation <NUM> and the upper line of limitation <NUM>. The parts of the core layer side edges <NUM> that abut or overlap one another can be between the shell bottom edge <NUM> and the upper line of limitation <NUM>. The parts of the core layer side edges <NUM> that abut or overlap one another can extend only partway between the shell bottom edge <NUM> and the upper line of limitation <NUM>. Providing only part of the two core layer side edges <NUM> abutting or overlapping one another can improve the ability to handle and erect the blank <NUM> for forming the container <NUM>.

The core layer <NUM> can have two core layer side edges <NUM> and the core layer <NUM> can extend between the side edges <NUM> about the longitudinal axis L. Such an arrangement can result in a locally thick portion of the container from the base <NUM> along the height of the container <NUM>. After the container <NUM> is opened, the cap portion <NUM> can be wedged or otherwise forced over the lower line of limitation <NUM> at the body portion <NUM> to tightly engage the cap portion <NUM> with the body portion <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> can have enough flexibility or deformability to be stretched or fitted over the lower line of limitation <NUM> about the periphery of the body portion <NUM> about the longitudinal axis L or the body portion <NUM> proximal the lower line of limitation <NUM> can be deformed to be wedged with the cap portion <NUM> fitted thereto. The wedge fit between the cap portion <NUM> and the body portion <NUM> can be sufficiently strong to help reduce the potential for the contents of the container <NUM> spilling when a previously opened container <NUM> that is closed with the cap portion <NUM> is accidentally tipped over or inverted. Providing an abutting or overlapping relationship in the side edges <NUM> of the core layer <NUM> can also help reduce the potential for the articles <NUM> to spill out of the container <NUM> when the container <NUM> is opened, especially when the fill level <NUM> is above the lower line of limitation <NUM>, and reduce the potential for messy pouring of the articles <NUM> from a gap in the core layer <NUM> when the articles <NUM> are dispensed from the container <NUM> if the body portion <NUM> is not carefully oriented so that a discontinuity in the core layer <NUM> is higher than the location on the core rim <NUM> over which the articles <NUM> may be dispensed or poured. It may be noted that the cap portion <NUM> may have the same seam and shape as the shell layer <NUM> proximal the lower line of limitation <NUM>. As such one or both of the body portion proximal the lower line of limitation <NUM> and the cap portion <NUM> proximal the lip <NUM> can be deformed so that the cap portion <NUM> can be wedge fitted to the body portion <NUM>.

The side edges <NUM> of the core layer <NUM> can be joined to one another by a butt seam <NUM> or can be part of a longitudinal core overlapping seam <NUM>. A butt seam <NUM> can be formed by taping or otherwise joining the side edges <NUM> of the core layer <NUM>. A core overlapping seam <NUM> can be formed by gluing or heat sealing the side edges <NUM> in an overlapping relationship. The side edges <NUM> can be part of a longitudinal core overlapping seam <NUM>. Optionally, the core overlapping seam <NUM> can nest with the overlapping longitudinal seam <NUM>. A nonlimiting example of a nesting relationship is shown in <FIG>. The overlapping longitudinal seam <NUM> and the core overlapping seam <NUM> overlap about the longitudinal axis L in the same direction (for example clockwise or counterclockwise, counterclockwise being illustrated in <FIG>) from outer to inner. Outer is used in this sense in that outer is further away from the longitudinal axis L than inner. Providing both the overlapping longitudinal seam <NUM> and the core overlapping seam <NUM> can provide for additional local wall thickness to the container <NUM> from the base <NUM> along the height of the container <NUM>. After the container <NUM> is opened, the cap portion <NUM> can be wedged over the top of the body portion <NUM> to tightly engage the cap portion <NUM> with the body portion <NUM> by way of the same or similar mechanisms discussed previously with respect to the side edges <NUM> abutting one another.

For a container <NUM> that is a substantially right circular cylinder, providing a longitudinal core overlapping seam <NUM> or butt seam <NUM> can be practical in that the core layer <NUM> may not have a precisely circular cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. If the shell layer <NUM> has longitudinal seam <NUM> that is an overlapping seam, the cap portion <NUM> may not have a precisely circular cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. Since the shell layer <NUM> and the core layer <NUM> may be joined to one another and the constituent paperboard materials have some flexibility, the core layer <NUM> may conform, at least to some degree, with the shape of the shell layer <NUM> orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. After removing the cap portion <NUM>, the cap portion <NUM> can be refitted to the core layer <NUM>. The substantially circular cross section of the cap portion <NUM>, which is formed from the shell layer <NUM>, and the core layer <NUM> orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L can be wedge fitted to one another by positioning the longitudinal seam <NUM> of the shell layer out of alignment with the core overlapping seam <NUM> when the cap portion <NUM> is refitted to the core layer <NUM>. This may be achieved by positioning the longitudinal seam <NUM> out of alignment with the core overlapping seam <NUM> before fitting the cap portion <NUM> onto the core layer <NUM>. This may optionally be achieved by fitting the cap portion <NUM> onto the core layer <NUM> with the longitudinal seam <NUM> and core overlapping seam <NUM> position the longitudinal seam <NUM> in alignment or near alignment and then slightly rotating the cap portion <NUM> about the longitudinal axis L to cam the interior of the cap portion <NUM> with the exterior of the shell layer <NUM>. The engagement mechanism may be thought of as being similar to taking two concentric ovals and slightly rotating one of the ovals about the longitudinal axis relative to the other. The shape of the outer oval can resist relative rotation of the inner oval, or vice versa, and at some degree of rotation amongst the ovals the combination of the normal force developed between the two ovals and the coefficient of friction of the material forming the ovals can fix the rotational relationship between the ovals within some range of applied rotational force in either direction about the longitudinal axis L. That developed friction force can also resist separation of the cap portion <NUM> from the shell layer <NUM> in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. Since the core layer <NUM> and shell layer <NUM> are paperboard materials, cap portion <NUM> and the part of the core layer <NUM> above the lower line of limitation <NUM> can deform slightly to reasonably securely engage the cap portion <NUM> with the core layer <NUM>. This engagement mechanism may not require as much deformation as an engagement mechanism in which the lip <NUM> of the cap portion <NUM> is fitted over the shell layer <NUM> proximal the lower line of limitation <NUM>.

The two side edges <NUM> and the overlapping longitudinal seam <NUM> can be within about <NUM> degrees of one another about the longitudinal axis L.

Providing a core layer <NUM> in which at least parts of the two core layer side edges <NUM> abut or overlap one another can be practical for providing a continuous core rim <NUM>. A continuous core rim <NUM> can be desirable for enabling the articles <NUM> in the container <NUM> to be dispensed or poured out of the container <NUM> at any position about the longitudinal axis L. A continuous core rim <NUM> can also allow the articles <NUM> to be filled to a fill level <NUM> above the lower line of limitation <NUM> and below the lowest location on the core rim <NUM>.

A blank <NUM> for forming a container <NUM> having a core layer <NUM> having a butt seam <NUM> or core overlapping seam <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. To form such a butt seam <NUM> or core overlapping seam <NUM>, the paperboard core layer <NUM> can comprise two core layer side edges <NUM>. When the core layer <NUM> is in facing relationship with the shell layer <NUM>, the core layer <NUM> extends from below the lower line of limitation <NUM> to the core rim <NUM> above the upper line of limitation and one of the side edges <NUM> is further away from the central axis A than one of the transverse edges <NUM>. Optionally , the core layer <NUM> can extend from and be unitary with one of the transverse edges <NUM> and be foldable about one of the side edges <NUM>. The central axis A can be between the free end <NUM> and the side edge <NUM> that is further away from the central axis A than one of the transverse edges <NUM> is. The attributes of the other blanks <NUM> described herein are common to the blank <NUM> shown in <FIG> to the extent that such attributes can be consistent with a blank <NUM> in which the core layer <NUM> is offset from the shell layer <NUM> with respect to the central axis A as shown in <FIG>. The blank <NUM> shown in <FIG> can be folded or rolled around a mandrel to bring one of the side edges <NUM> into an abutting relationship with the other side edge <NUM> to form a butt seam <NUM> in the core layer <NUM>. Optionally, one of the side edges <NUM> can be positioned further away from the central axis A so that there is a sufficient overlap of the core layer <NUM> to form core overlapping seam <NUM> when the blank <NUM> is folded or rolled around a mandrel.

Claim 1:
A container (<NUM>) comprising:
a paperboard shell layer (<NUM>) about a longitudinal axis (L) and extending from a shell bottom edge (<NUM>) to a shell top edge (<NUM>), wherein said shell layer comprises:
a body portion (<NUM>) extending from said shell bottom edge to a lower line of limitation (<NUM>); a predetermined removable portion (<NUM>) extending from said lower line of limitation to an upper line of limitation (<NUM>); and
a cap portion (<NUM>) extending from said upper line of limitation to said shell top edge; and
a paperboard core layer (<NUM>) extending at least partially about said longitudinal axis and interior to said shell layer, wherein said core layer is joined to said body portion and extends from below said lower line of limitation to above said upper line of limitation;
characterised in that said body portion comprises a lobe (<NUM>) immediately below said lower line of limitation and has a peripheral exterior length (<NUM>) orthogonally about said longitudinal axis immediately below said lobe;
wherein said lobe has an lobe exterior length (<NUM>) orthogonal to or about said longitudinal axis and said lobe exterior length is more than <NUM>% of said peripheral exterior length;
wherein said lobe has a lobe exterior height (<NUM>) parallel to said longitudinal axis and said lobe has a lobe exterior length to lobe exterior height ratio greater than <NUM>; and
wherein said lobe is configured to function as a wedge to provide for mechanical engagement of the cap portion to the body portion when the container is reclosed.