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(11) | EP 0 020 567 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
A blank for constructing a container Zuschnitt zum Aufbau eines Behälters Plan destiné à la construction d'un récipient |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
Technical Field
[0001] This present invention relates to a coated paper-board container and to a blank for constructing the container so as to include a body portion having a top end closed by a folded top end closure of an improved construction.
Background Art
[0002] Containers for beverages such as milk, cream, other dairy prodcuts, juices, and the like are conventionally constructed from thermoplastic coated paperboard. One type of these containers includes a top end closure with a folded gable roof having a vertically projecting seal at the roof ridge for sealing the container and providing a pouring spout when the contents of the container are to be dispensed. Stacking of such containers requires the use of separating trays intermediate different layers due to the vertically projecting seals of their top end closures. Also, storage space resulting from the configuration due to the empty space resulting from the configuration of the top end closure. Such containers are shown by U.S. Patents 3,116,002 and 3,120,335. Another type of the containers includes flat top end closures that are folded and have a flat seal projecting from a centerline of the closure with an outer end that is releasably secured to the rest of the closure generally adjacent one of its sides. Various releasable securements are provided for releasing the flat seals to permit them to be opened and to thereby provide a pouring spout for dispensing beverages. U.S. patents 3 869,078 and 3,892,347 disclose such flat top end closures. A further type of container is disclosed by United States Published Patent application B 461,257, published January 13, 1976, now US patent 4,078 715, issued March 14, 1978, and includes a top end closure with an inclined seal that includes a harder score line on one side of the seal for facilitating folding of the seal from a vertical position to the inclined position.
[0003] United States Patents 4,012,997 and 4,093,115 disclose a container folding method and the container made by the method wherein certain roof panels of the top end closure are provided with double score lines extending alongside each other. Folding of a top seal of the end closure from a vertical position to a flat position requires the application of a downward force along the lower double score line on one side of the top seal and the application of another force to bend the top seal downwardly. Each additional application of force for folding the top end closure requires an additional folding tool on the folding mechanism and is thus accompanied by additional expenses.
[0004] Coated paperboard blanks for constructing each type of container described above are made on converting machines like those disclosed by U.S. Patents 2,682,208 and 3,731,600. After construction of the blanks to form the containers, application of heat or high frequency vibration applied by clamping pressure to interengaged portions of the blank provides sealing of the containers.
[0005] The Applicant filed on the other hand a French patent application published under n° 2 376 032 which concerns a container that may be folded from a gable top to a slant top or flat top rather easily by virtue of the base angles 54a, 54b (in Figures 1 and 2 of said French patent application) being different one from the other, whereas the folding is facilitated in Figures 13 and 14 of the French application due to the fact that the score line 122 (Fig. 13) is lower than the other similar score lines.
[0006] On the contrary the captioned application has for an object a blank and the container obtained therefrom wherein the base angles 54a and 54b are equal and score line 65 is both low and wide whereas the score lines 63 and 67 at the ends of 65 are wide and inclined between the score line 65 and the respective gable panel apices 80 and 84. It is such an arrangement that enhances in the captioned application the folding into a slant or flat top.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved coated paperboard container and a blank for constructing the container to include a top end closure comprised of a folded roof and a top seal for sealing the roof, and wherein the construction of the top end closure enhances foldability of the top seal from a vertical position.
[0008] The invention has therefore for an object a blank for constructing a container, the blank including body portion panels including front and back panels and a pair of side panels, one of which connects the front and back panels; bottom end closure panels connected to lower ends of the body portion panels; top end closure panel connected to upper ends of the body portion panels; said top end closure panels including front and back gable panels respectively connected to the upper ends of the front and back panels of the body portion and also including a pair of outer roof panels respectively connected to the upper ends of the side panels of the body portion, each of said gable panels including a pair of base angles and an upper apex; a pair a triangular inner roof panels located on opposite sides of each gable panel; the inner roof panels of each pair being of a different size than each other; top seal lips including a pair of inner seal lips respectively connected to the inner roof panels associated with each gable panel; a single score line connecting each inner seal lip and the associated inner roof panels; said top seal lips also including a pair of outer seal lips respectively connected to the outer roof panels; and a single score line connecting each outer seal lip and the associated outer roof panel; characterized by the fact that the base angles in each pair are equal and by one single score line that connects the outer seal lip and the outer roof panel connected to said one side panel of the body portion being located below the apices of the gable panels and being wider than the other single score line connecting the other outer seal lip and outer roof panel; each of the smaller inner roof panels being located adjacent one end of the wide score line; each of the single score lines connecting the inner seal lips and the associated inner roof panels including a wide score line portion connected to one end of the wide score line between the one outer seal lip and outer roof panel; each of the single score lines connecting the inner seal lips and the associated inner roof panels includes an inclined score line portion that is wider than the other portion thereof and includes an upper end connected to the adjacent gable panel apex.
[0009] Said blanks may present advantageously the following features:
- the outer seal lips have terminal edges whose heights are selected so as to extend generally alongside each other upon construction of the top end construction.
[0010] The invention has also for an object a container obtained from a blank of the type mentioned hereinabove.
[0011] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0012]
Figure 1 is a view of a coated paperboard container blank used to construct a container having a top end closure with a roof and a top seal in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a partial view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 1 and shows the top seal of the top end closure in a vertical position where sealing thereof is performed;
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view showing a bottom end closure of the constructed container;
Figure 4 is a view of the container after the top seal has been bent from the vertical position of Figure 2 to the inclined position shown in order to provide a slant top seal from the top end closure; and
Figure 5 is a view of the container after the top seal has been bent from the vertical position of Figure 2 to the flat position shown and releasably secured in order to provide a flat top seal for the top end closure.
Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention
[0013] A thermoplastic coated paperboard blank indicated by reference numeral 20 in Figure 1 is constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a carton or container 22 as shown in part in Figure 2. A tubular body portion 24 of the container 22 has a top end closed by a top end closure 26 (Figure 2) of the invention and also has a bottom end closed by a bottom end closure 28 (Figure 3).
[0014] The container blank 20, as shown in Figure 1, includes various scores or score lines along which the blank is folded to provide the container body portion 24, the slant top end closure 26, and the bottom end closure 28. Intermediate its upper and lower ends, the blank 20 includes a rectangular side panel 34 connected to another rectangular side panel 38. A rectangular back panel 40 is also connected to the side panel 38 and is secured to a seam flap 42 connected to the side panel 34 during construction of the container in order to form a tubular configuration. Securement of the seam flap 42 to the back panel 40 is provided by heat with a clamping pressure utilized to bond the thermoplastic coating of the container blank portions to each other.
[0015] The bottom end closure 28 is formed after the construction of the container blank into its tubular shape by folding the various triangular and rectangular panels 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 and then bonding these panels to each other. A lower end 42a of seam flap 42 is secured to the panel 50 during the formation of the container blank into its tubular configuration. Inward folding of the traiangular panels 44 and 48 toward each other then pulls the triangular panels 43, 45 and 47, 49 connected thereto into an overlying relationship therewith as the rectangular panels 46 and 50 are concomitantly pulled inwardly to overlie the triangular panels in a generally planar relationship to form the end closure. The end closure 28, as can be seen in Figure 3, is of the tucked in type with a portion 50a of panel 50 extending past a centerline B of the closure beneath a flap 46a of panel 46. A high frequency vibration sealing apparatus such as the one disclosed by U.S. Patent 3,912,576 or a conventional heat sealing apparatus is utilized to seal the end closure whose various portion have one, two, three and four layers of the carton material respectively indicated by letters a, b, c and d. It should also be noted that the bottom end closure 28 may be of the "non-tuck in" type wherein the panel 50 terminates at the centerline B of this closure.
[0016] The top end closure 26 is formed from the container blank 20 shown in Figure 1 after construction thereof into the tubular configuration described above and after formation of the bottom end closure 28 and filling of the partially constructed container with its contents. The roof 30 of the top end closure includes a rectangular outer roof panel 52 connected to the body portion side panel 34, a front triangular gable panel 54 connected to the body portion front panel 36, an outer roof panel 56 connected to the body portion side panel 38, and a back triangular gable panel 58 connected to the body portion back panel 40. Triangular inner roof panels 53 and 55 respectively connect the front triangular gable panel 54 with pouring spout portions 52a and 56a of the outer roof panels. Likewise, triangular inner roof panels 57 and 59 of the constructed container respectively connect the back triangular gable panel 58 with the outer roof panels 56 and 52, the latter connection being made by an upper portion 42b of the seam flap which is bonded to panel 59.
[0017] The top seal 32 of top end closure 26 includes a rectangular outer seal lip 60 shown in Figure 1 as projecting from the outer roof panel 52 and connected thereto by a single score line 61. A front inner seal lip 62 is connected by a single score line 63 to the inner roof panels 53 and 55 that are connected to the front triangular gable panel 54. An outer seal lip 65 of the slant top seal projects from the outer roof panel 56 and is connected thereto by a single score line 65. A back inner seal lip 66 is connected by a single score line 67 to the inner roof panels 57 and 59 that are connected to the back triangular gable,panel 58. Ends of the inner and outer seal lips are also connected to each other as shown.
[0018] Construction of the top end closure 26 begins by inward folding of the triangular gable panels 54 and 58 shown in Figure 1 toward each other with the container blank in its tubular configuration. This folding moves the inner roof panels 53, 55 and 57, 59 respectively connected to gable panels 54 and 58 in an overlying relationship thereto and pulls the outer roof panels 52 and 56 downwardly into their inclined orientation so as to cooperatively provide the roof ridge A (Figure 2) from which the top seal 32 projects. The bond along seal 32 is formed by application of either heat or high frequency vibration together with a clamping action that seals the contents of the container. Each body not only seals the outer seal lips 60 and 64 to each other but also secures the outer seal lips to the folded inner seal lip 66 therebetween which is connected to the back triangular gable panel 58 shown in Figure 1 by the inner roof panels 57 and 59. Outer seal lips 60 and 64 are also secured to each other by the bond but may be provented from forming a complete seal with the inner seal lip 62 associated with the front triangular gable panel 54 shown in Figure 1 by coating of an abhesive material applied to the inner seal lip 62 as shown at 70 and to the outer seal lips 60 and 64 as shown at 72 and 74. This abhesive coating may be made of any suitable material, such as a silicone based material, and permits the sealed top end closure 26 to be opened from its closed condition of Figure 2 to an open condition where a conventional pouring spout (not shown) is provided to dispense the contents of the container.
[0019] Outer seal lips 60 and 64 as seen in Figure 1 have respective straight outer terminal edges 60a and 64a. Both outer roof panels 52 and 56 have the same height projecting from the associated body portion side panels 34 and 38 and the score lines that interconnect these panels are located slightly above the score lines that connect the triangular gable panels 54 and 58 with the front and back panels 36 and 40 to enhance foldability.
[0020] As seen in Figure 1, inner seal lips 62 and 66 include respective terminal edges 62a and 66a that may have somewhat blunt V shapes forming associated vertices 86 and 88. Opposite ends 90 and 92 of inner seal lip 62 are respectively connected to the outer seal lips 60 and 64 adjacent their coatings of abhesive material indicated by 72 and 74. Likewise, opposite ends 94 and 96 of inner seal lip 66 are respectively connected to outer seal lip 64 and outer seal lip 60, the latter connection being at the top seam flap end 42b. Intermediate its ends, inner seal lip 62 includes a score line 98 extending between its terminal edge vertex 86 and the adjacent front gable panel inclined edge intersection or apex 80. Likewise inner seal lip 66 includes a score line 100 extending between its terminal edge vertex 88 and the adjacent back gable panel inclined edge intersection 84. During sealing of the top seal 32, the inner seal lips fold along their respective score lines 98 and 100 so as to be located between the outer seal lips 60 and 64.
[0021] Referring once again to Figure 1, the single score line 65 that connects the outer roof panel 56 and the outer seal lip 64 is positioned at a dropped or lower elevation than the gable apices 80 and 84 and the single score line 61 that connects the outer roof panel 52 and the outer seai lip 60. The combined height of outer roof panel 52 and outer seal lip 60 is the same as the combined height of outer roof panel 56 and outer seal lip 64. The score line 65 that connects the outer roof panel 56 and the outer seal lip 64 is wider than the score line 61 that connects the outer roof panel 52 and the outer seal lip 60 in order to facilitate folding of the top seal after construction of the container as will be more fully hereinafter described. Each of the front and back gable panels 54 and 58 of blank 20f shown in Figure 15 has its base angles 54a, 54b, and 58a, 58b equal to each other. As such, the intersection or apices 80 and 84 of the gable panels where the intersecting edges 78, 79 and 82, 83 meet are located centrally between the opposite ends 90, 92 and 94, 96 of the inner seal lips 62 and 66. Each single score line 63 and 67 that connects the associated inner seal lips 62 and 66 with the adjacent inner roof panels 53, 55, or 57, 59 includes an inclined portion whose upper end extends to the adjacent gable apex 80 or 84 and whose lower end is connected to the adjacent end of the score line 65. The inclined score line portions 63 and 67 like the score line 65 are wider than the other score lines so as to also facilitate the folding of the top seal from a vertical position as is more fully hereinafter described. It should also be noted that the terminal edges 62 and 66a of the inner seal lips 62 and 66 are of a symmetrical shape on opposite sides of their central vertices 86 and 88.
[0022] The constructed container 22 can be utilized with its top seal 32 extending vertically as shown in Figure 2. It is also possible to fold the top seal 32 to an inclined position by the application of a force F as shown in Figure 4 in order to provide a slant top seal. Folding of the top seal 32 to the slant top position shown in Figure 4 is facilitated by the wider and dropped score line 65 and the wider and inclined portions of score lines 63 and 67. In the slant top condition, the top seal 32 extends towards the smaller inner roof panels 55 and 57 which are partially defined by the inclined score line portions of score lines 63 and 67.
[0023] Containers 22 can be packed in layers on top of each other to minimize the storage and cargo space necessary. As the containers are stacked, their slant top seals 32 will deflect downwardly as shown in Figure 4 from their solid line position to the lower position shown by phantom line. As this deflection takes place, the slant top end closure 26 provides an iherent cushioning effect between the layers of containers to enhance the transportability of the containers without leakage occurring. Unlike folded gable roof closures with vertically projecting seals, this container does not require any shipping tray intermediate the different layers of stacked containers. No releasable securement of the slant top seal to the rest of the top end closure is necessary as with flat top end closures.
[0024] The versatility of the container blank 20 shown in Figure 1 is further demonstrated by Figure 5 wherein the top seal 32 is shown folded over to a horizontal position in order to provide a flat top end closure. A force F, imparted by use of a suitable tool, bends the top seal 32 toward the side of the container on which the dropped and wide score line 65 is located. The outer seal lip 64 is then releasably secured to the outer roof panel 56 by a suitable adhesive bond provided in any conventional manner in order to provide the flat top closure. Opening of the constructed flat top end closure of the container 22 thus proceeds by first releasing the top seal 32 from the outer roof panel 56 and then moving the top seal to either the slant position of Figure 4 or the vertical position of Figure 2 followed by opening of the pouring spout in the usual manner.
body portion panels including front (36) and back (40) panels and a pair of side panels (34, 38), one of which (38) connects the front and back panels;
bottom end closure panels (44, 46, 48, 50) connected to lower ends of the body portion panels;
top end closure panels (52, 54, 56, 58) connected to upper ends of the body portion panels, said top end closure panels including front (54) and back (58) gable panels respectively connected to the upper ends of the front and back panels of the body portion and also including a pair of outer roof panels (52, 56) respectively connected to the upper ends of side panels of the body portion, each of said gable panels including a pair of base angles (54a, 54b, 58a, 58b) of an upper apex (80, 84);
a pair of triangular inner roof panels (53, 55; 57, 59) located on opposite sides of each gable panel, the inner roof panels of each pair being of a different size than each other; .
top seal lips including a pair of inner seal lips (62, 66) respectively connected to the inner roof panels associated with each gable panel;
a single score line (63, 67) connecting each inner seal lip and the associated inner roof panels;
said top seal lips also including a pair of outer seal lips (60, 64) respectively connected to the outer roof panels; and
a single score line (61, 65) connecting each outer seal lip and the associated outer roof panels; and being characterized by:
the base angles (54a, 54b; 58a, 58b) in each pair being equal;
one single score line (65) that connects the outer seal lip (64) and the outer roof panel (56) connected to said one side panel (38) of the body portion being located below the apices of the gable panels (54, 58) and being wider than the other single score line (61) that connects the other outer seal lip (60) and outer roof panel (52);
each of the smaller inner roof panels (55, 57) being located adjacent one end of the wide score line;
each of the single score lines that connects the inner seal lips (62, 66) and the associated inner roof panels (55, 57) including a wide score line portion (63, 67) connected to one end of the wide score line (65) between the one outer seal lip (64) and outer roof panel (56); and
each of the single score lines (63, 67) that connects the inner seal lips (62, 66) and the
associated inner roof panels (55, 57) including
an inclined score line portion that is wider than the other portion thereof and including an upper end connected to the adjacent gable panel apex (80, 84).
Schaftflächen mit einer Frontfläche (36) und einer Rückfläche (40) und einem Paar von Seitenflächen (34, 38), von denen die Fläche (38) die Frontfläche (36) und die Rückfläche (40) miteinander verbindet;
Bodenflächen (44, 46, 48, 50), die mit den unteren Enden der Schaftflächen verbunden sind;
Verschlußflächen (52, 54, 56, 58), die mit dem oberen Ende der Schaftflächen verbunden sind und mit den oberen Enden der Front- und Rückflächen des Schaftes verbundene vordere Giebelfläche (54) und rückseitige Giebelfläche (58) aufweisen und ein Paar äußerer Verschlußflächen (52, 56) in Verbindung mit den oberen Enden der Seitenflächen des Schaftes aufweisen, wobei jede Giebelfläche ein Paar Basiswinkel (54a, 54b, 58a, 58b) und einen oberen Scheitelwinkel (80, 84) aufweist;
einem Paar dreieckiger innerer Verschlußflächen (53, 55; 57, 59) an eineander gegenüberliegenden Seiten jeder Giebelfläche, wobei die innere Verschlußfläche eines jeden Paares eine unterschiedliche Größe gegenüber der anderen aufweist;
ein Paar von mit den inneren Verschlußflächen verbundene innere Dichtungslippen (62, 66) in Verbindung mit jeder Giebelfläche;
eine einfache Falzlinie (63, 67), jede innere Dichtungslippe mit der inneren Verschlußfläche verbindet;
wobei die oberen Dichtungslippen ein Paar äußere Dichtungslippen (60, 64) in Verbindung mit den äußeren Verschlußflächen aufweisen und
eine einflache Falzlinie (61, 65), die jede äußere Dichtungslippe mit der zugehörigen äußeren Verschlußfläche verbindet; dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Basiswinkel (54a, 54b; 58a, 58b) eines jeden Paares gleich sind;
daß die die äußere Dichtungslippe (64) und die mit der einen Seitenfläche (38) des Schaftes verbundene äußere Verschlußfläche (56) verbindende einflache Falzlinie (65) unterhalb des Scheitelwinkels der Giebelflächen (54, 58) angeordnet und breiter als die andere einfache Falzlinie (61) ist, die die andere äußere Dichtungslippe (60) und die andere Verschlußfläche (52) miteinander verbindet;
daß jede der kleineren inneren Verschlußflächen (55, 57) an ein Ende der breiteren Falzlinie angrenzt;
daß jede der die inneren Dichtungslippen (62, 66) und die damit verbundenen inneren Verschlußflächen (55, 57) miteinander verbindenden einfachen Falzlinien eine breiteren Teil der Falzlinie (63, 67) aufweist, der zwischen der einen äußeren Dichtungslippe (64) und der äußeren Verschlußfläche (56) mit dem einen Ende der breiteren Falzlinie (65) verbunden ist;
unf daß jede der einfachen Falzlinien (63, 67), die die inneren Dichtungslippen (62, 66) und die zugehörigen inneren Verschlußflächen (55, 59) verbindet, eine geneigt verlaufenden Falzlinienteil aufweist, der breiter ist als der andere Teil und ein mit dem Scheitelwinkel (80, 84) der angrenzenden Giebelfläche verbundenes oberes Ende aufweist.
des pans formant un corps et constitués par un pan antérieur (36) en un pan postérieur (40) et par une paire de pans latéraux (34, 38) dont l'un (38) solidarise les pans antérieur et postérieur;
des pans (44, 46, 48, 50) formant une fermeture extrême inférieure et reliés à des extrémités inférieures des pans constituant le corps;
des pans (52, 54, 56, 58) formant une fermeture extrême supérieure et reliés à des extrémités supérieures des pans constituant le corps, ces pans formant une fermeture extrême supérieure comprenant des pans de pignon antérieur (54) et postérieur (58) reliés respectivement aux extrémités supérieures des pans antérieur et postérieur constituant le corps, ainsi qu'une paire de pans externes (52, 56) formant un chapiteau et reliés respectivement aux extrémités supérieures des pans latéraux constituant le corps, chacun desdits pans de pignon présentant une paire d'angles de base (54a, 54b); 58a, 58b) et un sommet supérieur (80, 84);
une paire de pans internes triangulaires (53, 55; 57, 59) formant la chapiteau et disposés sur des côtés opposés de chaque pan de pignon, ces pans internes de chaque paire formant le chapiteau étant de tailles mutuellement différentes;
des lèvres supérieures de scellement comprenant une paire de lèvres internes de scellement (62, 66) reliées respectivement aux pans internes formant la chapiteau et associés à chaque pan de pignon;
Une ligne unique de striure (63, 67) raccordant chaque lèvre interne de scellement aux pans internes associés formant le chapiteau;
lesdites lèvres supérieures de scellement comprenant également une paire de lèvres externes de scellement (60, 64) reliées respectivement aux pans externes formant le chapiteau; et
une ligne unique de striure (61, 65) raccordant chaque lèvre externe de scellement au pan externe associé formant la chapiteau; et étant caractérisé par le fait que:
les angles de base (54a, 54b; 58a, 58b) de chaque paire sont égaux;
l'une (65) des lignes uniques de striure, reliant la lèvre externe de scellement (64) et le pan externe (56) du chapiteau raccordé à l'un (38) précité des pans latéraux du corps, se trouve au-dessous des sommets des pans (54, 58) du pignon et est plus large que l'autre ligne unique de striure (61) qui relie l'autre lèvre externe de scellement (60) et l'autre pan externe (52) du chapiteau;
chacun des pans internes (55, 57) plus étroits du chapiteau est adjacent à l'une des extrémités de la ligne de striure large;
chacune des lignes uniques de striure reliant les lèvres interne de scellement (62, 66) et les pans internes associés (55, 57) du chapiteau comporte un tronçon de striure large (63, 67) relié à l'une des extrémités de la ligne de striure large (65) entre l'une (64) des lèvres externes . de scellement et l'un (56) des pans externes du chapiteau; et que
chacune des lignes uniques de striure (63, 67) reliant les lèvres internes de scellement (62, 66) et les pans internes associées (55, 57) du chapiteau présente un tronçon de striure incliné qui est plus large que l'autre tronçon et comporte une extrémité supérieure raccordée au sommet adjacent (80, 84) du pan de pignon.