Container with improved stability and pour spout

Abstract

The object of the invention is to produce an attractive environmentally friendly biodegradable pouring container. The body of the improved container is optimally formed in the shape of a conical frustum or cylinder. The assembly being a healthier and environmentally superior alternative to traditional plastic non-biodegradable containers. The seams and folds of the container are joined with adhesives or other means, which strengthen the vessel and prevent leakage. The adhesives may be beverage or food friendly and approved by the Food and Drug Administration as required by the container's contents. When used as a drinking-vessel the invention lends itself to a variety of choices for the lid/top designs and the methods of production are straightforward and affordable.

The tapering shape, large at the bottom and narrow on top, provides improved stability due to its lower center of gravity relative to the amount of contents in the container at any given time. Unlike traditional cylindrical beverage vessels and cups, which are narrow at the bottom and wide on top, this shape decreases the likelihood of the container being easily knocked over thereby allowing the invented container to be set on a surface with a greater angularity than containers currently in the art. As an option either container shape can be constructed with three or more protrusions or points of support around the perimeter of the base allowing for additional support or balance. This is potentially an important improvement in stability by now allowing the user to place the container on an uneven surface such as a rock, log, dashboard, console, and etcetera. Additionally, a thin coat of wax, rubber, etc. may be applied to either the base perimeter or base protrusions to add additional gripping strength to prevent the container from slipping.

The entire container may be designed to be environmentally superior by the use of biodegradable materials for all components of the assembly thereby reducing the estimated time required to biodegrade from 700 years or more for typical plastic bottles, down to a few months for the current invention

Claims

1. A container assembly for liquid or pourable solid materials uniquely shaped, folded and sealed such that: it retains a lower center of gravity to optimize container stability, provides an improved pour spout and eliminates the need for a separate top closure component. This container is comprised of: a body/pour spout component formed from a biodegradable single layer or laminate sheet stock. The sheet stock being optimally similar in materials and thickness as a common milk carton. The body component and pour spout closure being further defined as: an initial forming and sealing of the component such that resulting shape may be generally described as having the form of a conical frustum with the top end truncated with a curved surface along an angle “A” generally described as an approximately 35-degree angle (Ref. FIG. 4). This angle being optimal for non-viscous fluids. Other form angles are envisioned to optimize pour characteristics of different materials as well as optimum manufacturing requirements. a first inward fold of the body/pour spout component. The fold generally described as folding the material inward beginning at the base of angle “A” formed in the previous step resulting in an exterior angle “B” of approximately 70 degrees (Ref. FIG. 5) and an interior angle “C” of approximately −2 degrees (Ref. FIG. 5). Other form angles are envisioned to optimize pour characteristics of different materials as well as optimum manufacturing requirements. a second inward and downward fold generally described as a pushing of the upper most portion of the structure downward toward and mating to the surfaces referred to as “C” formed during the first inward fold, followed by the final sealing of the pour spout portion of the container. Other form angles are envisioned to optimize pour characteristics of different materials as well as optimum manufacturing requirements. a bottom closure formed from the same or similar sheet stock. adhesive materials, approved for use with the enclosed materials, to join the body and bottom components.

2; The assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein a backward fold (FIG. 2 feature 4) of the pouring feature yields an integral pull tab.

3; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container is formed from a printable sheet stock

4; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container is formed from non-biodegradable sheet stock.

5; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the assembly is completed using alternate sealing methods such as Heat sealing, Heat fusion, Hot gas Welding, Infrared welding, Laser welding, Ultrasound welding, Fastening or other methods as known by those with common skills in the art.

6; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body component or bottom sealing component is constructed with not less than three integral protrusions forming a multi contact point footprint around the base perimeter creating a more stable container when placed on uneven surfaces.

7; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the top opening can be resealed.

8; The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein a separate pull tab component is fixed to the body component material before or after the folding and sealing that forms the top closure.

9; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container assembly requires a separate top closure component. The top closure being further defined as a top closure from the same or similar sheet stock that features a three-fold closure with integral pull tab. The top closure having an opening for the dispensing of the contained fluid or solid material

10; The top closure as set forth in claim 9 wherein the container is formed from a printable sheet stock

11; The top closure as set forth in claim 9 wherein assembly is completed using alternate sealing methods such as Heat sealing, Heat fusion, Hot gas Welding, Infrared welding, Laser welding, Ultrasound welding, Fastening or other methods as known by those with common skills in the art.

12; An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the frustum base or bottom sealing component is constructed with integral protrusions forming a multi contact point footprint around the perimeter creating a more stable container when placed on uneven surfaces. The protrusions optimally numbering three contact points, but more protrusions may be created depending on various applications.

13; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container assembly is manufactured of durable, non-biodegradable materials and sealing methods are limited only such that they do not contaminate the enclosed fluid or pourable solid.

14; An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the body component or bottom sealing component is constructed with not less than three integral protrusions forming a multi contact point footprint around the base perimeter creating a more stable container when placed on uneven surfaces

15; An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the top opening can be resealed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is the inside plan view of the stock material showing the fold lines required to manufacture the embodiment with integral body and top seal.

[0019] FIG. 2 is the plane exterior view of the stock material showing the side seal area and the fold line for the integral, “Pull Tab”.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a front view of the stock material after having been formed into a conical frustum and sealed along the side

[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of the stock material after having been formed into a conical frustum and sealed along the side.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a section view of the container after having a first inward fold.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view of the container after the first inward fold.

[0024] FIG. 7 is an enlarged oblique downward detailed view of the container spout area after the first inward fold showing the spout opening detail.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a side view after the second inward fold.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a front view after the second inward fold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding features or parts throughout the several views the improved container is described. Referring to FIG. 1 shows the inside plan view of the stock material, which may be common milk carton material such as 300-330 gsm poly coated SBS paperboard or similar material 13. Also, shown in FIG. 1 are the fold lines required to manufacture the embodiment with integral body and top seal after the material has been folded into the preferred conical shape and sealed along the overlapping edges 6 (Ref. FIG. 3). Dashed line 1-1 indicates the first inward fold lines, 2-2 indicates the second inward fold line.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2 which shows the plan exterior view 14 of the stock material 13 showing the over-lapping side seal areas 6 and the optional fold line 4 for the integral, “Pull Tab”. Also shown is the area for the seal 5 to the bottom component (not shown), and the relative position of not less than three optional protrusions 3 for enhanced stability.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3 the front view having been formed from the stock material 13 into a conical frustum and sealed along the side 6 and FIG. 4 the side view of the same conical form showing the curved profile angle “A”.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 the container is shown after the first inward fold (1-1) has been completed (Ref. FIG. 1). FIG. 5 is a section view of the view shown in FIG. 6 and includes a sectioned view of one of many possible bottom closures commonly known in the art 10.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged oblique downward detailed view of the container after the first inward fold (1-1) has been completed (Ref. FIG. 1). In this view the pour spout area 9 is shown. Also shown are the areas where the material of the first fold is sealed 8 to the stock material 13.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 the container is shown after the second inward fold (2-2) has been completed. The fold is also sealed to the stock material 13.