Seal End Side Dispensing Cereal-Type Box

Abstract

A blank for forming a box, and a method of forming the same. The blank can have a first panel that forms an exterior side of the box; a second panel that forms an exterior front panel of the box; a third panel that forms a side panel of the box; a fourth panel that forms a rear panel of the box; a fifth panel that forms an interior side panel of the box; a sixth panel that forms an interior front panel of the box; wherein the first panel is foldably connected to the second panel, the second panel is foldably connected to the third panel, the third panel is foldably connected to the fourth panel, the fourth panel is foldably connected to the fifth panel, and the fifth panel is foldably connected to the sixth panel.

Claims

1. A blank for forming a box, the blank comprising: a) a first panel that forms an exterior side of the box and has: i) a foldable first top major flap; ii) a foldable first bottom major flap; and iii) an adhesive area; b) a second panel that forms an exterior front panel of the box and has: i) a foldable first bottom minor flap; and ii) a dispensing opening; c) a third panel that forms a side panel of the box and has: i) a foldable second top major flap; and ii) a foldable second bottom major flap; d) a fourth panel that forms a rear panel of the box and has: i) a foldable second top minor flap; and ii) a foldable second bottom minor flap; e) a fifth panel that forms an interior side panel of the box and is configured to couple to the adhesive area of the first panel; f) a sixth panel that forms an interior front panel of the box and has: i) a removable folding dispensing flap configured to interact with the foldable first top major flap; ii) a second minor top panel section foldably connected to the removable folding dispensing flap; wherein the first panel is foldably connected to the second panel, the second panel is foldably connected to the third panel; the third panel is foldably connected to the fourth panel, the fourth panel is foldably connected to the fifth panel, and the fifth panel is foldably connected to the sixth panel; wherein the fourth panel, the fifth panel and the sixth panel can be folded to interface the fifth panel to the third panel; and wherein the first panel and the second panel can be folded to interface the first panel to the fifth panel.

2. The blank of claim 1, wherein: the foldable first top major flap includes two foldable sub-flaps.

3. The blank of claim 1, wherein: the foldable first top major flap includes a catch configured to interact with the removable folding dispensing flap.

4. The blank of claim 3, wherein: the foldable first top major flap is configured to adhere to the foldable second top major flap.

5. The blank of claim 3, further comprising: an additional flap foldably connected to the foldable first top major flap.

6. The blank of claim 1, wherein: the foldable second top major flap includes a base portion foldably coupled to a hinged portion having a tab.

7. The blank of claim 6, wherein: the tab is configured to interact with the removable folding dispensing flap.

8. A box comprising: a) a first panel that is an exterior side and has: i) a first top major flap; ii) a first bottom major flap; and iii) an adhesive area; b) a second panel that is an exterior front panel and has: i) a first bottom minor flap; and ii) a dispensing opening; c) a third panel that is a side panel and has: i) a second top major flap; and ii) a second bottom major flap; d) a fourth panel that is a rear panel and has: i) a second top minor flap; and ii) a second bottom minor flap; e) a fifth panel that is an interior side panel and is coupled to the adhesive area of the first panel; f) a sixth panel that is an interior front panel of the box and has: i) a removable folding dispensing flap that interacts with the first top major flap; ii) a second minor top panel section foldably connected to the removable folding dispensing flap; wherein an inside surface of the fifth panel interfaces an inside surface of the third panel; wherein an inside surface of the first panel interfaces an outside surface of the fifth panel; wherein an inside surface of the second panel interfaces an outside surface of the sixth panel.

9. The box of claim 8, wherein: an inside surface of the second bottom major flap interfaces an outside surface of the first bottom minor flap and an outside surface of the second bottom minor flap.

10. The box of claim 8, wherein: an inside surface of the first bottom major flap interfaces an outside surface of the second bottom major flap.

11. The box of claim 8, wherein: an outside surface of the second top minor flap interfaces an interior surface of the first top major flap.

12. The box of claim 8, wherein: an interior surface of the second minor top panel section interfaces an exterior surface of the first top major flap.

13. The box of claim 8, wherein: an interior surface of the second top major flap interfaces an exterior surface of the second minor top panel section.

14. The box of claim 8, wherein: an interior surface of the second top major flap interfaces an exterior surface of the first top major flap.

15. A method of forming a box, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a blank having a foldable first panel, a foldable second panel, a foldable third panel, a foldable fourth panel, a foldable fifth panel, and a foldable sixth panel; b) interfacing an inside surface of the fifth panel to an inside surface of the third panel; c) interfacing an inside surface of the first panel to an outside surface of the fifth panel; and d) interfacing an inside surface of the second panel to an outside surface of the sixth panel.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: e) interfacing an inside surface of a second bottom major flap of the third panel to an outside surface of a first bottom minor flap of the second panel and to an outside surface of a second bottom minor flap of the fourth panel.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: f) interfacing an inside surface of a first bottom major flap of the first panel to an outside surface of a second bottom major flap of the third panel.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: g) interfacing an outside surface of a second top minor flap of the fourth panel to an interior surface of a first top major flap of the first panel.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: h) interfacing an interior surface of a second minor top panel of the sixth panel to an exterior surface of a first top major flap of the first panel.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: i) interfacing an interior surface of a second top major flap of the third panel to an exterior surface of a second minor top panel of the sixth panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank used to form a seal end side dispensing cereal-type box having features of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sixth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seventh step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an eighth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ninth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tenth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an eleventh step in folding the blank of FIG. 1, showing the completed box; and

[0026] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a dispensing product from the completed box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used.

[0028] The terms a, an, and the and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.

[0029] As used in this disclosure, the term comprise and variations of the term, such as comprising and comprises, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers ingredients or steps.

[0030] All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any system, any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top plan view of a blank 100 used to form a seal end side dispensing cereal-type box 200, wherein an inside surface of the blank 100, and its foldably connected, longitudinal panels, are shown.

[0032] In an embodiment, the blank 100 comprises at least six foldably connected panels: a first panel 102, a second panel 104, a third panel 106, a fourth panel 108, a fifth panel 110, and a sixth panel 112.

[0033] The first panel 102 is a side panel that is configured to form an exterior side of the box 200 when folded. The first panel 102 is foldably connected, at a first fold line 103A, to one side of the second panel 104. The first panel 102 includes a first main body, a first top major flap 114 and a first bottom major flap 116, both of which flaps are foldably coupled, at second- and third-fold lines 103B, 103C, to the first main body. The first top major flap 114 can be folded, at a fourth fold line 103D, to form two sub-flaps 114A, 114B.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows the blank 100 with an optional flap 115 foldably coupled, at a fifth fold line 103E, to flap 114. Flap 115 could be utilized to form a box 200 with a tuck top if so desired. If flap 115 is not present, flap 114 is adhesively coupled to a portion of flap 122 of the third panel 106 when the box 200 is formed.

[0035] The second panel 104 is configured to form an exterior front panel when the blank 100 is folded into the box 200. The second panel 104 is foldably connected, at the first fold line 103A, along one side to the first panel 102, and foldably connected, at fold line 103F, along an opposite side to the third panel 106. The second panel 104 has a second main body and a first bottom minor flap 118 foldably coupled thereto, at a sixth fold line 103G, and there is at least one dispensing opening 120 positioned in the second main body of the second panel 104.

[0036] The third panel 106 is another side panel and has a second top major flap 122 and a second bottom major flap 124, both of which are foldably coupled to a third main body of the third panel 106. The third panel 106 is foldably connected, at fold line 103F, along one side to the second panel 104, and foldably connected, at a seventh fold line 103H, along an opposite side to the fourth panel 108. Second top major flap 122 comprises two portions: a base portion 123 and a hinged portion 125 foldably coupled to base portion 123 along fold line 127. Hinged portion 125 has tab 144 extending therefrom. Base portion 123 is foldably coupled, at an eighth fold line 103I, to the third main body of the third panel 106. The second bottom major flap 124 is foldably coupled, at a ninth fold line 103J, to the third main body of the third panel 106.

[0037] The fourth panel 108 forms a rear panel of the box 200 when the blank 100 is folded. The fourth panel has a second top minor flap 126 and a second bottom minor flap 128, both of which are foldably coupled, at tenth- and eleventh-fold lines 103K, 103L, to a fourth main body of the fourth panel 108.

[0038] The fifth panel 110 forms an interior side panel when the blank 100 is folded into the box 200. The interior surface of the first panel 102 is configured to adhesively couple to an exterior surface of the fifth panel 110 via adhesive patch 146A. The fifth panel 108 is foldably coupled, at twelfth fold line 103M, to the fourth panel 108.

[0039] The sixth panel 112 forms an interior front panel when the blank 100 is folded into the box 200. The sixth panel 112 has at least one folding dispensing flap 130 removably coupled to a sixth main body thereof. The flap 130 has a flap section 132 that is foldably connected, at a thirteenth fold line 103N, to a second minor top panel section 134. The flap section 132 has a convex shaped lower edge 136 that is coupled via perforation or nick tabs to the sixth main body such that after the box 200 has been formed, the user can pull on tab 138 to release the flap 132 from the sixth panel 112, exposing opening 120 in panel 104, and gain access to the contents of the box (FIG. 13). Additionally, flap section 132 comprises two projections 133A, 133B that are configured to interact with catches 135A, 135B on the first top major flap 114 and prevent flap 132 from being easily withdrawn from the box 200 when the user is attempting to open the flap 132 and dispense the box's 200 contents. The sixth panel 112 is foldably connected, at a fifteenth fold line 103O, along one side to the fifth panel 110.

[0040] An optional order of folding the panels will now be discussed. This order of folding is not limiting and the blank 100 can be folded in a different order.

[0041] The blank 100 is oriented as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with its inside surface facing up. First, as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the fourth through sixth panels 108, 110, 112 are lifted and folded inwards, towards the inside surface of the third panel 106; and the sixth panel 112 is bent along its fifteenth fold line 103O with the fifth panel 110 so that an outside edge 140 of the sixth panel 112 touches the fold line 103F between the second and third panels 104, 106.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 through 5, the first and second panels 102, 104 are folded in the opposite direction, towards the fifth and sixth panels 110, 112 until the inside surface of the second panel 104 is proximate the outside surface of the sixth panel 112, and the inside surface of the first panel 102 is proximate the outside surface of the fifth panel 110, where the inside surface of the first panel 102 is adhesively coupled 146A to the outside surface of the fifth panel 110. This forms a preliminary structure of the box 200.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first and second bottom minor panels 118, 128 are folded inward, and then the first and second bottom major panels 116, 124 are folded over the folded minor panels 118, 128; and the bottom major panels 116, 124 are adhesively coupled to each other, forming the closed bottom of the box 200.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 8, the box 200 is half formed, with an open top and a closed bottom. In this configuration, the box 200 can now be filled with its contents.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 12, once filled, the first minor top panel 126 is folded inward, then the first major top panel 114 is folded inward, on top of the first minor top panel 126 and optionally, adhesively coupled to first minor top panel 126. Then, the second minor top panel 134 is folded inward, on top of the first major top panel 114 and adhesively coupled to top panel 114 via adhesive 146B; and then the second major top panel 122 is folded inward, on top of the second minor top panel 134. In doing so, base portion 123 of second major top panel 122 is adhesively coupled to first major top panel 114 via adhesive 146C, and second minor top panel 134 is adhesively coupled to hinged portion 125 of the second major top panel 122 via adhesive 146D. Additionally, tab 138 aligns with tab 144, creating an easy lifting point for the consumer to utilize.

[0046] FIG. 12 shows the box 200 in its sealed position/configuration that a user receives from the manufacturer. In order for the consumer to gain access to the contents of the box, the user must break the perforation that couples the insertion flap 132 to the sixth panel 112, and lift the flap 132 using tabs 138, 144. This is shown in FIG. 13.

[0047] The hinged function of the hinged portion 125 of the second major top panel 122 is best seen in FIG. 13 as base portion 123 is adhesively coupled to first major top flap 114 and cannot move. That means that when a user lifts flap 132 using tabs 138, 144, hinged portion 125 hinges along fold line 127 and lifts, pulling flap 132 with it.

[0048] When the consumer has finished dispensing, the flap 132 can be slid downwards and into the closed position, closing off dispensing opening 120 so that the contents of the box 200 cannot leave the box 200.

[0049] Box 200 is unique because it allows a user to easily open and close it, and conveniently control and dispense contents from the box 200.

[0050] The blank 100 and therefore box 200 can be made from any standard material used for making boxes, such as paperboard, cardboard, corrugated materials, etc. The blank 100 and therefore box 200 can be any dimensions necessary to accommodate different sized products therein.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.