WO2002102673A2

WO2002102673A2 - Carton with extension for holding a utensil

Info

Publication number: WO2002102673A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/017989
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy Hubert Stephane Culeron; Paulus Antonius Augustinus Hofte; Thomas Philippe Francis Marcel Edgard Koob; Alain Ormeggi
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 2001-06-19
Filing date: 2002-06-07
Publication date: 2002-12-27
Also published as: EP1397295A2; JP2004530603A; US20020190112A1; WO2002102673A3; AU2002314953A1

Abstract

A container (10) for granular, particulate or a collection of individual materials having an extension (48) for receiving a utensil is disclosed. More particularly containers having at least one extension (48) that has a hole (50) in the extension (48) so that a utensil can be hooked into the extension and packaged along with said materials is disclosed.

Description

CARTON WITH EXTENSION FOR HOLDING A UTENSIL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers for granular or particulate materials and in particular powdered household cleaning products or various other collections of individual materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to containers having at least one extension having an aperture such that a utensil can be affixed to the extension and packaged along with said materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Utensils for volumetric measuring of granular products, which are included in retail packages for user convenience, are well known. One such utensil is a scoop. Such scoops are found particularly with granular detergent and coffee products where volumetric measuring is beneficial to obtaining reproducible results. Measuring scoops are typically manufactured of molded of plastic and have a measuring portion connected to a handle. The measuring portion typically has a cylindrical or rectangular body forming an open cavity of the same shape.

Customer satisfaction with the scoop is strongly dependent on scoop accessibility. The ideal case is for the consumer to find the scoop on top of the product when the carton is initially opened. However, as is often the case, the scoop sinks into the product during pre-purchase handling, resulting in consumer dissatisfaction over the scoop's accessibility.

Current solutions to the aforementioned problem follow two distinct routes. In the first, the container is filled with granular product followed by placement of a small scoop on top of the product before the container lid is installed. In the second route, the container is inverted with the top down. The scoop is placed in the container followed by filling with a granular product around it. When the container is re-inverted, the scoop is at the top end of the container where the lid is subsequently opened by the consumer. The second route is preferable where the scoop is large relative to the size of the container or where the container does not have sufficient headspace to accommodate dropping a scoop on top of the product.

However, the aforementioned solutions have distinct disadvantages. In both cases the scoop generally sinks into the product during transportation of the finished product due to vibrations and the respective densities of the product versus the scoop. Additionally, the top filling method necessarily requires more headspace to allow room for the scoop, which generally limits the size of the scoop.

Several attempts have been made in the art to provide an accessible utensil, yet none has been satisfactory. In many cases the sophisticated equipment necessary to place the utensil is prohibitive. Utensils or scoops have been glued into packages. However, this method leaves the consumer with no way to reattach the scoop for storage once initially removed. Therefore, the consumer places the scoop into the product where it is again subject to sinking.

Accordingly, the need remains for a carton for packaging granular materials that provides a dosing scoop which is readily accessible to the consumer at all times. A need also remains for a method of reattaching the scoop once initially separated from the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention meets the aforementioned needs by providing a container for granular or powdered products as well as for collections of small individual items to be packaged together (i.e. candies, cereal, toys etc.). According to a first embodiment of the present invention a container defining a cavity for storing products, said cavity having an opening through which the product can be removed during use is provided. The container includes a lid, which may be affixed to the container. When the lid is affixed it may be affixed by any known means, preferably by a hinge. The lid covers said cavity opening when in a closed position. The container further comprises front, back and side panels to form a cavity with an opening. When the lid is affixed to the container it may preferably be affixed to an upper portion of the back panel. The carton further comprises a bottom panel. At least one side panel of said container has at least one extension for affixing said utensil. In a preferred embodiment the extension is provided with an aperture for affixing the utensil, measuring scoop or other dosing device to the extension. This arrangement provides for an accessible utensil (e.g., one that has not been buried in the product of the package), which is easily located by a user of the package upon first opening of the package. The extension can be placed anywhere on the side panel so long as the placement provides an accessible utensil.

According to an additional embodiment of the invention the carton, as described above, further comprises a bottom panel and a liner. The liner is formed from four side panels. At least one side panel of said liner has at least one extension for affixing said utensil. In a preferred embodiment the extension is provided with an aperture for affixing the utensil, measuring scoop or other dosing device to the extension. This arrangement provides for an accessible utensil (e.g., one that has not been buried in the product of the package), which is easily located by a user of the package upon first opening of the package. The extension can be placed anywhere on the side panel of the liner so long as the placement provides an accessible utensil.

All percentages and proportions herein are by weight, and all references cited are hereby incorporated by reference, unless otherwise specifically indicated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1. is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the package according to the present invention.

Figure 2. is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the package according to the present invention.

Figure 3. is a plan view of a carton blank before assembly.

Figure 4. is a plan view of a carton liner before assembly.

Figure 5. is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the package according to the present invention.

Figure 6. is a perspective view of a laundry detergent package according to the present invention. Figure 7. is a perspective view of a laundry detergent package and utensil according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. As discussed more fully hereafter, the present invention is directed to a carton for containing granular, powdered or other contents, provided with a utensil, which is affixed to the carton via extension of the carton or the carton liner. It is understood that the words carton, package and container are interchangeable within the context of this disclosure. By utensil is meant any type of measuring device, or tool that may be supplied in a container for the purpose of dispensing the product contained therein. A particularly preferred carton or package 10 made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Fig 1. The package 10 is illustrated as a six-sided carton having a lid 12 formed from flaps 14, 16, 18, and 20 and interconnected with a container 22 formed from a base 24 and side panels 26, 28, 30 and 32. The lid, base and side panels each have inner and outer surfaces, wherein the inner surfaces are disposed within the interior of the package 10 and the outer surfaces are disposed about the exterior of the package. The side panels 26, 28, 30 and 32 each having upper edges 31, and lower edges 33. At least one side panel 26, 28, 30 or 32 is provided with at least one extension 48. i a preferred embodiment an extension 48 is affixed to upper edge 31. Said extension 48 has an aperture 50 to which a utensil can be easily affixed. The size and shape of aperture 50 is determined by the particular utensil intended to be supplied in the package.

Another embodiment of package 10 made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated by way of Fig. 2. The package 10 is as described above in Figure 1 wherein the carton is additionally provided with a liner 34, as shown more fully in Fig. 4. The preferred liner 34 has side panels 36, 38, 40, and 42 each having upper edges 44 and lower edges 46 (not visible in Fig. 2). The liner may have only one side panel, or up to as many side panels as the carton itself. The liner 34 also has at least one extension 48. Preferably the extension 48 is affixed to the upper edge 44. Said extension 48 has an aperture 50 wherein a utensil can be easily affixed. The size and shape of aperture 50 is determined by the particular utensil intended to be supplied in the package.

The package 10 is preferably used to store powdered or granular products, examples of which might include laundry detergents, foods, and the like, hi addition, the package 10 can be used to store any other products where it is desired to provide a utensil. The terms "granular" and "powdered" are used interchangeably herein and are intended to refer to any products comprising solid or semi-solid particles. While the present invention is described herein with reference to the exemplary six-sided package of Figs. 1 and 2, it is contemplated that the present invention can be adapted for use with other package configurations and shapes. For example, the present invention can be used with packages having one or more curved or curvilinear panels and the like. Further, the present invention can be used with bottom fill and side-fill cartons. While the package 10 is illustrated in Fig. 1 with the lid 12 disposed at the top of the carton, it is contemplated that the lid 12 can be placed at other locations, multiple lids can be provided and other lid configurations can be accommodated.

Additionally, it is contemplated that the extension 48 may be placed in a corner of the package 10, or just below the upper edges 31 , 44, of any of said side panels 26, 28,30, and 32 or liner side panels 36, 38, 40, and 42 respectively. One such embodiment is exemplified in Figure 5.

The package 10 can be formed from the blank 60 illustrated in Fig. 3. The blank 60, has a section corresponding to each of the lid flaps 14, 16, 18 and 20 and each of the side panels 26, 28, 30 and 32, as shown. For purposes of discussion, it is the interior surfaces of the flaps and panels of the blank 60, which are visible in Fig. 3. The base 24 of the package 10 is preferably formed from base flaps 62, 64, 66 and 68. The blank 60 also includes a glue flap 70 disposed along an edge of the side panel 32. The flaps and panels of the blank 60, are integrally interconnected with each other by score lines, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 89, 91, and 93. The score lines are cut deep enough to facilitate bending of the various flaps and panels about their respective score lines without fracture or separation of the flaps and panels from their neighboring flap or panel.

The liner 34 can be formed from blank 90 illustrated in Fig. 4. The blank 90 has a section corresponding to each of the side panels 36, 38, 40, and 42 integrally interconnected with each other by score lines 92, 94, 96, and 98. The blank 90 further comprises an extension flap 48 integrally connected to an upper edge 44 of at least one side panel 36, 38, 40, and/or 42 by a score line 100. The extension flap 48 has an aperture 50.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7. Figure 6 exemplifies a package according to the present invention wherein the package 10 further comprises a laundry detergent composition. Figure 7 also exemplifies a package according to the present invention wherein the package 10 further comprises a laundry detergent composition and a measuring scoop.

The package 10 is preferably used to store powdered or granular products, examples of which might include laundry detergents, foods, cleaning products and the like. In addition, the package 10 can be used to store any other products where it is desired to provide an easily accessible utensil in the package.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible and contemplated in light of the above teachings by those skilled in the art, and the embodiments discussed were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A package, comprising:

a) a container formed from a base and at least four side panels connected to said base to form a cavity, said cavity having an opening, and each of said side panels having an upper and a lower edge;

b) a lid for closing said opening;

wherein at least one of said side panels has an extension affixed to said side panel, said extension having an aperture disposed within said extension.

2. A package, comprising:

b) a lid for closing said opening; and

c) a liner disposed within said container cavity, said liner having at least one panel, each panel having an upper and lower edge, wherein at least one panel has an extension affixed to said panel, said extension having an aperture disposed within said extension.

3. A package according to claim 1 further comprising a utensil having a handle capable of being inserted through the aperture of said extension.

4. A package according to claim 2 further comprising a utensil having a handle capable of being inserted through the aperture of said extension.

5. A package, comprising: a) a container formed from a base and at least four side panels comiected to said base to form a cavity, said cavity having an opening, and each of said side panels having an upper and a lower edge;

b) a lid for closing said opening;

wherein at least one of said side panels has an extension affixed to said side panel, said extension having an aperture disposed within said extension, further comprising a utensil affixed to said extension.

6. A package, comprising:

b) a lid for closing said opening;

wherein at least one of said side panels has an extension affixed to said side panel, said extension having an aperture disposed within said extension, further comprising a utensil affixed to said extension and wherein said cavity contains detergent.

7. A package, according to claim 2 further comprising a utensil affixed to said extension.

8. A package, according to claim 2 wherein said cavity contains a detergent composition.

9. A package, according to claim 1 wherein said lid is affixed to said upper edge of at least one side panel.