Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-27
2001-11-20
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
C222S456000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318593
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to containers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to containers having a construction that meters the amount of product dispensed from the container.
b. Background Art
Containers, such as cardboard boxes, can be formed from a single sheet (i.e., a two-dimensional) blank of material which is folded and glued to form a three-dimensional container. It is known to provide such containers with internal compartments. These compartments are often provided to contain diverse materials or products, or to arrange the materials contained within the container in a certain manner.
It has been found desirable in certain applications to be able to dispense the contents in the container in controlled, predetermined amounts. A number of known containers that are constructed to dispense metered amounts of material rely upon a hinged pour spout construction that acts both as a reservoir for the predetermined amount of material and as a dispensing opening on the container. These hinged pour spouts are relatively complicated in construction and are oftentimes provided as a member that is separate from the blank forming the remainder of the container. This construction thus increases the cost and complexity associated with the container.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a container that is able to dispense a controlled, predetermined amount of material, while at the same time being relatively simple and inexpensive in construction.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a three-dimensional container in which is disposed a reservoir that is designed to hold a predetermined amount of material. A flow tube is connected with the reservoir and communicates with a pour spout on the container. When the container is positioned upright, a predetermined amount of material fills the reservoir. When the container is turned upside down to dispense material from the container, only the material in the reservoir is able to flow into the flow tube and be dispensed from the container. Thus, the container is able to dispense a metered amount of material corresponding to the amount of material in the reservoir.
In one embodiment, the container is in the form of a box. The box is formed from a two-dimensional blank, which is folded and secured to form a three-dimensional container. Preferably, the reservoir, flow tube, and pour spout opening are all integrally formed within the blank.
In another form, the invention comprises a three-dimensional container formed from a two-dimensional blank and having an interior for pourably retaining a granular material. The container comprises a plurality of panels enclosing a volume defining the interior of the container; a pour spout providing a passage though at least one of the panels; a reservoir mounted within the interior of the container and adapted to hold a predetermined amount of the granular material; and a flow tube connecting the reservoir with the pour spout. The reservoir and the flow tube may form an integral unit. That integral unit may be part of the two-dimensional blank, or the integral unit may be separate from the two-dimensional blank and mounted in the interior of the container. An opening adapted to receive the granular material may be present in the top portion of the reservoir. The pour spout may include a flap having a tab portion. A preferred material from which to make the two-dimensional blank is cardboard, most preferably being on the order of 0.01-0.03 inches thick.
In yet another form, the invention comprises a blank constructed from a foldable material and adapted to be formed into a three-dimensional container for pourably retaining a granular material. The blank comprises a first plurality of panels, including contiguous side and main panels joined by a first plurality of fold lines; at least one top flap contiguous with at least one of the main panels; at least two top end flaps contiguous with at least one of the side panels; at least one bottom flap contiguous with at least one of the main panels; at least two bottom end flaps contiguous with at least one of the side panels; and a second plurality of panels comprising reservoir-and-flow-tube-forming panels joined by a second plurality of fold lines, wherein at least one of the second plurality of panels is contiguous with at least one of the first plurality of panels along a joining fold line. The first plurality of panels may comprise two main panels and three side panels, wherein the side panels are narrower than the main panels, and wherein each of the main panels is contiguous with two of the side panels, and each of the side panels is contiguous with at least one of the main panels.
In still another form, the present invention comprises a method of dispensing a predetermined amount of granular material from a three-dimensional container having an interior adapted to pourably retain the granular material. The method comprising the steps of enclosing a volume defining the interior of the container using a plurality of panels; establishing a pour spout that provides a passage though at least one of the panels; mounting a reservoir within the interior of the container, wherein the reservoir is adapted to hold the predetermined amount of granular material; connecting a flow tube between the reservoir and the pour spout; positioning the container in an upright configuration; placing enough of the granular material into the interior of the container to at least fill the reservoir with the predetermined amount of granular material; and turning the container upside down to dispense the predetermined amount of granular material from the reservoir, through the flow tube, and out of the pour spout.
In another form, the invention comprises a method of forming a two-dimensional blank (constructed from a foldable material) into a three-dimensional container having an interior adapted to pourably retain a predetermined amount of granular material, a top end, and a bottom end. In this form of the invention, the blank includes a first plurality of panels joined by a first plurality of fold lines. The first plurality of panels comprising first and second main panels, and first, second, and third side panels, wherein the side panels are narrower than the main panels, and wherein the first side panel is contiguous with only the first main panel, wherein the second side panel is contiguous with both the first and second main panels, and wherein the third side panel is contiguous with the second main panel. The blank also includes at least one top flap contiguous with at least one of the main panels; at least two top end flaps contiguous with at least one of the side panels; at least one bottom flap contiguous with at least one of the main panels; at least two bottom end flaps contiguous with at least one of the side panels; and a second plurality of panels joined by a second plurality of fold lines. The second plurality of panels comprising an L-shaped panel, a flow-tube panel, a short panel, and an outer panel. The second plurality of fold lines comprises a first fold line joining the outer panel with the short panel; a second fold line joining the short panel with the L-shaped panel; a third fold line joining the outer panel with the flow-tube panel; and a fourth fold line joining the flow-tube panel with the L-shaped panel. A fifth fold, which is between the third side panel and the L-shaped panel, joins the second plurality of panels with the first plurality of panels. The first plurality of fold lines comprises a sixth fold line joining the third side panel with the second main panel; a seventh fold line joining the second main panel with the second side panel; an eighth fold line joining the second side panel with the first main panel; and a ninth fold line joining the first main panel with the first side panel. In this form of the invention, the method comprises the steps of folding substantially 90° in a first direction along the first and third fold lines wh
Block Steven
Laughlin Thomas
Patterson William
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Graphic Packaging Corporation
Kaufman Joseph A.
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