Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Variable volume
Patent
1997-05-06
2000-12-26
Elkins, Gary E.
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Variable volume
53468, 53491, 624575, 624577, 206427, 229103, 22911715, 229186, B65D 546, B65D 556
Patent
active
061645265
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging methods and structures and in particular, to a substantially water tight carton made of paper that is coated with a polymer, and applicable in the fields of relatively short term storage and/or transportation of food, drink, medicine, etc. to be kept cooler than ambient temperature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The conventional cooler or ice box is one common solution to the need for storage and/or transportation of items to be cooled or kept cool relative to ambient temperature. A typical application for the conventional cooler is directed toward the desirability of having cool beverages at a remote location. The cooler is filled with a cooling source, such as ice, and the desired beverage(s), whether in cans, bottles, or other types of containers. The cooler satisfactorily insulates the items stored therein and thereby maintains the beverage(s) at a relatively cool temperature over the course of a day. However, the conventional cooler is nonetheless inconvenient in certain respects. For example, the conventional cooler is somewhat expensive to purchase; is relatively cumbersome to handle and store; and is typically unavailable for use on the spur of the moment. Thus, there exists room for improvement to known methods and apparatus for keeping items cooler than ambient temperature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a sheet of paper is coated with a water sealant and subsequently folded into a carton capable of storing ice together with one or more items to be kept cooler than ambient temperature. The paper carton is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and distribute. The low cost of the paper carton and its amenability to being distributed in sheet form render the carton less cumbersome to handle and more conveniently made available for purchase through convenience stores and the like. The paper carton is also easy to use and readily disposable, as well, because the paper is repulpable despite the water proof coating.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an otherwise conventional carton for beverage containers is modified to be selectively expandable to accommodate ice or some other cooling source proximate the beverage containers. By incorporating the functional aspects of a conventional cooler or ice box into a case of beer, for example, the present invention eliminates altogether the need for a conventional cooler or ice box and the inconveniences associated therewith. These advantages of the present invention and others will become apparent from the description of the present invention that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
With reference to the Figures of the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views,
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment carton constructed according to the principles of the present invention, depicting the carton in a first configuration;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the carton shown in FIG. 1, depicting the carton in a second configuration having increased capacity;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the carton shown in FIG. 2, depicting the carton in a third configuration providing access to containers packaged within the carton;
FIG. 4 is a sectioned side view of the carton shown in FIG. 2, depicting beverage containers and ice packaged within the carton;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a sheet of material that is manipulatable into the carton shown in FIGS. 1-4;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of another sheet of material that is manipulatable into the carton shown in FIGS. 1-4;
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment carton constructed according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of another alternative embodiment carton constructed according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of yet another carton constructed according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a sheet of
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Dalvey Jodi A.
Elkins Gary E.
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