CA1042390A - Box for encasing a bag containing liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE
BOX FOR ENCASING A BAG CONTAINING LIQUID

INVENTOR
HOUSTON REHRIG

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A quadratic box formed of six panels, one of which is hinged to function as a lid. A removable plastic bag for containing liquid is encased within the box. A large portion of each of the panels is of open lattice construction with strengthening ribs. Sections of solid construction are provided at some points to enable the box to withstand the pressure of the liquid contained in the encased bag. The hinges attaching the lid each comprise a shaft carried by one panel seated in a recess formed in another panel, the shaft being held in place in the groove by a removable metal spring clip that closes the top of the recess. One of the end panels contains an opening through which a liquid dispensing tube can be extended, and this end panel is sloped toward the opening to allow complete drainage of liquid.

Description

- ~042390 .-;' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention deals generally with containers and more particularlywith containers for carrying liquid in bulk that is dispensed directly from the container.
It has become commonplace in recent years to dispense liquids from bulk storage containers holding some 10 gallons, for example, directly to , the consumer. One of the best examples of this is the dispensing of mi~
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by the glass in restaurants from a container housed in a refrigerated cabinet.
`~ ! Dispensing of edibles poses particular problems in the area of cleanliness.
~ , . I , 1~ the prior art, large milk cans have been utilized, equipped with a dispensing tube at the bottom, and housed in refrigerated cabinets. These containers were quite heavy in construction, and were expensive to manu- !
. 11 . i ! facture and to handle. E`urthermore, the metal containers were circular in cross-section? and thus there was much wasted capacity in the usual i ~j rectangular refrigerated cabinet, and there was wasted space in shipping, :. i! storing and stacking in refrigeration rooms and trucks, a~aiting use.
More recently in the prior art there came into use coated paperboard I! containers of quadratic shape. The quadratic shape was certainly more i efficient from the standpoint of effective space utilization. However, the . I
paperboard containers ~vere very fragile when filled, necessitating that they be placed in rigid shipping boxes for shipment and storage, and then removed immediately prior to use. They were difficult to handle even '; when simply being lifted into the cabinet, and were quite susceptible to li leakage. The paperboard containcrs could not be reused, so they were i discarded after use. This was a significant added expense.

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To eliminate the problems of leakage, plastic bags or liners were placed inside the paperboard containers. However, this did not solve the other problens.
SUMNARY OF THE INVENTION
; This invention eliminates the problems encountered in the prior art devices. It provides, in one aspect of the invention, a self-supporting reusable container or box that encases a plastic bag filled with liquid. The plastic bag is discarded after use.
The box is cleaned and sterilized for reuse.
, - 10 The inventive box is most advantageously formed of six rectangular ` panels put together into a quadratic form. Five of the six panels are integra~ly ~ormed together, preferably of plastic by injection molding, and C\ the si~th panel, a lid, is hingedly attached. A plastic bag inside the box contains the liquid. The plastic bag is usually filled while the box is positioned on one end or on its side, and liquid is dispensed with the box positioned on one end. The panels are predominantly of open lattice ~; construction, strengthened by ribs and solid portions. This provides a strong, lightweight box that can easily be cleaned and sterili~ed, inside and out. Its molded construction also facilitates cleaning by virtue of the 20 ~absence of seams and fasteners.
The boxes are normally stored on their sides, stacked upon one another, each resting on a particular side panel, which is provided with legs. The lattice structure of this panel is of heavier construction than the .
lattice on the other panels, because it must support the weight of the liquid ~n the bag. The pressure of the liquid is also felt by the lowermost portions of the two adjacent upright side panels and the end panel, and therefore portions of thesc panels are of solid, not lattice, construction.

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11 . 1 l! iO4Z390 To dispense liquid from the bag, the box is placed upon one of its ends. That end panel is of solid construction, and is provided with an opening through which the neck and dispensing tube of the bag extend.
The end panel is sloped toward the opening, to insure that all of the liquid ;~ is drained from the bag, so there is no waste. The aforementioned opening :. ,. j , in the end panel has two portions, one larger than the other. The neck of the bag is positioned in the larger portion, and then pressed into the , smaller portion, where it is held securely in place.
` ij A novel hinge mechanism allows the lid easily to be attached alld ~I detached, yet is simple in construction and is easily cleaned. A hinge shaft on one panel is seated in an open recess on the adjacent panel.
I! A metal hinge spring of generally U-shaped construction snaps into grooves li fla~ing the recess, and closes the top of the recess to capture the shaft - I! therein.
The lid is latched in the closed position by a latch comprising an opening in a lip extending from the lid in overlapping relationship to the ! adjacent side panel, with a protrusion molded upon the adjacent side panel.
¦i This simple design secures the lid without additional elements, and with a ¦~ latch that is easy to operate and easy to clean.
To allow the box easily to be disengaged and removed from a deep injection mold, the side panels can be-tapered inwardly slightly from top to bottom. If this be the case, the stacking legs provided on one of the panels are tapered in a reverse manncr, outwardly from top to Il bottom, a magnitude twice that of the inward t~per of the panel. This !! compensates for tl-e inward taper of the panel upon ~,vhich the le~s are , mounted, and for the inward tapcr of thc pancl of thc adjaccnt bo~; with ~vhich ', .

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104Z~90 the legs make contact. Thus, the stack of boxes is straight and stable.
In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a box for encasing a bag containing liquid comprising:
~` first, second, third and fourth substantially rectangular side panels joined together along their edges to form a substantially quadratic envelope-having first and -second-ends, each-of said ; side panels being tapered inwardly from said first end toward said second end, each of said side panels having at least portions ~` 10 of open lattice construction, a lid panel for closing said first ` end of said envelope, said lid panel being hingedly attached to ` one of said side panels and being movable between an open position allowing access to the interior of said envelope and a closed position, means for fastening said lid panel in said closed position, an end panel closing said second end of said envelope, and leg-means extending outwardly from one of said side panels, said leg means extending outwardly a greater distance at said second end than at said first end to compensate for the inward taper of said side panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
`~ FTG. 1 is an isometric view of the first embodiment of a box constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the box shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the box shown in FIG. l;

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1()~2390 FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the box shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the box shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the box shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 7 is a view taken through line 7-7 of FIG. 2, showing a sectional view of a plurality of the boxes of FIG.
1 stacked for storage with liquid dispensing bags inside;
FIG. 8 is a view taken through line 8-8 of FIG. 2, showing an end view of a plurality of the boxes of FIG. 2 stacked for storage;
( FIG. 9 (fifth sheet of drawings) is a view taken on line 9-9. of FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 (ninth sheet of drawings) is a view taken through line 10-10 of FIG. 5, showing particularly the details of the lid hinge construction;
FIG. 11 (ninth sheet of drawings) is a rear elevational view of the box of FIG. 1 with the lid in the full ( 20 open position;
FIG. 12 (sixth sheet of drawings) is a sectional view of a portion of the box in its inverted position for dispensing liquid;
FIG. 13 (last sheet of drawings) is a view taken through line 13-13 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a second enibodiment of a box constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;
FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the box shown in FIG. 14:
-5a-,i . l ' - FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the box shown in FIG. 14;

FI~. 17 is a bottom plan vie~ of the box shown in FIG. 14;
, i FIG. 18 is a view taken through line 18-18 of FIG. 14:
FIG. 19 is a view taken through line 19-19 of FIG. 14;
il FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken through line 20-20 of FIG. 14, 'll showing a plurality of the boxes of FIG. 14 stacked for storage;
FIG.- 21 is a view taken through line 21-21 of FIG. 14, showing particularly the details of the lid hinge construction; and i EIG. 22 is a view taken through line 22-22 of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF l~i PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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The bo~ manufactured in accordance with this invention comprises ~`~ 11 I
! a six sided quadratic envelope. Five side panels are rigidly attached together. The sixth side panel, hingidly attached tothe others, can selectively be opened and closed to provide access to the interior. 1~ order to facilitate explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the !i panels are labeled front, rear, side, bottom and top to relate to the drawings.
~- Y ~ ~ ~; but this is for reference only, and should not be considered to be limiting.
FM. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention, with the box standing upright, in which position the liquid containing liner is normally - ~ installed and filled with liquid. The box comprises a front panel 10, a ; right side panel 12, a left side panel 14 (FIGS. 8 and 9) that is identical to .! " :
- ~ right side panel 12, aback panel 16 (FlG. 3), a bottom panel 18 (FIG. 6).

~ ' and a top panel 20. Front panel 10, side panels 12 and 14, and back panel 16 .. . .
are attached together at their contiguous edges, and bottom panel 18 is " attached along its edges to these four panels. Preferably, these five panels .,.,.,. :

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, ``` 104Z390 are integrally molded in a single piece of plastic by convention-al pressure molding techniques.
Front panel 10 (FI~. 2) comprises a central lattice portion 24, having a plurality of lattice openings 26 defined by horizontal lattice members 28 and vertical lattice members 30, which are integral with one another at their many junctures.
The strength of lattice portion 24 is determined by the thick-ness and depth of lattice members 28 and 30. This will be discussed in more detail below. While rectangular lattice has been illustrated, other lattice patterns, such as diamond or honeycomb, could be used.
The edges of front panel 10 are defined by a pair of corner members 32 and 34 which converge slightly from top to bottom, as viewed in FIG. 2. This convergence (seen at 105' - 15 in FIG. 4), and the similar convergence of side panels 12 and 14 and back panel 16, allow the box to be easily removed from a deep single cavity mold. By manufacturing the major part of the box in this manner, great strength is achieved, since all five panels are integral with one another. Moreover, the lack of seams and fasteners eliminates places where foreign matter can collect, thus facilitating cleaning and steriliza-; tion of the box for use. A bottom corner member 36 defines the bottom edge of front panel 10. A depressed solid section 38 is interposed between lattice 24 and corner members 32, 34 and 36, and is also integral with the other elements. Of course, while the various portions of this and the other panels . , are described as separate elements for clarity, it should be realized that these separately described elements are advan-tageously integrally formed with one another.
A horizontal rib 40 defines the upper limit of lattice 24. A solid section 42 is bounded by corner members 32 and 34 and rib 40, and extends 104Z;~
to the upper edge of front panel 10. An opening 44 is provided in section 42 to enable the lid 20 to be unfastened, as explained below. A pair of strengthening ribs 46 and 48 are also provided, dividing solid section 42 into three portions, the uppermost of which is covered by the lip of the lid, when the lid is closed. Ribs 46 and 48 join with rib 40, and with side corner members 32 and 34. At the mid point of the upper edge of solid section 42 is a raised fastening protrusion 49, that is engaged by the lid, as described ! .
below.
il - ElG. 4 shows right side panel 12, of which left side panel 14 is simply a reversed duplicate. Right side 12 also has a central lattice portion 50,-~comprising lattice openings 52, defined by horizontal lattice s members 54 and ~ertical lattice members 56. Right side panel 12 is bounded g, on the left by corner member 3 4, which is inclined inwardly as to side panel 12 as it was to front panel 10. On the right,~ right side panel 12 is ~2, ~ bounded by another corner member 58, --aIso inclined inwardly from top to ! bottom. A pair of long horizontal strengthening ribs 59 and 60 delineate i solid sections 66, 68, 70 and 72. Solid section 70 is strengthened by a i pair of ribs 62 and 64. Superposed upon solid section 72 is a curved strengthening rib 78. The lower edge of the panel terminates in a bottom edge member 74. Solid section 70 adds strength to panels 12 and 14 at that - ~ portion of each panel which is the lower portion when the box is on its side for storage and stacliing. At this time, the outward pressure of the liquid bag is greater along the lower portion of panels 12 and 14.
i - The rear panel 16 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. Rcar panel 16 !! is also of lattice construction, having a l~tticc portion 82 h~ving lattice opcnin, s 84. Howcvcr, rc~r panel lG is so constructed as to posscss ! -8-greater strength than front panel 10 and side panels 12 and 14. m is is because rear panel 16 must be capable of supporting the entire weight of liquid contained in the bag when the box is horizontally oriented, with rear panel 16 facing downwardly, during storing and stacking. A plurality of horizontal ribs 86 and vertical ribs 88 are present.
However, each lattice opening 84 is defined by a shoulder 90 extending from ribs 86 and 88. The openings 84 themselves are thus smaller than the lattice openings in the other panels, and there is more solid mass present in this panel.
Horizontal ribs 86 terminate in ~orner members 58 and 91, ; - which are inclined inwardly from top to bottom.
A bottom solid section 92 is integral with corner - members 58 and 91, as is a solid section 94. Upstanding from the surface of corner members 58, 91, 92 and 94 are side legs 98 and 100, bottom leg 102, and top leg 104. Side legs 98 and 100 terminate in a stacking surface 101 that is outwardly ~ inclined from top to bottom so that they compensate for the `;~ inward inclination of the back panel to which they are attached and the front panel of an adjacent box. Looking to FIG. 4, it is seen that corner member 58 and rear panel 16, are inclined from a vertical axis 103 so that there is an inward offset 105 at the bottom. Legs 98 and 100 are outwardly inclined from the vertical axis 103 so that there is an out-: ', .
ward offset 106 at the bottom which is equal the magnitude ofinward offset 105'. Therefore, leg 102 is of greater height than leg 104 (FIG. 7). By this arrangement, when a plurality of boxes are stacked, the panels 18 and 20 are all parallel to one another in the same plane. Legs 98, 100, 102 and 104 are set inwardly from the edges of rear panel 16 a predetermined ~' .

distance, so that they are received upon the front panel 10 of an adjacent box within the recessed area 38 bounded by corner members 32 and 34, ; bottom member 36, and rib 40, resting upon lattice members 30.
Bottom panel 18 (FIG. 6) has a central open lattice partion com-prising a plurality of lattice openings 110 defined by lattice members 112 and 114. Transverse strengthening ribs 116 and 118 di~ide the remainder , .
; ` of panel 18 into solid sections 120,122,124 and 126. Edge members 36, ,, ~! 74 and 92 form the perimeter of the panel. Solid section 124 is at the - 11 lower portion o~ bottom panel 18 when the box rests upon back panel 16, during storage and stacking. Thus, a portion of higher strength is provided to resist the force of the liquid inside.
The construction of the top panel, which in this embodiment is the lid, is shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 7, 9 and 10. Lid 20 comprises front edge ` ~ !! member 130, rear edge member 132, and a pair of side edge members 134 !i and 136. Channels 138 run the entire length of edge members 134 and 136, .. ; .
ii to receive, in interlocking relationship, the upper edge of solid section 76 of each of side panels 12 and 14. Extending downwardly from front edge !i member 130 is a lip 140, at a right angle to the plane of the edge members ¦ 134 and 136. Lip 140 is provided with an opening 142 so positioned as to be engageable with protrusion 49, to fasten lid 20 in the closed position.
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~ ~ Lip 140 is ne~ible enough to be flexed outwardly over protrusion 49 during .,~.~. jj .
opening and closing of lid 20. In order to disengage lip 140 from protrusion ;
- 49, and open lid 20, a finger is inserted into opening 44 in front panel 10, i~ and lip 140 is pulled outwardly and upwardly.

A flat section 146 extends inwardly from front edge me~nber 130.

A compound opening l47 is present in section 146, comprising an cnlargcd i --10--!, .
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portlon 148 and a smaller portion 150. The neck and spout of the liçlui~
containing bag is accommodated in opening 147, as described below. Four strengthening ribs 152, 154, 156 and 158 radiate out~vardly from section 146, to the corners of lid 20. These ribs taper outwardly toward the corners, to define and support five solid sections 160,162,164,166-and 168, which are sloped inwardly (as viewed in FIG. 1~ from section 146 toward the edge members. Therefore, when the box is inverted to the liquid dispensing position, the taper in the lid will allow complete drainage of the bag.
ii Edge member 132 is provided with several triangular braces 170, to stiffen the lid hinge structure, shown best in FIGS. 1, 5 and 10. Extending outwardly and rearwardly from edge member 132 are two pairs of opposed bosses 174, each ha~Ting a triangular side brace 176 (See FIG. 5). A shaft 178 !
is supported by each pair of bosses 174. Formed in the upper portion of back panel 16 are a pair of hinge elements 180, each having a longitudinal recess 182 for receiving shaft 178, and a cut-out section 184. Each hinge element further comprises a horizontal groove 186 and a vertical groove 188 ~FIG. 10). The hinge construction is completed by a flat metal spring clip 190 of generally U-shaped cross-section having a first flange 192 e~ctending into groove 186 and a second nange 194 extending into groove 188.
Spring clip 190 holds shaft 178 in recesses 182, and is installed by snapping it into place in grooves 186 and 188. It can easily be removed. The hinge design is such that lid 20 can be pivoted from its c;osed position to a full open position flat against the outside of back panel 16 (FIG. 11). Strengtheningribs 156 and 158 extend into notches 107 in leg 104 when lid 20 is in the full open position as seen in FlGS. 11 and 13.

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' 104Z390 The liq-!id in the bo:~- is contained in a bag "00 made of thin plastic film. Bag 200 has a circular collar 202, from which extends a neck 204.
A pair of spaced outer flanges 206 and 208 are formed on neck 204, as is an inward nange 210. A cap 212 fits into neck 204, being secured in place by engagement with flange 210. Cap 212 has a dispensing outlet 214 to which ; is attached a dispensing tube 216, The free end of tube 216 is closed, such as by crimping at 218.
~I For the filling operation, the box is normally placed on bottom ~! panel 18, as shown in FIG. 1. Lid 20 is pivoted to the full open position, ii and bag 200 is placed within the box. At this point, cap 212 is not yet ¦ i~stalled. Collar 202 is positioned at that point at which opening 147 of ji lid 20 will be present when lid 20 is closed. Bag 200 is then filled with ¦~ liquid through collar 202, and upon completion of the filling cap 212 is installed. Tube 216 is then folded against the top of the filled bag 200, li ' where it remains until immediately prior to use. Lid 20 is pivoted to the closed position, where projection 49 engages opening 142 to fasten the j,-lid closed.
¦¦ The box can now be placed on back panel 16 for handling, shipping ¦¦ and storing. In such position, it rests upon legs 98, 100, 102 and 104.
A number of filled boxes can be stacked upon one another~ as shown in ; FIGS. 7 and 8. The outwardly tapered configuration of legs 98, 100, 102 and 104 compensates for the in~vard taper of the boxes so that they stack i horizontally. The rectangular pattern of legs 98, 100, 102 and 104 fits ' closely within the rectangular outline of corner members 32, 34 and 36, and rib 40 of front panel 10, thus interlockin~ the stacked boxes.

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, , 104Z390 To utilize the box in a typical liquid dispenser, such as a refrigerated restaurant milk dispenser, the box is first placed on bottom panel 16, and lid 20 is opened. Tube 216 is extended from bag 200, and passed through il i opening 147 in lid 20 as the lid is returned to the closed position. Neck 204 is positioned in the larger portion 148 of opening 147 and then, when lid 20 ! is completely closed, neck 204 is pressed into the smaller portion 150 of the opening, so that panel 146 is flanked by flanges 206 and 208. The size of portion 150 of opening 147 is such that neck 204 is retained therein. The ,j ;
j box can now be inverted and placed in the refrigerated dispenser (not shown) oriented as in FIG. 12. Tube 216 is connected to a conventional dispenser i ~ralve mechanism, and the crirnped end 218 is cut off to allow liquid to flow therethrough.
l When the liquid has been exhausted, the box is removed from the j dispenser and ba~ 200 is discarded. The box can then be cleaned and sanitized for reuse, this being facilitated by the open lattice construction t !i and the absence of seams and fasteners. The lid can easily be removed ¦~ for cleaning by snapping spring 190 from grooves 186 and 188, thus freeing .; . i shaft 178.
! A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 14-22.
The inventive concepts are the same as with the first embodiment described above, the chief difference being in the fact that the lid in this second embodiment is on the side of the structure, instead of on the top, as in i the other embodiment.
The box of this embodiment has a front lid panel 310, left side panel 312, right slde panel 314, a bac~i panel 31G, a bottom panel 318, and a top panel 3"0.

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Back panel 316 has a lattice portion 324 comprising a plurality oî

` lattice openings 326 defined by shoulders 328, horizontal lattice members 330, ; ~ ' and vertical lattice members 332. Corner members 334, 336, and 388 and 340 form the perimeter of this panel. A rectang~ar frame 342 extends :;.,. ;
; outwardly from corner members 334-340, to interlock with the top panel i '~ of a box undern~ea~ ~n a stac'k, as explained below. Because back panel 316 must support the entire weight of the liquid in the box when the box is stacked, , lattice portion 324 is of heavier construction than the lattice portions of the ji other panels.
Left side panel 312 is shown in FIG. 16. It has a lattice portion 344 11 comprising lattice openings 346 defined by horizontal lattice members 348 !i and vertical lattice members 350. Left side panel 312 is rimmed by corner members 338, 352, 354 and 356. The hinges are mounted on left side p nel 312. ~ To provide extra strength at tl~e hinge points, a solid section 358 is provided, adjacent to corner member 354. An additional solid section 360, rei~ forced by ribs 366, provides extra strength to accommodate the increased pressilre placed upon that part of panel 312 when the box rests upon back pand 316. Finally, additional end strength is pro~ided by solid sections 368 and 370.
Corner member 354 includes three offset portions 372 to accommodate the hinge elements 374 mounted on left side panel 312. Each hinge element ~3~ comprises (FIG. 21) a recess 376 for receiving the hinge shaft (described , below), and first and second grooves 3~8 and 380 for recei~ring flanges 384 and 386 of a hing- ~pring 388, -, ~ , j

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~042390 ' In thls ~mbodimcnt thc front r)i~nel functions also as the lid.
Front panel 310 (I;IG. 1~) comprises a lattice portion 390 having lattice ~ openings 39" defined by horizontal lattice members 394 and vertical ;' lattice members 396. Front panel 310 is pro~rided with edge members 400, !~ 402, 404 and 406, adjacent to which is a circumscribing solid section 408.
,i Attached to edge member 400 are three pairs of bosses 410, each of which is strengthened by a brace 412. Supported between each pair of ' bosses 410 is hinge shaft 379, which is seated in grooves 376, being held ~i therein by hinge spring 388. A closure lip 416 is attached to front panel 31011 at a right angle thereto. Lip 416 has a pair of tongue portions 418, and a pair of fastening openings 420. Side lips 421 also e~;tend from panel 310 perpendicularly to corner members 402 and 406, at both the top and the bottom of the panel.
¦¦ Right side panel 314 (FIG. 14) is ~uite similar to left side panel 312, '' comprising lattice openings 424, horizontal lattice members 426, vertical ., lattice members 428, a solid section 430, with strengthening ribs 432, ¦¦ iand 434, and additional solid sections 436 and 438. Corner members 334, 440, and 442 demark the edges of panel 314. Additionally, right side pancl 314 carries lid fastening elements, in the form of a pair of fastening : protrusions 444 and openings 446. This fastening mcchanism works exactls likc that which ~vas disclosed above in regard to the first cmbodiment " of thc invcntion. ~n additional solid section 44~ is reinforced b~ ribs 450, 1' 452 and 454, which arc contoured to match thc shàpc of lip 416. Fastcnin~
~ protrusions 444 are mountcd on thnt portion Or section 44~ thnt is benci~th lip 41G in l;IG, 1 I.A rcinforcill~ rib 4In pnr~llcl to nnd spDced lntcr~l~
" from lip 41G is formcd on the bncl; sidc Or cdgc mcmber 40~ ib 41~ :
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extends longitudinally from one fastening protrusion 444 to the other as seen in FIG. 22. The rib 419 is spaced from lip 416 a distance approximately the thickness of solid section 448 of right side panel 314. This insures that ; side panel 314 cannot be distended inwardly by a force from outside at an angle to the panel, or by the vertical loading present during stacking.
Top panel 320 in this embodiment is integral with side panels 312 and 314, and back panel 316. Corner members 340, 442 and 356 bound solid sections 456, 458, 460 and 462, which are also outlined by ribs 464, 1! 466,468, 470 and 472. Sections 4~8, 460 and 462 are inclined, as were i~ the similar sections in the lid of the first embodiment of the invention, i~ to allow complete drainage of liquid from the bag when the box is inverted Ij to the dispensing position. Section 456 is flat, and contains an opening 474 iI having a small portion 476 and an enlarged portion 478. A contoured rib 480 ¦¦ complements the shape of lip 421, which extends over the outer portion of section 456 when front lid panel 310 is closed, Bottom panel 318 (FIG. 17) comprises a lattice portion having lattice openings 482, horizontal lattice members 484, and vertical lattice members 486. A solid section 488 is at that portion of panel 320 which is the ¦1 lower portion when the box is placed on back panel 3l6, to provide the increased resistance to the pressure of the fluid. A pair of solid panels 490 and 492 flank the lattice portion. The perimeter of panel 418 is defined by corner members 336, 352 and 440. The final solid section 494 is provided with a contoured rib 496, that complements the contour of the bottom lip 421, which extends over the upper portion of section 494 u~hen front lid panel 310 is closed.

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Il . . , ' I' ,j`` i ~04;Z390 In this embodiment of the invcntion, the panels are not inwardly tapered. Also, the interrelationship of stacked boxes differs from that of the first embodiment. This is shown in FIG. 20. Legs 342 do not rest , upon the lower bo~, but function only as an interlock to facilitate stacking.
" Legs 342 are thus shorter than the height of corner members 400, 402, i 404 and 4~6 above solid section 408. Therefore, the peripheral portion of the corner members 334, 336, 338 and 340, of rear panel 316, will i~ rest upon the peripheral portions of three of the corner members 402, 404 jj ' ¦i and 406 of front lid panel 310, plus the corner member 354 of left side I!panel312.
¦¦ - The operation of this embodiment is almost like that of the other t embodiment, except that access to the interior of the box is via the hinged il side panel. The neck of the liquid dispenser bag (not shown) and the tube extending therefrom (also not shown) are left within the box until the box is to be positioned for dispensing. Then, with the box resting on back panel 316, front panel 310 is opened and the tube and neck of the bag are ; ii pulled through opening 478. The neck is then secured in opening 476.
, The box is then placed in the dispenser cabinet upon top opening 476 of ¦ panel 320, and used in the manner described with the other embodiment.
While many modifications and variations of the above described ii embodiments may become evident to one skilled in the art upon a reading ;! of this disclosure, it should be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but is defined by the appended claims:

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Claims (10)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A box for encasing a bag containing liquid comprising:
first, second, third and fourth substantially rectangular side panels joined together along their edges to form a substantially quadratic envelope having first and second ends, each of said side panels being tapered inwardly from said first end toward said second end, each of said side panels having at least portions of open lattice construction, a lid panel for closing said first end of said envelope, said lid panel being hingedly attached to one of said side panels and being movable between an open position allowing access to the interior of said envelope and a closed position, means for fastening said lid panel in said closed position, an end panel closing said second end of said envelope, and leg means extending outwardly from one of said side panels, said leg means extending outwardly a greater distance at said second end than at said first end to compensate for the inward taper of said side panels.

2. The box of claim 1 wherein said first side panel and said third side panel are opposite one another, and wherein said leg means comprise leg members extending longitudinally along said first side panel, each of said leg members being outwardly tapered from said first end toward said second end, the amount of said outward leg member taper being equal to the amount of inward taper of said third side panel.

3. The box of claim 2 further comprising recessed portion on said third side panel for receiving the leg members from the first side panel of an adjacent box, whereby adjacent of said boxes are interlocked upon stacking.

4. The box of claim 3 wherein said leg members are adjacent to the side edges of said first side panel, and further comprising second leg members on said first panel and extending laterally thereof, said recessed portion also accommodating said second leg members.

5. The box of claim 1 further comprising a dispenser opening in said lid panel for accommodating a liquid dispensing means, and wherein said lid panel comprises at least portions tapered inwardly of said box from said opening toward the edges of said lid panel to promote complete drainage of liquid from the bag when said box rests upon said lid panel.

6. The box of claim 5 wherein said dispenser opening com-prises a first portion and a second portion larger than said first portion and communicating therewith, whereby said liquid dispensing means can be positioned in said second portion and then moved into said first portion to be engaged and held there-by.

7. The box of claim 1 further comprising hinge means for attaching said lid panel to said one of said side panels, said hinge means comprising means defining an elongated open-topped hinge recess on said one side panel, and a hinge shaft carried by said lid panel, said hinge shaft being receivable in said hinge recess, and a removable spring clip attachable to said one side panel to close at least a portion of the top of said hinge recess to capture said hinge shaft therein.

8. The box of claim 1 further comprising a lip attached to the edge of said lid panel and extending substantially perpendic-ularly thereto in overlapping relationship with a portion of one of said side panels when said lid panel is in said closed position, and wherein said means for fastening said lid panel comprises a fastening opening in said lip and a raised protrusion on said portion of said side panel overlapped by said lip, said fastening opening being engageable with said protrusion.

9. The box of claim 8 further comprising a second opening in said one of said side panels positioned partially beneath said lip when said lip overlaps said portion of said one side panel, whereby said lip can be grasped and pulled out of engagement with said projection.

10. The box of claim 1 wherein said first side panel is substantially entirely of open lattice construction of sufficient strength to support the weight of the liquid in said bag when said box rests upon said first side panel and wherein said second, third and fourth side panels and said end panels each comprise portions of solid construction of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure of the liquid in said bag when said box rests upon said first side panel, and portions of open lattice construction.