US1869751A - Dispensing carton - Google Patents

Description

G. IACOBITTI DISPENSING CARTON Filed Aug. 15, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INVENToR. G'luse/ope facob/'/l A TTORNEY Aug. 2, 1932.

msPENsINe CARTON Filed Aug. 15, 1959 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 N V EN TOR. Giuseppe cob/Tf1'.

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G.' lAcoBlT-rl Aug. 2,` 1932.

DISPENSING CARTON Filed Aug. l5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 R. m n m i be tightly closed when not in use.

-alzenlzed Aug. 2, ..1932

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UNITED STATES GIUSEPPE 'IACOBITTL 0F CROCKETT, CALIFORNIA, ASS-IGNOR TO CALIFORNIA AND HAWAIIAN SUGAR-REFINING CORPORATION, LIMITED, 0F SAN FRANCISCO, CALI-7 FORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA DIsrENsING CARTON Application led August 15, 1930. Serial No. 475,565.

My present invention relates to a packing carton for granular materials and more particularly to such a carton having means whereb it may be readily opened to provide a so-ca led pouring opening and be again closed to form a substantially tight closure of the carton.

An object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap and practical type of c arton and closure device which can be conveniently opened and closed by a simple hand operation without resort to any special knife or other tool for the purpose.

Another object of my invention is to provide a closure device which may be completely concealed when the carton is sealed and ready for shipment.

A further object is to provid-e upon a carton a closure device and arrangementl of flaps which in cooperation with each other will form a tight closure that cannot be opened by pressure exerted from within by ythe contents of the carton.

In the provision of a pouring opening upon cartons for granular commodities such as sugar and salt, it is desirable that the closure meansbe arranged so that the opening can When such a pouring opening is provided by tearing away portions of the carton the closure cannot be again ellectively closed and as a result a great many different types of stiffer or metallic closure devices have been developed. These latter closure devices have met with some successfbut are still subject to the objection that because of their shape, and

. size they project from the carton blanks when applied to the blanks before folding and as a result the cartons cannot be folded, filled and sealed b now generally used for forming and filling similar cartons not having a pouring opening. It is therefore a further object of my invention to provide a pouring opening and closure means for a carton that may be attached to the carton blank Ibefore the folding operation and which is of such form that it will not interfere with the folding, packing and sealing of the carton in a filling maa standard machine such as is chine suitable for filling a similar carton not having such a closure device.

In carrying out my invention I propose to form a pouring opening in at least one of the end flaps and secure thereover a relatively flat sliding closure means which in cooperation with a support upon another Hap will be held in proper relation with said opening when the carton is sealed and over which another flap may be disposed to completely conceal t-he same.

For a better understanding of my invention .reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein I have shown by way of illustration and not of limitation, preferred embodiments thereof.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views;

Figures 1, 2, 3v and 4 show in perspective a portion of a carton having its upper end closing flaps disposed in the different positions which they assume in closing the carton,

Figure 5 shows the end of a carton with the flaps glued in their closed positions,

Figure 6 is a plan view showing the scored portion of the top flap torn away to expose the closure device,

Figure 7 is a sure device,

Figures 8 and 9 are partial perspective views showing a modified and more simple form of my invention,

plan view of one form of clo- Figure 10 is a sectional view showing the disposition of this latter t pe of closure member and also one form o securing means,

Figure 11 is a sectional view showing another type of closure member securing means,

Figure 12 shows a further modified form of closure device constructed in accordance with my invention, and

Figures 13, 14 and 15 are perspective views 'of another embodiment of my invention, in which the closure device of relatively stif material is slidably mounted upon one of the end flaps.

Upon referring to the drawings, it will be seen that my improved carton comprises a body portion, deslgnated by the 'numeral 10, upon which there is formed two end flaps 11 and 12, and two side laps 13 and 14. The end A flaps 11 and 12 are shown as provided with interlocking tongues and recessed portions so that they will lie in substantially the same plane when closed. This interlocking tongue feature of the flaps 11 and 12 is no part of my present invention, but forms the subject matter of a copending application filed by me December 17, 1929, and identified by Serial Numher 414,697.

'In Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, the flaps j. 12 and 13 are shown as having respectively holes 15 and 16 which register to form an opening in the carton through which its contents ma be poured as will hereinafter appear. T 1e fiap 13 is shown as also having a closure device secured thereto which provides a means for closing the pouring opening after the carton is broken. This closure device in one embodiment of my invention comprises a relatively flat supporting member 17 and a slide 18. The slide 18 in this modification is shown as pivotally connected to the support 17 by a rivet 19 and is provided with an upwardly extending projection 2O for convenient operation.

After the carton blank has been equipped as above and closed as illustrated in Figure 5, the closure device and the pouring opening will be completely concealed. In order that the pouring opening may be readily exposed for use, I provide means whereby the overlying flap 14 can be conveniently torn away. This feature, as here illustrated contemplates the scoring of the Hap 14 so that the corner lying over the closure device may be easily torn off completely. In this embodiment the scoring extends diagonally in from two adjacent sides of the lap to a central point where a tongue portion 21 is out entirely free from the flap. With this arrangement the user merely grasps the tongue 21 and by a pulling operation can expose the closure device and the pouring outlet. By arranging the tongue 21 in this manner, I find that the corner .can be more easily removed than if the corner is pulled from any other direction. Upon referring now to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, it will be seen, as shown in Figure 5, that the closure device is completely concealed and when the corner of the iap 14, here designated 14', is torn away the closure device and its slide 18 will be exposed.

When providing a pouring opening upon cartons for granular materials such as sugar and salt, it is important that the closure means be suiiciently tight to prevent a sifting of the contents and a consequent loss of weight during transportation. In order to meet these conditions, I propose in this modification, as shown in Figure 7, to provide a plurality of tines 22 in spaced relation around the edges of the supporting member 17 so that it will hold the closure slide 18 snugly against the surface of the. flaps 13. These tines are bent over upon the flap to rmly hold the support 17 in place.

In a further modification of my invention, as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11, I diS- pense with the slide supporting member 17 and secure the slide, here designated by the numeral 25, directly to the surface of the flap 13. In this embodiment the slide 25, as Stated above, is secured directly upon the flap 13 by a rivet or other means 26 and the tearing out portion 14" of the flap 14 is so arranged that the edges of the slide 25 will always lay under the undisturbed portion of the flap 14 and be thus held closely against the surface of the Hap 13 adjacent the pouring opening. In order that the slide 25 may move freely under the flap 14, as when opening the pouring outlet, I provide an area as outlined by dotted lines X, upon which no glue will be provided. As a further feature in this connection, I may if necessary also slightly emboss the flap 14 at this point so as to provide a cavity between the liaps for the slide 25 when in its open position.

Another simple form. which my invention may take is illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 15 of the drawings. In this embodiment the pouring openings 15 and 16 in the flaps 12 and 13 respectively are shown as triangular in shape. ,This shape of opening is particularly desirable where it is required to pour the contents of the carton into small repelptacles, such as are used for sugar and the As a closure means, I show a fiat member 28 of relatively stiff material which may be of metal, Celluloid, cardboard, or in fact. any suitable material. The closure member 28 in this case is rectangular in shape and is attached to the carton flap 1.3 by projecting two oppositely disposed tongues 29 formed upon the sides of this member through parallel extending slots 30 which lie adjacent the opening 16, and later folding said tongues over upon the member 28 and about the portion of the flap 13 lying between the slots 30. If desired, these tongues 29 may also be turned outward aft-er being passed through the slots 30.

The slots 30 are shown as having a greater width at one end, as at 31. This construction permits the closure member 28 to be applied to the Hap 13 in a flat condition and the tongues 29 to be bent through this enlarged end 31 in assembling. Another variation of this feature is to make up the closure meinber 28 with the tongues 29 disposed at 90 from the body port-ion so that in cross section the part will be similar to an ordinary staple. The closure member 28 can then be applied by passing the tongues 29 through the narrow slots 30 where they will be bent over in much the same fashion as are the ordinary staple fasteners for stationery. In this device, like that shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11, I proi vide two oppositely disposed projections 32,.

one of which is to be turned up by the user to facilitate a slidin of the member 28. The outside orA concea mg flap 14 is here shown as having a scored portion 14 that may be readily torn away to expose the member 28 and the proper one of the projectlons 32. This scored portion is cut completely through at the apex of the triaigle and is rounded as at 33, so that a finger nail can be easily inserted to remove the closure concealing portion 14 These latter embodiments are much more simple in construction than is the embodiment first described and they are in some respects, particularly as to simplicity and cost, much more desirable. In these constructions the number of parts have been reduced to a minimum. Where the rivet, as shown in Figure 10, is provided for as a part of the closure there need be'only one piece in addition to the carton blank proper. This additional piece, as illustrated in Figure 8, is substantially of sector shape and is preferably provided with oppositeledisposed projections 27 one of whichcan turned up as shown in Figures 10 and 11 to form a handle by which the closure means 25 can bemoved, after the outer flap 14 has been opened as by tearing away the scored portion 14".

In operation only one of the projections 27 or 32 is used, this being the one nearest the edge of the carton, but by providing two such projections I make these parts symmetrical and thus facilitate a feeding of the parts from a hopper to an automatic assem ling machine Without the necessity ofvhaving to arrange the parts with one particular side pThe problem of economically providing a pouring outlet upon cartons of the type illustrated, wherein the cartons are formed of single blanks having end closure flaps as shown, is not a simple one. These cartons come from the box factory in a collapsed condition with only their vertical seam glued and the closing and sealing of the top and bottom is then completed at the filling station by automatic machinery.

The most desirable arrangment from the point of view of economy is to have the closure device embodied in and attached to the carton blank at the box factory. If the closure device is to be applied to the carton blank at the box factory, 1t will be necessary that the device be of such construction that it will not interfere with the successful operation `of the automatic forming, filling and sealing machines used for this purpose at.

the packing station.

All the closure devices for cartons of the type here involved, with which I am familiar, require that the closure devices be attached to the cartons after they have passed through the automatic forming, filling and sealing machine. This procedurev necessitates an additional operation at thefilling. station and results in an increase in the cost.

The types of devicescwhich are illustrated and described above have all of the features to bev desired vin a pouring carton and the closure means are of such construction that they can be applied to the carton blank at the box factory and will not interfere .with the operation of the automatic filling machinery.

In the drawings, the pouring outlet 16 in the ila 13` is shown as formed by cutting away t e ila at this point. I should like to have it un erstood, however, that while I have illustrated the flaps as provided with a definite opening or hole therethrough, I may in order to further insure against sifting, merely outline such, an opening by scoring the Hap 13 at this point and leave the final forming of the opening to the user who will punch these portlons out with the finger.

In another embodiment of my invention, as shown in Figure l2, I show a closure supporting member 23 of rectangular outline under which there is disposed a slide 24 having a rectilinear movement. In this arrangement the slide is not secured to the support but is held tightly against the surface of the flap 13 by the supporting member 23.

In a further modification of my invention, I may provide, instead of a sliding closure, a hinged closure of such desi that it will be held in place and conceale by the scored portion of the outer Hap until the carton is opened.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose my invention so that the same can be readily understood described and illustrated specic devices and arrangements, I desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves, in view of this broad disclosure, to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is broadly new and it is desired to claim it as such so that all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what `material and flattened are adapted to hold it in place, a movable closure meansdisposed between said support and the flap adapted when in one position to close said pouring opening, and a second flap having a tearing off portion disposed over said closure means.

2. In a carton of the pouring type the combination of, a plurality of overlapping end closure flaps having registering openings there through, a slide supporting means sel cured upon one of said flaps, aclosure slide movably secured to said supporting means, and a iap adapted to overlie and completely conceal said closure slide having a scored portion which may be torn away to expose said closure slide. i

3. In a carton having the usual end flaps, a iap having a pouring opening there through, a pivotal support upon said flap adjacent said opening, and a sliding closure means for said opening pivotally secured upon said support, and a second flap disposed over said opening and closure means adapted to tightly hold said latter means over said opening.

4. In a carton of the type having overlap` ping end flaps through which a pouring opening is provided, a sliding closure means for said opening disposed between two of said flaps/said closure means -being formed of a separate fiat piece of relatively stiff material normally concealed between the flaps and having a concealed projecting tongue portion all of which can be turned up when exposed to facilitate movement of the closure means.

5. A carton having a pouring opening comprising a body portion having a plurality of overlapping flaps at one end thereof adapted to close the carton when assembled, one of said flaps having an openineI and a separate slidable closure means disposed thereover, means carried by vsaidy closure whereby it may be moved, anda second'ilap havin:Y a scored portion disposed over-'said slidable closure means and-said last means wherebv .the slidable closure means and said last means will be exposed when said scored portion istorn away.

GIUSEPPE IACOBITTI.

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