NZ247711A - Soap powder carton having a lid with a recessed cavity to enable the grasping of a measuring scoop handle - Google Patents

Description

24 77 1 1 .s i ioriiy Deie( s): .-r.T3.. .k.J. « •••«*#•«•«« ««••!•»• «4« •••«• « Sompteto Specification Fited; • Ctas*: Q.k'P.SXd.^ fc^0^3/o<c. i::::::::::::::::::::::::...:: .0„9: ilMM No: , Patents Form No. 5 / <?*,, ":'c i '*■ 7?~> / a / NEW ZEALAND ' £7 / PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION CARTON FOR POWDER SUBSTANCES SUCH AS WASHING POWDERS WE, MIRA LANZA S.P.A, an Italian Joint Stock Company of 11/A, Via Lampedusa, 1-20141 Milano, Italy hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (followed by Page la) 24 7 7 1 1 "Carton for powder substances such as washing powders" The present invention relates to cartons for 10 containing powder substances such as washing powders, water softening substances and the like, from which measured amounts are to be taken and dispensed.

For this purpose, known cartons of this type are supplied with a measuring device, generally in the form ' 15 of a scoop or spoon element. This spoon is usually inserted during packaging inside the carton in contact with the powder product.

This means that the user has to hunt for the measuring device in the middle of the powder after 20 opening the packaging, which is not always an easy job. Furthermore, after the product has been measured out, the user has the problem of where to put the measuring device, with the result that the latter is often lost.

It has also been proposed that the measuring 25 device be accommodated inside the carton but stuck in an easily detachable manner, for example by using self-adhesive tapes, to the inside of the lid. Although this solution solves the problem of the measuring device sinking into the powder, it does not overcome the problem 30 of where to put the measuring device after each use.

It has also been proposed that the measuring device be accommodated outside the carton. However, this solution is even worse than the previous one since not only does it not eliminate the problem of where to put 35 the measuring device after measuring out the powder, but also creates problems when stacking the cartons for transport or the like. - la - (followed by pagg The main object of the present invention is therefore to provide means for accommodating the measuring device in the carton in a position where it can easily be accessed by the user, in which these means may also form a seat for stably holding the measuring device after measuring out the powder or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to a chief characteristic of the present invention, this is achieved by making the lid of the carton out of cardboard or plastic in a more or less thin sheet, and making in this lid a cavity of complementary shape to the shape in plan of the measuring device, this cavity being able to accommodate the measuring device in such a way that the latter does not project beyond the outer surface of the lid.

Advantageously, during the packaging of the carton, after the measuring device has been placed in the cavity of the lid, the cavity is sealed by means of an easily detachable adhesive sheet. Advantageously, this adhesive sheet is a self-adhesive sheet of transparent plastic so that the measuring device can be seen to be present.

Further objects, characteristics and advantages of the carton according to the invention will appear in more detail in the following description thereof, which refers to the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 is an isometric drawing of a carton according to the invention, with measuring device inserted in its seat in the lid, and Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of the carton shown in Figure 1, showing the lid in section along the transverse plane II-II in Figure 1.

With reference to the drawings, and with particular reference to Figure 1, 1 denotes a carton according to the present model. This carton 1 comprises: a box 3 containing the washing powder and made of cardboard or other material suitable for the purpose; a handle 4 for carrying said carton, fixed to the carton by means of the pins 41; a lid 2 made of more or less thin sheet plastic that has been vacuum thermoformed, or pressed, or otherwise shaped, to produce a cavity 22 for accommodating a spoon-type measuring device 5, said device 5 and said cavity 22 being covered with a self-adhesive sheet 21 of 5 easily removable transparent plastic.

The cavity 22 advantageously has two symmetrical recesses 2 3 positioned alongside the handle part of the measuring device 5 to enable the user to take the device 5 out of the cavity 22 quickly and easily. In the same 10 way the measuring device can be replaced in said cavity 22 after use. The plastic sheet 21 placed as a closure over the cavity 22 accommodating the measuring device 5 has the function of protecting the latter during storage and transport to prevent it from being lost. The user can 15 easily remove this sheet to get at the measuring device 5.

By this means a convenient association is provided of a measuring device with a washing powder pack, which makes the manufacturer's operations simpler as in 20 this way he can easily join together the measuring device and the carton without concerning himself with whether the user will be able to find the measuring device or how the carton itself can be transported. At the same time the consumer's task is made easier in that he no longer 25 has the inconvenience of searching for the measuring device inside the package, and need have no concern about losing it throughout the use of the powder pack; instead he now has a measuring device 5 that is easy to find and just as easy to put away in its seat in said cavity 22 30 after use.

Clearly, the invention is not restricted to the embodiment illustrated and described, but rather comprises all such variants and modifications coming within the scope of the same innovative design as confer equal 35 utility. Thus, for example, instead of or in addition to the adhesive plastic sheet 21 used to seal the cavity 22, a suitable removable overlid made of transparent plastic or the like may be used. 24 77 11 Although in the example shown and described, the lid 2 has been indicated as being made of thin sheet plastic, it will be understood that it may be made of cardboard, pressed card, sheet metal or some other material suitable for the purpose. 24/7 11

Claims (6)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Carton for containing powder substances such as washing powders and water softening substances, comprising: a box container in cardboard and a lid, the carton being characterised in that said lid is so shaped that its outside has a cavity of complementary shape to that of a measuring device for measuring out the powder substance in question, and said cavity having two symmetrical recesses for facilitating the grasping of a part of the measuring device, such as its handle, between two fingers of a user's hand in order to facilitate the removal of the measuring device from the cavity.

2. Carton according to claim 1, in which said measuring device and said complementary cavity are covered by a transparent plastic sheet that can be easily removed.

3. Carton according to claim 2 wherein the transparent plastic sheet is a self-adhesive sheet.

4. Carton according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a removable overlid made of transparent plastic.

5. Carton according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid is made of plastic, cardboard, pressed or sheet metal.

6. A carton for containing powder substances substantially as herein described with reference to the Drawings.