GB2268159A

GB2268159A - Packaging container

Info

Publication number: GB2268159A
Application number: GB9312794A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis William Mcnamara
Original assignee: Gala Coffee & Tea Ltd
Current assignee: Gala Coffee & Tea Ltd
Priority date: 1992-06-25
Filing date: 1993-06-21
Publication date: 1994-01-05
Also published as: GB9213549D0; GB9312794D0

Abstract

A packaging container for sachets or packets can, at its destination, be converted to a dispenser for stacked such sachets or packets. The or each front panel 6 is provided with a frangible portion which, when broken away from the panel, defines a horizontal slot 7 near the base of the container or near a supporting platform 3 therein, the slot being of a size to permit withdrawal of the lowermost sachet or packet of the stack at a time. A side 9 of the container adjoining the slotted panel 6 is provided with an inspection slot 12, likewise originally defined by a frangible portion of the container material, at a position enabling the user to see how many sachets or packets remain in the stack. <IMAGE>

Description

Packaging container The invention relates to a packaging container for sachets or packets and aims to provide such a container which, at its destination, can be converted for use as a dispenser for stacked such sachets or packets.

According to the invention, the converted container, which is preferably of cardboard, is provided in a front panel with at least one frangible portion which, when broken away from the panel, defines a horizontal slot near the base of the converted container or near a supporting platform therein for stacked sachets or packets, the slot being of a size to permit withdrawal of the lowermost sachet or packet of the stack at a time. A side of the container adjoining the slotted panel may be provided with a vertical inspection slot, preferably likewise defined by a frangible portion of the container material, at a position enabling the user to see how many sachets or packets remain in the stack or if the stack is getting low.

An example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation ofa container with two packet removing slots; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary internal view of the container; HIg. 3 is a reduced plan view of a scored and incised cardboard blank from which a modified container as show in Figs. 4 and 5 is erected by folding along fold lines shown in broken lines; Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the modified container erected from the Fig. 3 blank; and Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the Fig. 4 container just prior to final erection, with a back panel and a top flap left open.

The lllustrated container is a cardboard outer carton for packets of coffee which, at the destination, can be arranged in the same container in which they arrived but now disposed in two columns or stacks. The container is constructed in one piece from a scored and incised cardboard blank (not shown but in most respects similar to Fig. 3) folded to define a vertical partition 2 between two stacks of coffee packets (not shown) resting on an internal supporting platform 3 near the base 4 of the carton. The platform 3 is folded back and over from the carton base 4. Two front panels 6 of the carton each contain scorelines or incomplete incisions {6~ in Fig. 3J enabling a part to be broken away by the ultimate user to define a horizontal slot 7.

Each slot 7 is positioned to enable the lowermost coffee packet in the respective stack to be withdrawn from the carton, which now serves as a dispenser. As shown at 8, the ends of each slot are extended into the adjoining materials of the partition 2 and carton side panel 9 to facilitate removalof the lowermost packet of coffee. A depending tongue 11 prevents the inadvertent removal of two packets at a time ff the width of each slot 7 is generously dimensioned to provide easy access by hand.

To enable the user to see whether the stacks of packets are getting low, the side panels 9 are each provided with a vertical inspection slot 12 above the supporting platform 3, i.e. near the carton base 4. These slots are, again, defined by shorelines or incomplete incisions (12 in Fig. 3) so that the user can push out the cardboard. The carton is constructed so that the back, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5, is normally closed by back panels 14 joining on to the side panels 9 and a bottom panel 13 which in the Fig. 2 version, joins on to the carton base 4 and is folded upwardly. Above the partition 2, there may be an internal upper platform 16 folded down and under from the carton top 17, to define between itself and the carton top a compartment for containing coffee filters etc.Access to this compartment is obtained by a foldable flap 18 attached to the carton top 17. Incised semi-circles 19 in the flap 18 enable finger holes to be formed by pushing out some of the material.

These finger holes facilitate lifting of the flap 18 to open the filter compartment.

lt should be mentioned that the expressions top, bottom, side etc. refer to the erected carton when used by the ultimate customer as a dispenser. When used as a shipping or packing container, the front panels 6 constitute the container base and the panels 14 are at the top. To facilitate an understanding of how the container is erected by the packagerand completed by the ultimate user, it should also be remembered that the full lines in Fig.

3 represent incisions and the broken lines are fold liners. The whole container is made in one piece and the only gluing required after folding is of the flap 21 in Fig. 3 to the panel 4 that forms the container base.

Claims

1. A packaging container for sachets or packets, adaptedatits destination to be converted for time as a dispenser for stacked such sachets or packets, comprising a front panel with at least one frangible portion which, when broken away from the panel, defines a horizontal slot near the base of the converted container or near a supporting platform therein for the stacked sachets or packets, the slot being of a size to permit withdrawal of the lowermost sachet or packet of the stack at a time.

2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein a side adjoining the slotted panel is provided with a vertical inspection slot at a position enabling the user to see how many sachets or packets remain in the stack.

3. A container according to Claim 2, wherein the vertical slot is defined by a frangible portion of the container material to be punched out by the user.

4. A container according to any preceding claim erected from a one-piece scored and incised cardboard blank folded to define a vertical partition engaged with an internal supporting platform for two stacks of the sachets or packets, one on each side of the partition, wherein both container sides are provided with vertical inspection slots at a level above the supporting platform.

5. A Container according to Claim 4, wherein the supporting platform is a panel attached to the container base.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, including an internal upper platform joined to the container top and defining therewith a compartment for storing coffee filters.

7. A packaging container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A packaging container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.