US2248578A - Container - Google Patents

Description

G. A. MOCDRE July 8, 1 941.

CONTAINER Filed Marh 18, 1937 2 Sheets-#Sheet 1 ATTORNEY v July 8V, 1941. G, A- MQORE l 2,248,578

CONTAINER Filed March 18, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO RNEY Patented July 8,19% l Mig CONTAINER George Arlington Moore, Louisville, Ky., assignor to Humoco Corporation, Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Delaware v Application March 18, 1937, Serial No. 131,617

l(Cl. 22955) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to containers and more particularly to flexible containers made of paper, foil, andJike materials and adapted for use in packaging tobacco or other similar products.

It has been heretofore proposed to package substances, such as tobacco, for example, in flexible containers made of inexpensive materials, such as paper and metal foil, and adapted to be readily and comfortably carried in ones pocket,

but said containers have not proved entirely satisfactory for preventing the escape of moisture and aromas from and the absorption of excess f the packaged product and the loss of the flavor and aroma thereof.

It has also been proposed to package tobacco or like products in a container formed by folding a single blank of paper or other flexible material and cementing portions thereof together to provide a pocket and an integral elongated iiap for closing the mouth of the pocket or package when it is folded around the latter to prevent spilling of the contents and yet permit the ready removal of some or all of the contents when desired. As heretofore constructed,.however, such packages or pouches have been susceptible to tearing at points where tearing will render the same undesirable for the purposes intended. Furthermore, the seams in prior packages of the above character have been so located as to be most susceptible to destruction by the forces to which the same are subjected during the removal of the contents from the package.

It is accordingly one of theobjects of the present invention to provide a novel' flexible container for packaging substances such as tobacco in an impervious manner whereby the volatile content thereof will be maintained substantially constant for an extended period of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel packaging means which comprise an im-f pervious outer portion adapted to keep the contents fresh during the period between packaging and actual use and an inner portion which serves as a. package or pouch for use by the purchaser during the period the contents are A further object is to provide a novelly constructed paperpackage which is constitutedl by a pocket and an elongated closure nap, said pocket having a minimum number of seams and said seams being so located as to be Subject to a minimum of destructive forces during the normal use of the pouch. A still further object is to provide a light, inexpensive container which may be readily manufactured and sealed for hermetically enclosing a substance to prevent the evaporation of moisture therefrom and the absorption of moisture thereby.

Still another object ls to provide a novel container comprising a portion adapted for hermetically sealing the contents thereof and a portion adapted to be comfortably carried in the pocket of the user without causing any wear and tear on his clothing such as is caused by rigid tin or cardboard containers and from .which the contents may be readily dispensed after the impervious outer portion has been removed.

The above and further objects and n ovel' features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had primarily to the appended claim for this latterpurpose.

In the drawings, wherein like reference char-l acters refer to like parts throughout the several i .of the outer portion thereof being broken away,

showing the inner portion thereof being removed;

Fig. 3 is an isometric side elevation of the novel 4 inner portion of the container, the same being shown in partially opened position;

Fig. 4 is a detail cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale, the vsection being taken on line 4 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an isometric side elevation showing one form of the novel pouch comprehended by the present invention, the same being 'shown in substantially opened position; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Fig. 1 on a, slightly enlarged scale, the section being taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. I is a detail sectional view on lan enlarged scale showing the method of sealing the mouth durable and tenacious.

or the pouch of Fig. 5, the section being taken on line 1 -'l of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a development of one form of blank which may be employed in making the pouch of Fig. Fig. 9 shows the blank of Fig. 5 in folded condition prior to the placing of the contents therein; and,

Fig. 10 is a detail view, with parts broken away, of a modification showing one manner of securing a revenue stamp or the like on a package embodying the present invention.

The single embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, by way of example, is especially adapted for use in packaging substances, such as loose-cut tobacco, in small quantities for sale to and use by a consumer. The package or container shown is constituted by two novel portions combined in a novel manner to provide a container whereby the tobacco or other contents may be imperviously sealed and kept absolutely fresh for an indefinite period of time,

under any and varying conditions of temperature, pressure and humidity, and whereby the contents may, be conveniently and comfortably carried and intermittently dispensed by the consumer from the inner portion thereof when the impervious `and imperviously sealed outer portion has been removed. Tobacco may thus be inexpensively packaged and distributed for sale and use with assurance that the consumer will receive the tobacco in factory fresh condition irrespective of the time interval between packing and use and irrespective of any variations in climatic conditions to which the package and contents are subjected during said interval.

The novel inner portion of the'container is formed-from a blank of flexible material, said blank being treated so that predetermined surface areas thereof may be caused to adhere by the application of heat and pressure when the blank is folded in a novel manner for providing a readily portable package which may be readily opened without damage, which may be opened and closed numerous times for conveniently dispensing the contents thereof and which is so formed as to guard against failure at points where failure is most likely to occur. In the form shown, said inner portion is constituted by a pouch III (Figs.`

2 and 5) which is preferably made by folding a single blank II of paper or similar flexible and tenuous material to form a pocket I2 having a mouth at I3 'and a closure iiap I4 extending beyond said mouth and adapted to be folded around said pocket and the contents therein.

Blank I I may be made of paper which has been treated to render the same soft and flexible yet As an example, said blank may be constituted by parchment paper plasticized by treatment with glycerine, whereby the same is rendered soft,- pliable, less subject tc tearing and less subject to being weakened when contacted by moisture, said paper being adapted to carry up to 20 per cent glycerine. I'he entire l inner surface of said blank or a selected area on the inner surface thereof, as indicated by the shaded portion in Fig. 8, is coated with a thermoplastic or heat-sealing lacquer or cement for the purpose of minimizing absorption by the paper of volatiles from the tobacco or other contents in pocket I2 and to provide means for sealing the seams of said pocket in a mannerto fully appear hereafter. One suitable coating composition which may be employed for this latter purpose is constituted by a mixture consisting of approximately ninety-nine parts of a cement or lacquer known as Du Ponts No. 6303 and one part of par'ain wax.

In the form shown, blank I I comprises a central rectangular portion I5 dened by construction lines a, b, c and d, a narrow seam-forming or bottom flap I6, a portion I1 of trapezoidal shape, and a pair of oppositely disposed side aps i8, I8 which, for a purpose to hereinafter appear, have curved portions I9, I9 at the junctures of the upper edges thereof with central portion I5. To form pouch I0 from blank II, flaps I8, I8 are first folded inwardly through along lines a and c, said flaps being of sufficient width so that the free edges thereof overlap each other,

as seen in Fig. 9. The overlapped portions of said flaps are then joined to form an impervious, vertical seam 20 by-the application of heat and pressure whereby the thermoplastic cement coating 20 between the overlapped portions is activated and pressed into the interstices of the adjacent surfaces of the naps. The aps I8, I8 are thus made to constitute the front wall or side of pocket I2.

Flap I6 is then folded upwardly along line d to engage the lower edges of folded iiaps I8, I8. Heat and pressure are then applied to flap I6 and to the portions of central area I5 and the bottom edges of flaps I8 which are overlapped by flap I 6 to activate the cement coating 20" thereon and form an impervious three-ply seam 2I (Fig. 6) at the bottom of pocket I2. Seam 2|, in addition to serving as a closure for the bottom of pocket` I2, also functions to give enough longitudinal rigidity to the container to make it easier for the consumer to dispense the contents thereof. -After pocket I2 has been filled with the desired contents 22, the sides or walls of said pocket adjacent mouth I 3 are preferably pressed together and heat-sealed along one or more lines 23, a thermoplastic coating which may be provided on the inner surface of blank II serving as the binding medium. 'I'he upper portion of pocket I2 and the closure flap which consists of the upper part I5' of area I5 and portion I'I are then wrapped around the remainder of said pocket and its contents. Said closure flap may be of any desired length, the same, as shown, being of sufficient length, when the structure is folded along line 24, to permit portion I1 to extend around the bottom of pocket I2. fIhe edges of nap portion I5 may be heat-sealed to the ends of the outer walls of pocket I2, if desired, in the manner indicated at 25 for the purpose of holding the flap in place until .it is desired to open the container.

Although paper containers of the above nature have proved quite efficient in maintaining' the freshness of tobacco and like products for a considerable period of time, some drying out of the same and loss of the aroma. thereof have resulted, this being due in part to the escape of moisture through the hygroscopic material of which blank II is made. Accordingly, to further insure the freshness of the tobacco in pouch I0 when the same is delivered to the consumer, said pouch is combined with and imperviously enclosed in a be dipped from uiepoeket with the fingers crby means of a pipe. When the desired quantitysml of tobacco has been removed, the closure flap may be again folded around the pocket to maintain sure are appliedthereto. One cement which has been found suitableis known as Reynolds Metals Company acetate lacquer No. TC-3, said lacquer having potential adhesive qualities. This par` ticuiar lacquer or cement becomes plastic and tacky at about 350 F., is soluble in -alcohol or acetone, and is adapted to be readily applied to the foil in the yform of a thin, dry film by a rollercoating method. A suitable quantity of said lacquer is about four pounds of lacquer per ream of foil when the entire outer or'- exposed surface thereof is coated.

Each of the blanks 21 is preferably, although not necessarily preformed by drawing or pressing the central portion ,thereof to form a contour of any desired shape for receiving and housing one-half or other suitable part of pouch I after the latter has been filled with contents 22 or to adapt said blanks to fit around any other package or article which it is desired to enclose therein,

the foil laminations being on the concave sul'- faces of the formed blanks. Said blanks are then placed over opposite sides of the pouch and the adjacent parallel edges or marginal portions 3| thereof are sealed to'one another, as at 32 (Fig.4)

the remainder ofthe c-ntents therein until itis desiredV to use some more thereof. l

As the contents are being removed in the above manner or any .other suitable manner, the major -stress on the material. from which the pouch is made is that stress tending to separate the opposite walls of pouch i2 along lines a and c. To prevent the tearinglwhichv is prevalent in prior art containers at theupper corners of pocket i2, the fillets `or curved portions "i9 are provided. Furthermore, instead of employing a vertical seam at Veach end of pocket I2, as has been the practice heretofore, a pouch having a single. vertical seam is provided, said seam being located intermeldiate the ends of sai'dpocket. The seam 'thus lo-` cated is subjected primarily to a shearing stress,

as distinguished from a parting or separating in the novel manner illustrated in the embodistress, and is accordingly 1ers apt to failduring use of the pouch.

If desired, a revenue stamp or other adhesive coated strip for holding nap i1 in closed position may be applied to the above-described container ment of Fig. 10, whereby said stamp will be visible on the outer surface of cover container 26 and yet be applied to pouch i0 so as to require tearing thereof before the pouchcan be opened. 1n the' formshown, a stamp or strip 25 has one end or substantially one-half thereof adhesively secured to flap |1 and the wall of pocket i2. The

other'end of saidstripextends through seam 32 and is adhesively securedto the outer walls of cover pouch 26. To enhance the strength and rigidity lof the container and to protect seam 32 to insure an impervious seam or joint 32 without l in any way affecting or injuring the contents of the container. When high pressures are employed, less heat is required to form a satisfactory seam or joint 32 and the speed with vwhich the container may be fabricated is correspondingly enhanced.- The foil lining of the outer container 26 and the foil-to-foil seam 32 thereof, which l includes the non-hygroscopic, thermoplastic cement coatings 30, serves to give some rigidity to the container and to prevent the escape or entrance of moisture or air from or into said outer portions 26 of the container and, hence, from or into pouch i0. It has been found that the same result cannot be'obtained with an ordinary paperto-paper seam, since paper is hygroscopic and porous and forms a path for the moisture and air between the contents of the container and atmosphere, the paper functioning as a wick for conducting the moisture. If desired, a. single laminatedblank may be employed in lieu of the two blanks 21, 21 by folding'the same at the middleand laround pouch I0 and forming seams in the above manner along three sides or margins thereof instead of entirely around the periphery.

When it is desired to use the contents 22 lof the above-described container, one of the edges or margins 3| of outer container 26.A is torn away,

as shown in Fig. 2, and vpouch |0 is removed. Flap' against relative slippage of the engaging surfaces thereof, said seam may be formed with one or more ribs 33, 33 in the engaging marginal portions 3| of the blanks 21. Said ribs may be formed simultaneously with the formation of seam 32 by employing sealing irons having the operating faces thereof contoured for the purpose. During the formation of outer container 25, the application of heat to the marginal portions 3| of blanks 21 to form seal 32 is effective to disintegrate the volatile portions of lacquer coatings 30 between. said marginal portions and leave only the solids contained in said lacquer coatings in union with the surfaces of the metal foil laminae. Films 30 are preferably of minimum thickness consistent with the provisionof a suitable. union between the engaging surfaces ofthe foil and, hence, prevent the entrance or escape of moisture through seam 32. f

There is thus provided a novel container which is inexpensive and of light weight, whereby prod-` ucts, such as tobacco, and particularly products of a hygroscopic nature which give up and absorb moisture readily, may be quickly and easily4 packaged so that the same will remain in factory fresh condition under varying climatic conditions for an indennita period of time. The container provided comprises a novel, impervious covering and a novel pouch therein adapted for use by the purchaser or consumer in carrying the packaged contents, when it isvdesired to use the latter intermittently. Said pouch is so constructed as to minimize the destructive eifects. of any stresses to which said pouch is subjected during use. The two-part container provided is less expensive than a package of the character of pouch i0, when the latter islmade of foil-backed paper. In the two-part container, a comparatively inexpensive material may be employed in mawnc the pouch or inner portion of the container, since the same is in actual use by the consumer` for Vonly a short period of time.

Although only two embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto. For example, other types ci packages may be enclosed in container 26 or products may be packaged therein without any inside pouch or container. While the illustrated embodiments show the outer portion oi the packnge formed of two blanks, it will be understood that a single blank folded in the middle may be employed. seams being thus provided on three sides rather than on al1 four sides. 'Various changes may also be made in the design, arrangement end size oi' parte illuetratm, aa well aa in eneeme l the composition of the materials specided,.with out departing from the spirit and scope ot the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art. For a denition of the limits ot the invention, reference will be had primarily 'to the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A container comprising a pouch having a closure iiap, a covering forming a compartment for said pouch. opposite walls of said covering having the inner surfaces adjacent an edge thereot adhesively secured together to form a seam. and a strip having one end thereof adhesively secured to said pouch for holding said flap in closed position, the other end oi said strip extendins through said seam and being adhesively secured to an outer wall ci said covering.

GEORGE ARLINGTON MOORE.

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