US2509289A - Carton pouring spout - Google Patents

Description

R. M. DUNNING CARTON POURING SPOUT May 30, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Sept. 26, 1946 May 30, 1950 R. M. DUNNING CARTON PQURING sPoUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. `26, 1946 Invencor QM Gi@ .Patentecl May 30, 1950 CARTON POURING SPOUT Robert M. Dunning, St. Paul, Minn., assigner to Waldorf Paper Products Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application September 26, 1946, Serial No. 699,493

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) My invention relates to an improvement in carton pouring spout wherein it is desired to provide a convenient means of dispensing the contents of a carton or the like.

The object of the present invention is to provide a pouring spout which may be incorporated in a rectangular carton of any common form. The pouring spout is formed of portions of three adjoining panels. These panel portions may be easily folded to form a projecting pouring spout or folded into coplanar relation with the remainder of their respective panels.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that cartons containing my pouring spout will cost no more than similar cartons not containing the pouring spout except in the cost of the forming die. No additional carton stock is required to produce the spout.

A feature of the present invention lies in the simplicity with which the spout may be opened and closed. Score lines are provided to simplify the folding of the carton stock. The spout is folded into projecting position by merely squeezing together portions of opposed carton walls. The spout is closed by pushing the projecting spout inwardly into closed position.

A feature of the present invention resides in the formation of a pouring spout formed of por tions of three adjoining panels of the carton. A perforated line or a cut line is provided in the carton near the upper extremity thereof, which line extends across a side wall panel of the carton and continues partially across the two adjoining wall panels. The pouring spout may be separated along its upper edge from the remainder of the panels in which the spout is formed by merely pressing the carton stock inwardly adjacent the perforations. By pressing inwardly on opposite sides of the carton below the perforated line, the spout may be folded into projecting position.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a pouring spout which may be held in open or closed position. In the preferred form of my invention the spout is so shaped that the sides thereof will be engaged by portions of the side wall panel from which the spout is partially formed. This engagement is such as to hold the spout in projecting position. When the spout is forced inwardly the upper edge thereof engages inwardly of the side wall and is held in place thereby.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specilcation:

Figure l is a plan view of my carton before assembly thereof.

Figure 2 is a, perspective view of my carton in closed position thereof.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of my carton with the spout thereof projecting therefrom.

Figure 4 is a. top plan view of my carton with the spout in projecting position.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of my carton with the spout thereof in projecting position.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified form of carton. i

The carton A illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings may be of any simple type. For the sake of convenience the carton illustrated is of the regular paste end type. The carton could similarly be of other styles without changing the invention.

The carton A includes a side wall panel i9, a front panel il, a side wall panel i2 and a rear wall panel I3 connected along parallel fold lines it, i5, and it. A glue flap il is connected to the panel i3 along a. fold line i9 parallel to the previously described fold lines. The glue: flap il is designed to overlap the marginal edge of the panel itl and be adhered thereto to secure the box in tubular formation.

The upper edges of the panels i0. lli, llt, and

i3 are connected to closing flaps 2li, 2i, 22, and f3, respectively, along a common fold line 2t. Similarly the lower edges of the wall panels i9, il, it, and i3 are connected to closing flaps 25, 26, 2l and 29 along a common fold line 29. The closing flaps on the upper and lower edges of the carton are adhered in superimposed relation in sealed condition of the carton as best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.

.A fold line 39 extends across one wall panel such as the panel i2 in parallel relation to the fold lines 24 and 29 and spaced between the same. A pair of fold lines 3i and 3,2 extend from the juncture of the fold line 3|) with the fold lines i5 and i6 to a common apex 33.. A perforated line 3i extends across the panel t2 from the fold line i5 to the fold line iii at a point spaced from the fold line 2d, but adjacent thereto. A perforated line 35 extends from the juncture of the perforated line 3d with the fold line i5 parallel to the fold line 24 for a substantial distance into the panel ii. A similar fold line 36 forms a continuation of the perforated line 34 and extends parallel to the fold line 24 for a substantial distance into the panel i3. A diagonally extending fold line 31 connects the extremity of the perforated line 35 to the juncture between the fold lines 30 and I5. A similar fold line 33 connects the extremity of the perforated line 36 at the juncture of the fold lines 30 and I6. Fold lines 46 and 4I are also provided connecting the extremities of the perforated lines 35 and 36 to the fold line 24 as illustrated.

The perforated line 34 extending across the panel I2 is usually curved to provide a. pair of downwardly projecting tabs 42 and 43. These tabs are provided for the purpose of holding the spout in projected position as will later be described in detail.

When the carton is folded as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings the wall panels remain intact during shipping and transportation. When it is desired to use the pouring spout to dispense the contents of the carton inward pressure is exerted on opposite sides of the carton in the triangular areas 44 and 45 thereof. The triangular area 44 is bounded by the perforated line 35, the fold line 31, and a portion of the fold line l5. The triangular area 45 is bounded by the fold line 39, perforated line 36 and a portion of the fold line i6. This inward pressure on the triangular areas 44 and 45 tends to urge these portions of the carton inwardly, which acts to urge the portion of the carton immediately below the perforated line 34 on the panel i2 outwardly. When the perforated lines 34, 35, and 36 are broken, pressure on the triangular areas 44 and 45 urges the spout into the position shown in Figures 3, 4, and of the drawings, the spout projecting outwardly from the panel i2 to permit pouring of the contents.

As the spout is pressed into projecting position, the upper edge of the spout passes beneath the downwardly projecting tabs 42 and 43 which tends to lock the spout in the projecting position illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5. By pressing on the spout near the apex 33 thereof and pressing the upper edge of the spout beneath the portion of the panel I2 above the perforated line 34, the spout tends to remain in closed position.

The score lines 40 and 4I are provided to assist in holding the spout in closed position. These score lines tend to pull the overhanging portion of the carton lying over the pouring spout downwardly at its free edge. The formation of the crease line uses a small amount of paper stock, thus tending to pull the portion of the carton above the spout downwardly when the spout is opened. Furthermore the torn stock along the perforated line tends to interengage and hold the spout in closed position when pressed inwardly as previously described.

If desired the perforated line 34 may extend straight across the panel I2 rather than along the curved path as shown. Furthermore if desired the lines 34, 35, and 36 may be weakened lines of separation other than perforated lines or the carton may be cut along these lines to produce the spout described. Furthermore the carton closures need not be of the specific type illustrated to accomplish the desired result.

It should be noted that the carton spout is composed of a generally triangular area 46 bounded by the fold lines 30, 3I and 32; a generally triangular area 41 bounded by the fold line 3l, a portion of the fold line I5, and a portion of the perforated line 34; a similar generally triangular area 49 bounded by the fold line 42, a portion of the fold line I6, and a, portion of the perforated line 34, and the previously described triangular areas 44 and 45. The spout is formed by folding the triangular area 44 into substantially coplanar relation with the generally triangular area 41 and by folding the triangular area ,45 into substantially coplanar relation with the generally triangular area 49. This action causes the triangular area 46 to swing forwardly forming the pouring spout. It is not necessary that the fold lines 3| and 32 come together at the apex of the spout as these lines may be spaced somewhat at their upper extremity.

In Figure 6 of the drawings I disclose a modifled form of construction which is generally similar to that previously described. The carton B illustrated in this ligure includes wall panels 50, 5I, 52, and 53 connected by parallel fold lines 54, 55 and 56. A glue flap 51 is connected to the panel 53 along a fold line 59. The glue flap 51 is designed to overlap the panel 50 and be adhered thereto to secure the carton in tubular formation.

Closing aps 60, 6I 62 and 53 are foldably connected to the upper edges of the respective wall panels along a. common fold line 64. Closing iiaps 65, 66, 61, and 69 are connected to the lower edges of the respective wall panels along a common fold line 10. The closing flaps are designed to fold and be secured in overlapping relation to seal the ends of the carton.

A fold line 1I extends across the panel 52 at a point substantially spaced from the upper and lower edges thereof. A perforated line 12 extends across the panel 52 near the upper extremity thereof. The perforated line 12 preferably is arcuated downwardly from a point near the fold lines 55 and 56. A perforated line 13 forms a continuation of the perforated line 12 extending into the panel 5I spaced from the top edge thereof. A similar perforated line 14 extends into the panel 53 along a line substantially parallel the upper edge of this panel. A score line 15 connects the free end of the perforated line 13 to the juncture between the fold lines 55 and 1I. A similar score line 16 connects the free end of the perforated line 14 to the juncture between fold lines 1I and 56. Diverging fold lines 11 and 19 extend from opposite ends of the fold line 1I toward the mid-point of the perforated line 12. Score lines and 8l extend from the free ends of the perforated lines 13 and 14 to the fold line 64.

The carton B is folded similarly to the carton A and operates in a very similar manner. Upon breaking the perforations along the perforated lines 12, 13 and 14, a spout may be formed by pressing inwardly on opposite sides of the carton within the triangular areas 62 and 83. The triangular area 82 is bounded by the fold line 15, a portion of the fold line 55, and the perforated line 13. The triangular area 83 is Abounded by the fold line 16, a portion of the fold line 56 and the perforated line 14. The upper edge of the spout thus formed will bind against the downwardly curved edge of the perforated line 12, thus holding the spout in open position. By pressing inwardly at the center of the spout the top edge thereof may be engaged interiorly of the portion of the panel 52 lying above the perforated line 12, thus holding the spout in closed position.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my carton pouring spout, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that c s obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim: -1

l., A carton blank including a series of foldably 'connected panels, a perforatedline extending across one panel and into the two adjacent panels on opposite sides thereof, said perforated line being positioned near the upper edges of said panels, diagonal fold lines in said adjacent panels extending from the extremities of said perforated line to opposed juncture points on the fold lines connecting said adjacent panels to said one panel,

and converging fold lines in said one panel from said juncture points to said perforated line, said perforated line across said one panel being of waved conguration and providing two spaced projections extending toward said juncture pOints. j

2. A carton blank including :a series of foldably connected panels, a perforatedline extend- 'ing across one pan`e1 and into the two adjacent panels on opposite sides thereof, said perforated line being positioned near the upper edges of said panels, diagonal fold lines in said adjacent i juncture points, and score lines connecting the ends of said perforated line to the upper edges of said adjacent panels.

ROBERT M. DUNNING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Number Name 1,541,143 Hoile June 9, 1925 1,739,529 Skinner Dec. 17, 1929 2,097,647 Scott Nov. 2, 1937 2,323,505 Wilcox July 6i. 1943 2,421,141 Carr May 27, 1947

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