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Patent 2373836 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2373836
(54) English Title: CARTON WITH AN OBJECT FITTED TO THE LID
(54) French Title: CARTON COMPORTANT UN OBJET FIXE AU COUVERCLE
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B65D 5/76 (2006.01)
  • B65D 77/24 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • HOFTE, PAULUS ANTONIUS AUGUSTINUS (Belgium)
(73) Owners :
  • THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY (United States of America)
(74) Agent: KIRBY EADES GALE BAKER
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 1999-05-12
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2002-02-14
Examination requested: 2001-11-09
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US1999/010351
(87) International Publication Number: WO2002/011516
(85) National Entry: 2001-11-09

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract



The invention relates to carton (1) containing
a three dimensional object (2), the carton (1) having
a top side (10), the top side (10) forming a lid (3) for
the carton (1). The top side (10) comprises a cut out (4)
and the three dimensional object (2) fits with the cut out
(4).


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un carton (1) comprenant un objet tridimensionnel (2), le carton (1) présentant une face supérieure (10), la face supérieure formant un couvercle (3) pour le carton (1). La face supérieure (10) comporte une découpe (4) et l'objet tridimensionnel (2) s'adapte à la découpe (4).

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




17


What is claimed is:


1. A carton (1) containing o three dimensional object (2), the carton (1)
having
s top side (10), the top side (10) forming a lid (3) for the carton (1),
characterised in that the top side (10) comprises a cut out (4), and the three
dimensional object (2) fits with the cut out (4).

2. The carton (1) according to claim 1, whereby the carton (1) further
contains
granular materials (5).

3. The carton (1) according to claim 2, whereby the three dimensional object
(2) is a scooping device for the granular material (5).

4. The carton (1) according to claim 3, whereby the scooping device comprises
a flange (20).

5. The carton (1) according to claim 4, whereby the lid (3) comprises on the
top
side (10) an outer layer (102) and an inner layer (101), the inner layer (101)
comprising the cut out (4), the flange (20) being inserted between the inner
(101) and the outer (102) layer.

6. The carton (1) according to claim 1, whereby the lid (3) comprises on the
top
side (10) a first top flap (100) associated with an edge to the left side (11)
of
the carton (1), a second top flap (101) associated with an edge to the right
side (12) of the carton, a third top flap (103) associated with an edge to the
back side (13) of the carton (1) and a fourth top flap (102) associated with
dry edge to the front side (14) of the carton (1), whereby at least one of
these
four top flaps (100. 101, 102. 103) comprises the cut out (4) to fit the three


18


dimensional object (2), the cut out (4) being completely covered by at least
one of the three other flaps.
7. A carton (1) according to any of the above claims, whereby the carton (1)
is
a top fill carton.
8. A process for filling a carton (1) according to claim 1 comprising the
first
step of filling the carton with granular materials (5) through the top side
(10),
the second step of partially closing the top side (10) with a first layer
(101) of
material comprising the cut out (4), the third step of fitting the three
dimensional object (2) with the cut out (4) and a fourth step consisting in
gluing a further layer (102) of material above the first layer (101).
9. A process for filling a carton (1) according to claim 1 comprising the
first
step of partially closing the top side (10) with a first layer (101) of
material
comprising the cut out (4), the second step of fitting the three dimensional
object (2) with the cut out (4), a third step consisting in gluing a further
layer
(102) of material above the first layer (101), and a fourth step of filling
the
carton with granular materials (5) through the bottom side.
10. A process according to claims 8 or 9 comprising the fifth step of opening
the
carton (1) for use, the sixth step of removing the three dimensional object
(2)
from the cut out (4), and the further step of placing the three dimensional
object (2) back on the top side (10) so that it fits with the cut out.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



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1
CARTON WITH AN OBJECT FITTED TO THE UD
Techni~l field
The Invention relates tv c:drton board containers, in particular for granular
materials, the container containing a three dimensional object.
Background of the invention
Various types of containers are formed from carton board. Typical containers
rttadd fi om carton board, also simply called cartons, are widely used for
peekin~
granular materials such as detergent powder for laundry, for example. When
used for containing such granular materials, such cartons often also contain a
three dimensional object, such as a scooping device fir example. Access to the
content of the cartons, i.e. to the three dimensional object and tv the
granular
materials, is normally provided through the top side of the carton, the top
side
serving es a lid for the carton.
In order to facilitate access to the three dimensional object contained in the
carton, the three dimensional object can be attached within the carton.
Different
ways of attachin~ the three dimensional object within the carton have been
described in the prier art. For example, in JP 08301287 A filed by Kao Gorp.
on
tho 28'" of AprII 1995, a spoon Is Tlxed to a fixation part In the main body
of the
Gorton. In JP 08301288-A filed by Kao Cory. on the 1°' of May 1986,
a
measuring spoon is also fixed to the main body of the container by means of a
fixation part. Yet another possibility is presented in JP 08301285-A filed by
Keo
Corp. on the 28'" of April 1995, whereby a spoon is provided with a handle
part
having a fixed member attached to it, the fixed member attaching the spoon in
the main body of the canon.
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Other means of providing a scooping device together with a carton and In
particular with a carton containing granular detergents are known. For
example,
in JP 09278029-A or in JP 09278030-A, both filed by Lion Corp, on the 12~' of
April 1996, a scooping device is provided in a two dimensional Structure which
can be integrated to the blank of the r~arlnn, whereby folding and mounting Of
this two dimensional structure allows the user to form a three dimensional
object.
A further attempt to facilitate delivery of a three dimensional object in a
carton
containing granular materials is presented in US-A-5,647,4'13, filed by The
Procter and ramble t:ompany on the 13'" of February 1996, whereby the
delivery of a three dimensional object is facilitated by use of the
differerlCe Of
density between the three dimensional object and the granular material to make
the three dimensional object progress to the top part of the carton by shaking
the upright carton.
The present invention concerns a carton containing a three dimensional object,
the carton having a top side, the top side forming a lid for the carton.
Amvry the advantages of such c;artvns is that a three ctirnc~rysiurldl object
such
as a scoop can be provided, which is particularly suited when 'supplied
together
with granular materials. Further, such cartons comprise a lid, so that such
cartons can be re-closed for appropriate protection of their content.
While having these and other advantages, cartons containing a three
dimensional object, particularly when also containing granular materials, have
disadvantages. For example, access to the three dimensional object may b~
difficult if the objec.~t is partially buried in the granular material, as
could be the
case when usins a carton as in JP 08301 X87-A, JP 08301288,A or JP
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08301285-A, whereby tt~d scoop is provided on the side of the cotton, or as
could happen if the carton described in US-A-5,647,413 is not being shaken
sufficiently. In addition, providing a scoop requires 0 complex process, in
pdrlicular in US-A-5,647,413, but also in JP 00278029~/~ or i~ JP 09278030~A,
whereby the scoop has to be mounted by the user. Furthermore, on line
placernenl of a scoop as in JP O~301287-A, J~' 08301288-A or JP 08301285-A
is also quite ~umplex as the scoop has to be put in place deep within the
esrton,
which is difficult to achieve at high speed during production.
The invention seeks to provide a csrlon containing a three dimensional object
of th~ above-mentioned kind whereby the three dimensional object is
effectively
delivered without requiring efforts from the user, the insertion of the object
in
the carton on line during manufacture being simplified.
Summery of the invention
In accordance with the invention, this object is accomplished in a carton of
the
above kind in that the top side comprises a cut out, and the three dimensional
object fits with the cut out.
A carton formad in accordance with the invention has a number of advantages.
Since the three dimensional object is fitting with a cut out on thQ top side
forming the lid, the object ie directly accessible when the lid is opened.
Furthermore, as it is fixed to or inside the lid, the object is kept separated
from
the content of the carton, as the content will be kept away from the top side
of
the carton by gravity. Furthermore, the object is simply fitted with a cut
out,
without requiring addition of extra elements for facing such es a hook, for
example, thus making the production process more simple and morn cost
effective. Additionally, the object can simply be inserted on line in the cut
out
during production, without having to place it deep inside the carton.
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Brief desc;riplion o~f the drawings
The invention will now be described by way of exanypl~ and with reference to
the accompanying drewinigs in which:
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating a carton srccordlng to the
invention, whereby .the three dimensional object is ready to be inserted in
the
cut out.
Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the carton of Figure 1, whereby the
three dimensional object is inserted in the cut out.
Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the cotton of Figure 2, wheroby a
layor
of mortar ial is glued to cover partially the cut out and the object on tho
top aide
of the car ton.
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the carton of Figure 3, whereby
another
layer of material has been glued to cover completely the cut out and the objet
on the tap side of the carton, and whereby the Ild of the carton is opened,
giving
access to the three dimensional object.
Figure 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a
carton ~according.to the invention, whereby the cut out is an indentation in
one
flap.
Figure 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating yet another ernbvdiment of
r~
carton according to the invention, whereby the cut out Is a full Cut out In
one
flap.
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Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a carton
according to
the invention, whereby the three dimensional object is retained on two sides
by
a IayEer of material, the object being covered by two layers of moterial.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a carton
according to
the Invention, whereby the three dimensional object is retained on two sides
by
a layer of material, the layer retaining the object being maintained by extra
flaps, the object being covered by one layer of material.
Description of the prcferced embodiment'
The invention relates to a carton. Typically, cartons have a substantially
parallelepipedal shape with six sides and twelve edges, namely the top,
bottom,
back, front, Isft and right sides, the edges being defined by the two sides of
which they are the intersection, for example the edge between the top and tho
back sides. t=or definition purposes, it will be considered in the following
that
when the carton is upright the top and bottom sides ere in the horizontaErl
plane,
the four other sides being vertical. We will consider that if the front side
of the
upright carton is facing an observer, the left side is on to the left of the
observer
and the right side on to the right of the observer, the back side bein~
invisible
for the observer.
Cartons are usually folded and glued from a die cut. A die cut, or blank, Is a
flat
structure which has not been folded or glued. At least three main steps appear
in the folding-gluing-filiing process. In a first main step, the die cut is
folded end
glued to form a sleeve. A sleeve is substantially a four sided structure
structured like a six sided carttin of which two opposite sides are not folded
or
clued. In the slNevp structure, four of the twelve edges of the carton have
bet3n
folded, thc~ssr four acl,~es being in a parallel direction to each other. It
should be
noted that usually the remaining eight edges all have their direction In a
plane
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perpendicular to the direction of the four folded ones. The sleeve structure
has
the advantage that il can be flattened. As a consequence, sl~eVes can be
stored or shipped easily. In a sPCOnd main step, the Galton i8 erBCted from
the
sIQQVe, which means that one of the two opposilp sides which were not folded
and glued during the sleeve step is now folded, four more edges being
consequently formed. At this stage, the carton cannot be flattened anymore.
However, it can be filled through the last non folded side. In the last step,
the
last non folded side is folded and glued, so forming the four last edges. In
summary, when preparing a carton, the structure goes through successiv~
stages, namely the die cut, fnllowr~d by the sleeve, which subsequently i3
formed Into an erected carton, before the chsed carton stage. Each of these
stagQS Is separatsd by one main folding-gluing step.
There are two alternative ways of forming the sleeve from the die cut, because
a choice can be made of the two opposite sides ,which will be left unfolded
and
unglued. In a first way, these two sides may be the top and bottom aides. In a
second way the right and left sides or the back and front sides will be left
open.
In Ihaary, il is rcmsicic~reo e:!quiv;~ldrll IU choose backlfront or
leftlright because
these sides are differentiated only as a convention. However, tW topltmttu~ty
sides are normally perpendicular to gravity when the carton is in its upright
position.
In the first wey of forming the sleeve, the sleeve will be formed of tho
front, loft,
back and right sides, or of any circular permutation of these, while the top
end
bottom sides will be left opened_ In this case, the carton is usually erected
by
folding the bottom, and then by folding the top after filling. This way avoids
having to tum the carton upright after the filling process when the filling is
made
by means of gravity, because the carton is already upright when filled.
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In the second way of forming the sleeve, the sleeve will be formed, for
oxample,
of the front, top, back and bottom sides, or of any circular permutation of
these,
while the left and right sides will be left opened. In this cas~, the carton
is
erected by folding indifferently the left or tho right side, the left for
example, the
erected carton being filled through the right side, which should consequently
be
at the top of the carton during filling. Finally, the carton whll be closed.
Aft6r
closing, the carton may have to be turned around in upright position, with the
top side on the top.
As explained above, the eight edges which are not being folded to form the
sleeve have their direction in a planQ perpendicular to the dfrectlon of the
four
edges folded to form the sleeve. I has means that in the die Cut form, the
tour
sleeve folded edges are in one direction and the e~8ht others in the
substantially perpendicular direction. By definition. the direction of the
eight
edges is called the main folding direction or axial direction because most of
the
folding is made along this direction. The other dlreetion is the transverse
direction. Normally, the tour edges of the transverse direction should be lhw
sleavQ forming edges. As an Qxample, 1n the first way for folding a sleeve,
the
front/left, leftlback, back/right and rightlfront edges would be' along the
transverse direction, while in the second way of folding a sleeve, the
irontltop,
top/back, b~ck~bottom and bottom/front edges would be along the transverse
direction.
A die cut is preferably made from a single piece. A die cul normally has a
specific grain direction. This means that the material forming ttm die wt is
nol
Isotropic but has a preferred direction along which the die cut can be folded
more easily. This direction is the grain direction. For easy folding, it is
preferced
that the main folding direction be in the grain direction.
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For stlttness reasons, il is important that the grain direction is not
ho~lzv~tal,
and preferably vertical, when the carton in its upright position. This means
that
the direction of gravity should be the grain direction for the front, back,
left and
right sides of the carton when the carton is upright, or that the ed~es
frontlleft,
leftlback, backlright and righufront should follow the r~rain direction.
Consequently, the edges frontlleft, lefllback, bacWright and rlghtlfrvnt
should
not be in the transverse direction on the die cut. This leads to choosing the
second way of folding fir stiffness reasons. Cartons folded in ~ such a manner
are usually called side fill cartons. It should be noted that this
denomination is
due to the folding method, and is not directly linked to the grain direction.
Examples of side fill cartons are disclosed In the pending applications JP-
09066927 published on the 11 th of March 1997, or JP-09278029-A published
on the 30th of October 1997, or in applicant pending applications EP-
97202128.1 filed on the 10th of July 1997 or EP-98zUUU31.7 filed on the 6th of
January 1998.
The first way of folding can also be chosen. Indr~Pd, production is made more
straightforward duo to the fact that such a c~rtnn can be filled from the top.
Indeed, such a carton Is called a top till carton. If stiffness of such a
carton is
not sufficient, a further layer or liner can be added to the carton tv
reinforce the
structure, particularly to render the carton able to sustain stacking. It
should be
mentioned that a die cut usually has a grain direction. The folding or cutting
directions rn~y hp chosen so as to take account Of the grain direction,
cxansidAring that the cardboard is more foldable along the grain diroction.
Care
should be taken while designing tire die ~uls that the grain direction is
suitable.
so that it ensures robustness and easy folding of the carton.
The carton of the present invention is preferably made of cardboard or
corrugated board, but other materials could also be used. Such ~rtons are
usually used for housing granular materials. The cartons normally have o
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parallelepipedal shape with six sides. The sides can be defined as o top,
battom, left, right, back and front sides. The top side is on the top of the
carton
when the carton is in Its upright position, the bottom side being opposit~ to
the
top side. For the purpose of tl>le description, the front ~ end bode sid~s era
opposing sides and the, left and right side are opposite aides es well. Each
of
these sides can be made of several layers of materiel. Each of the sides is
usually of a substantially re~tarngular shape, each side being limited at its
borders by four edges. The structure of the carton is due to links which can
exist between different layers of different sides through the edges: For
example,
if the front side is rrrade of a single layer, this layer may be linked to the
left sid~
through the edge between the two sides, the link end the edge being provided
by a folded line vrland by glue. The layers which compose the sides of the
carton rnay ~d rrf different sorts. If such a layer is covering a eomplote
side, it is
called a panel, and is said as corresponding to the side it covers. When a
layer
covers a side only partially, it is called a flap, and it is said that it
corresponds to
the side it covers. However, a flap may be extended up to tho panel size, in
which case it is a long flap. Long flaps ere particularly used for
contributing to
the rigidity of the structure. Flaps and panels can also comprise cut outs
allowing use of a minimum amount of materials. Panols or flaps can be said as
associated to another layer, which means that they have o side in common with
this layer through a folded line, score line, line of weakness or by means of
gluing, in doing so describing on edge of the carton. Each sido may compris~
one or more poncls, one or more flaps, or a combination of these. In
tho,present
application, the panels may have in their denomination the name of the sid~
~of
which they cover the surface, for example the bottom panel corresponds to the
bottom side. In the present application the flaps msy hav~ in their
denomination
the name of the side with which thoy correspond once the carton is folded,
followed of the name of the flap or panel with which they are associated. For
example, the first left flap associated with an edge to the first front flap
is
forming part of the left side in the folded carton and is physically attached
the
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front flap. It should be noteri /hat the side denomination, namely left,
right, top, '
bottom, back and front, are conventional cterumoinations which are introduced
for ease of explanation, and should not be lirnitiry. Adhesive can be used for
gluing flaps or panels to each other. For example, cold ,water or solvent
based
glue can be used, applied with rollers or glue guns, but also hot melt glue,
whether applied with glue guns or other glue applicators.
1"tm c:arlr~n sliuclmrr~ or the present invention is such that the Carton can
be
easily made sift proof, yr even aft lit~lU if a special glue pattern is
applied, so eS
to prevent air from passing through the structure. In order tv be sill proof
through the sides, and if the side comprises a panel, it hss to be ensured
that
the panel does not accidentally burst. This is particularly important on the
sides
which usually are more exposed to external intervention which can lead to
bursting. For this reason, the sides could comprises several layers. for
example
by using a die cut made of a flute between two liners, or simply by using a
supplar»antary liner, bHing fur r~xample a plain-board or a cflrrugated liner.
If
the side is composed of flaps, it is important that the flaps co-operate with
each
other as expected to obtain a sift proof structure. Usually, it is obtained by
gluing the flaps to each other.
The carton may also comprise a snap lock mechanism in the IicJ ~rea, of any
kind known of the man skilled in the art, for exomple composed of a snap flap
and of a snap tab. Preferred here are audible snap lock mechanisms. The lid
may also bta lifted at opening by means of a de-laminated area combined with
perforations or with extra glue spots_ The carton may also comprise a tear
strip
fvr facilitating opening of thQ Ild.
In a general manner, the carton of the invention may comprise features and
variations of the existing cartons, such as for example the cartons disclosed
in
EP 0 588 789 B1 or in WO 92/20583. .
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In Figure 1, a top fill carton 1 according to the invention is illustrated.
Inde~d,
the invention preferably relates to a top fill carton. As evidenced on the
drawin8,
two flaps (100, 101) arc already folded, these flaps (100, 101) being part of
the
top side 10; one being linked to the lett side 11 and one being Ilrtked to the
right
sida 12, the link being formed by associating each flap along stn edge with a
folding fine. In this Figure 1, each flap (100, 101) comprises a cut out 4. If
this
carton 1 further contains granular materials 5, as in a preferred embodiment
of
the invention, the granular materials 5 normally have been introduced in the
carton 1 prior to the folding of these two flaps (100, 101 ). Indeed, in an
aspect
of the invention, the invention relates to a process for filling a cartpn 1
according to claim 1 comprising the first step of filling th~ carton with
granular
materials 5 through the top side 10, the second step of portially closing the
top
side 10 with a first layer (100, 101 ) of material comprising the cut out 4,
the third
step of fitting the three dimensional object 2 with the cut out 4 and a fourth
step
consisting in gluing a further layer (102, 103) ~f material above the first
(flyer
(100, 101 ). It should be noted that tho first step above could be suppressed
and
replaced by a step following the fourth stop above, whereby ttie carton is
filled
with granular material 5 through the bottom side (not shown). In this case,
the
invention relates to a process for filling a carton 9 according' to tha
Invention
comprising the first step of partially closing the top side 10 with a first
layer
(100, 101 ) of material comprising the cut out 4, the second step of fitting
the
three riimensinnal nhjPr:l ~ wilh the c:~lt out 4, a third step conslstln0 in
gluing a
further layer (102, 103) of material above the first layer (100, 101), and a
fourth
step of f1111ng the carton 1 with granular materials 5 through the bottom side
(not
shown).
Typically, one 102 or two (102. 103) layers are glued ebov~ th~ first layer
(100,
101). In Figure 1, indeed, the second step is illustrated. It should be noted
that
in this example, the three dimensional object 2 is a scooping device for
granular
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h~IDV DO 2Ei~1 1? i 31 1~~i.G r'fiTCNT I TC C I h~lh'I 513 G~c? GT~3 r'. ~
.',.~, i
CA 02373836 2001-11-09
12
materials 5, as in a preferred embodiment according to the invention. More
particularly, the s~:rmpine device comprises a flange 20. Other means may also
be used for fitlirrc~ l) rd three dimensional object 2 to the Cut out 4, EuCh
as
matching shapes between the three dirrrer7sivnal object 2 and the profile of
the
cut out 4. Indeed, it is preferred that the cut out 4 has a profile
corresponding to
a part of the object 2. This is for example evidenced on Figure 1, whereby the
cut out 4 18 in two parts, each part of the cut out 4 matching a part of the
object
2. In this example, the cut out 4 is on each of the two flaps (100, 101 )
comprising it in the form of an indentation, whereby a piece of each flap
(100,
101 ) i~ simply cut away, without defining a closed contour for the cut out 4.
The .
cut out 4 could also comprise.an extra iriderilation allowing insertion of a
finger
for example to remove the three dimensional object 2 more easily from the cut
out 4. Preferably, if the cut out 4 has a closed contour 40 and if th~ object
2 has
as flange 20, the contour 40 of the cut out ~t should be smaller than the
perimeter
of the flange 20. This also applies to part of the contour 4i and ttw
corresponding part 21 of the object 2 if the contour 41 ~s not closed. Indeed,
the
cut out 4 should support the object 2.
By a three dimensional object 2, it should be understood that it i's an obj~C!
which has a total width, a total length and a total height which ell are
substantially larger than the thickness of the hyQr of material of which the
die.
cut of the carton is made. .
(n Figure 2, the carton 1 of Figure 1 is such that the scoop has bean inserted
on
both sides of the cut out 4. The scoop is inserted directly on the top of the
carton 1, SQ that insprticrn can hp made at high speed on line. indeed, when
produced vn line, the line usually is disE~l:winp ihP carton in a direction
perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the three dimensional object 2.
Therefore, the less deep the three dimensional object 2 Is placed, the faster
the
line can be run. Indeed, it is an object of the invention to have >an simple
Received Nov-OB-OI Ofi:llpm From-513 fi21 6383 To-KIRBY EADES GALE BAK Papa
025


hJOV DO c~D1 17 ~ 31 r'8G r'ATCh~IT I TC C I hJhJ 513 G2? 6333 r' . ~O.~3'?
' CA 02373836 2001-11-09
~3
production of cartons containing a three dimensional object. In other words,
when the object 2 Is Inserted, it follows a path, whereby the speed of the
lin~
hes to be lowered if this path is long orland if this path is along a
direction
perpendicular to the displacement of the Ilne. In our cases, the object 2 is
inserted on the top side ~ 10, not only above the rest of the content 5 of the
carton 1 but also so as to reduce the path of the object 2 In a direction
perpendicular to the line displacement to a minimum. A further advantage is
that the three dimensional object 2 is fitted to the carton 1 by means of a
cut out
4 In existing flaps, arrd not by adding an extra piece to the carton 1.
Indeed, a
turther objective of a carton 1 accordirr~ to the invention is to reduce tho
quantity of waste trom packaging materials released irr lire environment. It
should also be noted that glue 6 is applied to the two flaps (102, 103) which
do
not comprise the cut out ~ for fitting the three dimensional object 2.
In Figure 3, a flap 103 is folded and glued over the throe dimensional object
2
which is fitted ire a cut out 4 provided in two other flaaps (100, 101 ). In
'this
example, the flap 103 glued over the tlrraa dimensional object 2 is covering
the
object only partially, but the object 2 could be completely covered by using a
longer flap 104. An aim of such a cover 104 is to protect the content 5 ef the
cotton 1, and to prevent egress of the content 5 when the carton 1 is closed.
In figure 4, a further flop 102 has been glued on top of the carton 1, thus
covering completely the cut out ~ ~4 end the three dimensional object 2. OncQ
closed and glued in such a manner, the carton 1 can be opened es shown on
Figure 4, by lifting up the lid 3. According to the invention, the top side 10
of the
carton 1 is forming the lid 3, but the lid 3 may also comprise sides 30 for
covering the front 14, left 11 and right 12 sides of the carton 1. In the
pxampl~,
the lid 3 is ~ hinged lid 3, so that it does not have a sido covering the
barac side
13 es the hinge 31 is at the comer of the top 10 and of thQ bade 13 side.
However, the lid 3 may be completely removable, in which case the back side
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h10~.~-09-2001 17 : 31 P&G PATEhIT I TC C I hlhl 513 627 6333 P . 29.137
' CA 02373836 2001-11-09
14
13 may also be covered partly by a side of the lid 3_ The lid 3 may be opened
or
formed in various manners as known from the man skilled in the art. As can be
seen on Figure 4, the three dimensional object 2 may be removed from the cul
out 4 by pulling it away from the top side 10 of the carton 1. The advantage
when the carton 1 contains granular materials 5 such as washing powder, is
that the usPr~dnPS not have to dig into the granular materials 5 lu gain
access to
the object z, which is a f~.~rthPr advantage of the Invention. It should also
be
noted that removing the object 2 can be~facilitated It the cut out 4 is
designed as
in Figure 4, whereby the object 2 may be translated in the plane of the top
side
so as to disengage a first side 41 of the cut out 4, then translating it on
the
other side to disengage the last side of the cut out 4, so that the object 2
may
be removed without effort, even It .the material used for the flaps (100, 101)
is
not flexible. Furthermore, such a carton 1 allows replacing the object 2 after
use, thus allowing to prevent the object 2 to be soiled during use by being
simply left In the carton 1 together with the rest of the runlent 5. Indeed,
the
Invention more specifically relates tv a process for filling a carton 1 as
mentioned above, whereby it further comprises the fifth step of opening the
carton 1 for use, the sixth step of removiry the three dimensional object 2
from
the cut out 4, and the further step of placing the three dimensional object 2
bade
on the top side 10 so that it fits with the cut out 4.
As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. the invention preferably relates to a carton
1,
whereby the lid 3 comprises on the top side 10 a first top flap 100 associated
with an edge to the left side 11 of the carton 1, a second ~ top flap 101
associated with an edge to the right 12 side of the carton 1, a third top flap
103
associated with en edge to the back side 13 of the carton 1 and a fourth top
flap
102 associated with an edge to the front side 14 of the carton 1, whereby at
least one of these four top flaps (100, 101, 102, 103) comprises the cut out 4
to
fit the threb dimensions) object 2, the cut out 4 being completely covered by
et
least one of the three other flaps.
Received Nov-03-01 06:IIps From-613 62T 6333 To-KIRBY EADES BALE BAK Pale 02T


NOV DO ~c~D1 1 i'= 3~c ~'Ei~G r'ATChJT I TC C I h~'a 513 Gc G333 r'. 3~.'3?
Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of a91 carton 1 according to the
invention. In this embodiment, the cut out 4 is provided on one flap 107 only
of
the top side 10. Furthermore, this fhrp 107 is supported by two other fl8ps
(108,
109) which where tolded under this flap 107 Gumprising . the cut out 4. In
this
case, the cut out 4 and the object 2 are completely covered by a further flap
108
on which glue 6 is appliod. It should be noted that in this embodiment,
removal
of the object 2 is facilitated in that it can simply be translated once in the
plane
of the top side 10 away from the cut out 4 to be taken away from the cut out
4.
When in place and fitting with the cut out 4, the pressure exertCd by the tl3p
108 crwering thw? cut out 4 and the object 2 inay participate in retaining the
object 2 fitting in the cut out a.
In Figure 6, a further embodiment of a carton 1 according to the invention is
presented, whereby the cut out 4 has a closed contour 40 and is provided on
only one flap 105. Providing the cut out 4 on only one flap 105 allows
simplcrr
manufacture, while having a cut out 4 with a closed contour 40 allows better
control of the fitting of the object 2, so that the object 2 is better
meintrained in
place whrrn fitting ir1 the cul oul 4.
A cross sectional view is Illustrated In Figure 7, whereby the top side 10
comprises three layers, the objoct bolng inserted In a cut out d in the inner
layer'
( 100, 101 ). Insertion and fitting with the cut out ~l is provided by a
flange 20.
Indeed, in a preferred embodiment the invention, the lid 3 comprises on the
top
side 10 an outer layer 102 and an inner Isyer (100, 101 ), the inner layer
(100,
101 ) comprising the cut out 4, the flange 20 being inserted between the inner
(1 OD, 1 D1 ) and the outer 109 layer. In the particular example of Figure 7,
there
are two outer layers (102, 103).
Rec~ivad Nov-08-OI 05:IIp~n From-513 62T 6333 To-KIRBY EADES GALE BAK Papa 028
CA 02373836 2001-11-09


hJOV Ej0 ~c~D1 1?= 3c r'~i~G I'faTChJT I TC C I hJhJ 513 G2? 6333 ~'. 31.'3 i'
CA 02373836 2001-11-09
A further cross sectional view is presented on Figure 8, whereby there is only
one outer layer 104, but whereby the inner layer 105 is pressed onto
supporting
flaps (7O, 71 ) as in the structures of Figures 5 or 6. It should be mentioned
that
In order to further hold the object 2 in place particularly during handling
prior to
opening, a glue spot could be used in ~:ronhination with the objet 2 fitting
th0
cut out 4. In a furthQr preferred embodiment, lines of weakness, embossed
areas, cut or fold lines may be provided in the regiori of the cut out 4 to
facilitate
fitting end removing of the object 2.
Rocaivad Nov-06-01 05:llpm From-513 6IT 6333 To-KIRBY EARS GALE BAK P~~o OZo

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(86) PCT Filing Date 1999-05-12
(85) National Entry 2001-11-09
Examination Requested 2001-11-09
(87) PCT Publication Date 2002-02-14
Dead Application 2005-05-12

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2004-05-12 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $400.00 2001-11-09
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2001-11-09
Application Fee $300.00 2001-11-09
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2001-05-14 $100.00 2001-11-09
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2002-05-13 $100.00 2002-03-27
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2003-05-12 $100.00 2003-03-27
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Past Owners on Record
HOFTE, PAULUS ANTONIUS AUGUSTINUS
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative Drawing 2001-11-09 1 7
Representative Drawing 2002-04-30 1 7
Claims 2001-11-09 2 72
Drawings 2001-11-09 3 64
Description 2001-11-09 16 728
Cover Page 2002-05-01 1 32
Abstract 2002-04-30 1 47
Abstract 2004-07-19 1 47
PCT 2001-11-09 8 225
Assignment 2001-11-09 5 202
Correspondence 2002-06-10 1 10
PCT 2001-11-09 1 25
PCT 2001-11-09 1 56