Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BAG-IN-BOX BEVERAGE CONTAINER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to bag-in-box style
cartons and containers, of the type in which a non-self-supporting plastic
bag or the like is positioned in a surrounding, supporting container
structure, the entire package being disposable after a single use. The
present invention also relates to a multiple bags-in-box style cartons and
containers. The present invention also relates to large volume urn-style
beverage containers.
[0002] Urn-style beverage containers, for the
containment and controlled incremental dispensing of a relatively large
volume (2+ gallons) of liquid are known. Typically, such urn-style
beverage containers are reusable devices of metal and plastic, which can
be heavy, and which, of course, require cleaning after each use. Various
versions of such devices are known as "pump pots"; "air pots"; various
all-plastic urns (sold under the registered trademark "CamServers") and
buckets with spigots, both manufactured by Cambro Manufacturing
Company of Huntington Beach, California. There are also known in the
art octagonal and rectangular cross-section bag-in corrugated paperboard
box configurations, such as those sold by BIB Pak, Inc., of Racine,
Wisconsin. The rectangular bag-in-box construction is also shown in
Geshay, U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,431, owned by BIB Pak, Inc., of Racine,
Wisconsin.
[0003] Retail and wholesale (catering) food service
operators typically have need of such large volume beverage containers.
However, permanent, reusable urns may be subject to various
disadvantages and/or impose certain costs of operation, upon retail
customers and/or retail and wholesale food service operators. For
example, caterers must address the need to physically retrieve the urns,
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requiring expenditures of labor and fuel. The urns must be cleaned and
stored, again requiring expenditures of labor, cleaning supplies, and
storage space. Reusable urns are often the subject of theft or
"mysterious" disappearance, imposing unscheduled replacement costs, as
well as the replacement costs associated with the cycling out of units as a
result of normal wear and tear. If units are lost/stolen or in disrepair, the
business operator runs the risk of lost sales.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, a dispensing container for
dispensing fluent material is provided. The dispensing container includes
a generally tubular body having a front wall, a rear wall and two opposing
sidewalls. The generally tubular body further includes an upper portion
forming an upper opening and a closure structure disposed proximate the
upper opening. The closure structure includes a handle in a recessed
position within the upper opening. The generally tubular body further
includes a plurality of spout apertures disposed in one of the sidewalls
and at least one inner flow prompting ramp positioned within the
generally tubular body. The at least one inner flow prompting ramp
includes a lower end disposed adjacent the sidewall in which the plurality
of spout apertures are disposed and a higher end disposed adjacent the
opposite sidewall. The generally tubular body is formed from a first
blank of at least one of the following materials: paper; paperboard; or
corrugated paperboard.
[0005] In another aspect, a dispensing container for
dispensing fluent material is provided. The dispensing container includes
a body having a front wall, a back wall and two opposing sidewalls, and
defining a vertical axis extending substantially parallel with the front
wall, a depth axis extending substantially perpendicular to the front wall,
and a transverse axis extending substantially parallel with the front wall
and substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis. The body further
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includes an upper portion including an upper opening and an upper edge.
The body further includes a closure structure disposed proximate the
upper opening. The closure structure includes a handle structure
positioned substantially parallel with the depth axis in a recessed position
within the upper opening and extending substantially parallel with the
vertical axis no higher than the upper edge. The body further includes a
plurality of spout apertures operably disposed in one sidewall of the two
opposing sidewalls.
[0006] In the description below, some embodiments
describe a container having a single tubular body with one ramp and one
nozzle such that the single tubular body can retain one beverage bag. In
another embodiment, the container includes a single tubular body with
more than one ramp, more than one beverage bag, and more than one
nozzle such that the container may house a plurality of fluent products
within the more than one bags. As such, at least some embodiments
described below are configured to retain multiple beverage bags.
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the
present invention is directed to a dispensing container, operably
configured to be positioned upon a substantially flat, horizontal surface,
for the facilitated dispensing of at least one fluent material. The
dispensing container comprises a generally tubular body, having a vertical
axis, a depth axis and a transverse axis. A closure structure is disposed
proximate an opening in an upper portion of the tubular body. The
closure structure includes a handle structure, which is disposed in a
recessed position within an upper opening of the generally tubular body
and extending no higher than an upper edge region of the generally
tubular body. The generally tubular body further has a plurality of
sidewalls. At least one spout aperture is operably disposed in one of the
plurality of sidewalls.
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[0008] At least one inner flow prompting ramp is
operably positioned within the generally tubular body. The inner flow
prompting ramp has a lower end, disposed adjacent the sidewall of the
generally tubular body in which the at least one spout aperture is
disposed, and a higher end, disposed adjacent an opposite sidewall
thereto, and an inclined surface extending between the lower end and the
upper end. The lower end of the inner flow prompting ramp is disposed
at a distance above the bottom of the generally tubular body
approximately equal to the distance between the bottom of the generally
tubular body and a bottom peripheral region of the spout aperture. The
generally tubular body is preferably formed from a first blank of at least
one of the following materials: paper; paperboard; corrugated paperboard.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the generally tubular
body comprises a front wall, a rear wall disposed parallel to the front
wall, and two sidewalls, disposed parallel to one another, perpendicular to
the front and rear walls and extending therebetween.
[0010] The closure structure preferably comprises first
and second foldable sidewall top flaps, emanating from top edge regions
of the sidewalls. Each of the first and second foldable sidewall top flaps
preferably includes a first panel, foldably connected to one of the
sidewalls, and positioned at an acute included angle relative thereto. Each
of the first and second foldable sidewall top flaps preferably includes a
second panel, foldably connected to one of the first panels, each of the
second panels being folded upwardly, parallel to the sidewalls and in
juxtaposed overlying relation to one another, the second panels having top
edges that are disposed no higher than the upper edge region of the
generally tubular body. A foldable front wall top flap emanates from a
top edge region of the front wall. A foldable rear wall top flap emanates
from a top edge region of the rear wall. The foldable front and rear wall
top flaps each includes first panels, foldably connected to the front and
rear walls, respectively, and positioned substantially perpendicular
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thereto. The foldable front and rear wall top flaps each further include
second panels, foldably connected to the respective first panels of the
front and rear wall top flaps, and emanating downwardly therefrom, the
second panels of the front and rear wall top flaps being disposed in
positions interengaging with the second panels of the first and second
sidewall top flaps, to preclude undesired dislodgement of the second
panels of the first and second sidewall top flaps.
[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention
includes an insulating panel to divide the tubular body into two separate
compartments. The insulating panel allows a first comparhnent to house
a bag having a first fluid at a first temperature while a second
compartment houses a bag having a second fluid at a second temperature.
The first and second temperatures may be different. The insulating panel
is configured to facilitate maintaining the first and second temperatures
such that heat loss between the two bags is reduced. In another
embodiment, the tubular body is divided into a plurality of compartments
each having a bag housed therein.
[0012] The closure structure preferably further comprises
at least one slot in each of the first panels of the first and second sidewall
top flaps. Preferably, at least one hooked tab emanates from each of the
first panels of the front and rear wall top flaps. The hooked tabs are
preferably configured to be engagingly received in the slots, when the
second panels of the front and rear wall top flaps are folded over into
interengagement with the second panels of the first and second sidewall
top flaps.
[0013] Preferably, the closure structure further comprises
at least one notch in each of the second panels of the first and second
sidewall top flaps, the notches being aligned with one another when the
second panels of the first and second sidewall top flaps are parallel to the
sidewalls and in juxtaposed overlying relation to one another. A notch in
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at least one of the front and rear wall top flaps is operably configured to
interengage with the aligned notches in the second panels of the first and
second sidewall top flaps, when the second panels of the front and rear
wall top flaps are folded over into interengagement with the second
panels of the first and second sidewall top flaps.
[0014] Preferably, the handle structure comprises a hand
opening aperture disposed in one of the second panels of the first and
second sidewall top flaps. A hingedly connected push-out flap is
preferably disposed in the other of the second panels of the first and
second sidewall top flaps. The push-out flap preferably has a peripheral
contour substantially conforming to the peripheral contour of the hand
opening aperture. The push out flap is configured to be pushed through
the hand opening aperture, and upwardly relative thereto, to provide a
grasping opening. The inner flow prompting ramp preferably is formed
from a second blank fabricated from at least one of the following
materials: paper; paperboard; corrugated paperboard.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at
least one inner flow prompting ramp is formed from a separate second
blank of foldable material, which is insertably received into the generally
tubular body. In one embodiment of the invention, the inner flow
prompting ramp is formed from a substantially cruciform blank having a
central rectangular panel, rectangular panels emanating from front and
rear edge regions of the central panel, and trapezoidal panels emanating
from side edges of the central panel. In one embodiment of the invention,
the substantially cruciform blank further includes foldable support panels
emanating from side edges of the panels emanating from the front and
rear edge regions of the central panel. In another embodiment of the
invention, the substantially cruciform blank further includes interlocking
bottom panels emanating from side edge regions of the trapezoidal panels.
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[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the
substantially cruciform blank further includes inwardly folding triangular
gusset panel pairs foldably connecting side edge regions of the
rectangular panels emanating from the front and rear edge regions of the
central panel to end edge regions of the trapezoidal panels emanating
from the side edge regions of the central panel.
[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the at least
one inner flow prompting ramp is formed from a blank comprising a
central rectangular panel; trapezoidal side panels emanating from outside
edges of the central panel; rectangular bottom panels, emanating from
outside edges of the trapezoidal side panels; center support panels
emanating from outside edges of the rectangular bottom panels; and
inside inclined panels emanating from outside edges of the rectangular
bottom panels. The ramp is formed upon successive inward folding of
outermost ones of the panels, so that the trapezoidal side panels are folded
perpendicular to the central rectangular panel, the rectangular bottom
panels are folded perpendicular to the trapezoidal side panels, the center
support panels are folded perpendicular to the rectangular bottom panels,
and the inside inclined panels are folded perpendicular to the center
support panels, and in underlying parallel juxtaposed relation to the
central rectangular panel. A pivotable interlocking tab is disposed in one
of the rectangular bottom panels and an aperture disposed in the other of
the rectangular bottom panels for receiving the pivotable interlocking tab,
for maintaining the blank in its articulated configuration.
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the at least
one inner flow prompting ramp comprises a member foldably formed
from at least one extension of, and connected to, the first blank.
[0019] The dispensing container preferably further
comprises front and rear wall bottom flaps, connected to bottom edge
regions of the front and rear walls, respectively. First and second
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sidewall bottom flaps are connected to bottom edge regions of the first
and second sidewalls, respectively. Each of the first and second sidewall
bottom flaps preferably includes a pivotable engagement flap, which is
affixed to an outside surface of one of the front and rear bottom wall
flaps. The generally tubular body in a preferred embodiment is operably
configured such that when the closure structure is open, the generally
tubular body may be articulated between a collapsed configuration, in
which the front wall and one sidewall are disposed in juxtaposed
overlying adjacent orientation to the other sidewall and the rear wall, with
the front and rear wall bottom flaps being folded up inside a bottom
opening region of the generally tubular body, in juxtaposed relation to
inside bottom surfaces of the front and rear walls, respectively, and the
respective pivotable engagement flaps are folded back upon their
respective first and second sidewall bottom flaps; and an articulated
position, wherein the front and rear walls are parallel to each other and
perpendicular to the sidewalls, whereupon articulation from the collapsed
configuration, the first and second sidewall bottom flaps and their
respective attached front and rear wall bottom panels are automatically
prompted to move into partial overlapping relation to the front and rear
wall bottom flaps to define a bottom for the articulated dispensing
container.
[0020] Preferably, the first and second sidewall bottom
flaps further each include engagement tabs which interlock, upon
articulation, to maintain the first and second sidewall bottom flaps and the
front and rear bottom flaps in their partially overlapping, bottom defining
orientation.
[0021] The dispensing container preferably further
comprises at least one inner bag, operably configured for containing a
liquid, and at least one spout structure, operably associated with the bag,
configured to be passed through at least one spout aperture, upon
placement of the inner bag within the generally tubular body. A
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dispensing spigot preferably is operably configured to be positioned on
the at least one spout structure, after passage of the at least one spout
structure through the at least one spout aperture of the generally tubular
body.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, at least one locking
member is operably configured for engaging the spout structure, after
placement of the spout structure through the spout aperture of the
generally tubular body, for precluding removal of the spout structure from
the spout aperture.
[0023] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the
invention, at least one further spout aperture is operably disposed in one
of the plurality of sidewalls.
[0024] In another alternative embodiment, the tubular
body is divided into multiple sections by insulating panels. The multiple
sections each include a ramp directed towards a spout aperture in the
tubular body. Each multiple section is configured to receive a beverage
bag containing a spout structure such that the spout structure is received
through the aperture of the tubular body. The insulating panel is
configured to enable a first compartment to house a bag having a first
fluid at a first temperature while a second compartment houses a bag
having a second fluid at a second temperature. Furthermore, the multiple
ramps may be ramped at different directions such that the multiple spout
structures are received through different sides of the tubular body. In
another embodiment, the tubular body is divided into a plurality of
compartments by a plurality of insulating panels wherein each
compartment includes a ramp, a beverage bag and a spout structure for
dispensing the beverage.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Fig. 1 is a plan view for the blank for the outer
shell for the bag-in-box beverage container of the present invention.
[0026] Fig. 2 is a plan view for the blank of an inner
flow prompting ramp, for insertion into the outer shell for the bag-in-box
beverage container of the present invention.
[0027] Fig. 3 is a plan view for the blank of an
alternative embodiment of an inner flow prompting ramp, for insertion
into the outer shell for the bag-in-box beverage container of the present
invention.
[0028] Fig. 4 is a plan view for the blank of an
alternative embodiment of an inner flow prompting ramp, for insertion
into the outer shell for the bag-in-box beverage container of the present
invention.
[0029] Fig. 5 is a photographic step-by-step illustration
of the assembly of a bag-in-box beverage container of the present
invention.
[0030] Fig. 6 is a photographic step-by-step illustration
of the filling of a bag-inbox beverage container of the present invention.
[0031] Fig. 7A is a plan view for the blank of an
alternative embodiment of an inner flow prompting ramp, for insertion
into the outer shell for the bag-in-box beverage container of the present
invention.
[0032] Fig. 7B is a view of the inner flow prompting
ramp erected from the blank of Fig. 7A, as seen from underneath.
[0033] Fig. 7C is a view of the inner flow prompting
ramp erected from the blank of Fig. 7A, as seen from above.
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[0034] Fig. 8 is a plan view for the blank of an
alternative embodiment of an inner flow prompting ramp, for insertion
into the outer shell for the bag-in-box beverage container of the present
invention.
[0035] Fig. 9 is a composite illustration of two
perspective views of the ramp structure that is formed from the blank of
Fig. 8.
[0036] Fig. 10 is a plan view for the blank of an
alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the inner flow
prompting ramp is integrally formed into the blank for the outer shell.
[0037] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an outer shell
according to the blank of Fig. 10, wherein the inner flow prompting ramp
is integrally formed into the blank for the outer shell.
[0038] Fig. 12 is a plan view of a blank for an outer shell
according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein spout
apertures are provided on both front and sidewalls.
[0039] Fig. 13 is a plan view of a blank for an outer shell
according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein
two spout apertures are provided on the front wall, so that, if desired, the
outer shell may be inverted when in use.
[0040] Fig. 14 is a plan view for a blank for an inner
flow prompting ramp, to be used in combination with the outer shell
according to the blank of Fig. 12.
[0041] Fig. 15 is a plan view for a blank for an outer
shell for a bag-in-box beverage container having two spout apertures.
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[0042] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the bag-in-box
beverage container having two spout apertures and formed from the blank
shown in Fig. 15.
[0043] Fig. 17 is a plan view for the blank of an inner
flow prompting ramp, for insertion into the outer shell of the bag-in-box
beverage container shown in Figure 16.
[0044] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of two inner flow
prompting ramps assembled for insertion into a bag-in-box container
shown in Figure 16.
[0045] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of two inner flow
prompting ramps being inserted into the bag-in-box beverage container of
Figure 16.
[0046] Fig. 20 is a view of an insulating panel inserted to
divide the bag-in-box beverage container of Figure 16 into at least two
sections.
[0047] Fig. 21 is an angled view of the insulating panel
shown in Figure 20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] While this invention is susceptible of
embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings
and will be described in detail, several specific embodiments, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to
limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
[0049] As explained below, Figures 1-14 show an
example embodiment of the present invention having a single bag-in-box.
In another embodiment of the present invention, Figures 15-21 show a
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container having more than one bags-in-box. More specifically, Figures
15-21 show a bag-in-box container having two separate bags housed
inside a single box, wherein the box has two spout apertures: one for each
bag.
[0050] In preferred embodiments of the invention, each
of the blanks illustrated herein, in Figures 1-4, 15 and 17, are fabricated
from corrugated paperboard material, although similar paper-based
materials, having similar performance characteristics, may be employed if
desired.
[0051] In accordance with the usual conventions
regarding the illustration of blanks of foldable material, unless otherwise
expressly indicated, solid lines within the interior of a blank represent
through-cuts or apertures, and broken or dotted lines represent lines of
weakness, such as score lines, perforations, or the like.
[0052] A blank 10 for the outer shell for the bag-in-box
of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1. Blank 10 includes front
wall 12; front bottom flap 14; and top handle flap 16, which in turn
includes panels 18 and 20. Spout aperture 22 is defined by cut flaps 24a -
24h and central aperture 26. Blank 10 also includes first sidewall 28
(foldably connected to front wall 12); sidewall bottom flap 30 with scored
tabs 32, 34; and first sidewall handle flap 36, including panels 38, 40,
with slots 42, 44, and notches 46, 48, and die cut push out flap 50. Rear
panel 52 is foldably connected to first sidewall 28. Rear bottom flap 54
emanates from rear panel 52, as does rear handle flap 56, which includes,
in turn, panels 58 and 60. Frangibly attached to panel 60 are foldably
connected spout locking tabs 62, 64, each having keyhole shaped
apertures therein. Second sidewall 66 is foldably connected to rear panel
52. Second sidewall bottom flap 68 emanates from second sidewall 66,
and includes foldably connected tabs 70, 72. Second sidewall handle flap
74 includes panels 76, 78, slots 80, 82, notches 84, 86 and opening 88.
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Glue flap 90 is provided, which is affixed to an outside or inside surface
of front panel 12.
[0053] To form the outer shell of the bag-in-box
beverage container of the present invention, when blank 10 is formed into
a tube by gluing flap 90 to front panel 12, front bottom flap 14, first
sidewall bottom flap 30, rear bottom flap 54 and second sidewall bottom
flap 68 are folded inwardly, and upwardly of the bottom edges of front
wall 12, first sidewall 28, rear wall 52 and second sidewall 66. Tabs 72
and 34 are glued to adjacent panels 54 and 14, respectively. When set up,
opposing flaps 68 and 30 are interlocked at the notches formed between
tabs 32, 34 and 20, 72, respectively. Tabs 32, 70 are on the "inside"
facing the interior of the resulting shell structure. See also subfigs. 3 and
4
of Fig. 5.
[0054] Because the interior liquid holding structure is a
non-self-supporting flexible bag, a structure is required to prompt the
liquid to flow toward the spout (see Figs. 5-15 and 6-1 through 6-4). To
form the flow prompting structure, an inner flow prompting ramp is
formed from blank 100 (see Fig. 2). Blank 100 includes inclined panel
102, short front panel 104 (which has a height approximately equal to the
distance between the bottom edge of front panel 12 and the lower
periphery of spout aperture 22, tall rear panel 106, and trapezoidal side
panels 108, 110, all of which will be folded to be parallel to respective
front wall 12, rear wall 52, and first and second sidewalls 28 and 66,
respectively, upon insertion of the inner flow prompting ramp into the top
opening of the shell (see Figs. 5-5 and 5-6). Finger notch 112 is provided,
to facilitate removal and/or replacement of the inner flow prompting ramp
formed from blank 100, during assembly and knockdown of the beverage
container.
[0055] Once the inner flow promoting ramp has been
inserted into the outer shell, the inner containment bag/closure assembly,
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which may be of any suitable design, is prepared for insertion into the
outer shell. In one embodiment of the invention, the bag/closure
assembly will be formed as a polyethylene (or other suitable food-grade
plastic material) bag, at one end of which is attached an outwardly
threaded male spout member, which will typically have two axially
spaced apart radially extending collars or rings, each of which is smaller
in diameter than the large diameter portion of the keyhole openings of
spout locking tabs 62, 64, but which is greater in diameter to the smaller
diameter portion of the keyhole openings. Typically, a dust cap is
threaded onto the spout member to prevent contamination of the interior
of the bag during shipping and storage. Referring to Figs. 5-7 - 5-10, the
bag/closure assembly is prepared by removing the dust cap, expanding or
"fluffing" the bag by pulling apart the (typically) folded over bag portion.
Fig. 5-7. The spout locking tabs 62, 64 are pulled from panel 60, and
separated from each other. One of tabs 62, 64 is then placed over the
male spout member to a position between the bag and the collar closest to
the bag, and slid to one side, so that the smaller diameter portion of the
keyhole aperture surrounds the spout, and the collar prevents removal of
the spout from the collar. Fig. 5-8. The bag/spout assembly is then placed
inside the outer shell, and the spout is pushed through the aperture 22.
Fig. 5-9. The collar farthest from the bag will momentarily displace tabs
24a -- 24h, as the spout member passes through aperture 22, with tabs 24a
- 24h then flipping back down to approximately their original positions,
behind the outer collar. To fix the collar in place the second of spout
locking tabs 62, 64, is slid onto the spout member, and similarly
positioned between the outer collar and the front wall, and then slid to one
side so that the narrow diameter portion of the keyhole opening surrounds
the spout member, preventing displacement of the spout relative to the
front wall. Fig. 5-10.
[0056] The outer shell is then closed by folding panels
38, 76 inwardly and down into the top opening of the outer shell, while
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folding panels 40 and 78 upwardly. Panels 40 and 78 will be juxtaposed
parallel to and against one another, in a vertical orientation. Figs. 5-11
through 5-13. Then, panels 18 and 58 are folded inwardly over the top of
the outer shell, to positions coplanar to each other and parallel to the
bottom of the outer shell. Panels 20 and 60 are then folded down to
positions parallel to each other and to front wall 12. Notch 120 will
interdigitate with notches 48 and 84 which will be aligned with one
another, while hooked tabs 122 and 124 will be inserted into and engage
slots 44 and 80, respectively. Notch 130 will interdigitate with notches
46 and 86, while hooked tabs 132, 134 will be inserted into and engage
slots 82, 42, respectively. Panel 50 is then pushed through the opening 88
of adjacent panel 78, and folded upward, during carrying, to help hold
panels 40, 78 together. Through the use of the hooked tabs, the handle is
firmly locked into place, and will be unlikely to spontaneously dislodge
or disassemble, during normal use and loading conditions, in the absence
of affirmative, intentional dismantling of the container.
[0057] If the bag-in-box beverage container is not to be
immediately used, it may be stored, upon returning the dust cap to its
position screwed onto the male spout member. Filling of the container is
demonstrated in Figs. 6-1 through 6-4. Once filling has been
accomplished, then a female cap, provided with a positive closing tap
(which may be of any suitable configuration) is screwed onto the male
spout member, the container is uprighted, and rendered ready for
dispensing.
[0058] Once the contents have been consumed, the bag-
in-box beverage container is broken down for disposal and recycling
essentially by reversing the foregoing procedure.
[0059] Fig. 3 illustrates a blank for an alternative
embodiment of the flow prompting structure. An inner flow prompting
ramp is formed from blank 200. Blank 200 includes inclined panel 202,
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short front panel 204 (which has a height approximately equal to the
distance between the bottom edge of front panel 12 and the lower
periphery of spout aperture 22; tall rear panel 206; and trapezoidal side
panels 208, 210, all of which will be folded to be parallel to respective
front wall 12, rear wall 52, and first and second sidewalls 28 and 66,
respectively, upon insertion of the inner flow prompting ramp into the top
opening of the shell. Finger notch 212 is provided, to facilitate removal
and/or replacement of the inner flow prompting ramp formed from blank
200, during assembly and knockdown of the beverage container. Blank
200 also includes reinforcing corner panels 214, 216, 218 and 220.
[0060] Fig. 4 illustrates a blank for an alternative
embodiment of the flow prompting structure. An inner flow prompting
ramp is formed from blank 300. Blank 300 includes inclined panel 302,
short front panel 304 (which has a height approximately equal to the
distance between the bottom edge of front panel 12 and the lower
periphery of spout aperture 22; tall rear panel 306; and trapezoidal side
panels 308, 310, all of which will be folded to be parallel to respective
front wall 12, rear wall 52, and first and second sidewalls 28 and 66,
respectively, upon insertion of the inner flow prompting ramp into the top
opening of the shell. Finger notch 312 is provided, to facilitate removal
and/or replacement of the inner flow prompting ramp formed from blank
300, during assembly and knockdown of the beverage container. Blank
300 also includes bottom panels 314, 316, which will be folded into
interlocking relation to one another underneath inclined panel 302, via
notches 318, 320.
[0061] The bag-in-box beverage container of the present
invention is believed to embody a number of advantages over prior art
containers, even including prior art corrugated containers, such as
facilitated assembly and readiness; facilitated filling of the internal bag;
facilitated handling and delivery, via the recessed and locked-in-place
handle; easy knock-down for recycling; the ability to employ a wide
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variety of existing taps and spigots; the provision of a level, flat top
profile to permit stacking of stored containers, and even limited stacking
of filled containers.
[0062] Fig. 7A is a plan view for the blank of an
alternative embodiment of an inner flow prompting ramp, for insertion
into the outer shell for the bag-in-box beverage container of the present
invention, seen from above in Fig. 7C. Blank 400 includes inclined panel
402; front panel 404; rear panel 406; side panels 408, 410; die cut
grasping aperture 412; and gusset panel pairs 414, 416; 418, 420; 422,
424; 426, 428. When panels 404, 406, 408, 410 are folded down, in a
manner similar to the other embodiments described hereinabove, the
gusset panel pairs are folded inwardly, underneath inclined pane1402, as
seen in Fig. 7B.
[0063] Fig. 8 is a plan view for the blank of an
alternative embodiment of an inner flow prompting ramp, for insertion
into the outer shell for the bag-in-box beverage container of the present
invention. Blank 500 comprises inclined panel 502; rear panel 504; side
panels 506, 508; bottom panels 510, 512 with cell flaps 514, 516; center
support panels 518, 520; and inside inclined panels 526, 528. To form the
ramp, the panels at the ends of blank 500 are successively folded inwardly
(panels 528, 526 folded perpendicular to panels 518, 520; panels 518, 520
are folded perpendicular to panels 510, 512; panels 510, 512 are folded
perpendicular to panels 506, 508; and finally panels 506, 508 are folded
perpendicular to panel 502), so that panels 526, 528 eventually are
positioned underneath panel 502, in juxtaposed underlying parallel
relationship thereto. T-shaped tab 522 is pushed out and folded over and
pushed into aperture 524, to lock the ramp into its articulated
configuration, as shown in Fig. 9, which is a composite illustration of two
perspective views of the ramp structure that is formed from the blank 500
of Fig. 8. Cell flaps 514, 516 are pivotable to enable the storage within
the ramp of articles, such as measuring cups or the like. rear panel 504
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may be folded downwardly to cover the ends of the wedgeshaped
enclosed areas at the end of the ramp, or folded upwardly (both as shown
in Fig. 9).
[0064] Fig. 10 is an outside plan view of a portion of the
blank 10' of an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the inner
flow prompting ramp is integrally formed into the blank for the outer
shell. Instead of having an automatically deploying bottom, for the outer
shell, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, panels 14, 30, 54 and 68 may be
replaced, respectively, by panels 14', 30' 54' and 68'. Panels 30' and 68'
are, in turn, formed by bottom panels 30a', 68a'; inside support panels
30b', 68b'; inclined panels 30c', 68c'; and outside support panels 30d',
68d'. These panels are rolled up, in a manner similar to the separate
wedge-shaped ramp of Figs. 8 and 9, as shown in Fig. 11. Thereafter,
panels 14' and 54' are folded to the outside of panels 30a' and 68a' and
glued thereto. Aside from the foregoing differences, blank 10' preferably
may be substantially the same as blank 10 in configuration, with respect
to the top end closing and handle structures, and with respect to the spout
aperture.
[0065] Fig. 12 illustrates a blank 600 for an outer shell
according to an alternative embodiment, wherein the front wall 602 is
now located between the sidewalls 604, 606, instead of at the end of the
blank, as in the embodiment of Fig. 1, and rear wall 608 is now at the end
of the blank, instead of being between the sidewalls as in the embodiment
of Fig. 1. In addition, a spout aperture 610 is located on sidewal1604, as
well as spout aperture 612 on front wall 602, so that a choice is given as
to the location of the spout, and indeed the orientation of the outer shell.
The remaining panels and flaps at the top and bottom of the blank, are, as
can be seen in a comparison of Figs. 1 and 12, essentially identical in
structure and operation. Accordingly, the same method of formation of
the top and bottom closures, as described with respect to the embodiment
of Fig. 1, applies to the embodiment of Fig. 12. Slightly different spout
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locking pieces 614, 616 are provided, which emanate from one of the
sidewall top flap panels. Locking pieces 614, 616 are not slipped over the
spout, but instead are simply slipped in place from the side, relying upon
orientation and friction to be maintained in place during use. Aperture
610 permits the container formed from blank 600 to be inverted or laid on
its side (depending upon the size, shape and orientation of the inner flow
prompting ramp within the outer shell). For example, if the ramp has a
"footprint" that is approximately the same as the top/bottom area (with
appropriate inclination), then the outer shell will be inverted, to enable
use of aperture 610. Alternatively, if a ramp is provided that has a
footprint that is approximately the same as front wall 602 or rear wall
608, then the outer shell will be laid on its side (i.e., on rear wall 608),
to
permit dispensing from aperture 610.
[0066] Fig. 13 illustrates a blank 700 for an outer shell
according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, having
sidewall 702, front wall 706, rear wall 704, and other sidewall 708. Two
apertures 710 and 712 are provided at the top center and bottom center of
sidewall 702. Slightly different spout locking pieces 714, 716 are
provided, which emanate from one of the sidewall top flap panels.
Locking pieces 714, 716 are not slipped over the spout, but instead are
simply slipped in place from the side, relying upon orientation and
friction to be maintained in place during use. The remaining panels and
flaps at the top and bottom of the blank, are, as can be seen in a
comparison of Figs. 1 and 13, essentially identical in structure and
operation. Accordingly, the same method of formation of the top and
bottom closures, as described with respect to the embodiment of Fig. 1,
applies to the embodiment of Fig. 13.
[0067] Fig. 14 illustrates blank 800 for an alternative
embodiment of an inner flow prompting ramp, for use with either of
blanks 600 or 700 of Figs. 12 or 13, wherein use of the sidewall apertures
is desired. Blank 800 provides for the sloping of the top panel of the
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ramp from one long edge to the other (i.e., from side to side, instead of
front to back).
[0068] Figure 15 is a plan view for a blank 910 for an
outer shell for a bag-in-box beverage container having at least two spout
apertures. Blank 910 includes front panel 912, a front panel bottom flap
914, and a front panel handle flap 916, which in turn includes panels 918
and 920. Blank 910 also includes a first side panel 928 (foldably
connected to front panel 912), a first side panel bottom flap 930 with
scored tabs 932, 934, and a first side panel handle flap 936, including
panels 938, 940, with slots 942, 944, and notches 946, 948, and die cut
push out flap 950. Spout apertures 951 are defined by cut flaps 952a -
952h and central apertures 953. A rear pane1954 is foldably connected to
first side panel 928. A rear panel bottom flap 955 emanates from rear
panel 954, as does rear panel handle flap 956, which includes, in turn,
panels 958 and 960. Frangibly attached to panel 960 are foldably
connected spout locking tabs 962, 964, each having keyhole shaped
apertures therein. A second side panel 966 is foldably connected to rear
panel 954. A second side panel bottom flap 968 emanates from second
side panel 966, and includes foldably connected tabs 970, 972. A second
side panel handle flap 974 includes panels 976, 978, slots 980, 982,
notches 984, 986 and opening 988. A glue flap 990 is provided, which is
affixed to an outside or inside surface of front panel 912. Panels 960 and
920 further include tabs 992, 994 and 996, 998, respectively.
[0069] To form the outer shell of the bag-in-box
beverage container of the present invention, when blank 910 is formed
into a tube by gluing flap 990 to front panel 912, front panel bottom flap
914, first side panel bottom flap 930, rear panel bottom flap 955 and
second side panel bottom flap 968 are folded inwardly, and upwardly of
the bottom edges of front panel 912, first side panel 928, rear panel 954
and second side pane1966. Tabs 972 and 934 are glued to adjacent panels
955 and 914, respectively. When set up, opposing flaps 968 and 930 are
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interlocked at the notches formed between tabs 932, 934 and 920, 972,
respectively. Tabs 932, 970 are on the "inside" facing the interior of the
resulting shell structure.
[0070] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a bag-in-box
beverage container 1000 having at least two spout apertures and formed
from blank 910 (shown in Fig. 15). Bag-in-box beverage container 1000
includes front panel 912 and top handle flap 916. Bag-in-box beverage
container 1000 also includes first side panel 928 (foldably connected to
front pane1912), and side panel handle flap 936, including panels 938 and
940. Spout apertures 951 are defined by cut flaps 952a - 952h and central
aperture 953. Rear panel 954 (seen in Figure 15) is foldably connected to
first side panel 928. Rear panel handle flap 956 emanates from the rear
panel. Second side panel 966 (as seen in Figure 15) is foldably connected
to the rear panel. Second side panel handle flap 974 emanates from the
second side panel and includes panels 976 and 978.
[0071] To form the bag-in-box beverage container of the
present invention, first side panel, front panel, second side panel, and rear
panel are folded into a tubular shaped and glued together via a glue flap
(not shown). When set up panels 918, 920, 938, 940, 958, 960, 976, and
978 are folded inward and connected using tabs and slots (see Fig. 15) to
construct the top panel of the bag-in-box beverage container. The panels
are folded such that a handle is formed which rests below the upper
portion of the bag-in-box beverage container 1000. When fully erected,
bag-in-box beverage container 1000 is configured to retain two beverage
bags, wherein each bag is connected in flow communication with a spout
extending through one of the spout apertures.
[0072] In another embodiment, bag-in-box beverage
container 1000 is configured to have a plurality of compartments wherein
each compartment includes a ramp, and a beverage bag.
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[0073] Because the interior liquid holding structure is a
non-self-supporting flexible bag, a structure is required to prompt the
liquid to flow toward the spout (see Fig. 18). To form the flow prompting
structure, inner flow prompting ramps are formed from blank 2100 as
illustrated in Figure 17. Blank 2100 includes inclined panel 2102, short
front panel 2104 (which has a height approximately equal to the distance
between the bottom edge of first side panel 928 and the lower periphery
of spout aperture 951, tall rear panel 2106, and trapezoidal side panels
2108, 2110, all of which will be folded to be parallel to respective first
side panel 928, second side panel 966, rear panel 954, and front panel
912, respectively, upon insertion of the inner flow prompting ramp into
the top opening of the shell (see Fig. 19). Finger notch 2112 is provided,
to facilitate removal and/or replacement of the inner flow prompting ramp
formed from blank 2100, during assembly and knockdown of the
beverage container.
[0074] Figure 18 is a view of inner flow prompting ramp
2150 assembled from blank 2100 for insertion into a bag-in-box beverage
container of Figure 15.
[0075] Figure 19 is a view of two inner flow prompting
ramps being inserted into the bag-in-box beverage container of Figure 15.
An insulating panel 2200 is inserted into beverage container 1000 such
that it rests substantially flush between side panels 2108 and 2110 of the
two inner flow prompting ramps. Insulating panel 2200 is substantially
rectangular and has a depth substantially equal to the depth of the
beverage container 1000 (See Figs. 20-21). Insulating pane12200 further
rests within the vertical axis of beverage container 1000 and has a height
such that it extends from a bottom panel (not shown) of the beverage
container 1000 to handle flaps 940 and 978 (when the beverage container
is closed).
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[0076] Insulating panel 2200 divides the beverage
container 1000 into two sections such that two beverage bags can be
received therein. When the beverage bags are inserted, inner flow
prompting ramps 2150 direct fluid in the bags towards spouts attached to
the bags and inserted through apertures 951. Insulating panel 2200
further allows the two bags to contain fluent material and facilitates
reducing heat transfer between the two bags such that the temperature of
the fluent material in each bag is better maintained.
[0077] After the inner flow prompting ramp 2150 and
beverage bags are inserted, beverage container 1000 can be closed by
folding panels 916, 936, 956, and 974 inward. Tabs 946, and 948 are
interlocked with tabs 984 and 986 (See Fig. 15) to create the handle
portion of beverage container 1000. Tabs 992, 994, 996, and 998 are
configured to be received through slots 982, 942, 944 and 980 (See Fig.
15) such that tab 992 is received in slot 982, tab 994 is received in slot
942, tab 996 is received in slot 944, and tab 998 is received in slot 980.
The insertion of these tabs completes the closure of beverage container
1000.
[0078] The foregoing description and drawings merely
explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited
thereto, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them
will be able to make modifications and variations therein without
departing from the scope of the invention.
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