Paper container for household products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container comprising a paperboard shell layer and a paperboard core layer. The container has a predetermined removable portion providing a detachable lid portion. A body portion of the container extends from a shell bottom edge to a lower limit line. The shell layer has an interior-facing surface oriented towards a longitudinal axis of the container. The interior-facing surface above the lower limit line comprises at least one dosing indicium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Paper containers for household products. Background Technology

[0002] There is continued interest in recyclable packaging for household products, including food products, laundry care products, cleaning products, etc. Paper containers hold promise for further improvement, as the recycling pipeline for paper is well established.

[0003] Paper containers typically operate on the following principle: the consumer opens the container to access the contents, retrieves or dispenses the contents, and then closes the container to protect the remaining contents from environmental impact or accidental spillage. Opening, dispensing, or retrieving contents and resealing paper containers can be inconvenient, especially when the container includes multiple flaps and slots at the end to be opened.

[0004] Many paper containers are simple prismatic or straight cylindrical shapes with folding and closing mechanisms or interlocking tabs and slots to close the container after the packaging has been first opened. Such closing mechanisms are fairly adequate for larger contents, provided the container remains upright during storage. However, when the container is tipped over or inverted, the closing mechanism often lacks sufficient integrity to retain the contents within.

[0005] For many paper containers, contents are dispensed by pouring them out. Given that many paper containers are simple prisms or straight cylinders, pouring occurs at the opening edge, which can lead to uncontrolled spills. Often, flaps at the container opening obstruct pouring or make it difficult for the user to see and controllably pour the contents out of the container. This makes it difficult for the user to accurately dispense the desired amount of contents from the container.

[0006] Given these limitations, there remains an unresolved need for paper containers that can be easily opened and securely resealed. Furthermore, there remains an unresolved need for paper containers that provide controlled quantification of the contents. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A container (10) includes: a cardboard shell layer (20) extending about a longitudinal axis (L) and from a bottom edge (30) to a top edge (40), wherein the shell layer includes: a body portion (50) extending from the bottom edge to a lower limiting line (60); a predetermined removable portion (70) extending from the lower limiting line to an upper limiting line (80); and a top cover portion (90) extending from the upper limiting line to the top edge of the shell; and a cardboard core layer (100) inside the shell layer; wherein the shell layer has an inwardly facing surface (240) oriented toward the longitudinal axis, wherein the inwardly facing surface above the lower limiting line includes at least one metering mark (260); wherein the core layer is joined to the body portion and extends from below the lower limiting line to above the upper limiting line; and wherein the shell layer includes an overlapping longitudinal seam (230) extending at least partially between the bottom edge and the top edge of the shell. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 : An unopened container.

[0009] Figure 2 An open container in which a predetermined removable portion, a top cover portion, and a predetermined removable portion are separated from each other.

[0010] Figure 3 A resealed container in which the top cover fits onto the flap.

[0011] Figure 4 :like Figure 3 The partial view shown.

[0012] Figure 5 : An unopened container.

[0013] Figure 6 : Cross-sectional views of the top and bottom of the container.

[0014] Figure 7 : An unopened container.

[0015] Figure 8 : An open container.

[0016] Figure 9 : A partial view of the bottom of the container.

[0017] Figure 10 : An open container.

[0018] Figure 11 : A partial view of a pre-defined removable portion.

[0019] Figure 12 : A partial view of a pre-defined removable portion.

[0020] Figure 13 : A blank used to construct a container.

[0021] Figure 14 : A blank used to construct a container.

[0022] Figure 15 : A top view of the open container.

[0023] Figure 16 : A top view of the open container.

[0024] Figure 17 : A blank used to construct a container. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Container 10 having those aspects as described herein Figure 1 As shown in the diagram, container 10 may have a cardboard shell layer 20 surrounding a longitudinal axis L. Container 10 may have a height along the longitudinal axis of approximately 50 mm to approximately 600 mm, optionally approximately 50 mm to approximately 200 mm. The area of ​​container 10 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L may be approximately 10 cm². 2 up to about 300cm 2 Choose any spot approximately 30cm 2 up to about 100cm 2 The internal volume of the container can be from about 100 mL to about 2 L, optionally from about 300 mL to about 1600 mL.

[0026] Container 10 may have a base 32, on which it is designed to rest. The container base 32 may have a maximum external dimension of approximately 5 cm to approximately 50 cm. Cylindrical container 10 may have a container base having an external diameter of approximately 5 cm to approximately 50 cm. A cylindrical container 10 having an external diameter of approximately 5 cm to approximately 20 cm, optionally approximately 5 cm to approximately 10 cm, can be practical. A container 10 having an external diameter of approximately 5 cm to approximately 20 cm, or even approximately 5 cm to approximately 18 cm, can be easily gripped by a user. Figure 1 The container 10 shown is a hollow straight cylinder with closed ends. Other hollow shapes for the container 10 are envisioned, such as an oval cylinder, an irregularly shaped cylinder, a prism, or any other statically stable shape.

[0027] The cardboard shell layer 20 and the cardboard core layer 100 can each have a strength greater than 250 g / m². 2 Optional, approximately 250g / m 2 Up to approximately 800g / m 2The basis weight. The cardboard can be single-layered or multi-layered. The cardboard shell layer 20 and the cardboard core layer 100 can each have a thickness of about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm. The cardboard core layer 100 and the cardboard shell layer 20 can be coated with a material that is printable to protect the contents of the container 10, protect the cardboard material of the container 10 from the contents, or provide a sealable or heat-sealable layer. For example, a sealable or heat-sealable layer or coating can be provided on the surface of the cardboard shell layer 20 oriented toward the longitudinal axis L and on the surface of the cardboard shell layer 20 oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. Such a coating or layer can help provide a seal or heat seal of the cardboard shell layer 20 along the longitudinal joint 230. The sealable or heat-sealable coating or layer can be provided only at a location near the longitudinal joint 230. Ink and / or varnish can be applied to the cardboard material on one or both of the surface opposite to the longitudinal axis L or the surface facing the longitudinal axis L. The cardboard material can be made wholly or partially of a fibrous cellulose material. The fibrous cellulosic material can be virgin, recycled, or a mixture thereof. Cellulosic materials can be obtained from hardwood, softwood, or other natural renewable resources used for fibers. Fiberous cellulosic materials can be obtained from bamboo, wheat straw, reeds, corn, rice husks, sugarcane, grass fibers, or from recycled paper and paperboard. The outer and / or inner surfaces of container 10 can be coated with natural or polymeric coatings, such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene as non-limiting examples, to provide a moisture barrier. Coatings with wax, clay, starch, kaolin, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polylactic acid, silicates, ethylene-vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, and other natural and / or biodegradable coatings are useful, providing sufficient barriers to prevent the migration of moisture and / or oxygen and / or fragrances into or out of container 10. The core layer 100 can be a helically wound cardboard material cut to an appropriate length and having an outer diameter closely aligned with the inner surface of the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 can be wrapped around the mandrel to form a tube of appropriate length.

[0028] Container 10 may be used to contain articles 270, including but not limited to laundry detergent fragrance additive granules, powdered laundry detergent, soluble unit dose sachets of laundry detergent, laundry detergent tablets, powdered dishwashing liquid, soluble unit dose sachets of dishwashing liquid, dishwashing liquid tablets, laundry detergent beneficial additives, chlorine tablets, and hard surface cleaner tablets. Container 270 may contain articles 270 including fragrances. Container 270 may contain articles 270 including unencapsulated fragrances. Article 270 may be granules. Article 270 that may be granules may include a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier and fragrance. Article 270 that may be granules may include about 1% to about 99% by weight of a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier and about 0.1% to about 80% by weight of fabric care beneficials. Fabric care beneficial agents may be selected from the group consisting of fragrances, fabric softeners, wrinkle removers, color protectants, color restorers, stain removers, antistatic agents, deodorants, antimicrobial agents, anti-redeposition compounds, optical brighteners, graying inhibitors, color bleeding inhibitors, antioxidants, and combinations thereof. The article 270 may be granular and may be a single article 270 having a mass of about 1 mg to about 2 g. The water-soluble carrier may be a water-soluble salt, a water-dispersible solid, a water-soluble carbohydrate, a water-dispersible polymer, or, as a non-limiting example, sodium chloride, sugar, starch, polysaccharides, polyethylene glycol, block copolymers, etc. The article 270 may be granules as described in U.S. Patents 10,167,441 and 10,377,966.

[0029] Container 10 can be used to hold items such as food products, including but not limited to pasta, rice, tea, flour, baking powder, baking soda, potato chips, crackers, cereals, oats, barley, beans, seasonings, biscuits, nutritional supplements, granulated food products, and thin crackers. Container 10 can also be used to hold pills, vitamins, nutritional supplements, dry pet food, and dry pet treats.

[0030] The container 10 may be designed to hold approximately 50g to approximately 1500g of product 270, such as granules. Product 270 may be a fabric care beneficial product. Product 270 may be granules comprising a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier and a fabric care beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of unencapsulated fragrances, encapsulated fragrances, surfactants, enzymes, bleaching agents, brighteners, color-correcting dyes, deposition aids, anti-redeposition aids, foam inhibitors, fabric softeners, color bleeding inhibitors, detergent polymers, antioxidants, and combinations thereof.

[0031] Container 10 can hold articles weighing from about 30g to about 1200g, optionally from about 100g to about 800g, optionally from about 100g to about 600g. Shell layer 20 can extend from the bottom edge 30 of the shell to the top edge 40 of the shell. Shell layer 20 can form a large portion of container 10. Shell layer 20 can form the outer side or outer surface of container 10.

[0032] The shell layer 20 may include a body portion 50. The body portion 50 forms at least a portion of the lower portion 8 of the container 10. The body portion 50 may extend from the bottom edge 30 of the shell to the lower limiting line 60. The bottom edge 30 of the shell may be a portion of the container 10, which is designed to sit on when placed on a flat surface.

[0033] The lower limiting line 60 may define the upper boundary 62 of the main body portion 50. A predetermined removable portion 70 may extend from the lower limiting line 60 to the upper limiting line 80. The predetermined removable portion 70 may extend partially, substantially, or completely around the longitudinal axis L. The predetermined removable portion 70 may extend around the longitudinal axis except at the longitudinal seam 230. The lower limiting line 60 and the upper limiting line 80 may each be a brittle line 160 surrounding or partially surrounding the longitudinal axis L. The brittle line 160 may be a perforation, partial cut, or weakened portion of the shell layer 20. The brittle line 160 may be a structure that can be manually torn by a user in a controlled manner along a predetermined path surrounding or partially surrounding the longitudinal axis L of the container 10. For example, the brittle line 160 can be a series of discontinuous through cuts, a series of notched cuts, a series of perforations from which material has been removed, score lines, partial die cuts, partial die cuts on opposite surfaces, offset partial die cuts on opposite surfaces, zipper die cuts, etc. The brittle line 160 can be reinforced with a strip applied to the interior of the shell layer 20. The polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate strip applied to the shell layer 20 helps guide tearing and prevents unintentional breakage of the brittle line 160. The brittle line 160 can be defined by multiple structural fractures spaced apart from each other in the shell layer 20. The flap 120 can be defined by more than two structural fractures. The structural fractures can be selected from the group consisting of through cuts, notched cuts, continuous through die cuts, continuous partial die cuts, partial die cuts, zipper die cuts, continuous reverse partial die cuts, interrupted reverse partial die cuts, perforations from which material has been removed, laser cuts, and combinations thereof.

[0034] The upper limiting line 80 may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. When the container 10 is opened, the user of the container 10 can easily tear open the straight upper limiting line 80. In addition, the straight upper limiting line 80 may provide a top cover portion 90 with a straight lip and facilitate its use as a dispensing and / or metering top cover.

[0035] When the container 10 is in the unopened state, a predetermined removable portion 70 connects the main body portion 50 to the top cover portion 90. The top cover portion 90 extends from the upper limiting line 80 to the top edge 40 of the housing. The top cover portion 90 may form at least a portion of the upper portion 9 of the container 10. By removing the predetermined removable portion 70 from the container 10, the container 10 is ready to be opened for the first time. A tear strip 110 may be provided that engages with the predetermined removable portion 70 and is positioned between the predetermined removable portion 70 and the core layer 100 to assist the user in tearing the predetermined removable portion 70 from the container 10. Once the predetermined removable portion 70 is removed from the container 10, the top cover portion 90 may be detached by the user from the main body portion 50 to access the contents of the container 10.

[0036] Container 10 may also include a fixed top cover end 93. The top cover end 93 may form a closed end of the top cover portion 90. The top cover end 93 may close the top of container 10, which is the end of the container associated with the top cover portion 90. The top cover end 93 may be a separate piece of cardboard with the top cover portion 90 attached near the top edge 40 of the housing. Optionally, the top cover end 93 may be one or more flaps of cardboard that are integral extensions of the top cover portion 90 folded to form the top cover end 93.

[0037] To provide a container 10 that is easy to open and reseal, it is feasible to provide a core layer 100 that extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis L and is located inside the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 can be described as being between the shell layer 20 and the longitudinal axis L. Once the container 10 is opened, the core layer 100 can provide a structure that guides the top cover portion 90 to engage with one or more portions of the body portion 50 to reseal the container 10.

[0038] The core layer 100 may be joined to the main body portion 50. The core layer 100 may be joined to the main body portion 50 below the lower limit line, but not above it. The core layer 100 may be joined to the main body portion 50 only below the lower limit line. The core layer 100 and the main body portion 50 may be bonded together by adhesive, tape, or heat sealing, or otherwise. The adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive, a cold adhesive, or a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The core layer 100 may extend from below the lower limit line 60 to above the upper limit line 80. The top cover portion 90 may not be attached to the core layer 100 above the lower limit line 60. The top cover portion 90 may not be attached to the core layer 100 above the optional tear strip 110. The top cover portion 90 may not be attached to the core layer 100 above a predetermined removable portion 70. This unfixed state allows the top cover portion 90 to be easily twisted and / or slid off from the core layer 100 to remove the top cover portion 90 from the body portion.

[0039] Optionally, container 10 may include a tear strip 110 between a predetermined removable portion 70 and core layer 100, extending around or at least partially around a longitudinal axis L. The tear strip 110 may be engaged with the predetermined removable portion 70. The tear strip 110 may be a piece of adhesive tape adhered to the housing layer 20. The backing layer of the adhesive tape may be polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, nylon or other polymers, yarns, and filaments. The adhesive layer of the adhesive tape may be pressure-sensitive adhesive, heat-sensitive adhesive, solvent-based or water-based adhesive, or the like. The tear strip 110 helps to controllably transfer the tearing force applied by the user to the predetermined removable portion 70, allowing the predetermined removable portion 70 to be controllably torn from the housing layer 20.

[0040] To open container 10, the user can pull the tear strip 110 or the free end of a pre-defined removable portion 70 to initiate tearing the pre-defined removable portion 70 from the body portion 50 and the top cover portion 90. The tearing can occur along or near each of the lower limit line 60 and the upper limit line 80, along the corresponding brittle line 160. Once the pre-defined removable portion 70 is removed from container 10, the top cover portion 90 can be easily removed from the body portion 50 to access the contents of container 10. Once the top cover portion 90 is removed, the contents of container 10 can be dispensed and / or measured into the top cover portion 90 and used directly. The top cover portion 90 can be used as a dosing cup for household products, a serving cup for food products, a measuring cup for consumable dry goods, or for similar purposes.

[0041] There are some types of cardboard containers designed to provide easy openings. Unfortunately, easy-to-open cardboard containers are often difficult to close securely. For example, cardboard cereal and pasta containers are known to be difficult to close securely, and their contents often spill when they tip over, either when a user pulls them out of a drawer in the pantry or accidentally bumps them against a shelf or workbench.

[0042] Container 10 can hold articles 270 weighing from approximately 50g to approximately 1500g. After the container 10 is opened for the first time to use its contents, the user may expect it to be securely closed. This would prevent the contents of the container 10 from spilling if it is accidentally tipped over or inverted. The face-to-face frictional engagement between the inner surface of the top cover wall and the core layer 100 extending upwards above the lower limit line 60 may be insufficient to keep the container 10 in a resealed state, especially when the contents of the container 10 are heavy. This may be because of the low coefficient of friction between typical cardboard materials, and because the top cover portion 90 may loosen to some extent after being fitted onto the core layer 100, thus the top cover portion 90 may not be able to apply sufficiently high normal stress. For this reason, a mechanism for more securely resealing the container 10 may be desirable. A mechanism based on one or more wedges may be practical.

[0043] To provide a sufficiently robust closure mechanism for the container 10 as described herein, the body portion 50 of the container 10 may include a flap 120 immediately below a lower limiting line 60. The shape of the flap 120 may be defined by the lower limiting line 60. That is, the lower limiting line 60 may form the upper boundary 62 of the body portion. The flap 120 is a flap or protrusion of the body portion 50 that extends upward over the core layer 100 higher than the portion of the body portion 50 adjacent to the flap 120, i.e., more extensive in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] Once the top cover portion 90 is removed from the body portion 50, the user may expect to reseal the container 10 by placing the top cover portion 90 back onto the body portion 50. The core layer 100 may serve as a guide for mating the top cover portion 90 onto the body portion 50. The flap portion 120 may function as a wedge to provide mechanical engagement of the top cover portion 90 to the body portion 50 when the container is resealed. The top cover portion 90 has the same peripheral shape as the body portion 50 and may require deformation or stretching to fit onto the flap portion 120.

[0045] The main body 50 may have an outer perimeter length 130 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L, immediately below one or more lobes 120. If the container 10 has a straight cylindrical shape, the outer perimeter length 130 is the circumference of the outer surface of the container 10 immediately below one or more lobes 120. If the container 10 has a prism shape, the outer perimeter length 130 is the sum of the widths of the faces of the prism. If the container has a square prism shape, the outer perimeter length 130 is four times the width of the faces of the prism. If multiple lobes 120 are provided, the outer perimeter length 130 is measured immediately below the lobes 120 closest to the bottom edge 30 of the shell of the container 10. The outer perimeter length 130 is a scalar. The outer perimeter length 130 can be from about 10 cm to about 70 cm. The outer perimeter length 130 can be from about 20 cm to about 40 cm.

[0046] Each petal 120 may have an outer petal height 150 parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The outer petal height 150 is the maximum dimension of the petal 120 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L, and the reference for measuring the outer petal height 150 is the line connecting the ends of the measured petal 120. For a semi-circular or semi-oval petal 120, the outer petal height 150 is the radius of the semicircle. For a square petal 120, the outer petal height 150 is the edge length of the square. For a trapezoidal petal 120, the outer petal height 150 is the height of the trapezoid. For a triangular petal 120, the outer petal height 150 is the height of the triangle. Adjacent petals 120 may have different outer petal heights 150. Such petals 120 with staggered outer petal heights 150 can provide variable engagement between the top cover portion 90 and the body portion 50 depending on how far the top cover portion 90 is pushed downward toward the body portion 50. The outer petal height 150 is a scalar. The height of the outer part of the petal can range from about 1 mm to about 30 mm.

[0047] Each flap 120 may have a curved upper profile 122. The curved upper profile 122 is easier to tear along than an upper profile 122 including straight segments. Furthermore, once the container 10 is opened and then the top cover portion 90 is used to close the container 10, the curved upper profile 122 engages more easily with the top cover portion 90. The curved upper profile 122 provides a gradual engagement or wedging of the top cover portion 90 to the body portion 50. When the user deforms the top cover portion 90 to fit over one or more flaps 120, the rounded or curved upper profile 122 provides a gradual engagement of the top cover portion 90 with one or more flaps 120, such that one or more flaps 120 can gently wed between the top cover portion 90 and the core layer 100.

[0048] Each lobe 120 may have an outer length 140 orthogonal to or around the longitudinal axis L. If the body portion 50 is cylindrical, the presence of the outer length 140 on the outer surface of the body portion 50 and along the perimeter of the body portion 50 is characterized by a portion of the lobe 120 measured. If the body portion 50 is a regular right prism, the presence of the outer length 140 on the outer surface of the body portion 50 and along the periphery of the body portion 50 is characterized by a portion of the lobe 120 measured. A portion of the lobe 120 may reside on an adjacent surface of the body portion 50.

[0049] The outer length 140 of the valve portion may be greater than about 5% of the outer perimeter length, optionally greater than about 10% of the outer perimeter length, optionally from about 5% to about 30% of the outer perimeter length, optionally from about 5% to about 20% of the outer perimeter length, optionally from about 10% to about 25% of the outer perimeter length. The outer length 140 of the valve portion may be from about 1 mm to about 60 mm. The ratio of the outer length 140 of each valve portion 120 to the outer height 150 of the valve portion may be greater than about 1. The valve portion 120 having such an aspect ratio may provide a predetermined removable portion 70, which can be easily separated from the body portion 50 of the container 10. When the predetermined removable portion 70 is removed by pulling on the predetermined removable portion 70 and tearing along the upper limit line 80 and the lower limit line 60, the limited directional change of the lower limit line 60 reduces the possibility of the tear line deviating from the lower limit line 60. When the predetermined removable portion 70 is removed, the higher lobe 120 or the lower limit line 60, which has a sudden change in apex or direction, may cause the tear line to not optimally follow the lower limit line 60.

[0050] The main body portion 50 may include a plurality of lobes 120. For example, the main body portion 50 may include two lobes 120. The two lobes 120 may be spaced apart from each other by a straight segment 170 of the lower limiting line 60. Optionally, the two lobes 120 may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the main body portion 50 may include three or four lobes 120 spaced apart around the longitudinal axis L (optionally spaced evenly around the longitudinal axis L). The lobes 120 may be spaced apart from each other by about 10% to about 80% of the outer periphery length 130. Such spacing is useful for providing space for the top cover portion 90 to deform into a wedge fit on the lobes 120 when the top cover portion is re-engaged with the main body portion 50 after the container has been opened. The lobes 120 may be spaced apart from each other by about 1 mm to about 350 mm, optionally about 10 mm to about 100 mm, optionally about 20 mm to about 80 mm.

[0051] Open container 10 in Figure 2 As shown in [the image]. Figure 2 In this arrangement, a pre-defined removable portion 70 is separated from the top cover portion 90 and the main body portion 50. The user of container 10 can place the pre-defined removable portion 70 into a recycling collection bin or waste bin. The core layer 100 may extend above the upper limit line 80. The core layer 100 may extend above the upper limit line 80 beyond approximately 5% of the outer perimeter length 130, optionally from approximately 5% to approximately 50% of the outer perimeter length, optionally from approximately 5% to approximately 30% of the outer perimeter length. This arrangement provides support for the core layer 100 of the flap 120 when the top cover portion 90 is fitted onto the main body portion 50 to close the container 10 after opening.

[0052] The core layer 100 may be discontinuous around the longitudinal axis L. This simplifies the erection of the container 10 because the vertical edges of the core layer 100 do not need to be precisely fitted and joined together.

[0053] The top cap portion 90 can be used as a measuring cup to measure the amount of contents of container 10. The size and dimensions of the top cap portion 90 can be designed to have an internal volume corresponding to a single dose. In this case, a full top cap portion 90 can correspond to a single dose of the contents of container 10. The size and dimensions of the top cap portion 90 can also be designed to have an internal volume corresponding to two doses of the contents of container 10. In this arrangement, a half-full top cap portion 90 can correspond to a single dose of the contents of container 10. If the dosing mark 260 is not provided, it is intuitive for the user whether the measured portion is full or half-full. Optionally, the dosing mark 260 can be provided on the inward-facing surface 240 of the top cap portion 90. The dosing mark 260 can be a printed line, number or graphic, embossed, stamped, picture or text that indicates to the user the amount of contents of container 10 required to provide the intended use or intended benefit of the contents of container 10. The dosing mark 260 may be printed, embossed, or stamped on the container 10 from its upright blank or a portion thereof. The dosing mark 260 may include a numerical indicator of the size of the dose delivering the intended benefit. The dosing mark 260 may be printed on the surface of the inward-facing surface 240 that becomes the top cover portion 90 by a printing process selected from the group consisting of digital printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, offset printing, rotary gravure printing, and screen printing. The dosing mark 260 may be printed, embossed, or stamped on a flat cardboard on the surface of the inward-facing surface 240 before the container 10 is erected, which is a relatively simpler process than performing the same dispensing on the inside of the upright container 10.

[0054] The paper container 10 described herein has certain advantages over plastic containers. For plastic containers, the metering mark 260 can be molded into the top cap. Molds used for plastic parts are expensive. If the manufacturer of the contents of container 10 wishes to change the formulation of the contents of container 10, for example by compressing the ingredients, a new mold must be used to manufacture the top cap, which has the molded metering mark to provide the desired dosage. For the paper container 10 described herein, the metering mark can be changed inexpensively because only the printing, embossing, or stamping process of container 10 from its upright flat substrate needs to be changed. Printing, embossing, and stamping of flat paper blanks tend to be relatively inexpensive processes to implement and modify compared to implementing and modifying plastic molding processes and manufactured parts.

[0055] Before the container 10 is first opened, the top cover portion 90 is part of the shell layer 20. The shell layer 20 may have an inward-facing surface 240 oriented toward the longitudinal axis L and an opposite outward-facing surface 242. The inward-facing surface 240 above the lower limiting line 60 may include at least one metering mark 260.

[0056] The top cap portion interior 91 may have an internal volume of about 10 mL to about 400 mL. The container 10 may have a main body portion interior 51, and the internal volume of the main body portion from the bottom end 34 to the upper limit line 80 may be about 50 mL to 2000 mL. The internal volume of the top cap portion may be about 0.5% to about 50% of the internal volume of the main body portion. This arrangement provides a container 10 for containing about 1 to about 80, optionally about 18 to about 20 doses of the article 270.

[0057] The article 270 in the container can be filled to a fill level 99. The fill level 99 may be lower than the core edge 180. This arrangement is practical if the article 270 has a tendency to fall from the lower part of the container 10 when the container 10 is opened in a vertical position. The article 270, being granular, may have a tendency to spill out of the container 10 when opened. The fill level 99 may be lower than the upper limit line 80. This fill level reduces the possibility of the article 270 accidentally spilling out of the container 10 when the container 10 is opened.

[0058] In the formed container 10, the shell layer 20 may include a longitudinal seam 230 that extends at least partially between the bottom edge 30 and the top edge 40 of the shell, optionally extending from the bottom edge 30 to the top edge 40, excluding a predetermined removable portion 70. The longitudinal seam 230 may be an adjacent seam or an overlapping seam and may include adhesive or tape, or be heat-sealed to help maintain the integrity of the longitudinal seam 230. The longitudinal seam 230 may be glued, taped, or heat-sealed at locations spaced apart along the longitudinal seam 230. The longitudinal seam 230 may be a flanged seam, wherein each of the two edges of the shell layer 20 along the longitudinal axis L has a flange, and these flanges engage with each other. The flange seal may be inserted toward the interior of the container 10 or oriented outwards from the container 10, wherein the insertion toward the interior of the container 10 is more discrete. The flanges constituting the flange seal of the longitudinal seam 230 may be glued, taped, or heat-sealed with each other.

[0059] The top cover portion 90 may have a height 280, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L, between the upper limiting line 80 and the top edge 40 of the housing. A predetermined removable portion 70 may have a predetermined maximum removable portion height 290, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The predetermined maximum removable portion height 290 is measured at a suitable location away from the flap 120. The top cover portion height 280 may be greater than the predetermined removable portion height 290. This arrangement provides a top cover portion 90 that fits perfectly onto the core layer 100 to close the container 10 after opening.

[0060] The user opens container 10 by removing a predetermined removable portion 70 from it. The top cover portion 90 is then separated from the main body portion 50, allowing the user access to the contents of container 10. After a portion of the contents of container 10 has been dispensed, the user can reseal container 10, for example... Figure 3 As shown. Figure 3 As shown, the surface 240 facing the interior of the top cover wall is oriented toward the longitudinal axis L. One or more lobes 120 can be wedged between the surface 240 facing the interior of the top cover wall and the core layer 100. As described herein, the top cover portion 90 and the body portion 50 are formed by the shell layer 20. The lobes 120 are integral extensions of the body portion 50. Therefore, the top cover portion 90 cannot fit onto the lobes 120 unless the lip 23 of the top cover portion 90 deforms to fit onto or slide on the lobes 120. For the cylindrical top cover portion 90, the user can gently press the top cover wall 92 on opposite sides, which results in circumferential stress being applied to the top cover wall 92. This deformation of the top cover wall 92 in this manner provides space for portions of the top cover wall 92 away from the location where the pressing force is applied, to deform away from the longitudinal axis L and slide on one or more lobes 120. Once the circumferential stress is released by the user ceasing to compress the top cover wall 92, the top cover wall 92 relaxes and allows one or more segments 120 to wedge between the core layer 100 and the surface 240 facing the interior of the top cover wall. The frictional engagement and wedging of the top cover portion 90 with the body portion 50 contribute to a secure closure of the container 10. The frictional engagement and wedging provide resistance in the direction of the longitudinal axis L when the top cover portion 90 is pulled away from the body portion 50 or pushed away from the body portion 50 by the contents of the container 10 in the event of the closed container 10 tipping over or being inverted.

[0061] exist Figure 4 The image shows a partial cross-sectional view of a container 10, which has been opened by first removing a predetermined removable portion 70 and separating the top cover portion 90, and then resealed by placing the top cover portion 90 back onto the main body portion 50. Figure 4As shown, the top cover portion 90 is deformable to fit onto the flap portion 120. The flap portion 120 is wedged between the surface 240 facing the interior of the top cover wall and the core layer 100.

[0062] The main body portion 50 may be provided with one or more flaps 120. When only a single flap 120 is provided, the resealed top cover portion 90 may fit onto the flap 120, and the inward-facing surface 240 of the core layer 100, which is positioned opposite the flap 120, may contact the core layer 100. The wedging of the flap 120 between the top cover portion 90 and the core layer 100, combined with the frictional engagement between the inward-facing surface 240 of the top cover portion 90 and the core layer 100 opposite the flap 120, is sufficient to reasonably and securely keep the container 10 in a closed state after it has been opened for the first time.

[0063] Multiple flaps 120 can provide additional wedging positions to more securely close the previously opened container 10. Two flaps 120 can be advantageously positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis L. In this arrangement, the user can gently pinch the lip rim 23 between his or her thumb and forefinger, for example at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, to deform the lip rim 23 such that it deforms outward along the lip rim 23 at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions and can slide on the flaps 120.

[0064] The four petals 120 are advantageously spaced evenly at the 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 positions on the main body 50. The user can gently clamp the lip edge 23 at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions to deform the lip edge 23, causing it to deform along the positions of the lip edge 23 corresponding to the petals 120 to fit on the four petals 120.

[0065] Container 10 can be a regular right prism, optionally a regular rectangular prism. Figure 5The base 32 of container 10 may have a shape selected from the group consisting of square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, oval, ellipse, and field shape. The container may have a shape selected from the group consisting of regular rectangular prism, regular triangular prism, regular square prism, regular pentagonal prism, regular hexagonal prism, regular heptagonal prism, regular octagonal prism, right cylindrical cylinder, regular oval, regular ellipse, regular field shape, and substantially such shapes within typical manufacturing tolerances and recognizing slight variations in shape that may occur due to longitudinal joints (including overlapping joints) used to construct the core layer and / or shell layer of container 10. Container 10 may have an internal or external cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L selected from the group consisting of circle, oval, irregularly rounded shape, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, ellipse, oval, and field shape. Regular rectangles, regular squares, and regular triangular prisms can be effectively packaged in shells, on pallets, or on shelves. Regular rectangular prisms and regular square prisms are ideal for e-commerce shipping. Circular containers 10 (such as straight cylinders, regular ovals, regular ellipses, and regular field shapes) are structurally stable due to their curved shells along the longitudinal axis L.

[0066] The top end 93 can be an insert in the top of the container 10, such as... Figure 6As shown. The top cover end 93 may be cardboard or corrugated cardboard. The top cover end 93 may include a flange 94 extending peripherally from the top cover end 93. The flange 94 may be glued, taped, or heat-sealed to the inward-facing surface 240 of the top cover portion 90. Optionally, the flange 94 may be tucked into a folded extension 96 integrally extending from the top edge 40 of the housing. The folded extension 96 may be glued, taped, or heat-sealed to the flange 94, and the flange 94 may optionally be glued, taped, or heat-sealed to the inward-facing surface 240 of the top cover portion 90. A similar configuration may be provided to form the bottom end 34. The bottom end 34 may include a flange 94 extending peripherally from the bottom end 34. The flange 94 may be glued, taped, or heat-sealed to the inward-facing surface 240 of the body portion 50. Optionally, the flange 94 may be tucked into a folded extension 96 that extends integrally from the bottom edge 30 of the housing of the main body portion 50. The folded extension 96 may be glued, taped, or heat-sealed to the flange 94. The flange 94 may optionally be glued, taped, or heat-sealed to the inward-facing surface 240 of the main body portion 50. The folded extension 96, with its inner flange 94 positioned between opposing portions and glued, taped, or heat-sealed to it, provides a robust container 10. Cold glue, hot melt glue, pressure-sensitive adhesive, heat sealant, tape, or other bonding methods may be used to join the top cover end 93 to the housing layer 20.

[0067] Container 10 may be an end-closed container. The top edge 40 of the shell may be closed by a top end 93. The bottom edge 30 of the shell may be closed by a bottom end 34. The top end 93 may be opposite to the bottom end 34. The top end 93 may be near the top edge 40 of the shell and form a closed end at the top edge 40 of the shell. The bottom end 34 may be near the bottom edge 30 of the shell and form a closed end at the bottom edge 30 of the shell.

[0068] like Figure 7 As shown, container 10 may be provided with a structure that allows for convenient dispensing of contents from container 10. Core layer 100 may extend to a core edge 180 above the upper limiting line 80. In this arrangement, core layer 100 provides rearward support for one or more flaps 120 when used to securely re-close container 10. Core edge 180 may be located below the top edge 40 of the housing, such that top cover portion 90 can fit onto core layer 100.

[0069] A simplified construction of container 10 is one in which the longitudinal seam 230 is closer to the low point of the core edge 180 than the high point of the core edge 180, as this simplifies the layout of container 10 from its upright blank. The core edge 180, when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L, is located at an edge distance 190 from the bottom edge 30 of the shell. The edge distance 190 can be a function of the position relative to the longitudinal axis L.

[0070] Figure 2 The image shows container 10, where the edge distance of 190 is not a function of the position with respect to the longitudinal axis L. For Figure 2 The container 10 shown has a constant edge distance of 190. The core edge 180 includes a non-flat profile to facilitate the dispensing of the contents of the container 10.

[0071] The core edge 180 may have a global maximum edge distance 200 and a global minimum edge distance 210 relative to the bottom edge 30 of the housing. Figure 8 The global maximum edge distance of 200 and the global minimum edge distance of 210 are positions, not scalars. Variations in the edge distance of 190 can provide a structure that can be used as a pouring spout or weir to help control the distribution from container 10. One practical arrangement is an elliptical core edge 180. For a cylindrical core layer 100, although small discontinuities may exist along the height of container 10, the core edge 180 can be defined by cylindrical segments. Similarly, for a prismatic container 10, the core edge 180 can be defined by prismatic segments. For example, Figure 5 The core edge 180, illustrated by dashed lines, can be rectangular. The core edge 180 can be parallel to a plane oriented at an angle greater than approximately 5 degrees relative to the bottom edge 30 of the shell from the plane. The core edge 180 can also be parallel to a plane oriented at an angle greater than approximately 10 degrees, or even greater than approximately 20, 30, or 40 degrees relative to the bottom edge 30 of the shell from the plane. The edge distance from the global maximum value 200 can be the position on the core edge 180 on which the contents of the container 10 can be poured.

[0072] The top edge 40 of the housing may extend beyond a predetermined removable portion height 290 above the global maximum distance 200. This provides sufficient space for the removed top cover portion 90 to be fitted onto one or more flaps 120 to reclose the container 10.

[0073] To provide improved structural stability for container 10, at an edge distance of global minimum 210, core layer 100 may extend above upper limit line 80 by approximately 5%, optionally from approximately 5% to approximately 75%, optionally from approximately 5% to approximately 50%, and optionally from approximately 5% to approximately 30% of the outer perimeter length 130. In this arrangement, core layer 100 may support the rear portion of one or more lobes 120 and the shell layer 20 of body portion 50.

[0074] The global maximum edge distance 200 and global minimum edge distance 210 can be positioned such that the longitudinal axis L lies between the global maximum edge distance 200 and the global minimum edge distance 210. This arrangement helps the user easily identify the position along the core edge 180, which is convenient for emptying the contents of the container 10.

[0075] In a practical construction, the core layer 100 may be discontinuous around the longitudinal axis L, at a location within approximately 40 degrees, or even approximately 20 degrees, or even approximately 10 degrees, or even approximately 5 degrees of the edge distance from the global minimum 210 when measured around the longitudinal axis L. This discontinuity, positioned in this way, facilitates the design of the container 10 from its upright blank and provides the user with a visual cue regarding how the container 10 should be aligned in his or her hand when poured from it. The core layer 100 may also be discontinuous in width around the longitudinal axis L. The width of the discontinuity 19 is the distance between the core layer side edges 21 at the core edge 180. As described herein, the core layer 100 extends between the core layer side edges 21, and for an upright container 10, the core layer 100 extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis L, or even completely around the longitudinal axis L. The width can be measured between the core layer side edges 21. The width of the discontinuity 19 may be less than the minimum size of the article 270. The size and dimensions of the width of the discontinuity 19 may be designed to retain the article 270 stored within the container 10. The size and dimensions of the width of the discontinuity 19 may be designed such that the article 270 stored within the container 10 cannot pass through the discontinuity 19. This reduces the possibility that the article 270 may accidentally pass through the discontinuity 19 when the container 10 is opened or when the article 270 is dispensed from the container 10. The width may be less than or equal to the nominal sieve size at which 100% by weight of the article 270 in the container 10 is retained. The width of the discontinuity 19 may be less than the size of each individual article of the individual article 270 in the container 10.

[0076] The longitudinal joint 230, when measured around the longitudinal axis L, is within approximately 40 degrees of the edge distance from the global minimum 210. Optionally, the longitudinal joint 230, when measured around the longitudinal axis L, is within approximately 20 degrees, approximately 10 degrees, or approximately 5 degrees of the edge distance from the global minimum 210. This allows for more convenient design of the blank for such a container 10. Furthermore, this blank can practically stand upright.

[0077] The top cover end 93 may be formed of flaps 98, which are integral extensions of the shell layer 20 forming the top cover portion 90. The flaps 98 may be folded over each other and joined together by tape, adhesive (such as cold glue, hot melt glue, or pressure-sensitive adhesive), heat sealing, or other types of bonding. Figure 9 Similarly, the bottom end 34 can be formed by the same structure, wherein the wing 98 is an integral extension of the shell layer 20 forming the main body portion 50.

[0078] The core edge 180 may be provided with a notch 185 for guiding the pouring of the contents of the container 10. Figure 10 The notch 185 can be a V-shaped notch, a semi-circular notch, a trapezoidal notch, or other shapes that guide the flow of granular material. The notch 185 can be located near the edge at a distance of 200 from the global maximum value. The notch 185 can be positioned opposite the longitudinal joint 230. The notch 185 can have a depth below the core edge 180 that is approximately 10% greater than the outer perimeter length 130. The notch 185 can be used as a weir to provide controlled pouring from the container 10.

[0079] Various structures were envisioned to help users remove predetermined removable portions 70 ( Figure 11 The predetermined removable portion 70 may include a free end 112 that initiates tearing of the predetermined removable portion 70 from the container 10. A user can pull the free end 112 to initiate tearing of the predetermined removable portion 70 away from the body portion 50 and the top cover portion 90. The free end 112 may have a tab shape, such as a trapezoidal end, a semi-circular end, a triangular end, or a curved end. The free end 112 may extend further peripherally than the upper limiting line 80 and the lower limiting line 60. The free end 112 may extend peripherally about 1 mm to about 5 mm beyond the upper limiting line 80 and the lower limiting line 60. The free end 112, or tear strip 110, may be located at the longitudinal seam 230. This positioning eliminates the need for the lower limiting line 60 and the upper limiting line to cross the longitudinal seam 230. This reduces the likelihood of tearing the longitudinal seam 230 when the predetermined removable portion 70 is torn from the container 10.

[0080] The free end 112 of the pre-determined removable portion can be located at a position where the core layer 100 is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis L. Such a position simplifies the design of the blank used to construct the container 10, since the end of the tear strip 110 can be located at the lateral edge of the blank.

[0081] If the container 10 is provided with a core edge 180 angled relative to the longitudinal axis L, or is provided with some other structure that improves the distribution from the container 10, then the free end 112, when measured about 40 degrees, optionally about 20 degrees, optionally about 10 degrees, optionally about 5 degrees, when measured about the longitudinal axis L, is within the longitudinal joint 230. The longitudinal joint 230 may be unconnected or weakly connected below a predetermined removable portion 70, such that the predetermined removable portion 70 can be easily separated from the container 10 proximal to the longitudinal joint 230. The longitudinal joint 230 may extend from the bottom edge 30 of the housing to the top edge 40 of the housing, excluding the predetermined removable portion 70. The longitudinal joint 230 may extend from the bottom edge 30 of the housing to the top edge 40 of the housing, excluding the predetermined removable portion 70, and is glued, taped, or heat-sealed along the longitudinal joint 230.

[0082] As a non-restrictive example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the brittle line 160 can be defined by multiple structural fractures 16 of the shell layers 20 spaced apart from each other.

[0083] Additional details of the previously described optional tear strip 110 are in Figure 12 The figure shown is a partial view of container 10. An optional tear strip 110 provides improved control over the removal of a predetermined removable portion 70 from container 10. Tear strip 110 may have a starting end 220 located outside container 10. If container 10 is provided with a core edge 180 angled relative to the longitudinal axis L, or is provided with some other structure to improve distribution from container 10, tear strip 110 may have a starting end 220 that, when measured about 40 degrees, optionally about 20 degrees, optionally about 10 degrees, or optionally about 5 degrees, of a global minimum 210 when measured about the longitudinal axis L. Such an arrangement can be practical, such that tear strip 110 begins near or at the longitudinal seam 230.

[0084] The optional tear strip 110 can be located at a point where the core layer 100 is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis L. Such a location simplifies the design of the blank used to construct the container 10, as the end of the tear strip 110 can be located at the lateral edge of the blank. When the container 10 is erected, the tear strip 110 is positioned near the longitudinal seam 230.

[0085] As a non-restrictive example, such as Figure 12 As shown, the brittle line 160 may be defined by a plurality of structural fractures 161 of the shell layers 20 spaced apart from each other. The lobe 120 may be defined by more than two structural fractures 161.

[0086] Container 10 can actually be formed from container blank 12, such as Figure 13As shown. The blank 12 can be erected into container 10 by wrapping the blank 12 around a mandrel to transform the flat blank 12 into a partially formed container 10. The top cover end 93 can be mechanically fitted or captured by folding from the cardboard shell layer 20 to form an eave, or fitted and glued, taped or heat-sealed to the top and bottom of the opening to form container 10. Optionally, the flaps 98 extending from the shell layer 20 can be folded and glued, taped or heat-sealed to each other to form the top and bottom of container 10. Hot melt adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive, tape or heat sealant can be used. Other known bonding or welding techniques can be used.

[0087] The container preform 12 may be a laminate of cardboard material. The preform 12 may include a cardboard shell layer 20. The shell layer 20 may include two transverse edges 22 on opposite sides of the central axis A. The cardboard shell layer 20 may include a bottom edge 30 extending between the transverse edges 22 orthogonal to the central axis A. The cardboard shell layer 20 may include a top edge 40 opposite the bottom edge and extending between the transverse edges 22. Similar to container 10, the shell layer 20 of the preform 12 may include a body portion 50 extending from the bottom edge 30 to a lower limiting line 60. The shell layer 20 may include a predetermined removable portion 70 extending from the lower limiting line to an upper limiting line 80. The upper limiting line 80 may be orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the central axis A. A top cover portion 90 may extend from the upper limiting line 80 to the top edge 40 of the shell.

[0088] The cardboard core layer 100 may be disposed facing the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 may be glued, taped, or heat-sealed to the shell layer 20 to provide rigidity to the upright container 10 and to provide a blank that can be manipulated to erect the container 10. The core layer 100 may extend from below the lower limit line 60 to a core edge 180 above the upper limit line 80. The core layer 100 may be glued, taped, heat-sealed, or otherwise joined to the shell layer 20.

[0089] The core layer 100 may extend from and be integral with one of the transverse edges 22, and may be folded around the transverse edge 22. That is, a single sheet of cardboard may form both the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100. Constructing the blank 12 from a single sheet of cardboard can be attractive because the individual cardboard sheets do not need to be precisely positioned relative to each other during assembly. Furthermore, a single die-cut can be performed to construct the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100 from a single flat sheet. The single die-cut sheet can be folded along the intended position of the transverse edge 22 so that the core layer 100 faces the shell layer 20, thereby forming a double-layer blank 12. Optionally, the core layer 100 and the shell layer 20 may be non-integral. For example, the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100 may be separate cardboard pieces assembled to form the blank 12.

[0090] When the core layer 100 faces the shell layer 20, the core edge 180, when measured parallel to the central axis A, can be located at a distance 190 from the bottom edge 30 of the shell. If the container 10 requires a core edge 180 defined by a circle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, the edge distance 190 can be constant.

[0091] The edge distance 190 can be a function of the distance from the central axis A. This arrangement can be used to form a core edge 180, the distance of which from the bottom edge 30 varies as a function of the position with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the container 10. When the core layer 100 faces the shell layer 20, the core edge 180 can have a global maximum 200 and a global minimum 210 of the edge distance 190 relative to the bottom edge 30 of the shell. When such a blank 12 is erected into the container 10, the global maximum 200 and global minimum 210 correspond to the same content discussed above with respect to the container 10. The global maximum 200 can be located at the central axis A. When the container 10 is erected, the global maximum 200 can be opposite the longitudinal seam 230.

[0092] The core edge 180 of the blank 12 can be sinusoidal. A blank 12 with a sinusoidal core edge 180 can be erected to provide a container 10, wherein the core edge 180 is a cylindrical segment. The core edge 180 can be defined by two straight segments 170 having an interior angle of less than 170 degrees. The two straight segments 170 can be close to the central axis A. The interior angle is an interior angle on the core layer 100. When the blank 12 thus constructed is wound around the longitudinal axis L, the resulting core edge 180 is inclined relative to the bottom edge 30 of the shell. The lateral edge of the core layer 100 can be shorter than the core layer 100 along the central axis A. If a prismatic container 10 is required, the shape of the core edge 180 for the blank 12 can be designed such that when the blank 12 is folded around the longitudinal axis, the core edge 180 of the container has the desired shape.

[0093] The blank 12 can be designed such that the distance between the top edge 40 of the housing and the bottom edge 30 of the housing is greater than the global maximum edge distance 200 plus the maximum distance between the upper limit line 80 and the lower limit line 60 measured parallel to the central axis A. This provides a top cover portion 90 that can fit on the portion of the core layer 100 that sits above the lower limit line 60. Similarly, the top cover portion 90 can have a top cover portion height 280 measured parallel to the central axis A between the upper limit line 80 and the top edge 40 of the housing. The predetermined removable portion 70 can have a predetermined maximum removable portion height 290 measured parallel to the central axis A, and the top cover portion height 280 can be greater than the predetermined removable portion height 290.

[0094] To provide enhanced control over the tearing path of the predetermined removable portion 70, the predetermined removable portion 70 may extend between and intersect with the lateral edges 22 of the housing layer 20.

[0095] A brittle line 160 may be provided in the blank 12. If the layers of the cardboard are die-cut, the die may include creases and cutters, partial cutters, reverse partial cutters or perforations, knives or combinations thereof or other structures to form the brittle line 160. Optionally, the brittle line 160 may be formed in the shell layer 20 after the overall shape of the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100 has been die-cut, for example by another die or by applying serrations or discontinuous serrations or laser cuts to the shell layer 20.

[0096] To form container 10, wherein core layer 100 extends sufficiently upward above lower limit line 60 to act as a guide for placing top cover portion 90 back onto body portion 50 to reseal the container, core layer 100 may extend above upper limit line 80 beyond approximately 5% of body portion length 52, or approximately 5% to approximately 50%, optionally approximately 5% to approximately 30%. Body portion length 52 is measured between lateral edges 22 orthogonal to central axis A immediately below lower limit line 60.

[0097] The paperboard constituting blank 12 can be printed. For example, the surface 240 facing the interior of the shell layer may include a basis mark 260. A portion of the core layer 100 may face the shell layer 20. The basis mark 260 may be provided on the interior-facing surface 240 above the lower limit line 60. Printing may also be provided on the outer surface of the container formed by the shell layer 20. Printing on paperboard sheets, rolls, or pieces is technically simpler than printing on the formed container 10. For example, printing the basis mark 260 and printing on the exterior of the container 10 can be performed on a continuous web of paperboard raw material. The paperboard raw material may be cut to form blank 12 or components thereof.

[0098] Optional tear strip 110 can be attached to a predetermined removable portion 70 before or after die-cutting of housing layer 20. Optional tear strip 110 can be located between core layer 100 and housing layer 20.

[0099] One or more petals 120 may be disposed in the blank 12. The body portion 50 may include petals 120 immediately below the lower limiting line 60. The body portion 50 may have a body portion length 52 measured between transverse edges 22 orthogonal to the central axis A immediately below the one or more petals 120. The one or more petals 120 may have a petal length 142 orthogonal to the central axis A, and this petal length may be greater than about 5%, optionally greater than about 10%, optionally from about 5% to about 30%, and optionally from about 5% to about 20% of the body portion length 52. Additionally, the one or more petals 120 may have a petal outer height 150 parallel to the central axis A, and the ratio of the petal length 142 to the petal outer height 150 may be greater than about 1.

[0100] Similar to container 10, blank 12 may include multiple lobes 120. An upper limiting line 80 may be orthogonal to the central axis A. Container blank 12 may include two lobes 120 spaced apart from each other by a straight line segment 170 passing through a lower limiting line 60. Body portion 50 may include two lobes 120, and the lobes 120 may be located on opposite sides of the central axis A. The lobes 120 may be spaced apart from each other by approximately 10% to approximately 80% of the lobe length 142.

[0101] The size and dimensions of one or more lobes 120 provided as part of the blank can be designed to provide one or more lobes 120 in an upright container 10. The lobes 120 may be spaced apart from each other by about 10% to about 80% of the lobe length 142. One or more lobes 120 may have a curved upper profile 122, and adjacent lobes 120 may have different outer lobe heights 150.

[0102] Figure 14 A similar blank 12 is shown in the figure. Figure 14 The blank 12 can be formed from a single sheet of cardboard. The die-cut blank 12 can be shaped as needed and can be provided with a brittle line 160. If desired, a tear strip 110 can be joined to the shell layer 20 at a desired location. The brittle line 160 can be provided before or after joining the tear strip 110 to a predetermined removable portion 70.

[0103] The core layer 100 can be folded around the lateral edge 22 to form a blank 12, such that the shell layer 20 of the core layer 100 faces the core layer 100 covering the predetermined removable portion 70. The core layer 100 can optionally be glued, taped, or heat-sealed to the shell layer 20 to provide rigidity for the upright container 10.

[0104] A core layer 100 in which at least a portion of two core layer side edges 21 are adjacent to or overlap each other can be practical. Figure 15 and Figure 16The adjacent or overlapping portions of the core layer side edges 21 may extend at least between the lower limiting line 60 and the upper limiting line 80. The adjacent or overlapping portions of the core layer side edges 21 may extend between the bottom edge 30 of the housing and the upper limiting line 80. The adjacent or overlapping portions of the core layer side edges 21 may extend only between the bottom edge 30 of the housing and the upper limiting line 80. Providing only a portion of the two adjacent or overlapping core layer side edges 21 improves the ability to handle and erect the blank 12 used to form the container 10.

[0105] The core layer 100 may have two core layer side edges 21, and the core layer 100 may extend between the side edges 21 about a longitudinal axis L. This arrangement may result in a locally thicker portion of the container 10 forming along the height of the container 10, starting from the base 32. After the container 10 is opened, the top cover portion 90 may be wedged into or otherwise forced against the lower limiting line 60 at the body portion 50 to ensure a tight engagement between the top cover portion 90 and the body portion 50. The top cover portion 90 may be flexible or deformable enough to be stretched or fitted around the periphery of the body portion 50 about the longitudinal axis L on the lower limiting line 60, or the body portion 50 proximal to the lower limiting line 60 may be deformable to wed into the top cover portion 90 fitted thereto. The wedge fit between the top cover portion 90 and the body portion 50 may be strong enough to help reduce the likelihood of spillage of the contents of the container 10 if the previously opened container 10, closed with the top cover portion 90, is accidentally tipped over or inverted. If the main body portion 50 is not carefully oriented such that discontinuities in the core layer 100 are above the position on the core edge 180 on which the article 270 can be dispensed or poured, providing an abutment or overlap relationship in the side edges 21 of the core layer 100 can also help reduce the likelihood of the article 270 spilling out of the container 10 when the container 10 is opened, especially when the fill level 99 is above the lower limit line 60, and reduce the likelihood of the article 270 spilling haphazardly from the gaps in the core layer 100 when it is dispensed from the container 10. It can be noted that the top cap portion 90 may have the same seam and shape as the shell layer 20 near the lower limit line 60. Thus, one or both of the main body portion near the lower limit line 60 and the top cap portion 90 near the lip 23 can be deformed such that the top cap portion 90 can wedge into the main body portion 50.

[0106] The side edges 21 of the core layer 100 can be joined to each other via adjacent joints 231, or can be part of a longitudinal core overlap joint 232. Adjacent joints 231 can be formed by adhesive tape or other means of joining the side edges 21 of the core layer 100. The core overlap joint 232 can be formed by adhesive or heat-sealing the side edges 21 in an overlapping relationship. The side edges 21 can be part of the longitudinal core overlap joint 232. Optionally, the core overlap joint 232 can be nested with an overlapping longitudinal joint 230. Figure 15The diagram illustrates a non-limiting example of a nested relationship. Overlapping longitudinal seam 230 and core overlapping seam 232 are arranged around the longitudinal axis L in the same direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise). Figure 15 (Displayed counterclockwise) overlapping from the outside to the inside. The outside is used in this sense because it is further away from the longitudinal axis L than the inside. Both the overlapping longitudinal joint 230 and the core overlapping joint 232 provide additional local wall thickness to the container 10 from the base 32 along the height of the container 10. After the container 10 is opened, the top cover portion 90 can be wedged into the top of the body portion 50 to securely engage the top cover portion 90 with the body portion 50 by the same or similar mechanism previously discussed regarding the adjacent side edges 21.

[0107] For a container 10 that is essentially a straight cylinder, it may be practical to provide a longitudinal core overlap joint 232 or an adjacent joint 231, since the core layer 100 may not have a precisely circular cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. If the shell layer 20 has a longitudinal joint 230 that is an overlap joint, then the top cover portion 90 may not have a precisely circular cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. Since the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100 can be joined to each other and the cardboard material they constitute has a certain degree of flexibility, the core layer 100 may at least partially conform to the shape of the shell layer 20 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. After the top cover portion 90 is removed, the top cover portion 90 can be refitted onto the core layer 100. When the top cover portion 90 is refitted onto the core layer 100, the essentially circular cross-section of the top cover portion 90 formed by the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L can be wedge-fitted together by positioning the longitudinal joint 230 of the shell layer so that it is not aligned with the core overlap joint 232. This can be achieved by positioning the longitudinal seam 230 not aligned with the core overlap seam 232 before fitting the top cover portion 90 onto the core layer 100. This can optionally be achieved by fitting the top cover portion 90 onto the core layer 100 such that the longitudinal seam 230 and the core overlap seam 232 position the longitudinal seam 230 in alignment or near alignment, and then slightly rotating the top cover portion 90 about the longitudinal axis L to form a cam between the interior of the top cover portion 90 and the exterior of the shell layer 20. The engagement mechanism can be viewed as analogous to employing two concentric ovals and slightly rotating one of these ovals relative to the other about the longitudinal axis. The shape of the outer oval resists the relative rotation of the inner oval, or vice versa, and under some degree of rotation between the ovals, the combination of the normal force generated between the two ovals and the coefficient of friction of the material forming the ovals fixes the rotational relationship between the ovals within a certain range of rotational forces applied in either direction about the longitudinal axis L. The generated frictional force also resists separation of the top cover portion 90 from the shell layer 20 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. Since the core layer 100 and the shell layer 20 are made of cardboard, the top cover portion 90 and the portion of the core layer 100 above the lower limiting line 60 can be slightly deformed to reasonably securely engage the top cover portion 90 with the core layer 100. This engagement mechanism does not require as much deformation as the engagement mechanism in which the lip 23 of the top cover portion 90 mates with the shell layer 20 near the lower limiting line 60.

[0108] The two side edges 21 and the overlapping longitudinal seam 230 may be within approximately 15 degrees of each other around the longitudinal axis L.

[0109] Providing a core layer 100 in which at least a portion of two core layer side edges 21 are adjacent to or overlap each other can be useful for providing a continuous core edge 180. A continuous core edge 180 can be desirable for allowing articles 270 in container 10 to be dispensed or poured out of container 10 at any location around the longitudinal axis L. A continuous core edge 180 can also allow articles 270 to be filled to a fill level 99, which is above the lower limit line 60 and below the lowest point on the core edge 180.

[0110] The blank 12 used to form the container 10 having the core layer 100 is in Figure 17 As shown, the core layer has an adjacent seam 231 or a core overlap seam 232. To form such an adjacent seam 231 or core overlap seam 232, the cardboard core layer 100 may include two core layer side edges 21. When the core layer 100 is facing the shell layer 20, the core layer 100 extends from below the lower limiting line 60 to a core edge 180 above the upper limiting line, and one of the side edges 21 is further away from the central axis A than one of the transverse edges 22. Optionally, the core layer 100 may extend from and be integral with one of the transverse edges 22, and may be folded around one of the side edges 21. The central axis A may be located between the free end 112 and the side edge 21, which is further away from the central axis A than one of the transverse edges 22. The properties of the other blanks 12 described herein are similar to those described herein. Figure 17 The blank 12 shown is common, reaching such a level that such properties are comparable to those of the core layer 100 relative to it. Figure 17 The central axis A shown is aligned with the blank 12 offset from the shell layer 20. Figure 17 The blank 12 shown can be folded or rolled around a mandrel such that one side edge 21 is adjacent to the other side edge 21, thereby forming an adjacent joint 231 in the core layer 100. Optionally, one side edge 21 can be positioned further away from the central axis A, such that when the blank 12 is folded or rolled around the mandrel, there is sufficient overlap in the core layer 100 to form a core overlap joint 232.

[0111] The following is an example:

[0112] A. A container (10), comprising:

[0113] A cardboard shell layer (20) extending around a longitudinal axis (L) and from the bottom edge (30) of the shell to the top edge (40) of the shell, wherein the shell layer comprises:

[0114] Main body portion (50) extending from the bottom edge of the housing to the lower limiting line (60).

[0115] A predetermined removable portion (70) extending from the lower limiting line to the upper limiting line (80); and

[0116] Top cover portion (90), the top cover portion extending from the upper limiting line to the top edge of the housing; and

[0117] A cardboard core layer (100) is located inside the shell layer;

[0118] The shell layer has an inwardly facing surface (240) oriented toward the longitudinal axis, wherein the inwardly facing surface above the lower limiting line includes at least one quantitative mark (260).

[0119] The core layer is bonded to the body portion and extends from below the lower limiting line to above the upper limiting line; and

[0120] The housing layer includes an overlapping longitudinal seam (230) that extends at least partially between the bottom edge of the housing and the top edge of the housing.

[0121] B. The container according to paragraph A, wherein the core layer has two core layer side edges (21) and extends between the side edges about the longitudinal axis, and wherein at least a portion of the two core layer side edges are adjacent to or overlap each other.

[0122] C. The container according to paragraph B, wherein the side edges are joined to each other by adjacent joints (231) or are part of longitudinal core overlap joints (232).

[0123] D. The container according to paragraph B or C, wherein the side edge is part of a longitudinal core overlap joint (232), wherein the core overlap joint is nested with the overlap longitudinal joint.

[0124] E. The container according to any one of paragraphs B to D, wherein the side edge is part of the longitudinal core overlap joint (232).

[0125] F. The container according to any of paragraphs B to E, wherein the two side edges and the overlapping longitudinal seam are within approximately 15 degrees of each other about the longitudinal axis.

[0126] G. A container according to any one of paragraphs A through F, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles (270), wherein the articles include spices.

[0127] H. A container according to any of paragraphs A to G, wherein the core layer extends to a core edge (180) above the upper limit line, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles (270) including spices, and the articles are filled in the container to a fill level (99) below the core edge, optionally wherein the fill level is below the upper limit line.

[0128] I. In the container described in any of paragraphs A to H, the core layer extends to a core edge (180) above the upper limiting line, wherein the core edge is located at an edge distance (190) from the bottom edge of the housing when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the edge distance is a function of the position of the longitudinal axis, and wherein the core edge has a global maximum edge distance (200) and a global minimum edge distance (210) relative to the bottom edge of the housing.

[0129] J. The container as described in paragraph I, wherein the longitudinal axis lies between the global maximum and the global minimum.

[0130] K. The container according to paragraph I or J, wherein the core edge is parallel to a plane oriented at an angle greater than about five degrees away from the plane relative to the bottom edge of the shell.

[0131] L. A container according to any of paragraphs A to K, wherein at any location around the longitudinal axis, the top cover portion has a top cover portion height (280) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis between the upper limiting line and the top edge of the housing, and the predetermined removable portion has a predetermined removable portion maximum height (290) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the top cover portion height is greater than the predetermined removable portion maximum height.

[0132] M. A container according to any one of paragraphs A to L, wherein the main body portion includes a petal (120) immediately below the lower limiting line and has an outer periphery length (130) immediately below the petal orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, wherein the petal has an outer periphery length (140) orthogonal to or around the longitudinal axis and the outer periphery length is greater than about 5% of the outer periphery length, and wherein the petal has an outer periphery height (150) parallel to the longitudinal axis and the ratio of the outer periphery length to the outer periphery height is greater than about 1.

[0133] N. The container according to paragraph M, wherein the main body portion comprises a plurality of said lobes spaced apart from each other by about 10% to about 80% of the outer length of the periphery.

[0134] O. The container according to paragraph M or N, wherein the petal has a curved upper profile (122) around the longitudinal axis.

[0135] P. A container as described in any of paragraphs A through O, wherein the container is a straight cylinder, optionally substantially a straight cylinder.

[0136] Q. The container described in any of paragraphs A through P, wherein the container is a regular right prism.

[0137] R. A container according to any one of paragraphs A to Q, wherein the container further comprises a tear strip (110) extending between the predetermined removable portion and the core layer and at least partially around the longitudinal axis, wherein the tear strip is engaged to the predetermined removable portion, wherein the tear strip has a starting end (220) outside the container, and the starting end is within about 40 degrees of the two core layer side edges abutting or overlapping each other.

[0138] S. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to R, wherein the side edge is part of a longitudinal core overlap joint (232), wherein the longitudinal core overlap joint extends only partially between the bottom edge of the shell and the upper limiting line.

[0139] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values ​​cited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a range around which it is functionally equivalent. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 40 mm”.

Claims

1. A container (10), the container comprising: A cardboard shell layer (20) extending around a longitudinal axis (L) and from the bottom edge (30) of the shell to the top edge (40) of the shell, wherein the shell layer comprises: Main body portion (50) extending from the bottom edge of the housing to the lower limiting line (60). A predetermined removable portion (70) extending from the lower limiting line to the upper limiting line (80); and Top cover portion (90), the top cover portion extending from the upper limiting line to the top edge of the housing; and A cardboard core layer (100) is located inside the shell layer; The shell layer has an inwardly facing surface (240) oriented toward the longitudinal axis, wherein the inwardly facing surface above the lower limiting line includes at least one quantitative mark (260). The core layer is bonded to the body portion and extends from below the lower limiting line to above the upper limiting line; The housing layer includes an overlapping longitudinal seam (230) extending at least partially between the bottom edge and the top edge of the housing; and The main body portion includes a petal (120) immediately below the lower limiting line and has an outer periphery length (130) immediately below the petal orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, wherein the petal has an outer periphery length (140) orthogonal to or around the longitudinal axis and the outer periphery length is greater than 5% of the outer periphery length, and wherein the petal has an outer periphery height (150) parallel to the longitudinal axis and the ratio of the outer periphery length to the outer periphery height is greater than 1.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the core layer has two core layer side edges (21) and extends between the side edges about the longitudinal axis, and wherein at least a portion of the two core layer side edges are adjacent to or overlap each other.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the side edges are joined to each other by adjacent joints (231) or as part of longitudinal core overlap joints (232).

4. The container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the side edge is part of a longitudinal core overlap joint (232), wherein the core overlap joint is nested with the overlap longitudinal joint.

5. The container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the side edge is part of a longitudinal core overlap joint (232), and wherein the longitudinal core overlap joint extends only partially between the bottom edge of the shell and the upper limiting line.

6. The container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the two side edges and the overlapping longitudinal seam are within 15 degrees of each other about the longitudinal axis.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles (270), wherein the articles include spices.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the core layer extends to a core edge (180) above the upper limiting line, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles (270) comprising a fragrance, and wherein the articles are filled in the container to a fill level (99) below the core edge.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the filling level is below the upper limiting line.

10. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is a straight cylinder.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the core layer extends to a core edge (180) above the upper limiting line, wherein the core edge is located at an edge distance (190) from the bottom edge of the housing when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the edge distance is a function of the position with respect to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the core edge has a global maximum edge distance (200) and a global minimum edge distance (210) relative to the bottom edge of the housing.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the core edge is parallel to a plane oriented at an angle greater than five degrees away from the plane relative to the bottom edge of the shell.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein at any location around the longitudinal axis, the top cover portion has a top cover portion height (280) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis between the upper limiting line and the top edge of the housing, and the predetermined removable portion has a predetermined maximum removable portion height (290) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the top cover portion height is greater than the predetermined maximum removable portion height.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the main body portion comprises a plurality of said lobes spaced apart from each other by 10% to 80% of the outer length of the periphery.

15. The container of claim 2, wherein the container further comprises a tear strip (110) extending between the predetermined removable portion and the core layer and at least partially around the longitudinal axis, wherein the tear strip is engaged to the predetermined removable portion, and wherein the tear strip has a starting end (220) outside the container, and the starting end is within 40 degrees of the two core layer side edges abutting or overlapping each other.

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