Paper-based container for household items

Abstract

A container (10) includes a paperboard shell (20) layer and a paperboard core layer. The container has a predetermined removable portion (70) that provides a separable cap portion (90). The container body portion (50) extends from the bottom edge of the shell to a lower limit line (60). The core layer (100) has a core rim (180) positioned at a rim distance (190) that is a function of position about the longitudinal axis (L) of the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Paper-based containers for household items.

Background Art

[0002] There is a continuing interest in recyclable packages for household items, including food, laundry care products, cleaning products, and the like. Since the paper recycling stream is well established, paper-based containers are highly expected to be continuously improved.

[0003] Paper-based containers typically operate on the principle that a consumer opens the container to access the contents therein, retrieves or removes the contents from the container, and then closes the container so that the remaining contents are protected from the environment or do not accidentally spill from the container. In particular, when the container includes several flaps and slots at the end to be opened, it can be inconvenient to open the paper-based container, retrieve or obtain the contents, and then close the container again.

[0004] In many paper-based containers, the contents are removed by pouring the contents out of the container. Considering that many paper-based containers are of simple prismatic or straight cylindrical shapes, pouring from the container occurs over the open rim of the container, which can result in uncontrolled pouring. Often, the flaps at the open end of the container interfere with pouring or make it difficult for the user to pour controllably while viewing the contents inside the container. This can make it difficult for the user to accurately remove the desired amount of contents from the container.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Furthermore, there remains an unaddressed need for paper-based containers that provide for controllable dispensing of contents from the container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A container (10) comprising a paperboard shell layer (20) extending around a longitudinal axis (L) and from a shell bottom edge (30) to a shell top edge (40), the shell layer including a body portion (50) extending from the shell bottom edge to a lower limit line (60), a predetermined removable portion (70) extending from the lower limit line to an upper limit line (80), and a cap portion (90) extending from the upper limit line to the shell top edge; a paperboard core layer (100) extending around the longitudinal axis and at least partially inside the shell layer, the core layer being joined to the body portion and extending from below the lower limit line to a core rim (180) above the upper limit line, the core rim being positioned at a rim distance (190) from the shell bottom edge when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rim distance being a function of the position around the longitudinal axis, and the core rim having a rim distance highest point (200) and a rim distance lowest point (210) relative to the shell bottom edge.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A container 10 having the aspects described herein is shown in FIG. 1. The container 10 can have a cardboard shell layer 20 around a longitudinal axis L. The container 10 can have a height along the longitudinal axis of from about 50 mm to about 600 mm, optionally from about 50 mm to about 200 mm. The area of the container 10 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L is from about 10 cm 2 to about 300 cm 2 , optionally from about 30 cm 2 to about 100 cm 2 and can be. 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.

[0009] The container 10 can have a base 32 designed to support the container 10. The container base 32 can have a maximum external dimension of from about 5 cm to about 50 cm. The cylindrical container 10 can have a container base with an external diameter of from about 5 cm to about 50 cm. A cylindrical container 10 having an external diameter of from about 5 cm to about 20 cm, optionally from about 5 cm to about 10 cm, is practical. A container 10 having an external diameter of from about 5 cm to about 20 cm, and more preferably from about 5 cm to about 18 cm, can be conveniently grasped by the user. The container 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a hollow right cylinder with a closed end. Other hollow shapes of the container 10, such as an oval column, an irregular column, a prism shape, or any other statically stable shape, are contemplated.

[0010] The paperboard shell layer 20 and the paperboard core layer 100 are each over 250 g / m 2 2, optionally about 250 g / m 2 ~ about 800 g / m 2It can have a basis weight. The paperboard can be single-layer or multi-layer. The paperboard shell layer 20 and the paperboard core layer 100 can each have a thickness of about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm. The paperboard core layer 100 and the paperboard shell layer 20 can be coated with a substance to protect the contents of the container 10, to protect the paperboard material of the container 10 from the contents, or to provide a sealable or heat-sealable layer so that the material can be printed. For example, a sealable or heat-sealable layer or coating can be provided on the surface of the paperboard shell layer 20 oriented toward the longitudinal axis L and on the surface of the paperboard shell layer 20 oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. Such a coating or layer can assist in providing a seal or heat seal of the paperboard shell layer 20 along the longitudinal seam 230. A coating or layer for providing a seal or heat seal can be provided only at a location proximal to the longitudinal seam 230. Ink and / or varnish can be applied to one or both of the paperboard materials on the surface facing away from the longitudinal axis L or on the surface facing toward the longitudinal axis L. The paperboard material can be made entirely or partially from fibrous cellulose material. The fibrous cellulose material can be virgin material, recycled material, or a mixture thereof. The cellulose material can be obtained from hardwood, softwood, or other natural renewable resources for fibers. The fibrous cellulose material can be obtained from bamboo, straw, rush, corn, rice husk, sugarcane, grass fiber, or recycled paper and paperboard. The outer surface and / or inner surface of the container 10 can be coated with a natural or polymer coating, such as, by way of non-limiting example, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene, to provide a moisture barrier. Waxes, clays, starches, kaolins, polyethylene terephthalates, polypropylenes, polylactic acids, silicates, ethylene vinyl alcohols, coatings of polyvinyl alcohol, and other natural and / or biodegradable coatings can be useful in providing a sufficient barrier to the movement of moisture and / or oxygen and / or aroma into or out of the container 10.The core layer 100 can be a spirally wound paperboard material that is cut to a suitable length and has an outer diameter that closely conforms to the inner surface of the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 can be wound around a mandrel to form a tube having a suitable length.

[0011] The container 10 can be useful for containing articles 270 including, but not limited to, laundry fragrance additive particles, powdered laundry detergents, soluble unit dose pouches of laundry detergents, laundry detergent tablets, powdered dishwashing detergents, soluble unit dose pouches of dishwashing detergents, dishwashing detergent tablets, laundry beneficial additives, chlorine tablets, hard surface cleaning tablets. The container can contain an article 270 containing a fragrance. The container can contain an article 270 containing a non-encapsulated fragrance. The article 270 can be a particle. The article 270 that can be a particle can contain a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier and a fragrance. The article 270 that can be a particle can contain from about 1 wt% to about 99 wt% of a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier and from about 0.1 wt% to about 80 wt% of a fabric care benefit agent. The fabric care benefit agent can be selected from the group consisting of fragrances, fabric softeners, wrinkle removers, color preventives, color restorers, soil release polymers, antistatic agents, malodor reducers, antibacterial substances, anti-redeposition compounds, optical brighteners, color fastness agents, dye transfer inhibitors, antioxidants, and combinations thereof. The article 270 that can be a particle can have a mass of from about 1 mg to about 2 g for each individual article 270. The water-soluble carrier can be a water-soluble salt, water-dispersible solid, water-soluble carbohydrate, water-dispersible carbohydrate, water-soluble polymer, water-dispersible polymer, and non-limiting examples include sodium chloride, sugars, starches, polysaccharides, polyethylene glycol, block copolymers, etc. The article 270 can be the particles described in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,167,441 and 10,377,966.

[0012] Container 10 can be practical for containing commodities such as food products, including but not limited to pasta, rice, tea, flour, baking powder, baking soda, potato chips, pretzels, cereal, oats, barley, beans, seasonings, cookies, nutritional supplements, pelletized products, crackers, etc. Container 10 can be practical for containing medicinal pills, vitamins, nutritional supplements, dry pet food, dry pet snacks, etc.

[0013] Container 10 can be sized and dimensioned to contain an article 270 of from about 50 g to about 1500 g, such as particles. The article 270 can be a fabric care benefit product. The article 270 can be particles comprising a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier and a fabric care benefit agent selected from the group consisting of a non-encapsulated fragrance, an encapsulated fragrance, a surfactant, an enzyme, a bleaching agent, a brightening agent, a hue dye, an adhesion aid, an anti-redeposition aid, a foam suppressant, a fabric softener, a dye transfer inhibitor, a soil release polymer, an antioxidant, and combinations thereof.

[0014] Container 10 can accommodate an article of from about 30 g to about 1200 g, optionally from about 100 g to about 800 g, optionally from about 100 g to about 600 g. The shell layer 20 can extend from the shell bottom edge 30 to the shell top edge 40. The shell layer 20 can form a majority of the container 10. The shell layer 20 can form the outer surface or the outside surface of the container 10.

[0015] The shell layer 20 can include a body portion 50. The body portion 50 can form at least a part of the lower portion 8 of the container 10. The body portion 50 can extend from the shell bottom edge 30 to a lower limit line 60. The shell bottom edge 30 can be part of the container 10 designed such that the container 10 sits when placed on a flat surface.

[0016] The lower limit line 60 can define the upper boundary 62 of the main body portion 50. A predetermined removable portion 70 can extend from the lower limit line 60 to the upper limit line 80. The predetermined removable portion 70 can extend partially, substantially, or completely around the longitudinal axis L. The predetermined removable portion 70 can extend around the longitudinal axis except at the location of the longitudinal seam 230. The lower limit line 60 and the upper limit line 80 can each be a weak line 160 around or partially around the longitudinal axis L. The weak line 160 can be a perforation, partial cut, or weakened portion of the shell layer 20. The weak line 160 can be structured such that the user can manually disconnect it in a controllable manner along a predetermined path around or partially around the longitudinal axis L of the container 10. For example, the weak line 160 can be a series of intermittent through-cuts, a series of score cuts, a series of perforations with material removed, score lines, partial die cuts, partial die cuts on opposing surfaces, offset partial die cuts on opposing surfaces, zipper die cuts, etc. The weak line 160 can be reinforced with tape affixed inside the shell layer 20. Polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate tape affixed to the shell layer 20 can assist in guiding the separation and preventing unintentional breakage of the weak line 160. The weak line 160 can be defined by a plurality of structural breaks of the shell layer 20 spaced apart from each other. The lobe 120 can be defined by more than two structural breaks. The structural breaks can be selected from the group consisting of through-cuts, score cuts, through-die continuous cuts, partial-die continuous cuts, partial die cuts, zipper die cuts, inverted partial-die continuous cuts, inverted partial-die intermittent cuts, perforations with material removed, laser cuts, and combinations thereof.

[0017] The upper limit line 80 can be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. The straight upper limit line 80 may be easily detachable by the user of the container 10 when the container 10 is open. Further, the straight upper limit line 80 can provide a cap portion 90 that has a straight lip and is convenient for use as a removal and / or administration cap.

[0018] When the container 10 is in a closed state, a predetermined removable portion 70 connects the body portion 50 to the cap portion 90. The cap portion 90 extends from the upper limit line 80 to the shell top edge portion 40. The cap portion 90 can form at least a part of the upper portion 9 of the container 10. The container 10 can be prepared to be opened only by removing a predetermined removable portion 70 from the container 10. A separation strip 110 engaged with the predetermined removable portion 70 and positioned between the predetermined removable portion 70 and the core layer 100 can be provided to assist the user in separating the predetermined removable portion 70 from the container 10. When the predetermined removable portion 70 is removed from the container 10, the user can separate the cap portion 90 from the body portion 50 and access the contents of the container 10.

[0019] The container 10 can further include a cap end 93. The cap end 93 can form a closed end of the cap portion 90. The cap end 93 can close the top of the container 10, and the top of the container 10 is the end of the container associated with the cap portion 90. The cap end 93 can be a separate cardboard part fitted with the cap portion 90 near the shell top edge portion 40. Optionally, the cap end 93 can be one or more flaps of cardboard that are an integral extension of the cap portion 90 folded to form the cap end 93.

[0020] To provide a container 10 that can be easily opened and closed again, it may be practical to provide a core layer 100 that extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis L and inside the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 can be described as being between the shell layer 20 and the longitudinal axis L. When the container 10 is opened, the core layer 100 can provide a structure that can guide the fitting of the cap portion 90 to one or more portions of the body portion 50 in order to close the container 10 again.

[0021] The core layer 100 can be coupled to the body portion 50. The core layer 100 can be coupled to the body portion 50 below the lower limit line, but not above the lower limit line. The core layer 100 can be coupled to the body portion 50 only at a location below the lower limit line. The core layer 100 and the body portion 50 can be joined to each other by adhesion, taping, heat sealing, or otherwise to couple the two portions. The adhesive can be a hot melt, cold glue, or pressure-sensitive adhesive. The core layer 100 can extend from below the lower limit line 60 to above the upper limit line 80. The cap portion 90 may not be fixed to the core layer 100 above the lower limit line 60. The cap portion 90 may not be fixed to the core layer 100 above the optional release strip 110. The cap portion 90 may not be fixed to the core layer 100 above the predetermined removable portion 70. By leaving it in such an unfixed state, the cap portion 90 can be twisted and / or removed from the core layer 100, making it easier to remove the cap portion 90 from the body portion.

[0022] Optionally, the container 10 can include a release strip 110 between a predetermined removable portion 70 and the core layer 100, and extends around or at least partially around the longitudinal axis L. The release strip 110 can be coupled to the predetermined removable portion 70. The release strip 110 can be part of an adhesive tape that adheres to the shell layer 20. The backing layer of the adhesive tape can be polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, nylon, or other polymers, threads, and filaments. The adhesive layer of the adhesive tape can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a heat-sensitive adhesive, a solvent-based or water-based adhesive, or the like. The release strip 110 can assist in transmitting the pulling force applied by the user to the predetermined removable portion 70 so that the predetermined removable portion 70 can be controllably separated from the shell layer 20.

[0023] To open the container 10, the user can pull on the free end of the release strip 110 or the predetermined removable portion 70 to begin separating the predetermined removable portion 70 from the body portion 50 and the cap portion 90. The separation can occur along each of the lower limit line 60 and the upper limit line 80 or near them, along the respective weak lines 160. When the predetermined removable portion 70 is removed from the container 10, the cap portion 90 can be easily removed from the body portion 50 to access the contents of the container 10. When the cap portion 90 is removed, the contents of the container 10 can be removed into and / or measured within the cap portion 90 in the indicated manner and used. The cap portion 90 can be used as a dosing cup for household items, a serving cup for food, a measuring cup for consumable dry goods, or for similar purposes.

[0024] There are several types of cardboard containers designed to provide a convenient opening. Unfortunately, the design of cardboard containers that are easy to open is often difficult to close securely. For example, cardboard cereal and pasta containers are well-known for being difficult to close securely, and the contents of such containers often spill when the container is tipped over when the user pulls the drawer out of the pantry or accidentally bumps the container against a shelf or countertop.

[0025] Container 10 can accommodate an article 270 of from about 50 g to about 1500 g. After initially opening container 10 and using the contents of container 10, the user may desire to close container 10 securely. If so, the contents of container 10 will not overflow if container 10 is accidentally tipped over or overturned. The frictional engagement between the inner opposing surface of the cap wall and the core layer 100 protruding above the lower limit line 60 may not be sufficient to keep container 10 closed again, especially when the contents of container 10 are heavy. This may be due to the low coefficient of friction between typical cardboard materials, and the cap portion 90 may relax to some extent after being fitted to the core layer 100, so that the cap portion 90 may not be able to apply a sufficiently high vertical stress. For this purpose, a mechanism for closing container 10 more securely may be desired. One or more wedge-based mechanisms may be practical.

[0026] To provide a sufficiently secure closure mechanism for container 10 as described herein, the body portion 50 of container 10 can include a lobe 120 immediately below the lower limit line 60. The shape of lobe 120 itself can be defined by the lower limit line 60. That is, the lower limit line 60 can form the upper boundary 62 of the body portion. Lobe 120 is a flap or protrusion of body portion 50 that extends higher than core layer 100, which is wider in the longitudinal direction than the portion of body portion 50 adjacent to lobe 120.

[0027] When the cap portion 90 is removed from the main body portion 50, the user may desire to close the container 10 again by returning the cap portion 90 to the main body portion 50. The core layer 100 can serve as a guide for fitting the cap portion 90 to the main body portion 50. The lobe 120 can function as a wedge for providing mechanical engagement of the cap portion 90 to the main body portion 50 when the container is closed again. The cap portion 90 has the same peripheral shape as the main body portion 50 and may need to be deformed or stretched to fit the lobe 120.

[0028] The main body portion 50 can have a peripheral outer length 130 that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L directly below one or more lobes 120. When the container 10 has a straight cylindrical shape, the peripheral outer length 130 is the outer circumference of the outer surface 10 of the container directly below one or more lobes 120. When the container 10 has a prismatic shape, the peripheral outer length 130 is the sum of the widths of the surfaces of the prism. When the container has a square prismatic shape, the peripheral outer length 130 is four times the width of one surface of the prism. When a plurality of lobes 120 are provided, the peripheral outer length 130 is measured directly below the lobe 120 closest to the shell bottom edge portion 30 of the container 10. The peripheral outer length 130 is a scalar quantity. The peripheral outer length 130 can be from about 10 cm to about 70 cm. The peripheral outer length 130 can be from about 20 cm to about 40 cm.

[0029] Each lobe 120 can have a lobe outer height 150 parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The lobe outer height 150 is the maximum dimension of the lobe 120 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L, and the datum at which the lobe outer height 150 is measured is a line connecting the ends of the lobe 120 being measured. In the case of a semi-circular or semi-elliptical lobe 120, the lobe outer height 150 is the radius of the semi-circle. In the case of a square lobe 120, the lobe outer height 150 is the edge length of the square. In the case of a trapezoidal lobe 120, the lobe outer height 150 is the height of the trapezoid. In the case of a triangular lobe 120, the lobe outer height 150 is the height of the triangle. Adjacent lobes 120 can have different lobe outer heights 150 from each other. Such lobes 120 with a staggered lobe outer height 150 can provide a variable engagement between the cap portion 90 and the body portion 50 depending on how much the cap portion 90 descends towards the body portion 50. The lobe outer height 150 is a scalar quantity. The lobe outer height can be from about 1 mm to about 30 mm.

[0030] Each lobe 120 can have a curved upper contour 122. The curved upper contour 122 may be easier to disengage compared to an upper contour 122 comprising straight segments. Further, when the container 10 is opened and then the cap portion 90 is used to close the container 10, the curved upper contour 122 can be more easily engaged by the cap portion 90. The curved upper contour 122 can provide a stepwise engagement or intrusion of the cap portion 90 into the body portion 50. When the user deforms the cap portion 90 to fit it onto one or more lobes 120, the rounded or curved upper contour 122 provides a stepwise engagement between the cap portion 90 and one or more lobes 120 such that one or more lobes 120 can gently intrude between the cap portion 90 and the core layer 100.

[0031] Each lobe 120 can have a lobe outer length 140 that is orthogonal to or around the longitudinal axis L. When the body portion 50 is cylindrical, the lobe outer length 140 is measured on the outer surface of the body portion 50 and along a part of the outer periphery of the body portion 50 where the characterized lobe 120 is present. When the body portion 50 is a regular prism, the lobe outer length 140 is measured on the outer surface of the body portion 50 and along a part of the outer periphery of the body portion 50 where the characterized lobe 120 is present. A part of the lobe 120 can be on an adjacent surface of the body portion 50.

[0032] The lobe outer length 140 can be more than about 5% of the peripheral outer length, optionally more than about 10% of the peripheral outer length, optionally about 5% to about 30% of the peripheral length, optionally about 5% to about 20% of the peripheral length, optionally about 10% to about 25% of the peripheral length. The lobe outer length 140 can be from about 1 mm to about 60 mm. Each lobe 120 can have a lobe outer length 140 to lobe outer height 150 ratio greater than about 1. A lobe 120 having such an aspect ratio can provide a predetermined removable portion 70 that can be easily separated from the body portion 50 of the container 10. When the predetermined removable portion 70 is pulled and the predetermined removable portion 70 is separated 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 that the separation line deviates from the lower limit line 60. Higher lobes 120 or lower limit lines 60 having acute corners or abrupt directional changes can result in a separation line that does not optimally follow the lower limit line 60 when the predetermined removable portion 70 is removed.

[0033] The body portion 50 can include a plurality of lobes 120. For example, the body portion 50 can include two lobes 120. The two lobes 120 can be spaced apart from each other by a straight segment 170 of the lower limit line 60. Optionally, the two lobes 120 can be on both sides of the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the body portion 50 can include three or four lobes 120 spaced apart around the longitudinal axis L, optionally evenly spaced around the longitudinal axis L. The lobes 120 can be spaced apart from each other by about 10% to about 80% of the peripheral outer length 130. Such a spacing can be practical for providing space for the cap portion 90 to deform and engage into the lobes 120 when re - engaging the cap portion to the body portion 50 after the container is opened. The lobes 120 can be spaced apart from each other by about 1 mm to about 350 mm, optionally from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, optionally about 20 mm to about 80 mm.

[0034] Figure 2 shows the opened container 10. In Figure 2, a predetermined removable portion 70 is separated from the cap portion 90 and the body portion 50. A user of the container 10 can place the predetermined removable portion 70 in a recycling collection bin or a waste bin. The core layer 100 can extend above the upper limit line 80. The core layer 100 can extend above the upper limit line 80 by more than about 5% of the peripheral outer length 130, optionally about 5% to about 50% of the peripheral outer length, optionally about 5% to about 30% of the peripheral outer length. Such an arrangement provides a core layer 100 that can support the lobes 120 when fitting the cap portion 90 to the body portion 90 to close the container after the container 10 is opened.

[0035] The core layer 100 can be discontinuous around the longitudinal axis L. This can simplify the assembly of the container 10 because there is no need to accurately fit and join the vertical edges of the core layer 100 to each other.

[0036] The cap portion 90 can serve as a measuring cup for measuring the amount of the contents 10 of the container. The cap portion 90 can be sized and dimensioned to have an internal volume of the cap portion corresponding to a single dose. In that case, a full cap portion 90 can correspond to a single dose of the contents of the container 10. The cap portion 90 can be sized and dimensioned to have an internal volume of the cap portion corresponding to two doses of the contents of the container 10. In that arrangement, half of the cap portion 90 can correspond to a single dose of the contents of the container 10. The full cap portion 90 and the half cap portion 90 can be intuitive for the user to measure if no dosing indication 260 is provided. Optionally, the dosing indication 260 can be provided on the inner facing surface 240 of the cap portion 90. The dosing indication 260 can be a printed line, number, or graphics, embossing, debossing, photograph, or lettering that indicates to the user the amount of the contents of the container 10 necessary to provide the intended use or intended benefit of the contents of the container 10. The dosing indication 260 can be printed, embossed, or debossed on a blank or a part of the blank on which the container 10 is assembled. The dosing indication 260 can include a numerical indicator of the dose size to deliver the intended benefit. The dosing indication 260 can be printed on the inner facing surface 240 of the cap portion 90 by a printing process selected from the group consisting of digital printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, offset printing, rotogravure printing, and screen printing. The dosing indication 260 can be printed, embossed, or debossed on a flat paperboard of the surface that will become the inner facing surface 240 before the container 10 is assembled, which is a relatively simpler process than performing the same process inside the assembled container 10.

[0037] The paper-based container 10 described herein has certain advantages over plastic-based containers. In the case of plastic-based containers, the dosage indication 260 can be molded within the cap. Molds for plastic parts are expensive. If the manufacturer of the contents of container 10 desires to change the manufacturing method of the contents of container 10, for example, by compacting the dosage form, a new mold must be used to produce a cap molded with a marked dosage indication to provide the desired dosage. In the case of the paper-based container 10 described herein, since only the printing, embossing, or debossing process of the flat substrate on which the container 10 is assembled needs to be changed, the dosage indication can be changed inexpensively. Printing, embossing, and debossing of flat paper substrates tend to be relatively inexpensive processes for implementing and making changes compared to plastic molding processes and implementing and changing manufacturing parts.

[0038] Before the container 10 is first opened, the cap portion 90 is part of the shell layer 20. The shell layer 20 can have a longitudinal axis L and an internal opposing surface 240 oriented towards the opposing external opposing surface 242. The internal opposing surface 240 above the lower limit line 60 can include at least one dosage indication 260.

[0039] The interior 91 of the cap portion can have a cap portion interior volume of from about 10 mL to about 400 mL. The container 10 can have a body portion interior 51, and the body portion interior volume from the bottom end 34 to the upper limit line 80 can be from about 50 mL to 2000 mL. The cap portion interior volume can be from about 0.5% to about 50% of the body portion interior volume. The arrangement can provide a container 10 that accommodates from about 1 to about 80 dosages, optionally from about 18 to about 20 dosages of the article 270.

[0040] The article 270 within the container can be filled up to a filling level 99. The filling level 99 can be below the core rim 180. Such an arrangement can be practical when the article 270 has a tendency to fall from the lower part of the container 10 when the container 10 is opened in an upright position. The article 270, being particulate, can have a tendency to spill out of the container 10 when opened. The filling level 99 can be below the upper limit line 80. Such a filling level can reduce the possibility that the article 270 accidentally spills out of the container 10 when the container 10 is opened.

[0041] In the formed container 10, the shell layer 20 can include a longitudinal seam 230 that extends at least partway between the shell bottom edge 30 and the shell top edge 40, and optionally extends from the shell bottom edge 30 to the shell top edge 40 except for a predetermined removable portion 70. The longitudinal seam 230 can be an abutting seam or an overlapping seam, and can include an adhesive or tape, or can be heat sealed to assist in maintaining the integrity of the longitudinal seam 230. The longitudinal seam 230 can be adhered, taped, or heat sealed at spaced locations along the longitudinal seam 230. The longitudinal seam 230 can be a flange seam in which both edges of the shell layer 20 have flanges along the longitudinal axis L, and the flanges are joined to each other. The flange seal can be oriented inwardly into the container 10 or outwardly from the container 10 in a state where the pinching into the separate containers 10 is more dispersed. The flanges of the flange seal that constitutes the longitudinal seam 230 can be adhered, taped, or heat sealed to each other.

[0042] The cap portion 90 can have a cap portion height 280 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L between the upper limit line 80 and the shell top edge portion 40. The predetermined removable portion 70 can have a maximum height 290 of the predetermined removable portion measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The maximum height 290 of the predetermined removable portion is measured at an appropriate location away from the lobe 120. The cap portion height 280 can be higher than the predetermined removable portion height 290. Such an arrangement can provide a cap portion 90 that can be fully fitted to the core layer 20 to close the container 10 after opening.

[0043] The user opens the container 10 by removing a predetermined removable portion 70 from the container 10. Next, the cap portion 90 is separated from the main body portion 90, whereby the user can access the contents of the container 10. After removing a portion of the contents of the container 10, the user can close the container 10 again, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner opposing surface 240 of the cap wall is oriented toward the longitudinal axis L. One lobe 120 or a plurality of lobes 120 can intrude between the inner opposing surface 240 of the cap wall and the core layer 100. As described herein, the cap portion 90 and the main body portion 50 are formed from the shell layer 20. The lobe 120 is an integral extension of the main body portion 50. Thus, the cap portion 90 cannot fit onto the lobe 120 unless the lip 23 of the cap portion 90 is deformed to fit onto or slide over the lobe 120. In the case of the cylindrical cap portion 90, the user can gently squeeze both sides of the cap wall 92, whereby hoop stress is applied to the cap wall 92. Deformation of the cap wall 92 in such a manner can provide space for a portion of the cap wall 92 that is displaced away from the longitudinal axis L by the applied squeezing force and away from the location where it slides over one lobe 120 or a plurality of lobes 120. When the hoop stress is reduced by the user stopping squeezing the cap wall 92, the cap wall 92 relaxes and leaves one lobe 120 or a plurality of lobes 120 intruding between the core layer 100 and the inner opposing surface 240 of the cap wall. Frictionally fitting and intruding the cap portion 90 onto the main body portion 50 can assist in securely closing the container 10. The frictional fit and intrusion provide resistance in the direction of the longitudinal axis L when the closed container 10 is tipped or overturned, when the cap portion 90 is pulled away from the main body portion 50, or when it is pushed off the main body portion 50 by the contents of the container 10.

[0044] Figure 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the container, first opened by removing a predetermined removable portion 70 to separate the cap portion 90, and then closed again by returning the cap portion 90 onto the body portion 50. As shown in Figure 4, the cap portion 90 can be deformed to fit onto the lobe 120. The lobe 120 is interposed between the inner opposing surface 240 of the cap wall and the core layer 100.

[0045] The body portion 50 can include one or more lobes 120. If only a single lobe 120 is provided, the re-closed cap portion 90 can be fitted onto the lobe 120, and the inner opposing surface 240 of the core layer 100 facing the location of the lobe 120 can contact the core layer 100. By inserting the lobe 120 between the cap portion 100 and the core layer 100 and combining the frictional engagement between the inner opposing surface 240 of the cap portion 90 and the core layer 100 facing the lobe 120, it can be sufficient to fairly reliably maintain the container 10 in a closed state after the container 10 is opened for the first time.

[0046] Multiple lobes 120 can provide additional insertion locations to more reliably close a previously opened container 10. Two lobes 120 can be conveniently positioned on both sides of the longitudinal axis L. In that arrangement, the user can gently pinch the lip 23 between their thumb and index finger, for example, at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions to deform the lip 23, whereby the location positions at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions along the lip 23 are deformed outwardly and can slide over the lobes 120.

[0047] Four lobes 120 can be conveniently equally spaced at the 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, and 10:30 positions of the body portion 50. The user can gently pinch the lip 23 at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions to deform the lip 23, thereby deforming the locations along the lip 23 corresponding to the lobes 120 and fitting onto the four lobes 120.

[0048] Container 10 can be a right prism, optionally a right rectangular prism (Figure 5). The base 32 of container 10 can have a shape selected from the group consisting of a square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, oval, ellipse, and stadium shape. The container can have a shape selected from the group consisting of a right rectangular prism, right triangular prism, right square prism, right pentagonal prism, right hexagonal prism, right heptagonal prism, right octagonal prism, straight cylindrical shape, straight oval shape, straight elliptical shape, right stadium shape, and a shape that is substantially such a shape within typical manufacturing tolerances including an overlapping seam and a slight deformation of a shape that can result from a longitudinal seam in the core layer and / or shell layer used in the assembly of container 10. Container 10 can have an internal cross-sectional shape or an external cross-sectional shape that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L and is selected from the group consisting of a circle, ellipse, irregularly rounded shape, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, ellipse, oval, and stadium. Right rectangular prisms, right square prisms, and right triangular prisms can be efficiently packaged in an outer case, pallet, or shelf. Right rectangular prisms and right square prisms are well-suited for e-commerce delivery. Rounded containers 10 such as straight cylindrical shapes, straight oval shapes, straight elliptical shapes, and straight stadium shapes can be structurally stable due to their curved shells along the longitudinal axis L.

[0049] The cap end 93 can be an insert within the top of the container 10 as shown in FIG. 6. The cap end 93 can be made of cardboard or corrugated. The cap end 93 can include a flange 94 extending from the cap end 93 to the periphery. The flange 94 can be adhered, taped, or heat - sealed to the inner opposing surface 240 of the cap portion 90. Optionally, the flange 94 can be sandwiched within a folded - out extension 96 extending integrally from the shell top edge portion 40. The folded - out extension 96 can be adhered, taped, or heat - sealed to the flange 94, and the flange 94 can optionally be adhered, taped, or heat - sealed to the inner opposing surface 240 of the cap portion 90. A similar construction can be provided to form the bottom end 34. The bottom end 34 can include a flange 94 extending from the bottom end 34 to the periphery. The flange 94 can be adhered, taped, or heat - sealed to the inner opposing surface 240 of the body portion 50. Optionally, the flange 94 can be sandwiched within a folded - out extension 96 extending integrally from the shell bottom edge portion 30 of the body portion 50. The folded - out extension 96 can be adhered, taped, or heat - sealed to the flange 94. The flange 94 can optionally be adhered, taped, or heat - sealed to the inner opposing surface 240 of the body portion 50. By using the folded - out extension 96 with the flange 94 positioned between opposing portions of the folded - out extension 96 and adhered, taped, or heat - sealed to the folded - out extension 96, a robust container 10 can be provided. The cap end 93 can be coupled to the shell layer 20 using cold, hot - melt, or pressure - sensitive adhesives, or heat - sealing, or tape, or other joining means.

[0050] The container 10 can be a closed-end container. The shell top edge portion 40 can be closed by the cap end portion 93. The shell bottom edge portion 30 can be closed by the bottom end portion 34. The cap end portion 93 can face the bottom end portion 34. The cap end portion 93 can form a closed end at the shell top edge portion 40 as proximal to the apex of the shell top edge portion 40. The bottom end portion 34 can form a closed end at the shell bottom edge portion 30 as proximal to the shell bottom edge portion 30.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the container 10 can include a structure that can provide for convenient extraction of the contents from the container 10. The core layer 100 can extend up to the core rim 180 above the upper limit line 80. In this arrangement, the core layer 100 can provide back support for one or more lobes 120 when the lobes are used to securely re-close the container 10. The core rim 180 can be positioned below the shell top edge portion 40 so that the cap portion 90 can be fitted onto the core layer 100.

[0052] The simple structure of the container 10 allows the longitudinal seam 230 to be closer to the lowest point of the core rim 180 than to the highest point of the core rim 180, so as to simplify the layout of the blank from which the container 10 is assembled. The core rim 180 is positioned at a rim distance 190 from the shell bottom edge portion 30 when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The rim distance 190 can be a function of the position around the longitudinal axis L.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a container 10 in which the rim distance 190 is not a function of the position around the longitudinal axis L. In the case of the container 10 shown in FIG. 2, the rim distance 190 is constant. By including a non-flat contour in the core 180, convenient extraction of the contents of the container 10 can be provided.

[0054] The core rim 180 can have a highest rim distance point 200 and a lowest rim distance point 210 with respect to the shell bottom edge 30 (FIG. 8). The highest rim distance point 200 and the lowest rim distance point 210 are locations and not scalar quantities. Variations in the rim distance 190 can provide a structure that functions as a spout or weir to assist in controlling removal from the container 10. One practical arrangement is the core rim 180 that is elliptical. In the case of the cylindrical core layer 100, the core rim 180 can be defined by a cylindrical cross-section, although there may be small discontinuities following the height of the container 10. Similarly, in the case of a container 10 shaped as a prism, the core rim 180 can be defined by a prism cross-section. For example, the core rim 180 of FIG. 5, schematically drawn in dashed lines, can be rectangular. The core rim 180 can be parallel to a plane oriented at an angle of more than about 5 degrees from the plane with respect to the shell bottom edge 30. The core rim 180 can be parallel to a plane oriented at an angle of more than about 10 degrees, further more than about 20 degrees, about 30 degrees, or about 40 degrees from the plane with respect to the shell bottom edge 30. The highest rim distance point 200 can be a location on the core rim 180 where the contents of the container 10 can be poured.

[0055] The shell top edge 40 can be above the highest rim distance point 200 by more than a predetermined removable part height 290. This can provide sufficient space to fit the removed cap part 90 onto one lobe 120 or a plurality of lobes 120 to close the container 10 again.

[0056] To provide enhanced structural stability of the container 10, at the lowest rim distance point 210, the core layer 100 can extend above the upper limit line 80 by more than about 5% of the peripheral outer length 130, optionally about 5% - about 75%, optionally about 5% - about 50%, optionally about 5% - about 30%. In that arrangement, the core layer 100 can support the back and the shell layer 20 of the body part 50 of one lobe 120 or a plurality of lobes 120.

[0057] The rim distance highest point 200 and the rim distance lowest point 210 can be positioned such that the longitudinal axis L is between the rim distance highest point 200 and the rim distance lowest point 210. This arrangement can assist in easily identifying a location along the core rim 180 that can be conveniently used by a user to pour the contents of the container 10.

[0058] In one practical structure, the core layer 100 can be discontinuous in position around the longitudinal axis L at a location within about 40 degrees, further within about 20 degrees, further within about 10 degrees, and further within about 5 degrees of the rim distance lowest point 210 when measured around the longitudinal axis L. Such positioned discontinuities can provide a convenient design of the blank from which the container 10 is assembled and can provide a visual cue to the user regarding how to orient the container 10 in the user's hand when pouring from the container 10. The core layer 100 can be discontinuous over a certain width around the longitudinal axis L. The width of the discontinuity 19 is the distance between the core layer side edges 21 of the core rim 180. As described herein, the core layer 20 extends between the core layer side edges 21 and, in the case of the assembled container 10, the core layer 20 extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis L and further extends entirely around the longitudinal axis L. The width can be measured between the core layer side edges 21. The width of the discontinuity 19 can be made narrower than the minimum dimension of the article 270. The width of the discontinuity 19 can be sized and dimensioned to hold the article 270 stored within the container 10. The width of the discontinuity 19 can be sized and dimensioned such that the article 270 stored within the container 10 cannot pass through the discontinuity 19. This can reduce the possibility that the article 270 inadvertently passes through the discontinuity 19 when the container 10 is opened or when the article 270 is removed from the container 10. The width can be made less than or equal to the nominal sieve opening size at which 100% by weight of the article 270 is retained by the container 10. The width of the discontinuity 19 can be made smaller than the size of each individual article 270 within the container 10.

[0059] The longitudinal seam 230 can be within about 40 degrees of the lowest rim distance point 210 when measured about the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the longitudinal seam 230 can be within about 20 degrees, or about 10 degrees, or about 5 degrees of the lowest rim distance point 210 when measured about the longitudinal axis L. Such blanks for such containers 10 can be convenient by design. Also, such blanks can be practically assembled.

[0060] The cap end 93 can be formed by a flap 98 that is an integral extension of the shell layer 20 forming the cap portion 90. The flaps 98 can be folded over one another and joined by an adhesive such as tape, cold, hot melt, or pressure - sensitive adhesive, or by heat sealing, or other types of joining (FIG. 9). Similarly, the bottom end 34 can be formed by the same structure, and the flap 98 is an integral extension of the shell layer 20 forming the body portion 50.

[0061] The core rim 180 can include a notch 185 for guiding and pouring the contents of the container 10 (FIG. 10). The notch 185 can be a V - shaped notch, a semi - circular notch, a trapezoidal notch, or another shape that can direct the flow of granular material. The notch 185 can be positioned proximal to the highest rim distance point 200. The notch 185 can be positioned opposite the longitudinal seam 230. The notch 185 can have a depth below the core rim 180 that exceeds about 10% of the outer peripheral length 130. The notch 185 can function as a weir to provide controllable pouring from the container 10.

[0062] Various structures are contemplated to assist the user in removing a predetermined removable portion 70 (FIG. 11). The predetermined removable portion 70 can comprise a free end 112 for initiating separation of the predetermined removable portion 70 from the container 10. The user can pull on the free end 112 to initiate separation of the predetermined removable portion 70 away from the body portion 50 and the cap portion 90. The free end 112 can have a pull tab shape such as a trapezoidal end, a semi-circular end, a triangular end, or a curved end. The free end 112 can be wider at the periphery than the upper limit line 80 and the lower limit line 60. The free end 112 can be about 1 mm to about 5 mm wider at the periphery than the upper limit line 80 and the lower limit line 60. The free end 112 or the separation strip 110 can be positioned at the longitudinal seam 230. By positioning it in this way, the lower limit line 60 and the upper limit line do not need to intersect the longitudinal seam 230. This can reduce the possibility of separating the longitudinal seam 230 when separating the predetermined removable portion 70 from the container 10.

[0063] The free end 112 of the predetermined removable portion can be positioned at a location where the core layer 100 is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis L. Such a location can simplify the design of the blank from which the container 10 is constructed since the end of the separation strip 110 can be positioned at the lateral edge of the blank.

[0064] When container 10 includes a core rim 180 that is at an angle to the longitudinal axis L, or when it includes some other structure that improves removal from container 10, free end 112 can be within about 40 degrees, optionally within about 20 degrees, optionally within about 10 degrees, optionally within about 5 degrees of longitudinal seam 230 as measured around the longitudinal axis L. Longitudinal seam 230 can be connected under or only slightly to predetermined removable portion 70 such that the predetermined removable portion 70 can be easily separated from container 10 proximal to the longitudinal seam 230. Longitudinal seam 230 can extend from shell bottom edge 30 to shell top edge 40 except for the predetermined removable portion 70. Longitudinal seam 230 can extend from shell bottom edge 30 to shell top edge 40 except for the predetermined removable portion 70 and can be adhesively bonded, taped, or heat sealed along the longitudinal seam 230.

[0065] As a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 11, the frangible line 160 can be defined by a plurality of structural breaks 16 of the shell layer 20 spaced apart from each other.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows additional details of the optional release strip 110, which is a partial view of container 10, described above. The optional release strip 110 can provide improved control for removing the predetermined removable portion 70 from container 10. The release strip 110 can have a starting end 220 that is external to container 10. When container 10 includes a core rim 180 that is at an angle to the longitudinal axis L, or when it includes some other structure that improves removal from container 10, the release strip 110 can have a starting end 220 that is within about 40 degrees, optionally within about 20 degrees, optionally within about 10 degrees, optionally within about 5 degrees of the lowest point 210 as measured around the longitudinal axis L. Such an arrangement can be practical, so the release strip 110 starts proximal to or at the longitudinal seam 230.

[0067] The optional release strip 110 can position the core layer 100 at a discontinuous location around the longitudinal axis L. Such a location can position the end of the release strip 110 at the lateral edge of the blank, thus simplifying the design of the blank from which the container 10 is constructed. When the container 10 is assembled, the release strip 110 is positioned near the longitudinal seam 230.

[0068] As a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 12, the score line 160 can be defined by a plurality of structural breaks 161 of the shell layer 20 spaced apart from each other. The lobe 120 can be defined by more than two structural breaks 161.

[0069] The container 10 can be actually formed from the container blank 12 as shown in FIG. 13. The blank 12 can be assembled into the container 10 by wrapping the blank 12 around a mandrel to change the flat blank 12 into a partially formed container 10. The cap end 93 can be mechanically fitted or captured by folding the paperboard shell layer 20 to form a rim, or can be fitted to the top and bottom of the opening and adhered, taped, or heat-sealed to form the container 10. Optionally, the flaps 98 that extend to form the shell layer 20 can be folded and adhered, taped, or heat-sealed to each other to form the top and bottom of the container 10. Hot melt or pressure-sensitive adhesives, tapes, or heat seals may be practical. Other well-known joining or welding techniques can be used.

[0070] The container blank 12 can be a laminate of paperboard materials. The blank 12 can include a paperboard shell layer 20. The shell layer 20 can include two lateral edges 22 on both sides of the central axis A. The paperboard shell layer 20 can include a shell bottom edge 30 extending between the lateral edges 22 orthogonal to the central axis A. The paperboard shell layer 20 can include a shell top edge 40 facing the shell bottom edge and extending between the lateral edges 22. Like the container 10, the shell layer 20 of the blank 12 can include a body portion 50 extending from the shell bottom edge 30 to a lower limit line 60. The shell layer 20 can include a predetermined removable portion 70 extending from the lower limit line to an upper limit line 80. The upper limit line 80 can be orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the central axis A. The cap portion 90 can extend from the upper limit line 80 to the shell top edge 40.

[0071] The paperboard core layer 100 can be provided in a facing relationship with the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 can be adhered, taped, or heat-sealed to the shell layer 20 to provide rigidity to the assembled container 10 and to provide a blank that can be manipulated to assemble the container 10. The core layer 100 can extend from below the lower limit line 60 to a core rim 180 above the upper limit line 80. The core layer 100 can be adhered, taped, heat-sealed, or otherwise joined to the shell layer 20.

[0072] The core layer 100 can extend from and be integral with one of the lateral edges 22, and can also be folded around the lateral edge 22. That is, the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100 can be formed from a single sheet of cardboard. Since it is not necessary to accurately position the individual sheets of cardboard relative to each other during assembly, it can be attractive to construct the blank 12 from a single sheet of cardboard. Further, a single die cut can be made 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 location of the lateral edge 22 to place the core layer 100 in a face-to-face relationship with the shell layer 20 to form the two-layer blank 12. Optionally, the core layer 100 and the shell layer 20 can be non-integral. For example, the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100 can be individual parts of the cardboard that are assembled to form the blank 12.

[0073] When the core layer 100 is in a face-to-face relationship with the shell layer 20, the core rim 180 can be positioned at a rim distance 190 from the shell bottom edge 30 when measured parallel to the central axis A. If a core rim 180 defined by a circle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L is desired for the container 10, the rim distance 190 can be constant.

[0074] The rim distance 190 can be a function of the distance from the central axis A. Using such an arrangement, a core rim 180 can be created in which the distance from the bottom edge 30 varies as a function of the position around the longitudinal axis L of the container 10. When the core layer 100 is in a face-to-face relationship with the shell layer 20, the core rim 180 can have a rim distance 190 highest point 200 and a rim distance lowest point 210 relative to the shell bottom edge 30. When such a blank 12 is assembled into the container 10, the highest point 200 and the lowest point 210 correspond as discussed above with respect to the container 10. The highest point 200 can be positioned on the central axis A. When the container 10 is assembled, the highest point 200 can face the longitudinal seam 230.

[0075] The core rim 180 of the blank 12 can be sinusoidal. The blank 12 having a sinusoidal core rim 180 can be assembled to provide a container 10 in which the core rim 180 has a cylindrical cross-section. The core rim 180 can be defined by two straight segments 170 having an interior angle of less than 170 degrees. The two straight segments 170 can approach a central axis A. The interior angle is an interior angle across the core layer 100. When the blank 12 constructed in such a manner is wound around a longitudinal axis L, the resulting core 180 is inclined with respect to the shell bottom edge 30. The lateral edges of the core layer 100 can be made shorter than the core layer 100 along the central axis A. If a prismatic-shaped container 10 is desired, the shape of the core rim 180 of the blank 12 can be designed such that the core rim 180 of the container has a desired shape when the blank 12 is folded around the longitudinal axis.

[0076] The blank 12 can be designed such that the shell top edge 40 is farther from the shell bottom edge 30 by a distance greater than the maximum distance between an upper limit line 80 and a lower limit line 60 measured parallel to the central axis A at the rim distance highest point 200. This can provide a cap portion 90 that can be fitted to a part of the core layer 100 that seats on the lower limit line 60. Similarly, the cap portion 90 can have a cap portion height 280 measured parallel to the central axis A between the upper limit line 80 and the shell top edge 40. A predetermined removable portion 70 can have a predetermined removable portion maximum height 290 measured parallel to the central axis A, and the cap portion height 280 can be made higher than the predetermined removable portion height 290.

[0077] To provide enhanced control of the detachment path of the predetermined removable portion 70, the predetermined removable portion 70 can extend between and across the lateral edges 22 of the shell layer 20.

[0078] The tear line 160 can be provided on the blank 12. When the paperboard layer is die-cut, the die can include a crease for forming the tear line 160, and a cutting knife, a partial cutting knife, an inverted partial cut knife, or a perforation, a knife, or a combination thereof. Optionally, after die-cutting the overall shape of the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100, for example, by applying another die, or a score line or an intermittent score line, or a laser cut, etc., the tear line 160 can be formed within the shell layer 20.

[0079] To form a container 10 in which the core layer 100 protrudes above the lower limit line 60 so as to sufficiently act as a guide for returning the cap portion 90 to the body portion 50 to close the container again, the core layer 100 can extend above the upper limit line 80 by more than about 5%, about 5% to about 50%, optionally about 5% to about 30% of the body portion length 52. The body portion length 52 is measured between the lateral edges 22 perpendicular to the central axis A directly below the lower limit line 60.

[0080] The paperboard on which the blank 12 is constructed can be printed. For example, the inner facing surface 240 of the shell layer can be provided with an administration display 260. A part of the core layer 100 can be in a facing relationship with the shell layer 20. The administration display 260 can be provided on the inner facing surface 240 above the lower limit line 60. Printing can also be provided on the outer surface of the container formed by the shell layer 20. Printing on a flat sheet, or a reel, or a paperboard part is technically simpler than printing on the formed container 10. For example, the printing of the administration display 260 and the printing on the outside of the container 10 can be performed on a continuous web of paperboard stock. The paperboard stock can be cut to form the blank 12 or the components of the blank 12.

[0081] The optional release strip 110 can be coupled to a predetermined removable portion 70 before or after die-cutting the shell layer 20. The optional release strip 110 can be between the core layer 100 and the shell layer 20.

[0082] One or more lobes 120 can be provided on the blank 12. The body portion 50 can include a lobe 120 immediately below the lower limit line 60. The body portion 50 can have a body portion length 52 measured between lateral edges 22 that are orthogonal to the central axis A immediately below one or more lobes 120. One or more lobes 120 can have a lobe length 142 that is orthogonal to the central axis A, and the lobe length can be greater than about 5% of the body portion length 52, optionally greater than about 10%, optionally about 5% to about 30%, optionally about 5% to about 20%. Additionally, one or more lobes 120 can have a lobe outer height 150 that is parallel to the central axis A, and the ratio of the lobe length 142 to the lobe outer height 150 can be made greater than 1.

[0083] The blank 12, such as the container 10, can include a plurality of lobes 120. Also, the upper limit line 80 can be orthogonal to the central axis A. The container blank 12 can include two lobes 120 separated from each other by a linear segment 170 of the lower limit line 60. The body portion 50 can include two lobes 120, and the lobes 120 can be on both sides of the central axis A. The lobes 120 can be separated from each other by about 10% to about 80% of the lobe length 142.

[0084] One or more lobes 120 provided as part of the blank can be sized and dimensioned to provide one or more lobes 120 to the assembled container 10. The lobes 120 can be separated from each other by about 10% to about 80% of the lobe length 142. One or more lobes 120 can have a curved upper profile 122, and adjacent lobes 120 can have different lobe outer heights 150.

[0085] FIG. 14 shows a similar blank 12, which can be formed of integral sheet cardboard. The die-cut blank 12 can be shaped as desired and can provide a score line 160. Optionally, the release strip 110 can be joined to the shell layer 20 at a desired location. The score line 160 can be provided before or after joining the release strip 110 to a predetermined removable portion 70.

[0086] The core layer 100 can be folded around the lateral edge 22 to form the blank 12 and placed in a face-to-face relationship with the core layer 100 that covers a predetermined removable portion 70 of the shell layer 20 of the core layer 100. The core layer 100 can optionally be adhered, taped, or heat-sealed to the shell layer 20 to provide rigidity to the assembled container 10.

[0087] It may be practical to provide a core layer 100 that abuts or overlaps at least a portion of the two core layer side edges 21 with each other (FIGS. 15 and 16). A portion of the core layer side edges 21 that abut or overlap with each other can be at least between the lower limit line 60 and the upper limit line 80. A portion of the core layer side edges 21 that abut or overlap with each other can be between the shell bottom edge 30 and the upper limit line 80. A portion of the core layer side edges 21 that abut or overlap with each other can extend only halfway between the shell bottom edge 30 and the upper limit line 80. Providing only two core layer side edges 21 that abut or overlap with each other can enhance the handling and assembly capabilities of the blank 12 for forming the container 10.

[0088] The core layer 100 can have two core layer side edges 21, and the core layer 100 can extend between the side edges 21 around the longitudinal axis L. Such an arrangement can provide a locally thick portion of the container along the height of the container 10. After the container 10 is opened, the cap portion 90 can be intruded onto the lower limit line 60 of the body portion 50 or otherwise pushed in to engage the cap portion 90 tightly with the body portion 50. The cap portion 90 can have sufficient flexibility or deformability to spread or fit over the outer periphery of the body portion 50 around the longitudinal axis L above the lower limit line 60, or the body portion 50 proximal to the lower limit line 60 can be deformed to intrude into the cap portion 90 fitted to the body portion. The intrusion fit between the cap portion 90 and the body portion 50 can be made strong enough to assist in reducing the possibility of the contents of the container 10 spilling when the previously opened container 10 accidentally topples or overturns before being closed by the cap portion 90. Providing a contact or overlapping relationship to the side edges 21 of the core layer 100 also assists in reducing the possibility of the article 270 spilling from the container 10 when opening the container 10, particularly when the filling level 99 is above the lower limit line 60, and when the discontinuity of the core layer 100 is higher than the location on the core rim 180 where the article 270 can be dispensed or poured due to the body portion 50 not being carefully oriented, it can assist in reducing the possibility of the article 270 being poured out disorderly from the gap of the core layer 100 when taking the article 270 out of the container 10. It can be noted that the cap portion 90 can have the same seam and shape as the shell layer 20 proximal to the lower limit line 60. Thus, one or both of the body portion proximal to the lower limit line 60 and the cap portion 90 proximal to the lip 23 can be deformed so that the cap portion 90 can be intruded and fitted into the body portion 50.

[0089] The side edges 21 of the core layer 100 can be joined to each other by the abutment seam 231 or can be part of the longitudinal core overlap seam 232. The abutment seam 231 can be formed by taping or otherwise joining the side edges 21 of the core layer 100. The core overlap seam 232 can be formed by adhesively bonding or heat-sealing the side edges 21 in an overlapping relationship. The side edges 21 can be part of the longitudinal core overlap seam 232. Optionally, the core overlap seam 232 can be nested with the overlap longitudinal seam 230. FIG. 15 shows a non-limiting example of the nested relationship. The overlap longitudinal seam 230 and the core overlap seam 232 are overlapped around the longitudinal axis L in the same direction from the outside to the inside (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, shown counterclockwise in FIG. 15). The outside is used in the sense that it is further away from the longitudinal axis L than the inside. By providing the overlap longitudinal seam 230 and the core overlap seam 232, an additional local wall thickness can be provided to the container 10 from the base 32 along the height of the container 10. After the container 10 is opened, the cap portion 90 can be forced onto the top of the body portion 50 and engaged with the body portion 50 snugly by the same or a similar mechanism as discussed above with respect to abutting the side edges 21 against each other.

[0090] In the case of the container 10 being substantially a straight cylinder, it may be practical to provide the longitudinal core overlap seam 232 or the abutment seam 232 in that the core layer 100 may not have an exactly circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. When the shell layer 20 has the longitudinal seam 230 which is an overlap seam, the cap portion 90 may not have an exactly circular cross-section perpendicular 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 constituting them has some flexibility, the core layer 100 can at least to some extent conform to the shape of the shell layer 20 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. After removing the cap portion 90, the cap portion 90 can be refitted onto the core layer 100. The substantially circular cross-section of the cap portion 90 formed from the shell layer 20 and the core layer 100 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L can be snap-fitted together by positioning the longitudinal seam 230 of the shell layer offset from the core overlap seam 232 when refitting the cap portion 90 onto the core layer 100. This can be achieved by positioning the longitudinal seam 230 offset from the core overlap seam 232 before fitting the cap portion 90 onto the core layer 100. This can optionally be achieved by fitting the cap portion 90 onto the core layer 100 and the core overlap seam 232 with the longitudinal seam 230, positioning the longitudinal seam 230 in an aligned or substantially aligned state, and then slightly rotating the cap portion 90 around the longitudinal axis L to cause the inside of the cap portion 90 to cam against the outside of the shell layer 20. The engagement mechanism can be considered to be similar to rotating one of the two concentric ellipses slightly relative to the other around the longitudinal axis. The outer elliptical shape can resist the relative rotation of the inner ellipse, or vice versa, and due to a certain amount of rotation between the ellipses, the combination of the vertical force generated between the two ellipses and the coefficient of friction of the material forming the ellipses can fix the rotational relationship of the ellipses within some range of the rotational force applied in either direction around the longitudinal axis L. The generated frictional force can also resist the separation of the cap 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 paperboard material, a portion of the core layer 100 above the cap portion 90 and the lower limit line 60 can be slightly deformed to engage the cap portion 90 with the core layer 100 quite reliably. This engagement mechanism may not require as much deformation as an engagement mechanism where the lip 23 of the cap portion 90 fits into the shell layer 20 proximal to the lower limit line 60.

[0091] The two side edges 21 and the overlapping longitudinal seam 230 can be within about 15 degrees of each other around the longitudinal axis L.

[0092] Providing a core layer 100 where at least a portion of the two core layer side edges 21 abut or overlap each other can be practical for providing a continuous core rim 180. A continuous core rim 180 may be desirable to allow an article 270 in the container 10 to be removed from or poured from the container 10 at any position around the longitudinal axis L. The continuous core rim 180 can also allow the article 270 to be filled up to the fill level 99 above the lower limit line 60 and below the lowest location of the core rim 180.

[0093] FIG. 17 shows a blank 12 for forming a container 10 having a core layer 100 with an abutting seam 231 or a core overlap seam 232. To form such an abutting seam 231 or a core overlap seam 232, the paperboard core layer 100 can comprise two core layer side edges 21. When the core layer 100 is in a facing relationship with the shell layer 20, the core layer 100 extends from below the lower limit line 60 to above the upper limit line of the core rim 180, and one of the side edges 21 is further away from the central axis A than one of the lateral edges 22. Optionally, the core layer 100 can extend from and be integral with one of the lateral edges 21 and be foldable around one of the side edges 21. The central axis A can be between the free end 112 and the side edge 21 that is further away from the central axis A than one of the lateral edges 22. Other characteristics of the blank 12 described herein are common to the blank 12 shown in FIG. 17 in that such characteristics can coincide with the blank 12 in which the core layer 100 is offset from the shell layer 20 with respect to the central axis A as shown in FIG. 17. The blank 12 shown in FIG. 17 can be folded or wound around a mandrel to bring one of the side edges 21 into abutting relationship with the other of the side edges 21 to form an abutting seam 231 in the core layer 100. Optionally, one of the side edges 21 can be positioned further away from the central axis A so as to sufficiently overlap the core layer 100 when folding the blank 12 or winding it around a mandrel to form a core overlap seam 232.

[0094] The embodiments are as follows: A. A container (10) comprising: a paperboard shell layer (20) extending from a shell bottom edge (30) to a shell top edge (40) around a longitudinal axis (L), the shell layer comprising: a body portion (50) extending from the shell bottom edge to a lower limit line (60), a predetermined removable portion (70) extending from the lower limit line to an upper limit line (80), and a cap portion (90) extending from the upper limit line to the shell top edge; A paper core layer (100) that extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis and inside the shell layer, wherein the core layer is coupled to the body portion and extends from below the lower limit line to the core rim (180) above the upper limit line. An optional release strip (110) that is between the predetermined removable portion and the core layer and extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis, wherein the release strip is coupled to the predetermined removable portion. When measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, the core rim is positioned at a rim distance (190) from the shell bottom edge, and the rim distance is a function of the position around the longitudinal axis. A container (10) in which the core rim has a rim distance highest point (200) and a rim distance lowest point (210) with respect to the shell bottom edge. B. The container according to paragraph A, wherein the longitudinal axis is between the highest point and the lowest point. C. The container according to paragraph A or B, wherein the core rim is elliptical. D. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to C, wherein the core rim is parallel to a plane oriented at an angle of more than about 5 degrees from the plane with respect to the shell bottom edge. E. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to D, further comprising a release strip (110) that is between the predetermined removable portion and the core layer and extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis, wherein the release strip is coupled to the predetermined removable portion, the release strip has a starting end (220) outside the container, and the starting end is within about 40 degrees of the lowest point when measured around the longitudinal axis. F. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to E, wherein the shell layer comprises a longitudinal seam (230) that extends at least partway between the shell bottom edge and the shell top edge, and optionally extends from the shell bottom edge to the shell top edge excluding the predetermined removable portion. G. The container according to paragraph F, wherein the longitudinal seam is within about 40 degrees of the lowest point when measured around the longitudinal axis. H. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to G, wherein the container is a straight circular cylinder. I. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to G, wherein the container is a regular prism or a regular rectangular prism. J. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to I, wherein the core layer is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis. K. The container according to paragraph J, wherein the core layer is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis at a location within about 40 degrees of the lowest point when measured around the longitudinal axis. L. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to K, wherein the predetermined removable portion has a predetermined removable portion height (290) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the shell top edge is above the highest point of the rim distance by more than the predetermined removable portion height. M. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to L, wherein at any position around the longitudinal axis, the cap portion has a cap portion height (280) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis between the upper limit line and the shell top edge, the predetermined removable portion has a predetermined removable portion maximum height (290) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the cap portion height is higher than the predetermined removable portion maximum height. N. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to M, wherein the predetermined removable portion extends substantially completely or completely around the longitudinal axis except for the longitudinal seam. O. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to N, wherein the lower limit line and the upper limit line are weak lines (160). P. The body portion has a peripheral outer length (130) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis around the longitudinal axis directly below the lower limit line, At the lowest point of the rim distance, the core layer extends above the upper limit line by about 5% to about 50% of the peripheral outer length. The container according to any one of paragraphs A to O. Q. A container according to any one of paragraphs A - P, wherein the shell layer has an inner opposing surface (240) oriented towards the longitudinal axis, and the inner opposing surface above the lower limit line comprises at least one dosage indication (260). R. A container according to any one of paragraphs A - Q, wherein the core rim comprises a notch (185), the notch optionally faces a longitudinal seam (230), the longitudinal seam extends at least partway between the shell bottom edge and the shell top edge, and optionally, the longitudinal seam extends from the shell bottom edge to the shell top edge except for the predetermined removable portion. S. A container according to any one of paragraphs A - R, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles (270), and the articles contain a fragrance. T. A container according to any one of paragraphs A - S, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles 270, the articles fill the container to a filling level 99 below the core rim, and optionally the filling level is below the upper limit line. U. A container according to any one of paragraphs A - T, wherein the container contains particles of about 50 g to about 1500 grams. V. A container according to any one of paragraphs A - U, wherein the lower limit line is a weak line (160) defined by a plurality of structural break - up portions (161) of the shell layer spaced apart from each other, the lobe is defined by three or more of the structural break - up portions (161), and optionally the structural break - up portions are selected from the group consisting of through - cut, score - cut, through - die continuous cut, multiple through - die continuous cuts, partial die continuous cut, partial die cut, zipper die cut, perforation with material removed, and combinations thereof. W. A container according to any one of paragraphs A - V, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles (270), the core layer is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis over a width around the longitudinal axis, and the width is less than or equal to the nominal sieve opening size at which 100% by weight of the articles are retained.

[0095] The dimensions and values disclosed in this specification are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Claims

1. A container (10) comprising: a paper shell layer (20) extending around a longitudinal axis (L) from a shell bottom edge portion (30) to a shell top edge portion (40), the paper shell layer comprising: a body portion (50) extending from the shell bottom edge portion to a lower limit line (60); a predetermined removable portion (70) extending from the lower limit line to an upper limit line (80); and a cap portion (90) extending from the upper limit line to the shell top edge portion; a paper core layer (100) extending around the longitudinal axis and at least partially inside the paper shell layer, the paper core layer being coupled to the body portion and extending from below the lower limit line to a core rim (180) above the upper limit line; the core rim being positioned at a rim distance (190) from the shell bottom edge portion when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rim distance being a function of the position around the longitudinal axis; the core rim having a rim distance highest point (200) and a rim distance lowest point (210) relative to the shell bottom edge portion; at any position around the longitudinal axis, the cap portion having a cap portion height (280) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis between the upper limit line and the shell top edge portion, the predetermined removable portion having a predetermined removable portion maximum height (290) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, the cap portion height being higher than the predetermined removable portion maximum height.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis is between the rim distance highest point and the rim distance lowest point.

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the core rim is elliptical.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the core rim is parallel to a plane oriented at an angle greater than 5 degrees from a plane relative to the shell bottom edge portion.

5. The container further comprises a tear strip (110) that is between the predetermined removable portion and the paper core layer and at least partially extends around the longitudinal axis, the tear strip being coupled to the predetermined removable portion, the tear strip having a starting end (220) outside the container, the starting end being within 40 degrees of the lowest point of the rim distance when measured around the longitudinal axis, the container according to claim 1.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the paper shell layer comprises a longitudinal seam (230) that extends at least partway between the shell bottom edge and the shell top edge.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the longitudinal seam is within 40 degrees of the lowest point of the rim distance when measured around the longitudinal axis.

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

9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the paper core layer is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the paper core layer is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis at a location within 40 degrees of the lowest point of the rim distance when measured around the longitudinal axis.

11. The container according to claim 1, wherein the body portion has a peripheral outer length (130) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis directly below the lower limit line, and at the lowest point of the rim distance, the paper core layer extends above the upper limit line by 5% to 50% of the peripheral outer length.

12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the paper shell layer has an inner facing surface (240) that is oriented towards the longitudinal axis, and the inner facing surface above the lower limit line comprises at least one dosage indication.

13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container houses a plurality of articles (270), and the articles contain a fragrance.

14. The container according to claim 1, wherein the core rim is elliptical and parallel to a plane that is oriented at an angle of more than 5 degrees from the plane with respect to the shell bottom edge.

15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the paper core layer is discontinuous around the longitudinal axis.

16. The container according to claim 15, wherein the paper shell layer has an inner facing surface (240) that is oriented towards the longitudinal axis, and the inner facing surface above the lower limit line comprises at least one dosage indication.

17. The container according to claim 16, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles and the articles contain a fragrance.

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