Paper-based containers for household products

Abstract

A container comprising a paperboard shell layer and a paperboard core layer. The container has a predetermined removable portion providing a separable cap portion. The body portion of the container extends from the bottom edge of the shell to a lower limit line. The shell layer has an interior facing surface oriented toward the longitudinal axis of the container. The interior facing surface above the lower limit line includes at least one dosage indicia.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Paper-based containers for household products. [Background technology]

[0002] There is ongoing interest in recyclable packaging for household products, including food, laundry care products, cleaning products, etc. With paper recycling streams well established, paper-based containers offer great potential for continued improvement.

[0003] Paper-based containers typically operate on the principle that a consumer opens the container to access the contents contained therein, obtain or remove the contents from the container, and then close the container so that the remaining contents are protected from the environment or from accidentally spilling out of the container. Opening a paper-based container, obtaining or removing the contents, and reclosing the container can be inconvenient, especially if the container includes several flaps and slots on the end that will be opened.

[0004] Many paper-based containers are simple prismatic or right cylindrical containers with a fold-and-close mechanism or interlocking tabs and slots to close the container after the package is initially opened. Such closure mechanisms are reasonably sufficient for coarse-sized contents, provided the container remains in an upright position during storage. However, if the container is tipped or turned upside down, the closure mechanism often lacks sufficient integrity to keep the contents of the container inside.

[0005] In many paper-based containers, the contents are removed by pouring the contents from the container. Given that many paper-based containers have a simple prismatic or right cylindrical shape, pouring from the container occurs over the open rim of the container, which can result in uncontrolled pouring. Often, a flap at the open end of the container prevents pouring or makes it difficult for the user to see and controllably pour the contents in 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 [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Given these limitations, there remains an unmet need for paper-based containers that are easy to open and reliably reclosable. Additionally, there remains an unmet need for paper-based containers that provide for controllable dispensing of contents from the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A container (10) comprising: a paperboard shell layer (20) extending about a longitudinal axis (L) from a bottom shell edge (30) to a top shell edge (40), the shell layer having a body portion (50) extending from the bottom shell edge to a lower limit line (60), a 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 top shell edge; and a paperboard shell layer (20) extending from an inner board of the shell layer. a paper core layer (100), the shell layer having an interior-facing surface (240) oriented toward the longitudinal axis, the interior-facing surface above the lower limit line bearing at least one dosage indicia (260), the core layer being joined to the body portion and extending from below the lower limit line to above the upper limit line, and the shell layer having an overlapping longitudinal seam (230) extending at least partway between the bottom shell edge and the top shell edge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Unopened container. [Figure 2] An open container having a predetermined removable portion, a cap portion, and a predetermined removable portion separated from one another. [Figure 3] The reclosed container has a cap portion fitted over the lobe. [Figure 4] Partial view shown in FIG. [Figure 5] Unopened container. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the top and bottom of the container. [Figure 7] Unopened container. [Figure 8] Open container. [Figure 9] Partial view of the bottom of the container. [Figure 10] Open container. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] Blanks for building containers. [Figure 14] Blanks for building containers. [Figure 15] Top view of an open container. [Figure 16] Top view of an open container. [Figure 17] Blanks for building containers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A container 10 having an embodiment described herein is shown in Figure 1. The container 10 can have a paperboard shell layer 20 about 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 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L is about 10 cm 2 ~about 300cm 2, optionally about 30 cm 2 ~Approx. 100cm 2 The internal volume of the container can be about 100 mL to about 2 L, optionally about 300 mL to about 1600 mL.

[0010] The container 10 can have a base 32 designed to rest on the container 10. The container base 32 can have a maximum outer dimension of about 5 cm to about 50 cm. The cylindrical container 10 can have a container base with an outer diameter of about 5 cm to about 50 cm. Cylindrical containers 10 having outer diameters of about 5 cm to about 20 cm, optionally about 5 cm to about 10 cm, are practical. Containers 10 having outer diameters of about 5 cm to about 20 cm, or even about 5 cm to about 18 cm, can be conveniently grasped by a user. The container 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a hollow right cylinder with a closed end. Other hollow shapes for the container 10 are contemplated, such as an oval column, an irregular column, a rectangular prism, or any other statically stable shape.

[0011] The paperboard shell layer 20 and the paperboard core layer 100 each have a thickness of 250 g / m 2 greater than, optionally about 250 g / m 2 ~about 800g / m 2The paperboard can have a basis weight of 1 / 2 lb (0.3 mm) to 1 / 4 lb (0.2 mm). The paperboard can be single-ply or multi-ply. 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 make the material printable, 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. 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. The coating or layer for providing a seal or heat-seal can be provided only in a location proximal to the longitudinal seam 230. Ink and / or varnish can be applied to one or both of the surfaces of the paperboard material facing away from the longitudinal axis L or the surfaces facing toward the longitudinal axis L. The paperboard material can be made entirely or partially from fibrous cellulosic material. The fibrous cellulosic material can be virgin, recycled, or a mixture thereof. The cellulose material can be derived from fiber hardwoods, softwoods, or other natural renewable sources. The fibrous cellulosic material can be derived from bamboo, wheat straw, cattail, corn, rice husks, sugarcane, grass fibers, or recycled paper and paperboard. The exterior and / or interior surfaces of the container 10 can be coated with a natural or polymeric coating, such as, but not limited to, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene, to provide a moisture barrier. Coatings of wax, clay, starch, kaolin, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polylactic acid, silicates, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, and other natural and / or biodegradable coatings that adequately provide a barrier to the transfer of moisture and / or oxygen and / or fragrance into or out of the container 10 may be useful.The core layer 100 may be a spirally wound paperboard material cut to length and having an outer diameter that closely matches the inner surface of the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 may be wrapped around a mandrel to form a tube of the appropriate length.

[0012] The container 10 may be useful for containing articles 270, including, but not limited to, laundry fragrance additive particles, powdered laundry detergent, soluble unit dose pouches of laundry detergent, laundry detergent tablets, powdered dish detergent, soluble unit dose pouches of dish detergent, dish detergent tablets, laundry benefit additives, chlorine tablets, and hard surface cleaning tablets. The container may contain articles 270 that include perfume. The container may contain articles 270 that include non-encapsulated perfume. The articles 270 may be particles. The articles 270, which may be particles, may include a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier and a perfume. The articles 270, which may be particles, may include from about 1% to about 99% by weight of a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier, and from about 0.1% to about 80% by weight of a fabric care benefit agent. The fabric care benefit agent can be selected from the group consisting of perfumes, fabric softeners, wrinkle removers, stain inhibitors, color recovery agents, stain resistant polymers, antistatic agents, malodor reducing agents, antimicrobials, anti-redeposition compounds, optical brighteners, anti-fade agents, dye transfer inhibitors, antioxidants, and combinations thereof. The article 270, which can be a particle, can have an individual article 270 mass of about 1 mg to about 2 g. The water-soluble carrier can be a water-soluble salt, a water-dispersible solid, a water-soluble carbohydrate, a water-dispersible polymer, a water-dispersible polymer, including, but not limited to, sodium chloride, sugars, starches, polysaccharides, polyethylene glycols, block copolymers, and the like. The article 270 can be a particle as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,167,441 and 10,377,966.

[0013] Container 10 may be useful for containing items such as food, including, but not limited to, pasta, rice, tea, flour, baking powder, baking soda, potato chips, pretzels, cereal, oats, barley, beans, condiments, cookies, nutritional supplements, pelleted products, crackers, etc. Container 10 may be useful for containing medicinal pills, vitamins, nutritional supplements, dry pet food, dry pet snacks, etc.

[0014] The container 10 can be sized and dimensioned to contain from about 50 g to about 1500 g of an article 270, e.g., a particle. The article 270 can be a fabric care benefit product. The article 270 can be a particle comprising a water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier and a fabric care benefit agent selected from the group consisting of a non-encapsulated perfume, an encapsulated perfume, a surfactant, an enzyme, a bleaching agent, a whitening agent, a hueing dye, a deposition aid, an anti-redeposition aid, a suds suppressant, a fabric softener, a dye transfer inhibitor, a soil release polymer, an antioxidant, and combinations thereof.

[0015] Container 10 can hold from about 30 g to about 1200 g of items, optionally from about 100 g to about 800 g, and optionally from about 100 g to about 600 g. Shell layer 20 can extend from bottom shell edge 30 to top shell edge 40. Shell layer 20 can form a majority of container 10. Shell layer 20 can form the outer surface or exterior of container 10.

[0016] Shell layer 20 may include a body portion 50. Body portion 50 forms at least a portion of the lower portion 8 of container 10. Body portion 50 may extend from bottom shell edge 30 to a lower limit line 60. Bottom shell edge 30 may be the portion of container 10 against which container 10 is designed to rest when placed on a flat surface.

[0017] The lower limit line 60 may define an upper boundary 62 of the body portion 50. The predetermined removable portion 70 may extend from the lower limit line 60 to an upper limit 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 location of the longitudinal seam 230. The lower limit line 60 and the upper limit line 80 may each be a line of weakness 160 around or partially around the longitudinal axis L. The line of weakness 160 may be a perforation, partial cut, or weakened portion of the shell layer 20. The line of weakness 160 may be a structure that can be manually severed by a user in a controllable manner along a predetermined path around or partially around the longitudinal axis L of the container 10. For example, the line of weakness 160 can be a series of interrupted through cuts, a series of score cuts, a series of perforations where material has been removed, a score line, a partial die cut, partial die cuts on opposing surfaces, offset partial die cuts on opposing surfaces, a zipper die cut, etc. The line of weakness 160 can be reinforced with tape applied to the interior of the shell layer 20. Polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate tape applied to the shell layer 20 can help guide the separation and prevent unintentional breaking of the line of weakness 160. The line of weakness 160 can be defined by multiple structural discontinuities in the shell layer 20 that are spaced apart from one another. A lobe 120 can be defined by more than two structural discontinuities. The structural disruption can be selected from the group consisting of a through cut, a score cut, a through die continuous cut, a partial die continuous cut, a partial die cut, a zipper die cut, a reverse partial die continuous cut, a reverse partial die intermittent cut, a perforation with material removed, a laser cut, and combinations thereof.

[0018] The upper limit line 80 can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. A straight upper limit line 80 may be easier for a user of the container 10 to separate when opening the container 10. Additionally, the straight upper limit line 80 can provide a cap portion 90 that has a straight lip and is convenient for use as a dispensing and / or dosing cap.

[0019] When the container 10 is in an unopened state, a given 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 top shell edge 40. The cap portion 90 may form at least a portion of the top portion 9 of the container 10. The container 10 may be prepared for opening only by removing the given removable portion 70 from the container 10. A tear-off strip 110 engaged with the given removable portion 70 and positioned between the given removable portion 70 and the core layer 100 may be provided to assist a user in separating the given removable portion 70 from the container 10. Once the given removable portion 70 is removed from the container 10, the user may separate the cap portion 90 from the body portion 50 to access the contents of the container 10.

[0020] The container 10 may further include a cap end 93. The cap end 93 may form a closed end of the cap portion 90. The cap end 93 may close the top of the container 10, which is the end of the container associated with the cap portion 90. The cap end 93 may be a separate piece of paperboard mated with the cap portion 90 near the top shell edge 40. Optionally, the cap end 93 may be one or more flaps of paperboard that are integral extensions of the cap portion 90 that are folded over to form the cap end 93.

[0021] To provide a container 10 that is easily opened and reclosed, it may be practical to provide a core layer 100 that extends at least partially about the longitudinal axis L and within the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 may be described as being between the shell layer 20 and the longitudinal axis L. Once the container 10 has been opened, the core layer 100 may provide structure that can guide the mating of the cap portion 90 with one or more portions of the body portion 50 to reclose the container 10.

[0022] The core layer 100 can be bonded to the body portion 50. The core layer 100 can be bonded to the body portion 50 below the lower limit line, but not above the lower limit line. The core layer 100 can be bonded 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 glued, taped, heat sealed, or otherwise joined to each other to bond the two portions. The adhesive can be a hot melt, cold glue, or a 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 can be unsecured to the core layer 100 above the lower limit line 60. The cap portion 90 can be unsecured to the core layer 100 above the optional tear-off strip 110. The cap portion 90 can be unsecured to the core layer 100 above a given removable portion 70. This loosening may allow the cap portion 90 to be twisted and / or unscrewed from the core layer 100 to facilitate removal of the cap portion 90 from the body portion.

[0023] Optionally, the container 10 can include a tear-off strip 110 between a given removable portion 70 and the core layer 100, and extending around or at least partially around the longitudinal axis L. The tear-off strip 110 can be bonded to a given removable portion 70. The tear-off 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 tear-off strip 110 can help transfer a user-applied peeling force to a given removable portion 70 so that the given removable portion 70 is controllably separated from the shell layer 20.

[0024] To open container 10, a user can pull on tear strip 110 or the free end of a given removable portion 70 to begin separating the given removable portion 70 from body portion 50 and cap portion 90. Separation can occur along the respective lines of weakness 160, along or near each of lower limit line 60 and upper limit line 80. Once a given removable portion 70 has been removed from container 10, cap portion 90 can be easily removed from body portion 50 to access the contents of container 10. Once cap portion 90 is removed, the contents of container 10 can be dispensed and / or measured into cap portion 90 in a directed manner for use. 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 similar applications.

[0025] Several types of paperboard containers exist that are designed to provide convenient opening. Unfortunately, easy-to-open paperboard container designs are often difficult to close securely. For example, paperboard cereal and pasta containers are notoriously difficult to close securely, and the contents of such containers often spill out if the container tips over when a user pulls a drawer out of the pantry or if the container is accidentally knocked against a shelf or countertop.

[0026] The container 10 can accommodate an item 270 weighing from about 50 g to about 1500 g. After opening the container 10 for the first time and using its contents, a user may want to securely close the container 10 so that the contents of the container 10 do not spill if the container 10 is accidentally tipped or turned upside down. The face-to-face frictional engagement between the cap wall interior facing surface and the core layer 100 protruding above the lower limit line 60 may not be sufficient to keep the container 10 reclosed, especially if the contents of the container 10 are heavy. This may be due to the low coefficient of friction between typical paperboard materials, which may relax to some extent after the cap portion 90 is engaged with the core layer 100, preventing the cap portion 90 from applying a sufficiently high normal stress. To this end, a mechanism for more securely reclosing the container 10 may be desirable. A mechanism based on one or more wedges may be practical.

[0027] To provide a sufficiently secure closure mechanism for container 10 as described herein, body portion 50 of container 10 may include a lobe 120 immediately below lower limit line 60. The shape of lobe 120 itself may be defined by lower limit line 60; that is, lower limit line 60 may form an 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 and is longitudinally wider than the portion of body portion 50 adjacent to lobe 120.

[0028] Once the cap portion 90 has been removed from the body portion 50, the user may desire to reclose the container 10 by replacing the cap portion 90 onto the body portion 50. The core layer 100 may serve as a guide for mating the cap portion 90 onto the body portion 50. The lobes 120 may function as wedges to provide mechanical engagement of the cap portion 90 to the body portion 50 when the container is reclosed. The cap portion 90 may have the same peripheral shape as the body portion 50 and may need to deform or stretch to fit over the lobes 120.

[0029] The body portion 50 can have a peripheral outer length 130 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L directly below one or more lobes 120. If the container 10 has a right cylindrical shape, the peripheral outer length 130 is the perimeter of the container's outer surface 10 directly below one or more lobes 120. If the container 10 has a prismatic shape, the peripheral outer length 130 is the sum of the widths of the surfaces of the prism. If the container has a square prismatic shape, the peripheral outer length 130 is four times the width of one surface of the prism. If multiple lobes 120 are provided, the peripheral outer length 130 is measured directly below the lobe 120 closest to the bottom shell edge 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.

[0030] Each lobe 120 can have a lobe exterior height 150 parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The lobe exterior height 150 is the largest dimension of the lobe 120 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L, and the datum from which the lobe exterior height 150 is measured is the line connecting the ends of the lobes 120 being measured. For semicircular or semi-elliptical lobes 120, the lobe exterior height 150 is the radius of the semicircle. For square lobes 120, the lobe exterior height 150 is the edge length of the square. For trapezoidal lobes 120, the lobe exterior height 150 is the height of the trapezoid. For triangular lobes 120, the lobe exterior height 150 is the height of the triangle. Adjacent lobes 120 can have different lobe exterior heights 150. Such lobes 120 having staggered lobe exterior heights 150 can provide variable engagement between cap portion 90 and body portion 50 depending on how far cap portion 90 descends toward body portion 50. Lobe exterior height 150 is a scalar quantity. Lobe exterior height can be from about 1 mm to about 30 mm.

[0031] Each lobe 120 may have a curved upper contour 122. The curved upper contour 122 may be easier to separate compared to an upper contour 122 with straight line segments. Furthermore, when the container 10 is opened and then the cap portion 90 is used to close the container 10, the curved upper contour 122 may more easily engage with the cap portion 90. The curved upper contour 122 may provide a gradual engagement or wedging of the cap portion 90 into the body portion 50. When a user deforms the cap portion 90 to fit onto the one or more lobes 120, the rounded or curved upper contour 122 provides a gradual engagement between the cap portion 90 and the one or more lobes 120 such that the one or more lobes 120 can be gently wedged between the cap portion 90 and the core layer 100.

[0032] Each lobe 120 can have a lobe outer length 140 perpendicular to or about the longitudinal axis L. If the body portion 50 is cylindrical, the lobe outer length 140 is measured on the outer surface of the body portion 50 and along the portion of the circumference of the body portion 50 where the characterized lobe 120 lies. If 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 the portion of the circumference of the body portion 50 where the characterized lobe 120 lies. A portion of the lobe 120 can be on an adjacent surface of the body portion 50.

[0033] The lobe exterior length 140 can be greater than about 5% of the peripheral exterior length, optionally greater than about 10% of the peripheral exterior length, optionally between about 5% of the peripheral length and about 30% of the peripheral length, optionally between about 5% of the peripheral length and about 20% of the peripheral length, and optionally between about 10% of the peripheral length and about 25% of the peripheral length. The lobe exterior length 140 can be between about 1 mm and about 60 mm. Each lobe 120 can have a lobe exterior length 140 to lobe exterior height 150 ratio of greater than about 1. Lobes 120 with such aspect ratios can provide a predetermined removable portion 70 that can be easily separated from the main body portion 50 of the container 10. The limited directional change in the lower limit line 60 reduces the likelihood of the tear-off line deviating from the lower limit line 60 when a given removable portion 70 is removed by pulling on the given removable portion 70 and separating the given removable portion 70 along the upper limit line 80 and lower limit line 60. Higher lobes 120 or lower limit line 60 with sharp angles or abrupt changes in direction may result in the tear-off line not optimally following the lower limit line 60 when the given removable portion 70 is removed.

[0034] Body portion 50 may include multiple lobes 120. For example, body portion 50 may include two lobes 120. The two lobes 120 may be spaced apart by a straight segment 170 of lower limit line 60. Optionally, the two lobes 120 may be on opposite sides of longitudinal axis L. Optionally, body portion 50 may include three or four lobes 120 spaced apart about longitudinal axis L, optionally evenly spaced apart about longitudinal axis L. Lobes 120 may be spaced apart from each other by about 10% to about 80% of peripheral outer length 130. Such spacing may be practical to provide space for cap portion 90 to deform and wedged fit over lobes 120 when re-engaging the cap portion with body portion 50 after the container is opened. Lobes 120 may be spaced apart from one another by about 1 mm to about 350 mm, optionally by about 10 mm to about 100 mm, optionally by about 20 mm to about 80 mm.

[0035] 2 shows an open container 10. In FIG. 2, the 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 between about 5% and about 50% of the peripheral outer length, and optionally between about 5% and about 30% of the peripheral outer length. Such an arrangement provides the core layer 100 with the ability to support the lobes 120 when the cap portion 90 is mated with the body portion 90 to close the container 10 after it is opened.

[0036] The core layer 100 may be discontinuous about the longitudinal axis L. This may simplify assembly of the container 10, as the vertical edges of the core layer 100 do not need to precisely mate and bond with one another.

[0037] 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 interior volume of the cap portion corresponding to a single dose. In that case, a completely 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 interior 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 and half cap portions 90 can be intuitive for a user to measure if no dosing indicia 260 is provided. Optionally, the dosing indicia 260 can be provided on the interior-facing surface 240 of the cap portion 90. The dosing indicia 260 can be printed lines, numbers, or graphics, embossed, debossed, photographic, or lettering that indicates to a user the amount of the contents of the container 10 needed for the intended use or to provide the intended benefit of the contents of the container 10. The dosing indicia 260 can be printed, embossed, or debossed onto a blank or portion of a blank from which the container 10 is assembled. The dosing indicia 260 can include a numerical indicator of a dose size to deliver an intended benefit. The dosing indicia 260 can be printed on what will become the interior-facing surface 240 of the cap portion 90 by a printing process selected from the group consisting of digital printing, flexography, letterpress, offset printing, rotogravure printing, and screen printing. The dosing indicia 260 can be printed, embossed, or debossed onto a flat paperboard surface on what will become the interior-facing surface 240 before the container 10 is assembled, which is a relatively simpler process than performing the same process on the interior of the assembled container 10.

[0038] The paper-based containers 10 described herein have certain advantages over plastic-based containers. In the case of plastic-based containers, the dosing indicia 260 can be molded into the cap. Molds for plastic parts are expensive. If a manufacturer of the contents of the container 10 desires to change the formula for the contents of the container 10, for example, by compacting the dosage form, a new mold must be used to create a cap with the marked dosing indicia molded in to provide the desired dosage. In the case of the paper-based containers 10 described herein, the dosing indicia can be changed inexpensively because it only requires changing the printing, embossing, or debossing process of the flat substrate from which the container 10 is assembled. Printing, embossing, and debossing of flat paper substrates tends to be a relatively inexpensive process for implementing and making changes compared to implementing and modifying plastic molding processes and manufacturing parts.

[0039] Before container 10 is opened for the first time, cap portion 90 is part of shell layer 20. Shell layer 20 can have an interior-facing surface 240 oriented toward longitudinal axis L and an opposing exterior-facing surface 242. Interior-facing surface 240 above lower limit line 60 can include at least one dosing indicia 260.

[0040] The cap portion interior 91 can have a cap portion interior volume of about 10 mL to about 400 mL. The container 10 can have a main body portion interior 51, and the main body portion interior volume from the bottom end 34 to the upper limit line 80 can be about 50 mL to 2000 mL. The cap portion interior volume can be about 0.5 to about 50% of the main body portion interior volume. This arrangement can provide the container 10 with about 1 to about 80 doses, optionally about 18 to about 20 doses, of the article 270.

[0041] The items 270 in the container can be filled up to a fill level 99. The fill level 99 can be below the core rim 180. Such an arrangement can be practical if the items 270 have a tendency to fall out the bottom of the container 10 when the container 10 is opened in an upright position. Items 270 that are particles can have a tendency to spill out of the container 10 when opened. The fill level 99 can be below the upper limit line 80. That fill level can reduce the likelihood of the items 270 accidentally spilling out of the container 10 when the container 10 is opened.

[0042] In the formed container 10, the shell layer 20 may include a longitudinal seam 230 that extends at least partway between the bottom shell edge 30 and the top shell edge 40, and optionally extends from the bottom shell edge 30 to the top shell edge 40 except for a predetermined removable portion 70. The longitudinal seam 230 may be a butt seam or a lap seam and may include adhesive or tape or may be heat sealed to help maintain the integrity of the longitudinal seam 230. The longitudinal seam 230 may be glued, taped, or heat sealed in spaced locations along the longitudinal seam 230. The longitudinal seam 230 may be a flange seam, in which both edges of the shell layer 20 along the longitudinal axis L each have a flange that is bonded to one another. The flange seal may be pinched toward the interior of the container 10 or oriented outward from the container 10 with a more dispersed pinching toward the interior of the separate containers 10. The flanges of the flange seal that make up the longitudinal seam 230 can be glued, taped, or heat sealed to one another.

[0043] 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 40. A given removable portion 70 can have a given removable portion maximum height 290 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The given removable portion maximum height 290 is measured at an appropriate location away from the lobe 120. The cap portion height 280 can be greater than the given removable portion height 290. Such an arrangement can provide a cap portion 90 that can fully fit into the core layer 20 to close the container 10 after opening.

[0044] A user opens the container 10 by removing a given removable portion 70 from the container 10. The cap portion 90 is then separated from the body portion 90, allowing the user to access the contents of the container 10. After removing a portion of the contents of the container 10, the user can reclose the container 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the cap wall interior-facing surface 240 is oriented toward the longitudinal axis L. A lobe 120 or multiple lobes 120 can be wedged between the cap wall interior-facing surface 240 and the core layer 100. As described herein, the cap portion 90 and the body portion 50 are formed from the shell layer 20. The lobes 120 are integral extensions of the body portion 50. As such, the cap portion 90 cannot fit over the lobes 120 unless the lip 23 of the cap portion 90 deforms to fit over or slide over the lobes 120. For a cylindrical cap portion 90, a user can gently squeeze opposite sides of the cap wall 92, which applies a hoop stress to the cap wall 92. Deforming the cap wall 92 in this manner can provide space for a portion of the cap wall 92 away from where the squeezing force is applied, deforming away from the longitudinal axis L and sliding over the lobe or lobes 120. Once the user stops squeezing the cap wall 92 and thereby relieves the hoop stress, the cap wall 92 relaxes, leaving the lobe or lobes 120 wedged between the core layer 100 and the cap wall inner facing surface 240. The friction fit and wedging of the cap portion 90 into the body portion 50 can help ensure a secure closure of the container 10. The friction fit and interruption provide a resistance force in the direction of the longitudinal axis L when the cap 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 if the closed container 10 is tipped or turned upside down.

[0045] 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the container 10 after it has been opened by first removing a given removable portion 70 to separate the cap portion 90, and then reclosed by replacing the cap portion 90 onto the body portion 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the cap portion 90 can be deformed to fit over the lobes 120. The lobes 120 are wedged between the cap wall inner-facing surface 240 and the core layer 100.

[0046] Body portion 50 can include one or more lobes 120. If only a single lobe 120 is provided, reclosed cap portion 90 can be fitted over lobe 120, and the interior facing surface 240 of core layer 100 opposite the location of lobe 120 can contact core layer 100. Wedging lobe 120 between cap portion 100 and core layer 100, combined with frictional engagement between interior facing surface 240 of cap portion 90 and core layer 100 opposite lobe 120, can be sufficient to maintain container 10 in a fairly secure closed state after initial opening of container 10.

[0047] Multiple lobes 120 provide additional interposition locations to more securely close a previously opened container 10. Two lobes 120 may be conveniently positioned on either side of the longitudinal axis L. In that arrangement, a user may 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, thereby causing locations at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions along the lip 23 to deform outward and slide over the lobes 120.

[0048] The four lobes 120 may be conveniently equally spaced at the 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, and 10:30 positions on the body portion 50. A user may gently pinch the lip 23 at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions to deform the lip 23, thereby deforming locations along the lip 23 corresponding to the lobes 120, to fit over the four lobes 120.

[0049] The container 10 can be a regular prism, optionally a rectangular prism (FIG. 5). The base 32 of the container 10 can have a shape selected from the group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, an oval, an ellipse, and a stadium. The container can have a shape selected from the group consisting of a regular rectangular prism, a regular triangular prism, a regular square prism, a regular pentagonal prism, a regular hexagonal prism, a regular heptagonal prism, a regular octagonal prism, a right cylinder, a right oval, a right ellipse, and a regular stadium, as well as substantially such shapes within typical manufacturing tolerances, including lap seams, and allowing for slight variations in shape that may occur as a result of longitudinal seams, in the core and / or shell layers used to assemble the container 10. The container 10 can have an interior or exterior cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L selected from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, an irregular rounded shape, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, an ellipse, an oval, and a stadium. Straight rectangular prisms, straight square prisms, and straight triangular prisms can be efficiently packaged in outer cases, pallets, or shelves. Straight rectangular prisms and straight square prisms are well suited for e-commerce distribution. Rounded containers 10, such as right cylinders, straight ovals, straight ellipses, and straight stadiums, can be structurally stable due to their curved shells along the longitudinal axis L.

[0050] The cap end 93 may be an insert within the top of the container 10, as shown in FIG. 6 . The cap end 93 may be paperboard or corrugated. The cap end 93 may include a flange 94 extending peripherally therefrom. The flange 94 may be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior-facing surface 240 of the cap portion 90. Optionally, the flange 94 may be sandwiched within a folded extension 96 that integrally extends from the shell top edge 40. The folded extension 96 may be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the flange 94, which may optionally be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior-facing surface 240 of the cap portion 90. A similar construction may be provided to form the bottom end 34. The bottom end 34 may include a flange 94 extending peripherally therefrom. The flange 94 may be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior-facing surface 240 of the body portion 50. Optionally, flange 94 may be sandwiched within a folded extension 96 that extends integrally from bottom shell edge 30 of body portion 50. Folded extension 96 may be glued, taped, or heat sealed to flange 94. Flange 94 may optionally be glued, taped, or heat sealed to interior facing surface 240 of body portion 50. Using a folded extension 96 with flange 94 positioned between opposing portions of the folded extension 96 and glued, taped, or heat sealed to the folded extension 96 may provide a sturdy container 10. Cap end 93 may be bonded to shell layer 20 using a cold, hot melt, or pressure sensitive adhesive, or heat seal, or tape, or other bond.

[0051] The container 10 may be a closed-ended container. The top shell edge 40 may be closed by a cap end 93. The bottom shell edge 30 may be closed by a bottom end 34. The cap end 93 may be opposite the bottom end 34. The cap end 93 may be proximal to the apex of the top shell edge 40, forming a closed end at the top shell edge 40. The bottom end 34 may be proximal to the bottom shell edge 30, forming a closed end at the bottom shell edge 30.

[0052] 7, container 10 can include structure that can provide for convenient removal of contents from container 10. Core layer 100 can extend to core rim 180 above upper limit line 80. In this arrangement, core layer 100 can provide backside support for one or more lobes 120 when the lobes are used to securely reclose container 10. Core rim 180 can be below shell top edge 40 to allow cap portion 90 to mate with core layer 100.

[0053] The simple construction of container 10 is such that longitudinal seam 230 is closer to the lowest point of core rim 180 than to the highest point of core rim 180, which may simplify the layout of the blank from which container 10 is erected. Core rim 180 is positioned a rim distance 190 from shell bottom edge 30 as measured parallel to longitudinal axis L. Rim distance 190 may be a function of position about longitudinal axis L.

[0054] Figure 2 illustrates a container 10 in which the rim distance 190 is not a function of position about the longitudinal axis L. For the container 10 illustrated in Figure 2, the rim distance 190 is constant. Including a non-flat profile in the core 180 can provide for convenient removal of the contents of the container 10.

[0055] The core rim 180 can have a rim distance maximum point 200 and a rim distance minimum point 210 relative to the shell bottom edge 30 ( FIG. 8 ). The rim distance maximum point 200 and the rim distance minimum point 210 are locations, not scalar quantities. Variations in the rim distance 190 can provide a structure that functions as a spout or weir to help control removal from the container 10. One practical arrangement is a core rim 180 that is elliptical. For a cylindrical core layer 100, the core rim 180 can be defined by a cylindrical cross-section, although there may be small discontinuities along the height of the container 10. Similarly, for a prismatically shaped container 10, the core rim 180 can be defined by a prismatic cross-section. For example, the core rim 180 in FIG. 5 , depicted diagrammatically with dashed lines, can be rectangular. The core rim 180 can be parallel to a plane oriented at an angle greater than about 5 degrees from the plane relative 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, or even more than about 20 degrees, about 30 degrees, or about 40 degrees from the plane relative to the shell bottom edge 30. The rim distance maximum 200 can be the location on the core rim 180 from which the contents of the container 10 can be poured.

[0056] The shell top edge 40 may be above the highest rim distance 200, exceeding the predetermined removable portion height 290. This may provide sufficient space for the removed cap portion 90 to fit onto one or more lobes 120 to reclose the container 10.

[0057] To provide improved 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%, optionally between about 5% and about 75%, optionally between about 5% and about 50%, and optionally between about 5% and about 30% of the peripheral outer length 130. In that arrangement, the core layer 100 can support the backside of the lobe or lobes 120 and the shell layer 20 of the body portion 50.

[0058] The highest rim distance point 200 and the lowest rim distance point 210 can be positioned such that the longitudinal axis L is between the highest rim distance point 200 and the lowest rim distance point 210. This arrangement can help a user easily identify a location along the core rim 180 that can be conveniently used to pour the contents of the container 10.

[0059] In one practical configuration, the core layer 100 may be discontinuous about the longitudinal axis L at a location within about 40 degrees, even within about 20 degrees, even within about 10 degrees, or even within about 5 degrees of the rim distance minimum point 210, as measured about the longitudinal axis L. Such a positioned discontinuity may provide a convenient design for the blank from which the container 10 is constructed and may also provide a visual cue to the user as to how to align the container 10 in the user's hand when pouring from the container 10. The core layer 100 may be discontinuous over a width about 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 assembled container 10, the core layer 20 extends at least partially about the longitudinal axis L, or even entirely about the longitudinal axis L. The width can be measured between the core layer side edges 21. The width of the discontinuities 19 can be narrower than the smallest dimension of the articles 270. The width of the discontinuities 19 can be sized and dimensioned to retain the articles 270 stored in the container 10. The width of the discontinuities 19 can be sized and dimensioned to prevent the articles 270 stored in the container 10 from passing through the discontinuities 19. This can reduce the likelihood of the articles 270 unintentionally passing through the discontinuities 19 when the container 10 is opened or when the articles 270 are removed from the container 10. The width can be equal to or smaller than the nominal sieve opening size at which 100% by weight of the articles 270 are retained in the container 10. The width of the discontinuities 19 can be smaller than the size of each of the individual articles 270 in the container 10.

[0060] The longitudinal seam 230 can be within about 40 degrees of the lowest rim distance point 210 as measured about the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the longitudinal seam 230 can be within about 20 degrees, or within about 10 degrees, or within about 5 degrees of the lowest rim distance point 210 as measured about the longitudinal axis L. A blank for such a container 10 can be conveniently designed and practically assembled.

[0061] The cap end 93 may be formed by flaps 98 that are integral extensions of the shell layer 20 that form the cap portion 90. The flaps 98 may be folded over one another and attached to one another by tape, an adhesive such as a cold, hot melt, or pressure sensitive adhesive, or by heat sealing or other types of bonding (FIG. 9). Similarly, the bottom end 34 may be formed by the same structure, with the flaps 98 being integral extensions of the shell layer 20 that form the body portion 50.

[0062] The core rim 180 may include a notch 185 to direct and pour the contents of the container 10 ( FIG. 10 ). The notch 185 may be a V-shaped notch, a semicircular notch, a trapezoidal notch, or another shape that may direct the flow of the granular material. The notch 185 may be located proximate the rim distance maximum point 200. The notch 185 may be positioned opposite the longitudinal seam 230. The notch 185 may have a depth below the core rim 180 that is greater than about 10% of the peripheral outer length 130. The notch 185 may function as a weir to provide controllable pouring from the container 10.

[0063] Various structures are contemplated to assist a user in removing a given removable portion 70 ( FIG. 11 ). A given removable portion 70 may include a free end 112 for initiating separation of the given removable portion 70 from the container 10. A user can pull on the free end 112 to initiate separation of the given removable portion 70 away from the body portion 50 and the cap portion 90. The free end 112 may have a pull-tab shape, such as a trapezoidal end, a semicircular end, a triangular end, or a curved end. The free end 112 may be circumferentially wider than the upper limit line 80 and the lower limit line 60. The free end 112 may be circumferentially wider than the upper limit line 80 and the lower limit line 60 by about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The free end 112 or tear strip 110 may be positioned at the longitudinal seam 230. Positioned in this manner, the lower limit line 60 and the upper limit line do not need to intersect the longitudinal seam 230. This can reduce the likelihood of tearing the longitudinal seam 230 when separating a given removable portion 70 from the container 10 .

[0064] The free end 112 of a given removable portion can be located at a location where the core layer 100 is discontinuous about the longitudinal axis L. Such a location can simplify the design of the blank from which the container 10 is constructed, since the ends of the tear-off strips 110 can be located at the lateral edges of the blank.

[0065] If the container 10 includes a core rim 180 that is at an angle to the longitudinal axis L, or includes some other structure that enhances removal from the container 10, the free end 112 may be within about 40 degrees, optionally within about 20 degrees, optionally within about 10 degrees, and optionally within about 5 degrees of the longitudinal seam 230, as measured about the longitudinal axis L. The longitudinal seam 230 may be unconnected or only slightly connected below a given removable portion 70 so that the given removable portion 70 can be easily separated from the container 10 proximal to the longitudinal seam 230. The longitudinal seam 230 may extend from the shell bottom edge 30 to the shell top edge 40, excluding the given removable portion 70. The longitudinal seam 230 may extend from the shell bottom edge 30 to the shell top edge 40, excluding the given removable portion 70, and may be glued, taped, or heat sealed along the longitudinal seam 230.

[0066] As a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 11, the line of weakness 160 can be defined by a plurality of structural discontinuities 16 in the shell layer 20 that are spaced apart from one another.

[0067] FIG. 12 is a partial view of container 10, showing additional details of the optional tear-off strip 110 described above. The optional tear-off strip 110 can provide enhanced control for removing a given removable portion 70 from container 10. The tear-off strip 110 can have a starting end 220 that is exterior to the container 10. If the container 10 includes a core rim 180 that is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis L, or some other structure that enhances removal from the container 10, the tear-off strip 110 can have a starting end 220 that is within about 40 degrees, optionally within about 20 degrees, optionally within about 10 degrees, and optionally within about 5 degrees of the lowest point 210, as measured about the longitudinal axis L. The tear-off strip 110 begins proximal to or at the longitudinal seam 230, as may be practical.

[0068] The optional parting strip 110 can be positioned at a location where the core layer 100 is discontinuous about the longitudinal axis L. Such a location can simplify the design of the blank from which the container 10 is constructed, as the ends of the parting strip 110 can be positioned at the lateral edges of the blank. When the container 10 is assembled, the parting strip 110 is positioned near the longitudinal seam 230.

[0069] 12, the line of weakness 160 can be defined by multiple spaced apart structural breaks 161 in the shell layer 20. A lobe 120 can be defined by more than two structural breaks 161.

[0070] The container 10 may actually be formed from a container blank 12, as shown in FIG. 13. The blank 12 may be assembled into the container 10 by wrapping the blank 12 around a mandrel, transforming the flat blank 12 into a partially formed container 10. The cap ends 93 may be mechanically fitted or captured by folding the paperboard shell layer 20 to form a lip, or may be fitted to the open top and bottom and glued, taped, or heat sealed to form the container 10. Optionally, the flaps 98 that extend to form the shell layer 20 may be folded and glued, taped, or heat sealed to each other to form the top and bottom of the container 10. Hot melt or pressure sensitive adhesives, tape, or heat sealing may be practical. Other well-known joining or welding techniques may be used.

[0071] The container blank 12 may be a laminate of paperboard material. The blank 12 may include a paperboard shell layer 20. The shell layer 20 may include two lateral edges 22 on either side of the central axis A. The paperboard shell layer 20 may include a bottom shell edge 30 extending between the lateral edges 22 perpendicular to the central axis A. The paperboard shell layer 20 may include a top shell edge 40 opposite the bottom shell edge and extending between the lateral edges 22. Like the container 10, the shell layer 20 of the blank 12 may include a body portion 50 extending from the bottom shell edge 30 to a lower limit line 60. The shell layer 20 may include a predetermined removable portion 70 extending from the lower limit line to an upper limit line 80. The upper limit line 80 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central axis A. A cap portion 90 may extend from the upper limit line 80 to the top shell edge 40.

[0072] The paperboard core layer 100 can be provided in face-to-face relationship with the shell layer 20. The core layer 100 can be glued, 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 glued, taped, heat sealed, or otherwise bonded to the shell layer 20.

[0073] The core layer 100 can extend from and be integral with one of the lateral edges 22, or can be folded around the lateral edges 22. That is, the shell layer 20 and core layer 100 can be formed from a single sheet of paperboard. Constructing the blank 12 from a single sheet of paperboard can be attractive because it eliminates the need to precisely position individual sheets of paperboard relative to one another during assembly. Furthermore, a single die cut can be performed to construct the shell layer 20 and core layer 100 from a single flat sheet. The single die-cut sheet can be folded along intended locations of the lateral edges 22 to place the core layer 100 in face-to-face relationship with the shell layer 20 to form the two-layer blank 12. Optionally, the core layer 100 and shell layer 20 can be non-integral. For example, the shell layer 20 and core layer 100 can be individual pieces of paperboard that are assembled to form the blank 12.

[0074] When core layer 100 is in face-to-face relationship with shell layer 20, core rim 180 can be positioned a rim distance 190 from bottom shell edge 30 as measured parallel to central axis A. If a core rim 180 defined by a circle perpendicular to longitudinal axis L is desired for container 10, rim distance 190 can be constant.

[0075] The rim distance 190 can be a function of distance from the central axis A. Such an arrangement can be used to create a core rim 180 that varies in distance from the bottom edge 30 as a function of position about 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 located at the central axis A. When the container 10 is assembled, the highest point 200 can be opposite the longitudinal seam 230.

[0076] The core rim 180 of the blank 12 may be sinusoidal. Blanks 12 having sinusoidal core rims 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 the central axis A. The interior angle is an interior angle across the core layer 100. When a blank 12 constructed in this manner is rolled about the longitudinal axis L, the resulting core 180 is inclined relative to the bottom shell edge 30. The lateral edges of the core layer 100 can be shorter than the core layer 100 along the central axis A. If a prismatic container 10 is desired, the shape of the core rim 180 of the blank 12 can be designed so that the container's core rim 180 has the desired shape when the blank 12 is folded about the longitudinal axis.

[0077] The blank 12 can be designed so that the shell top edge 40 is spaced from the shell bottom edge 30 by a distance greater than the rim distance maximum 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 can provide a cap portion 90 that can fit over a portion of the core layer 100 that sits 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 given removable portion 70 can have a given removable portion maximum height 290 measured parallel to the central axis A, and the cap portion height 280 can be greater than the given removable portion height 290.

[0078] To provide enhanced control over the separation path of a given removable portion 70 , the given removable portion 70 may extend across and between the lateral edges 22 of the shell layer 20 .

[0079] The lines of weakness 160 can be provided in the blank 12. If the paperboard layers are die-cut, the die can include a crease and cut knife, a partial cut knife, a reverse partial cut knife, or a perforation knife, or a combination thereof, to form the lines of weakness 160. Optionally, the lines of weakness 160 can 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 applying a separate die, or a score line or intermittent score line, or laser cut, or the like to the shell layer 20.

[0080] To form a container 10 in which core layer 100 protrudes above lower limit line 60 sufficiently to act as a guide for returning cap portion 90 to body portion 50 to reclose the container, core layer 100 can extend above upper limit line 80 by more than about 5%, between about 5% and about 50%, and optionally between about 5% and about 30% of body portion length 52. Body portion length 52 is measured between lateral edges 22 immediately below lower limit line 60 and perpendicular to central axis A.

[0081] The paperboard from which the blank 12 is constructed can be printed. For example, the shell layer interior-facing surface 240 can be provided with dosing indicia 260. A portion of the core layer 100 can be in facing relationship with the shell layer 20. The dosing indicia 260 can be provided on the interior-facing surface 240 above the lower limit line 60. Printing can also be provided on the exterior surface of the container formed by the shell layer 20. Printing on a flat sheet, or reel, or piece of paperboard is technically simpler than printing on a formed container 10. For example, printing the dosing indicia 260 and printing on the exterior of the container 10 can be done on a continuous web of paperboard stock. The paperboard stock can be cut to form the blank 12 or components of the blank 12.

[0082] The optional tear-off strip 110 can be attached to a given removable portion 70 before or after die-cutting the shell layer 20. The optional tear-off strip 110 can be between the core layer 100 and the shell layer 20.

[0083] One or more lobes 120 may be provided in the blank 12. The body portion 50 may include the lobes 120 immediately below the lower limit line 60. The body portion 50 may have a body portion length 52 measured between the lateral edges 22 perpendicular to the central axis A immediately below the one or more lobes 120. The one or more lobes 120 may have a lobe length 142 perpendicular to the central axis A, where the lobe length may be greater than about 5%, optionally greater than about 10%, optionally between about 5% and about 30%, and optionally between about 5% and about 20% of the body portion length 52. Additionally, the one or more lobes 120 may have a lobe outer height 150 parallel to the central axis A, where the ratio of the lobe length 142 to the lobe outer height 150 may be greater than 1.

[0084] Like container 10, blank 12 can include multiple lobes 120. Also, upper limit line 80 can be perpendicular to central axis A. Container blank 12 can include two lobes 120 spaced apart by a straight segment 170 of lower limit line 60. Body portion 50 can include two lobes 120, and the lobes 120 can be on opposite sides of central axis A. The lobes 120 can be spaced apart by about 10% to about 80% of lobe length 142.

[0085] The one or more lobes 120 provided as part of the blank can be sized and dimensioned to provide one or more lobes 120 in the assembled container 10. The lobes 120 can be spaced apart from one another by about 10% to about 80% of the lobe length 142. The one or more lobes 120 can have a curved upper profile 122, and adjacent lobes 120 can have different lobe exterior heights 150.

[0086] A similar blank 12 is shown in Figure 14, which may be formed from a unitary sheet of paperboard. The die-cut blank 12 may be shaped as desired and may be provided with a line of weakness 160. If desired, a tear-off strip 110 may be bonded to the shell layer 20 at a desired location. The line of weakness 160 may be provided before or after bonding the tear-off strip 110 to a given removable portion 70.

[0087] The core layer 100 can be folded about the lateral edges 22 to form the blank 12, placing the shell layer 20 of the core layer 100 in face-to-face relationship with 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 to the assembled container 10.

[0088] It may be practical to provide a core layer 100 in which at least a portion of two core layer side edges 21 abut or overlap one another ( FIGS. 15 and 16 ). The portions of the core layer side edges 21 that abut or overlap one another may be at least between the lower limit line 60 and the upper limit line 80. The portions of the core layer side edges 21 that abut or overlap one another may be between the shell bottom edge 30 and the upper limit line 80. The portions of the core layer side edges 21 that abut or overlap one another may extend only partway between the shell bottom edge 30 and the upper limit line 80. Providing only two core layer side edges 21 that abut or overlap one another may enhance the handling and assembly capabilities of the blank 12 to form the container 10.

[0089] The core layer 100 can have two core layer side edges 21, and the core layer 100 can extend between the side edges 21 about the longitudinal axis L. Such an arrangement can result in a portion of the container 10 that is locally thicker from the base 32 along the height of the container 10. After opening the container 10, the cap portion 90 can be wedged or otherwise forced onto the lower limit line 60 of the body portion 50 to tightly engage the cap portion 90 with the body portion 50. The cap portion 90 can be flexible or deformable enough to stretch or fit over the lower limit line 60 around the circumference of the body portion 50 about the longitudinal axis L, or the body portion 50 proximal to the lower limit line 60 can deform to wedge into the cap portion 90 fitted to the body portion. The interruption fit between the cap portion 90 and the body portion 50 can be strong enough to help reduce the likelihood of the contents of the container 10 spilling when a previously open container 10 closed with the cap portion 90 is accidentally tipped or tipped over. Providing an abutting or overlapping relationship at the side edges 21 of the core layer 100 can also help reduce the likelihood of the articles 270 spilling out of the container 10 when it is opened, particularly when the fill level 99 is above the lower limit line 60, and can help reduce the likelihood of the articles 270 pouring uncontrollably from gaps in the core layer 100 when the article 270 is removed from the container 10 if the body portion 50 was not carefully oriented such that a discontinuity in the core layer 100 is higher than the location on the core rim 180 where the article 270 might be dispensed or poured. It may be noted that the cap portion 90 can have the same seam and shape as the shell layer 20 proximate the lower limit line 60. In this manner, 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 to allow the cap portion 90 to be snap-fit ​​onto the body portion 50 .

[0090] The side edges 21 of the core layer 100 can be joined to one another by abutting seams 231 or can be part of a longitudinal core lap seam 232. The abutting seams 231 can be formed by taping or otherwise joining the side edges 21 of the core layer 100. The core lap seam 232 can be formed by gluing or heat sealing the side edges 21 in an overlapping relationship. The side edges 21 can be part of the longitudinal core lap seam 232. Optionally, the core lap seam 232 can be nested with the overlapping longitudinal seam 230. A non-limiting example of a nesting relationship is shown in FIG. 15. The overlapping longitudinal seam 230 and the core lap seam 232 are overlapped about the longitudinal axis L in the same direction from outside to inside (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, shown counterclockwise in FIG. 15). Outer is used in the sense that the outer side is further away from the longitudinal axis L than the inner side. By providing the overlap longitudinal seam 230 and the core overlap seam 232, the container 10 can be provided with additional local wall thickness 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, tightly engaging the cap portion 90 with the body portion 50, by a mechanism the same as or similar to that discussed above with respect to abutting the side edges 21 together.

[0091] For containers 10 that are substantially right cylindrical, it may be practical to provide a longitudinal core lap seam 232 or abutment seam 232 in that the core layer 100 may not have an exactly circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. If the shell layer 20 has a longitudinal seam 230 that is an lap seam, the cap portion 90 may not have an exactly circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Because the shell layer 20 and core layer 100 may be bonded to one another and the constituent paperboard material 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 removal of the cap portion 90, the cap portion 90 can be re-fitted 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 interrupt-fitted together by offsetting the longitudinal seam 230 of the shell layer with the core lap seam 232 when refitting the cap portion 90 onto the core layer 100. This can be achieved by offsetting the longitudinal seam 230 with the core lap seam 232 before fitting the cap portion 90 onto the core layer 100. This can optionally be achieved by mating the cap portion 90 at the longitudinal seam 230 to the core layer 100 and core lap seam 232, positioning the longitudinal seam 230 in alignment or nearly aligned, and then rotating the cap portion 90 slightly about the longitudinal axis L to cam the interior of the cap portion 90 with the exterior of the shell layer 20. The engagement mechanism can be thought of as two concentric ellipses, one slightly rotated relative to the other about the longitudinal axis. The shape of the outer ellipses can resist relative rotation of the inner ellipses, or vice versa, and with some degree of rotation between the ellipses, the normal forces generated between the two ellipses, combined with the coefficients of friction of the materials forming the ellipses, can fix the rotational relationship of the ellipses within some range of rotational forces applied in either direction about the longitudinal axis L. The resulting frictional forces can also resist separation of the cap portion 90 from the shell layer 20 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.Because the core layer 100 and shell layer 20 are paperboard materials, the cap portion 90 and the portion of the core layer 100 above the lower limit line 60 can deform slightly to fairly securely engage the cap portion 90 with the core layer 100. This engagement mechanism may not require as much deformation as an engagement mechanism in which the lip 23 of the cap portion 90 fits into the shell layer 20 proximal to the lower limit line 60.

[0092] The two side edges 21 and the overlapping longitudinal seam 230 may be within about 15 degrees of each other about the longitudinal axis L.

[0093] Providing a core layer 100 in which at least a portion of the two core layer side edges 21 abut or overlap one another may be practical to provide a continuous core rim 180. A continuous core rim 180 may be desirable to allow items 270 in the container 10 to be removed or poured from the container 10 at any position about the longitudinal axis L. A continuous core rim 180 may also allow items 270 to be filled up to a fill level 99 above the lower limit line 60 and below the lowest point of the core rim 180.

[0094] FIG. 17 shows a blank 12 for forming a container 10 having a core layer 100 with an abutment seam 231 or core lap seam 232. To form such a butt seam 231 or core lap seam 232, the paperboard core layer 100 can have two core layer side edges 21. When the core layer 100 is in a face-to-face 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, with one of the side edges 21 being further 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 from the central axis A than one of the lateral edges 22. 17 in that such features may correspond to a blank 12 in which the core layer 100 is offset from the shell layer 20 relative to the central axis A, as shown in FIG. 17. The blank 12 shown in FIG. 17 may be folded or wrapped around a mandrel with one of the side edges 21 in 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 may be positioned further away from the central axis A so as to sufficiently overlap the core layer 100 to form a core overlap seam 232 when the blank 12 is folded or wrapped around a mandrel.

[0095] Examples are as follows: A. A container (10) comprising: a paperboard shell layer (20) extending about a longitudinal axis (L) from a bottom shell edge (30) to a top shell edge (40), the shell layer comprising: a body portion (50) extending from the bottom edge of the shell to a lower limit line (60); a predetermined removable portion (70) extending from said lower limit line to an upper limit line (80); and a paperboard shell layer (20) having a cap portion (90) extending from the upper limit line to the top edge of the shell; a paperboard core layer (100) inside the shell layer; the shell layer has an interior-facing surface (240) oriented toward the longitudinal axis, the interior-facing surface above the lower limit line bearing at least one dosage indicia (260); the core layer is coupled to the body portion and extends from below the lower limit line to above the upper limit line; A container (10) wherein the shell layer has an overlapping longitudinal seam (230) extending at least partway between the bottom shell edge and the top shell edge. B. A container as described in paragraph A, wherein the core layer has two core layer side edges (21) extending between the side edges about the longitudinal axis, and at least a portion of the two core layer side edges abutting or overlapping one another. C. A container according to paragraph B, wherein the side edges are joined together by abutment seams (231) or are part of a longitudinal core overlap seam (232). D. A container according to paragraphs B or C, wherein the side edge is part of a longitudinal core lap seam (232), the core lap seam being nested with the lap longitudinal seam. E. A container according to any of paragraphs B-D, wherein the side edge is part of a longitudinal core lap seam (232). F. A container according to any of paragraphs B-E, wherein the two side edges and the overlapping longitudinal seam are within about 15 degrees of each other about the longitudinal axis. G. The container of any of paragraphs A-F, wherein the container contains a plurality of articles (270), the articles including fragrances. H. A container according to any of paragraphs A-G, wherein the core layer extends to a core rim (180) above the upper limit line, and wherein the container contains a plurality of articles (270) including a fragrance, the articles being filled into the container to a fill level (99) below the core rim, and optionally the fill level being below the upper limit line. I. A container according to any of paragraphs A-H, wherein the core layer extends to a core rim (180) above the upper limit line, the core rim being positioned a rim distance (190) from the bottom edge of the shell when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rim distance being a function of position about the longitudinal axis, and the core rim having a maximum rim distance point (200) and a minimum rim distance point (210) relative to the bottom edge of the shell. J. The container of paragraph I, wherein said longitudinal axis is between said highest point and said lowest point. K. The container of either paragraph I or J, wherein the core rim is parallel to a plane oriented at an angle greater than about 5 degrees from the plane relative to the shell bottom edge. L. A container according to any of paragraphs A-K, wherein at any position about 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, and the given removable portion has a given removable portion maximum height (290) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the cap portion height is greater than the given removable portion maximum height. M. A container as described in any of paragraphs A-L, wherein the body portion comprises a lobe (120) immediately below the lower limit line and has a peripheral exterior length (130) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis immediately below the lobe, the lobe having a lobe exterior length (140) perpendicular to or about the longitudinal axis, the lobe exterior length being greater than about 5% of the peripheral exterior length, the lobe having an exterior lobe height (150) parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the lobe having a ratio of exterior lobe length to exterior lobe height greater than about 1. N. The container of paragraph M, wherein said body portion comprises a plurality of said lobes spaced apart from one another by about 10% to about 80% of said peripheral outer length. O. A vessel according to paragraph M or N, wherein the lobes have upper contours (122) that are curved about the longitudinal axis. P. The vessel of any of paragraphs A-O, wherein the vessel is a right cylinder, optionally a substantially right cylinder. Q. The container of any of paragraphs A-P, wherein the container is a regular prism. R. The container of any of paragraphs A-Q, wherein the container further comprises a release strip (110) between the predetermined removable portion and the core layer and extending at least partially around the longitudinal axis, the release strip being bonded to the predetermined removable portion, the release strip having a starting end (220) exterior to the container, the starting end being within about 40 degrees of where the two core layer side edges abut or overlap one another. S. A container according to any of paragraphs A-R, wherein the side edge is part of a longitudinal core lap seam (232), the longitudinal core lap seam extending only partway between the shell bottom edge and the upper limit line.

[0096] Dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not 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 paperboard shell layer (20) extending about a longitudinal axis (L) and from a bottom shell edge (30) to a top shell edge (40), said paperboard shell layer comprising: a body portion (50) extending from the bottom edge of the shell to a lower limit line (60); a predetermined removable portion (70) extending from said lower limit line to an upper limit line (80); and a paperboard shell layer (20) having a cap portion (90) extending from the upper limit line to the shell top edge; a paperboard core layer (100) inside the paperboard shell layer; the paperboard shell layer has an interior facing surface (240) oriented toward the longitudinal axis, the interior facing surface above the lower limit line bearing at least one dosing indicia (260); the paperboard core layer is joined to the body portion and extends from below the lower limit line to above the upper limit line; the paperboard shell layer having an overlapping longitudinal seam (230) extending at least partway between the bottom shell edge and the top shell edge; Container (10) wherein the body portion comprises a lobe (120) directly below the lower limit line and has a peripheral outer length (130) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis directly below the lobe, the lobe having a lobe outer length (140) perpendicular to or about the longitudinal axis, the lobe outer length being greater than 5% of the peripheral outer length, the lobe having a lobe outer height (150) parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the ratio of the lobe outer length to the lobe outer height of the lobe being greater than 1.

2. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the paperboard core layer has two core layer side edges (21) extending between the core layer side edges around the longitudinal axis, and at least a portion of the two core layer side edges abutting or overlapping each other.

3. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein at least some of the core layer side edges are joined together by abutment seams (231) or are part of a longitudinal core overlap seam (232).

4. 4. The container of claim 2 or 3, wherein the core layer side edge is part of a longitudinal core lap seam (232), the longitudinal core lap seam being nested with the lap longitudinal seam.

5. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the core layer side edge is part of a longitudinal core lap seam (232), the longitudinal core lap seam extending at least partway between the shell bottom edge and the upper limit line.

6. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the two core layer side edges and the overlap 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), the articles including fragrances.

8. 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the paperboard core layer extends to a core rim (180) above the upper limit line, and the container contains a plurality of articles (270) including a fragrance, the articles being filled in the container to a fill level (99) below the core rim, the fill level being below the upper limit line.

9. The container of claim 1 , wherein the container is a right cylinder.

10. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the paperboard core layer extends to a core rim (180) above the upper limit line, the core rim being positioned a rim distance (190) from the bottom shell edge when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rim distance being a function of position about the longitudinal axis, and the core rim having a highest rim distance point (200) and a lowest rim distance point (210) relative to the bottom shell edge.

11. 11. The container of claim 10, wherein the core rim is parallel to a plane oriented at an angle greater than 5 degrees out of plane with respect to the shell bottom edge.

12. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein at any position about 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, and the predetermined removable portion has a predetermined removable portion maximum height (290) measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the cap portion height is greater than the predetermined removable portion maximum height.

13. 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of the lobes spaced apart from one another, the spacing between the lobes being at least 10% of the outer peripheral length.

14. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the container further comprises a tear-off strip (110) between the predetermined removable portion and the paperboard core layer and extending at least partially around the longitudinal axis, the tear-off strip being bonded to the predetermined removable portion, the tear-off strip having a starting end (220) exterior to the container, the starting end being within 40 degrees of where the two core layer side edges abut or overlap one another.

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