WO2009047747A2

WO2009047747A2 - Reducable sized cardboard containers

Info

Publication number: WO2009047747A2
Application number: PCT/IL2007/001213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yosef Oringer
Original assignee: Yosef Oringer
Priority date: 2007-10-07
Filing date: 2007-10-07
Publication date: 2009-04-16
Also published as: WO2009047747A3

Abstract

A reducible size rectangular shaped cardboard container, including, a cardboard container with four rectangular shaped walls, flaps extending from the walls downward forming a sealable bottom, flaps extending from the walls upward forming a sealable top, and perforation marks around the circumference of the container at one or more positions along the height of the container. Wherein the perforation marks at a specific position define a container of reduced height with a similar sealable top as the original container, when discarding the cardboard from above the specific position.

Description

REDUCABLE SIZED CARDBOARD CONTAINERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers for consumable content that can be reduced in size after consumption of some of the content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many food products and other consumable items are marketed for the consumer in rectangular shaped cardboard containers. In contrast to a bag, the size of the container remains the same even if most of the content is consumed.

In many households a large amount of cupboard space in the kitchen is used up to store multiple cardboard containers with food products that are partially used up. This introduces pressure on the family to limit the variety (e.g. of breakfast cereals) due to limitations in storage space. Additionally, the family may limit the size of the containers it purchases, for example by purchasing a smaller size container with the product instead of a larger economy size.

One option for dealing with this problem is to transfer the content from the cardboard containers to plastic containers of various sizes according to the volume left. However this requires that the family maintain a collection of plastic containers, which also requires storage space. Additionally, the plastic containers lack the color and writing on the original box, which help to differentiate between the content at a glance.

Another option is to tear the containers according to the content left, so that they use up less space. However this solution is not very aesthetic and the resulting torn containers generally will not be sealable, for example with interlocking flaps as commonly provided for the original container. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention, relates to a rectangular shaped cardboard container with perforation lines around the circumference of the container at one or more positions along the height of the container. The perforations are designed to form a shortened container with the same or a similar enclosure at the top as the original container, when separating the cardboard of the container along the perforation lines. During use a user can shorten the container by separating the cardboard of the container along the perforation positions to form a decreased height container to match the level of consumption of the content of the container.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the top of the container is designed with four flaps, wherein two opposing flaps are cutout to interlock and seal the container to preserve its content. Optionally, the top of the container has a rectangular opening and the two interlocking flaps are longer than the other two flaps.

In some embodiments of the invention, the top of the container has three flaps and one of the flaps is elongated so that it can be folded over to serve as a lid to seal the container.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the container is provided as a kit with a dull knife to aid in separation of the cardboard container along the perforation lines. Optionally, the knife may be made from plastic, metal or other materials. In some embodiments of the invention, the knife can be folded in half to reduce its size and protect its blade during shipping. In some embodiments of the invention, the content in the container is provided in a plastic bag to preserve its freshness and the folded knife serves as a clasp to seal the plastic bag. In some embodiments of the invention, the plastic bag is initially sealed (e.g. by heat or pressure) and the knife is used to seal it after it is opened. Alternatively, the knife may be used initially to seal the bag.

In some embodiment of the invention, the knife is provided in various colors or with various designs to serve as a collectors item and/or to promote sales of the consumable content, for example in breakfast cereals the knives may come in different shapes or with different cartoon characters printed on them, so that children would be interested in forming a collection of all the characters.

There is thus provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a reducible size rectangular shaped cardboard container, including: a cardboard container with four rectangular shaped walls; flaps extending from the walls downward forming a sealable bottom; flaps extending from the walls upward forming a sealable top; perforation marks around the circumference of the container at one or more positions along the height of the container; and wherein the perforation marks at a specific position define a container of reduced height with flaps that form a similar sealable top as the original container, when discarding the cardboard from above the perforation marks at a specific position. Optionally, the sealable top is identical to the sealable top of the original container. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sealable top is identical in form to the sealable top of the original container but differs in the size of the flaps. Optionally, the sealable top is identical in form to the sealable top of the original container but differs in interlocking elements for sealing the top.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sealable top comprises two opposing flaps that interlock to seal the top. Optionally, the opposing flaps include tabs and sockets to interlock together. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the container has perforation marks located at a single position along the height of the container. Optionally, the container has perforation marks located at two positions along the height of the container.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the container is provided as a kit with a knife to separate the container along the perforation marks. Optionally, the knife is foldable and can serve as a clasp to seal a bag. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the kit includes a bag storing a consumable content and the bag is initially sealed with the foldable knife. Optionally, the kit includes a bag storing a consumable content and the bag is initially sealed by the manufacturer with the foldable knife inside the bag. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the kit includes a bag storing a consumable content and the bag is initially sealed by the manufacturer with the foldable knife outside the bag. Optionally, the knife is decorated and each kit includes one decorated knife from a series of possible decorations. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the container is provided with advertisements on the external walls of the container below the perforation position. Optionally, the advertisements are repeated above the perforation position. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the perforation marks include marks for separating the cardboard of the container and marks for folding the cardboard of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and better appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, wherein:

Fig. IA is a schematic illustration of a reducible sized cardboard container, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. IB is a schematic illustration of a blank for creating a reducible sized cardboard container, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a blank for creating a reducible sized cardboard container with multiple reduction options, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 A is a schematic illustration of a knife for separating a cardboard container along perforation lines, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3B is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a knife for separating a cardboard container along perforation lines, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a cardboard container with a content provided in a plastic bag sealed using a foldable knife clasp, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. IA is a schematic illustration of a reducible sized cardboard container 100 and Fig. IB is a schematic illustration of a blank 150 for folding up to create container 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Optionally, blank 150 may be made from any type of cardboard or other flexible materials, for example corrugated cardboard, boxboard, or paperboard. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, container 100 has rectangular shaped walls (110, 115) with flaps extending from the top (120, 125) and bottom (170, 175) of container 100. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, blank 150 has a connection flap 140 extending from the side of blank 150 to connect one side of blank 150 with the other side to form container 100. Optionally, the side connection and bottom flaps (170, 175) may be connected using an adhesive, staples, fasteners or by other methods. In some embodiments of the invention, the top of container 100 includes tabs 135 and sockets 130 so that the top of container 100 may be sealed by inserting tabs 135 into sockets 130 forming an interlocking closure. Optionally, the top of container 100 is initially sealed with an adhesive and after being opened is resealed by interlocking tabs 135 into sockets 130.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the form of the extensions at the top of container 100 is repeated at a lower position along the height of container 100 in the form of perforation lines 160. Perforation lines 160 can be separated to produce a container with the same form as the original container but of reduced height. In some embodiments of the invention, perforation lines 160 include fold lines, which are defined by lines wherein the cardboard of the container is weakened so that it can be readily folded but they are not intended to be separated.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, container 100 may have one set of perforation lines, two sets of perforation lines or more. Optionally, the entire wall (110,115) of container 100 may contain continuous sets of perforation lines to enable reduction of the height of container 100 to almost any desired height. Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a blank 250 for creating a reducible sized cardboard container with multiple reduction options, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Blank 250 shows two sets of perforation lines 260 and 270 with the same form as the top of the container. In some embodiments of the invention the perforation lines may have the same form as the original top but there may exist slight variations between the different sets of perforation lines, for example having a different number of tabs or a different number of sockets to interconnect with. In some embodiments of the invention, the form of the perforation lines may be similar to the form of the top of container 100 but differ in size, for example be smaller or larger.

Fig. 3A is a schematic illustration of a knife 300 for separating container 100 along the perforation lines, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3B is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a knife for separating a cardboard container along perforation lines, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, container 100 is provided with a knife 300 together with the content in container 100. Optionally, knife 300 may be provided with a dull blade 310 that is made from plastic, metal or other materials. In some embodiments of the invention, knife 300 is provided with a blade that has jagged edges to enhance its ability to cut the cardboard of container 100. Optionally, knife 300 may be placed inside a bag containing the consumable product (e.g. cereal) inside the container. Alternatively, knife 300 may be attached to a wall (110, 115) inside container 100 or placed inside container 100 without being attached. In some embodiments of the invention, knife 300 may be decorated, for example with a handle 320 shaped as an animal or a cartoon character. Alternatively or additionally, knife 300 may be provided in various colors. In some embodiments of the invention, container 100 may be marketed with a series of possible decorated knives 300, which may serve as collector items.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, knife 300 is foldable around a hinge 315 to reduce the length required to accommodate it. Optionally, hinge 315 may allow rotation of the two parts of knife 300 relative to each other (e.g. as shown in Fig. 3A) or folding of the two parts relative to each other along a fold line or hinge (e.g. as shown in Fig. 3B). In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, knife 300 includes clasps 325 to keep it in the folded position. In one example, one side of knife 300 may comprise a hole for clasp 325 and the other side may comprise a pin for clasp 325. In a different example, clasp 325 may be implemented by male and female hooks on opposite sides, which meet and lock together. In some embodiments of the invention, the consumable content is provided in a plastic bag 410 (shown in Fig. 4) that is factory sealed (e.g. using heat or pressure). Optionally, plastic bag 410 is placed inside container 300 and knife 300 is used to re-seal plastic bag 410 after it is initially opened. In some embodiments of the invention, knife 300 is used to initially seal plastic bag 410 when the content is filled into container 100 by the manufacturer.

Fig. 3 A shows knife 300 in its erect position and in a partially folded position 350 with a rotational hinge, and Fig 3B shows knife 300 in its erect position and in a partially folded position 360 with a foldable hinge. Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of container 100 with content provided in plastic bag 410 sealed using foldable knife 300, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the container may have advertisements or information (e.g. a content list) printed on the external walls of the container. Optionally, the advertisements or information may be repeated along the height of the container so that they will be viewed by the user even after shortening the height of the container. Alternatively, the advertisements or information may be positioned on the lower part of the container below the perforation positions so that they will remain during the entire life of the container.

It should be appreciated that the above described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment are necessary in every embodiment of the invention. Further combinations of the above features are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments of the invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims, which follow.

Claims

1. A reducible size rectangular shaped cardboard container, comprising: a cardboard container with four rectangular shaped walls; flaps extending from the walls downward forming a sealable bottom; flaps extending from the walls upward forming a sealable top; perforation marks around the circumference of the container at one or more positions along the height of the container; and wherein said perforation marks at a specific position define a container of reduced height with flaps that form a similar sealable top as the original container, when discarding the cardboard from above the perforation marks at a specific position.

2. A container according to claim I₅ wherein the sealable top is identical to the sealable top of the original container.

3. A container according to claim I₅ wherein the sealable top is identical in form to the sealable top of the original container but differs in the size of the flaps.

4. A container according to claim I₅ wherein the sealable top is identical in form to the sealable top of the original container but differs in interlocking elements for sealing the top.

5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the sealable top comprises two opposing flaps that interlock to seal the top.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the opposing flaps include tabs and sockets to interlock together.

7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container has perforation marks located at a single position along the height of the container.

8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container has perforation marks located at two positions along the height of the container.

9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container is provided as a kit with a knife to separate the container along the perforation marks.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the knife is foldable and can serve as a clasp to seal a bag.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein said kit includes a bag storing a consumable content and the bag is initially sealed with said foldable knife.

12. A container according to claim 10, wherein said kit includes a bag storing a consumable content and the bag is initially sealed by the manufacturer with said foldable knife inside the bag.

13. A container according to claim 10, wherein said kit includes a bag storing a consumable content and the bag is initially sealed by the manufacturer with said foldable knife outside the bag.

14. A container according to claim 9, wherein said knife is decorated and each kit includes one decorated knife from a series of possible decorations.

15. A container according to claim 1, wherein said container is provided with advertisements on the external walls of the container below the perforation position.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein said advertisements are repeated above the perforation position.

17. A container according to claim 1, wherein said perforation marks include marks for separating the cardboard of the container and marks for folding the cardboard of the container.