US2937784A - Dispensing carton for paper cups - Google Patents

Description

May 24, 1960 G. RElNr-:R 2,937,784

A DISPENSING CARTON FOR PAPER CUPS Filed July 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F IG. 4.

INVENTOR. `GEIPC' ,QE/NER May 24, 1960 G. REINER 2,937,784

DISPENSING CARTON FOR PAPER CUPS Filed July 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 7.

INVENTOR.

GEORGE QE//VE/Q WMM States The present invention relates to a dispensing carton for paper cups and is concerned primarilyk with a carton of the type in which the paper cups to be dispensed are assembled within the carton by the manufacturer. When one of these cartons reaches the hands of the ultimate user, all that is required is to open the lower end and withdraw the cups as they are needed.

A carton of the type with which this invention is concerned consists essentially of two main parts. These are the carton proper which is formed from a blank that is folded into a structure of substantially square cross section and which includes appropriate tabs and panels providing a top and bottom, together with a retaining-anddispensing element which is assembled at the bottom end and interlocked therewith. This retaining-and-dispensing element serves to maintain the paper cups`assembled Within the carton after the bottom is opened; and yet permits atent of the cups to be individuallywithdrawn as occasion de- Y mands. t

In most instances it is desirable that a dispensing carton of this type be suspended from a wallvor other suitable support. An important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tab-and-panel construction at the, top which provides an adequate support for the suspension of the filled carton.

More in detail, the invention has as an object the provision of a carton of the character aforesaid which includes a tab that is adapted to be folded over a wall panel to provide a double thickness, with the tab and panel being formed with aligned openings for receiving a nail, pin, or other support. In order to insure that this tab will remain in proper position, the outer free edge of the tab is slightly longer than the widthof the. wall panel with which it cooperates; and the side edges of theftab are t slightly beveled or inclined. p Thus, when the tab is vfolded f down into vthe carton, they side edges frictionally engage the adjacent wall panelsto provide a friction fit which securely holds the tab in position.

From the'very nature of the function which it is to perform, the retaining-and-dispensing element must, in the first instance, engage the lowermost of the stack of paper cups to hold them within Athel carton and yet'must be yieldable so as to permit the Withdrawal of a cup, and resilient and elastic so that, after a cuprisy withdrawn, the retaining-and-dispensing element will return to its original cup-supporting position.

An important object of the present invention is to provide, in a carton of the character aforesaid, a dispensingt and-retaining element which is particularly designed to interlock with tab-andpanel Structure on the bottom end\ of the carton so as to be securely supported in position therewithin and which is designed to give or yield as a cup is withdrawn and then return to its supporting position. i 1. l l More in detail, the invention has asan object the provision,l in a dispensing carton of thecharacter indicated, a dspensing-andretaining element comprising atruncated, four-sidedpyramid the smaller end of which is located at 2,937,784V a n Parental@ 2a las@ "ice the lowermost point of the carton, vwith'the upper wider end of each side having a panel integrally formed therewith that is folded downwardly. The carton proper is formed with tabs on opposite side walls that arefolded upwardly to interlock with the dispensing-and-retaining element. The upper portions of thesevtabs engagethe wider portions of the wall panels of the retaining element; Inasmuch as the dispensing-and-retaining 'element' is' supported by these tabs on the carton, it is important that the upper edges of the rtabs of thefcarton be as long as possible to provide a good supporting engagement. An important feature of the invention resides in thetab-andpanel construction of the carton which'permits'of this maximum length in these supporting` edges.

Another important object Vof the invention isto provide, in a dispensing carton of the character indicated, a four-y sided truncated vpyramidal dispensing-and-retaining element each side of which is provided -with a-prescored linel Y terminating at the bottom edge with the scorings weaken? ing the sides to permit of their being distorted into'what is in elect an octagonal formation fthrough which a paper cup may pass. Thus, when a downward pull is imparted to a paper cup, the lip at the ,top of the cup, which defines the maximum diameter, will distort the four-sided pyramidal structure into an voctag'onal structure,l through which the cup will pass. After the cup is withdrawn, the resilient and elastic properties ofthe retaining-and-dispensing element will ca use it to return to its originalfour-sided condition through which the cups rwill not pass of `their ownweight., a' y Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention, such as arisein connection with'ca'rrying out the above-,noted ideas in ,apracticalenlmdirnent;v will in part become apparent and in part beV hereinafter Vstated as the description of the invention proceeds.4 Y j The invention therefore comprises a' dispensing carton for paper cups which consists essentially of a carton proper l ofsquare cross section havingaa tabfand-panel construc-` tion at the top providing a closed top, with a; double V thick-v i vention, reference may be had to thegfollowing' descripvtion and accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure l is atop plan view of a flattened-out blank from which the carton is made; Figure 2 is a' top plan view of aV flattened-outfbla'nk from which the dispensing-and-retaining element is formed; n Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective of theupper end of the carton as partially folded into assembledV condi-VV tion;Y Y f- Figure 4 is afragmentary perspective view of the bote tom end of the carton as closed; p Figure 5 is a detailed perspective illustrating the dis,-

pensingand-retaining element as folded into assembled position; n

- j Figure 6 is a perspective ofthe carton with a stack of cups assembled therein andthe lower end openedinto n position permitting dispensingrof the cups. In this View Ythe carton is broken 'n away'to permit of illustrationen an enlarged scale; and Y Y .y l

4Figure 7 is a detailed vertical section throughthe'l er end of the carton and is taken about on the plane r p5 resented by the line'7-7 of Figure 6.

The' barton proper is made from a bunk rhaf'lis uus 'Y trated in Figure 1 a flattened-out condition.'

blank is referred to in its entirety by the reference character B. The blank B comprises four wall panels designated 10, 11, 12, and 13, respectively. Panel is defined by a free edge at 14, a foldA line at'15, a top fold line at 16, and a bottom fold line at 17. Integrally joined to the panel 10 at the foldline 16 is a top panel 18 having side edges 19 and 20 that are formed with slots 21 and 22 which define an end tab 23 having rounded corners 24.

Integrally joined to the wall panel 10 at the fold line 17 is a bottom panel 25 having an end edge at 26 to which is joined an end tab 27 having Vrounded ears 28 at the opposite sides thereof.

The wall panel 11 is defined by the fold line 15, a second side fold line 29, a top fold line 30, and a bottom fold line 31. Intcgrally joined to the panel 11 at the fold line 30 is aside tab 32 having a side edge 33 that is spaced from and parallel to the side edge 2li of the tot: panel 18 and an inclined side edge 34 that is joined to a free end edge by a rounded corner 36.

. Integrally joined to the panel 11 at the fold line 31 is a supporting tab 37 defined by the fold line 31, side edges 38 and 39, and free end edge 40. It will be noted that this free end edge 40 is longer than the fold line 31, the extra length being provided by the curved point at 41.

The panel 12 is defined by the fold line 29, another side fold line 42,'top fold line 43, and bottom fold line 44. A supporting tab 45 is integrally joined to the panel 12 at the fold line 43 and is defined by inclined side edges 46 and 47 and a free end edge 48 that is longer than the fold line 43. The panel 12 is formed with a pair of openings 49; and the tab 45 is formed with a pair of openings 50 which align with the openings 49 when the tab is folded inwardly.

integrally joined to the panel 12 at the fold line 44 is a bottom panel 51 joined thereto by fold lines 54 and 55, respectively. The bottom panel 51 is formed with a pair of angular slits 9 which are adapted to receive the tabs 28 on the panel 27, as will be later described. The side tab 52 is formed with a recess or notch at 8 that opensr onto'its free edge and which recess accommodates the point 41 on the supporting panel 37. The side tab 53 is also formed with a recess or notch 56 that accommodates a pointed end on another supporting tab about to be described.

The wall panel 13 is defined oy the side fold line 42, another side fold line 57, a top fold line 58, and a bottom fold line 59.

Integrally joined to the side fold line 57 .is a securing strip 60 that is adapted to be adhesively secured to the inner face of the wall panel 110r adjacent to the free edge 14 in a well known manner.

Integrally joined to the panel 13 at `the fold line 58 is a side tab 61 having an inclined side edge at 62 that conforms to the inclined side edge 47 on the supporting tab 45. This side edge `62 hasa curved corner at 63 that connects the side edge 62 to thefree end edge 64.

Integrally joined to the wall panel 13 at the fold line 59 is a supporting tab 65 having a free end edge 66 that is longer than the fold line 59 and provided by the point at 67 that is received in the recess 56 of the side tab 53.

The blank from which the dispensing-aud-retaining element is formed is illustrated in Figure 2 and referred to in its entirety by the reference character B'. The blank B includes `four wall panels 68, 69, 70, and 71, each of the shape of a trapezoid. Thus, the wall panel 68 is defined by a short base 72 constituting the free edge thereof, a long base 73 in the lform of a fold line, and sides 74 and 75, with the side 74 constituting a free edge and the line 75 a fold line'. Substantially midway the sides 74 and 75, the panel 68 is provided with a prescored line 76 which weakens the materialfrom which the blank is formed along this line and permits of its being distorted. Y

Integrally joined to the panel 68 along the fold line 73 is a ap 77 that is adapted to be foldedrdown into the position depicted in Figure 5. To accommodate this having side tabs 52 and 53 integrally I 4 folding action, notches 78 and 79 are formed at the opposite ends of the fold line 73.

The panel 69 has a construction and shape generally similar to the panel 68, with the exception that there is no free edge; and both sides are defined by fold lines as represented at 75 and 80. The panel 69 has a central prescored line 81; and integrally joined thereto at a fold line 82 is a llap 83. Notches 84 and 85 are formed at the opposite ends of the fold line 82.

The panel 70 is in all respects similar to the panel 69 and has a flap 86 that is secured thereto at the fold line S7, with notches 88 and 88 being formed at the opposite ends of the fold line 87. The panel 70 also has a central prescored line 89.

The panel 71 is also similar to .the panels 69 and 70, with a securing strip 90 being secured to the side thereof at a fold line 91. This securing strip 90 is adhesively secured to the inner face of the panel 68 along the free edge 74- when the blank B' is folded into the position depicted in Figure 5.

ne panel 7l has a central prescoi'cd ine and has rl lap 93 integrally joined thereto along a fold line 94, with the latter having notches and 96 at its opposite ends.

lt is evident that the blank B' may be folded into a retaining-and-dis'pensing element that is illustrated in Figure 5 and referred to in its entirety by the reference character E.` This element E includes a four-wall truncated pyramidal structure made up of the wall panels 68, 69, 70, and 71, with the flaps 77, 83, 86, and 93 folded outwardly and downwardly in a manner illustrated in Figure 5.

The blank B is adapted to be folded into the carton formation that is illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 6; and which is referred to in its entirety by the reference character C. When the carton C is so folded, the blank B' is assembled therewithin at the bottom in the manner depicted in Figures 6 and 7.

ln the assembly of the carton C from the blank B, after the securing strip 60 is secured to the panel 1t) along the free Vedge 14, the supporting tab 45 is folded inwardly in themanner depicted in lFigure 3. As this action takes place, a good frictional engagement of the side edges 46 and 47 with the inner faces of the panels 11 and 13, is created due to the vfact that these edges 46 and 47 are inclined or beveled and the free edge 48 is longer than the width 'of the panel 12 as vdelined by the fold line 43. ,Thus Vthe supporting tab is securely held in its downwardly foldedposition in which the holes 50 align with the holes 49. Thus, a double thickness of material for receiving'nails or other supporting elements is assured. t n

vArt this point, it isv well to-note that both theblanks B and B' are made from an appropriate cardboard having required properties of strength, rigidity, pliability` and resilience. Material of this type is now well known and available in the carton art.

After the supporting tab 45 has been folded into the position depicted in Figure 3, the side tabs 32 and 61 are folded inwardly; after which the top panel 23 is folded Yalong the line 16 and the end tab 23 folded inwardly along the line defined by the slots 21 and inserted between the inner face of the tab 45 as folded inwardly and the edges 34 and 63. of the tabs 32 and 61. This completes the formation of the top structure of the carton.

As above explained, the element E is assembled witbin the carton C as thelatter is folded from the blank B. In this position, the supporting tabs 37 and 65 are interlocked with any two oppositesides of the retaining-anddispensing element E. AThus the supporting tab 37 is shown as being inserted between the wall 68 and flap 83; whilethe supporting tab 65 is inserted between the wall panelf70 and ap 86;V This condition, of course, is achieved by folding the supporting tabs 37 and 65 upwardly and inwardly along the fold lines 31 and 59, respectively.

A stack of cups, referred to in its entirety by the reference character S, and including a plurality of individual cups 100, is also assembled within the carton C prior to the closing of the bottom. The bottom is closed by first folding Ithe side tabs 52 and 53 on the panel 51 inwardly along the -fold lines 54 and 5S, respectively. The 4bottom panel 51 is then folded inwardly along the fold line 44, with the side tabs 52 and 53 assuming positions engaging the inner faces of the panels 11 and 13. The bottom panel 25 is then folded inwardly along the line 17; and the ears Z8 on the tabs 27 are forced through the slits 9. This completes the assembly of the carton.

Operation While the manner in which the dispensing carton of this invention functions during use is believed to be obvious from the illustration of the drawings and description of parts given, it may be briey outlined as follows.

When the carton reaches the hands of the ultimate user, it will, of course, be filled with the stack S of the cups 100. The -bottom may be opened into the position depicted in Figure 6; and if desired the bottom panels 25 and 51 may lbe completely removed as by tearing or severing along the lines 17 and 44. The carton may be suspended from an appropriate support through the medium of the aligned 4holes 49 and 50.

When a cup is to be dispensed, the user simply grasps the lowermost cup 100 and exerts a downward pull thereon. The cups 100 are of a truncated conical shape; and their upper wider end is ordinarily defined by bead 101. As this bead 101 is drawn through the element E, the latter is distorted so that it is transformed from the rectangular shape illustrated in Figure to substantially an octagonal shape that more closely approaches the circular contour of the lip 101. With the retaining-anddispensing element E so transformed, the lip 101 of the cup 100 will pass therethrough. However, once the cup 100 has completely cleared the element E, the latter will tend to return to its rectangular shape which will support the stack S within the carton C.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is herein set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, dimensions, and designs illustratedand described, because various modications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

6 What is claimed is: y 1. In a paper-cup dispensing carton, a rectangularwall cardboard structure comprising four wall panels integrally joined by fold lines and having bottom end edges, a pair of supporting tabs integrallyv joined to two confronting wall panels at the bottom end edges thereof and folded upwardly and inwardly into said wall structure, and a cup-retaining-and-dispensing element interlocked with said supporting tabs, said retaining-and-dispensing element comprising an inverted truncated pyramidal cardboard structure having its walls hingedly connected together by generally vertical downwardly convergent fold lines, and a flap integrally joined to the upper edge of each of at least two walls of said pyramidal structure and folded downwardly, each of said supporting tabs being inserted between a liiap and a wall of said retaining-and-dispensing element.' l

2. The carton structure set forth in claim l in which each wall of said retaining-and-dispensing element is weakened by a generally vertical prescored line extending to the free edge thereof.

3. The combination set forth in claim 4y in which each supporting tab is joined to its respective wall panel by a fold line and Ahas a free end edge longer than said fold line.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which each wall of said retaining-and-dispensing element is in the shape of a trapezoid with the smaller base of the trapezoid deining the free edge of the wall and the flap integrally joined to the longer base by a fold line.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4v in which there is a notch at each end of each fold line in the revtaining-and-dispensing element which joins a ap to its respective wall.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Canada Sept. 9,

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