1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates in general to bag in box packaging, and more particularly, to a bag in box packaging that has a locating panel for a tap.
2. Background Art
The use of bag in box packaging is ubiquitous. In certain applications, a user can dispense flowable material through a tap directly from the bag in box packaging. One such application is wine dispensing, although, the invention is not limited to the same.
Conventionally, a bag having a fluid therewithin (such as, for example, wine) is provided. A tap is provided over a spout that is welded to the bag. The tap may comprise any number of different spouts that are conventionally used in such an application. The filled bag is dropped into an outer box. The outer box includes a removable portion which corresponds to the location of the tap within the outer box.
To access the tap, the user punctures the box proximate the removable portion and reaches into the box for the tap. The tap is then directed out of the box and one of the tap and the spout are coupled to the box. The tap can then be actuated to dispense product.
Problematically, for some users it is difficult to couple the tap to the outer box. Thus, the tap becomes difficult, if not impossible to use. In other instances, the tap may become dislodged from the outer box during use.
In addition, due to the manner in which the tap and bag are inserted into the outer box, there are many instances where the tap lies in an orientation which is difficult to reach. Furthermore, inasmuch as the opening in the box is typically used to secure the tap to the outer box, the opening is often too small to allow for a user to delve deeply into the outer box.
The disclosure is directed to a bag in box packaging comprising an outer box, an inner bag and a tap. The outer box has a bottom wall and a front wall with an opening toward the lower end thereof. The inner bag has a spout with a tap. The a tap articulating assembly includes a tap wall and at least two hinge assemblies. The tap wall has an opening with the tap extending through the opening. The hinge assemblies each have a first hinge panel and a second hinge panel. The first and second hinge panels of each hinge assembly are joined to each other at an intermediate hinge fold, with the first hinge panel joined to the tap wall at an inner hinge fold and to one of the front wall and a respective side wall at an outer hinge fold. The first hinge assembly being spaced apart from the second hinge assembly. The hinge assembly provides for a shipping orientation wherein the tap wall is recessed so as to substantially retain the tap within a footprint of the outer box to an dispensing orientation wherein the tap extends beyond the footprint of the outer box.
In a preferred embodiment, the tap wall and the at least two hinge assemblies are formed into the front wall. Additionally, the opening of the outer box extends about a bottom edge of the front wall.
In another preferred embodiment, the intermediate hinge fold, the inner hinge fold and the outer hinge fold of the first hinge assembly intersect at a point on the front wall. Similarly, the intermediate hinge fold, the inner hinge fold and the outer hinge fold of the second hinge assembly intersect at a point on the front wall which is spaced apart from the intersection of the folds of the first hinge assembly.
In another preferred embodiment, the folds of the first hinge assembly intersect at a corner of the front wall and the folds of the second hinge assembly intersect at a corner of the front wall.
In another preferred embodiment, the folds of the first hinge assembly and the folds of the second hinge assembly are mirror images of each other about a central axis extending longitudinally about the front wall.
Preferably, each of the first hinge panel and the second hinge panel comprise substantially triangular shaped structures.
In a preferred embodiment, the tap wall comprises a substantially trapezoidal shaped structure.
In another preferred embodiment, the tap wall substantially corresponds to the opening so that when the tap wall is placed into the dispensing orientation, the tap wall substantially corresponds to the opening thereby providing a substantially uniform front wall.
Preferably, the at least two hinge assemblies extend from opposite sides of the opening in the front wall.
In a preferred embodiment, each of the first hinge panel and the second hinge panel are substantially identical in configuration and substantially comprise rectangular configurations.
In one embodiment, a third hinge assembly is positioned above the tap.
Preferably, each of the hinge assemblies are substantially identical in configuration.
In a preferred embodiment, a frangible cover is positioned over the opening in the front wall to preclude inadvertent contact with the tap in the shipping configuration.
In another preferred embodiment, the tap wall comprises a substantially pentagonal configuration.
Preferably, each of the hinge assemblies are substantially independent of each other between the outer hinge fold and the inner hinge fold and are configured for substantially independent movement relative to each other.
The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
a of the drawings is a perspective view of a bag in box package made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, showing in particular, the tap in a storage and shipping position;
b of the drawings is a perspective view of a bag in box package made in accordance with the teaching of the present invention, showing in particular, the tap in a deployed tap dispensing position;
a of the drawings is a perspective view of a bag in box package made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, showing in particular, the tap in a storage and shipping position; and
b of the drawings is a perspective view of a bag in box package made in accordance with the teaching of the present invention, showing in particular, the tap in a deployed tap dispensing position.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment illustrated.
It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
The bag in box packaging is shown in
In the embodiment shown, the outer box 12 may comprise a corrugated paperboard material. In other embodiments, the outer box may comprise a single or multiply paperboard material. In still other embodiments, corrugated polymer board, or polymer board may be utilized. Indeed, the invention is not limited to any particular material from which the outer box 12 is formed.
The dispensing wall 24 includes opening 30 at the lower end thereof. The opening is defined by perimeter edge 31. In the embodiment shown, the perimeter edge 31 comprises a arched shaped opening. Additionally, the opening may include a bottom wall opening as well, although, this may be omitted in certain embodiments. The opening is sized so as to permit a user to stick his or her hand through the opening and to retrieve the tap which is positioned within the outer box through the opening. In certain embodiments, the opening 30 may be covered with a separate frangible cover, such as a cover made from a clear polymer film, a paperboard substrate, a metal foil member, or another covering material. This prevents inadvertent actuation of the tap 16 accessible through the opening during shipment and storage prior to use.
The inner bag 14 is shown in
Tap 16 is coupled to the spout 46. The tap 16 may comprise any number of different types and styles of taps. For example, one such tap comprises the tap shown in any one of the following patents, namely, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,619,377 and 6,978,981 both of which are issued to Roos as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,045,119; 6,296,157 and 6,360,925 issued to Erb. Of course, other taps are likewise contemplated. The foregoing patents are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
The tap articulating assembly 16 is shown in the figures as comprising tap wall 50, and at least two opposing hinge assemblies, such as hinge assemblies 51a, 51b and 51c. The tap wall 50 is shown in
The first hinge panel 51 of the opposing hinge assembly 51a is coupled proximate the inner hinge fold 57 to the tap wall 50. The second hinge panel 51 is coupled to the first hinge panel 51 at the intermediate hinge fold 58. The second hinge panel 51 is coupled to the front wall 24 (or to one of the side walls 20, 22) at outer hinge fold 59. Each of the hinge folds 57, 58 and 59 facilitate the first and second hinge panels to pivotably rotate relative to each other and relative to the tap wall and the front wall (or the side walls).
The tap articulating assembly 16 allows for the movement of the tap from a shipping orientation wherein the tap is substantially fully contained with the footprint of the outer box to a dispensing orientation wherein the tap is fully exposed and outside of the confines of the outer box. In the embodiment shown, the footprint of the outer box substantially corresponds to the shape of the bottom wall. In other embodiments, the footprint of the outer box may be larger than the configuration of the bottom wall, as the upstanding walls may extend outwardly. In the embodiment shown, the tap wall, in the deployed orientation, is substantially flush with the front wall 24.
In the embodiment shown, each of the hinge panels facilitate the centering of the tap so that the tap wall properly interfaces with the opening. In the embodiment shown, the tap wall substantially corresponds in configuration to the opening 30 in the front wall.
In another embodiment, as is shown in
In this embodiment, the two hinge panels 52, 54 of the first hinge assembly 51a extend the entire length of the tap wall (which is substantially trapezoidal), or, from the top wall to the bottom wall. The first hinge assembly is substantially triangular in configuration with the second hinge assembly comprising a substantially triangular configuration. The inner, intermediate and outer hinge folds substantially extend the entirety of the tap wall as well. In the shipping configuration, substantially the entirety of the tap wall is recessed between the two side walls 20, 22 of the outer box. In the dispensing configuration, the tap wall is substantially flush with the edges of the opposing sidewalls and the tap extends beyond the confines of the outer box. As the tap wall takes up the entirety of the area of the front wall, and inasmuch as much of the wall is movable, many embodiments may have a frangible cover over the entirety of the tap wall to protect the tap wall and the tap itself during shipment and transport. It will be understood that in other embodiments other shapes and sizes for the tap wall are contemplated.
In operation of either of the embodiments (and the operation will be described with respect to the first embodiment), the tap, spout and/or bag are coupled to the tap wall. The tap wall is configured into a shipping configuration so that the tap is fully contained within the footprint of the outer box 12. The bag in box packaging can then be shipped.
To dispense product, the user merely grasps the tap itself and pulls on the tap to withdraw the tap from the confines of the outer box 12. As the user pulls the tap, the tap wall begins to move forward. The tap articulating assembly then serves to guide the tap into the dispensing orientation from the shipping orientation. Specifically, once pulled, the hinge panels 51a, 51b rotate about the respective inner hinge fold 57, intermediate hinge fold 58 and outer hinge fold 59 until the tap is guided into the dispensing position. Once guided into the proper orientation, the tap is substantially precluded from further movement and the tap is maintained in the dispensing orientation.
The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
This is a continuation of PCT Int'l App. No. PCT/US2010/040662 filed Jun. 30, 2010, entitled “Bag In Box Packaging Having a Tap Articulating Assembly” which claims priority from U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/269,868 filed Jun. 30, 2009, entitled “Bag In Box Packaging Having a Tap Articulating Assembly”, the entire specification of each of the applications is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61269868 | Jun 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2010/040662 | Jun 2010 | US |
Child | 13338514 | US |