Envelope container and dispenser

Abstract

An envelope container and dispenser comprises a rectangular prism having first and second side panels, first and second end panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel. A tear guideline or strip forming a closed loop extends across the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel and second side panel, defining a retained portion and a removable portion of the prism. The removable portion, when removed, at least partially exposes three sides of the envelopes stored therein for easy access and removal. The envelopes can be retained in the container so that the container can act as a storage unit and dispenser in either a horizontal or vertical configuration.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to containers and, more particularly, to containers that are adapted to store and dispense envelopes.

BACKGROUND

Envelopes are typically packaged and sold in paperboard rectangular containers that are slightly larger than the periphery of the envelopes and have a sufficient depth to store a quantity of envelopes. Most envelope containers also have a hinged top access panel with a folded closure tab and a pair of laterally hinged interior tabs that support the top panel and help hold it in a closed position when the container is not in use. Although the top panel provides access to the envelopes stored in the container, this configuration is of limited convenience because a user must move the tabs and top panel away from the envelopes with one hand while removing the envelopes with the other hand. If the tabs and top panel are not moved out of the way, they tend to interfere with removal of the envelopes, often bending or damaging the envelopes.

The tabs and/or top panel can be removed from the container by tearing or with scissors, but such removal can damage the container and/or the envelopes. In addition, whether or not the top panel and/or tabs are removed, envelopes stored in such containers are difficult to extract because only the top edge of the envelopes is exposed, making them difficult to separate and grasp.

An alternate approach is to completely remove the envelopes from their storage container. For example, a user could stack the envelopes in a pile. However, envelopes stored in this manner are prone to becoming disarrayed, damaged or lost.

Another alternate approach is to store the envelopes in a separate, dedicated dispenser specifically designed to hold envelopes therein. However, a separate dispenser is an added expense. In addition, it is inconvenient to transfer the envelopes from their packaging to the dispenser. There is a need for an envelope container that is also capable of easily dispensing the envelopes.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned limitations of envelope containers and dispensers by providing a rectangular prism to contain the envelopes. The container is easily converted for use from a storage container to a dispenser by tearing along a tear guideline or strip that is formed in a closed loop such that when the tear strip is torn, portions of a top panel, two side panels, a bottom panel and an entire end panel of the container are separated and can be removed. Once these portions of the container are removed, three edges of the envelopes stored therein are at least partially exposed for easy access and removal. The container and dispenser may be oriented in either a vertical or horizontal configuration.

An object of the present invention is a container. The container comprises a rectangular prism having first and second side panels, first and second end panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel. A tear guideline extends across the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel and second side panel, forming a generally closed loop and defining a retained portion and a removable portion. The removable portion, when removed, removes at least a portion of the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel, second side panel and one end panel, to expose product stored therein.

Another object of the present invention is a method for making a container. The method comprises the steps of providing a rectangular prism having first and second side panels, first and second end panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel and forming in the prism a generally closed-loop tear guideline extending across the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel and second side panel. The tear guideline defines a retained portion of the prism and a removable portion of the prism wherein the removable portion, when removed, removes at least a portion of the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel, second side panel and one end panel to expose product stored therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the inventive embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate from reading the specification and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first side of an envelope container and dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a second side of the envelope container and dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the envelope container and dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the envelope container and dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a unitary blank substrate as viewed from the inside and from which indicates in a general way the principal constructional features of an envelope container and dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line designated 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the envelope container and dispenser of FIG. 7 oriented horizontally with a removable portion removed to dispense the contents; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the envelope container and dispenser of FIG. 8 oriented vertically.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “dispenser” as used herein is intended to describe a device that stores product in such way that a quantity of the product is made readily available for use. An envelope container and dispenser 10, termed “container” herein for convenience, is shown in FIGS. 1-4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Container 10 is a generally rectangular prism comprising a top panel 12, a bottom panel 14, a first end panel 16, a second end panel 18, a first side panel 20, and a second side panel 22. Panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are all generally planar surfaces.

Container 10 is preferably made from a generally planar blank substrate 24 such as shown in FIG. 5. Substrate 24 may be any conventional material including, without limitation, paperboard, plastic, cardboard and corrugated cardboard. Substrate 24 comprises top panel 12, bottom panel 14, first end panel 16 (comprising end panel portions 16A and 16B), second end panel 18 (comprising end panel portions 18A and 18B), first side panel 20, and second side panel 22. Container 10 further comprises a first end tab set 26 (comprising tabs 26A, 26B), a second end tab set 28 (comprising tabs 28A, 28B), and a bottom tab 30.

Container 10 is formed by folding blank substrate material 24 into the shape of a rectangular prism. Substrate 24 is folded upwardly along fold lines 32 and 34. Bottom tab 30 is then folded toward first side panel 20 by folding along fold line 36. Bottom panel 14 is then folded toward second side panel 22 by folding along fold line 38 such that the bottom panel rests atop bottom tab 30. First end tabs 26A, 26B are each then folded toward each other, end tab 26A being folded along fold line 40 and end tab 26B being folded along fold line 42. End panel portion 16A is then folded along fold line 44 such that it rests atop end tabs 26A and 26B. End panel portion 16B is then folded along fold line 46 such that it rests atop end panel portion 16A. Second end tabs 28A, 28B are each then folded toward each other, end tab 28A being folded along fold line 48 and end tab 28B being folded along fold line 50. End panel portion 18A is then folded along fold line 52 such that it rests atop end tabs 28A and 28B. End panel portion 18B is then folded along fold line 54 such that it rests atop end panel portion 18A. The folded panels and tabs of substrate 24 may be secured in any conventional manner, such as adhesives, tapes and fasteners.

The order in which the panels and tabs are folded is not critical and is but one way to assemble container 10. The order of assembly and the arrangement of the panels and tabs may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, although FIG. 5 shows a unitary blank substrate 24 as viewed from the inside, FIG. 5 could also be an outside view in this embodiment due to the symmetry of the substrate. However, such symmetry is not a required feature of the present invention.

When container 10 is assembled, top panel 12 is oriented generally parallel to and is aligned with bottom panel 14 and is located on a generally opposite side of the bottom panel. Likewise, first side panel 20 is oriented generally parallel to and is aligned with second side panel 22 and is located on a generally opposite side of the second side panel. In addition, first end panel 16 is oriented generally parallel to and is aligned with second end panel 18 and is located on a generally opposite side of the second end panel.

With reference again to FIGS. 1-4, container 10 further comprises a tear strip 56. Tear strip 56 is formed by a pair of tear guidelines 58 that are spaced apart from each other and oriented generally parallel to each other. Tear guidelines 58 may be formed by either a cut scoring line or a reverse-cut scoring line. Alternatively, tear guidelines 58 may be formed by a combination of cut scoring lines and reverse-cut scoring lines. Reverse-cutting processes and the formation of tear lines are well-known in the art, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,731, incorporated herein by reference.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, an example of a tear guideline 58 comprising a cut score line 60A and a reverse cut score line 60B are shown in FIG. 6, which depicts a cross-sectional view 6-6 of the tear guideline. Cut scoring line 60A is formed in the outer surface of container 10 and is displaced from reverse cut scoring line 60B, which is formed on the inside surface of the container. When the tear guideline 58 of FIG. 6 is torn, the tear guideline is caused to separate along a medial line 61.

One skilled in the art will recognize that tear guidelines 58 can be any strip or line which guides tearing therealong, including without limitation, fold lines, crease lines, areas of weakness, score lines, cuts partially therethrough the thickness of container 10, and perforation lines.

With reference now to FIG. 4, tear strip 56 may include a pull tab 62. Pull tab 62 may be integrally formed at an end portion of tear strip 56, terminating at an edge 64 of bottom panel 14. Edge 64 is an outer edge of substrate 24 (see FIG. 5). In alternate embodiments, pull tab 62 may be located anywhere along the length of tear strip 56.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and FIG. 7, tear strip 56 forms a closed or substantially closed loop that extends across bottom panel 14, first side panel 20, top panel 12, and second side panel 22. Tear strip 56 thus defines a retained portion 66 and a removable portion 68 of container 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention, tear strip 56 has a serpentine shape 70 such as an “S” shape along first and second side panels 20, 22 respectively. A parallel portion 72 of serpentine shape 70 may be oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of container 10, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. Serpentine shape 70 also includes portions 74 extending generally perpendicular to parallel portion 72. Parallel portion 72 is shaped such that when tear strip 56 is torn and removable portion 68 is removed, the contents of container 10 are more exposed for ease of dispensing while leaving a retained portion 66 of sufficient shape to hold the contents in place, as will be discussed in further detail below.

In other embodiments tear strip 56 may be any shape that facilitates separation of retained portion 66 and removable portion 68, wherein the removable portion comprises at least a portion of top panel 12, side panels 20, 22 and bottom panel 14, and wherein the removable portion includes one of end panels 16, 18. For example, tear guidelines 58 may be various other serpentine shapes or angular, square, trapezoidal, or curved cuts. In addition, tear strip 56 may be a decorative or contrasting color or design pattern on container 10. It should be further noted that the separation distance between tear guidelines 58 is not critical, and may be greater or lesser than the relative distances depicted in FIGS. 1-5 and FIG. 7. In some embodiments a single tear guideline 58 may be formed, or a plurality of tear guidelines could coincide wherein no tear strip 56 is specifically formed or defined. For example, a single tear guideline 58 may form a closed or substantially closed loop to define retained portion 66 and removable portion 68. In still other embodiments tear guideline 58 may or may not extend across top panel 12 and/or bottom panel 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 7 in combination, container 10 can be opened by pivoting or elevating pull tab 62 away from bottom panel 14 and separating tear strip 56 from, in order, bottom panel 14, first side panel 20, top panel 12, and second side panel 22. Tear strip 56 thus becomes completely disengaged from container 10, separating retained portion 66 and removable portion 68. Removable portion 68 is then discarded, exposing a plurality of envelopes 76 within container 10. Container 10 in this state functions as an envelope dispenser, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Container 10 may be oriented to dispense envelopes horizontally, as shown in FIG. 8, or vertically, as shown in FIG. 9.

As can be further seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, envelopes 76 stored in container 10 are exposed for easy removal, yet they are sufficient retained in container 10 in an orderly fashion for storage. A top edge 78, side edge 80 and bottom edge 82 of each envelope 76 is at least partially exposed. If the longitudinal axis of container 10 is oriented to dispense envelopes 76 horizontally as depicted in FIG. 8, a user may grasp one or more of the envelopes at either top edge 78 or side edge 80 and slide the envelopes out of the container in general direction “A.” Alternatively, if the longitudinal axis of container 10 is oriented vertically as depicted in FIG. 9, a user may grasp one or more of envelopes 76 at either top edge 78, side edge 80 or bottom edge 82 and slide the envelopes out of the container in general direction “B.”

While this invention has been shown and described with respect to a detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the invention. For example, container 10 as disclosed herein is not limited to storing and dispensing envelopes. Panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 may be any shape adapted to contain objects therein. Likewise, tear strip 56 may be any appropriate shape for dispensing the objects. Thus, container 10 may be adapted to dispense various types of objects including, without limitation, index cards, file cards, sheets of media, and paper labels.

Claims

1. A container comprising a rectangular prism having: first and second side panels; first and second end panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and a tear guideline extending across the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel and second side panel, forming a generally closed loop and defining a retained portion and a removable portion, wherein the removable portion, when removed, removes at least a portion of the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel, second side panel and one end panel.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a tear strip defined by a pair of generally parallel tear guidelines.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein the tear strip further comprises a pull tab.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the container is an envelope container storing envelopes therein.

5. The envelope container of claim 4 wherein at least three edges of envelopes stored therein are exposed when the removable portion is removed.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein the tear guideline has a shape including a first portion extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, a second portion extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a third portion extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the shape being located on at least one side panel.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein the tear guideline is at least one of a perforated line, a cut score line, a reverse-cut score line and a cut score line in combination with a reverse-cut score line.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein the tear guideline extends along the entire length of the closed loop.

9. An envelope container comprising a rectangular prism having: first and second side panels; first and second end panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and a tear guideline extending across the first side panel, second side panel, and at least one of the top and bottom panels, forming a generally closed loop and defining a retained portion and a removable portion wherein the removable portion, when removed, removes at least a portion of the first side panel, second side panel and the at least one of the top and bottom panels, and wherein the tear guideline has a shape having a first portion extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, a second portion extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a third portion extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the shape being located on at least one side panel.

10. A method for making a container, comprising the steps of: providing a generally flat blank having first and second side panels, first and second end panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel; forming in the blank a generally closed-loop tear guideline extending across the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel and second side panel; and folding the blank into a generally prism shape such that the tear guideline defines a retained portion of the prism and a removable portion of the prism wherein the removable portion, when removed, removes at least a portion of the bottom panel, first side panel, top panel, second side panel and one end panel.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of forming in the blank a pair of generally parallel tear guidelines defining a tear strip.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of adding a pull tab to the tear strip.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the container is an envelope container storing envelopes therein.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: tearing the tear guideline; removing the removable portion of the prism; and exposing at least three edges of envelopes stored therein.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of forming the tear guideline with a shape having a first portion extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, a second portion extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a third portion extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the shape being located on at least one side panel.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of forming the tear guideline with at least one of a perforated line, a cut score line, a reverse-cut score line and a cut score line in combination with a reverse cut score line.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of extending the tear guideline along the entire length of the closed loop.

18. A method for manipulating an envelope container, comprising the steps of: providing a rectangular prism having first and second side panels, first and second end panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel, the prism having a tear guideline extending across the first side panel, second side panel and at least one of the top and bottom panels, forming a generally closed loop and defining a retained portion of the prism and a removable portion of the prism, tearing the container along the tear guideline; and separating the removable portion from the retained portion such that the removable portion, when removed, removes at least a portion of the first side panel, second side panel and the at least one of the top and bottom panels.