REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority is claimed to the filing date of U. S. provisional patent application serial number 61/149,492 filed on February 3, 2009.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This provisional disclosure relates generally to packaging and more specifically to tubular or canister style packages of the type used to package biscuit dough and similar products.

BACKGROUND

Canister packages are generally cylindrical tubular containers used to package a variety of foods such as, for example, biscuit dough, cookie dough, frozen juices, and the like. Canister packages can be formed from paperboard blanks with the use of a canister forming machine such as those available from Paper Machinery Corporation (PMC) and others. In such machines, a blank is rolled into a cylindrical tubular shape and its edges secured together to form the body of the canister. A disc-shaped end plate, which may be made, for example, of metal, plastic, or paperboard, is secured to one end of the canister body. The canister may then be filled with product, whereupon the other end of the body is closed and sealed with another disc-shaped end plate. Some canister packages are known as "barrier packages" because they include coatings that keep moisture in or out and that prevent the migration of oxygen into the canister. Canister packages can be opened in a variety of ways to access the product inside. In the case of biscuit dough, for example, it is not practical to remove the dough from one of the ends of the canister. Thus, it is customary for the body of a dough canister to be formed as a spiral roll that is ruptured by applying targeted force to the body or by whacking the canister body on the edge of a counter or the like. The partially expanded dough inside the canister applies outward pressure to the walls of the canister so that the body of the canister tends to pop open when a small rupture is created to provide access to the dough product inside. Some dough recipes, however, do not result in dough that expands and applies outward pressure to a canister. Thus, the traditional opening techniques such as whacking the body of the canister on the edge of a counter or applying targeted force will not cause the canister to pop open. Some canister packages are openable by removal of one of their ends either with a can opener or by removal of a thin plastic strip wedged between the crimped lip of the end plate and the peripheral edge of the canister body. While opening a canister package from an end is satisfactory for removing certain foods such as frozen juices, it is not practical for removing sticky or partially expanded food such as dough, which will not slide easily out of the opened canister. Further, removing an end cap from the canister leaves the product completely recessed in the canister body. It is not uncommon that a spoon or other utensil is required to scoop product from the canister body, which can be messy and irritating.

A need therefore exists for an improved canister package that can be opened easily and reliably, even for non-expanded contents, without the need to whack the can on a hard surface or apply targeted pressure to the body of the can, and that provides more convenient access to product than do canister packages that are opened at an end. It is to the provision of such a canister package that the present disclosure is primarily directed.

SUMMARY The entire disclosure of U. S. provisional patent application serial number

61/149,492, to which priority is claimed above, is hereby incorporated by reference.

Briefly described, a canister style package for packaging foods such as biscuit dough includes a cylindrical tubular body closed at its ends with end caps to contain the product therein. The body of the canister is formed from a generally rectangular paperboard blank that may include an impervious barrier coating on an interior surface. The blank is rolled into a tube and its edges secured together in a PMC style canister forming machine. An opening feature is built into the body of the canister to allow the body of the canister to be opened up for removing product inside. The opening feature may include a thin strip of tear tape applied to the inside surface of the canister body extending either in an axial direction along the body or in a circumferential direction around the body. The outside of the canister body preferably is provided with a tear-away strip defined by partial cuts or other lines of weakness on either side of the tear tape and a tab is formed at one end of the strip with the tear tape extending onto the tab. Because the tear tape is applied to the inside surface of the canister body and the partial cuts on the outside of the container body extend only partially through the paperboard, the integrity of the moisture and oxygen barrier formed by the canister body is maintained. When it is desired to open the canister to access and remove product inside, the tab is grasped and pulled away from the canister along the direction of the tear tape. This causes the tear-away strip of the container body to be torn away from the body, thereby breaching and opening up the canister body. In one embodiment, doors or flaps are formed in the canister body that can be swung open after the strip is torn away. In another, one end portion of the container can be removed after the container body is severed by removing the tear-away strip.

Thus, an improved canister package is now provided that successfully addresses problems with prior art canister packages by being easily and reliably opened without the need to apply targeted pressure to the container or to whack it on the edge of a counter. Once opened, the canister provides direct access to product inside so that it can be removed more easily than with canisters that open at their ends. These and other features and advantages of the canister package will be come more apparent upon review of the detailed description set forth below, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, which are briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a paperboard blank from which a canister according to a first embodiment may be formed. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a paperboard blank from which a canister according to a second embodiment may be formed.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a paperboard blank from which a canister according to a third embodiment may be formed.

Fig. 4 illustrates two cylindrical canister bodies formable from blanks such as those of Figs. 1 through 3, each body having a different length and diameter.

Fig. 5 illustrates the ends of the canister bodies of Fig. 4 showing the closure of one end with end caps. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a canister package according to a first embodiment shown prior to opening.

Fig. 7 is perspective view of the canister package of Fig. 6 as it appears after opening. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a canister package according to a second embodiment shown prior to opening.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the canister package of Fig. 8 as it appears after partial opening.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view a canister package according to a third embodiment shown prior to opening.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the canister package of Fig. 10 as it appears after partial opening.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the canister package of Fig. 10 as it appears after having been completely opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in more detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, Fig. 1 shows a paperboard blank from which a canister package according to a first embodiment may be formed. The blank 11 is generally rectangular in shape and includes an outside surface 12 (i.e. the surface that will become the outside surface of the canister body formed from the blank 11), a top edge 13, a bottom edge 14, a left edge 16, and a right edge 17. A fold line 18 is formed along the bottom edge portion for purposes described in more detail below. The inside surface of the blank 11 may be coated with an impervious material such as a polyethylene coating to provide a barrier against moisture and oxygen.

A thin strip of tear tape 19 is secured to the inside surface of the blank 11 (i.e. the surface not visible in Fig. 1 that will become the inside surface of the canister) and extends along its length from a location proximate the left edge 16 to the right edge 17. The tear tape may be secured to the inside surface in any appropriate manner. For example, the tear tape can have an adhesive surface on one side with the adhesive surface being pressed onto the inside surface of the blank in the forming machine. Alternatively, the tear strip may be of the type impregnated with hot melt adhesive, in which case the tear strip may be applied to the inside surface of the blank with a heated roller before it is rolled into a tube. A separate adhesive also may be used, as may a strip of tape applied over the tear tape to secure the tear tape to the blank. The tear tape can be applied to each blank individually, or more preferably applied to the paperboard web from which blanks are later cut. In either case, a tab 23 is formed on the right edge 17 of the blank (it also may be formed in the left edge 16 or both if desired) and an end of the tear tape 19 extends onto the tab 23. A tear-away strip 21 is formed on the outside surface 12 of the blank 1 1 by a pair of spaced parallel partial cuts 22 that extend only partially through the material of the paperboard blank. For example, the partial cuts may extend about half way through the material of the blank, in which case, they may be referred to as "50% Cuts." Ensuring that the partial cuts 22 extend only partially through the paperboard material maintains the integrity of the barrier formed by any coatings on the interior surface of a canister formed from the blank, as does application of the tear tape to the inside surface.

Fig. 2 illustrates a paperboard blank from which a canister package according to a second embodiment may be formed. The blank 27 is similar in most respects to the blank 11 of Fig. 1 in that it includes an outside surface 27, an inside surface (not visible), a top edge 28, a bottom edge 29, a left edge 31 , a right edge 32, and a fold line 33. A tear-away strip 34 is formed along the blank by a pair of partial cuts 36, which may be 50% cuts or cuts of another selected depth. The tear-away strip extends from the left edge 31 of the blank toward the right edge 32 and terminates at the right edge 32 in a tab 37. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, however, no tear tape strip is applied to the inside surface of the blank as in Fig. 1. Instead, a canister formed from the blank of Fig. 1 is opened by tearing away the tear strip layer of the paperboard, as detailed below.

Fig. 3 illustrates a paperboard blank from which a canister package according to a third embodiment may be formed. The blank 41 has an outside surface 42, a top edge 43, a bottom edge 44, a left edge 46, a right edge 47, and a fold line 48. A strip of tear tape 49 is secured to the inside surface of the blank 41 and extends from the bottom edge 44 to the top edge 43. The top edge 43 of the blank 41 is formed with a tab 51 , and the strip of tear tape 49 extends onto the tab 51 as shown. The tear tape is located approximately mid-way between the left and right edges of the blank in the illustrated embodiment, but this is not a requirement or a limitation. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, there is no tear-away strip formed of partial cuts overlying the tear tape as in other embodiments; however, such a tear-away strip may be provided if desired. Spaced apart partial cuts 52 are formed in the outside surface 42 of the blank 41 and each partial cut extends transversely across the tear tape 49 to positions equidistant (or non-equidistant) from the tear tape on each of its sides. Fold lines 53, which may be formed as score lines in the paperboard material, extend between corresponding ends of the partial cuts 52. The partial cuts 52 and the fold lines 53 together form a generally rectangular shape in the outside surface of the blank 41.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate how a rectangular blank of paperboard material, such as the blanks in Figs. 1-3, may be formed into cylindrical tubular canister packages according to the disclosure. Such canister packages may be formed on a PMC or like paper canister forming machine. Generally, the blank is rolled into a tube from its left edge to is right edge (or vice versa) and its edges are sealed together to form a generally cylindrical tubular shape as shown in Fig. 4 (wherein canister packages of two different sizes are illustrated). As shown in Fig. 5, the bottom end of the cylindrical tube may be sealed with a bottom cap. In this case, the bottom cap also is a rimmed circular piece of paperboard inserted into the bottom end of the cylindrical tube, where it is attached by folding the bottom edge of the tube inwardly along a fold line such as fold line 18 in Fig. 1 to overlie the rim of the bottom cap. Adhesive or other means of securing and sealing the bottom cap in place may be used. The canister can then be filled with product, whereupon the top of the canister is closed off and sealed with a top cap. The top and bottom caps may be applied in any of a variety of ways as will be recognized by those of skill in the art. Further, the caps can be formed of paperboard, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a canister package formed from the blank of Fig. 1 and further illustrate a method of opening the canister package according to the present disclosure. In Fig. 6, the blank of Fig. 1 has been rolled and capped as described above. The outside surface 12 of the blank forms the cylindrical outer wall of the canister body. Right edge 17 and tab 23 overlap the left edge 16 and the right edge 17 is adhered and sealed to the left edge 16. A top cap 24 closes the top end of the canister and a bottom cap (not visible) closes the bottom end. The strip of tear tape 19 on the inside surface of the canister is shown in phantom line and the partial cuts 22 forming the tear-away strip 21 on the outside surface of the canister overlying the tear tape are visible. In this embodiment, the tear tape and tear-away strip extend circumferentially around the mid section of the canister package and the tab 23 is exposed for grasping by a user. Of course, the tear tape and tear-away strip can be located other than around the mid-section, such as, for instance adjacent the top edge 13 or the fold line 18 at the bottom of the package.

To open the canister package shown in Fig. 6, a user grasps the tab 23 and begins to pull the tear-away strip away from the body of the canister, as is illustrated in Fig. 7. As the tear-away strip is pulled around the canister body, the outer ply of paperboard of the canister body is severed along the partial cuts 22 and the tear tape 19 tears away or tears a strip through the inner ply of paperboard as shown to open up the canister around its periphery. When the tear-away strip and tear tape are torn away completely (or partially) around the perimeter of the canister body, the upper portion of the canister becomes severed (or partially severed) from the lower portion of the canister and can be removed (or displaced) to permit access to the contents of the canister. For less firm or loose contents, the tear-away strip and tear tape may be located adjacent the top edge of the canister body so that only the top cap and a small section of the body is removed. The contents can then be poured out of the canister. For firm and/or sticky contents such as dough, the tear-away strip likely is best located at the center portion of the canister as shown in Fig. 7.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a canister package formed from the blank of Fig. 2 and further illustrate opening of the canister of this embodiment. The canister is similar in most respects to the canister of Figs. 6 and 7 and has a right edge 32 that overlaps and is adhered to the left edge to form a cylindrical tubular body that is capped by a top cap 38 and a bottom cap (not visible). A tear-away strip 34 is formed by partial cuts 36 that extend around the periphery of the canister body proximate it midsection. To open the canister (Fig. 9) a user grasps the tab 37 at the end of the tear- away strip and pulls it away from the canister body. Because the partial cuts extend only partway through the paperboard material of the canister body, this causes the outer layer or ply of the tear-away strip to delaminate and separate from the inner layer or ply, leaving the inner layer or ply in place. While this does not sever the canister into upper and lower halves, it substantially weakens the canister body along the location of the tear-away strip. If the contents of the canister package exert outward pressure, such as traditional biscuit dough, the weakening causes the package to burst open to provide access to the contents. For contents that do not exert outward pressure, such as some dough recipes, frozen fruit juice, and the like, the embodiment of Figs. 8 and 9 might not be the optimum solution.

Figs. 10-12 illustrate an embodiment of a canister package formed from the blank of Fig. 3. The outside surface 42 of the blank forms the cylindrical outside surface of the canister body and the left and right ends (not visible) are overlapped and adhered together. The top of the canister body is closed by a top cap 54 and the bottom by a bottom cap (not visible). A strip of tear tape 49 is secured to the inside surface of the canister body and extends axially from tab 51 to the fold line 48 at the bottom of the canister body. Partial cuts 52 and fold lines 53 (only one of which is visible in Fig. 10) form an arched rectangular shape around a portion of the outside surface of the canister body. To open the canister package, the tab 51 is grasped and pulled downwardly away from the canister body as illustrated in Fig. 11. This causes the tear tape on the inside surface of the canister body to sever the paperboard along an axial line and thus to open a slot in the canister along this line.

With the tear tape stripped away to form the slot, the partial cuts 52 and fold lines 53 on either side of the open slot form a pair of opposed flaps that each is severable along its partial cut lines and foldable along its fold line. In this regard, Fig. 12 illustrates the final step in opening up the canister package of this embodiment. More specifically, each flap is gripped by a user and pulled away from the canister body. This causes the flaps to separate from the canister body along their partial cuts. As the flaps are pulled further, they bend or hinge along their respective fold lines 53 as illustrated in Fig. 12 to open the canister fully to provide access to its contents. This embodiment might be an appropriate choice for loose items such as donut holes, nuts, cookies, and other foods that would tend to fall out of the canister if a top portion were removed as in prior embodiments. The opened canister as shown in Fig. 12 also may function as a serving container with appropriate support.

The invention has been described within the context of preferred embodiments and methodologies considered by the inventors to represent the best mode of carrying out the invention. However, these preferred embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. In fact, a wide variety of additions, deletions, and modifications to the illustrated embodiments might well be made by those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. For example, while tear-away strips extending axially and peripherally have been illustrated, they may just as well extend at an angle on the blank so as, for example, to extend spirally around the formed canister package. In such an embodiment, pulling the tear-away strip might open the can spirally around its outer surface. Other configurations and orientations of the tear- away strip and tear tape are contemplated and within the scope of the invention.