Paper Based Container for Household Products

Paper based container for household products.

There is continuing interest in recyclable packages for household products, including food products, laundry care products, cleaning products and the like. Paper based containers hold great promise for continued improvements since the recycling stream for paper is well established.

Paper based containers typically operate on the principle that the consumer opens the container to access the contents contained therein, acquires or dispenses the contents from the container, then closes the container so that the remaining contents are protected from the environment or do not accidentally spill from the container. Opening, dispensing or obtaining the contents, and reclosing paper based containers can be inconvenient, particularly if container includes a number of flaps and slots on the end that is to be opened.

For many paper based containers, the contents are dispensed by pouring the contents from the container. Given that many paper based containers are simple prism or right circular cylinder shaped, pouring from the container occurs over the open rim of the container which can result in uncontrollable pouring. Often, flaps at the open end of the container interfere with pouring or make it difficult for the user see and controllably pour the contents from within the container. This can make it difficult for users to precisely dispense the desired quantity of contents from the container.

Further, there is a continuing unaddressed need for paper based containers that provide for controllably dosing of the contents from the container.

A container () comprising: a paperboard shell layer () about a longitudinal axis (L) and extending from a shell bottom edge () to a shell top edge (), wherein said shell layer comprises: a body portion () extending from said shell bottom edge to a lower line of limitation (); a predetermined removable portion () extending from said lower line of limitation to an upper line of limitation (); and a cap portion () extending from said upper line of limitation to said shell top edge; and a paperboard core layer () extending at least partially about said longitudinal axis and interior to said shell layer, wherein said core layer is joined to said body portion and extends from below said lower line of limitation to a core rim () above said upper line of limitation; wherein said core rim is located at a rim distance () from said shell bottom edge as measured parallel to said longitudinal axis and said rim distance is a function of position about said longitudinal axis; and wherein said core rim has a rim distance global maxima () and a rim distance global minima () relative to said shell bottom edge.

A containerhaving aspects as those described herein is shown in. The containercan have paperboard shell layerabout a longitudinal axis L. The containercan have a height along the longitudinal axis from about 50 mm to about 600 mm, optionally from about 50 mm to about 200 mm. The area of the containerorthogonal to the longitudinal axis L can be from about 10 cmto about 300 cm, optionally from about 30 cmto about 100 cm. The interior volume of the container can be from about 100 mL to about 2 L, optionally from about 300 mL to about 1600 mL.

The containercan have a baseupon which the containeris designed to rest. The container basecan have a maximum external dimension from about 5 cm to about 50 cm. A cylindrical containermay have a container base having an exterior diameter from about 5 cm to about 50 cm. A cylindrical containerhaving an exterior diameter from about 5 cm to about 20 cm, optionally from about 5 cm to about 10 cm, can be practical. A containerhaving an exterior diameter from about 5 cm to about 20 cm, or even from about 5 cm to about 18 cm, can be conveniently gripped by a user. The containershown inis a hollow right circular cylinder having closed ends. Other hollow shapes for the containerare contemplated, for example an oval column, irregularly shaped column, a prism, or any other statically stable shape.

The paperboard shell layerand the paperboard core layercan individually have a basis weight greater than 250 g/m, optionally from about 250 g/mto about 800 g/m. The paperboard can be single- or multi-ply. The paperboard shell layerand paperboard core layercan each have a thickness from about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm. The paperboard core layerand paperboard shell layercan be coated with a substance so that the material is printable, to protect the contents of the container, protect the paperboard materials of the containerfrom the contents, or to provide a scalable or heat sealable layer. For example, a scalable or heat scalable layer or coating can be provided on the surface of the paperboard shell layeroriented towards the longitudinal axis L and the surface of the paperboard shell layeroriented away from the longitudinal axis L. Such coatings or layers can help provide for scaling or heat sealing of the paperboard shell layeralong the longitudinal seam. A coating or layer to provide for scaling or heat sealing can be provided only at locations proximal the longitudinal scam. Ink and or varnish may be applied to the paperboard materials on one or both of the surface facing away from the longitudinal axis L or the surface facing towards the longitudinal axis L. Paper board materials may be made in whole or partially from fibrous cellulose material. Fibrous cellulose material can be virgin, recycled, or a mixture thereof. Cellulose materials may be obtained from hardwood, softwood, or other natural renewable resources for fibers. Fibrous cellulose material can be obtained from bamboo, wheat straw, bulrush, corn, rice husk, sugar cane, grass fiber, or from recycled paper and paperboard. The exterior and or interior surfaces of the containercan be coated with a natural or polymeric coating, by way of nonlimiting example, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene, to provide a moisture barrier. Coatings of wax, clay, starch, kaolin, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polylactic acid, silicates, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, and other natural and or biodegradable coatings that adequately provide a barrier against moisture and or oxygen and or fragrance migration into or out of the containercan be useful. The core layercan be a spiral wound paperboard material that is cut to an appropriate length and has an outer diameter that is closely conforming to the interior surface of the shell layer. The core layercan be wrapped around a mandrel to form a tube having the appropriate length.

The containercan be practical for containing articlesincluding, but not limited to, laundry scent additive particles, powder laundry detergent, soluble unit does pouches of laundry detergent, laundry detergent tablets, powder dish detergent, soluble unit dose pouches of dish detergent, dish detergent tablets, laundry benefit additives, chlorine tablets, hard surface cleaning tablets. The container can contain articlesthat comprise perfume. The container can contain articlesthat comprise unencapsulated perfume. The articlescan be particles. The articles, which can be particles, can comprise a water soluble or water dispersible carrier and perfume. The articles, which can be particles, can comprise from about 1 wt % to about 99 wt % a water soluble or water dispersible carrier and from about 0.1 wt % to about 80 wt % a fabric care benefit agent. The fabric care benefit agent can be selected from the group consisting of perfume, fabric softener, wrinkle releaser, color protector, color rejuvenator, soil release polymer, antistatic agent, malodor reduction agent, antimicrobial, anti-redeposition compound, optical brightener, graying inhibitor, dye transfer inhibitor, antioxidant, and combinations thereof. The articles, which can be particles, can have an individual articlemass from about 1 mg to about 2 g. The water soluble carrier can be a water soluble salt, water dispersible solid, water soluble carbohydrate, water dispersible carbohydrate, water soluble polymer, water dispersible polymer, by way of nonlimiting examples, sodium chloride, sugar, starch, polysaccharide, polyethylene glycol, block copolymers, and the like. The articlescan be particles described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,167,441 and 10,377,966.

The containercan be practical for containing goods such as food products including, but not limited to, pasta, rice, tea, flour, baking powder, baking soda, potato chips, pretzels, cereal, oats, barley, beans, seasonings, cookies, nutritional supplements, pelleted food products, crackers, and the like. The containercan be practical for containing medicinal pills, vitamins, nutritional supplements, dry pet food, dry pet snacks, and the like.

The containercan be sized and dimensioned to contain from about 50 g to about 1500 g of articles, for example particles. The articlescan be a fabric care benefit product. The articlescan be particles that comprise a water soluble or water dispersible carrier and a fabric care benefit agent selected from the group consisting of unencapsulated perfume, encapsulated perfume, surfactant, enzyme, bleach, brightener, hueing dye, deposition aid, anti-redeposition aid, foam inhibitor, fabric softener, dye transfer inhibitor, soil release polymer, antioxidant, and combinations thereof.

The containercan contain from about 30 g to about 1200 g, optionally from about 100 g to about 800 g, optionally from about 100 g to about 600 g, of articles. The shell layercan extend from the shell bottom edgeto a shell top edge. The shell layercan form the majority of the container. The shell layercan form the outside or exterior surface of the container.

The shell layercan comprise a body portion. The body portionforms at least part of the lower portionof the container. The body portioncan extend from the shell bottom edgeto a lower line of limitation. The shell bottom edgecan be the part of the containerupon which the containeris designed to sit when placed on a flat surface.

The lower line of limitationcan define the upper boundaryof the body portion. A predetermined removable portioncan extend from the lower line of limitationto an upper line of limitation. The predetermined removable portioncan extend about the longitudinal axis L, partially, substantially, or completely. The predetermined removable portioncan extend about the longitudinal axis except at the longitudinal seam. The lower line of limitationand upper line of limitationcan each be a line of frangibilityaround or partially around the longitudinal axis L. The line of frangibilitycan be perforations, partial cuts, or weakened portions of the shell layer. The line of frangibilitycan be a structure that can be manually torn by the user in a controllable manner along a predetermined path around or partially around the longitudinal axis L of the container. For example, the line of frangibilitycan be a series of intermittent through cuts, a series of score cuts, a series of perforations from which material has been removed, a score line, a partial die cut, partial die cuts on opposing surfaces, offset partial die cuts on opposing surfaces, a zipper die cut, or the like. The line of frangibilitycan be reinforced with a tape that is applied to the inside of the shell layer. Polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate tape applied to the shell layercan help guide tearing and prevent unintentional breakage of the line of frangibility. The line of frangibilitycan be defined by a plurality of structural disruptions of the shell layerspaced apart from one another. A lobecan be defined by more than two structural disruptions. The structural disruptions can be selected from the group consisting of through cuts, score cuts, through die continuous cuts, partial die continuous cut, partial die cuts, zipper die cuts, reversed partial die continuous cut, reversed partial die interrupted cut, perforations from which material has been removed, laser cut, and combinations thereof.

The upper line of limitationcan be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. A straight upper line of limitationcan be easy for the user of the containerto tear when the containeris being opened. Furthermore, a straight upper line of limitationcan provide for a cap portionthat has straight lip and is convenient to use as a dispensing and or dosing cap.

When the containeris in an unopened condition, predetermined removable portionconnects the body portionto the cap portion. The cap portionextends from the upper line of limitationto the shell top edge. The cap portioncan form at least part of the upper portionof the container. The containercan be prepared to open for the first time by removing the predetermined removable portionfrom the container. A tear stripengaged with the predetermined removable portionand positioned between the predetermined removable portionand the core layercan be provided to assist the user with tearing the predetermined removable portionfrom the container. Once the predetermined removable portionis removed from the container, the cap portioncan be separated from the body portionby the user to access the contents of the container.

The containercan further comprise cap end. The cap endcan form a closed end of the cap portion. The cap endcan close off the top of the container, the top of the containerbeing the end of the container associated with the cap portion. The cap endcan be a separate piece of paperboard fitted with the cap portionnear the shell top edge. Optionally, the cap endcan be a flap or flaps of paperboard that are integral extensions of the cap portionthat are folded to form the cap end.

To provide for a containerthat is easily opened and reclosed, it can be practical to provide for a core layerextending at least partially about the longitudinal axis L and interior to the shell layer. The core layercan be described as being between the shell layerand the longitudinal axis L. Once the containeris opened, the core layercan provide for structure that can guide fitting of the cap portionto one or more parts of the body portionto reclose the container.

The core layercan be joined to the body portion. The core layercan be joined to the body portionbelow the lower line of limitation and not above the lower line of limitation. The core layercan be joined to the body portiononly at locations below the lower line of limitation. The core layerand the body portioncan be glued, taped, or heat scaled otherwise bonded to one another to join the two parts. The glue can be a hotmelt, cold glue, or pressure sensitive glue. The core layercan extend from below the lower line of limitationto above the upper line of limitation. The cap portioncan be unaffixed to the core layerabove the lower line of limitation. The cap portioncan be unaffixed to the core layerabove the optional tear strip. The cap portioncan be unaffixed to the core layerabove the predetermine removeable portion. Being in such an unaffixed state can make the cap portioneasy to twist and or slide off of the core layerto remove the cap portionfrom the body portion.

Optionally, the containercan comprise a tear stripbetween the predetermined removable portionand the core layerand extends around or at least partially about the longitudinal axis L. The tear stripcan be joined to the predetermined removeable portion. The tear stripcan be a piece of adhesive tape adhered to the shell layer. The backing layer of the adhesive tape can be polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, nylon, or other polymers, yarns, and filaments. The adhesive layer of the adhesive tape can be a pressure sensitive glue, heat sensitive glue, solvent or water based adhesive, or similar. The tear stripcan help to controllably transmit user applied tearing force to the predetermined removeable portionso that the predetermined removable portionis controllably torn from the shell layer.

To open the container, the user can pull on the tear stripor a free end of the predetermined removeable portionto initiate tearing of the predetermined removeable portionfrom the body portionand the cap portion. The tearing can occur along or near each of the lower line of limitationand the upper line of limitationalong the respective lines of frangibility. Once the predetermined removeable portionis removed from the container, the cap portioncan be easily removed from the body portionto access the contents of the container. Once the cap portionis removed, the contents of the containercan be dispensed and or measured into the cap portionand used in a directed manner. The cap portioncan be used as a dosing cup for household products, a serving cup for food products, a measuring cup for consumable dry goods, or similar use.

There are some types of paperboard containers that have been designed to provide for convenient opening. Unfortunately, designs of paperboard containers that are easy to open are often difficult to securely close. For example, paperboard cereal and pasta containers are notorious for being difficult to securely close and the contents of containers like these are frequently spilled when the container tips over as the user pulls out a drawer from a pantry or accidentally bumps a container on a shelf or countertop.

The containermay contain from about 50 g to about 1500 g of articles. After first opening the containerto use the contents of the container, the user may desire to securely close the container. That way, if the containeris accidentally tipped over or inverted, the contents of the containerwill not spill out. A face to face frictional engagement between the cap wall interior facing surface and the core layerthat sticks up above the lower line of limitationmay not be sufficient to maintain the containerin a reclosed condition, particularly if the contents of the containerare heavy. This may be because the coefficient of friction between typical paperboard materials is low and the cap portionmay not be able to apply a high enough normal stress since the cap portionmay relax to some degree after being fitted over the core layer. To that end, a mechanism for more securely reclosing the containermay be desirable. A mechanism based on one or more wedges may be practical.

To provide for a sufficiently secure closure mechanism for a containeras described herein, the body portionof the containercan comprise a lobeimmediately below the lower line of limitation. The shape of the lobeper se can be defined by the lower line of limitation. That is, the lower line of limitationcan form the upper boundaryof the body portion. A lobeis a flap or projection of the of the body portionthat extends higher up on the core layer, that is be longitudinally more extensive, than parts of the body portionadjacent to the lobe.

Once the cap portionis removed from the body portion, the user may desire to reclose the containerby placing the cap portionback on the body portion. The core layercan be a guide for fitting the cap portiononto the body portion. The lobecan function as a wedge to provide for mechanical engagement of the cap portionto the body portionwhen the container is reclosed. The cap portionhas the same peripheral shape as the body portionand may need to be deformed or stretched to fit over the lobe.

The body portioncan have a peripheral exterior lengthorthogonally about the longitudinal axis L immediately below the lobe or lobes. If the containerhas a shape of a right circular cylinder, the peripheral exterior lengthis the circumference of the outer surface of the containerimmediately below the lobe or lobes. If the containerhas the shape of a prism, the peripheral exterior lengthis the sum of the widths of the faces of the prism. If the container has the shape of a square prism, the peripheral exterior lengthis the four times the width of a face of the prism. If multiple lobesare provided, then the peripheral exterior lengthis measured immediately below the lobethat is closest to the shell bottom edgeof the container. The peripheral exterior lengthis a scalar quantity. The peripheral exterior lengthcan be from about 10 cm to about 70 cm. The peripheral exterior lengthcan be from about 20 cm to about 40 cm.

Each lobecan have a lobe exterior heightparallel to the longitudinal axis L. The lobe exterior heightis the maximum dimension of the lobemeasured parallel to the longitudinal axis L and the datum from which the lobe exterior heightis measured is a line that connects the ends of the lobebeing measured. For semicircular or semi-oval lobes, the lobe exterior heightis the radius of the semicircle. For square lobes, the lobe exterior heightis the edge length of the square. For trapezoidal lobes, the lobe exterior heightis the height of the trapezoid. For triangular lobes, the lobe exterior heightis the height of the triangle. Lobesadjacent to one another can have lobe exterior heightsthat vary from one another. Such lobeshaving a staggered lobe exterior heightmay provide for variable engagement of the cap portionwith the body portiondepending on how far down the cap portionis pushed towards the body portion. The lobe exterior heightis a scalar quantity. The lobe exterior height can be from about 1 mm to about 30 mm.

Each lobecan have a curved upper contour. A curved upper contourmay be easier to tear along as compared to an upper contourcomprising straight segments. Further a curved upper contourmay be easier to engage with the cap portiononce the containeris opened and then the cap portionis used to close the container. The curved upper contourmay provide for a gradual engagement or wedging of the cap portionto the body portion. As the user deforms the cap portionto fit over the lobe or lobes, the rounded or curved upper contourprovides for gradual engagement of the cap portionwith the lobe or lobesso that the lobe or lobescan be gently wedged between the cap portionand the core layer.

Each lobecan have a lobe exterior lengthorthogonal to or about the longitudinal axis L. If the body portionis cylindrical, the lobe exterior lengthis measured on the exterior surface of the body portionand along the part of the circumference of the body portionwhere the lobebeing characterized is present. If the body portionis a regular right prism, the lobe exterior lengthis measured on the exterior surface of the body portionand along part of the periphery of the body portionwhere the lobebeing characterized is present. Portions of a lobemay reside on adjacent faces of the body portion.

The lobe exterior lengthcan be more than about 5% of the peripheral exterior length, optionally more than about 10% of the peripheral exterior length, optionally from about 5% of the peripheral length to about 30% of the peripheral length, optionally from about 5% of the peripheral length to about 20% of the peripheral length, optionally from about 10% of the peripheral length to about 25% of the peripheral length. The lobe exterior lengthcan be from about 1 mm to about 60 mm. Each lobecan have a lobe exterior lengthto lobe exterior heightgreater than about 1. Lobeshaving such aspect ratio can provide for a predetermined removeable portionthat can be easily separated from the body portionof the container. As the predetermined removable portionis removed by pulling on the predetermined removeable portionand tearing the predetermined removeable portionalong the upper line of limitationand lower line of limitation, the limited directional variation of the lower line of limitationreduces the potential for the tear line to deviate from the lower line of limitation. Taller lobesor a lower line of limitationthat has vertices or abrupt changes in direction may result in the tear line not optimally following the lower line of limitationwhen the predetermined removable portionis removed.

The body portioncan comprise a plurality of lobes. For example, the body portioncan comprise two lobes. The two lobescan be spaced apart from one another by straight segmentsof the lower line of limitation. Optionally, the two lobescan be on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the body portioncan comprise three or four lobesspaced apart about the longitudinal axis L, optionally evenly spaced apart about the longitudinal axis L. The lobescan be spaced apart from one another by from about 10% to about 80% of the peripheral exterior length. Such spacing can be practical for providing room for the cap portionto be deformed to wedge fit over the lobeswhen the cap portion is reengaged with the body portionafter the container is opened. The lobescan be spaced apart from one another by about 1 mm to about 350 mm, optionally from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, optionally from about 20 mm to about 80 mm.

An open containeris shown in. In, the predetermined removable portionis separated from the cap portionand the body portion. The user of the containercan place the predetermined removable portionin a recycling collection bin or waste bin. The core layercan extend above the upper line of limitation. The core layercan extend above the upper line of limitationby more than about 5% of the peripheral exterior length, optionally from about 5% of the peripheral exterior length to about 50%, optionally from about 5% of the peripheral exterior length to about 30%, of the peripheral exterior length. Such an arrangement provides for a core layerthat can support the lobeswhen the cap portionis fitted onto the body portionto close the containerafter opening.

The core layercan be discontinuous about the longitudinal axis L. This can simplify erection of the containersince the vertical edges of the core layerneed not be precisely fitted to and joined to one another.

The cap portioncan serve as a measuring cup for measuring out quantities of the contentsof the container. The cap portioncan be sized and dimensioned to have an cap portion interior volume that corresponds to a single dose. In that instance, a completely full cap portioncan correspond to a single dose of the contents of the container. The cap portioncan be sized and dimensioned to have a cap portion interior volume that corresponds to two doses of the contents of the container. In that arrangement, a half-full cap portioncan correspond to a single dose of the contents of the container. A full cap portionand half full cap portionmay be intuitive for the user measure out if no dosing indiciaare provided. Optionally, dosing indiciacan be provided on the interior facing surfaceof the cap portion. The dosing indiciacan be printed lines, numbers, or graphics, embossments, debossments, pictures, or text that are indicative to the user of the quantity of the contents of the containerthat is required to provide for the intended use or intended benefit of the contents of the container. The dosing indiciacan be printed, embossed, or debossed on the blank or part of the blank from which the containeris erected. The dosing indiciacan include a numerical indicator of the size of the dose to deliver the intended benefit. The dosing indiciacan be printed on what becomes the interior facing surfaceof the cap portionby a printing process selected from the group consisting of digital printing, flexography, letterpress printing, offset printing, rotogravure printing, and screen printing. The dosing indiciacan be printed, embossed, or debossed on flat paperboard on the surface that will become the interior facing surfacebefore the containeris erected, which is a comparatively simpler process than performing the same processes on the interior of an erected container.

The paper based containerdescribed herein has a particular advantage over a plastic based container. For plastic based containers, the dosing indiciamay molded into the cap. Molds for plastic parts are expensive. If the manufacturer of the of the contents of the containerdesires to change the formula of the contents of the container, for example by compacting the formulation, a new mold must be employed to make a cap that has molded dosing indicia marked to provide the desired dose. For the paper based containerdescribed herein, the dosing indicia can be inexpensively changed since only a change to a printing, embossment, or debossment process of a flat substrate from which the containeris erected is needed. Printing, embossment, and debossment of flat paper substrates tends to be a relatively inexpensive process to implement and make changes thereto compared to implementing and changing plastic molding processes and manufactured parts.

Before the containeris first opened, the cap portionis part of shell layer. The shell layercan have an interior facing surfaceoriented towards the longitudinal axis L and an opposing exterior facing surface. The interior facing surfaceabove the lower line of limitationcan comprise the at least one dosing indicia.

The cap portion interiorcan have a cap portion interior volume from about 10 mL to about 400 mL. The containercan have an body portion interiorand the body portion interior volume from the bottom endto the upper line of limitationcan be from about 50 mL to 2000 mL. The cap portion interior volume can be from about 0.5 to about 50% of the body portion interior volume. That arrangement can provide for a containerthat contains from about 1 to about 80, optionally from about 18 to about 20, doses of articles.

The articlesin the container can be filled to a fill level. The fill levelcan be below the core rim. Such an arrangement can be practical if the articleshave a propensity to fall out of the lower part of the containerwhen the containeris opened in an upright position. Articlesthat are particles may have a such a propensity to spill out of the containerupon opening. The fill levelcan be below the upper line of limitation. That fill level can reduce the potential for accidental spilling of the articlesfrom the containeras the containeris opened.

In a formed container, the shell layercan comprise a longitudinal seamextending at least partway between the shell bottom edgeand the shell top edge, optionally extending from the shell bottom edgeto the shell top edgeexcluding the predetermined removable portion. The longitudinal seamcan be a butt scam or overlapping scam and comprise a glue or tape, or be heat sealed to help maintain integrity of the longitudinal seam. The longitudinal seamcan be glued, taped, or heat sealed at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal seam. The longitudinal seamcan be a flange seam in which both edges of the shell layeralong the longitudinal axis L each have a flange and the flanges are joined to one another. The flange seal can be tucked towards the interior of the containeror be oriented outwardly from the containerwith tucking towards the interior of the containerbeing more discrete. The flanges of the flange seal constituting the longitudinal seamcan be glued, or taped, or heat sealed to one another.

The cap portioncan have a cap portion heightmeasured parallel to the longitudinal axis L between the upper line of limitationand the shell top edge. The predetermined removeable portioncan have a predetermined removeable portion maximum heightmeasured parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The predetermined removeable portion maximum heightis measured at an appropriate location which will be away from a lobe. The cap portion heightcan be greater than the predetermined removable portion height. Such an arrangement can provide for a cap portionthat can be fully fitted over the core layerto close the containerafter opening.

The user opens the containerby removing the predetermined removable portionfrom the container. The cap portionis then separated from the body portionso that the user can access the contents of the container. After a portion of the contents of the containerhave been dispensed, the user can reclose the container, for example as shown in. As shown in, the cap wall interior facing surfaceis oriented towards the longitudinal axis L. The lobeor lobescan be wedged between the cap wall interior facing surfaceand the core layer. As described herein, the cap portionand body portionare formed from the shell layer. The lobesare integral extensions of the body portion. As such, the cap portioncannot fit over the lobesunless the lipof the cap portionis deformed to fit or slide over the lobes. For a cylindrical cap portion, user can gently squeeze the cap wallon opposing sides which results in hoop stress being applied to cap wall. The deformation of the cap wallin such manner can provide for room for portions of the cap wallaway from the location that the squeezing forces are applied to deform away from the longitudinal axis L and be slid over the lobeor lobes. Once the hoop stress is relieved by the user ceasing to squeeze the cap wall, the cap wallrelaxes and leaves the lobeor lobeswedged between the core layerand the cap wall interior facing surface. The frictional fit and wedging of the cap portionto the body portioncan help securely close the container. The frictional fit and wedging, provides a resistance force in the direction of the longitudinal axis L when the cap portionis pulled away from the body portionor pushed away from the body portionby the contents of the containerif the closed containeris tipped over sideways or inverted.

In, a partial cross sectional view of a containeris shown that has been first opened by removing the predetermined removable portionand separating the cap portionand then reclosed by replacing the cap portiononto the body portion. As shown in, the cap portioncan be deformed to be fitted over the lobe. The lobeis wedged between the cap wall interior facing surfaceand the core layer.

The body portioncan be provided with one or more lobes. When only a single lobeis provided, the reclosed cap portionmay be fitted over the lobeand the interior facing surfaceof the core layeropposite to the location of the lobemay be in contact with the core layer. The wedging of the lobein between the cap portionand core layerplus the frictional engagement between the interior facing surfaceof the cap portionand the core layeropposite the lobecan be sufficient to reasonably securely maintain the containerin a closed condition after the containerhas been first opened.

A plurality of lobescan provide additional wedging locations to more securely close a previously opened container. Two lobescan be advantageously positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis L. In that arrangement, the user can gently pinch the lipbetween his or her thumb and forefinger, for example at a 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, to deform the lipso that locations positions at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions along the lipare outwardly deformed and can be slide over the lobes.

Four lobescan be advantageously evenly spaced out at the 1:30 o'clock, 4:30 o'clock, 7:30 o'clock, and 10:30 o'clock position on the body portion. The user can gently pinch the lipat the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions to deform the lipso that the locations along the lipcorresponding the lobesare deformed to fit over the four lobes.

The containercan be a regular right prism, optionally a regular right rectangular prism (). The baseof the containercan have a shape selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, oval, elliptical, and stadium. The container can have a shape selected from the group consisting of a regular right rectangular prism, a regular right triangular prism, a regular right square prism, a regular right pentagonal prism, a regular right hexagonal prism, a regular right heptagonal prism, regular right octagonal prism, right circular cylinder, regular right oval, regular right ellipse, a regular right stadium, and shapes that are substantially such shapes within typical manufacturing tolerances and in recognition of the slight variations in the shapes that might occur as a result of longitudinal seams, including overlapping seams, in the core layer and or shell layer that are used construct the container. The containercan have an internal or external cross sectional shape orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L selected from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, an irregular rounded shape, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, an ellipse, an oval, and a stadium. Regular right rectangular, regular right square, and regular right triangular prisms can be efficiently packed, in an outer case, on a pallet, or shelf. Regular right rectangular and regular right square prisms are well suited for ecommerce shipping. Rounded containerssuch as right circular cylinders, regular right oval, regular right ellipse, and regular right stadium can be structurally stable due to their curved shells along the longitudinal axis L.

The cap endcan be an insert in the top of the container, as shown in. The cap endcan be paperboard or corrugate. The cap endcan comprise a flangeperipherally extending from the cap end. The flangecan be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior facing surfaceof the cap portion. Optionally, the flangecan be tucked within a folded extensionintegrally extending from the shell top edge. The folded extensioncan be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the flangeand the flangecan optionally be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior facing surfaceof the cap portion. A similar construct can be provided to form the bottom end. The bottom endcan comprise a flangeperipherally extending from the bottom end. The flangecan be glued, taped, or heat scaled to the interior facing surfaceof the body portion. Optionally, the flangecan be tucked within a folded extensionintegrally extending from the shell bottom edgeof the body portion. The folded extensioncan be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the flange. The flangecan optionally be glued, taped, or heat sealed to the interior facing surfaceof the body portion. Employing a folded extensionwithin which the flangeis positioned between opposing parts of the folded extensionand glued, taped, or heat sealed to the folded extensioncan provide for a sturdy container. A cold, hotmelt, or pressure sensitive glue or a heat seal or tape or other bond can be used to join the cap endto the shell layer.

The containercan be a closed ended container. The shell top edgecan be closed by a cap end. The shell bottom edgecan be closed by a bottom end. The cap endcan be opposite the bottom end. The cap endcan be proximal the shell top edgeand form a closed end at the shell top edge. The bottom endcan be proximal the shell bottom edgeand form a closed end at the shell bottom edge.

As shown in, the containercan be provided with a structure that can provide for convenient dispensing of the contents from the container. The core layercan extend to a core rimabove the upper line of limitation. In this arrangement, the core layercan provide for back support of the lobe or lobeswhen they are employed to securely reclose the container. The core rimcan be below the shell top edgeso that the cap portioncan fit over the core layer.