Bag-in-a-box

Abstract

A package includes a carton having an access opening that is for providing access to the interior of the carton. The package further includes a flexible bag that is positioned in the interior of the carton, and a spigot that is operatively connected to the bag for selectively dispensing flowable material from the bag. A holder is cooperatively associated with the spigot and the carton for holding the spigot so that the spigot is simultaneously proximate the access opening of the carton and disposed at least partially within the interior of the carton, so that access to the spigot is at least temporarily restricted in a manner that at least temporarily restricts any dispensing of flowable material from the bag by way of the spigot.

1 . A package for dispensing a flowable material, the package comprising: 
 a carton including a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton, wherein the carton includes an access opening that is for providing access to the interior of the carton;    a flexible bag for containing the flowable material, wherein the bag is positioned in the interior of the carton; and    a spigot operatively connected to the bag for selectively dispensing the flowable material from the bag,    wherein a holder is cooperatively associated with the spigot and the carton for holding the spigot so that the spigot is simultaneously 
 (a) disposed at least partially within the interior of the carton so that access to the spigot is at least temporarily restricted in a manner that at least temporarily restricts any dispensing of flowable material from the bag by way of the spigot, and  
 (b) proximate the access opening of the carton.  
   
     
     
         2 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the spigot being disposed at least partially within the interior the carton comprises: 
 the entire spigot being completely enclosed within the interior of the carton.    
     
     
         3 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the spigot being disposed at least partially within the interior the carton comprises: 
 at least one component of the spigot being within the interior of the carton, and    the at least one component of the spigot is selected from the group consisting of 
 (a) a discharge opening of the spigot, and  
 (b) an actuator of the spigot.  
   
     
     
         4 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the holder includes a gripping opening that is positioned within the interior of the carton, and    at least a portion of the bag is positioned in the gripping opening.    
     
     
         5 . The package according to  claim 1 , comprising means for at least partially supporting the holder in an upright configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the carton is in the form of a parallelpipedal box.  
     
     
         7 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising an openable portion, wherein the access opening of the carton is at least partially closed by the openable portion, the openable portion is for being opened to at least partially expose the access opening, and the openable portion is at least partially defined by a tear line.  
     
     
         8 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the holder is distinct from the carton, and    the holder is mounted to the carton and projects into the interior of the carton.    
     
     
         9 . The package according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the holder comprises corrugated cardboard,    the carton is not constructed of corrugated cardboard and,    the carton comprises paperboard.    
     
     
         10 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the bag includes a neck that includes a passageway for being in fluid communication with the interior of the bag, and    the spigot being operatively connected to the bag comprises the spigot being mounted to the neck.    
     
     
         11 . The package according to  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the holder includes a gripping opening that is positioned in the interior of the carton, and    at least a portion of the neck is positioned in the gripping opening.    
     
     
         12 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover panel, wherein the access opening of the carton is at least partially closed by the cover panel.  
     
     
         13 . The package according to  claim 12 , wherein the cover panel comprises a plurality of flaps that are overlapping with respect to one another and respectively foldably attached to panels of the plurality of panels.  
     
     
         14 . The package according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the plurality of panels includes a base panel, opposite side panels extending upwardly from respective side edges of the base panel, and a top panel having opposite edges respectively connected to upper edges of the side panels,    the cover panel is foldably connected to the top panel, and    the cover panel includes an attachment flap connected to the bottom panel.    
     
     
         15 . The package according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the cover panel includes an openable portion,    the access opening of the carton is at least partially closed by the openable portion,    the openable portion is for being opened to at least partially expose the access opening, and    the openable portion is at least partially defined by at least one tear line.    
     
     
         16 . The package according to  claim 12 , wherein the spigot is positioned in a corner defined between the cover panel and at least one panel of the plurality of panels that extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the cover panel.  
     
     
         17 . The package according to  claim 16 , wherein the holder extends obliquely with respect to both the cover panel and the at least one panel of the plurality of panels that extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the cover panel.  
     
     
         18 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the holder is a portion of a liner, and the liner at least partially lines the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         19 . The package according to  claim 18 , wherein the holder comprises a portion of the liner that projects into the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         20 . The package according to  claim 18 , wherein the holder comprises a flap that is connected to a panel of the liner and projects into the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         21 . The package according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 the panel of the liner is a first panel,    the liner further includes opposite side panels that are respectively foldably connected to, and extend from, opposite edges of the first panel, and    opposite edges of the flap are respectively in opposing face-to-face configuration with the side panels.    
     
     
         22 . The package according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 the panel of the liner is a base panel,    the panel further includes opposite side panels that are respectively foldably connected to, and extend upwardly from, opposite edges of the base panel, and    opposite edges of the flap are respectively connected to the side panels.    
     
     
         23 . The package according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 the flap is foldably connected to the panel of the liner,    the panel of the liner is a first panel,    the first panel is foldably connected to a second panel of the liner,    the second panel is foldably connected to a third panel of the liner, and    the second and third panels are in opposing face-to-face configuration with respect to one another.    
     
     
         24 . The package according to  claim 18 , wherein: 
 the access opening is a first access opening,    the carton includes an openable portion that is for being opened to expose a second access opening of the carton, and    the liner includes a support stand that is positioned adjacent the openable portion of the carton and is for being deployed so as to extend through the second access opening of the carton and at least partially support the carton in an inclined configuration.    
     
     
         25 . The package according to  claim 24 , wherein the openable portion of the carton is at least partially defined by a tear line that is positioned in at least one panel of the plurality of panels.  
     
     
         26 . The package according to  claim 18 , wherein the liner includes: 
 a base panel, and    opposite side panels that are respectively foldably connected to, and extend upwardly from, opposite edges of the base panel.    
     
     
         27 . The package according to  claim 26 , wherein the base panel of the liner is in opposing face-to-face relation with, and extends obliquely with respect to, a base panel of the plurality of panels of the carton.  
     
     
         28 . The package according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 the liner includes a flap that is foldably connected to an end of one of the side panels,    both the flap and the one of the side panels extend upright,    the flap has a vertical dimension that extends from a lower edge of the flap to an upper edge of the flap,    the one of the side panels has a vertical dimension that extends from a lower edge of the one of the side panels to an upper edge of the one of the side panels, and    the vertical dimension of the flap is larger than the vertical dimension of the one of the side panels.    
     
     
         29 . The package according to  claim 26 , wherein the holder comprises a flap that is foldably connected to an end of one of the side panels.  
     
     
         30 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a portion of the carton that projects into the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         31 . The package according to  claim 30 , wherein the portion of the carton that projects into the interior of the carton comprises a portion of a panel of the plurality of panels of the carton.  
     
     
         32 . The package according to  claim 30 , wherein the portion of the carton that projects into the interior of the carton comprises a doubled over portion of a panel of the plurality of panels of the carton.  
     
     
         33 . The package according to  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the portion of the carton that projects into the interior of the carton comprises a portion of a base panel of the plurality of panels of the carton,    the plurality of panels of the carton further includes opposite side panels that are respectively foldably connected to, and extend upwardly from, opposite edges of the base panel, and    opposite edges of the portion of the base panel that projects into the interior of the carton are respectively adjacent the opposite side panels.    
     
     
         34 . The package according to  claim 33 , wherein the opposite edges of the portion of the base panel that projects into the interior of the cart are respectively abutting the opposite side panels.  
     
     
         35 . The package according to  claim 33 , wherein the opposite edges of the portion of the base panel that projects into the interior of the cart are respectively connected to the opposite side panels.  
     
     
         36 . A package for containing a flowable material, the package comprising: 
 a carton including a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton, wherein the carton includes an access opening that is for providing access to the interior of the carton;    a flexible bag having an interior for containing the flowable material, wherein the bag is positioned in the interior of the carton;    a neck that is mounted to the bag and includes a passageway for being in fluid communication with the interior of the bag;    a liner positioned in the interior of the carton, wherein the liner at least partially lines the carton and extends at least partially around the bag, wherein the liner includes a holder that is cooperatively associated with the neck for holding the neck so that the neck is simultaneously 
 (a) within the interior of the carton, and  
 (b) proximate the access opening of the carton; and  
   a cover panel, wherein the access opening of the carton is at least partially closed by the cover panel so that the cover panel obstructs access to at least the neck.    
     
     
         37 . The package according to  claim 36 , wherein the entire neck is completely enclosed within the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         38 . The package according to  claim 36 , further comprising a closure mechanism mounted to the neck for closing the passageway through the neck.  
     
     
         39 . The package according to  claim 38 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a spigot.  
     
     
         40 . The package according to  claim 38 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a spigot that is within the interior of the carton, and the cover panel obstructs access to the spigot.  
     
     
         41 . The package according to  claim 40 , wherein the entire spigot is completely enclosed within the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         42 . The package according to  claim 38 , wherein the holder comprises a flap that is foldably connected to a panel of the liner and projects into the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         43 . The package according to  claim 42 , wherein: 
 the panel of the liner is a first panel,    the panel further includes opposite side panels that are respectively foldably connected to, and extend from, opposite edges of the first panel,    opposite edges of the flap are respectively in opposing face-to-face configuration with intermediate portions of the side panels, and    for each side panel of the side panels, the intermediate portion of the side panel is between opposite end of the side panels.    
     
     
         44 . A package for containing a flowable material, the package comprising: 
 a carton including 
 (a) a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton,  
 (b) an access opening that is for providing access to the interior of the carton, and  
 (c) a holding panel that extends into the interior of the carton and includes a gripping opening that is positioned in the interior of the carton;  
   a flexible bag having an interior for containing the flowable material, wherein the bag is positioned in the interior of the carton; and    a neck that is mounted to the bag and includes a passageway for being in fluid communication with the interior of the bag, wherein the neck is mounted to the gripping opening so that the neck is simultaneously 
 (a) within the interior of the carton, and  
 (b) proximate the access opening of the carton.  
   
     
     
         45 . The package according to  claim 44 , wherein the carton further includes a cover panel, wherein the access opening of the carton is at least partially closed by the cover panel so that the cover panel obstructs access to at least the neck.  
     
     
         46 . The package according to  claim 44 , wherein the holding panel is foldably connected to at least one of the panels of the plurality of panels that extend at least partially around the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         47 . The package according to  claim 44 , wherein the holding panel is a doubled over portion of a panel of the plurality of panels that extend at least partially around the interior of the carton.  
     
     
         48 . A blank capable of being used with a bag having a neck, the blank comprising: 
 a first panel having a forward first edge, wherein the first panel extends in a longitudinal direction rearwardly from the forward first edge, and the first panel includes a side edge that extends in the longitudinal direction;    a second panel having a forward second edge, wherein the second panel extends in the longitudinal direction rearwardly from the forward second edge, and the second panel includes a side edge that extends in the longitudinal direction and is foldably connected to the side edge of the first panel; and    a flap including a gripping opening suitable for holding the neck of the bag, wherein one of the forward first and second edges is positioned rearwardly of the other of the forward first and second edges, and the flap is foldably connected to at least the one of the forward first and second edges that is positioned rearwardly of the other of the forward first and second edges.    
     
     
         49 . The blank according to  claim 48 , wherein the flap being foldably connected to the at least the one of the forward first and second edges comprises the flap being foldably connected to the forward first edge, and the flap is wider than the first panel.  
     
     
         50 . The blank according to  claim 48 , further comprising at least one gusset panel, wherein: 
 the flap being foldably connected to the at least the one of the forward first and second edges comprises the flap being foldably connected to the forward first edge, and    the gusset panel is foldably connected to each of the flap and the forward first panel.    
     
     
         51 . The blank according to  claim 48 , wherein the flap being foldably connected to the at least the one of the forward first and second edges comprises: 
 the flap being foldably connected to a third panel,    the third panel being foldably connected to a fourth panel, and    the fourth panel being foldably connected to the at least the one of the forward first and second edges.    
     
     
         52 . The blank according to  claim 48 , further comprising a third panel, wherein: 
 the side edge of the first panel is a first side edge of the first panel;    the first panel includes a second side edge that extends in the longitudinal direction and is opposite from the first side edge;    the third panel has a forward third edge;    the third panel extends in the longitudinal direction rearwardly from the forward third edge;    the third panel includes a side edge that extends in the longitudinal direction and is foldably connected to the second side edge of the first panel; and    the third edge is positioned forwardly of the one of the forward first and second edges that is positioned rearwardly of the other of the forward first and second edges.    
     
     
         53 . The blank according to  claim 52 , wherein the forward first edge is the one of the forward first and second edges that is positioned rearwardly of the other of the forward first and second edges.  
     
     
         54 . The blank according to  claim 52 , wherein the forward second edge is the one of the forward first and second edges that is positioned rearwardly of the other of the forward first and second edges.  
     
     
         55 . The blank according to  claim 48  in combination with the bag, wherein: 
 the blank is erected into a carton, and    the bag is at least indirectly connected to the gripping opening.    
     
     
         56 . The blank according to  claim 48  in combination with the bag and a carton, wherein: 
 the blank is erected into a liner that at least partially lines the carton, and    the bag is at least indirectly connected to the gripping opening.    
     
     
         57 . A blank, comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel foldably connected to the first panel along a fold line that extends in a longitudinal direction; and    a flap foldably connected to the second panel along a fold line that extends in a lateral direction, wherein    the lateral direction is crosswise with respect to the longitudinal direction,    the second panel has a width that extends in the lateral direction,    the flap has a width that extends in the lateral direction, and    the width of the flap is larger than the width of the second panel.    
     
     
         58 . The blank according to  claim 57 , wherein: 
 the blank is erected into a construct so that both the second panel and the flap extend upright,    the flap has a vertical dimension that extends from a lower edge of the flap to an upper edge of the flap,    the second panel has a vertical dimension that extends from a lower edge of the second panel to an upper edge of the second panel, and    the vertical dimension of the flap is larger than the vertical dimension of the second panel.    
     
     
         59 . A method, comprising: 
 forming a package that includes at least a carton, a flexible bag, a spigot and a holder, wherein    the forming of the package is carried out so that the carton simultaneously at least partially encloses the bag, the spigot and the holder;    the forming of the package is carried out so that while the carton simultaneously at least partially encloses the bag, the spigot and the holder 
 (a) the spigot is in fluid communication with the bag's interior, and  
 (b) the spigot is operatively held by the holder so that the spigot is proximate an access opening of the carton; and  
   the forming of the package includes 
 (a) mounting the spigot to the holder, and  
 (b) then configuring the carton in a manner that at least temporarily restricts dispensing of flowable material from the bag by way of the spigot.  
   
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 59 , wherein the configuring of the carton comprises at least partially closing the access opening of the carton with an openable portion, and the method further comprises thereafter: 
 at least partially opening the openable portion to thereby at least partially open the access opening, and    then accessing the spigot by way of the open access and operating the spigot to dispense the flowable material from the interior of the bag via the spigot, wherein the operating of the spigot assembly occurs while the spigot assembly is mounted to the holder.    
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 59 , wherein the bag includes a neck, and the spigot being operatively held by the holder comprises: 
 the neck being held by the holder, and    the spigot being mounted to the neck.    
     
     
         62 . A method, comprising: 
 providing a bag;    at least partially filling the bag; and    at least partially enclosing the at least partially filled bag in a carton, wherein the at least partially enclosing of the at least partially filled bag in the carton comprises 
 mounting the bag to a construct, wherein the construct is selected from the group consisting of a blank and a construct partially erected from a blank, and  
 then at least further erecting the construct while the bag is mounted to the construct.  
   
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the at least partially filling of the bag occurs before the mounting of the bag to the construct.  
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the at least partially filling of the bag occurs after the mounting of the bag to the construct.  
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the at least further erecting of the construct comprises erecting the carton from the construct.  
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein: 
 the at least further erecting of the construct comprises erecting a liner from the construct, and    the at least partially enclosing of the at least partially filled bag in the carton further comprises at least partially lining the carton with the liner.