Water box apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus includes a box including one or more side walls, each of which defines an inside surface. A bag is disposed in an internal region defined by the box. Drinking water is contained in the bag, the water being non-alcoholic. The bag is adapted to protect the water from contaminants, tastes, and odors, each of which originates from either the bag itself or a source external to the bag. A water-resistant coating may be applied to the respective inside surfaces. When condensate forms on the bag, the water-resistant coating at least resists absorption of the condensate into the one or more side walls. The apparatus may include a spout, which permits the water to be dispensed from the bag for human consumption. In an exemplary embodiment, the water is treated with a sanitizing additive such as, for example, ozone. The apparatus mitigates the environmental impacts of drinking water packaging.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water box apparatus, comprising:
 a box comprising:
 lower and upper ends spaced in a parallel relation; 
 wherein the parallel spacing between the lower and upper ends defines a height of the box; 
 first and second side walls extending vertically from the lower end to the upper end,
 wherein the first and second side walls are spaced in a parallel relation; 
 
 third and fourth side walls extending vertically from the lower end to the upper end,
 wherein the third and fourth side walls are spaced in a parallel relation, 
 wherein each of the third and fourth side walls extends horizontally from the first side wall to the second side wall, 
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls defines an inside surface, and 
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls comprises:
 an inner linerboard, the inner linerboard defining the inside surface, 
 an outer linerboard connected to the inner linerboard, and 
 a medium positioned between the inner linerboard and the outer linerboard, the medium comprising a plurality of flutes extending vertically along the height of the box; wherein the plurality of flutes defines an undulating cross-section at a vertical position along the height of the box, the undulating cross-section being spaced in a parallel relation from each of the lower and upper ends; 
 
 
 one or more first perforated score lines formed in the first side wall,
 wherein the one or more first perforated score lines are vertically positioned closer to the lower end than to the upper end, 
 wherein a spout opening is formed in the first side wall when the one or more first perforated score lines are broken, 
 wherein the spout opening is vertically spaced from the lower end so that a portion of the first side wall extends between the lower end and the spout opening, 
 wherein the spout opening is horizontally spaced equidistantly from each of the third and fourth walls, 
 wherein a spout flap is formed when the one or more first perforated score lines are broken, 
 wherein the spout flap is hingedly connected to the first side wall, and 
 wherein the spout flap is permitted to pivot upward and away from the first side wall; 
 
 one or more second perforated score lines formed in the box, wherein a first handle opening is formed in the box when the one or more second perforated score lines are broken; 
   an internal region at least partially defined by the respective inside surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls;   a bag disposed in the internal region, the bag having an outer perimeter, the bag comprising:
 first and second upper corner portions, and 
 first and second lower corner portions; 
   drinking water contained in the bag, the drinking water being non-alcoholic;
 wherein the bag is adapted to protect the drinking water contained therein from contaminants, tastes, and odors, each of which originates from either the bag itself or a source external to the bag, 
 wherein the bag is adapted to protect the drinking water contained therein from a first contaminant, taste, or odor that originates from the bag itself, the first contaminant, taste, or odor being one of said contaminants, tastes, and odors, 
 wherein the bag is adapted to protect the drinking water contained therein from a second contaminant, taste, or odor that originates from the source external to the bag, the second contaminant, taste, or odor being another of said contaminants, tastes, and odors, and 
 wherein the extension of the flutes, vertically along the height of the box, facilitates the ability of the box to structurally withstand loads applied against the first, second, third, and fourth side walls because of the bag containing the drinking water and being disposed in the internal region; 
   and   a spout connected to the bag and adapted to permit the drinking water to be
 dispensed from the bag for human consumption, 
 wherein the spout is connected to the bag; 
 wherein the spout is positioned so that the spout is closer to the lower end of the box than to the upper end of the box; 
 wherein the spout opening is sized so that the spout is permitted to extend through the spout opening; 
   wherein the bag is bendable or twistable in a direction towards the spout opening so that the spout is permitted to be pulled so that the spout extends through the spout opening; and
 wherein:
 the vertical positioning of the one or more first perforated score lines closer to the lower end than to the upper end, 
 the equidistant horizontal spacing of the spout opening from each of the third and fourth walls, 
 the positioning of the spout closer to the lower end of the box than to the upper end of the box, 
 the size of the spout opening, and 
 the bendability or twistability of the bag in the direction towards the spout opening, 
 together permit the spout to be pulled so that the spout extends through the spout opening. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The water box apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a water-resistant coating applied to the respective inside surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls. 
     
     
         3 . The water box apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein, when condensate forms on the bag within the internal region, the water-resistant coating applied to the respective inside surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls at least resists absorption of the condensate into the first, second, third, and fourth side walls to reduce the risk of the condensate causing structural damage to the box, permitting the water box apparatus to be repeatedly refrigerated or chilled. 
     
     
         4 . The water box apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drinking water is treated with a sanitizing additive. 
     
     
         5 . The water box apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the box further comprises first, second, third, and fourth end flaps hingedly connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls, respectively;
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth end flaps defines an inside surface and an outside surface;   wherein the respective inside surfaces of the third and fourth end flaps engage the respective outside surfaces of the first and second end flaps so that the third end flap is connected to the first end flap and/or the second end flap, and the fourth end flap is connected to the first end flap and/or the second end flap; and   wherein the connection between the third end flap and the first end flap and/or the second end flap, and the connection between the fourth end flap and the first end flap and/or the second end flap, at least partially form the upper end of the box.   
     
     
         6 . The water box apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the box further comprises:
 fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth end flaps hingedly connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls, respectively;   wherein each of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth end flaps defines an inside surface and an outside surface;   wherein the respective inside surfaces of the fifth and sixth end flaps engage the respective outside surfaces of the seventh and eighth end flaps so that the fifth end flap is connected to the seventh end flap and/or the eighth end flap, and the sixth end flap is connected to the seventh end flap and/or the eighth end flap; and   wherein the connection between the fifth end flap and the seventh end flap and/or the eighth end flap, and the connection between the sixth end flap and the seventh end flap and/or the eighth end flap, at least partially form the lower end of the box.   
     
     
         7 . The water box apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising indicia on: the outer linerboard of the first side wall; the outer linerboard of the second side wall; the outer linerboard of the third side wall; the outer linerboard of the fourth side wall; or any combination thereof; and
 wherein the indicia indicates that the drinking water is contained in the bag.   
     
     
         8 . The water box apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the box further comprises first, second, third, and fourth end flaps hingedly connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls, respectively;
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth end flaps defines an inside surface and an outside surface;   wherein the respective inside surfaces of the first and second end flaps engage the respective outside surfaces of the third and fourth flaps so that the first end flap is connected to the third end flap and/or the fourth end flap, and the second end flap is connected to the third end flap and/or the fourth end flap; and   wherein the connection between the first end flap and the third end flap and/or the fourth end flap, and the connection between the second end flap and the third end flap and/or the fourth end flap, at least partially form the upper end of the box.   
     
     
         9 . A water box apparatus, comprising:
 a box comprising:
 lower and upper ends spaced in a parallel relation; 
 wherein the parallel spacing between the lower and upper ends defines a height of the box; 
 first and second side walls extending vertically from the lower end to the upper end, 'wherein the first and second side walls are spaced in a parallel relation; 
 third and fourth side walls extending vertically from the lower end to the upper end,
 wherein the third and fourth side walls are spaced in a parallel relation, 
 wherein each of the third and fourth side walls extends horizontally from the first side wall to the second side wall, 
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls defines an inside surface, and 
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls comprises:
 an inner linerboard, the inner linerboard defining the inside surface, 
 an outer linerboard connected to the inner linerboard, and 
 a medium positioned between the inner linerboard and the outer linerboard, the medium comprising a plurality of flutes; 
 
 
 one or more first perforated score lines formed in the first side wall,
 wherein the one or more first perforated score lines are vertically positioned closer to the lower end than to the upper end, and 
 wherein a spout opening is formed in the first side wall when the one or more first perforated score lines are broken; 
 
   an internal region at least partially defined by the respective inside surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls;   a bag disposed in the internal region, the bag having an outer perimeter;   drinking water contained in the bag, the drinking water being non-alcoholic;
 wherein the bag is adapted to protect the drinking water contained therein from contaminants, tastes, and odors, each of which originates from either the bag itself or a source external to the bag, 
 wherein the bag is adapted to protect the drinking water contained therein from a first contaminant, taste, or odor that originates from the bag itself, the first contaminant, taste, or odor being one of said contaminants, tastes, and odors, 
 wherein the bag is adapted to protect the drinking water contained therein from a second contaminant, taste, or odor that originates from the source external to the bag, the second contaminant, taste, or odor being another of said contaminants, tastes, and odors; and 
   a spout connected to the bag and adapted to permit the drinking water to be dispensed from the bag for human consumption,
 wherein the spout is connected to the bag; 
 wherein the spout is positioned so that the spout is closer to the lower end of the box than to the upper end of the box; 
 wherein the spout opening is sized so that the spout is permitted to extend through the spout opening; 
 wherein the bag is bendable or twistable so that the spout is permitted to be pulled so that the spout extends through the spout opening; and 
 wherein:
 the vertical positioning of the one or more first perforated score lines closer to the lower end than to the upper end, 
 the positioning of the spout closer to the lower end of the box than to the upper end of the box, 
 the size of the spout opening, and 
 the bendability or twistability of the bag, 
 together permit the spout to be pulled so that the spout extends through the spout opening. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The water box apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the flutes extend vertically along the height of the box; and
 wherein the plurality of flutes defines an undulating cross-section at a vertical position along the height of the box, the undulating cross-section being spaced in a parallel relation from each of the lower and upper ends.   
     
     
         11 . The water box apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the extension of the flutes, vertically along the height of the box, facilitates the ability of the box to structurally withstand loads applied against the first, second, third, and fourth side walls because of the bag containing the drinking water and being disposed in the internal region. 
     
     
         12 . The water box apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more second perforated score lines formed in the box, wherein a first handle opening is formed in the box when the one or more second perforated score lines are broken. 
     
     
         13 . The water box apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more second perforated score lines are formed in the second side wall;
 wherein the one or more second perforated score lines are horizontally spaced equidistantly from each of the third and fourth side walls; and   wherein the first handle opening is formed in the second side wall when the one or more second perforated score lines are broken.   
     
     
         14 . The water box of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more second perforated score lines are formed in the third side wall;
 wherein the one or more second perforated score lines are horizontally spaced equidistantly from each of the first and second side walls; and   wherein the first handle opening is formed in the third side wall when the one or more second perforated score lines are broken.   
     
     
         15 . The water box apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a spout flap is formed when the one or more first perforated score lines are broken, wherein the spout flap is hingedly connected to the first side wall, and wherein the spout flap is permitted to pivot upward and away from the first side wall. 
     
     
         16 . The water box apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the spout opening is vertically spaced from the lower end so that a portion of the first side wall extends between the lower end and the spout opening. 
     
     
         17 . The water box apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a water-resistant coating applied to the respective inside surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls. 
     
     
         18 . The water box apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the box further comprises first, second, third, and fourth end flaps hingedly connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls, respectively;
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth end flaps defines an inside surface and an outside surface;   wherein the respective inside surfaces of the third and fourth end flaps engage the respective outside surfaces of the first and second end flaps so that the third end flap is connected to the first end flap and/or the second end flap, and the fourth end flap is connected to the first end flap and/or the second end flap; and   wherein the connection between the third end flap and the first end flap and/or the second end flap, and the connection between the fourth end flap and the first end flap and/or the second end flap, at least partially form the upper end of the box.   
     
     
         19 . The water box apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the box further comprises:
 fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth end flaps hingedly connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls, respectively;   wherein each of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth end flaps defines an inside surface and an outside surface;   wherein the respective inside surfaces of the fifth and sixth end flaps engage the respective outside surfaces of the seventh and eighth end flaps so that the fifth end flap is connected to the seventh end flap and/or the eighth end flap, and the sixth end flap is connected to the seventh end flap and/or the eighth end flap; and   wherein the connection between the fifth end flap and the seventh end flap and/or the eighth end flap, and the connection between the sixth end flap and the seventh end flap and/or the eighth end flap, at least partially form the lower end of the box.   
     
     
         20 . The water box apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising indicia on: the outer linerboard of the first side wall; the outer linerboard of the second side wall; the outer linerboard of the third side wall; the outer linerboard of the fourth side wall; or any combination thereof; and
 wherein the indicia indicates that the drinking water is contained in the bag.   
     
     
         21 . The water box apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the box further comprises first, second, third, and fourth end flaps hingedly connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls, respectively;
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth end flaps defines an inside surface and an outside surface;   wherein the respective inside surfaces of the first and second end flaps engage the respective outside surfaces of the third and fourth flaps so that the first end flap is connected to the third end flap and/or the fourth end flap, and the second end flap is connected to the third end flap and/or the fourth end flap; and   wherein the connection between the first end flap and the third end flap and/or the fourth end flap, and the connection between the second end flap and the third end flap and/or the fourth end flap, at least partially form the upper end of the box.