This invention generally relates to reclosable packaged food containers, and more specifically, to containers of this type that are used to hold bulk food products such as cereal.
Bulk food products, such as cereal, are often sold to the consumer in semi-rigid, box-shaped containers, and these containers have achieved wide-spread commercial acceptance. Nevertheless, it is believed that these food containers can be improved.
For instance, when cereal is poured, or served, from a conventional cereal box, occasionally some cereal is spilled. There are a number of reasons for this. One reason is that cereal is often poured by very young children with, understandably, limited motor skills. Another reason is that cereal is often served and eaten in the early morning by persons who may not yet be fully alert. The design of the conventional cereal box may also contribute to this occasional spilling.
To elaborate, conventional cereal boxes include a semi-rigid outer carton having a box-shape, and an inner flexible liner or bag, and the cereal product is held in this inner liner. To open the box, the top of the outer carton and then the top of the inner liner are torn open. These box tops are usually designed to be torn open; and, for example, they may be provided with tear strips, perforated tear lines, or detachable flaps. The inner liner is typically torn open by tearing open the upper edge of that liner, usually along most or all of that edge. The above procedure results in a relatively large opening at the top of the inner liner and at the top of the cereal box. At the same time, the box and liner offer limited guidance for the cereal being poured out of the top opening. As a result, occasionally some of the cereal spills as it is poured out of the box.
In addition, with cereal boxes of the type described above, the tops of the boxes are commonly designed to be re-closed after cereal is served from a box. Among other reasons, these box tops are re-closed to help maintain the freshness of the product in the box and to help prevent that product from spilling out of the box in case the box is knocked over. Many consumers do try to close the box top after serving the cereal; however, these attempts are often not completely successful. Also, in many cases, a person will think that the box top is properly closed when in fact it is not.