Milk Carton invention through the lens of STEM Stacey Stein Jenny Lee

A Need for a New Container Glass bottles were not sanitary Milk bottles would be stolen, needed to be washed and collected and broke easily Milkmen would ‘split’ the milk pouring a quart of milk into two empty pint bottles the owner may or may not have washed There was always an interest in single use containers

John Van Wormer, Inventor Realized a need for a new container for milk when he dropped a glass milk bottle and it spilled everywhere He was originally from Toledo, Ohio He owned a toy factory

Patents Granted a patent on the square wax milk container on July 18, 1911 Was given second patent on paper bottles on December 30, 1914 A third patent was given on May 5, 1914 to the Weis-Van Wormer Company of Monroe, Michigan

History of the Milk Carton Flat top square milk container Patent given to John Van Wormer in 1911 Stopper was inserted before milk and would float to the top so it could be grasped and pulled into place

Paper Bottle This milk container, that resembled a milk bottle, was made from manila paper that sealed with a disk closure This was used in 1912

Milk Cone Bottles This design was made out of paper and had a wax coating The Purity Paper Vessels Company named their new milk bottles “Pavesco Sanitary Paper Bottle” This was used in 1914

Paper Milk Bottle Invented by women in 1923 Known as the “Reinforced Paper Bottle”

Wax Milk Containers Made of a flexible paper that wouldn’t break even if the milk froze. Were more economical than glass bottles They were sealed airtight which allowed them to be stored upside down. This was a space saving feature. These were used in 1932.

1938 Paper Milk Bottle Introduced by Guernsey Farm Creamery in Oakland, CA The pyramid bottle had a side opening for the removal of the cream

Square Milk Containers Square milk containers were designed to carry more milk in the same space Container was formed at the factory and filled at the dairy for more sanitary packaging These were used in the 40’s and 50’s

Gable Top Carton This is the style carton we use today Came into use in the 40’s and 50’s Inventor John Van Wormer solely received a patent in 1915 for this style milk carton

General Information The invention of the paper milk container is classified as Bio-Technology for using paper in its construction. Milk is not only more portable but is considerably more free of bacteria than glass bottles. Glass bottles can be reused and paper milk containers creates waste because it has to be disposed of.

How are they all needed to Create The Milk Carton? Introduction to Engineering Gateway To Technology Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 – What is Engineering? How are they all needed to Create The Milk Carton? Example Science Technology Engineering Math Milk Carton Discovery of paper and wax Creating a container using paper and wax Designing a disposable carton that can hold liquid without leaking What is the optimal liquid measurement the container will hold and shape consumers will use easily Teacher and/or students can add an additional example to the table.

In 1915 John Van Wormer received a patent for his folded paper milk carton which he referred to as a "paper bottle."

Resources http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/milkcarton.htm http://www.webkinzinsider.com/forum/f164/happy-birthday-milk-carton-dct-january-591380/ http://dairyantiques.com/Wax_Milk_Containers.html http://earlyamericanworkshop.net/images/reprotha.gif http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/milkcarton.htm