Abstract: An improved one-step easy-open composite container for dough products and the like, together with a method and apparatus for forming the same, are disclosed, which composite container includes a fibrous body wall layer having an unbonded helical butt joint, an impervious inner liner layer that is folded to define an expansible folded portion that extends helically the length of the container opposite the helical butt joint, an outer label layer wound helically in adhesively-bonded relation upon the body wall and extending across the butt joint, and at least one end closure member closing one end of the body wall-label laminate, characterized in that the outer label layer is provided--prior to winding on the body wall layer--with a collar-defining line which extends circumferentially about the resulting tubular laminate adjacent and spaced from the end closure member.

Abstract: A one-step easy-open composite container for dough products and the like, together with a method and apparatus for forming the same, are disclosed, which composite container includes a fibrous body wall layer having an unbonded helical butt joint, an impervious inner liner layer that is folded to define an expansible folded portion that extends helically the length of the container opposite the helical butt joint, an outer label layer wound helically in adhesively-bonded relation upon the body wall across the butt joint, and at least one end closure member closing one end of the body wall-label laminate, characterized in that the overlapping edge of the outer label layer is precut--prior to winding on the body wall layer--by a tab cut which is arranged at an acute angle relative to the separation line of end cut in laterally spaced relation to the helical butt joint.

Abstract: An easy-open composite container is disclosed having an unbonded helical butt joint that extends the length of the container, characterized by the provision of an impervious inner liner layer having a helical folded portion which is coextensive with and extends the length of the unbonded butt joint. A peelable outer reinforcing or wrapper layer bonded to the outer surface of the fibrous body wall layer normally holds the edges of the butt joint together. Upon removal of the outer reinforcing layer, the ends of the container may be twisted in opposite directions to open the unbonded butt joint and to expand and rupture the inner liner layer folded portion. In the case where products under pressure, such as refrigerated dough products, are packaged in the container, upon removal of the outer reinforcing layer, the products expand to automatically open the butt joint and to expand and rupture the inner liner folded portion.