Abstract: A flat top thermoplastic coated container and blank including side edge panels, a front edge panel adaptable to being folded back onto itself and having an arcuate-shaped perforated line formed thereon, and a cover panel. The perforated line breaks upon the cover panel being opened to form a horizontal, arcuate-shaped pouring edge. The side edge panels are wider adjacent the cover panel than adjacent the front edge panel to effectively control film delamination upon the cover panel being opened and prevent seepage or "wicking" at the side seam upper edge.

Abstract: An aseptic pour spout seal for a flat top end closure having two oppositely disposed outer closure panels, and two oppositely disposed fold-in panels, one of which serves as the pour spout when opened. Each of the fold-in panels includes a substantially triangular panel portion, and a pair of fold-back panels integrally connected to and folded between the substantially triangular panel portion and the respective adjacent outer closure panels. Diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed on the outer closure panels adjacent the respective fold-back panels. An abhesive release coating is applied to the outside surfaces of the pour spout, and to the inside surfaces of either the pair of fold-back pour panels or the adjacent areas defined by the diagonal opening-assist score lines. A suitable sealant is overlain on the abhesive release coating on the pair of fold-back pour panels or the adjacent areas.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a flat top end closure for a liquid carrying container, which includes two oppositely disposed, overlapped outer closure panels, and two oppositely disposed, three-segment fold-in panels, one of which serves as the pour spout when opened. Each of the three-segment fold-in panels includes a substantially triangular panel portion defined by converging diagonal score lines extending from the upper edge of the tubular container body, and a pair of fold-back panels integrally connected to and folded between the substantially triangular panel portion and the respective adjacent outer closure panels. Diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed on the outer closure panels at a lesser angle with respect to horizontal than the angle of the respective underlying converging diagonal score lines. Alternatively, the diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed in a parallel relationship with the respective underlying converging diagonal score lines.

Abstract: The drawings and description disclose a thermoplastic coated rectangular cross-section paperboard container suitable for being filled with milk, juice or other still beverage, and having a top closure arrangement adapted to being readily partially opened to disclose a pouring opening therein. The top closure arrangement includes four inwardly sloping connector panels intermediate the front, back and side panels and a flat top configuration having the opening apparatus formed thereon.

Abstract: A multi-piece flat top container including a thermoplastic coated paperboard body of a predetermined cross-sectional configuration, a thermoplastic adapter ring having an annular recess formed therein for mounting over the top edge of the body and fusion sealed thereto, and a tamper-evident flat membrane or any suitable material sealed adjacent its peripheral edge to the top edge of the adapter ring. An optional over-cap may be mounted over the membrane and adapter ring without being sealed thereto.

Abstract: A four-sided composite single service, liquid carrying container embodying two sealed together body components. One body component may consist of thermoplastic coated paperboard forming two oppositely disposed side panels and a bottom panel interconnecting same, while the other body component may consist of sheet plastic forming the other two oppositely disposed side panels and a top panel interconnecting same. A flange is formed around the entire edge portion of the sheet plastic component for being sealed under heat and pressure to the entire edge portion of the paperboard component. An opening and pouring device is formed on the top panel.

Abstract: A method of forming a skived edge on the inside panel of a thermoplastic coated paperboard container, in part while the container is part of a web or sheet of paperboard material, and in part on individual blanks after being cut from the web or sheet. More specifically, a partial depth cut and an adjacent score line are formed on a carton converting machine providing a precise location for subsequently removing material and folding the edge of a blank on a side seam sealing machine.

Abstract: A flat top, thermoplastic coated, paperboard container including a separate cover member and a membrane-type seal, with corner gussets for providing (1) a liquid tight corner construction and (2) top strength and rigitidy for convenient commercial distribution and consumer use. The cover member serves only to protects the membrane, and need only be minimally tack-sealed to the structure to withstand transportation stresses.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a flat top end closure for a liquid carrying container, which includes two oppositely disposed, overlapped outer closure panels, and two oppositely disposed, fold-in panels, one of which cooperates to form the flat top configuration when closed, but serves as a substantially longer pour spout when opened by virtue of incorporating the top portion of the front wall panel as a part thereof. First and second lift tabs are formed on the edges of one of the outer closure panels and the pour spout fold-in panel, respectively. Diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed on the outer closure panels and on a portion of the side wall panels adjacent the pour spout.

Abstract: A flat top, thermoplastic coated, paperboard container including a separate cover panel and fold-out segments having weakened lines formed thereon such that the top may be using the fold-out segments as lift tabs and breaking the weakened lines at the front and progressively breaking the weakened lines along the sides upon peeling back and fold-out segments and the cover panel, to provide access to the contents. Provisions are included for protecting the weakened lines to prevent leakage.

Abstract: A flat end closure arrangement for a paperboard carton which may include an aluminum foil barrier, wherein there are no overstressed folds and a minimum buildup of thicknesses, to minimize the tendency for fractures of the respective barriers to occur. Two oppositely disposed closure panels include provisions for the edge portions of their center segments to overlap one another, while being covered by the remaining two oppositely disposed closure panels. More specifically, the underlying closure panels each includes score lines which coverage toward the respective free edges of the panels, while one includes one horizontal score line connecting two parallel vertical score lines which define the center segment for folding back onto the closure panel beneath the center segment of the other closure panel.

Abstract: A flat top container and the blank for constructing same, including a fin seal which is folded flat, and wherein spaced lines of perforations adapted to provide a tear strip are formed in one outer end closure panel, overlying a separate protective seal strip, formed of aluminum foil or other suitable material, sealed to the inside surface of the panel. The side seam flap which interconnects adjacent side panels has a tab extending from the free edge thereof, and is folded in half to eliminate raw edges inside and to cause the tab to extend beyond the edge of the top closure, to serve as a pouring lip once the tear strip is lifted and the protective seal strip is broken.

Abstract: A flat end closure arrangement for a paperboard carton which may include an aluminum foil barrier, wherein there are no overstressed folds and a minimum buildup of thickness, to minimize the tendency for fractures of the respective barriers to occur. Two oppositely disposed closure panels include provisions for the edge portions of their center segments to overlap one another, while being covered by the remaining two oppositely disposed closure panels. More specifically, the underlying closure panels each includes score lines which converge toward the respective free edges of the panels, while one includes one horizontal score line connecting two parallel vertical score lines which define the center segment for folding back onto the closure panel beneath the center segment of the other closure panel.

Abstract: A flat top, thermoplastic coated, paperboard container having weakened lines formed thereon such that the top may be opened by breaking through a weakened line at the front and progressively breaking the weakened lines along the sides upon peeling back the cover panel, to provide access to the contents. Provisions are included for covering the weakened lines on the inside of the container to prevent leakage.

Abstract: A flat top, thermoplastic coated, paperboard container having weakened lines formed thereon such that the top may be fully opened by breaking through a weakened line at the front and progressively breaking the weakened lines along the sides upon peeling back the cover panel, to provide access to the contents. Provisions are included for covering the weakened lines on the inside of the container to prevent leakage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flat end closure arrangement for a thermoplastic coated paperboard container, and the blank therefor, wherein a suitable adhesive or anti-sealant is applied to four sets of four quadrant areas around intersections of score lines about which adjacent panels are folded both laterally and longitudinally in substantially 180.degree. bends, to provide areas of slippage between selected adjacent panels, thereby diminishing the chances of cracking of the thermoplastic coating at the bend locations.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a flat top end closure for a liquid carrying container, which includes two oppositely disposed, overlapped outer closure panels, and two oppositely disposed, three-segment fold-in panels, one of which serves as the pour spout when opened. Each of the three-segment fold-in panels includes a substantially triangular panel portion defined by converging diagonal score lines extending from the upper edge of the tubular container body, and a pair of fold-back panels integrally connected to and folded between the substantially triangular panel portion and the respective adjacent outer closure panels. Diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed on the outer closure panels. Adhesive patterns to facilitate the opening process are formed on the outside surface of the three-segment pour spout and on the inside surfaces of the pour spout fold-back panels and the adjacent panel segments bounded by the diagonal opening-assist score lines.

Abstract: There is disclosed a container structure including a sealed side seam having a protected internal raw edge, and a method for accomplishing same. The method includes skiving or cutting a side seam flap along a taper to a feather edge, applying a sealant to the skived surface, and pressing the sealant-covered strip under heat and pressure into contact with the inside surface of the adjacent side wall panel to become sealed thereto without an exposed internal raw edge. Alternatively, the sealant may be applied to the side wall panel adjacent the skived tapered surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flat end closure arrangement for a thermoplastic coated paperboard container, and the blank therefor, wherein four sets of supplementary score lines are formed on two sides of the resultant end closure, such that they are adapted to be folded into position just inside the usual horizontal score lines separating the end closure panels from the sidewall panels. These supplementary score lines provide a second, substantially 90.degree. bend for the paperboard layers, supplementing a substantially 90.degree. bend about the respective horizontal score lines, in lieu of each usual 180.degree. bend about the respective horizontal score lines, thereby diminishing the chances for cracking of the thermoplastic coating at the bend locations.

Abstract: A flat top liquid carrying, paperboard container including four side panels, and inner and outer pairs of top closure panels alternately connected by respective horizontal score lines to the top edges of the four side panels as extensions thereof. While the inner pair of top closure panels each typically includes a substantially triangular panel portion and a pair of integrally connected fold-back panels, the outer pair consists of one shorter and one longer panel. A fold-over panel segment is formed on the end of the shorter panel. A diagonal opening-assist score line is formed on each of the shorter and longer panels, and a reverse diagonal opening-assist score line is formed on the fold-over panel segment extending from an end of the adjacent diagonal score line for lying on top of the latter when the fold-over panel segment is folded. A lift tab is formed on a side edge of the longer panel and extends past a portion of the edge of the adjacent fold-back panel.