Abstract: A container is provided with a pour spout fitment. The fitment carries a flange which secures the fitment to the container, the flange surrounding a dispensing opening in the container. The pour spout is normally externally closed by a screw cap threaded thereon. A frangible membrane normally spans and internally closes the dispensing opening. A hollow piercing insert is positioned within the pour spout lumen, the lower edge of the insert being serrated to define cutting teeth. The screw cap is removed and the piercing element pushed downwardly to thereby rupture the frangible membrane and permit dispensing from the container. The interior of the spout is provided with a plurality of axially spaced, inwardly extending ribs which cooperate with outwardly extending protrusions on the piercing insert to thus define a plurality of discrete axial locations of the piercing insert relative to the spout.

Abstract: A gas barrier folding carton formed from a unitary paperboard blank (10) having a gas impermeable polymer layer (52) such as EVOH, nylon, or foil extruded on or laminated to one surface of the blank, except for certain abhesive (56, 58) coated areas. Two opposite side edges of the blank are seamed to form a flattened tube (13) having top and bottom closure flaps (30, 34, 36, 38, 40). One of the major closure flaps (36) at each top and bottom container end is provided with spaced abhesive areas (58), with areas of the two minor closureflaps (34, 38) also provided with abhesive (56). Upon folding the closure flaps at each end, the folding sequence pulls the barrier film (52) away from the abhesive (56, 58) areas and subsequent heat sealing produces hermetic sealing of the carton. This process and carton construction may be employed with conventional gas purging of the container interior by an inert gas before final sealing.

Abstract: A paper bag particularly adapted for the packaging of carryout food items such as hamburgers and chicken. The bag is of a unitary construction and includes two inwardly folded bellows panels on its sides, each bellows joining respective sides of the bag. A fold line is positioned below the top, free edges of the side walls. A pair of spaced cuts is located substantially midway of respective fold lines, each cut of each pair extending from above to below its respective fold line, the individual cuts being spaced from each other along the fold line. Respective areas of the front and rear bag walls above the fold line carry indicia, such as printed indicia, to indicate the bag contents. After folding the top of the bag about the fold lines and against either side walls, one or the other indicia is visible to indicate the bag contents. The bag top is inhibited from opening after such folding by distorting the paper between the cuts to effect a latching action.

Abstract: A flanged tray and preform for making it. The preform includes a cut and scored paperboard blank having a polygonal bottom forming base panel. Each edge of the base is foldably joined to a radially outwardly extending, regular trapezoidal sidewall forming panel. The radially outermost portion of each sidewall panel carries a horizontal flange forming flap. The preform also includes a thin plastic sheet adhered to one surface of the paperboard blank. The plastic sheet covers the blank and extends over radially extending gaps between the side edges of next adjacent sidewall panels. The preform is placed in a female die with the plastic film facing upwardly. A male die presses the preform downwardly to form it into a tray having a peripheral, horizontally extending flange. The step of permanently attaching the plastic film to the paperboard blank may be carried out concurrently with the step of deforming the blank in the die.

Abstract: A pour spout carton for extended shelf life paperboard containers, such as those of the gable top type. A first barrier layer lines the carton interior and and a second lines the carton exterior surface. A dispensing opening is formed, as by die cutting, in a panel of the carton. The two barrier layers span the dispensing opening, except for a concentric dispensing hole through them, with the two barrier layers sonically sealed together along an annular zone radially intermediate the dispensing opening and the dispensing hole. The pour spout carries a flange extending from the edge of the dispensing hole to a location radically beyond the dispensing opening, the flange sonically bonded to the outer barrier layer at three radially spaced, concentric zones. The spout screw cap is of a different polymer than the spout, to prevent bonding between the cap and spout.

Abstract: A carbon formed from a unitary blank of paperboard and being of rectangular parallelepiped shape. The carton is particularly adapted to contain a food product, such as a frozen juice concentrate or a frozen mass of other food product. The invention relates to a top closure construction which enables the consumer to remove the top closure so that the carton contents, particularly if in the form at a frozen brick, can easily be removed. Further, after such removal, the remainder of the carton can function as a measuring container for pouring any liquids therein which are to be added to the food product. These functions are achieved by the provision frangible lines, such as perforated tear lines, straight across the carton sidewalls, contiguous to the top of the carton sidewalls. The carton top closure is provided with a pull tab or a fin having a free end which can be manually grasped by the consumer.

Abstract: A pouch for the packaging of products having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, such as sanitary napkins. The pouch is formed of paper of plastic film coated on one side with a layer of silicone, the pouch construction being such that the silicone coating defines the interior surfaces of the pouch. Due to the nonstick characteristic of the silicone coating, the usual protective liner for the adhesive on the packaged product can be omitted. The side seams of the pouch are formed by the application of heat or ultrasonic energy in combination with mechanical deformation of the paper or film to produce embossments in the seam areas. The side seams may be comprised of two or three layers of material. The nature of these side seams may be such that the pouch may be opened by peeling apart the seams, or the seams may be sealed so tightly that the pouch can be opened only by tearing the material.

Abstract: A carton construction for paperboard cartons such as those adapted to certain fruit juices or other potable liquids which require a barrier to protect the liquid. Present paperboard cartons for such liquids often include polymeric barrier layer materials and foils laminated to the paperboard or other stiff, foldable and resilient sheet material. Such barrier layer/foil materials increase the difficulty of recycling the paperboard after container use. Further, during the carton forming/sealing process, the polymeric surfaces of the container are heated to activate a heat sealable bond. This heating tends to crystallize the polymer and generate polymeric odors that are transmitted to the liquid product. These difficulties are overcome in the present invention by a bag and spout construction wherein the bag and spout are removed from the carton after use, thus permitting recycling of both the paperboard carton and the bag.

Abstract: A pour spout carton for extended shelf life paperboard containers, such as those of the gable top type. A first barrier layer lines the carton interior and a second lines the carton exterior surface. A dispensing opening is formed, as by die cutting, in a panel of the carton. The two barrier layers span the dispensing opening, except for a concentric dispensing hole through them, with the two barrier layers sonically sealed together along an annular zone radially intermediate the dispensing opening and the dispensing hole. The pour spout carries a flange extending from the edge of the dispensing hole to a location radially beyond the dispensing opening, the flange sonically bonded to the outer barrier layer at three radially spaced, concentric zones. The spout screw cap is of a different polymer than the spout, to prevent bonding between the cap and spout.

Abstract: An insulated paper cup having inner and outer frustoconcial shells, the inner shell being more tapered than the outer shell. The upper rims of both shells are outwardly curled and joined together. The outer shell has a recessed bottom upon which the bottom of the inner shell rests. The inner surface of the inner shell is coated with a plastic film such as polyethylene.

Abstract: A clamshell or other hinged top cover type carton for hamburgers is provided with a divider sheet formed from paperboard or a paperboard laminate. The ends of the divider sheet extend laterally beyond the side edges of the carton. A bun heel and hot hamburger patty are located in the lower half of the container and a bun crown and various toppings are located in the top container half. The divider sheet separates the hot meat patty from the cooler toppings. For hamburger consumption, the user pulls a laterally extending edge of the divider sheet laterally away from the carton, the bun crown and toppings fall on to the hot hamburger patty and bun heel, thereby preparing the hamburger sandwich. The consumer now opens the carton to gain access to the sandwich.

Abstract: A paperboard carton and plastic pour spout fitment construction for cartons adapted to carry powdered or granular material, particularly foodstuffs. A side wall of the carton is provided with a precut opening to receive the separate fitment. The periphery of the sides of the pour spout bottom wall must be broken from the surrounding fitment by the consumer upon initial use, to permit the spout to pivot for dispensing. The spout is thus held against accidental opening during shipping and handling prior to use, and further, such breaking is automatically tamper evident. The fitment is attached to a side wall of the carton by use of an adhesive or by a plurality of rivet stakes integral with the spout. The rivet stakes are received in complementary punctures bordering the precut opening. The use of plastic for the pour spout fitment insures against metal particles contaminating the contents of the carton.

Abstract: A construction for attaching a flanged pour spout to a gable top type paperboard carton blank for packaging potable liquids. The blank is provided with a barrier layer on its inner and outer forming surfaces, and a pour spout extending out from one gable forming panel. An opening is die cut in this panel, and the barrier layers applied. These layers span the opening. Thereafter, a pouring aperture is cut in the barrier layers which span the opening. An annular seal between the two barrier layers is formed by pressing the layers together while applying ultrasonic vibrations to them. The flange of the pour spout is adhered to the outer barrier layer, also by pressing and applying ultrasonic vibrations. By this construction, the edges of the opening in the paperboard are sealed and cannot contaminate the liquid within a carton formed from the blank.

Abstract: A recloseable lid construction for a paperboard container. The lid is a separate sheet and carries two radially spaced microcuts near its outer periphery. The radially outermost peripheral portion of the lid is bent upwardly and is sandwiched by an inwardly folded strip, the latter integral with the upper vertical side wall of the container. The inwardly folded strip carries a cutout which is aligned with an upwardly extending opening tab integral with the lid. Upon opening, the tab is pulled and separated from the radially outermost lid portion, and the two microcuts act to rip the paperboard and form a ledge around the dispensing opening. The lower portion of the inwardly folded strip is radially inwardly flared to define a snap reclosure. At least one of the microcuts in is filled and caulked with a barrier layer material, the barrier layer material also, preferably, covering the entire lid surface having the caulked microcut.

Abstract: A pour spout seal construction for a gable top, thermoplastic coated type paperboard carton for packaging liquids. To permit easy unfolding of the folded pour spout within the top of the sealed carton by the consumer, the prior art has used adhesives to reduce the strength of the seal between the spout interior surfaces which are in surface contact with portions of the roof panels. In this invention, the opening action is different. Upon initial opening of the carton and subsequent unfolding of the pour spout, adhesive coating layers on the pour spout (located in positions homologous to the prior art adhesive coating layers) separate from the thermoplastic coating on the pour spout, instead of adhesive layers separating from themselves. Alternatively, the adhesive coating layers on the gable roof panels separate from the thermoplastic coating on the gable roof panels. In either case, the action is such that the adhesive coating layers stick to themselves upon pour spout unfolding.

Abstract: A paperboard container assembly for the microwave cooking and browning of food. The assembly is defined by an outer carton which surrounds a separate elongated tray. The tray is formed of a unitary blank of paperboard, a microwave interactive material and a polymer coating. The interactive material browns and crisps the food surface where contacted. The ends of the tray carry elongated, hollow feet to both support the tray bottom in vertially spaced relation to the carton bottom and to prevent shifting of the tray relative to the carton. Openings along the tray sidewalls and hollow feet prevent both scorching or burning of the paperboard and delamination of the polymer coating due to localized heat build-up.

Abstract: A clamshell or other hinged top cover type carton for hamburgers is provided with a divider sheet formed from paperboard or a paperboard laminate. The ends of the divider sheet extend laterally beyond the side edges of the carton. A bun heel and hot hamburger patty are located in the lower half of the container and a bun crown and various toppings are located in the top container half. The divider sheet separates the hot meat patty from the cooler toppings. For hamburger consumption, the user pulls a laterally extending edge of the divider sheet laterally away from the carton, the bun crown and toppings fall on to the hot hamburger patty and bun heel, thereby preparing the hamburger sandwich. The consumer now opens the carton to gain access to the sandwich.

Abstract: A food storage carton for the microwave cooking of a foodstuff packaged therein which is to be crispened or browned upon cooking. The carton is fashioned from a one piece blank of paperboard, one panel of which supports a foodstuff, such as a frozen pizza, and which panel is provided with a layer of microwave interactive material which becomes hot upon absorbtion of microwave energy. The construction of the carton is such that the frozen foodstuff is elevated above the carton bottom on a false bottom. Before microwave cooking, the top panel of the carton is ripped off, the carton placed in the oven and the foodstuff cooked.

Abstract: A paperboard carton for containing and pouring liquid has a pour spout fitment adhesively secured to its upper surface and at least partially over a reinforcing patch on said upper surface to spread the upward force exerted by opening the fitment over an area of the carton surface larger than the bottom surface of the fitment so as to prevent the fitment from being torn away from the carton surface. In addition to the force distribution, the tensile strength of the added patch material is much greater than the strength of the carton coating, thus this new patch material becomes the primary seal.

Abstract: A gable top carton and a blank for forming it. The upstanding fin at the top of the gable includes two fin forming protions or extensions from each gable panel laminated together. Half of the length of each fin forming gable panel portion is provided with a horizontally extending tear line and also with a plurality of vertically extending cut lines at its midportion, the latter functioning as tear lines. To open the carton, the midportion of the upper edge of the fin is ripped downwardly and thereafter half of the fin removed by also tearing along the horizontal tear lines, to thus open half of the carton top for manual pour spout formation by the consumer. By virtue of the plurality of vertical cut lines on each gable panel fin portion, the initial vertical ripping can take place along respective non-corresponding (non-homologous) vertical cut lines in each of the two fin forming gable portions, thus compensating for any edgewise misalignment of the gable panel fin portions.