Abstract: An aperture forming structure, which when attached to or integrally formed in dispenser packages for flowable substances allows reclosure and single or multiple uses. The aperture forming structure includes a break away tip member of thermoformable plastic. The break away tip includes a hollow protrusion from a surface. The intersection of the hollow protrusion and the surface is a fault line. Rupturing of the fault line creates an aperture from which the contents of the dispenser package may exit. A cap may be integrally formed with the aperture forming structure and detached for protecting the hollow protrusion or for closing the aperture created when the fault line is ruptured. The aperture forming structure can be made by heating a relatively stiff substantially flat thermoformable sheet of and then stretching the sheet to create a first and a second hollow protrusion in a tiered configuration. A rupture line is placed at the intersection of the first and the second protrusions.

Abstract: A fitment is described for use with a container such as a paperboard carton, having an operable section such as a removable disc surrounded by a pre-scored track. The fitment comprises a housing (2) secured to the container surrounding the removable disc (15). A tab (9) with a panel (10) is attached to the disc (15), and pivots with respect to the housing by means of lugs (13). To open the carton, the user grips a handle (11) pivoting the panel (10) to sever the pre-scored track (14). Further movement of the handle (11) fractures the lugs (13) allowing the complete removal of the disc (15) from the carton. The panel (10) is preferably smaller than the disc, leaving a free region (16) which can flex and/or form hinge lines during operation of the tab.

Abstract: An opening feature for a beverage container with at least one extrusion over void area, a pull tab affixed to the package in the perimeter of the void area, and a perforation of the package film in the perimeter of the pull tab to allow for a simple low cost structure.

Abstract: An aperture forming structure, which when attached to or integrally formed in dispenser packages for flowable substances allows reclosure and single or multiple uses. The aperture forming structure includes a break away tip member of thermoformable plastic. The break away tip includes a hollow protrusion from a surface. The intersection of the hollow protrusion and the surface is a fault line. Rupturing of the fault line creates an aperture from which the contents of the dispenser package may exit. A cap may be integrally formed with the aperture forming structure and detached for protecting the hollow protrusion or for closing the aperture created when the fault line is ruptured. The aperture forming structure can be made by heating a relatively stiff substantially flat thermoformable sheet of and then stretching the sheet to create a first and a second hollow protrusion in a tiered configuration. A rupture line is placed at the intersection of the first and the second protrusions.

Abstract: A container including an outer shell, a flexible bag within the outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The flexible bag within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from said top of said outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for said container when the bag is filled with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position being where opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.

Abstract: A fitment for use as a pour spout for a paper carton or flexible bag for liquids and powders has a flange which may be welded around a hole in the carton or bag. A spout projecting outward from the flange is provided with a removable membrane integral with the interior of the spout. Preferably the membrane is concave. A horizontally disposed pull ring is attached to the membrane by a connector so that pulling the ring removes the membrane by fracturing the tear line at the juncture of the outer edge of the membrane and the projection. A cap snaps over the spout and may be removed by unscrewing the complementary threads on cap and spout. Optionally, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt engages the exterior of the spout so that the cap cannot be removed without breaking the frangible connection. Various means for detachably securing the fitment to a spud during delivery of the fitment from a chute to the interior of a carton are disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a packaging material having a abhesive for preventing the adherence of the interior surfaces of the packaging material during application of a closure thereto. One example is a carton blank having the closure attached prior to erection of the blank on a packaging machine. Another example is a, roll of packaging material such as used to fabricate a TETRA BRIK® parallelepiped package on a vertical form, fill and seal machine. Another aspect of the invention is a method for applying a closure to such a packaging material. Yet another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for applying closures to such packaging material. The abhesive may be a coating, printing, strip or an embossment of the material.

Abstract: A container including an outer shell, a flexible bag within the outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The flexible bag within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from said top of said outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for said container when the bag is filled with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position being where opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.

Abstract: The present invention is a package closure apparatus. The landing extends from a base of the closure apparatus into an opening of the closure apparatus. The spring face adjoins the landing at a first junction forming a first flexible joint. The push-tab adjoins the spring face at a second junction forming a second flexible joint. The first flexible joint, the spring face, and the second flexible joint cooperate to enable the push-tab to move relative to the base of the apparatus. The air vent is adapted to facilitate a substantially even flow rate of a product through the opening of the closure apparatus.

Abstract: A pre-lined carton of the present invention includes a carton formed from a blank having a liner adhered to the inner surfaces of the carton. The carton includes a pour spout which is movable between a closed position and an open position. The carton has a panel which covers the pour spout and is removed to expose the pour spout. The opening created by the removable panel is sized to allow the spout to be moved from its closed position to its open position. The spout is part of a mounting assembly which includes a mounting panel to which the spout is hingedly connected. The mounting panel is glued to the inner surface of the container so that the spout will be between the mounting panel and the container wall. The spout assembly mounting panel includes an opening which communicates with the spout, and which is aligned with the removable panel of the container.

Abstract: A closure for a container and a method of producing the same is set forth. The closure is a single integrally-molded spout, cap, hinge assembly joining the spout and the cap, and a tamper evident structure. The closure may also have a membrane and pull-ring, also integrally molded as one piece. The cap may have at least one prop for preventing interference from the cap with the pouring of the contents of the container. Additionally, the spout may have a step for assisting in the prevention of interference from the cap during pouring, and for providing a predetermined sound every time that the cap is opened. Still further, the closure may have an orienting peg for properly orienting the closure on a container.

Abstract: A container including an outer shell, a flexible bag within the outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The flexible bag within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from said top of said outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for said container when the bag is filled with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position being where opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.

Abstract: A package with an extended top panel has a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of parallel side walls. The package includes at least one top panel that seals to the package at a sealing region. A plane through the sealing region is spaced from a central vertical plane through the package. The extended top panel can extend to the rear wall at the sealing region. A second lesser top panel can extend from the rear wall and can seal with the extended front panel at an off-center top fin. A closure is accommodated on the top panel that has a cap having a diameter greater than the diameter of an aperture disposed through the extended top panel. A blank for the package is also disclosed herein. The package can include a handle attached to its top fin for carrying and displaying the package.

Abstract: A closure for a package that is adapted for mounting to a surface of the package includes a mounting flange having substantially planar upper and lower surfaces that define a thickness and define a flange plane. A spout extends from the upper surface of the flange and has an inner wall defining a dispensing opening. A membrane has a central portion and a circumferential edge region and is formed in the spout so as to extend to the inner wall to define a spout seal. The membrane is severable from the spout at the edge region. The edge region is selectively thinned and has a pair of first thickness regions and a pair of second thickness regions interposed between the first thickness regions. The second thickness regions have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the first thickness regions.