U.S. patent application number 10/474102 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for pour spout attachment for packages.
Invention is credited to McKenna, S. Joseph, Orr, Eugene E..
Application Number | 20040074955 10/474102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32094249 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040074955 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKenna, S. Joseph ; et
al. |
April 22, 2004 |
Pour spout attachment for packages
Abstract
A pour spout (20) for a package (10) of flowable product which
is attached to a side wall (11) of the package (10) therein. The
pour spout has pleated sides (39, 40) and is hinted to the package
(10) at its base (29). The pour spout is heat scaled to the
package. If the package is paper, a polymeric gasket (50) is placed
inside the package (10). An overseal (55) is positioned over the
spout. Pressure-sensitive adhesive and hook and loop fasteners (58)
can be used lo reseal the package.
Inventors: |
McKenna, S. Joseph;
(Glencoe, IL) ; Orr, Eugene E.; (Liverpool,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSTER, LIEDER, WOODRUFF & LUCCHESI
12412 POWERSCOURT DRIVE SUITE 200
ST. LOUIS
MO
63131-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
32094249 |
Appl. No.: |
10/474102 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
July 27, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US01/23662 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/125.08 ;
229/125.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/746 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/125.08 ;
229/125.15 |
International
Class: |
B65D 043/16 |
Claims
1. In a package adapted to contain flowable product, the
improvement comprising a pour spout positioned over an opening in a
wall of the package, the pour spout being movable from a closed
position adjacent to the package to an open position depending from
said package and comprising (a) a back wall hingedly attached to
the package at the bottom edge adjacent to said opening, (b)
foldable side panels connecting the side edges of the back wall to
the package adjacent to said opening, said side panels having
gussets forming accordion pleats when in closed position, and (c)
means for sealing the opening when the pour spout is closed prior
to opening the package.
2. The combination of claim 1 including a removable tamper evident
overseal attached to the package over the pour spout and removable
to give access to the pour spout.
3. The combination of claim 1 including a tab extending outwardly
from the top edge of the pour spout back wall and overlying the
outer surface of the package, wherein the tab has a tearable heat
seal enclosing the top edge of the package opening.
4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the pour spout is reclosable
after use.
5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the package has a polymeric
outer surface and the pour spout is heat sealed to the outer
surface of the package around the bottom and sides of the
opening.
6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the package has a polymeric
inner surface and the pour spout is heat sealed to said inner
surface around the bottom and sides of said opening.
7. The construction of claim 1 including a polymeric gasket
positioned inside the package around the opening and having a
portion which extends into the opening around the edges thereof,
the gasket being heat sealed to the package, the pour spout being
heat sealed to the outside of the package around the opening and
also sealed to the portion of the gasket which extends into the
opening to effectively seal the edge of the opening from contact
with the contents of the package.
8. The construction of claim 4 including a tab extending outwardly
from the top edge of the pour spout back wall, a two-sided pressure
sensitive reclosure strip having one side permanently attached to
the package and a pressure sensitive adhesive positioned on the
opposed side, and a release strip protecting the pressure sensitive
tape, whereby removal of the release strip allows the spout to be
resealed by contacting and engaging the pressure sensitive tape
with the tab extending outwardly from the top edge of the pour
spout back wall.
9. The construction of claim 2 wherein the overseal is attached to
the outer surface of the pour spout and has a pressure sensitive
area around the spout whereby it can be resealed to the package
over the spout.
10. The construction of claim 9 wherein the overseal is permanently
fixed to the package along the bottom edge of the spout back wall
and the pressure sensitive areas are positioned on the overseal to
reseal around the top and side edges of the spout back.
11. The construction of claim 4 including a loop and hook fastener
on the package and the top edge of the pour spout, the loop portion
of the fastener being on the package and the hook portion being on
the pour spout.
12. The construction of claim 1 including a removable seal on the
top edge of the pour spout for sealing by engaging the pour spout
top edge to the package.
13. The construction of claim 12 including a tamper evident
overseal attached to the package over the pour spout and removable
to give access to the pour spout.
14. A method of attaching a pour spout to a package including the
steps of: a) forming an opening in a wall of a package, b) forming
a pour spout having a back wall with top, bottom and side edges,
folding side walls connected to the side edges of the back wall,
and margins around the bottom of the back wall and the free ends of
the side walls, c) attaching the pour spout to the package and
sealing the margins around the sides and bottom of the bag opening,
and d) sealing the top of the bag opening to the pour spout with a
tearable seal.
15. The method of claim 14 including the step of applying a
removable overseal to the bag over the pour spout.
16. The method of claim 14 including the steps of applying a gasket
to the inside of the package such that a portion extends into the
opening around the edges thereof, and sealing the spout margins to
the gasket portions in the opening to seal the edges of the
opening.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to pour spouts for plastic or paper
packages, either single or multi-ply. The invention also relates to
a reclosable pour spout for bagged products. The invention further
relates to a packages having a reclosable pour spout.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Many foods, particularly pet foods, e.g., dog and cat foods,
are packed in large bangs, i.e., 2-40 pound packages. These are
difficult to open and also difficult to reclose. The reclosure is
important because these foods contain fat which tends to oxidize on
exposure to the air with resultant change in flavor which may make
it unpalatable to pets.
[0003] Attaching a pour spout to these packages is difficult
because the bags often are paper with laminations of plastic to
keep the fat in the product from emigrating to the outer surface of
the bag and discoloring the surface with a grease stain. Once an
opening is cut in the bag for the spout, the edges of the
lamination are exposed to the product which is not acceptable. In
these situations, it is necessary to apply a back seal to the spout
opening in the package in addition to attaching the spout to the
outside of the package.
[0004] Other such packages are multi-ply plastic with a moisture
and fat impervious layer or single ply plastic. In these situations
the spout must have a high temperature resistant outer layer and a
thermoplastic sealing layer around the edges to allow heat sealing
the spout to the bag around the opening formed in the bag.
[0005] Presently there are various methods to open bagged products.
One of these is merely tearing or pulling apart the top of the bag.
This approach is both crude and sometimes very difficult. Another
method of opening a sealed bag is to cut across the top of the bag.
This approach can be dangerous as it requires a sharp instrument.
Some packages have a string sewn across the top of the bag or a
string embedded in the top seam, across the top of the bag. These
approaches too can be difficult and frustrating to open.
[0006] Once opened, products that are capable of flowing can be
poured from the tops of any of these bags. Control of the flow rate
is limited and cumbersome because of the large opening across the
entire top of the package.
[0007] All of these packages also have re closing problems,
depending on the material from which the bag is constructed. For
example, multiply paper bags are usually reclosed by rolling or
folding down the top of the bag. This method does not provide a
very tight or effective reclosure.
[0008] Most poly (plastic) bags are reclosed by folding down or
rolling down the top of the bag. Like paper, this method does not
provide a very tight or effective reclosure because poly has a very
weak memory. Therefore, the rolled or folded reclosure tends to
open. Recent developments have made zipper type reclosure features
available for poly bags. This added feature has greatly improved
the tightness of the reclosure. Another popular type of bag is a
laminated package using polyester in combination with a variety of
polyethylene options. Zippers are commonly used for reclosure.
Without the zipper, the bag is subject to the same problems as
reclosing the poly bag.
[0009] Zippers are generally applied across the entire face of the
bag. This construction makes it difficult for the consumer to
achieve a tight reclose of the zipper across the entire width of
the bag. The location and size of the zipper are not designed for
or conductive to the pouring of product from the bag. In addition,
the product can contaminate the zipper preventing reclosure. Also,
zippers are not available for reclosing multi-ply paper bags.
[0010] Thus, it is a principal object of this invention to provide
a pour spout which can be attached to packaged products to
facilitate opening the packages and pouring the products therefrom.
It also is a principal object to provide a pour spout for bagged
products which is easy to open and also is reclosable to reseal the
contents of the bag from exposure to the atmosphere. A further
object is to provide pour spout attachments which can be applied to
plastic and paper cartons or bags, either single or multi-ply.
Still another object, is to provide a pour spout having accordion
pleated sides and hinged at one end to a package and movable from a
closed to an open position for pouring and returnable to a closed
position adjacent to the package where it can be fastened in said
closed position. Still a further object is to provide bags having
reclosable pour spouts attached thereto.
[0011] These and other objects and advantages will become apparent
hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention comprises a pour spout hinged to a
wall of a plastic or paper package such that it is opened to allow
product to be poured from the package and when closed can be locked
against the wall to seal the pour spout opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The objects of the invention are achieved as set forth in
the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings which form a
part of the specification and wherein like numerals refer to like
parts wherever they occur.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag having the pour spout
of this invention attached thereto;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the end of a gusseted bag
having a pour spout opening formed therein;
[0016] FIG. 2a is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line
2a-2a of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a pour spout blank;
[0018] FIG. 3a is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line
3a-3a of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the pour spout of FIG. 3 in folded
condition;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the end of a bag showing
the pour spout attached;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a elevational view of a bag side similar to FIG. 2
showing a gasket attached to an opening in a paper bag;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing a modification
of the means for reseating the pour spout opening; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a
modification of the invention.
[0024] The following detailed description illustrates the invention
by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description
will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the
invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations,
variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what
we presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the
invention. As various changes could be made in the above
constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying, drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a package, namely a bag 10, having gusset ends
11, a front panel 12, a bottom 13 and a double roll fold material
corner top 14. A pour spout assembly 20 of this invention is
applied to one gusset end 11. The pour spout 20 is shown in open or
pouring position and is movable to closed position as shown by the
arrow "A".
[0026] FIG. 2 shows the bag 10 prior to application of the pour
spout assembly 20. The bag 10 has an opening 15 preferably formed
in one of the side gussets 11. The opening 15 can be in the front
or back wall of the bag 10, if desired. The opening 15 is formed in
the bag 10 during its manufacture prior to filling product into the
bag 10. The opening 15 is used as an outlet for the product
contained in the bag 10, after the pour spout assembly 20 has been
attached to the bag 10.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the blank 21 which forms the pour spout
assembly 20. The blank 21 has a top edge 22, side edges 23,24 and a
bottom edge 25 which define a rectangular body area 26. Adjacent to
and spaced inwardly from the side edges 23, 24 are vertical
permanent bond areas 27,28 which extend from the top edge 22 to the
bottom edge 25. Adjacent to the bottom edge is a horizontal
permanent bond area 29 which extends along the bottom edge 25 and
inwardly therefrom into the blank body 26. While we have referred
to areas 27,28,29 as permanent bond areas, practically the entire
surfaces of the spout blank are of heat sealable material. Strip
coating of the areas 27,28,29 can be used, however, this increases
the cost and requires registering the cut with the coating during
manufacture of the spout.
[0028] The body blank 26 preferably is a lamination as shown in
FIG. 3a. The outer layers 30,31 are moisture and oil impervious
polyethylene and the center layer 32 is a paper or a paper aluminum
foil composite. The layer 32 preferably is 20-50# kraft paper, but
can be any material which will accept folding and remain in folded
condition. The layers 30,31 preferably are high density
polyethylene. The blank 26 could be one piece provided the material
is moisture and oil impervious and also will retain folds.
[0029] Vertical inside fold lines 35,36 are positioned in the blank
body 26 equidistantly spaced from the vertical centerline and
parallel to the side edges 23,24.
[0030] The inside fold lines 35,36 along with an inside bond edge
37 define a back wall panel 38 which forms the pour spout back
wall.
[0031] Between the inside fold line 35 and the permanent bond area
27 are a series of equally spaced vertical fold lines 39. Between
the inside fold line 36 and the permanent bond area 28 are a series
of equally spaced vertical fold lines 40. The fold lines 39 define
a series of side wall gusset panels 39a-39f. The fold lines 40
define a series of side wall gusset panels 40a-40f. The gusset
panels 39a-39f have bottom areas 41a-41f which form a part of the
horizontal permanent bond area 29 and are coated with a heat
sealable adhesive. The gusset panels 40a-40f have a series of
bottom areas 42a-42f which form part of the permanent bond area 29
and are coated with a heat sealable adhesive.
[0032] Depending from the top edge 22 of the back wall 38, is a
rectangular flap 45 which can be used to open the pour spout and to
reclose it as will be explained hereinafter.
[0033] In forming the pour spout 20 from the blank 26, the blank 26
is die cut and folded along the lines 39,40. The pleated sides are
formed by adhering the areas 41a to 41b; the areas 41c to 41d; the
areas 41e to 41f; the areas 42a to 42b; the areas 42c to 42d; and
the areas 42e to 42f.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows the blank 21 formed into the pour spout
assembly 20. It is this assembly 20 which is positioned over the
side panel opening 15.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows the pour spout assembly 20 secured to the side
panel opening 15. In this construction, the areas 27,28,29 are
permanently bonded to the bag gusset end 11, preferably by heat
sealing This seals the bottom and side edges of the pour spout
assembly 20. The top edge can be secured by removable tear seals
43; or in the alternative, the top edge can merely be held tightly
by an overseal or tamper evident/product freshness overseal 55.
[0036] The overseal 55 is sealed around its periphery to the bag 10
by a removable adhesive strip 56. A removal tab 57 is not glued to
the bag 10 and is used to pull the overseal 55 open. The overseal
55 also can be fabricated to be used to reclose and reseal the pour
spout 20 as will be explained hereinafter. The tear seals 43 are of
less width than the seals 27,28 and consequently are easier to tear
open to release the pour spout 20. The tear seals 43 preferably are
used in combination with the tamper evident overseal 55.
[0037] Another method of resealing the pour spout is to place a
strip of two-sided tape 46 on the bag 10 above the opening 15. One
side of the tape 46 is permanently secured to the bag 10. The other
side of the tape 46 has a release strip 47 covering a sticky
pressure-sensitive adhesive surface. After the pour spout 20 is
opened, the release strip 47 can be removed and the flap 45 is
resealed to the top surface of the tape 46 by pressing it against
the tape 46. To open the pour spout 20, the flap is detached from
the tape 46.
[0038] As noted, to reclose the pour spout 20, the flap 45 is
secured to the gusset end 11 by engagement with the
pressure-sensitive tape 46 which is attached to the bag end 11. The
side wall gusset panels 41 of the pour spout 20 are folded together
when the assembly is in closed, non-pouring condition and are held
thereto by the adhesive of the flap 45 to the tape 46.
[0039] Preferably, the pour spout 20 is attached to the bag 10 when
the bag is fabricated at the bag plant. However, it also can be
attached at the user's plant before the bag is assembled or
filled.
[0040] To activate the pour spout 20 after the overseal 55 is
removed, the top edge seal 43 is opened and the flap 45 and back
wall panel 38 are pivoted outwardly and downwardly to expose the
opening 15 to the inside of the bag 10. The contents of the bag 10
can be poured out of the pour spout assembly 20.
[0041] To reclose the bag 10, the flap 45 is reengaged to the
pressure-sensitive side of the strip 46.
[0042] Another method for resealing is to make the overseal 55 from
a pressure-sensitive material. This provides a three-sided re-seal
for the consumer, namely, the top and two sides. The overseal 55
will be permanently attached to the outside face of the spout back
wall 38 and to the bag along the bottom edge 25.
[0043] Another method for resealing is shown in FIG. 7 and involves
the use of a hook and loop fastener strip 58 sold under the
trademark VELCRO. The loop portion of the strip is attached to the
bag 10. The hook portion of the strip is attached to the spout tab
45. The hook portion is on the bag to prevent contamination when
pouring the product.
[0044] The pour spout constructions shown in FIG. 1-5 are adaptable
to both polymeric and paper bags. However, the manufacturing
techniques for making a bag and pour spout combination are
different for a paper bag and for a polymeric bag.
[0045] In manufacturing the bag 10 and pour spout assembly 20 when
the bag is polymeric, the bag 10 has the cut out 15 formed in the
side gusset 11, and the folded pour spout assembly 20 is attached
around the opening 15 by activating the permanent bonds 27,28,29
and attaching the removable seal 43 or the overseal 25.
[0046] When the bag is paper, the edges of the cut out 15 must be
sealed from contact with the contents of the package because the
product in the bags can contain oils that might wick. The opening
cut into the bag exposes raw edges of the paper to the product. To
seal off these edges, a gasket 50 is heat sealed to the inside of
the bag 10 around the opening 15. The inner margin 51 of the gasket
50 extends into the opening 15 around the periphery. This is shown
in FIG. 6. The pour spout assembly then is heat sealed both to the
outside of the bag around the opening 15 and to the gasket margin
51, thus effectively isolating the edges of the opening 15. The
remainder of the assembly is similar to that hereinbefore
described.
[0047] FIG. 8 shows another modification of the invention in which
the pour spout 20 is mounted on the inside of the bag 10. This
provides a more eye appealing attachment, but practically some of
the outer ply material on packages is very difficult, if not
impossible to seal to. The inside of a package typically is heat
sealable.
[0048] In fabricating the inside attachment, the tab 45 is folded
downwardly along the line 22 to fit the spout 20 through the
package opening 15. The edges 27,28,29 are heat sealed to the
inside of the package 10. The tab 45 can be left in folded position
or unfolded and sealed against the outside of the package 10 to
seal the top of the opening 15.
[0049] The invention has been disclosed specifically applied to the
side gusset of a bag. However, it can be applied to a front or back
wall of a bag or to a rigid or semi-rigid carton. These containers
or packages can be of any shape or size that a consumer would lift
and pour. While the invention is preferably applied to packages
containing dry particulate product, the accordion pleated spout can
be applied to packages containing liquid product.
[0050] Thus it is seen that the present invention achieves all of
the objects and advantages sought therefore and this invention is
intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of
the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do
not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *