Package fitment
AssigneeCombibloc, Inc.
InventorsArthur R. Robichaud, Frank R. Wilgus, Warren C. Tyler, Jack Holmes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fitment for a package is stamped out of polystyrene strips and then hot melt adhesive bonded to the package so that a tab portion of the fitment overlies an openable flap formed by a score line in the package. The package is opened by rotating the tab so that the forward portion of the tab pushes the openable flap into the container. Since the forward portion of the tab is adhesively bonded to the openable flap, when a frangible connection between the tab and base fractures, the openable flap and tab can be removed to thereby expose an opening in the package. Rotation of the tab is initiated by pushing downwardly on the forward portion of the tab in order to fracture the score line of the package.
Claims13
A fitment attachable to a package having a score line forming an openable flap, the fitment comprising:
- a base having upper and lower surfaces and a longitudinally extending opening which at least partially overlies the openable flap of a package when the fitment is attached to the package, the opening having two longitudinal sides;
- a tab pivotally connected to the base at the opposite sides of the base opening through a frangible connection and overlying the openable flap when the fitment is attached to the package and being normally co-planar with the base, and having upper and lower surfaces and forward and rearward portions, the forward and rearward portions being defined by a pivot axis of the tab;
- and
- means for attaching the lower surface of the base and forward portion of the tab to a package.
A container for dispensing liquids comprising:
- a paperboard package having a top and a score line forming an openable flap in the top;
- a fitment connected to the package, the fitment including,
- a base having upper and lower surfaces and a longitudinal extending opening which at least partially overlies the openable flap of the package, the opening having two longitudinal sides,
- a tab pivotally connected to the base at the opposite sides of the base opening through a frangible connection and overlying the openable flap and being normally co-planar with the base and having upper and lower surfaces and forward and rearward portions, the forward and rearward portions being defined by a pivot axis of the tab;
- and
- means for attaching the lower surface of the base and forward portion of the tab to the package.
A method of opening a package having a score line forming an opening flap, the method comprising attaching a fitment which includes a base and a tab to the package so that the tab overlies the openable flap of the package;
- rotating the tab to thereby fracture the score line and push the openable flap inwardly into the package until a frangible connection between the tab and base breaks;
- and
- pulling the tab away from the package to thereby remove the tab and openable flap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.