Removal device for pour top spouts

A method for removing an internal seal from a pour top spout, wherein the internal seal includes a score line and a ring having an opening therethrough, wherein the pour top spout is attached to a gable top of a container, and wherein said pour top spout includes a replaceable cap, said method comprising the steps of:

• removing the replaceable cap from the pour top spout;
• bending the ring of the internal seal upward such that the ring extends above an open edge of the pour top spout;
• inserting a removal device through the opening in the ring, wherein said removal device Comprises a body having a first end, a first end portion disposed proximate to said first end, a second end, a second end portion disposed proximate to said second end, a curved central portion disposed between said first end portion and said second end portion, and an outer surface extending about said first end portion, said curved central portion and said second end portion;
• wherein an included angle formed by a first line extending through a center of said first end and a second line extending through a center of said second end is less than one hundred and eighty degrees;
• wherein at least a portion of said body has a cross section substantially formed in a shape of a closed plane curve;
• and wherein said outer surface of said body is dimensioned to fit within the opening of the ring of the internal seal of the pour top spout along an entire length of said body;
• positioning said removal device within the opening in the ring such that the ring rests upon said curved central portion of said body of said removal device and such that said first end portion extends from one side of the ring and said second end portion extends from another side of said ring;
• grasping said removal device with one hand such that at least one finger rests upon said outer surface of said first end portion and such that at least one finger rests upon said outer surface of said second end portion;
• grasping said gable top container with another hand;
• and
• rotating one end of said removal device upward such that said removal device does not come into contact with said container and such that said internal seal is removed.

In combination:

• a gable top container comprising a pour spout attached to a gable top of said gable top container;
• wherein said pour spout comprises an internal seal;
• wherein said internal seal comprises a score line and an internal ring having an opening therethrough;
• and
• wherein said opening in an internal ring of said seal of said gable top container has an inside diameter of between 0.4375 inches and 0.6875 inches, wherein said shape of a closed plane curve of said cross section of said body is a shape of a circle, and wherein said circle has a diameter of between 0.375 inches and 0.625 inches;
• and
• a removal device comprising:
• a body comprising a first end, a first end portion disposed proximate to said first end, a second end, a second end portion disposed proximate to said second end, a curved central portion disposed between said first end portion and said second end portion, and an outer surface extending about said first end portion, said curved central portion and said second end portion;
• wherein an included angle formed by a first line extending through a center of said first end and a second line extending through a center of said second end is less than one hundred and eighty degrees;
• wherein at least a portion of said body has a cross section substantially formed in a shape of a closed plane curve;
• and
• wherein said outer surface of said body is dimensioned to fit within the opening of the ring of the internal seal of the pour top spout along an entire length of said body.