Reclosable dispenser package, reclosable outlet forming structure and method and apparatus for making same

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. The sheet may be attached to a pouch or containment member formed from a flexible sheet which contains any flowable substance.

Description

[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 010,455, filed Jan. 23, 1996, and U.S. Provisional Application entitled "RECLOSABLE DISPENSER PACKAGE, RECLOSABLE OUTLET FORMING STRUCTURE AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME", filed Jan. 3, 1997 by the same inventor of the instant non-provisional application, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.[0002] This invention relates to easy opening, self-contained, easy to use, single or multiple use dispenser packages capable of economical, high speed production, manufactured from a broad range of materials, many of which are recyclable. They may contain such products as syrups, cream, cheeses, salad dressings, shampoo, hand-cream, liquid detergents, motor oil, toothpaste pates, pet food and many other products. It additionally relates to a package which has the capability of dispensing the contained product, e.g., mouthwash, cough syrup, confections, alcoholic beverages,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables easy, controlled dispensing and reclosure of products, reducing waste and environmental impact, while being cost-effective and suitable for a wide range of products, including liquids and dry materials, with the option for recyclable materials.

Problems solved by technology

Although this type of package is universally used, it is also universally disliked by the consumer.

Creating the initial tear to break the packages seal is often very difficult, often requiring the assistance of the user's teeth.

Moreover, once the initial tear is created, the laminated foil and / or plastic material not only often tears in an uncontrolled fashion, but the holding pressure exerted by one of the user's hands often forces the contents out of the envelope not only before the user is ready to apply the contents, but even before the tearing motion is complete.

Opening these packages leads to frayed tempers, broken fingernails, and chipped teeth, as well as other problems.

In the case of invalids, arthritis sufferers and other handicapped people, opening these packages is virtually impossible.

Yet another problem associated with these prior packages is the impossibility of efficient reclosure, thereby precluding multiple use of the package, with consequent waste of the unused contents.

Further disadvantages include the sachet's inability to function effectively with low viscosity products such as coffee cream, mouthwash or alcoholic beverages, due to the inability of the torn opening to control the direction of flow of such liquids from the package.

These packages also are generally totally unrecyclable, and therefore become environmental pollutants.

Such packages are often used as coffee creamers and have many disadvantages, including difficulty in peeling off the top in order to open, as well as difficulty in pouring, accidental spilling, and the inability to be reclosed so as to preclude more than a single use.

These packages only dispense dry, solid flowables with the assistance of gravity, and cannot be used to contain, no less dispense, "wet" or liquid flowable materials.

Small, very expensive, metal capped bottles are used for alcoholic drinks and are either poured or consumed directly from the bottle.

They never truly reclose and at best are messy and unclean looking.

This little injection molded duo is costly to make and to install, possibly on the order of 3 to 5 cents and is commonly used on large gable top juice containers in the half gallon size.

These are expensive, high profit items selling for about three dollars each and can bear the extra tariff for the screw-on outlets.

Producers however are reluctant to increase carton cost significantly and the public continues to use difficult to open cartons.

Another disadvantage currently experienced with dispensing packages is the closing of the outlet opening.

Both the separately molded gasketed cap and the threaded tube result in increased manufacturing costs.

Additionally, the cap, as often as not, is dropped and / or lost while it is being threaded on or off.

Thus, the cap members currently in use have the disadvantage that they tend to increase the overall cost of manufacture of the dispensing package.

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