Container fitment having ellipsoidal opening

Abstract

A fitment for use in the discharge of pourable contents from a container wherein the constancy of uniform flow of contents from the container is minimally, if at all, adversely affected by the need for accommodating inflow of ambient air into the container as the contents are discharged from the container, the fitment including a conduit an exit end having an ellipsoidal cross-sectional geometry including a minor portion and an major portion, the geometry of the conduit exit being oriented uppermost toward (topwise of) the top end of the container. A method is disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable FIELD OF INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to fitments (pour spouts) for containers, particularly paperboard containers, useful for the discharge of pourable substances from the container and for selectively closing and sealing the container against the discharge of its contents. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0004] Containers for pourable substances, such as juices, milk, etc. commonly include a pouring spout, commonly called a fitment in the industry, which is associated with the top end of the container. Desirably, such pour spout is mounted in covering relationship to an opening defined through the thickness of the top end of the container, includes a tamper evident component and a cap for selectively reclosing the spout for storage of contents remaining in the container. [0005] Paperboard is a common material used in the manufacture...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the point of initiation of the tearing away of the membrane of the present fitment preferably is selected to be associated with the minor portion of the opening. Thus, force required for initiation of the tearing away of the membrane is minimized and only gradually increases as the membrane is further torn away from the wall of the conduit, thereby enhancing the uniformity of tearing away of the membrane.

Problems solved by technology

Thereupon, there is a sudden rush of air into the container and a concomitant dramatic fluctuation in the rate of outflow of the container contents.

This action is likened to a burp and dramatically disrupts the desired continuity of the outflow of the contents from the container.

Much splatter of the contents may occur and / or spillage of the contents outside a receptacle provided for the receipt of the outflowing contents.

Manufacture of fitments with such tubes is difficult and costly.

Further, placement of the inboard end of the tube such that the tube itself does not become filled with contents from the container, and thereby fail as an air intake to the container, has not successfully been solved in the prior art.

In some instances, the rate of discharge of the contents from the container greatly exceeds the flow capacity of the air infeed tube, thereby defeating the purpose of the tube.

Larger tubes detract from the area of the conduit exit through which the contents of the container can flow, thereby causing the outflow of the contents to be undesirably slow.

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