Reclosable disposable container and closure

Abstract

A reclosable disposable container for small quantities of liquid or semi-liquid products such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, ointments, creams and the like. The container has a flexible body or reservoir for the contents and a spout which is opened by removing the end to create an opening. A foldable portion is provided to create a fold between the opening and the remaining contents. When this portion is folded the container is closed. A tab is provided on the foldable portion which cooperates with a slot in the container to maintain the fold and keep the container closed. The container is reopened by taking the tab out of the slot and unfolding the foldable portion. A container closure is also described and comprises a spout which is reclosable by folding and is maintained in a closed position by a tab which cooperates with a slot.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention has to do with reclosable containers for small quantities of products and closures for such containers. More particularly, the invention relates to flexible, reclosable disposable containers for small quantities of products.[0003]2. The Related Art[0004]Disposable containers for small amounts of products are either designed for single use applications or, if they are reclosable, are either too expensive for many applications or they don't reclose effectively. Products commonly filled into containers of this type include shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, topical pharmaceutical products, condiments, snack foods and the like, as discussed in more detail below.[0005]U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,855 describes a self-closing squeeze container which employs a resilient curved plastic rib disposed over a mouth of the container. When a user squeezes the container, the rib allows the mouth to open. When the u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The invention provides a reclosable disposable container for a small quantity of product. The container is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. It closes and recloses without leakage, even when it is filled with low viscosity liquids such as water or alcohol. In its simplest form, the container can be made from a single piece of flat stock such as a foil or plastic coated paper. Two or more pieces of flat stock or other materials can also be used to make embodiments of the container and they can be the same or different. Various manufacturing methods known in the art can be used to make the containers including thermoforming, using adhesives, heat pressing (the fusing together of a polymer through heat and pressure) and the like. The container can be made in an infinite number of shapes without deviating from the principles of the invention set forth herein.

[0010]The container comprises a body which provides a reservoir for a liquid or semi-liquid product. The reservoir is in fluid communication with a spout having an end portion. The end portion can be removed by tearing, cutting or breaking to make an opening in the spout and allowing product to be dispensed from the spout. A foldable portion is disposed in proximity to the spout to make a fold between the reservoir and the opening or between the remaining contents and the opening. In the preferred embodiments, the fold is disposed along the spout between the opening and the reservoir. When the foldable portion is folded, the spout is closed (or reclosed) at the fold. A tab is provided on the foldable portion which cooperates with a slot in the container. When the tab is inserted into the slot, the foldable portion is maintained in its folded position thereby keeping the container closed. The container is easily reopened by pulling or pushing the tab out of the slot and returning the foldable portion to its unfolded position.

Problems solved by technology

Disposable containers for small amounts of products are either designed for single use applications or, if they are reclosable, are either too expensive for many applications or they don't reclose effectively.

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