Blank and container having an integral recloseable pour spout

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging blank and container having an integral reclosable pour spout which provides enhanced seals, and promotes accurate placement of the pour spout during construction. The blank provides a pour spout assembly having a skewed fold line that facilitate folding operations and promotes accurate positioning of the pour spout, a detachable access tab that promotes sealing and provides tamper evidence, and a novel pour spout assembly that promotes directional and controlled pouring of articles. The invention further relates to a container formed from the blank.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a packaging blank with features which enhance the seal of a container having a directional pour spout formed from the blank at an edge of a side panel, while improving the ease with which the pour spout is opened and closed. The invention further includes features which improve manufacturing efficiencies. The blank further improves accuracy of placement of the pour spout assembly during folding operations to thereby improve manufacturing quality.[0002]The invention further relates to a container formed from the blank having a rear panel and a side panel, wherein a pour spout assembly enhances sealing between the rear panel and side panel to thereby prevent sifting and infestation. Still further, the blank and container minimize scrap sheet material (i.e., sheet scrap) while enhancing efficiencies during the opening and closing of the pour spout.[0003]As known to those skilled in the art, packaging is typically formed from pa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The lower edge of the second spout side panel is arcuate-shaped and extends below a lower edge of the first spout side panel and the spout body interior panel. This configuration facilitates directional pouring of articles contained within the container formed from the packaging blank.

[0018]The blank also includes a spout body intermediate panel connected to the rear panel and positioned substantially above the glue flap. The spout body intermediate panel defines at least one retention tab that corresponds with the retention tab of the spout body reinforcing panel upon construction of the packaging blank into the container. The configuration facilitates the opening and closing of the pour spout.

[0019]The blank also includes a glue tab connected to the rear panel. The glue tab defines at least one channel and at least one retention tab for guiding the movement of the pour spout, and for facilitating the opening and secure closing of the pour spout.

Problems solved by technology

The rising popularity of blanks capable of forming containers having integral pour spouts has created a problem for manufacturers.

Known containers having reclosable pour spouts encounter problems with sealing.

Known containers fail to provide a sift-proof seal, thus permitting the articles (e.g., dry baby cereal) in the container to spill out of the container at the sealed ends.

Further, infestation plagues many known containers during storage.

Moreover, conventional blanks capable of forming containers having integral pour spouts often fail to provide directional pouring, i.e., controlled product flow.

Unfortunately, the requirement of mediums other than paperboard increases the costs of production for manufacturers.

Unfortunately, multiple folding operations are required to construct these containers.

Further, the addition of the pour spout assembly requires that manufacturers fold multiple layers of sheet material upon one another, resulting in bulges at critical joints in the resulting container.

The layering of sheet material increases the amount of force acting on the glue joint which could lead to rupture and unintended dispersal of the contents of the container (i.e., broken seal).

The stacking or layering of the sheet material may further result in bulging that disrupts the in-line processing of the blank into the container.

Moreover, blanks having integral pour spout assembly panels require multiple complicated folding operations which oftentimes result in inaccurate placement of the pour spout assembly panel.

The incorporation of extension panels having pour spout assemblies into a blank creates numerous problems for manufacturers that incorporate in-line processes.

The modification of existing equipment is time consuming and expensive.

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