SK103098A3 - Improved coffee creamer and other cups and tubs - Google Patents

Abstract

A container thermoformed from a relatively thin flat plastic film comprising an upright standing hollow containment formation (100) having an upper flat rim (102) to which a thin cover member (103) is sealingly attached in a sealing pattern. The sealing rim encompassing the containment formation with at least a portion of the sealing rim extending outwardly from the hollow containment formation an amount adequate to permit it to function as a tab (104). The extending tab portion (104) has a fault line (101) on its underside traversing the tab at a right angle to a centerline extending outwardly from the hollow containment formation which when the tab portion (104) is upwardly bent causes the tab to rupture at the fault line (101). The rupturing causes the outer tab portion to break away from the remaining tab portion while remaining sealed to the thin cover member which is also upwardly bent to create an outlet passage for flowable material between the remaining tab portion and the thin cover.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to easy-to-open, stand-alone, easy-to-use dispensing unit units that are economically acceptable, manufactured at high speed and from a wide variety of materials, many of which are recyclable. They include products such as syrups, creams, cheeses, salad dressings, shampoos, hand creams, liquid detergents, oils, toothpastes, pet foods, antacids, pharmaceuticals, adhesives and many other foods, non-food products, pharmaceuticals and industrial products. It further relates to packages having the ability to dispense products containing, e.g. mouthwash, cough syrup, preserved products, alcoholic beverages, etc., directly into the user's mouth.

This application claims the benefits of provisional US application no. 60/011 043, filed Feb. 2, 1996, and provisional US application filed Jan. 3, 1997, still numbered, entitled Enhanced Coffee Cream Container and Other Cups and Trays, filed by the Applicant of the present application, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The liquid cream container for coffee is one of the most widely used commercially available packaging units in the world, with 15 trillion pieces used annually in the US alone. It is probably one of the least elaborated and designed for its purpose, it is a small thin-walled plastic bucket generally made of high impact

polystyrene (HIPS) with removable lid. Its aim is to protect the content of the product after its use, prompt withdrawal by users, poured cream into coffee and its safe storage. To use it, the end user must have the manual skill to do it, but people who are old, weak arthritic, uncomfortable or not paying enough attention to the download have a little problem. The product must eventually be poured into the intended coffee, which is not so easy moving a vehicle, train or aircraft, etc., and then postponed. As can be seen, the product making up the product, whether it is the creamed cream or some other manufactured solutions, has a relatively low viscosity. Both hands are required to open the collapsible lid of the small flexible container.

This operation, which requires the container to be held firmly when it is pushed out, can sometimes cause unwanted spilling or splashing of the low viscosity cream product onto the user. Assuming this download operation is successfully performed. The cream should be poured into coffee and then the product is discarded. These small containers often have a small base and contain still unused cream. They can easily be tipped over, spilling the product onto a table, tray or user.

Another disadvantage is that the expensive opening cap is usually made by a combination of foil and plastic. It is rarely completely withdrawn. Recycling would be necessary if each of the non-recyclable caps was manually removed from each container.

As mentioned, in particular, the lid of the small container must be firmly gripped to retract the lid. To firmly grip the lid, the container, and in particular its rim, must have structural integrity and strength. This is obtained using solid materials of the order of 20-27.5 mil. high impact polystyrene (HIPS). The lid must also be strong to be fully retracted. In many cases, the stratified film / polyester / adhesive cap layer is used. This thin combination often represents one third to one half of the material cost of packaging.

In this highly competitive region of large-volume packaging units, there are 5 factors that affect the outcome of any given unit. These are: 1. cost, 2. ease of use, 3. resistance to unwanted opening or spillage, 4. appearance, and 5. environmental impact.

As already mentioned, one of the most obvious forms of this packaging unit is a coffee cream container. This small bucket pack with its withdrawal holder and huge sales volume (US 15-20 trillion per year only) is relatively expensive, difficult to use, prone to unwanted tipping, and has a negative environmental impact and uneven appearance. It is missing four out of five of these criteria, it is just a baby in diapers.

One object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks and make it cheaper, easier to use, more resistant to spillage and improved from an environmental point of view. Because its appearance still remains unmatched, users can enjoy it with pleasure as it is so convenient and resistant to spillage.

Surprisingly, the removal of the cap requires some force and resists such a force of the order of 21 miles. a thermoformable plastic film (HIPS) is generally required for a smaller container, especially its rim, while a hard plastic film plus a layer of strong but contractible adhesive is required for the contractible cap. Obviously, the plastic container should also be resistant to extrusion when the lid is removed or the product is ejected from the cup.

With around 50 trillion vessels per year sold worldwide, the capital investment needed to locate this production facility can be envisaged. The German aseptic container product manufactured by Robert Bosch, which costs $ 2 million, produces 80,000 units per hour. Aseptic containers are desirable in different parts of the world, although those used in the US, although in domestic refrigeration systems and refrigerated goods, are far superior to other non-US countries. The location of these existing machines would probably be very difficult, very costly and therefore limited as the costs must be included in the selling price of the containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing problems and disadvantages in the field of dispensing packages, the subject of the present invention is:

To replace the problematic use of removable lid coffee cups and other units using easy-to-open, tear-resistant trays with easy-to-use dispensing packages.

Carry out such dispensing packages on currently used equipment by simple, relatively inexpensive modifications.

Provide units that will open by simply bending the holder upwards to form an outlet.

Provide units that will be controllable to dispense the product being extruded.

Reduce the total amount of plastics used per unit.

Make such units completely recyclable.

Eliminate expensive retractable caps and replace them with a very cheap single-layer plastic.

Make such units readily open, even if they are made of solid, non-brittle materials.

To provide such units that can dispense products simply by applying finger pressure to said unit.

To provide such units that can dispense such products at the top edge of the belt.

Eliminate non-recyclable wastes.

Reduce the unit cost of such packages by reducing the base film thickness, and

Provide units that can function both as a container with a removable cap and as a container with an easily opening outlet.

integrated container for significant

Unexpected discovery in this application that an exit orifice generating means utilizing a variety of methods and / or structures, including variations described in U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 5,395,031, 4,493,574, 4,611,715 can provide many benefits in the widely used cream-forming buckets described above. The essence of the exit aperture generating means may generally be described as being provided in a holder portion of the upper edge of the bucket which creates a passage of the exit aperture that extends outwardly from the bucket and which has a transversely extending fault line on its underside. To open this passage of the outlet opening from the outside, the holder is simply folded upwards and the passage is formed by breaking the break line. Obviously, by creating an outlet opening in the package through which the product can be dispensed by gentle extrusion, we can suddenly eliminate the expensive foil / plastic / adhesive removable lid and replace it with a sealed material of the order of 1 or 2 million, or a similar material from which the bucket is made, e.g. HIPS. The lid can then be heat sealed directly to the bucket eliminating the need for an adhesive or sealing layer.

Since the cap is not contracted, there is no requirement for the structural strength to resist such contraction. This is particularly important as the thickness dimension of the thermoformable plastic film is reduced, so that this function will be used to benefit from a thorough design, since it is stated that by eliminating the lid pulling function, the edge strength requirement is so greatly reduced that HIPS thickness can be used. 6 to 10 mil.

Another benefit is that the cream container of the present invention can be made by simply modifying the currently widely used standard container packages, which are made by simple, relatively inexpensive addition and / or modification of the equipment, aseptic or not currently used for manufacturing of standard cream containers. This is very significant.

Each of the concepts presented herein addresses, in terms of benefits, all and every disadvantage of the present bucket forming the container. The thinner film size that can be used, plus the elimination of the foil / plastic / adhesive cap reduces costs by at least 50% and additionally constitutes a significant (50%) source of reducing plastic materials and eliminating cap waste. Unwanted spillage or splashing is virtually eliminated.

It will further be appreciated that the reasons for the tremendous benefits of a container-shaped bucket that the delivery of the outlet generating means provides are also applied and can be transferred to related rectangular cups or trays with a retractable holder located in one corner of the package. In particular, trays with a relatively narrow closing edge comprising a rectangular shaped article with one flat corner thereof such that an approximately triangular holder is formed at that corner. At this widened edge different versions of the outlet opening forming the means mentioned herein could be located.

• 6

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a side plan view of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 1a is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

Fig. 1b is a side plan view of the container of FIG. 1 showing the broken break line;

Fig. 1c is an enlarged view along line A-A of FIG. 1a;

Fig. Ie is an enlarged sectional view along the breakaway line of the container of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a partially tapered perspective view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2a is a side perspective view of the container of FIG. 2;

Fig. 2b is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2b-2b of FIG

Fig.2;

Fig. 2c is an enlarged top view of the container of FIG. 2;

Fig. 2d is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2b-2b of FIG. 2 showing the broken break line;

Fig. 3a and 3b show a top plan view and a side plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4a, 4b and 4c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view, and an enlarged sectional view showing a slot formed to break the breakaway line of the container of Figs. 4a and 4b;

Fig. 5a, 5b and 5c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view, and an enlarged sectional view showing a slot formed to break the breakaway line of the container of Figs. 5a and 5b;

Fig. 6a, 6b and 6c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view, and an enlarged sectional view showing a slot formed to break the breakaway line of the container of Figs. 6a and 6b;

Fig. 7a, 7b and 7c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view, and an enlarged sectional view showing a slot formed to break the breakaway line of the container of Figs. 7a and 7b;

Fig. 8a, 8b and 8c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view, and an enlarged sectional view showing a slot formed to break the breakaway line of the container of Figs. 8a and 8b;

Fig. 9a, 9b and 9c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view, and an enlarged sectional view showing a slot formed to break the breakaway line of the container of FIG. 9a and 9b;

10a, 10b and 10c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view, and an enlarged sectional view showing a slit formed to break the breakaway line of the container of Figs. 10a and 10b;

11a, 11b and 11c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view, and an enlarged sectional view showing a slot formed to break the breakaway line of the container of Figs. 11a and 11b;

Figs 12a, 12b and 12c are a side plan view, an enlarged sectional top plan view and an enlarged sectional view showing a slot formed to break the breakaway line of the container of Figs. 12a and 12b;

Fig. 13 is a partial bottom view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 14a-14f are various cross-sectional views of the protuberance members of the present invention;

Fig. 15a is a top plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 15b is a side plan view of the container of FIG. 15;

Fig. 15c is a side plan view of the container of FIG. 15a and 15b showing a container in use;

Fig. 16a is a side plan view of an insert forming a perforation to form the container shown in FIG. 15a-15c;

Fig. 16b is a side plan view of the perforation insertion for cooperation with the perforation insertion of FIG. 16a for forming the container of FIG. 15a-15c;

Fig. 17 is a partially oblique perspective view of an independent slit curvilinear providing a means for attachment to a curved surface;

Fig. 18 is a side perspective view of an independent polopyramidal sponge-like pressure concentrator; and

Fig. 19 is a side plan view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a non-rigid or fine limiting member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, we have a side plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention which generally shows a pyramid-conical bucket in the form of a dispensing container 100 made of non-brittle plastic (HIPS) containing coffee cream or for another low viscosity product. The container 100 has a flat edge 102 encircling said container, a portion of which extends outwardly from said container to form a holder 104. It is also shown that at the underside of said holder 104 there is a kink line 101. By closing the top surface of said edge and holder 104 is thin a lid-like plastic membrane 103.

In FIG. 1A, we have a planar top view of a container 100 showing an unclosed tongue-shaped region 106, indicated by a dash between said lid 103 and said edge 102 and lid 104, where the unclosed region 106 extends through and slightly beyond the break line passing through the underside of the holder. Also, the portion A-A through the fault line shown in FIG. 1D, showing the median non-enclosed region 106 between the two enclosed regions indicated by small x's.

Fig. 1B shows a side plan view of the dispensing container with the holder 109 bent back to interrupt the break line when ready for dispensing the article.

Fig. 1C indicates a fault line arrangement having a straight portion 107 at each end and a curved arc portion 108 between the straight portions 107. FIG. IE shows a cross-section of the exit orifice formed between the holder 104 bent back, showing the arc 109 formed by breaking the arc portion 108 of the break line 101.

By eliminating the need to pull off the lid, the present invention has achieved a cost savings of more than 50% since packaging requires minimal strength. The film from which the constraining member or bucket can be made may have a thickness of the order of 10 mil. and the cap may be of a single monolayer of the order of 1 to 2 mil. HIPS without requiring an additional layer. The Saran outer coating (PvDc) may be desirable in some cases and may be applied during the printing process and very poorly added to the lid cost.

Packs made of non-frangible plastic films, such as in this HIPS application, do not require pressure-centering protrusions that act on the break line, so the terms, grooves and micro-grooves are used to describe these formations, although these may project on the side of the break line extension. It is also understood that a slightly deeper channel can be made with a protrusion from the underside of the holder, but can leak if the content is a low viscosity liquid and inadvertently tilts.

Fig. 2 is an isometric drawing of a rectangular embodiment of the present invention having a rectangular arrangement with a flat corner 201. FIG. 2A-2C show an edge 202 above a flat corner 201 that continues beyond flatness by forming a bracket in which a semi-pyramidal sponge-like hollow protrusion of the pressure concentrator 208 of said bracket is formed and the protrusion extends through a break line 209 parallel to the flat corner 201. corner 201. Rectangular hollow article restricting member

203 with a flat corner 201 has an edge 202 into which the cap 204 is sealed.

Fig. 2D shows a projection of a pressure concentrator in a bent back position having an interrupted said fault line 209 forming an outlet opening 210 of the article.

Fig. 3A and 3B show a typical container according to another embodiment of the present invention. The container includes a confinement with an edge 302 and a bracket 350 therefrom and at least one protrusion-shaped channel 310 into this edge 320. The thin plastic membrane member 300 extends a formed similar cap 330 is sealed to the top surface of the edge 320 and thereby closes the container. The protrusion-shaped channel 310 is formed in the wall of the limiting member 300 and curves into the bottom of the bracket 350. The break line 340 intersects the protrusion 310.

Fig. Figures 4A and 4B show one embodiment of the present invention using at least one protrusion-shaped curvilinear channel 410 formed in the wall of the constraining member 400 extending upwardly and curving in the holder 450. As shown in Figs. 4B, the substantially straight break line 440 intersects the protrusion member 410. If the holder 450 is bent back, the break line 440 breaks to form an opening 460. As shown in FIG. 4C, slot 460 is particularly suitable for high viscosity products and / or particulate products such as salad dressing, ointments, sour milk products and yogurt. Such an arrangement should be carried out with barrier and high-strength materials such as NY-PET-EVOH-PVC-PP, and various compression of such materials as well as HIPS.

In a further version, the polopyramidal sponge-shaped protrusion, with its highest intersecting point passing through the break line, can be used from a variety of materials, from HIPS to the toughest molded barrier films. This is similar in the arrangement of one half of the pressure concentrators claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,574 and dispense a wide range of products in all viscosity areas.

Fig. 5A shows a container according to this embodiment of the present invention having a limiting member 500 with a protruding polopyramide slot 510. As shown in FIG. 5b, the protrusion 510 extends into the holder 550 and passes through the break line 540. In operation, the holder 550 is bent back, thereby breaking the break line 540. As shown in FIG. 5c, by breaking the break line 540 creates a slot 560 which is particularly suitable for dispensing high viscosity, particle-free products such as sunscreen, syrup, and the like. As mentioned, such an arrangement may be of many high-strength and barrier materials, such as

NY-PET-PVC-EVOH.

In yet another version, a micro-groove may be used with a fault line passing through its center of gravity. A micro-groove may be defined as a groove in the top surface of the holder extension with a depth less than the thickness of the plastic material of said holder extension. For example, 8 mil. (0.008) The coarse holder extension may have a groove depth of no more than 0.008, although 0.005 could be preferred. These outlined micro-grooves are efficient channels for the flow of low-viscosity products such as cream into coffee, alcohol, water, solvents, etc., where flow control is needed or preferred.

In addition, these small grooves form outlet openings for free flow and prevent dripping. In the subject of the package according to the present application, the flow rate is adjustable only by a slight change in the application of the finger pressure. It can be seen that if a micro-groove or deeper groove is formed into the holder and terminates in front of the intersection of the center of gravity of the break line and the unclosed area extends from the end of said grooves for a short distance passing through the center of gravity of the break line before the circumferential closure surrounding the package. an orifice means imparting a valve character to the orifice, as in the initial orifice valve means described below.

closing then free

It should be noted that the micro-grooves may in some cases be made on the top surface of the holder extension without a protrusion on its underside. Furthermore, if 10 mil. (0.010) groove depth will be chosen in 10 mil. a thick bracket extension, then usually a protrusion should occur on its underside. However, it should not function as a pressure concentrator.

Fig. 6A shows an embodiment of the present invention having one such a relatively thin micro-groove protrusion 610 formed in the limiting member 600. In the micro-groove protrusion 610, it passes through the break line 640. The micro-groove protrusion 610 extends into the holder 650 which causes the break line to break. 640, thereby forming a slot 660. The slot 660 shown in FIG. 6C, is particularly suitable for low viscosity products such as coffee cream. Advantageously, such an arrangement can be made of HIPS and HIPS with laminates through which the laminate break line 640 is cut so that only a break of the HIPS is required when the holder 650 is bent back.

In one embodiment of the present invention, it has unexpectedly been discovered that, for products such as coffee cream, etc., the outlet forming the means described will act as its own valve which only dispenses the product under pressure and then closes to prevent least spillage or dripping.

The flat edge or holder of a typical bucket in the shape of a coffee cream container has an approximately triangular configuration and extends through a break line or is cut at its underside parallel to the tangent of the circular container body and sealed with its lid on its entire top surface. Instead of sealing the entire upper holder surface to the lid, however, the tongue-shaped holder surface area of the holder is not closed and extends within its peripheral shutters from the bucket to the outside, passing and transmitting slightly beyond the center of gravity of the fault line.

Certain non-brittle plastics, which are flat, break when bending along a single break line. HIPS is one of the commonly used containers for coffee cream.

In this embodiment, such a plastic must be used. As will be done, if the holder is bent up and the plastic is broken, the end of the unclosed tongue-shaped region between the lid and the rim of the bucket will be exposed externally with the unclosed tongue-shaped surfaces between the lid and the holder remaining in contact with each other.

Obviously, even low viscosity products such as cream will not drip or leak from the container. When a slight finger pressure is applied to the unit, with the peripheral extension facing inwardly, the plastic cap and the peripheral extension are slightly diverted from each other, creating a flat ball outlet opening that acts as an effective nozzle through which a coherent product flow can be dispensed.

Furthermore, it has unexpectedly been discovered that when a very thin film size (approximately 1-2 million) is used for the lid of the dispensing packages, it does not remain flat after closing and is stretched through the container slot as a drum coating. The range of flexibility allows it to have a deep, domed or dome shape even when a gentle finger pressure is applied to the sealed container. It will be appreciated that in the case of an unclosed tongue-shaped area included by the container closure, the same internal pressure inflates and gently arches the lid material through the unclosed tongue-shaped area. This is possible with a very thin dimension of the material as a closed structure, which creates an efficient flow of low viscosity product through the outlet of the non-closed area at the center of gravity of the broken break line. It will further be appreciated that said external light finger pressure is released so that the two wet surfaces, the wet underside of the lid film and the wet top surface of the holder extension will join and be held together by capillary action and will regulate the outlet opening to prevent dripping.

When a straight break line is used in conjunction with an unclosed region, an outlet opening and a path is formed for containing low-viscosity products when the holder is bent up. However, if the break at the break line is irregular or is not a clear break, the flow of the product being dispensed may partially block. If the bracket extension is too hard, the bracket portion that is torn off and the remaining end of the bracket portion forms a straight line of the outlet orifice, which must be spaced separately into the composite ball outlet. Since this will dispense the product under the corresponding pressure, the necessary pressure may vary, and thus the product flow may vary with each package. It was then discovered that the curved fault line eliminated this problem. When the curved break line is bent with its convex side facing away from the container, the break line breaks along its curve and we find that the bracket that breaks is concave at its base, creating a vault through the outlet opening, eliminating the compression of the double cap at the outlet hole.

In another unexpected discovery, it was found that the notch line has two straight end portions between which the arcuate portion extends outwardly from the container with its convex side, the arcuate portion having a tetrachlorum length approximately equal to the width of the unclosed tongue-shaped area intersecting it. ideal.

The discovery of a curved or partially curved fault line is a significant benefit in providing an outlet aperture in dispensing packages without the need for protrusions or micro-grooves or a pressure concentrator and an outlet aperture as claimed in other versions described herein, but instead simplifies the non-closed area line.

In the case of these different curved versions of the break line, it has been discovered that the opening, the torn end of the holder has an arcuate base, and instead of a straight line of the outlet opening we get an arched opening between the lid and the bracket as the remaining holder remains flat. while the torn portion of the holder when bent by approximately 90 ° has a small arched extension of the end of the unclosed outlet aperture. In addition, since the small holder is firmly attached to the cap, it tends to lift it up and away from the remaining edge that forms the lower side of the outlet opening. These embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings of Figures 7-12.

In FIG. 7A-C shows another embodiment of the invention having a limiting member 700 and a micro-groove protrusion 710 formed on the underside of the holder 750. As can be seen in FIG. The fault line 740 passes through the non-enclosed tongue-shaped region 712. As in the previous embodiments, bending the holder 750 back causes the break line 740 to break. It is preferred that this arrangement provides the valve as an action and prevents leakage. This arrangement can be made of HIPS and HIPS with laminates, and if the laminate is cut at break line 740, then only HIPS interruption is required.

Fig. 8A-C with another embodiment of the present invention similar to that described in FIGS. 4-7, except for the embodiment of FIG. 8, have no groove or protrusion member. Instead, the container of FIG. 8 is provided with a non-enclosed tongue-shaped region 812 that extends to the holder 850. The fault line 840 passes through the non-enclosed tongue-shaped region 812. When the fault line 840 is broken, the peripheral aperture remains surrounded by the non-enclosed region. After applying pressure to the limiting member 800, a non-closed < 16 outlet port 860 is shown. 8C As in the previous embodiment, this arrangement can be made of HIPS and HIPS with laminates.

In a further version, there is no exit opening forming means in the holder, but still has a break line passing through the bottom of the holder. In this case, the cavity will be made in the cap that engages the free holder, even though it has closed everything around its perimeter to function as the free space for the liquid to be dispensed may be narrow or not as long as the part that intersects the center of gravity a break line and extends back through the article-limiting member to provide a channel to the outlet opening formed when the holder is bent.

Fig. 9A-C shows a further version having a limiting member 900 and having no protrusion. As shown, the embodiment includes elevation 914 in the cap. The elevation extends from the limiting member 900 to the holder 950. As shown in FIG. 9A and 9B, the fault line 940 extends through the holder 950 below the elevation 914. As shown in FIG. 9C, the break of the break line 940 allows the elevation 914 to serve as a channel from the limiting member 900 to the slot 960 thus formed on the break line 940. It is also understood that the shape of the break line 940 may be relatively straight, curvilinear or a combination of both.

Fig. 10A-C shows a similar embodiment to that of FIG. 8A-C and this includes a non-enclosed tongue-shaped region 1012 extending into the holder 1015. However, not as in FIG. 8A-C, the non-enclosed tongue-shaped area 1012 extends through a curvilinear fault line 1040 including two straight end portions and a central portion arched from the limiting member 1000 to the outward direction.

Fig. 11A-C shows the same arrangement as in FIG. 10A-C, except that the dashing of the unclosed tongue-shaped portion 1012 has been removed for clarity.

Fig. 12A-C shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the fault line 1240 is completely curved. As best seen in FIG. 12B, the fully curved fracture 1240 passes through the non-enclosed tongue-shaped area 1212.

It will be understood that various other combinations of protrusions, closures, and break lines described herein, particularly in FIG. 4-12, can be combined for best results.

The system of forming the outlet opening means in the packages in question by simply bending the holder upwards has other variations than the embodiments so far disclosed. These methods generally require a cavity, groove or projection formed on the holder extending on the underside of the holder and intersecting the hollow product comprising a portion of the wall that passes through the break line. These protrusions may have a number of configurations, and some are particularly advantageous when a rigid barrier non-breaking plastic and / or combinations thereof are used in laminates or molding and / or for handling viscous or particle-containing products may be formed at the peripheral extension of the heat formed dispensing holder. packing various pressure concentrators.

In one version, the one or more protuberant channels or described in U.S. Pat.

of similar cross-sectional parts 5,395,031 changes in that it assumes a curvilinear shape in its passage from the underside of the holder to continue said shaping passing down the wall of the article containing the parts of the package. This will make an extremely strong shaping within its ability to break the thin dimension of the solid materials and laminates or press them. This version of the exit port generating means is particularly effective for various soft cheeses, pastes and / or particulate products, and has the additional ability to dispense the product in the attractive apex edge strip at its multiple channel version. It will be appreciated that this multiple channel-like channel can be formed in the case of rectangular packages on a holder extending from one complete end of the package and the same from a flattened corner. Such embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 13-16.

Fig. 13 shows a bottom isometric sketch of a generally rectangular shaped flattened corner package 1440. wherein the multiple channel-forming means 1440 is formed in the flattened corner 1400. where the width of the slot-forming means 1440 is so large. The flattened corner 1400 becomes the end of the hollow article restricting member 1405. The multiple channel or multi-groove curvilinear slot forming means 1440 is shown having the cross-section shown in FIG. 14c, with peaks 1443 and sinks 1442A, with a break line intersecting the curved transition portion of the slot forming means 1440, which upon interruption creates an extra large exit orifice. The slot forming means 1440 is formed at the rim 1415 to form an enlarged corner of the holder 1420.

Fig. 14A to 14F illustrate various alternative slot forming means 1440 of FIG. 13. More specifically, FIG. 14A to 14F show various cross-sectional representations of the slot forming means 1440 along the break line. As shown in FIG. 14A, the slot-forming means 1440 has multiple channel protrusions 1441 that may have a round bottom 1442 to prevent inadvertent breakage of the membrane 1441. The slot-forming protrusions 1443 may have sharp highest points or peaks 1443A. as shown in FIG. 14A, or the curved top points 1443 and bottoms 1442A may be sharp as shown in FIG. 14C.

As shown in FIG. 14D, the slot forming the protrusion means 1441 may extend over a distance B from the wall of the flattened corner 1440 of the container 1400.

Alternatively, the slot forming the protrusion means 1441 may be deepened to a distance B from the wall of the container member 1405. Furthermore, the distance between the protrusion members D as well as the depth of the protrusion members C may vary depending on the material used, its thickness and product. flat dosed.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14E, the protruding protrusion members 1444 are larger and extend further than the other protrusions 1441, thereby providing greater protection and greater resistance to unwanted or desired opening. In yet another embodiment, shown in Fig. 14F, the slot forming means 1440 includes a separate V-shaped channel. It will be understood that many of the slot forming means and protrusion members discussed herein may be engaged in combination with any size and shaped container and s. different plastic materials of different thicknesses.

In FIG. 15A and 15B, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Specifically, the container 1500 is generally rectangular in shape and has a curvilinear slit of the pressure concentrator generating means 1510. Although the slot generating means 1510 is similar to that shown in FIG. 13, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the slot forming means 1510 is formed at the end edge extension 1530 curving downwardly of the forward confining member of the container 1500. more than in the flattened corner. As shown, the fault line 1520 intersects the slot forming means 1510. FIG. 15c shows the container 1500 in use. As can be seen, the break line 1520 was interrupted by bending the end 1530 back. Since the container 1500 can be made narrow, it is easy to dispense its contents by grasping it in one hand.

Fig. 16A and 16B show one mechanism for forming the container of FIG. 15A-C. Fig. 16A shows the insertion portion of perforation 1600 having a curvilinear front surface 1610.

The curvilinear front surface 1610 includes a series of grooves and apex edges. Similarly, the complementary arcuate portion 1650 has a curvilinear front surface 1660 having a series of grooves and apexes that are aligned with those on the front surface 1610 of the insertion portion forming the perforation 1600. In operation, the material of which the container is formed, located between the insertion perforation 1600 and the encircling perforation. Since the two front surfaces 1610, 1660 are consistent, they meet in engagement when the material is deformed in the curvilinear pressure concentrator. It will be understood that any of the pressure concentrator slots constituting the means described with reference to FIG. 14A-F, can be obtained by such an arrangement of the front surfaces 1610, 1660.

In US Patent 5,395,031 entitled Pressure Concentrator Slot-Creating Means for Closed Containers and Packaging, the description and claims are as follows: a substantially flat, relatively hard foil member formed of a relatively thin, relatively flexible material ... having a generally planar configuration in a channel shape ...

In developing these new packages, it has unexpectedly been discovered that the curvilinear (not generally planar) arrangement for the general form of the device-forming slot worked extremely well, especially when applied in the form of a deep inverted L or stick on a container with a peripheral or holder extension. The slot generating means is formed at the bottom or holder extension of the container and extends to the container wall, curving inwardly and formed into said wall. It has been found that the shape and size of the slot can be varied by the location of the passing break line and it has further been found that the structure of the container wall has been considerably strengthened and is wider than the expected slot could be made. It will be appreciated that curvilinear shaping made independently of the container may be adhesively or sealingly attached to various comparatively curved surfaces of containers or other structures.

Fig. 17 shows such an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, FIG. 17 shows an independent curvilinear expandable slot forming means 1700. As with the slot forming means described above, the break line 1720 passes through the slot forming means 1700. The slot forming means 1700 is formed on the curvilinear base 1710, which in fact has any shape, thereby allowing any shape, that the slot forming means 1700 is connected to any comparable curved surface. As noted, the slot forming means 1700 is connected through opening in the surface of the container in any number of ways, including placing the adhesive around the periphery of the base 1710.

Fig. 18 shows an isometric view of a polopyramidal sponge similar to a pressure concentrator 1800. Although the pressure concentrator 1800 may be formed in surfaces having many shapes, the pressure concentrator 1800 according to this embodiment illustrates the formation in two relatively flat walls 1810. 1820. The pressure concentrator 1800 is hollow and open at the rear (not shown) such that it can be attached to the container member, thereby forming a container similar to that shown in FIG. 5A-C. As various embodiments described herein, the polopyramidal sponge-like pressure concentrator 1800 passes through the break line 1830. It will be understood that, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the polopyramidal sponge-like protrusion may also be formed in a curvilinear base.

It will then also be appreciated that some of the simple features of the openings may be formed independently and sealingly or adjacent to the inner or outer surfaces of a plurality of packages, such as bags, milk containers, cushion packs, etc., to produce dispensing packages or dispensing bags. very cost effective. This type of extrusion bag package can dispense food pastes such as pet food, creams, fats, yoghurt, certain types of dough, dessert toppings and can be made from the previously mentioned cardboard films, foils, laminates or co-compression of these materials.

It should be understood that while the packages of the present invention are shown with or without a hint to have a fairly rigid structure of the constraining member, in thermoforming it is possible to form a relatively rigid rim on the fine bottom or constraining member. Fig. 19 shows such a structure having a relatively rigid rim 1910 and a fine confinement member 1920. It should also be understood that this structure may be capable of standing vertically and indeed is resistant to tilting over something like a bean teat.

Claims (23)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. In a cup or tray dispensable dispensing article, a thin-walled container thermally formed from a relatively thin, flat plastic film comprising a hollow confinement molding having a base parallel to an upper flat edge to which a thin cap member sealingly engages said enclosing edge, sealing said edge extending externally from said hollow constraint molding to a function of the holder, said expanding holder portion having a break line on its underside intersecting said holder at right angles to a median line extending externally from said hollow portion limiting shaping which, when said holder portion is bent upwards, causes said break line to be broken, causing the holder portion to remain from the remaining holder portion while remaining closed t a large cap member which is also bent up to form a passage of the outlet material opening for flowing material between said remaining holder portion and said thin cap. forming at least an edge extending the holder in the outer said break Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said hollow restrictive shaping is generally a pyramid-conical bucket. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said closing method forms between said edge on its holder part and said thin lid an unclosed tongue-shaped area, said unclosed tongue-shaped area is surrounded by a lid closure around the periphery of the holder part and its continuation at the rim, said non-closed area extending from the hollow restrictive shaping externally passes through said holder and said kink line on said underside of the holder and terminates at the peripheral cap closure. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that said fault line is straight. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that said fault line is curved by its convex side from said limiting shaping. A container according to claim 3, wherein said frangible line has a straight portion at its end and a curved portion between said straight portions of said curved portion extending through said non-closed tongue-shaped region and having its convex side facing away from said restrictive forming . Container according to claim 2, characterized in that said closing method forms an unclosed tongue-shaped area between said edge on its holder portion and said thin lid, said unclosed tongue-shaped region being surrounded by a cap closure around the periphery of the holder portion and its continuation at the rim, said non-closed area extending from the hollow restrictive shaping externally passes through said holder and kink line on said underside and terminates at the peripheral cap closure. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that said fault line is straight. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that said fault line is curved with its convex side away from said limiting shaping. REPLACEMENT SHEET A container according to claim 7, wherein said frangible line has a straight portion at its end and a curved portion between said straight portions of said curved portion extending through said non-closed region in the form of a convex side facing away from shaping. language, and having its limitations 11, at least one protruding Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said extension of the holder has a pressure concentrator slot forming means comprising a thin-walled projection-shaped channel from its lower surface which is intersected by a break line on the underside of said holder, said at least one projection extending externally from the intersection with the side wall of said limiting shaping just beyond the passing fault line of said at least one protrusion surrounded by a cap closure around the periphery of the expanding bracket portion and continuing at the edge, said at least one projection curving down the side wall of said hollow limiting shaping reinforcing reinforcing member. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said holder part has a groove on its top side, said groove extending outwardly from said restrictive shaping, intersecting said holder and said frangible line on said holder bottom at a right angle and terminating just downstream of said break line to form an outlet opening for low-viscosity products when said holder portion is bent up to break said break line. The container of claim 3, wherein the top surface of said non-enclosed region A replacement leaf in the form of the tongue of said bracket portion has a channel extending from said restrictive shaping to a point terminating a short distance before reaching the break line on said bracket underside to form a valve outlet port when said 26A extending said limiting shaping to a short distance ending point before reaching the break line on said bracket underside to form a valve outlet orifice when said bracket portion is bent up to break said break line. / Container according to claim 2, characterized in that said holder part has a groove on its top side, said groove extending outwardly from said restrictive shaping intersecting said holder and said frangible line on said holder bottom at a right angle and terminating just beyond said break line to form a channel outlet opening for low-viscosity products when said bracket portion is bent up to break said break line. 15. A container according to claim 7, wherein the top surface of said tongue-free non-enclosed region of said holder portion has a groove extending from said restrictive shaping to a point terminating a short distance before reaching a break line on said holder bottom to form a valve outlet. aperture when said bracket portion is bent up to break said break line. 16. The container of claim 8, wherein the top surface of said non-enclosed tongue-shaped region of said bracket portion has a groove extending from said constraint forming to a point terminating a short distance before reaching a break line on said bracket underside to form a valve outlet. aperture when said bracket portion is bent up to break said break line. REPLACEMENT SHEET 17. The container of claim 9, wherein the top surface of said tongue-like non-enclosed region of said bracket portion has a groove extending from said constraint forming to a point terminating a short distance before reaching a break line on said bracket underside to form a valve outlet. aperture when said bracket portion is bent up to break said break line. Container according to claim 10, characterized in that the top surface of said tongue-shaped non-closed area of said holder portion has a micro-groove extending from said restrictive shaping to a point terminating a short distance before reaching the break line on said holder underside to form a valve outlet aperture when said bracket portion is bent up to break said break line. A container according to claim 1, wherein said holder portion has a generally polopyramidal sponge-like protrusion, concentrating pressure extending inwardly from said holder and intersecting the side wall of said restrictive shaping by its large end, said protrusion being intersected by said fracture by a line on said bracket underside, said protrusion of such an arrangement acts as a strengthening reinforcement between said bracket and the wall of said restrictive shaping. A container according to claim 1, wherein said hollow confining member has a generally rectangular intersection portion with one corner flattened, said holder extending over said flattened corner. REPLACEMENT SHEET 21st 22nd a concentrator slot in said curvilinear An outlet providing a means of attachment to dispense packages for flowing substances comprising: a relatively reinforced curvilinear member formed of a substantially flat, relatively thin, relatively flexible material; a pressure generating member of the member comprising at least one projection-like channel of the surface of said curvilinear elongated member; said thin-walled one curvilinear member comprising a substantially flat peripheral edge portion about said means of the pressure concentrator generating means; and a predetermined length fault line intersecting said generally curvilinear channel-shaped protrusion member of the pressure concentrator; thereby bending the ends of said curvilinear member in said fault line positions said pressure concentrator slot generating means and thereby interrupts it in said fault line to form a flexible and expandable outlet aperture; Generally a semi-pyramidal sponge-like hollow protrusion, concentrating pressure, thermally formed from a thin, flat thermoplastic film extending inwardly from said thermoplastic film, the large end of which crosses the thermally formed wall simultaneously from the same flat film approximately at right angles to said film, said protrusion-concentrating pressure transversely extends through a break line at a predetermined location, said protrusion-concentrating pressure, such an arrangement acting as a reinforcing reinforcement between said flat film and said approximately rectangular wall. I REPLACEMENT SHEET 23. In a cup or tray dispensable dispensing article, a thin-walled container thermally formed from a relatively thin, flat plastic film comprising a non-rigid hollow-limiting molding with an upper flat, relatively stiffened rim to which a thin lid member closes in a sealing manner, said closure an edge surrounding said constraint molding with at least a portion of said closing edge extending outwardly from said hollow constraint molding to a reasonable extent to allow it to function as a holder, said extending holder portion having a kink on its underside intersecting said holder at right angles to the median line extending outwardly from said hollow restrictive molding, which causes said holder to bend when said holder portion is bent up.