US3040951A - Container - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1962 M. w. KUCHENBECKER 3,040,951

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 25, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Mfl/QALS' W A (If 16 01/55? A [A7 CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1960 une 26, 1962 M. w. KUCHENBECKER 3,040,

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 23, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. MO/Q/Q/S W. KUCHZA/BHXM June 26, 1962 M. w. KUCHENBECKER 3,040,951

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 23. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 L l \F 5% a 447 605 and 44 1 1 5% ZZZ Z/ 2 42 2X i 54 United States Patent O 3,040,951 CONTAINER Morris W. Kuchenbecker, Neenah, Wis., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 57,926 19 Claims. (Cl. 229-17 The present invention relates to a self-sustaining carton or container and a unitary blank therefor, for the packaging and dispensing-therefrom of flowable products such as liquids, granulated substances and the like and has particular reference to a top end closure which includes a conveniently available dispensing means or spout.

The present invention is particularly useful in connection with cartons having the characteristics of those described in co-pending application Serial No. 853,365 entitled Container.

The carton is readily formed from paperboard which can be treated to provide liquid leakproofness, and may be made from a unitary blank of such material, thus permitting the economy of manufacture required in the competitive market developed through widespread use of this type of container for milk.

Prior container spouts constructed with side portions of diiferent surface areas were movable through a nonsized and non-regulated open position disposed between two closed positions. Movement of the spout portions between one of the closed and the open position caused mutilation-like forces to be impressed on the corresponding portions on the opposite sides of the spout. Additionally, the side portions were inoperative to provide any locking action which would lock the spout in a sized and regulated open position and also prevent unwanted moving of the spout to any closed position.

Prior container spouts having only one closed position and one regulated open position were constructed with side portions capable of locking the spout in open position but failed to have the advantage of the side portions being of diiferent areas for assisting in the movement of the spout from the one closed to the one open position.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and to eliminate the problems encountered in the prior containers and spouts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with a spout which is movable from an open to a closed position by manipulating spout side portions of different areas.

A further object is to provide a dispensing means or spout for a container with spout portions unlike or different areas operative to lock the dispensing means in an open position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dis pensing spout with dissimiliar sets of side portions which when moved simultaneously at the same speed and pressure move one of the opposite ends of an interconnecting center portion forward ahead of the other of the opposite ends.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spout which may be moved from a closed to a regulated open position which has a mouth of a regulated size 3,040,951 Patented June 26, 1962 ice free of irregularities resulting from unwanted and unregulated deforming or crushing spout side portions at locations other than at prescored lines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a top end closure for a carton which may be readily opened into a spout in which corresponding spout portions on opposite sides of the spout are defined at least in part by unlike score lines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a blank with prescored lines operative to assist the folding of the blank into a container and assist the spout portions in carrying out the advantages and features described herein.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a sealed container embodying the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a unitary blank from which the container in FIG. 1 is made, the view showing the outer face of the blank;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the container as taken substantially along a plane indicated by the lines 3--3 of FIG. 1, with parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a partially formed container;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, the view showing the top end closure in partially formed condition;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the cont ainer partially opened;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the spout in open position for dispensing the container contents, and each of FIGURES 9 thru 16 is a partial plan view of a blank which may be formed into a container similar to that of FIG. 1 but with a spout of modified design.

As a preferred and exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, the drawings illustrate a substantially rectangular container comprising a body 15, a bottom 16 and a top end closure 17 (FIG. 1) made from a single paper board blank 21 (FIG. 2) of generally rectangular configuration. The container shown preferably is provided with a peak or gable shaped top end closure although the invention is equally well adapted to a flat top end closure if desired.

The blank 21 (FIG. 2) is suitably cut and scored or creased to divide it into a number of walls, panels and tab portions. Four main side walls 22, 23, 24, 25 are respectively separated from each other and hingedly connected together along crease lines 26, 27, 28. A glue flap 31 is hingedly connected along one side edge of wall 25 by a crease line 32. The flap 31 is divided. by crease lines 33, 34, 35 into glue flap portions 36, 37, 38, 39.

The bottom 16 for the container may be formed in any suitable manner. By way of example, the drawing of the blank shows four bottom closure flaps 41, 42, 43, 44 respectively connected to the container side walls 22, 23, 24, 25 along crease lines 45, 46, 47, 48. The bottom closure flaps are separated by cut lines 51, 52, 53, 54.

The top end closure 17 for the container comprises a pair of outer closure panels 56, 57 and a pair of inner closure panels 58, 59. These panels are hingedly connected to the respective side walls 22, 23, 24, 25 along hinge crease lines 61, 62, 63, 64 respectively. The inner closure panel 59 is divided by crease lines 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 into a trapezoidal shaped section 71 hinged to the side Wall 25 along crease line 64, a pair of triangular wing portions 72, 73 diagonally hinged to the trapezoidal section 71 and hinged to the outer closure panel 57 and the glue flap 38 respectively, and short and long tab portions 75, 76 and a central tab portion 77 respectively hinged to the wing portions 72, 73 and the trapezoidal section 71 along the respective crease lines 68, 69, 70. The tab portions are separated by cut lines 78, 79 which terminate short of the crease lines 68, 69 to provide for a pealing of the material at these points to act as a stuffing against leakage. The short tab 75 adjacent the central tab 77 is provided with a bevel corner 81 and along its opposite edge is hinged to the outer closure panel 57. The long tab 76 is hingedly connected to the glue flap portion 39.

In a similar manner the inner closure panel 58 is divided by a pair of diagonal crease lines 83, 84 and a plurality of coextensive weakened or tear lines, preferably perforated lines 85, 86, 87 which extend fully across the inner closure panel 58 and continue into the two adjacent outer closure panels 56, 57 as shown in FIG. 2. The line 87 preferably is a slit and the entire tear lines preferably are sealed against leakage by a moisture proof paper liner. These crease lines and tear lines divide the inner closure panel 58 into a trapezoidal section 88 hinged to the side wall 23 along crease line 63, a pair of triangular wing portions 91, 92 diagonally hinged to the trapezoidal section 88 and hinged to the adjacent outer closure panels 56, 57 respectively, and long and short tab portions 93,

94 and a central tab portion 95 respectively hinged to the wing portions 91, 92 and the trapezoidal section 88 along the respective coextensive tear lines 85, 86, 87. The tab portions are separated by cut lines 96, 97 which terminates short of the tear lines 85, 86 to provide for a pealing of the material at these points to act as a stutfing against leakage. The short tab 94 adjacent the central tab 95 is provided with a beveled corner 98 and along its opposite edge is hinged to the outer closure panel 57. The long tab 93 is hingedly connected to the outer closure panel 56.

The side wall 23 and the trapezoidal section 88 hingedly connected thereto are provided with crease lines 101, 102, 103 to permit flexing of this side wall and trapezoidal section as will be hereinafter explained.

The outer closure panels 56, 57 are divided by diagonal crease or hinge lines 105 and 105a respectively and substantially horizontal crease lines 106 into rhombo-rectangular, herein called rhomboidal sections 107 and 107a respectively hinged to the respective side walls 22, 24 along the crease lines 61, 62, triangular wing portions 108 and 108a respectively diagonally hinged to the rhomboidal sections 107 and 107a and to the triangular wing sections 91, 92 of the adjacent inner closure panel 58, and tab portions 111, 112 of the respective outer closure panels 56, 57 hingedly connected to the rhomboidal sections 107 and 107a and triangular wing portions 108 and 10811 along the crease lines 106 and the tear lines 85, 86. The crease lines 106 are coextensive with the tear lines 85 and 86 while the creased portions of hinge lines 105 and 105a terminate just short of the tear lines 85, 86. Lines 83 and 84 are at an angle a to line 63. Line 105 is at an angle b to line 61. Line 105a is at an angle 0 to line 62. Angle a is at least as large as angle 11 and at least as large as angle c. Also angle b is at least as large as angle 0. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, it is noted that angle 12 is at least as large as and also larger than angle 0 and angle a is at least as large as and also larger than angle b whereby hinge lines 105 and 105a are free from extending in a common plane while the container is assembled. Thus, the diagonal hinge lines 105 and 105a,

which meet at the junction of lines 61, 83, 63, 26, and 63, 84, 62, 27 respectively, are disposed at different angles to the line 106 thereby defining tear line portions of different lengths for the spout portions 108 and 108a with the tear line portion on spout portion 108 being the longer. Likewise the spout portions 108 and 108a have different surface areas at least one of which, and if desired both of which, is different from the surface area of one of the spout or wing portions 91 and 92. In this embodiment, the surface area of portion 108a is less than that of 108 and also less thanthat of 91 or 92 and surface area of spout portion 108 is less than the surface area of spout portion 91 or 92.

The tab portion 111 extends the full width of the panel 56 and is hingedly connected at one end to the tab portion- 93. The length of this short tab 111 is substantially equal to the length of the short tab portions 75 and .94.

The tab portion 112 extends the full width of the panel 57 and is hingedly connected at its ends to the tab portions 75 and 94. The length of this long tab portion 112 is substantially equal to the long tab portions 76, 93 of the inner closure panels 59, 58 respectively.

In order to produce the container shown in FIG. 1, the blank 21 is first folded along the side wall crease lines 26, 27, 28, 32 to form the rectangular body 11 as best shown in FIG. 5, the four side walls 22, 23, 24, 25, being tied together by the glue flap 31 which is bondedby a suitable adhesive to the inner face of the side wall 22 along its free edge. The four bottom flaps 41, 42, 43, 44 and the glue flap portion 36 are then folded in theusual manner into overlapping position perpendicular to the side walls, along their respective crease lines 45, 46, 47, 48, 33 and are adhesively secured together to form the bottom 16 of the container. This is a conventional bottom construction.

In this open top end condition, with the body 11 and the bottom 16 fully formed, the resulting container is ready for filling if a non-liquid product is to be packed therein. For liquid products the open end container is usually provided with a sheet liner or is immersed in or otherwise coated with molten wax or other liquid proofing substance to render the container leakproof.

The filled container is closed and sealed by positioning the outer closure panels 56, 57 over the inner closure panels 58, 59 and overlapping the various tabs in oppositely directed relation and adhesively bonding them together with a suitable adhesive to produce a flat multilayer, butt and lap end seam 116 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) which surmounts the outer closure panels 56, 57 and which permanently secures all of the top end closure panels together in a leakproof closure.

The forming of the top end closure 17 is started by hinging the central tabs 77, 95 into a horizontal relation as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 and then pressing inwardly against the trapezoidal sections 71, 88 of the respective inner closure panels 59, 58 as shown in FIG. 6. This pressing action hinges the trapezoidal sections 71, 88 along their respective crease lines.64, 63 and simultaneously hinges the adjacent triangular portions 72,73, 91,

92 along their diagonal crease lines 66, 67, 83, 84. As a result of this pressing action, the triangular portions 72, 73, 91, 92 are drawn inwardly and they in turn draw the outer closure panels 56, 57 downwardly over the inner closure panels until the triangular portions are face-toface with and engaged against the inner faces of the outer closure panels as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. In this posiclosure panels into position under and against the short tab 111 of the outer closure panel '56 and similarly swings the short tabs 75, 94 of the inner closure panels into position under and against the long tab 112 of the outer closure panel 57 as best shown in FIG. 6.

With the outer closure panels 56, 57 in the above mentioned angularly disposed relation, the short tab 111 is hinged downwardly, along its crease line 106, as shown in FIG. 6. This positions the long tabs 76, 93 in a horizontal relation and in contact with the central tabs 77, 95 respectively as shown in FIG. 6. The tabs 77, 76, 111 and the tabs 95, 93, 111 are permanently secured together by a suitable adhesive.

In a similar manner the long tab 112 is hinged downwardly along its crease line 106 into a position overlapping the short tab 111. This action positions the short tabs 75, 94 of the respective inner closure panels 59, 58 into overlapping engagement with the long tabs 76, 93 of the inner closure panels and in abutting relation to the short tab 111 of the outer closure panel 56 as shown in FIG. 3. This also positions the long tab 112 of the outer closure panel 57 on top of the short tab 111 as shown in FIG. 3. The short tabs 75, 94 are permanently bonded to the long tabs 76, 93 and the long tab 112 by a suitable adhesive, and the long tab 112 is also permanently bonded to the short tab 111. It is this overlapping, abutting and bonding together of the various tabs that produces the permanent lap and butt end seam 116 which closes and seals the filled container.

The conveniently available spout thus comprises an interconnecting spout panel extending between a pair of separated and spaced opposing spout panels. The interconnecting panel includes the spout center portion or trapezoidal section 88 and a pair of spaced spout portions or triangular wing portions 91, 92, which are movable relative to each other and to the center portion. One wing portion is on each of the opposite ends of the center portion. The wing portions are maintained in spaced relationship separated from each other by the center portion and each wing portion has a predetermined and preset surface area. Each of the pair of opposing spout panels includes its respective of the spout portions 108 and 108a which are next adjacent to and hinged with the nearest of the wing portions '91, 92, for relative movement therebetween. As previously stated at least one of the spout portions 108 and 108a have a surface area less than the preset surface area of the spout or triangular wing portions 91, 92.

The individual tab portions are connected to their respective spout portions by the tear line means including an elongated portion 87 of the tear line fracturably connecting the tab portion 95 to the spout center portion 88 along at least a major part of the distance between the pair of separated spout or wing portions 91, 92.

The previously mentioned bonding together of the tab portions sealingly and reinforcingly interconnects them and causes them to restrain or hold the spout portions against relative movement as well as to jointly hold the next adjacent wing portions 90-108 and 92-108a at each end of the center portion 88 in overlapping folded relationship and separated and spaced from the wing portions at the opposite end of the center portion as illustrated in FIG. 1. At this time each tab portion lies in a plane at angle to the plane of the spout portion to which it is attached by the tear line. This holding of the wing portions to prevent relative movement is maintained so long as the tear line means is intact and so long as the tab portions are connected to the wing portions and center portion by the tear line thereby maintaining the container in sealed condition and maintaining the spout in closed position.

When it is desired to open the container and move the readily available spout to its open position the tear line including tear line portions 85, 86, and 87 is torn to sep arate and thereby sever the tab portions 111, 93, 94, 95, and 112 from the respective spout wing portions 108, 91, 92, and 108a and spout center portion 88. After the tear line has been torn, the remainder of the container including the side walls, panel portions 107, 107a, and the flat seam 116 hold the next adjacent spout wing portions 91 and 108 at each end of the center portion 88 separated and spaced from the next adjacent spout wing portions 92 and 108a at the opposite end of the center portion 88. In addition, the container is operative to allow the spout portions 108, 91, 88, 92, and 108a to move relative to each other as they are moved from the spout close to the spout open positions and as the wing portions are moved from overlapping folded relationship (FIG. 7) to an extended non-overlapping non-folded relationship (FIG. 8).

It is noted that while the spout is in the closed or open position the score lines and 105a, which are straight lines of different lengths are not aligned in a common plane. In addition, the score lines 105 and 105a are aligned in planes different from the plane of one or both of the score lines 83 and 84. Also the score lines 83, 84, 105 and 105a always are disposed relative to each other such that at least one of the score lines is in a plane different from that plane in which at least one other of the score lines is in when the spout is anywhere between the open and closed positions.

FIG. 8 further illustrates the wing portions 91108 and 92-108a positioned in their locked position wherein they lock the spout in the open position and thus assist in regulating the size of the mouth of the spout and prevent the spout from accidentally reclosing. In this locked position the opposing wing portions on the opposite ends of the center portion 88 are moved inwardly towards each other, so that the inner wings 91 and 92 cannot fold under the outer Wing portions 108 and 108a respectively by movement of the center portion 88 inwardly. it is thus seen that this structure has provided a readily accessible spout which has spout portions of dilferent areas at least partly bounded by unlike score lines and operative to assist in moving the spout to the open position without exerting any unwanted or non-regulated deforming or crushing forces on the spout side portions at locations other than at preset score lines, and thereafter operative to lock the spout in the regulated open position so that it will not close while the contents are being poured from the container.

In the modifications FIGURES 9 thru 16 those parts identical to the equivalent part in FIG. 2 are indicated by the same reference character as used in FIG. 2 and those parts similar to but different from the corresponding part in FIG. 2 are indicated by reference characters which are a multiple in even hundreds of that used in FIG. 2. Also only that part of a complete blank which has features different from those of FIG. 2 is illustrated, it being understood that the remainder of the blank may be provided in accordance with FIG. 2.

In the modification illustrated in the partial plan view of the blank in FIG. 9, outer panels are provided with score lines 205 and 205a defining sections 207 and 207a and forming at least a part of the periphery of the spout portions or wing portions 208 and 208a respectively. In this modification the area of the spout portion 208 is less than the area of any one of the spout portions 91, 92, and 208a and the spout portion 208a is larger in surface area than either of the spout portions 91 or 92. The score lines 205 and 205a are straight lines of different lengths. The respective tear lines for these spout portions are also of different lengths. The tear line portion for the spout portion 208 is shorter than the tear line portion for the spout portion 91. The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tear line length for the spout portion 208a is greater than the tear line length for the spout portion 92 and thus also greater than the length of the tear line portion for spout portion 208.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 9 arranges the score lines 205 and 205a in difierent planes at least one of which is dilferent from the common plane of the score lines 8384 while the spout is in its open intermediate and closed positions. Each of the ditferent planes of the score lines 205 and 205a coincides with the plane of the score lines 83- 84 at one location in the path of movement of the spout portions between the spout closed and spout open positions.

In FIG. the score lines 305 and 305a form at least a part of the periphery of and thereby set 011 spout portions 308 and 308a of substantially the same size, shape and area and portions 307 and 307a of substantially the same size, shape, and area. In this modification each of the spout portions 308 and 308a is smaller in area than its next adjacent spout portion 91 and 92 respectively. The blank folds into a container operable substantially the same as that described and illustrated in connection with FIGURES 1 thru 8 of the drawings.

The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tear line length for the spout portions 308 and 308a are substantially equal. In addition, the tear line length for the spout portions 91 and 92 are each greater than the tear line length for their next adjacent of the spout portions 308 and 308a.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 10 arranges the score lines 305 and 305a in a common plane which is different from the common plane of the score lines 8384 while the spout is in its open and closed positions. The plane of the score lines 5-20'5a coincides .with the plane of the score lines 8384 at one location in the path of movement of the spout portions between the spout closed and spout open positions.

In the modification of FIG. 11 score lines 405 and 405:: define similar panel sections 407 and 407a and similar spout portions 408 and408a by forming at least a part of the periphery of the spout portions which are of substantially the same surface area, size and shape and are each smaller than their next adjacent of the inner wing portions 91, 92.

The score lines 405 and 405a intersect the vertical lines 26 and 27 respectively at points above the intersection of line 63 with the lines 26 and 27. The spout portions 408 and 408a have surface area less than the surface area of their next adjacent spout portions 91, 92.

The tear line length for the spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tear line length for the spout portions 408 and 408a are equal. The tear line length of spout portion 408 is less than the tear line length of spout portion 91.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 11 arranges the score lines 405 and 405a in a common plane which is different from the common plane of the score lines 83-84 while the spout is in its open intermediate and closed positions.

In the modification of FIG. 12 score lines 505 and 505a define similar panel sections 507 and 507a and similar spout portions 508 and 508a by forming at least a part of the periphery of the spout portions 508 and 508a which are of substantially the same surface area, size and shape and are each smaller than their next adjacent of the inner Wing portions 91, 92.

The score lines 505 and 505a intersect the vertical lines 26 and 27 respectively at points above the inner section of line 63 with the lines 26 and 27. The spout portions 508 and 508a each have a surface area less than the surface area of their next adjacent spout portions 91, 92. The length of the tear line along spout portion 508 is the same as that along spout portion 91 and the length of the tear line along spout portion 508a is the same as that along the spout portion 92.

v A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 12 arranges the score lines 505 and 505a in a common plane which is difierent from the common plane of the score lines 8384 While the spout is in its open intermediate and closed positions.

In FIG. 13 curved score lines 605 and 605a form at 8 least a part of the periphery of and thereby set off spout portions 608 and 608a of substantially the same size, shape and area and portions 607 and 607a of substantially the same size, shape and area. In this modification each of the spout portions-608 and 608:: is smaller in area than its next adjacent spout portion 91- 92 respectively.

The tear line length for spout portions 91and 92 are equal and the tear line length for the spout portions 608 and 608a are equal. The tear line length of spout portion 608 is greater than the tear line length of the spout portion91. In those instances wherein at least one of the curved score line is an arc of a circle the arcuate curved score line and its center of revolution is on opposite sides of a straight line drawn between the point of intersection of the curved score line and the line 106 and the point of intersection of the curved score line and the line 63.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 13 arranges the score lines 605 and 605a so as not to be in the common plane of the score lines 83 84 while the spout is in its open and closed positions.

In FIG. 14 the double-curved score lines 705 and 705a form at least a part of the periphery of and thereby set off spout portions 708 and 708a of substantially the same size, shape and area and portions 707 and 707a of substantially the same size, shape, and area. In this modification each of the spout portions 708 and 708a is smaller in area than its next adjacent spout portion 91-92 respectively.

The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tear line length for the spout portions 708 and 708a are equal. The tear line length of spout portion 708 is less than the tear line length of the spout portion 91. One portion of at least one of the score lines 705 and 705a and one another portion of the same score line are on the opposite sides of a straight line drawn between the point of intersection of that curved score line and the line 106 and the point of intersection of that curved score line and the line 63.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 14 arranges the curved score lines 705 and 705a so as not to be in the common plane of the score lines 8384 while the spout is in its open and closed positions.

In FIG. 15 the score lines 805 and 805a form at least a part of the periphery of and thereby set ofl? spout portions 808 and 808:: of substantially the same size, shape and area and portions 807 and 807a of substantially the same size, shape, and area. Each of the score lines is made of a series of short straight lines arranged end to end. In this modification each of the spout portions 808 and 808a is smaller in area than its neXt adjacent spout portion 9192 respectively.

The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 are equal and the tear line length for the spout portions 808 and 80811 are equal. The tear line length of spout portion 808 is greater than the tear line length of the spout portion 91. One straight line portion of at least one score line and another straight line portion of the same score line are on the opposite sides of a straight line drawn between the point of intersection of the curved score line and the line 106 and the point of intersection of the curved score line and the line 63.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 5 arranges the score lines 805 and 805a so as not to be entirely in the common plane of the score lines 8384 while the spout is in its open and closed positions.

In FIG. 16 inverted modified U-shaped score lines 905 and 905a form at least a part of the periphery of and thereby set off spout portions 908 and 908a of substantially the same size, shape and area and portions 907 and 907:: of substantially the same size, shape and area. In this modification each of the spout portions 908 and 908a is smaller in area than its next adjacent spout portion 91-92 respectively.

The tear line length for spout portions 91 and 92 a equal and the tear line length for the spout portions 908 and 908a are equal. The tear line length of spout portion is greater than the tear line length of the spout p rtion 91. One portion of at least one of the score lines and another portion of that same score line are on t opposite sides of a straight line drawn between the point of intersection of the curved score line and the line 106 and the point of intersection of the curved score line and the line 63.

A container assembled from the blank of FIG. 16 arranges the score lines 905 and 905a so as not to be in the common plane of the score lines 83-84 While the spout is in its open and closed positions.

Each of the above described unitary blanks for respective containers thus provides a container which includes a conveniently available spout which may be opened and closed. In each container the spout has unlike spout portions on opposite sides thereof which are moved relative to each other or manipulated to move the spout between its closed and open positions. When the spout is in the open position the side portions are further operable in a locking position wherein they look the spout in the open position and thereby assist in regu lating the size of the mouth of the spout and prevent it from accidentally reclosing. Each blank was provided with prescored lines operative to assist the folding of the blank into a container and assist the spout portions in carrying out the advantages and features which formed the objects of the invention and set forth the novel differences over the prior containers. It is understood that the prescored lines forming a part of the periphery of the spout portions on the opposite sides of the spout may be identical to or different from each other and may be any combination of those score lines 105-105a, 205205a, '305--3G5a, 405405a, 505-505a, 605-605a, 705 705a, 805805a and 905-905a which have been specifically illustrated for purposes of description in the drawings. Further combinations were not illustrated, for example, combination using one curved and straight line in the same blank to eliminate unduly multiplicity in the descriptions and application.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A container dispensing spout adapted to be moved between closed and dispensing positions and comprising a pair of separated and spaced opposing spout panels and an interconnecting spout panel extending therebetween and connected to each of said spaced opposing spout panels, said interconnecting panel including a planar spout center portion and a pair of spaced spout first portions movable relative to each other and to the center portion with one on each of the opposite ends of and maintained in spaced relationship separated from each other by said center portion, each said first portion having a preset surface area, each of said pair of opposing spout panels including a spout second portion next adjacent to and hinged with the nearest of said spout first portions for relative movement therebetween, at least one of said second portions having a surface area difierent from said preset surface area of said first portion, a plurality of individual tab portions including a planar tab portion, each of said tab portions being disposed in planes intersecting the planes of all of said spout panels and disposed entirely between said opposing spout panels, tear line means connecting each individual tab portion to its respective of said spout portions and including an elongated generally straight tear line portion of said tear line means longitudinally spanning said spout center portion and fracturably connecting said planar tab portion to said spout center portion, means sealingly and reinforcingly interconnecting said tab portions and causing said tab portions to restrain all of said portions against relative movement and to jointly hold the next adjacent first and second portions at each end of said center portion in overlapping folded relationship and separated and spaced from the first and second portions at the opposite end of said center portion while said tear line means is intact, and additional means interconnecting said tab portions and said spout panels and operative when said tear line means has been torn and said tab portions are thereby severed from the spout portions to hold the next adjacent first and second spout portions at each end of said center portion separated and spaced. from the next adjacent first and second spout portions at the opposite end of said center portion and operative to allow the spout portions to move relative to each other as they are moved between said overlapping folded relationship in which the spout is in said closed position and an extended non-overlapping unfolded relationship in which the spout is in said dispensing position.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including the limitation of said first and second portions being movable to a locking position while they are extended in the non-overlapping unfolded relationship to lock the spout in the dispensing position.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including the limitation of the second portions of the opposing panels being of dissimilar areas.

4. The structure as defined in claim l additionally including the limitation of the second portions of the opposing panels being the same areas.

5. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including the limitation of the surface area of the said at least of one of the second portions being less than the said preset surface area.

6. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including the limitation of the surface area of the said at least of one of the second portions being greater than the said preset surface area.

7. The structure as defined in claim 1 additionally including score lines in said panels defining at least a part of the periphery of each of said spout portions.

8. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including the limitation of at least one of the score lines located in said opposing panels being a straight line.

9. The structure as defined in claim 8 additionally including the limitation of the corresponding score lines located in said opposing panels being lines of different lengths.

10. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including the limitation of the score lines located in said opposing panels being straight lines.

11. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including the limitation of the corresponding score lines located in said opposing panels being lines of different lengths.

12. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including the limitation of the score lines located in said opposing panels being free from alignment in a common plane.

13. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including the limitation of each of the score lines located in said opposing panels being free from alignment in a plane common with a plane containing any other score line in any other panel while said first and second portions are in overlapping relationship.

14. The structure as defined in claim 13 additionally including the limitation of the corresponding score lines located in said opposing panels being lines of diiferent lengths.

15. The structure as defined in claim 7 additionally including the limitation of at least one of the score lines located in said opposing panels being a curved line.

16. The structure as defined in claim 15 additionally including the limitation of the score lines located in said opposing panels being free from alignment in 'a common plane.

17. The structure as defined in claim 15 additionally including the limitation of said first and second portions being movable to a locking position while they are extended in the non-overlapping unfolded relationship to lock the spout in the dispensing condition.

18. The structure as defined in claim 15 additionally 1?. including the limitation of the curved linedefining the arc of a circle.

19. The structure as'defined in claim 7 additionally including the limitation ofthe score lines located in said opposing panels beinglcurved lines.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,157,462 Van Wormer Oct. 19, 1915 2,300,703 Ray Nov. 3, 1942 2,321,139 Gruger June 8, 1943 2,750,095 Alden June 12, 1956

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