WO2018183522A1

WO2018183522A1 - Cap for a container

Info

Publication number: WO2018183522A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/024874
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin Paulus; James Perry; Michael Lorenz; Kj OH; Eddie GANDELMAN
Original assignee: Abbott Laboratories
Priority date: 2017-03-28
Filing date: 2018-03-28
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

A container (10) for a pourable product includes a plurality of side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall forming a compartment for housing the pourable product, and a spout 4 extending from the top wall. The plurality of walls includes a first wall portion (22) having a first height and a second wall portion (20) having a second height greater than the first height. A cap (12) is provided having an anti- choke portion and an attachment portion that defines a cavity that receives the spout. When the spout is received in the cavity, in a first orientation, a portion of the anti-choke portion overhangs the first wall at a height that is at least the second height.

Description

CAP FOR A CONTAINER

Cross Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims priority to and any benefit of U.S. provisional Application No. 62/477,888, filed on March 28, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

[0002] Many pourable food products, such as for example, fruit juices, nutritional drinks, and protein shakes, are sold in containers made of sterilized packaging material. A typical example of this type of package is a parallelepiped-shaped package known as a TETRA BRIK ASEPTIC package. These types of containers may be configured as single serving, or relatively small volume, and may include a spout to aid in pouring the food product and a cap that is received on the spout.

[0003] Due to the smaller size of the container and the spout, conventional caps for containers with similarly sized spouts may present a choke hazard. Due to the design of the package, however, larger caps may impact product spacing when the container are placed or stored, such as for example, on a shelf or in shipping.

Summary

[0004] The present application describes a container for a pourable product. In one aspect, a container includes a first wall portion having a first height and a second wall portion having a second height that is greater than the first height. The container may include a spout extending from a top wall, and a cap having an anti-choke portion and a stem portion extending from the anti-choke portion. The stem portion defines a cavity that receives the spout and has a first diameter. The anti-choke portion has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. When the spout is received in the cavity, in a first orientation, a portion of the anti-choke portion overhangs the first wall portion at a height that is at least the second height.

[0005] In another aspect, a container includes a first wall portion having a first height and a second wall portion having a second height greater than the first height, a spout extending from a top wall along a central axis. The central axis being a first distance from the first wall. The container includes a cap having a first portion configured to fit over the spout and a second portion attached to the first portion. The second portion has a maximum radius that is greater than the first distance. The cap does not extend over the first wall portion at a location below the second height when in a closed position on the spout.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0006] Features and advantages of the general inventive concepts will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container and a cap according to the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the container of FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1 positioned next to a second container configured the same as the container;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a cap for the container of FIG. i ;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a cap for the container of FIG. i ;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a cap for the container of FIG. i ;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a cap for the container of FIG. i ;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a cap for the container of FIG.

1; and

[0015] FIG. 9 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a cap for the container of FIG.

1.

Detailed Description

[0016] This Detailed Description describes exemplary embodiments in accordance with the general inventive concepts and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described by the claims is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments set forth herein, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.

[0017] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassing the general inventive concepts. The terminology set forth in this detailed description is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the general inventive concepts. As used in this detailed description and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0018] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing dimensions, percentages, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the suitable properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, an exemplary embodiment of a container 10 and a cap 12 is disclosed. The container 10 may be used for liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, nutritional drinks, protein shakes, milk, etc. The container 10 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the shape, the size, and the materials used to form the container 10 may vary. Any suitable configuration of the container 10 may be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the container 10 is a 250ml TETRAPAK container.

[0020] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the container 10 includes a plurality of side walls and may include a spout 14 for dispensing the product from the container 10. In particular, the exemplary embodiment of the container 10 includes a first side wall 20, a second side wall 22 parallel to and spaced apart from the first side wall 20, a third side wall 24 perpendicular to and extending between the first side wall 20 and the second side wall 22, and a fourth side wall 26 parallel to, and spaced apart from, the third side wall 24 and extending between the first side wall 20 and the second side wall 22. In other embodiments, the container 10 may include more than or less than four side walls. [0021] The container 10 includes a bottom wall 28 and a top wall 30 opposite the bottom wall 28. The bottom wall 28 is generally planar, defining a plane P, and is configured to support the container 10 on a flat surface in an upright position. The plurality of side walls 20, 22, 24, 26, the bottom wall 28, and the top wall 30 define an interior compartment 32 for housing the liquid. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 28 extends perpendicular to the plurality of side walls 20, 22, 24, 26 while the top wall 30 is slanted, or angled, relative to the bottom wall 28. In particular, the first side wall 20 has a height HI and the second side wall 22 has a height H2 that is greater than the height HI . The top wall 30 extends from the second side wall 22 to the first side wall 20 at an angle Φ. In one exemplary embodiment, the height HI of the first side wall 20 is in the range of 100 mm to 120 mm, or 111 mm and the height H2 of the second side wall 22 is in the range of 120 mm to 140 mm, or 130 mm. In other embodiments, however, the height HI of the first side wall 20 may be greater than 120 mm or less than 100 mm and the height H2 of the second side wall 22 may be greater than 140 mm and less than 120 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the angle Φ is in the range of 20 degrees to 25 degrees, or 23.5 degrees. In other embodiments, however, the angle Φ may be greater than 25 degrees and less than 20 degrees.

[0022] The spout 14 of the container 10 extends upward from the top wall 30. The spout 14 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the shape, the length, the diameter (or width), the orientation, and the location of the spout 14 on the top wall 30 may vary in different embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the spout 14 is circular with a diameter Ds. In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter Ds is in the range of 0.60 inches to 0.90 inches (15.24 mm to 22.86 mm), or less than 0.75 inches (19.05 mm), or 0.75 inches (19.05 mm).

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the spout 14 extends upward from the top wall 30, along a central axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, the central axis A is perpendicular to the top surface 30. In other embodiments, however, the central axis A may extend at an angle of less than or greater than 90 degrees from the top surface 30. The central axis A is positioned a distance Da from the first side wall 22. The distance Da is measured at the same location as the diameter D2 of the second portion 42 of the cap 12, as discussed below regarding Figs. 1-3, and as the maximum radius RM of the anti-choke portions of the caps disclosed below regarding Figs. 4-9.

[0024] The container 10 may be manufactured by any suitable technique and with any suitable material or combination of materials. In one exemplary embodiment, the container 10 is parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as a TETRA BRIK ASEPTIC package, which is made by folding and sealing a laminated web of packaging material. For this type of container, the packaging material has a multilayer structure including a base layer for stiffness and strength, which may be defined by a layer of fibrous material, e.g., paper, or mineral-filled polypropylene material, and one or more of layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g., polyethylene film, covering both sides of the base layer. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, the packaging material may also include one or more layers of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.

[0025] As is known, containers of this sort are produced on fully automatic packaging machines, on which a tube is formed continuously from the web-fed packaging material. More specifically, the web of packaging material is unwound off a reel and fed through an aseptic chamber on the packaging machine, where it is sterilized, e.g. by applying a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide, which is subsequently evaporated by heating, and/or by subjecting the packaging material to radiation of appropriate wavelength and intensity. The web of packaging material so sterilized is then maintained in a sterile-air environment, and is vertically fed through a number of forming assemblies which interact with the packaging material to fold it gradually from web form into a tube shape. Afterwards, the tube is filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product and is sealed and cut at equally spaced cross sections into pillow-pack packages, which are subsequently folded mechanically to form parallelepiped packages. Since, TETRAPAK containers are produced on fully automatic packaging machines, modifying the dimensions of the package or the location and dimensions of the spout may require significant modifications to the automatic packaging machines.

[0026] The cap 12 is configured to fit onto or over the spout 14 to close the container 10. The cap 12 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the shape, the size, and the materials used for the cap 12 may vary in different embodiments. In one embodiment, the cap 12 may be sized and shaped to minimize the choke hazard of the cap 12. For example, some portions of the cap 12, such as the portion that is grasped by a user, may be enlarged as compared to conventional caps of containers with similarly sized spouts. Still further, in exemplary embodiments, the cap 12 for the container 10 may be configured to have little to no interference with an adjacent container of the same configuration when the two containers are placed next to each other. For example, in some embodiments, the enlarged portion of the cap may be raised or elevated to avoid interfering with an adjacent container. In other embodiments, the shape of the enlarged portion may be designed such that the enlarged portion may be positioned to avoid interfering with an adjacent container. Thus, in some embodiments, any suitable cap that is sized or shaped to minimize the choke hazard, while also being configured to have little to no interference with an adjacent container, may be used. The cap 12 may be configured to attach to the spout 14 in any suitable manner, via threads, friction fit, or other suitable connections.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the cap 12 includes a first portion 40 configured to be received onto the spout 14, and a second portion 42, generally coaxial with the first portion 40 and configured to be gripped by a user to remove the cap 12 from the spout 14 or reattach the cap 12 onto the spout 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 40 is formed as a stem portion and has a generally cylindrical side wall 44 with generally parallel inner and outer side surfaces. The side wall 44 forms a cavity 46 configured to receive the spout 14. The inner side surface of the cavity 46 and the spout 14 may be configured to attach to each other, such as by a threaded connected, friction fit, or suitable manner. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner side surface of the cavity 46 includes threads (not shown) configured to mate with threads (not shown) positioned on an exterior surface of the spout 14.

[0028] The first portion 40 has a diameter Dl and a length LI . The diameter Dl of the first portion is sufficient to fit over the spout 14 of the container 10. In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter Dl is less than 30 mm, or less than 25.1 mm and the length LI is in the range of 3 mm to 7 mm, or 5 mm. In other embodiments, however, the diameter Dl may be greater than 30 mm and the length LI may be less than 3 mm or greater than 7 mm.

[0029] The second portion 42 is configured to meet anti-choke standards, such as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) Anti-Choke Test (16 CFR 1501.4). Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the second portion 42 is an anti-choke portion (i.e., a portion configured to reduce or minimize the choking hazard of the cap). In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 42 has at least a portion that is enlarged relative to the size of the spout and/or to the size of conventional caps of containers with similarly sized spouts. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 42, in addition to functioning as an anti-choke portion, serves as the portion of the cap 12 that is configured to be gripped by a user when removing the cap 12 from the spout 14 and reattaching the cap 12 to the spout 14. The second portion 42, of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, includes a generally cylindrical side wall 50 and an upper surface 52. The cylindrical side wall 50 may have one or more exterior features, such as for example, ribs, knurls, or the like, to enhance gripping the second portion 42. The second portion 42 has a diameter D2 that is larger than the diameter Dl of the first portion 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter D2 is equal to or greater than 1 ¼ inches (31.7 mm).

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 12 may also include an inner wall and/or seal 54. In a "closed" position, the inner wall and/or seal 54 engages with the end of the spout 14 to close and seal the spout 14. In the illustrated embodiment, in the "closed" position, a portion of the second portion 42 of the cap 12 extends outward over the first side wall 20 of the container 10 an overhang distance Do. As used in this disclosure, the phrase "overhand the first side wall" means extending outward past the plane formed by the first side wall. Thus, the overhang distance is the distance that the second portion extends past the plane formed by the first side wall. In one exemplary embodiment, the overhand distance Do is in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm, or in the range of 6.4 mm to 13.2 mm. In other embodiments, however, the overhang distance Do may be greater than 15 mm or less than 5 mm. In addition, the lowest part LP of the overhanging portion of the second portion 42 is a distance DL from the plane P, defined by the bottom wall 28. In the exemplary embodiment, the distance DL is equal to or greater than the height H2 of the second side wall 22.

[0031] Fig. 3 illustrates the container 10 positioned, in an upright position, adjacent a similarly- configured second container 110. The second container 110 includes a first side wall 120 and a second side wall 122 substantially similar to the first side wall 20 and the second side wall 22 of the container 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the length LI of the first portion 40 is long enough that the lowest part LP of the overhanging portion of the second portion 42 does not contact or interfere with the second container 110. In particular, the distance DL is larger than the height of the second side wall 22, thus it is also larger than the height of the second side wall 122 of the similarly-configured second container 110. In other embodiments, the distance DL may be equal to or slightly smaller than the height H2 of the second wall 22, but may still avoid contact or interfere with the second container 110 because the lowest part LP of the overhanging portion nests behind the highest portion HP of the second side wall 122 of the second container. Thus, the cap 12 may have little or no influence on product spacing when the container 10 and similarly-configured containers are placed or stored, such as for example, on a shelf.

[0032] FIGS. 4-9 illustrate top views of various, non-limiting, exemplary embodiments of suitable shapes for the cap that minimize the choke hazard of the cap by having an enlarged portion or portions, such as a larger diameter or a larger width, and are configured to have little to no interference with an adjacent container when the two containers are placed next to each other. Referring to Fig. 4, a container 410 includes an exemplary embodiment of a cap 412. The container 410 is substantially similar to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3 including a first side wall 420, a second side wall 422, and a slanted top wall 430. The cap 412 may be substantially similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3 but for the shape of the anti-choke portion 442.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-choke portion 442 is generally square and includes four rounded corners 444 connected by four generally planar sides 446. The anti-choke portion 442 has a maximum radius RM, defined as the maximum distance between the center point CP of the anti-choke portion 442 and an outer edge of the anti-choke portion 442. In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum radius RM of the anti-choke portion 442 is at each of the four rounded corners 444. As shown by the dashed-line C in Fig. 4, in some orientations of the cap 412 relative to the container 410, a portion of the anti-choke portion 442 will overhang the first wall 420. Similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3, the cap 412 may include a stem portion (not shown) of sufficient length to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 442 to at least the height of the second wall 422, or about the height of the second wall 422. Thus, the anti-choke portion 422 does not contact or interfere with a second similarly-configured container when positioned adjacent the container 410.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, in some orientations of the cap 412, the anti-choke portion 442 may not overhang, or minimally overhang, the first side wall 420. For example, one of the planar sides 446 may be positioned parallel to the first side wall 420. Thus, the cap 412 may be configured such that, in a "closed" position, one of the planar sides 446 is positioned parallel to the first side wall 420. In such a configuration, the cap 412 need not be configured to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 442 to at least the height of the second wall 422 because the shape and orientation of the cap, in the "closed" position, may only minimally overhang, or not overhang at all, the first side wall 420. Thus, even without a stem portion (not shown) that raises the anti-choke portion, the cap 412, in the "closed" position, does not contact or interfere with a second similarly-configured container when positioned adjacent the container 410.

[0035] Referring to Fig. 5, a container 510 includes an exemplary embodiment of a cap 512. The container 510 is substantially similar to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3 including a first side wall 520, a second side wall 522, and slanted top wall 530. The cap 512 may be substantially similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3 but for the shape of the anti-choke portion 542. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-choke portion 542 is shaped generally as a pentagon and includes five corners 544 connected by five generally planar sides 546. The anti-choke portion 542 has a maximum radius RM, defined as the maximum distance between the center point CP of the anti-choke portion 542 and an outer edge of the anti-choke portion 542. In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum radius RM of the anti-choke portion 542 is at each of the five corners 544. As shown by the dashed-line C in Fig. 5, in some orientations of the cap 512 relative to the container 510, a portion of the anti-choke portion 542 will overhang the first wall 520. Similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3, the cap 512 may include a stem portion (not shown) of sufficient length to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 542 to at least the height of the second wall 522, or about the height of the second wall 522. Thus, the anti-choke portion 522 does not contact or interfere with a second similarly-configured container when positioned adjacent the container 510.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, in some orientations of the cap 512, the anti-choke portion 542 may be oriented to not overhang, or minimally overhang, the first side wall 520. For example, in one orientation, one of the planar sides 546 may be positioned parallel to the first side wall 520. Therefore, as discussed regarding the cap 412, the cap 512, in the "closed" position, may only minimally overhang, or not overhang at all, the first side wall 520. In such a configuration, the cap 512 need not be configured to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 542 to at least the height of the second wall 522.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 6, a container 610 includes an exemplary embodiment of a cap 612. The container 610 is substantially similar to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3 including a first side wall 620, a second side wall 622, and slanted top wall 630. The cap 612 may be substantially similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3 but for the shape of the anti-choke portion 642. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-choke portion 642 is shaped generally as a hexagon and includes six corners 644 connected by six generally planar sides 646. The anti-choke portion 642 has a maximum radius RM, defined as the maximum distance between the center point CP of the anti- choke portion 642 and an outer edge of the anti-choke portion 642. In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum radius RM of the anti-choke portion 642 is at each of the six corners 644. As shown by the dashed-line C in Fig. 6, in some orientations of the cap 612 relative to the container 610, a portion of the anti-choke portion 642 will overhang the first wall 620. Similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3, the cap 612 may include a stem portion (not shown) of sufficient length to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 642 to at least the height of the second wall 622, or about the height of the second wall 622. Thus, the anti-choke portion 622 does not contact or interfere with a second similarly-configured container when positioned adjacent the container 610.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 6, in some orientations of the cap 612, the anti-choke portion 642 may be oriented to not overhang, or minimally overhang, the first side wall 620. For example, in one orientation, one of the planar sides 646 may be positioned parallel to the first side wall 620. Therefore, as discussed regarding the cap 412, the cap 612, in the "closed" position, may only minimally overhang, or not overhang at all, the first side wall 620. In such a configuration, the cap 612 need not be configured to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 642 to at least the height of the second wall 622.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 7, a container 710 includes an exemplary embodiment of a cap 712. The container 710 is substantially similar to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3 including a first side wall 720, a second side wall 722, and slanted top wall 730. The cap 712 may be substantially similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3 but for the shape of the anti-choke portion 742. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-choke portion 742 is includes a generally cylindrical center portion 744 and two tabs 746 extending from and positioned on opposite sides of the center portion 744. The anti-choke portion 742 has a maximum radius RM, defined as the maximum distance between the center point CP of the anti-choke portion 742 and an outer edge of the anti- choke portion 742. In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum radius RM of the anti-choke portion 742 is at the tabs 746. As shown by the dashed-line C in Fig. 7, in some orientations of the cap 712 relative to the container 710, a portion of the anti-choke portion 742 will overhang the first wall 720. Similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3, the cap 712 may include a stem portion (not shown) of sufficient length to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 742 to at least the height of the second wall 722, or about the height of the second wall 722. Thus, the anti- choke portion 722 does not contact or interfere with a second similarly-configured container when positioned adjacent the container 710.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 7, in some orientations of the anti-choke portion 742, both tabs 746 may be positioned inward of the first side wall 720. Thus, the anti-choke portion 742 may be oriented to not overhang, or minimally overhang, the first side wall 720. Therefore, as discussed regarding the cap 412, the cap 712, in the "closed" position, may only minimally overhang, or not overhang at all, the first side wall 720. In such a configuration, the cap 712 need not be configured to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 742 to at least the height of the second wall 722.

[0041] Referring to Fig. 8, a container 810 includes an exemplary embodiment of a cap 812. The container 810 is substantially similar to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3 including a first side wall 820, a second side wall 822, and slanted top wall 830. The cap 812 may be substantially similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3 but for the shape of the anti-choke portion 842. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-choke portion 842 is shaped generally as a triangle and includes three rounded corners 844 connected by three generally planar sides 846. The anti-choke portion 842 has a maximum radius RM, defined as the maximum distance between the center point CP of the anti-choke portion 842 and an outer edge of the anti-choke portion 842. In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum radius RM of the anti-choke portion 842 is at each of the six corners 844. As shown by the dashed-line C in Fig. 8, in some orientations of the cap 812 relative to the container 810, a portion of the anti-choke portion 842 will overhang the first wall 820. Similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3, the cap 812 may include a stem portion (not shown) of sufficient length to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 842 to at least the height of the second wall 822, or about the height of the second wall 822. Thus, the anti-choke portion 822 does not contact or interfere with a second similarly-configured container when positioned adjacent the container 810.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 8, in some orientations of the cap 812, the anti-choke portion 842 may be oriented to not overhang, or minimally overhang, the first side wall 820. For example, in one orientation, one of the planar sides 846 may be positioned parallel to the first side wall 820. Therefore, as discussed regarding the cap 412, the cap 812, in the "closed" position, may only minimally overhang, or not overhang at all, the first side wall 820. In such a configuration, the cap 812 need not be configured to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 842 to at least the height of the second wall 822.

[0043] Referring to Fig. 9, a container 910 includes an exemplary embodiment of a cap 912. The container 910 is substantially similar to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3 including a first side wall 920, a second side wall 922, and slanted top wall 930. The cap 912 may be substantially similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3 but for the shape of the anti-choke portion 942. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-choke portion 942 includes six rounded ridges 944 connected by six curved recesses 946. The anti-choke portion 942 has a maximum radius RM, defined as the maximum distance between the center point CP of the anti-choke portion 942 and an outer edge of the anti-choke portion 942. In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum radius RM of the anti-choke portion 942 is at each of the six ridges 944. As shown by the dashed-line C in Fig. 9, in some orientations of the cap 912 relative to the container 910, a portion of the anti-choke portion 942 will overhang the first wall 920. Similar to the cap 12 of FIGS. 1-3, the cap 912 may include a stem portion (not shown) of sufficient length to raise the lowest part of the anti-choke portion 942 to at least the height of the second wall 922, or about the height of the second wall 922. Thus, the anti-choke portion 922 does not contact or interfere with a second similarly- configured container when positioned adjacent the container 910.

[0044] While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the general inventive concepts are described and illustrated herein in the context of various exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the general inventive concepts. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the general inventive concepts even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container for a pourable product, comprising:

a plurality of side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall forming a compartment for housing the pourable product, the plurality of walls comprising a first wall portion having a first height and a second wall portion having a second height greater than the first height;

a spout extending from the top wall;

a cap having an anti-choke portion and a stem portion extending from the anti-choke portion, the stem portion defining a cavity that receives the spout, the stem portion having a first diameter and the anti-choke portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, wherein when the spout is received in the cavity, in a first orientation, a lowest portion of the anti-choke portion overhangs the first wall portion at a height that is at least the second height.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the spout has a diameter of ¾ inch or less and the second diameter is 1¼ inches or greater.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the anti-choke portion is cylindrical.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the top wall is slanted relative to the bottom wall and the spout extends perpendicular to the top wall.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein when the spout is received in the cavity, in a second orientation, the anti-choke portion does not overhang the first wall.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is a manufactured from laminated packaging material including a base layer of fibrous material and at least one layer of a heat-seal plastic material on each side of the base layer.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein the anti-choke portion includes a plurality of corners and a plurality of planar side surfaces.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein when the cap is in a closed position, one of the planar side surfaces is oriented parallel to the first wall portion.

9. A container for a pourable product, comprising:

a spout extending from the top wall along a central axis, the central axis being a first distance from the first wall; a cap having a first portion configured to fit over the spout and a second portion attached to the first portion, the second portion having a maximum radius that is greater than the first distance,

wherein the cap does not extend beyond the first wall portion at a location below the second height when in a closed position on the spout.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the cap extends beyond the first wall portion above the second height when in a closed position on the spout.

11. The container of claim 9, wherein the cap does not over the first wall portion when the cap is in a closed position on the spout.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the second portion includes a plurality of corners and a plurality of planar side surfaces, and wherein one of the planar side surfaces is oriented parallel to the first wall portion when the cap is in a closed position on the spout.

13. The container of claim 9, wherein the second portion is spaced apart from the container by the first portion.

14. The container of claim 9, wherein the second portion is cylindrical.

15. The container of claim 9, wherein the top wall is slanted relative to the bottom wall and the spout extends perpendicular to the top wall.

16. The container of claim 9, wherein the maximum radius is at least ¾ inch when the spout has a diameter of ¾ inch or less.

17. The container of claim 9, wherein the container is a manufactured from laminated packaging material including a base layer of fibrous material sandwiched between layers of heat- seal plastic material.