Receptacles – Closures – Superposed closures for common opening
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-01-30
Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Superposed closures for common opening
C220S268000, C220S270000, C229S125150, C222S541500, C222S541900, C222S556000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179147
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to spouts for container closures. More particularly, the invention pertains to a flush-formed barrier membrane having selectively thinned edge regions that is formed within a closure spout for use in packaging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Consumers have come to widely recognize and accept molded spouts as dispensing ports in packaging. One example, is the common gable top carton which is formed from a composite of paperboard and polymeric materials for the storage of, for example, liquid food products such as juice and milk. In an effort to provide maximum resealability of such packages, the industry has gone to using molded spouts mounted to the packages. These spouts can include threaded or snap-type, e.g., flip-cap, closures to provide maximum resealability of the package. These closures reduce the amount of degradation, i.e., spoilage, of the food product by reducing the exposure of the container contents to oxygen and airborne contaminants.
Known spout arrangements can also be used to provide tamper evidence or tamper indication as to whether the container has been opened, and the contents tampered with or altered in any way. In one known arrangement, a membrane is formed within the spout to seal the container contents from the environs. In order to access the container contents, the membrane must be removed from the spout. In one commonly used arrangement, a pull ring is formed as part of the membrane to facilitate removing the membrane from the spout.
While this arrangement has become accepted by the consuming public and has come into wide spread use in the packaging industry, there are a number of drawbacks. First, the membrane must be formed so that it is readily removed with a limited, predetermined amount of force required to pull the pull ring to remove the membrane. That is, the membrane must be sufficiently thin so that it can be readily severed and pulled from the spout. On the other hand, the membrane must have sufficient strength, generally correlative to thickness, so that it does not fracture or tear during, for example, mounting the closure to the package material or transport or the filled package, prior to initial use of the package.
Additionally, known spout-type packaging generally includes a tubular spout portion that extends upwardly from a flange that is mounted to the package. The membrane is formed intermediate the upper and lower ends of the spout, that is, of the flange and below the top end of the spout. In such an arrangement, the region between the membrane and the bottom of the spout, about coplanar with the flange, creates a pocket and thus an opportunity for bacterial growth, in that this pocket below the membrane can be difficult to sterilize.
Accordingly, there continues to be a need for closure spout barrier membrane that enhances the ability to pasteurize or sterilize the product, to maintain the necessary hygienic standards. Desirably, such a membrane maintains its integrity during the process of mounting the spout to the package, and is readily removable from the spout for easy access to the container contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A molded closure for a package is adapted for mounting to a surface of the package. The closure includes a flange for mounting to the surface of the package. The flange has substantially planar upper and lower surfaces and defines a thickness and flange plane. A spout extends from the upper surface of the flange and has an inner periphery that defines a dispensing opening.
A removable membrane is disposed in the dispensing opening and extends to the inner periphery of the spout to define a spout seal. The membrane a central portion and a circumferential edge region. Preferably, the membrane is formed substantially flush with the flange and has a selectively thinned edge region. The selectively thinned edge region has a first thickness and a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The first and second thickness each extend circumferentially about at least one portion of the edge region adjacent one another.
In a current embodiment, the membrane edge region has two first thickness regions and two second thickness regions, each first thickness region being positioned in opposing relation to one another and between the second thickness regions. Preferably, the membrane is formed with a grasping portion formed integral with the membrane and extending from the membrane proximal to one of the first thickness regions. Most preferably, the grasping member is formed as a pull ring.
The first thickness regions each extend circumferentially about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees and the second thickness regions each extend circumferentially about 150 degrees to about 90 degrees. Preferably, the first thickness regions each extend circumferentially about 60 degrees and the second thickness regions each extend circumferentially about 120 degrees.
A preferred closure includes a cap for engaging and sealing the spout. The cap can be hingedly mounted to the closure as in a flip or snap-type cap. The pull ring can be formed at an upward angle relative to the membrane, and the closure can include a cap that has a top wall portion that is formed at an upward angle to accommodate the pull ring when the cap is in a closed position.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
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Bengtsson Bengt
Mogard Jens
Nortman Kenneth
Newhouse Nathan J.
Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA
Welsh & Katz Ltd.
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