Opening arrangement for a container package

• US 5,248,054 A
• Filed: 09/01/1992
• Issued: 09/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tetra Alfa Holdings, S.A. (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Original Assignee: Tetra Alfa Holdings, S.A. (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Inventors: Berggren, Goran, Nedstedt, Ulf
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US07/937,952
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 215/250, 215/254, 215/202, 215/209, 215/226, 215/228, 215/257, 220/278, 220/277, 229/125.14, 229/125.15, 229/123.2
• US Class Current: 220/278
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0015 of the 41-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0071 of the 17-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/746 Spouts formed separately from the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/228 a major part of the inner closure being removed from the container after the opening

Abstract

An opening arrangement for laminated container packages or cartons of the single-use disposable type includes an inner pouring spout, which is formed as a closed part continuous with the container package, and an outer, screw stopper-like sealing portion. Penetration devices are provided in the outer sealing portion, the penetration devices severing the inner pouring spout when the package is opened.

Claims

1. An opening arrangement for a container package comprising:

a sealing portion formed with a threaded interior configuration;

a pouring spout, one end of the pouring spout being attachable to a container package, another end of the pouring spout, forming a continuous, liquid-tight part, the pouring spout being formed with a threaded exterior configuration corresponding to the threaded interior configuration of the sealing portion, the pouring spout being inflexibly engaged with and at least partially surrounded by the sealing portion; and

at least two penetration devices extending inwardly from the threaded interior configuration of the sealing portion toward the pouring spout.

2. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the penetration devices are positioned at different levels within the sealing portion.

3. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the penetration devices are four in number.

4. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pouring spout of the opening arrangement is made of a material which includes thermoplastic.

5. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a container package, wherein the thermoplastic material forms a part of an upper end wall of the container package.

6. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sealing portion is a screw stopper.

7. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a ring formed with the sealing portion, the ring being secured against an edge of the pouring spout such that it is necessary to remove the ring before opening of the container package.

8. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic includes polyethylene.

9. An opening arrangement for a container package, comprising:

a sealing portion formed with a threaded interior;

a pouring spout, a first end of the pouring spout being attachable to a container package, a second end of the pouring spout being formed as a continuous, liquid-tight part, a portion of the exterior of the pouring spout conforming to the threaded interior of the sealing portion; and

at least one penetration device extending inwardly from the threaded interior of the sealing portion and into the pouring spout such that the penetration device severs the second end of the pouring spout from the first end when the sealing portion is rotated.

10. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein two or more penetration devices are provided, the penetration devices being positioned, on the threaded interior of the sealing portion, at different levels, such that a substantially horizontal edge is formed when the second end of the pouring spout is severed from the first.

11. The opening arrangement of claim 9, wherein the pouring spout is formed by vacuum molding material in a mold formed by the threaded interior of the sealing portion.