Dispensing assembly for a lined carton and process and apparatus thereof

• US 6,062,467 A
• Filed: 03/30/1998
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Michigan State University (Michigan State University)
• Original Assignee: Kellogg Company
• Inventors: Ours, David C., Bradley, David L., Robotham, James O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US09/050,533
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 229/117.27, 229/117.3, 229/117.31, 229/117.32, 229/117.33, 229/117.34, 229/214, 229/215, 229/221, 229/125.04, 493/87, 493/95, 493/128, 493/129, 493/907
• US Class Current: 229/117.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/744 combined with swivelling devices having a bottom-wall and two side-walls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 493/907 Lined

Abstract

Dispensing assembly for a carton with a dispensing opening in a side wall thereof and a separate liner therein. The pour spout is pivotably mounted to the dispensing opening between an open and closed position and includes a front panel. The liner is bonded to the front panel so that when the front panel is initially opened, that portion of the liner bonded to said front panel separates from the rest of the liner, providing access to the interior thereof.

Claims

1. Dispensing assembly comprising:

(a) a carton having a dispensing opening in a side wall thereof and a separate liner therein;

(b) a pour spout mounted to said dispensing opening pivotable between open and closed positions and including a front panel having a raised area upon which means to promote bonding to said liner is applied;

(c) said liner being bonded to said raised area whereby upon initial opening of the pour spout that portion of the liner bonded to said raised area separates from said liner providing access to the interior thereof.

2. Dispensing assembly of claim 1 wherein said means to promote bonding comprises means for generating heat and a heat activatable adhesive.

3. Dispensing assembly of claim 2 wherein the means for generating heat is selected from the group consisting of metal foil, metallic salt and metal particles.

4. Dispensing assembly of claim 1 wherein said means to promote bonding is a metal foil laminate which overhangs said raised area so as to score the liner along a separation line upon activation of the heat activatable adhesive.

5. Dispensing assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for locking said pour spout in its open and closed positions.

6. Dispensing assembly of claim 5 wherein said means further comprising means for locking having mating notches and detent means.

7. Dispensing assembly comprising:

(a) a carton having a dispensing opening in a side wall thereof and a separate liner therein,

(b) a pour spout mounted to said dispensing opening pivotable between open and closed positions and including a front panel;

(c) a member mounted to the interior of said carton and extending into said dispensing opening; and

(d) said liner being bonded to said member and said front panel whereby upon initial opening of the pour spout that portion of the liner bonded to the front panel separates from said liner providing access to the interior thereof.

8. Dispensing assembly of claim 7 wherein said member includes means to promote bonding with said liner means.

9. Dispensing assembly of claim 8 wherein said means to promote bonding comprises heat generating means and heat activatable adhesive means.

10. Dispensing assembly of claim 9 wherein the heat generating means is at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal foil, metallic salt and metal particles.

11. Process for making a dispensing assembly comprising:

(a) providing a carton having a dispensing opening in a side wall thereof and a pour spout mounted to said dispensing opening, said pour spout being pivotable between open and closed position and including a front panel having a raised area; and

(b) bonding said liner to said raised area such that upon initial opening of the pour spout that portion of the liner bonded to said raised area separates from said liner providing access to the interior of the carton.

12. Process of claim 11 wherein said liner is filled and sealed and said liner portion is brought into contact with said front panel and bonded thereto.

13. Process of claim 12, further comprising exposing said carton to an area of reduced pressure to bring a portion of said liner into contact with said front panel for bonding thereto.

14. Process of claim 11 further comprising providing said front panel with means to promote bonding to said liner and providing bonding energy to the interface between said front panel and said portion of the liner to bond said liner portion to said front panel at said interface.

15. Process for preparing a dispensing assembly comprising:

(a) providing a carton having a dispensing opening in a side wall thereof and a separate liner therein, the carton having a pour spout mounted to said dispensing opening pivotable between open and closed positions and including a front panel;

(b) mounting a member to the interior of said carton and extending into said dispensing opening; and

(c) bonding said liner to said member an said front panel whereby upon initial opening of the pour spout that portion of the liner bonded to the front panel separates from said liner providing access to the interior thereof.

16. Process of claim 15 wherein said liner is filled and sealed and said liner portion is brought into contact with said front panel and said member and bonded thereto.

17. Process of claim 16, further comprising exposing said carton to an area of reduced pressure to bring a portion of said liner into contact with said front panel and said member for bonding thereto.

18. Process of claim 15 further comprising providing said front panel and said member with means to promote bonding to said liner and providing bonding energy to the interfaces between said each of said front panel and said member with the liner to bond said liner portion with said front panel and said member at said interfaces.