Portola Packaging Limited

Rodger A Moody

Brian M Adams

Daniel Randolph Luch

Gerald M Blain

Ronald J Billet

Reynaldo F Medel

Allen C Thompson

Edward N Berticevitch

A fitment for use as a pour spout for a paper carton or flexible bag for liquids and powders has a flange which may be welded around a hole in the carton or bag. A spout projecting outward from the flange is provided with a removable membrane integral with the interior of the spout. Preferably the membrane is concave. A horizontally disposed pull ring is attached to the membrane by a connector so that pulling the ring removes the membrane by fracturing the tear line at the juncture of the outer edge of the membrane and the projection. A cap snaps over the spout and may be removed by unscrewing the complementary threads on cap and spout. Optionally, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt engages the exterior of the spout so that the cap cannot be removed without breaking the frangible connection. Various means for detachably securing the fitment to a spud during delivery of the fitment from a chute to the interior of a carton are disclosed. In one modification, the membrane is located approximately midway of the height of the fitment spout. The spud is inserted into the spout below the membrane. In other modifications the membrane is near the bottom of the spout and there are downward projections of the fitment which engage the exterior or interior of the spud. The downward projection may be in the form of a ring, preferably interrupted, or fingers or a stud. The ring or fingers or stud may be on the flange or the membrane.

Fitment having removable membrane

A fitment for use as a pour spout for a paper carton or flexible bag for liquids and powders has a flange which may be welded around a hole in the carton or bag. A spout projecting outward from the flange is provided with a removable membrane integral with the interior of the spout. Preferably the membrane is concave. A horizontally disposed pull ring is attached to the membrane by a connector so that pulling the ring removes the membrane by fracturing the tear line at the juncture of the outer edge of the membrane and the projection. A cap snaps over the spout and may be removed by unscrewing the complementary threads on cap and spout. Optionally, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt engages the exterior of the spout so that the cap cannot be removed without breaking the frangible connection. Various means for detachably securing the fitment to a spud during delivery of the fitment from a chute to the interior of a carton are disclosed.

Method for transporting fitment

A fitment comprising a pouring spout having a peripheral flange at one end and a closure at a second end is attached to a paperboard carton formed with a hole in a side panel. The carton is moved intermittently along a conveyor, such as that used in a filling machine. An arm having a spud oscillates about a horizontal axis parallel to the conveyor. The arm is pivoted to down position as the carton reaches the fitment attaching station so that the fitment enters the open end of the carton with the spud aligned with the carton hole. The arm is mounted on a first carriage which reciprocates horizontally in a first direction to project the closure through the hole until the flange abuts the inside of the carton panel. An ultrasonic welding horn is mounted on a second carriage which reciprocates in alignment with the first carriage in a second direction opposite the first direction. The horn welds the fitment flange to the inside of the carton panel.

Apparatus and method for attaching fitments to cartons

A fitment for use as a pour spout for a paper carton or flexible bag for liquids and powders has a flange which may be welded around a hole in the carton or bag. A spout projecting outward from the flange is provided with a removable membrane integral with the interior of the spout. Preferably the membrane is concave. A horizontally disposed pull ring may be attached to the membrane by a connector so that pulling the ring removes the membrane by fracturing the tear line at the juncture of the outer edge of the membrane and the projection. A cap snaps over the spout and may be removed by unscrewing the complementary threads on cap and spout. Optionally, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt engages the exterior of the spout so that the cap cannot be removed without breaking the frangible connection. Various means and methods for detachably securing the fitment to a spud or holder during delivery of the fitment from a chute to the interior of a carton are disclosed.

Apparatus and method for transporting fitment and fitment therefor

Dust covers enclose the upper end of the push-pull bottle cap, the spout cap and the seal which projects through the central hole in the spout cap. The cap is formed with a neck over which the lower end of the dust over fits. The interior of the cover is formed with a plurality of short thread sections (e.g., eight). Above the thread sections is a circumferential locking bead. The cap neck is formed with a plurality of short protrusions (e.g., four) which mesh with the cover thread sections and a circumferential groove above the protuberances into which the locking bead seals. The cover may be pushed down without rotation to seat on the neck and also may be pulled up without rotation for removal. Alternatively, the cover may be twisted on or off, the protuberances meshing with the thread sections when the cover is in closed position its interior is sealed from entry of 'wash down' water.

Growing community of inventors

Castro Valley, CA, United States of America

Rodger A Moody