The present disclosure relates to a package and to a fitment for dispensing pelletized products such as pills and tablets from a container.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.
A dispensing package in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure includes a container having a cylindrical neck finish with an open end and at least one internal bead spaced from the open end. A dispensing fitment has a conical inner portion and an outer portion with spaced external beads received by snap fit over the internal bead, with the dispensing fitment being spaced from the open end of the neck finish. The dispensing fitment preferably has an annular V-shaped cross section opening toward the open end of the neck finish, with an outer leg forming the outer portion of the fitment and an inner leg forming the inner portion of the fitment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will best be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the dispensing fitment in the package of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a package 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as including a closure 12 applied to the neck finish 14 of a container 16. Neck finish 14 preferably is cylindrical, and preferably has one or more external features, such as external thread segments or beads 18, for securing closure 12 to the neck finish. Container 16 can be of any suitable geometry and construction, with the plastic construction and geometry illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 being exemplary only. Neck finish 14 has an end surface 20 and an internal bead 22 spaced from end surface 20. Internal bead 22 preferably is continuous but can be discontinuous.
A dispensing fitment 24 (FIGS. 2-4) is secured to bead 22 within neck finish 14. Dispensing fitment 24 preferably is of one-piece plastic annular V-shaped construction having a conical inner portion 26 and an outer portion 28 with spaced external beads 30,32 received by snap fit over internal neck finish bead 22. Outer portion 28 preferably has a cylindrical end portion 34 on which external beads 30,32 are disposed and a conical portion 36 that connects with inner portion 26. Inner portion 26 preferably has a cylindrical free end 38 that is disposed beneath the level of the free end of outer portion 28 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Bead 30 preferably is continuous so as to form a continuous annular end surface on fitment 24 as best seen in FIG. 3. Bead 32 can be continuous or discontinuous. Free end 38 surrounds and forms a dispensing opening 44.
Fitment 24 is assembled to container neck finish 14 by inserting the fitment into the neck finish, preferably after the container has been filled with product. The angled geometry of fitment portion 36 facilitates this insertion operation. External beads 30,32 on fitment 24 cooperate with internal bead 22 on neck finish 14 affirmatively to lock the fitment within the neck finish. After fitment 24 has been positioned within neck finish 14, a foil seal 40 can be induction or conduction welded to end surface 20 of neck finish 14. Closure 12 is applied to neck finish 14. It will be noted in FIG. 2 that fitment 24 preferably is positioned well beneath neck finish end surface 20 so that foil seal 40 is not welded to the fitment. Furthermore, this spacing allows a user to pierce foil seal 40 with a finger or tool, for example, and tear the foil seal from the neck finish without obstruction by fitment 24. A liner disk 42 preferably is included in closure 12 for sealing engagement with neck finish end surface 20 after foil seal 40 has been removed. The conical or funnel-shaped geometry of fitment inner portion 26 facilitates dispensing of product from within the container without hang-up or jamming at fitment center dispensing opening 44.
Package 10 preferably is child-resistant. The illustrated exemplary embodiment is a squeeze-and-turn child-resistant package. Other child-resistant constructions can be employed.
A dispensing package and fitment have been disclosed in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment, and modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20090014463
