Fluid dispensing spout for beverage containers

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6206278
  • Patent Number
    6,206,278
  • Date Filed
    Friday, February 11, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 27, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
The present invention includes a conduit assembly having a fitment adapted to be sealingly coupled to a container, a closure mechanism, and a conduit operably coupled to the closure mechanism. The fitment includes a fitment passage and the closure mechanism is movable between a sealed position engaging the fitment to seal the fitment passage and an open position. The conduit is coupled to the closure mechanism for movement between a stored position and an operative position wherein the conduit is moved from the stored position toward the operative position when the closure mechanism is moved into its open position.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to containers and, more particularly, to a container having a dispensing conduit.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




In the prior art containers for holding a liquid are known to include a dispensing conduit such as a straw or spout for facilitating the withdrawal of the liquid from the container. Various arrangements have been used for coupling the conduit to the container in a stored position so that the conduit is readily available for use by a consumer. Other prior art containers include conduits that are adapted for automatic or manual movement from the stored position to an operative position. Unfortunately, the prior art has not adequately addressed the need for an efficient yet inexpensive conduit assembly for use with a sealed liquid container. More particularly, prior art containers fail to provide a conduit assembly that is simple to manufacture and contain within the container, that effectively allows for sealing the container in a stored position, and that facilitates positioning the conduit in an operative position to remove fluid from the container.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, a need exists for a container having a conduit assembly that maintains its sealed position during storage while simply and efficiently moving the conduit into its operative position when desired. To address this need, the present invention includes a conduit assembly having a fitment adapted to be sealingly coupled to a container, a closure mechanism, and a conduit operably associated with the closure mechanism. The fitment includes a fitment passage and the closure mechanism is movable between a sealed position engaging the fitment to seal the fitment passage and an open position. The conduit is operably associated with the closure mechanism for movement between a stored position and an operative position wherein the conduit is moved from the stored position toward the operative position when the closure mechanism is moved into its open position.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The objects and features of this invention will become further apparent from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:





FIG. 1

is top plan view of a container according to the present invention;





FIG. 2

is sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 1

taken along the line


2





2


;





FIG. 3

is a top plan view of the container shown in

FIG. 1

in an open condition;





FIG. 4

is a sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 3

taken along the line


4





4


;





FIG. 5

is a top plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention in a partially open condition;





FIG. 6

is a sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 5

in its fully closed position taken along the line


6





6


;





FIG. 7

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 5

in its fully open position taken along the line


7





7


;





FIG. 8A

is a front elevational view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 8B

is a side elevational view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 8A

with portions thereof removed for clarity;





FIG. 9

is a side elevational view similar to that shown in

FIG. 8B

with the conduit in its operative position;





FIG. 10

is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the container illustrated in

FIG. 8A

taken along the line


10





10


;





FIG. 11

is a top plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 12

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 11

taken along the line


12





12


;





FIG. 13

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 11

in its operative position taken along the line


13





13


;





FIG. 14

is a detail of the cover illustrated in

FIGS. 11-13

;





FIG. 15

is a top plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 16

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 15

in its sealed position taken along the line


16





16


;





FIG. 17

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 15

in its operative position taken along the line


17





17


;





FIG. 18

is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention with a side wall of the container removed for clarity;





FIG. 19

is a top plan view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 18

in its operative position;





FIG. 20

is a side elevational view similar to that shown in

FIG. 18

with the container and conduit in its operative position;





FIG. 21

is a side elevational view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention with the container in its sealed position;





FIG. 22

is a front elevational view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 21

with the front wall thereof removed for clarity;





FIG. 23

is a top plan view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 21

in its operative position;





FIG. 24

is a side elevational view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 23

;





FIG. 25

is a top plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 26

is a sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 25

in its stored position and taken along the line


26





26


;





FIG. 27

is a sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 25

in its operative position and taken along the line


27





27


;





FIG. 28

is a top plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention in its partially open condition;





FIG. 29

is a side elevational view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 28

in its sealed position with a side wall removed for clarity;





FIG. 29A

is a sectional view taken along the line


29


A—


29


A illustrated in

FIG. 29

;





FIG. 30

is a side elevational view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 28

in its operative position with a side wall thereof removed for clarity;





FIG. 31

is a perspective view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 32

is a partial cross-sectional view of the fitment and spout configuration illustrated in

FIG. 31

;





FIG. 33

is a side elevational view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 31

in its stored position with a side wall of the container removed for clarity;





FIG. 34

is a side elevational view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 31

in its operative position with a side wall of the container removed for clarity;





FIG. 35

is a side elevational view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention with a side wall of the container removed for clarity;





FIG. 36

is a top plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 37

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 36

taken along the line


37





37


;





FIG. 38

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 36

in its operative position taken along the line


38





38


;





FIG. 39

is a detail of the cover illustrated in

FIGS. 36-38

;





FIG. 40

is a cross-sectional view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 41

is a cross-sectional view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 42

is a top plan view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 43

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 42

taken along the line


43





43


;





FIG. 44

is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated in

FIG. 42

in its operative position taken along the line


44





44


; and





FIG. 45

is a detail of the cover illustrated in FIGS.


42


-


44


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




With reference to

FIGS. 1-4

, a container


10


is shown to include a generally rectangular lower portion


12


and a gable shaped top


14


(FIG.


2


). A crest section


16


is formed at the top of the container to seal container


10


in a manner generally recognized in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, container


10


is a carton that may be opened in a conventional manner to form the generally diamond shaped opening


18


illustrated in FIG.


3


. Container


10


incorporates evidence of being previously opened or being tampered with due to the requirement of separating crest section


16


formed at the top of container


10


.




In the present invention, a conduit


20


is disposed within container


10


prior to the sealing thereof. The conduit includes a first end


22


, a second end


24


, and a flexible and extendable corrugated segment


26


disposed therebetween. A float


28


is coupled to conduit


20


in order to provide buoyancy. It should be appreciated that the term conduit is used throughout this application to encompass any member that defines a channel or tube for conveying a fluid. Accordingly, while the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein include straws and spouts, other conduits may be used without departing from the proper scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.




When container


10


is in its unopened configuration as illustrated in

FIG. 1

, gable top


14


includes four planar and triangular shaped sections


30


A,


30


B,


30


C and


30


D which form the gabled cavity


32


(

FIG. 2

) within container


10


. The inner surfaces of the planar sections


30


A-D, e.g.


34


B and


34


D of the corresponding planar container members


30


B and


30


D, direct the conduit


20


, under the buoyant force generated by float


28


, toward an apex


36


of cavity


32


. When container


10


is opened in the conventional manner, the buoyant force of float


28


urges first end


22


of conduit


20


through opening


18


. To ensure the proper positioning of conduit


20


within container


10


, conduit


20


is formed such that the retracted length


38


thereof is greater than the height


40


of the gabled cavity


32


measured from lower container surface


42


to apex


36


.




Corrugated segment


26


of conduit


20


is extendable by the consumer and manipulatable to locate first end


22


of conduit


20


in the desired position for removal of the fluid contained within a chamber


35


formed by container


10


. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in

FIGS. 1-4

provides a simple apparatus for urging the straw from its stored position within chamber


35


to its extended or operative position illustrated in FIG.


4


.




Turning to another embodiment of the present invention, a container


110


is illustrated in

FIGS. 5-7

to include a conduit assembly


150


having a conduit


120


, a plunger


152


and a fitment


154


. Plunger


152


is coupled to the container by fitment


154


in a manner generally known in the art such as through sonic welding. While conduit assembly


150


is illustrated in

FIGS. 5-7

as being coupled to an inclined surface


130


D of container


110


, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conduit assembly may be coupled to a variety of containers in numerous locations without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.




When container


110


is in its closed position illustrated in

FIG. 6

, access to plunger


152


is limited by flaps


131


and


133


(FIG.


5


). A user can acquire access to conduit assembly


150


by separating flaps


131


and


133


in a conventional manner. After separating flaps


131


and


133


as illustrated in

FIG. 5

, the user can manipulate plunger


152


to cause the presentation of conduit


120


from its stored position within a container chamber


135


(

FIG. 6

) to its operative position (FIG.


7


).




Fitment


154


couples plunger


152


to container


110


and sealably covers an orifice


137


formed in container


110


. As best illustrated in

FIG. 6

, plunger


152


includes a head


156


that defines a flange


158


, a passage


160


and a collapsible sleeve


162


movably coupling head


156


to fitment


154


. A seal membrane


164


covers passage


160


to isolate the contents of container


110


from the surrounding environment when the conduit and plunger are in their sealed or stored positions illustrated in FIG.


6


.




In the sealed position, conduit


120


is disposed within container chamber


135


with a first conduit end


122


protruding from container orifice


137


and into a collapsible cavity


166


formed by plunger


152


. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a float


128


urges conduit


120


in an upward direction until first conduit end


122


is in contacting engagement with head


156


or seal


164


. In this position, the first conduit end


122


aligns with passage


160


in head


156


. Conduit


120


has a retracted length


138


such that, in this stored position, a second conduit end


124


is proximate to a corner


129


of container


110


. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the stored position illustrated in

FIG. 6

, conduit assembly


150


isolates the liquid from the environment surrounding container


110


. Moreover, conduit


120


is maintained within container chamber


135


in a secure position that may be readily accessed by a consumer.




As illustrated in

FIGS. 5 and 7

, the consumer can access the fluid contained within chamber


135


through manipulation of plunger


152


. More particularly, after the consumer separates flaps


131


and


133


as generally described above, the consumer obtains access to the fluid within chamber


135


by displacing plunger head


156


toward fitment


154


. Flange


158


facilitates the displacing of plunger head


156


. Movement of plunger head


156


displaces second conduit end


124


into engagement with comer


129


. Further movement of head


156


urges first conduit end


122


through seal membrane


164


covering passage


160


(FIG.


7


). Conduit


120


pierces seal membrane


164


and is urged in the direction indicated by arrow


170


through the buoyant force of float


128


. In the preferred embodiment, float


128


prevents the complete removal of conduit


120


from container


110


while first conduit end


122


is extendable away from the container by axial elongation of the corrugated segment


126


. The piercing of seal membrane


164


by conduit


120


provides evidence that container


110


has been opened thus providing evidence of tampering.




Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in

FIGS. 5-7

provides a unique apparatus for storing and accessing a conduit for extracting liquid from a sealed container. The invention effectively maintains the container in a sealed position during storage while providing easy access to the liquid when desired. The user may have access to the conduit through simple manipulation of a device that may be easily and efficiently connected to the container during the manufacturing process. As a result, the present invention advantageously simplifies the manufacture and operation of an effective device for these purposes.




Turning now to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in

FIGS. 8A

,


8


B,


9


, and


10


, an alternate conduit assembly


250


is coupled to a container


210


. Conduit assembly


250


includes a closure assembly


252


and a sleeve-like fitment


254


coupled to a waIl


217


of container


210


. Fitment


254


illustrated in

FIGS. 8A and 8B

includes a flange portion


255


integral with a sleeve


257


that extends through an orifice


237


formed in container wall


217


. Sleeve


257


has an inner surface


259


that defines a fitment opening


263


(

FIG. 9

) that extends from flange


255


to a terminal end


261


of sleeve


257


.




A cover


258


is connectable to sleeve


257


to seal the contents of container chamber


235


from the environment surrounding the container. Cover


258


includes a tether strap


260


that connects cover


258


to conduit


220


when conduit


220


is in the stored position illustrated in

FIGS. 8A and 8B

. To facilitate a secure connection of conduit


220


to cover


258


, conduit


220


is bent at a corrugated segment


226


thereof and tether strap


260


is coupled to segment


226


to secure conduit


220


to cover


258


.




Those skilled in the art will appreciate that cover


258


is releasably secured to fitment


254


for movement from the sealed position illustrated in

FIGS. 8A and 8B

to the removed position illustrated in FIG.


9


. More particularly, the user may grasp cover


258


such as at a conventional handle or tab


265


affixed thereto (

FIG. 10

) and displace cover


258


relative to fitment


254


in the direction indicated by arrow


268


(FIG.


8


B). After cover


258


is displaced a sufficient distance, a first conduit end


222


extends beyond terminal end


261


(

FIG. 9

) of fitment sleeve


257


and the resiliency of corrugated segment


226


tends to straighten conduit


220


in the manner illustrated in FIG.


9


. In this operative position, the liquid within a chamber


235


may be removed through conduit


220


. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while a specific cover


258


having tether


260


has been described herein with reference to

FIGS. 8A-10

, conduit


220


may also be attached to cover


258


or tether strap


260


by coupling engagement with first end


222


of conduit


220


. The coupling engagement may include a post such as that indicated by reference numeral


360


in

FIGS. 11-14

.




The present invention also advantageously allows the re-sealing of container


210


. To effect resealing, conduit


220


is removable from fitment opening


263


, tether strap


260


is disengaged from conduit


220


by sliding cover


258


axially along the conduit and over first end


222


thereof, and cover


258


is replaced into sealing engagement with fitment


254


as shown in FIG.


8


A.




As best illustrated in

FIG. 10

, cover


258


preferably includes a first segment


262


integral with tether strap


260


and a second segment


264


pivotably attached to first segment


262


such as at a hinge


266


(FIG.


8


). This cover configuration allows the user to pivotably displace second segment


264


relative to first segment


262


after resealing of the container in which position first segment


262


acts as a pour spout for pourably dispensing fluid from the container


210


. The attachment between segments


264


and


262


can be a scored line


265


which when separated will provide evidence of previously being opened and/or tampered with. Other means for providing tamper evidence include adhesive tape or other methods known well in the art.




Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 11-14

to include a container


310


having a conduit assembly


350


with a conduit


320


(FIG.


12


). Container


310


and conduit assembly


350


are illustrated in

FIGS. 11 and 12

in a sealed position and in

FIG. 13

in an open position. Conduit assembly


350


further includes a closure assembly


352


coupled to a fitment


354


to seal a container orifice


337


when the container is in the sealed position illustrated in

FIGS. 11 and 12

. Similar to the previous embodiment, the attachment of closure assembly


352


to fitment


354


can be accomplished by a scored line


365


which when separated will provide evidence of previously being opened and/or tampered with. Other means for providing tamper evidence include adhesive tape as well as other means known in the art.




As best illustrated in

FIG. 12

, fitment


354


includes a truncated conical base


355


that is sealably coupled to the container to encompass orifice


337


in a manner generally known in the art. Conical base


355


includes a fitment opening


357


extending therethrough to provide access to a container chamber


335


. Closure assembly


352


is configured to sealably yet removably engage fitment


354


to selectively seal fitment opening


357


as illustrated in FIG.


12


. Closure assembly


352


includes a cap


356


having a pry tab


358


and a post


360


extending through fitment opening


357


when cap


356


sealingly engages fitment


354


. Post


360


is sized to be disposed within conduit


320


to frictionally engage the inner surface of conduit


320


thereby positioning conduit


320


relative to fitment opening


357


and couple cap


356


to conduit


320


. As a result, when cap


356


is removed as discussed below, conduit


320


is drawn through opening


357


and into an operative position.




As is most clearly illustrated in

FIG. 14

, post


360


includes a body


362


integral with cap


356


and a distal flange


366


. Distal flange


366


is insertable within a first end


322


of conduit


320


whereupon the enlarged diameter of flange


366


frictionally engages the inner surface of conduit


320


to provide the above-recited benefits.




When cap


356


is removed from engagement with fitment


354


as illustrated in

FIG. 13

, post


360


of cap


356


may be removed from first end


322


of conduit


320


thereby allowing the consumer to remove liquid from container chamber


335


via conduit


320


. The configuration of cap


356


allows cap


356


to be re-snapped onto fitment


354


to re-seal container chamber


335


when desired. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that conduit


320


may be attached to cap


356


by a tether strap coupled to corrugated segment


326


as illustrated and described above with reference to

FIGS. 8A-10

.




Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 15-17

and includes a conduit assembly


450


that is coupled to a container


410


to seal a container chamber


435


in a sealed position illustrated in

FIGS. 15 and 16

, facilitate positioning of a conduit


420


relative to an orifice


437


formed in container


410


, and allow the opening of conduit assembly


450


to present conduit


420


to the consumer for use. Conduit assembly


450


includes a fitment


454


that is sealably secured to container


410


to surround and seal orifice


437


when conduit assembly


450


is in its sealed position. Fitment


454


includes a seal flange


456


coupled to container


410


such as by sonic welding or other technique known in the art. A flexible sleeve


458


is formed integral with flange


456


and extends through orifice


437


into chamber


435


as shown. Sleeve


458


is generally conical in shape and is folded over upon itself to define a conduit channel


460


terminating in a cap


462


. Sleeve


458


includes a scored segment


459


proximate to cap


462


in order to provide a line of weakness for severing sleeve


458


during the opening of container


410


as described below. Scored segment


459


provides evidence of container


410


being previously opened and/or tampered with.




To facilitate opening, conduit assembly


450


includes a tab ring


466


having a first end


468


integral with cap


462


and a second end


470


configured for manipulation by the consumer. More particularly, the consumer may open container


410


by rotating second end


470


of tab ring


466


in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by arrow


472


thereby tearing sleeve


458


along scored segment


459


to expose a first end


422


of conduit


420


. In the preferred embodiment, scored segment


459


does not entirely circumscribe sleeve


458


. As a result, as best illustrated in

FIG. 17

, cap


462


remains coupled to sleeve


458


to facilitate extension of sleeve


458


after manipulation of tab


466


. Specifically, displacement of tab


466


in the direction indicated by arrow


473


extends flexible sleeve


458


from the retracted position illustrated in

FIG. 16

to the extended position illustrated in FIG.


17


. Conduit


420


is frictionally engaged with sleeve


458


within conduit channel


460


and is thereby extended into the position illustrated in

FIG. 17

whereby the consumer may extract the fluid from container chamber


435


via conduit


420


.




Additional embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in

FIGS. 18-24

. As illustrated, each of these embodiments generally include a straw


520


,


620


disposed within a container cavity


535


,


635


when a container


510


,


610


is in its closed position as illustrated in

FIGS. 18 and 21

. With reference to

FIGS. 18-20

, straw


520


is coupled to container


510


via a holding strip


550


having a first segment


552


bonded to an interior back wall


530


B of the container and a second segment


554


having an orifice


556


(

FIG. 19

) frictionally coupling straw


520


to holding strip


550


. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the stored position illustrated in

FIG. 18

, holding strip


550


exerts a resilient biasing force in the direction of arrow


558


to urge a corrugated segment


526


of straw


520


against a front wall


530


D for container


510


. As a result, when container


510


is opened as illustrated in

FIG. 19

to form diamond shaped opening


518


, holding strip


550


urges straw


520


into the position illustrated in FIG.


20


. More particularly, holding strip


550


urges straw


520


in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow


560


(

FIG. 20

) thereby displacing a second end


524


of straw


520


from the stored position illustrated in

FIG. 18

to the operative position illustrated in FIG.


20


. From this position, the consumer may grasp straw


520


in the area of corrugated segment


526


and a first end


522


and urge first end


522


of straw


520


in the direction indicated by arrow


562


.




A similar arrangement is illustrated in

FIGS. 21-24

wherein a first end


652


(

FIG. 22

) of holding strip


650


is bonded to an interior side wall


631


of container


610


. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the interior side walls of the carton illustrated in

FIG. 22

cooperate to form sealed crest


16


shown in

FIG. 1. A

second end


654


of holding strip


650


again includes an orifice


656


(

FIG. 23

) sized to accommodate straw


620


for frictional engagement therewith. In operation, holding strip


650


urges straw


620


in a clockwise direction


660


(

FIG. 24

) upon the opening of container


610


. The consumer may again rotate a first end


622


of straw


620


in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow


662


to place straw


620


in its operative position. The embodiments of the present invention illustrated in

FIGS. 18-24

simply yet securely maintain straws


520


and


620


in its stored position when containers


510


and


610


are in their sealed positions illustrated in

FIGS. 18 and 21

, respectively. Moreover, holding strips


550


and


650


effectively urge straws


520


and


620


into their operative position upon the opening of containers


510


and


610


. The relative positions of the bonding of holding strips


550


and


650


to containers


510


and


610


may be selected based upon the manufacturing process used to form containers


510


and


610


to optimize efficiency and effectively reduce costs. With regard to the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 21-24

, bonding of holding strip


650


to interior side wall


631


for container


610


such as at crest


16


removes the presence of a bonding agent communicating with cavity


635


of container


650


. Similar to the embodiment shown in

FIG. 1

, the embodiments shown in

FIGS. 18-24

in corporate evidence of being tampered with due to the requirements of separating crest section


16


formed at the top of containers


510


and


610


.




A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 25-27

to include a fitment


750


sealably coupled to a front inclined wall


730


D of a container


710


. A sealing membrane


752


is coupled to and cooperates with fitment


750


to define a pocket


754


isolated from the environment surrounding container


710


. Fitment


750


further defines an orifice


756


sized to accommodate a straw


720


.




Pocket


754


includes a lower cavity


757


accommodating a first end


722


of straw


720


and an upper recess


758


defining a finger space for gripping straw


720


as hereinafter described. Sealing membrane


752


includes a tab


760


that can be grasped by the consumer to peel the sealing membrane from fitment


750


in the direction illustrated by arrow


762


(FIG.


27


). Finger space


758


provides an additional cavity whereby the consumer can grasp straw


720


proximate to a corrugated segment


726


thereof in order to urge straw


720


into the operating position illustrate in FIG.


27


. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that fitment


750


and sealing membrane


752


cooperate to isolate the contents of the container within a chamber


735


and maintain straw


720


in a secure position relative thereto when container


710


is in its stored position illustrated in

FIGS. 25 and 26

. Moreover, after sealing membrane


752


is peeled from fitment


750


, the consumer may manipulate straw


720


such as by bending or elongation to locate straw


720


in the desired position for drinking the fluid. The attachment between sealing membrane


752


and fitment


750


can be a scored line which when separated will provide evidence of previously being opened and/or tampered with. Other means for providing tamper evidence include adhesive tape or other means known well in the art.




Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 28-30

to include a container


810


having a front side


811


and a rear side


813


. A straw retention apparatus


850


is included with container


810


to facilitate opening of container


810


and positioning of a straw


820


from the stored position illustrated in

FIG. 29

to the operative position illustrated in FIG.


30


.




Apparatus


850


includes a rectangular upper surface


852


integral with a downwardly extending straw coupler


854


that defines a generally semi-circular channel


856


(

FIG. 29A

) configured to cooperatively engage straw


820


in a snap-fit engagement. This snap-fit engagement couples straw


820


to apparatus


850


for manipulation as described below. Apparatus


850


also includes an inclined tab


858


having a plurality of treads


860


extending from an upper face


862


thereof. Tab


858


is integral with a post


864


which in turn is integral with upper surface


852


. In the preferred embodiment, tab


858


is disposed at an angle


859


relative to post


864


that is preferably greater than 90°, more preferably within the range of 90° to 135°, and even more preferably at an angle of 120° to 125°. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred magnitude of angle


859


is dependent upon an angle


871


of a surface


869


relative to a horizontal


873


. In the preferred embodiment, angle


871


is approximately 45° such that when angle


859


is 120° to 125°, a bottom surface


875


of tab


858


forms an angle


877


of 10° to 15° from surface


869


.




Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the illustrations and the following description that apparatus


850


facilitates the opening of container


810


. More particularly, the opening of container


810


is initiated by displacing tabs


831


and


833


(

FIG. 28

) away from one another thereby breaking the seal along a crest


816


. After placing tabs


831


and


833


in the positions illustrated in

FIG. 28

, the consumer can further open container


810


by displacing apparatus tab


858


in the direction of arrow


868


(FIG.


28


). Straw coupler


854


includes a wedge surface


870


that, during the movement of tab


858


in the direction of arrow


868


, engages a folded apex


872


(

FIG. 30

) of container


810


and urges apex


872


in the direction of arrow


868


thereby extending the flaps along a line


869


(

FIGS. 28 and 29

) to the open position shown in FIG.


30


. As a result, apparatus


850


provides a device that facilitates the opening of container


810


.




After the opening of container


810


, apparatus


850


may be repositioned relative to the opening as illustrated in

FIG. 30

to locate straw


820


in its operative position. More particularly, apparatus


850


defines a coupling cavity


874


sized to accommodate one of flaps


831


or


833


for container


810


to coupled straw


820


thereto. While the above-described embodiments of the present invention include a conduit illustrated as straw


820


, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of conduits may be used with the present invention without departing from the proper scope thereof as defined by the appended claims. More particularly, as illustrated in

FIGS. 31-34

, the conduit may include a pour spout


920


coupled to the container


910


for movement between a stored position illustrated in FIG.


33


and an operative position illustrated in FIG.


34


.




Referring to

FIGS. 31-35

, a container


910


includes an inclined front wall


930


B that defines an orifice


937


configured to accommodate a conduit assembly


950


that includes a fitment


952


sealably coupled to wall


930


B in a manner generally known in the art (FIG.


33


). As will be appreciated from the following description, fitment


952


is configured to cooperate with a sealing member


962


on spout


920


. A variety of configurations for this sealing interaction between fitment


952


and spout


920


may be provided by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the interest of completeness, one embodiment of the sealing interaction is illustrated in

FIG. 32

while an alternate configuration is shown in

FIGS. 33 and 34

. In

FIG. 32

, fitment


952


is shown to include a flange section


954


, a sleeve


956


and a threaded axial projection


958


. Sleeve


956


includes a generally cylindrical inner surface


960


sized to sealably accommodate sealing member


962


formed proximate to a second end


924


of spout


920


. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that spout


920


defines a continuous cylindrical passage


964


(

FIG. 31

) extending between first and second spout ends


922


and


924


. Sealing member


962


of spout


920


defines a radial seal face


966


slightly larger in diameter


968


than a diameter


969


of inner surface


960


of sleeve


956


. Sealing member


962


is preferably formed of a resilient material having a density less than that of the fluid contained within container


910


so that sealing member


962


creates a buoyant force urging spout


920


toward its operative position illustrated in FIG.


34


. Conduit assembly


950


also includes a cap


970


having internal threads


972


sized to cooperate with the threads on projection


958


.




Conduit assembly


950


is illustrated in

FIG. 33

with spout


920


thereof in its stored position and in

FIG. 34

in its operative position. In

FIGS. 33 and 34

, the sealing engagement between sealing member


962


and fitment


952


occurs along cooperating inclined surfaces


971


and


973


on fitment


952


and sealing member


962


, respectively. As noted above, various other configurations of sealing member


962


and/or fitment


952


is within the general knowledge of one skilled in the art.




With respect to the stored position illustrated in

FIG. 33

, first end


922


of spout


920


is coupled to cap


970


and/or fitment


952


such as by a tether (not shown) or other mechanism generally described with reference to

FIGS. 1-30

. As a result, first end


922


of spout


920


is maintained within a recess


974


formed by fitment


952


thereby properly aligning spout


920


within fitment


952


for movement from its stored position to its operative position. More particularly, spout


920


is moved to its operative position illustrated in

FIG. 34

by removing cap


970


from fitment


952


whereupon the buoyant force of sealing member


962


urges spout


920


along an axis


976


toward the operative position. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the tether, sealing membrane, or other mechanism used to couple the spout to the fitment may be removed by the consumer thereby allowing movement of the spout relative to fitment


952


. The attachment between cap


970


and fitment


952


can be a scored line (not shown) which when separated will provide evidence of previously being opened and/or tampered with. Other means for providing tamper evidence include adhesive tape, a break away ring or other means known in the art.




In its operative position, sealing member


962


of spout


920


sealably engages inner surface


960


of sleeve


956


(

FIG. 32

) to prevent leakage through fitment


952


when the liquid is poured from a container cavity


935


. It should be appreciated that the sealing engagement between sealing member


962


and sleeve


956


may be facilitated by the buoyant force of sealing member


962


and enhanced by the consumer exerting an axial force upon spout


920


to securely and sealably engage sealing member


962


and sleeve


956


. Spout


920


again includes a corrugated segment


926


(

FIG. 31

) to facilitate proper positioning of the spout for dispensation of the liquid.




With reference to

FIGS. 1-27

and, more particularly, to

FIGS. 6-17

, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the variety of fitment configurations illustrated in these drawings may be modified to include a fitment configuration, such as that illustrated in

FIG. 32

, to sealably engage a spout to facilitate pouring of the liquid from the container rather than retraction through a straw. More particularly, the fitment illustrated in each of these drawings may be modified to include a sleeve extending either into or out of the container chamber to sealably engage a spout sealing member such as


962


.




For completeness,

FIG. 35

illustrates such a fitment assembly for the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in

FIGS. 5-7

. More particularly, container


910


includes a conduit assembly


990


substantially similar to that illustrated and described with reference to

FIGS. 5-7

. Conduit assembly


990


includes a fitment


991


having a sealing sleeve


992


extending inwardly into a cavity


993


. A spout


994


includes a sealing member


995


configured to sealably engage sleeve


992


when spout


994


is in its operative position. As illustrated, conduit assembly


990


includes a plunger


996


for positioning spout


994


in its operative position as described above. In view of the above description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that fitment


991


is substantially the same as that illustrated in

FIGS. 5-7

with the exception of the addition of inwardly protruding axial sleeve


992


similar in configuration and function to sleeve


956


illustrated and described above.




In view of the above alternative embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of alternate embodiments in conjunction with this description and the appended drawings are within the general knowledge of those skilled in the art and therefore within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. More particularly, one skilled in the art will appreciate that an inwardly protruding axial conical sleeve of the type described above and referenced by numeral


992


may be employed with any of the foregoing embodiments. It is anticipated that such an inwardly protruding sleeve facilitates manipulation of the device to urge the conduit through the container orifice.




Referring now to

FIGS. 36-39

, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. A container


1010


defines an internal chamber


1035


within which is disposed a conduit


1020


. Container


1010


and conduit


1020


are illustrated in

FIGS. 36 and 37

in a sealed position and in

FIG. 38

in an unsealed or open position. Conduit


1020


is disposed within chamber


1035


of container


1010


when in the sealed condition and conduit


1020


extends from a lower comer


1022


of container


1010


to a fitment


1054


. Conduit


1020


includes a pleated or corrugated section


1026


which is extendably by the consumer for removal of fluid within chamber


1035


.




Fitment


1054


includes a closure assembly


1052


and a base


1055


. Base


1055


is sealingly coupled to container


1010


to encompass an orifice


1037


extending through container


1010


in a manner generally known in the art. Base


1055


includes a fitment opening


1057


extending therethrough to provide access to chamber


1035


. Closure assembly


1052


is configured to sealably yet removably engage fitment


1054


to selectively seal fitment opening


1057


as illustrated in FIG.


37


. Closure assembly


1052


includes a cap


1056


having an externally located pry tab


1058


and an internally located contoured surface


1060


. The collapsed length of conduit


1020


is designed such that when container


1010


is sealed, conduit


1020


is trapped between lower corner


1022


of container


1010


and contoured surface


1060


as shown in

FIGS. 36 and 37

. The attachment between cap


1056


and


1055


can be a scored line (not shown) which when separated will provide evidence of previously being opened or tampered with. Other mans for providing tamper evidence include adhesive tape or other means known in the art.




When cap


1056


is removed from engagement with base


1055


, as illustrated in

FIG. 38

, conduit


1020


extends through fitment opening


1057


due to the buoyant nature of conduit


1020


. If desired, a float (not shown) may be attached to conduit


1020


to improve its buoyant characteristics.




Referring to

FIG. 40

, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

FIG. 40

is a view similar to

FIG. 37. A

container


1010


′ defines internal chamber


1035


within which is disposed conduit


1020


. Conduit


1020


is disposed within chamber


1035


of container


1010


′ when in the sealed condition and conduit


1020


extends from lower comer


1022


of container


1010


′ to a fitment


1054


′.




Fitment


1054


′ includes a closure assembly


1052


′ and a base


1055


′. Base


1055


′ is sealingly coupled to container


1010


′ to encompass orifice


1037


. Base


1055


′ includes fitment opening


1057


extending therethrough to provide access to chamber


1035


. Closure assembly


1052


′ is configured to sealingly yet removably engage fitment


1054


′ to selectively seal fitment opening


1057


as illustrated in FIG.


40


. Closure assembly


1052


′ includes a cap


1056


′ having externally located pry tab


1058


, internally located contoured surface


1060


, a skirt


1061


and a post


1062


. The collapsed length of conduit


1020


is designed such that when container


1010


′ is sealed, conduit


1020


is trapped between lower comer


1022


of container


1010


′ and contoured surface


1060


of cap


1056


′ as shown in FIG.


40


. Skirt


1061


and post


1062


held to maintain the position of conduit


1020


. Skirt


1061


surrounds conduit


1020


while post


1062


extends into conduit


1020


. The attachment between cap


1056


′ and base


1058


′ can be a scored line (not shown) which when separated will provide evidence of previously being opened and/or tampered with. Other means for providing tamper evidence include adhesive tape or other means known in the art.




When cap


1056


′ is removed from engagement with base


1055


′, as illustrated in phantom in

FIG. 40

, conduit


1020


will extend through fitment opening


1057


similar to that shown in FIG.


38


.




Referring now to

FIG. 41

, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

FIG. 41

is a view similar to

FIG. 37. A

container


1010


″ defines interior chamber


1035


within which is disposed conduit


1020


. Conduit


1020


is disposed within chamber


1035


of container


1010


″ when in the sealed condition and conduit


1020


extends from lower corner


1022


of container


1010


to a fitment


1054


″. Conduit


1020


is positioned within chamber


1035


by applying tension to conduit


1020


which will bend it from its normal position, thus holding it fast within container


1010


″.




Fitment


1054


″ includes a closure assembly


1052


″ and a base


1055


″. Base


1055


″ is sealingly coupled to encompass orifice


1037


extending through container


1010


″ in a manner generally known in the art. Base


1055


″ includes fitment opening


1057


extending therethrough to provide access to chamber


1035


. Closure assembly


1052


″ is configured to sealably yet removably engage fitment


1054


″ to selectively seal fitment opening


1057


as illustrated in FIG.


41


. Closure assembly


1052


″ includes a cap


1056


″ having an externally located pry tab


1058


″ and an internally located contoured surface


1060


″ which defines a chamber


1065


. The collapsed length of conduit


1020


is designed such that when container


1010


″ is sealed, conduit


1020


is trapped between lower corner


1022


of container


1010


″ and contoured surface


1060


″ with the upper end of conduit


1020


being located within chamber


1065


as shown in FIG.


41


. Conduit


1020


is positioned within chamber


1035


by applying tension to conduit


1020


which will bend it from its normal position, thus holding it fast within container


1010


″. The attachment between cap


1056


″ and base


1055


″ can be a scored line (not shown) which when separated will provide evidence of previously being opened and/or tampered with. Other means for providing tamper evidence include adhesive tape or other means known in the art.




When cap


1056


″ is removed from engagement with base


1055


″ as illustrated in phantom in

FIG. 41

, conduit


1020


extends through fitment opening


1057


similar to that shown in FIG.


38


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 42-45

, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. A container


1110


defines an internal chamber


1135


within which is disposed a conduit


1120


. Container


1110


and conduit


1120


are illustrated in

FIGS. 42 and 43

in a sealed position and in

FIG. 44

in an unsealed or open position. Container


1110


, in its unopened or sealed condition as illustrated in

FIG. 42

forms a gable top


1114


which includes four planar and triangular shaped sections


1130


A,


1130


B,


1130


C, and


1130


D which form a pyramid shaped gable cavity


1132


within container


1110


. Conduit


1120


is disposed within chamber


1135


of container


1110


when in the sealed condition and conduit


1120


is free to move within chamber


1135


. Conduit


1120


includes a pleated or corrugated section


1126


and a float


1128


. Corrugated section


1126


is extendable by the consumer for removal of fluid from chamber


1135


while float


1128


provides buoyancy to conduit


1120


to urge conduit


1120


against the upper portion of container


1110


.




A fitment


1154


includes a closure assembly


1152


and a base


1155


. Base


1155


is sealingly coupled to container


1110


to encompass an orifice


1137


extending through container


1110


in a manner generally known in the art. Base


1155


includes a fitment opening


1157


extending therethrough to provide access to chamber


1135


. Base


1155


also includes an extension


1159


which mates with the point formed by sections


1130


A,


1130


B,


1130


C and


1130


D within gable cavity


1132


. Extension


1159


includes a contoured surface


1161


which directs or guides conduit


1120


towards fitment opening


1157


. Conduit


1120


is urged against contoured surface


161


by its buoyancy as well as the buoyance of float


1128


. The shape of contoured surface


1161


is designed to direct or guide conduit


1120


into fitment opening


1157


.




Closure assembly


1152


is configured to sealably yet removably engage fitment


1154


to selectively seal fitment opening


1157


as illustrated in FIG.


43


. Closure assembly


1152


includes a cap


1156


having an externally located pry tab


1158


and an internally located contoured surface


1160


. As conduit


1120


is guided towards fitment opening


1157


, it extends partially through opening


1157


to contact contoured surface


1160


. Conduit surface


1160


is designed to trap conduit


1120


within opening


1157


due to the buoyance of conduit


1120


and float


1128


such that it is readily available when container


1110


is opened by removing cap


1156


. The attachment between cap


1156


and base


1155


can be a scored line (not shown) which when separated will provide evidence of previously being opened and/or tampered with. Other means for providing tamper evidence include adhesive tape or other means known in the art.




When cap


1156


is removed from engagement with base


1155


, as illustrated in

FIG. 44

, conduit


1120


extend through fitment


1157


due to the buoyant nature of conduit


1120


and float


1128


. Conduit


1120


is positioned against contoured surface


1160


of cap


1156


due to the interaction with contoured surface


1161


of base


1055


.




In another embodiment of the invention, conduit


1120


is not free to move within chamber


1135


. Instead, conduit


1120


extends from a lower corner of container


1110


to closure assembly


1152


in a manner similar to that shown above in

FIGS. 36-39

,


40


and


41


.




Various other advantages and modifications will become apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of studying the teachings of the specification, the drawings and the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A conduit assembly comprising:a fitment adapted to be sealingly coupled to a container, said fitment defining a fitment passage; a closure mechanism movable between a sealed position and an open position, said closure mechanism sealingly engaging said fitment to seal said fitment passage when said closure mechanism is in said sealed position; said closure mechanism including a plunger having a head coupled to a collapsible sleeve, said collapsible sleeve sealingly coupled to said fitment about said fitment passage, said head defining an opening, said closure mechanism further including a seal member sealing said opening when said closure mechanism is in said sealed position; and a conduit operably associated with said closure mechanism for movement between a stored position and an operative position, said conduit being moved from said stored position toward said operative position when said closure mechanism is moved between said sealed position and said open position.
  • 2. The conduit assembly of claim 1 wherein said conduit has a first end disposed within said collapsible sleeve when said closure mechanism is in said sealed position.
  • 3. The conduit assembly of claim 2 further including a float coupled to said conduit.
  • 4. The conduit assembly of claim 2 wherein said first end of said conduit extends through said opening when said conduit is in said operative position.
  • 5. An apparatus for opening a container comprising:a tab having a grip surface; a post integral with said tab and extending upwardly therefrom to define a length of said post; and a wedge integral with said post, said wedge extending along the entire length of said post to a position below said post.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said tab and said post define an angle greater than 90°.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said angle is in the range of 90° to 135°.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a member interconnecting said post and said wedge, wherein said wedge is separated from said post to define a blind slot extending downwardly from said member.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said wedge includes a conduit channel adapted to couple a conduit to said wedge.
  • 10. An apparatus for opening a container comprising:a tab having a grip surface; a post integral with said tab and extending upwardly therefrom; a wedge integral with said post, said wedge extending below said post; and a member interconnecting said post and said wedge, said wedge being separated from said post to define a blind slot extending downwardly from said member.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said wedge includes a conduit channel adapted to couple a conduit to said wedge.
Parent Case Info

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/102,385, filed Jun. 22, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,729.

US Referenced Citations (60)
Number Name Date Kind
2069738 Buchen Feb 1937
2323447 Chase Jul 1943
2324807 Wentz Jul 1943
2392479 Humbert Jan 1946
2450244 Lynch Sep 1948
2547362 Berry Apr 1951
2724536 Pugh, Sr. Nov 1955
2773632 Dobbins, III Dec 1956
2799439 Pugh, Sr. Jul 1957
2949217 Pugh, Sr. Aug 1960
2992118 Daline Jul 1961
3071303 Pugh Jan 1963
3194470 Zimmerman et al. Jul 1965
3215329 Pugh, Sr. Nov 1965
3240415 Pugh, Sr. Mar 1966
3259297 Kalajian Jul 1966
3268792 Barmherzig Aug 1966
3291331 Grisham et al. Dec 1966
3303984 Jurena Feb 1967
3303985 Prokes et al. Feb 1967
3325076 Soucy Jun 1967
3462061 Shore Aug 1969
3486679 Pfahler Dec 1969
3520464 Pugh, Sr. Jul 1970
3542278 Deaver Nov 1970
3623632 Chang Nov 1971
3717476 Harvey Feb 1973
3792798 Chang Feb 1974
3874554 Chang Apr 1975
4194674 Pearson Mar 1980
4228913 Mack et al. Oct 1980
4251019 Cone Feb 1981
4407425 Combs Oct 1983
4448316 Hiroshige May 1984
4560081 Adams Dec 1985
4561557 Park et al. Dec 1985
4718778 Ichikawa Jan 1988
4726491 Moon Feb 1988
4733785 Turner, Jr. et al. Mar 1988
4792083 Yassur Dec 1988
4830273 Kalberer et al. May 1989
4930652 Murphy et al. Jun 1990
4964562 Gordon Oct 1990
4997112 Eichler Mar 1991
5000337 Im Mar 1991
5029752 Andersson Jul 1991
5060804 Beales et al. Oct 1991
5065938 Anderson Nov 1991
5148971 Ahn Sep 1992
5188283 Gu Feb 1993
5199635 Abrams et al. Apr 1993
5253779 Lee Oct 1993
5372300 Nedstedt Dec 1994
5427310 Testa, Jr. Jun 1995
5482202 Wen Jan 1996
5509585 Mock et al. Apr 1996
5687872 Nmngani Nov 1997
5823422 Collier et al. Oct 1998
5871146 Onderko et al. Feb 1999
6076729 Cornell et al. Jun 2000
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number Date Country
87-18696527 Nov 1985 FR
WO 8504850 Nov 1985 WO