Spout fitment closure plug

For tent-type paperboard containers as well as other containers, a spout fitment is attached surrounding a hole in the container. The fitment spout has internal threads and an external flange which seals around the hole and is fixed to the container by thermal means, adhesive or the like. The cap has a top disk from which an externally threaded skirt depends. The exterior of the skirt has gripping ribs to assist in screwing and unscrewing the cap. The lower edge of the skirt seals against a sealing membrane on the spout. Surrounding the skirt is a tamper-evident band attached to the lower edges of the ribs by frangible bridges. The tamper-evident band has locking means engaging complementary locking means on the fitment. Thus, the cap cannot be unscrewed without removing the tamper-evident band. By unique design, the fitment and cap may be molded in one mold cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a new and improved spout fitment and plug for 
closing the same. More particularly the invention relates to a fitment 
which fits around a hole in a panel of a paperboard carton or around a 
hole in a flexible container, or the like, such as used for packaging 
liquid products and powders and to a closure for such fitment. 
2. Description of Related Art 
A typical prior art fitment and cap is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying 
drawings and is discussed in the preferred embodiments portion of this 
specification. Generally speaking, prior fitments have spouts with 
external threads closed by caps with internal threads. Some fitments are 
used in conjunction with plastic bag containers, the fitment being 
integrally welded to the plastic bag. Other prior art fitments are 
attached to a polymer-coated paperboard container such as a gable-topped 
half-gallon container. Generally, prior art fitments for paperboard 
cartons include a thin flange which is welded to the surface of the 
container. The closure includes a foil seal which seals the mouth of the 
spout and a liner for the cap which serves a resealing function. 
Attachment to the polymer-coated paperboard is accomplished by welding the 
flange of the spout to the polymer coating. Upon initial removal, the 
tamper-evident foil seal is removed and discarded. 
Fitments of the prior art have a number of deficiencies as compared with 
the present invention. In the first place, they employ multiple components 
which increase the cost of the combination very greatly over the simple 
structure of the present invention. Secondly, assembly is difficult and 
involves rotary equipment which is difficult to control in practice and is 
expensive to install. Thirdly, because of the fact that the prior art 
spouts are externally threaded, the diameter of the opening in the spout 
is restricted inasmuch as there is only limited space on the panel of the 
container on which the flange can be located, thereby reducing the 
diameter of the fitment flange and correspondingly the diameter of the 
spout. Finally, commercially available fitment-closure combinations have 
no external tamper-evident features (as contrasted with the internal foil 
seal of the spout opening). 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
One embodiment of the present invention employs a fitment having a spout 
which is internally threaded and having a flange or other means which is 
welded or otherwise adhered to the container panel on which the fitment is 
installed. The closure is an externally threaded plug closure which seals 
against a membrane on the fitment, which membrane also protects the 
exposed edge of the hole formed in the container panel. A tamper-evident 
band on the closure is joined to the closure by a plurality of frangible 
bridges or the parts may be initially connected by other frangible means. 
Assembly of the cap on the fitment is preferably performed by a direct 
axial pushing movement, the threads slipping past each other during the 
axial movement. The lower edge of the tamper-evident band has engagement 
means which fit into complementary engagement means on the spout. The 
inter-engagement of these means prevents rotation of the cap so long as 
the bridges which join the band to the cap are intact. Thus, after axial 
assembly the threaded plug cannot be removed prior to removal of the 
tamper evident band. 
As an additional feature, the plug and spout may be molded simultaneously 
in a single cavity in an injection molding machine. Further, as the parts 
are ejected from the cavity, the threaded plug may be moved axially so 
that it fits inside the spout and the threads of the spout and plug 
inter-engage. 
In another embodiment, the parts may be interfitted by a friction fit 
between the exterior of the plug and the interior of the spout. 
As those skilled in the art will realize, materials such as polyolefins 
having relatively high flexibility and toughness will be most suitable in 
practice of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the 
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred 
embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the 
invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended 
to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be 
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the 
appended claims. 
Directing attention now to the typical prior art structure shown in FIG. 1, 
a carton of paperboard coated with a suitable polymer has a panel 21 
formed with a hole 22. Surrounding hole 22 is a fitment 23 having an 
upstanding spout 24 formed with external threads 26. The lower edge of 
spout 24 has an external flange 27 which is caused to adhere to the panel 
21 by welding, adhesive or other suitable means. 
The prior art cap 31 has a top disk 32 from which depends a skirt 33 having 
internal threads 34 mating with the threads 26. Initially, the cap 31 may 
be provided with a liner 36 which functions as a re-closure seal and also 
with a foil seal 37 which seals against the upper end of the spout 24 and 
provides tamper-evident features. Once the seal 37 is removed, the liner 
36 performs a sealing function on re-closure. 
Some of the advantages of the present invention over prior art structures 
such as the typical assembly shown in FIG. 1 have heretofore been 
described. 
A preferred structure of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2-11. 
Fitment 41 has an upstanding spout 42 formed with a top edge 43 and having 
internal threads 44. Preferably the threads 44 are multiple lead threads, 
since (as hereinafter described) this balances the gating of the spout 
(see below descriptions of FIGS. 10 and 11). 
Below threads 44, spout is formed with a downward-inward slanted seal 
membrane 48 which, as shown in FIG. 3, performs a sealing function with 
the closure as hereinafter appears. Diametrically opposed ratchets 46 are 
formed in the top edge 43 for the purpose of locking with the 
tamper-evident band of the closure as hereinafter appears. At the bottom 
of the fitment is an enlarged peripheral flange 47, the underside of which 
is caused to adhere to the panel 21. 
Closure 51 functions as a plug to close the spout 42. It is formed with a 
top disk 52 having a rounded corner 53 from which depends a skirt 54. The 
upper portion of skirt 54 is formed with vertical ribs 56 which extend 
around the corner 53 and partially inward of the disk 52. Ribs 56 are 
separated by spaces 57. By gripping the ribs 56 the user may turn the 
closure 51. Midway of the skirt 54 and immediately below the ribs 56 is an 
external wall 58 and below the wall 58 are threads 59 which mate with the 
threads 44. 
Surrounding the skirt 54 is a narrow tamper-evident band 61 which is 
connected to the lower ends of some of the ribs 56 by horizontal frangible 
bridges 62. At diametrically spaced positions on the under side of band 61 
are depending pawls 63 which engage the ratchets 46 of spout 42 to 
restrain rotation of closure 51 relative to fitment 41 so long as the 
bridges 62 are intact. One or more tear tabs 64 (here shown as two in 
number and depending from band 61 immediately outward of pawls 63) are 
attached to the band 61. By pulling the tab 64 outward, the band 61 may be 
disconnected from the closure 51 and the closure may be turned relative to 
the fitment since the pawls 63 are out of engagement with the ratchets 46. 
However, the removal of band 61 or any tearing of the bridges 62 gives 
evidence of tampering with the contents of the container. To facilitate 
removal, bridges 62 are 5 and 6) 
The consumer may turn closure 51 to open and close the container. In the 
closed condition, the end 66 of the skirt 54 seals against the seal member 
48 of fitment 41. 
One preferred means for the production of the fitment 41 and closure 51 is 
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 whereby the two parts may be made simultaneously 
in a single cavity of a plastic injection mold. Thus in the mold, the 
fitment 41 is positioned below the closure 51. As shown in FIG. 11, there 
are gates 71 connecting the fitment to the closure. Gates 71 are 
positioned to coincide with the theoretical projections of the lower ends 
(or run-outs) of helical threads 59. The plastic is injected at the top of 
the closure and the molten plastic extends through the gates 71 into the 
top of the spout 42. Accordingly the two parts may be molded 
simultaneously. In order to separate the parts, the gates 71 is fractured. 
Such fracture may be accomplished merely by pushing axially downward on 
the closure, the threads 59 slipping over the threads 44. After fracture 
there are remnants 72 and 73 of the gate 71 on the closure 51 and spout 42 
respectively. FIG. 4 shows remnant 73 of gate 71 on spout 42. FIGS. 6 and 
7 show remnants 72 of gate 71 on closure 51. It will be understood, 
however, that the parts may be molded separately. When molded 
simultaneously, by proper mold construction, the parts may be assembled 
before being ejected from the mold. 
FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate construction. In this modification, a 
continuous frangible web connection 76 connects the plug to the top edge 
43a circumferentially around the parts. The parts may be installed on the 
container in the condition shown in FIG. 12. So long as the connector 76 
is intact, the consumer is assured that there has been no tampering with 
the container. At the time of consumption, the user fractures the 
connection 76 either by twisting the closure 51a or other convenient 
means. The closure 51a may be installed on the fitment 41a after part of 
the contents of the container have been dispensed merely by screwing the 
closure 51a into the spout 42. 
In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 13, which is particularly useful 
where the device is to be attached to a container having solid contents, 
the lower end of the fitment 41b has a downward extending ring 81 which 
fits inside the hole 22 and is retained therein by an outward extending 
barb 82 which engages under the panel 21. To stabilize and also to seal 
the fitment, an outer seal member 83 similar to the seal member 48b 
engages the top surface of the panel 21. In FIG. 13 the parts are shown 
prior to assembly of the plug to fitment spout. It will be understood that 
normally a closure 51b is attached to the fitment 41b before the ring 81 
is inserted in the panel 21. 
FIG. 14 shows still another modification. The structure in FIG. 14 is 
substantially similar to that in FIG. 13 except that the stabilizing seal 
member 83 of FIG. 13 is omitted. 
FIG. 15 shows a very simple, tamper-evident construction. No threads are 
required on the closure or spout. Rather, the exterior of skirt 54d, 
immediately below ribs 56d is formed with a cylindrical external sealing 
surface 86 and below surface 86 is an undercut 87 merging into outward 
curved portion 88. Portion 88 extends around the circumference of closure 
51d and is joined to the inner corner of top edge 43d of fitment 41d by a 
frangible circumferential web 76d. 
Web 76d makes the combination tamper-evident since the container cannot be 
opened without breaking the same. When the consumer wishes to open the 
container, closure 51d is disconnected from fitment 41d by breaking web 
76d by any convenient means. For reclosure purposes, sealing end 66d 
contacts seal member 48d. 
FIGS. 16-18 illustrate a further modification wherein the closure 51e and 
fitment 41e are molded together and, as initially molded, provide a 
tamper-evident combination which is liquid-tight. When the consumer 
separates the two parts, the closure may be used for reclosure purposes. 
Thus spout 42e need not be threaded. Closure 51e is joined to the upper 
edge 43e of spout 42e in a frangible, continuous, circumferential tear 
band 91 which functions as a connection or gate during molding of the 
parts and further makes the parts in the condition shown in FIG. 17 
tamper-evident. In the preferred form best shown in FIG. 17, 
circumferential flange 96 extends horizontally out from top disk 52e 
beyond the confines of skirt 54e. At one or more positions around the 
circumference of band 91 is a pull tab 92, of limited width, which may 
extend up above the level of closure top disk 52e and out beyond the edge 
of flange 96 so that it is conveniently gripped by the consumer. Below the 
level of flange 96, tab 92 slants downward-inward to join tear band 91. At 
least one point, tab 92 is connected to the edge of flange 96 by one or 
more frangible bridges 94 which helps stabilize the tab and also makes 
additional contribution to tamper-evidency. 
The flange 47e may be adhered around a hole in a container with the 
combination shown in FIG. 17 intact and tamper-evident since as long as 
bridge 94 and tear band 91 are intact the user cannot obtain access to the 
contents of the container. To open the container, the consumer grasps tab 
92, breaking bridge 94 and then tear band 91. Closure 51e is then removed 
by gripping flange 96. 
For reclosure skirt 54e is inserted in spout 42e and top 52e pushed 
downward. Collar 58e seals against the inside of spout 42e and seal member 
48e seals against the outside of skirt 66e, both sealing with a friction 
fit. Flange 96 seats on top edge 43e, limiting downward movement of the 
closure. The closure 51e may be removed by gripping flange 96 and replaced 
repeatedly. 
In the modification of FIGS. 19-20, fitment 41f is applied to a container 
101 of any convenient type such as one having an external locking bead 102 
below top edge 103. Fitment 41f has an annular top 106 having upward 
extending spout 42f. The underside of top 106 has an inner skirt or hollow 
plug 107 which fits inside the wall of container 101. Outward of plug 107 
is a groove 108 which receives edge 103 and beyond groove 108 is a 
shoulder 109 which fits against the upper outer edge of container wall 
101. A peripheral short skirt 111 has an internal bead 112 which locks 
under bead 102. 
The closure 51f is quite similar to that of FIGS. 16-18 except that skirt 
54f may be dimensioned to fit tightly within spout 42f without use of a 
collar such as collar 58e of FIG. 17. The lower edge of skirt 54f is 
bevelled and is initially connected by frangible connector 76f to the 
inner edge of the upper end of spout 42f. 
The closure as shown in FIG. 19 is tamper-evident. The consumer grasps 
closure 51f, breaking connector 76f. For reclosure purposes, closure skirt 
54f is inserted in spout 42f and pushed down to assume the closed position 
shown in FIG. 20. 
Remnants similar to remnant 72 and 73 of the modification of FIGS. 1-11 
remain on the closures and spouts of the modifications of FIGS. 12-20 
after the frangible connections 76 through 76f have been broken. Such 
remnants do not appear in FIGS. 12-18 because the views show the molded 
closures and fitments before being broken. 
In many respects the modifications of FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19 
resemble those of the preceding modifications, and the same reference 
numerals followed by the subscripts a, b, c, d, e and f, respectively, are 
used to designate corresponding parts.