Fitment assembly for containers

Abstract

A fitment is described for use with a container such as a paperboard carton, having an operable section such as a removable disc surrounded by a pre-scored track. The fitment comprises a housing ( 2 ) secured to the container surrounding the removable disc ( 15 ). A tab ( 9 ) with a panel ( 10 ) is attached to the disc ( 15 ), and pivots with respect to the housing by means of lugs ( 13 ). To open the carton, the user grips a handle ( 11 ) pivoting the panel ( 10 ) to sever the pre-scored track ( 14 ). Further movement of the handle ( 11 ) fractures the lugs ( 13 ) allowing the complete removal of the disc ( 15 ) from the carton. The panel ( 10 ) is preferably smaller than the disc, leaving a free region ( 16 ) which can flex and/or form hinge lines during operation of the tab.

1 . A fitment for use with a container having an operable section adapted to be activated to allow access to the contents of the container, the fitment comprising: 
 i) a plastics housing adapted to be secured to the container surrounding the operable section; and    ii) a tab including a panel portion adapted to be secured to the operable section of the container, a handle portion extending from the panel portion, and a plurality of lugs connecting the tab to the housing such that it is pivotable with respect thereto; the pivoting of the tab being adapted to cause a separation of at least a part of the operable section of the container to which it is to be attached.    
     
     
         2 . A fitment according to    claim 1   , characterised in that the lugs are adapted to be breakable following pivoting of the tab, to allow removal of the tab from the housing.  
     
     
         3 . A fitment according to    claim 1    or    claim 2   , characterised in that the housing, lugs and tab are integrally moulded in one piece.  
     
     
         4 . A fitment according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the tab has a nose portion situated opposite the handle portion.  
     
     
         5 . A fitment according to any preceding claim, characterised in that it further includes a closure removably secured to the housing.  
     
     
         6 . A fitment according to    claim 5   , characterised in that the exterior of the housing is provided with thread formations adapted to cooperate with complimentary threads on the closure.  
     
     
         7 . In combination, a container and a plastics fitment, the container having an operable section adapted to be activated to allow access to the contents of the container, the fitment comprising: 
 i) a plastics housing secured to the container surrounding the operable section; and    ii) a tab including a panel portion attached to the operable section of the container, a handle portion extending from the panel portion, and a plurality of lugs connecting the tab to the housing such that the tab is pivotable with respect thereto; wherein, in order to open the container, the tab is pivoted about the lugs so as to cause a separation of at least a part of the operable section.    
     
     
         8 . The combination of    claim 7   , characterised in that the lugs are breakable by the user following the pivoting of the tab with respect to the housing, so as to allow complete removal of the operable section from the remainder of the container.  
     
     
         9 . The combination of    claim 7    or    claim 8   , characterised in that the panel portion of the tab has an area substantially less than the area of the operable section of the container.  
     
     
         10 . The combination of    claim 9   , characterised in that the panel portion of the tab is of such a shape and size as to leave a free region of the operable section which the panel portion does not cover, the panel portion having a nose portion adjacent a section of the operable section, the nose portion being opposite the free region of the operable section.  
     
     
         11 . The combination of any of    claims 7    to    10   , characterised in that the operable section is an area of the container surrounded by a pre-scored track.  
     
     
         12 . The combination of any of    claims 7    to    10   , characterised in that the operable section is a piercable foil.  
     
     
         13 . The combination of claims  10  and  11 , characterised in that the nose portion of the panel portion is adjacent the pre-scored track.