Containers having spout and process for producing same

Abstract

A container having a spout of thermoplastic synthetic resin fixed to an outlet edge portion defining a liquid outlet formed in a top portion of the container. The outlet edge portion of the container is covered with a thermoplastic synthetic resin layer at least over inner and outer surfaces thereof. The spout comprises a tubular body, and inner and outer two outward flanges formed at one end of the tubular body integrally therewith and holding the outlet edge portion of the container therebetween from inside and outside. The inner and outer flanges of the spout are fixed respectively to the inner and outer surfaces of the outlet edge portion of the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container having a spout of thermoplastic synthetic resin fixed to an outlet edge portion defining a liquid outlet formed in a top portion of the container, the outlet edge portion of the container being covered with a thermoplastic synthetic resin layer at least over inner and outer surfaces thereof, the spout comprising a tubular body, and inner and outer two outward flanges formed at one end of the tubular body integrally therewith and holding the outlet edge portion of the container therebetween from inside and outside, the inner and outer flanges being fixed respectively to the inner and outer surfaces of the outlet edge portion of the container.  
     
     
         2 . A container having a spout according to  claim 1  wherein the outer flange is smaller than the inner flange in outside diameter.  
     
     
         3 . A container having a spout according to  claim 2  wherein the outer flange has an upper surface upwardly protuberant in cross section and bulging upward at a radial midportion thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A container having a spout according to  claim 1  wherein the inner flange is smaller than the outer flange in outside diameter.  
     
     
         5 . A container having a spout according to  claim 4  wherein the inner flange has a lower surface downwardly protuberant in cross section and bulging downward at a radial midportion thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A container having a spout according to  claim 1  wherein the inner and outer flanges are equal to each other in outside diameter.  
     
     
         7 . A process for producing a container having a spout according to  claim 1 , the process being characterized by preparing a spout blank of thermoplastic synthetic resin comprising a tubular body, a first outward flange formed at one end of the blank tubular body integrally therewith and having an outside diameter larger than the diameter of the liquid outlet of the container, the first outward flange being positionable along one of the inner and outer surfaces of the outlet edge portion, and a flange forming portion provided on an outer periphery of the blank tubular body integrally therewith and spaced apart from the first outward flange axially of the blank tubular body, the flange forming portion being insertable through the liquid outlet of the container, inserting the blank tubular body through the liquid outlet of the container to position the first outward flange along one of the inner and outer surfaces of the outlet edge portion, clamping the first outward flange thus positioned, the outlet edge portion of the container and the flange forming portion between a sealing member and an anvil, joining the first outward flange to the outlet edge portion of the container by heat sealing, and forming a second outward flange by melting the flange forming portion and joining the second outward flange to the outlet edge portion of the container by heat sealing simultaneously with the first outward flange.  
     
     
         8 . A process for producing a container having a spout according to  claim 7  wherein one of a clamping face of the sealing member and a clamping face of the anvil to be brought into contact with the flange forming portion has a flange forming annular groove formed therein over the entire circumference of the clamping face, and the second outward flange is formed by filling the groove with molten synthetic resin provided by the flange forming portion on melting.  
     
     
         9 . A process for producing a container having a spout according to  claim 8  wherein the groove is defined by a side face positioned radially inwardly of the sealing member or the anvil and in the form of slope slanting radially outwardly thereof toward a bottom.  
     
     
         10 . A process for producing a container having a spout according to  claim 7  wherein one of a clamping face of the sealing member and a clamping face of the anvil to be brought into contact with the flange forming portion is in the form of a stepped face comprising a radially outward face portion to be brought into contact with one of the inner and outer surfaces of the outlet edge portion of the container, and a radially inward face portion cooperative with said one surface of the outlet edge portion to define a flange forming clearance therebetween, and the second outward flange is formed by filling the flange forming clearance between the radially inward face portion and said one surface of the outlet edge portion with molten synthetic resin provided by the flange forming portion on melting.  
     
     
         11 . A process for producing a container having a spout according to any one of  claims 7  to  10  wherein the heat sealing is effected by ultrasonic sealing.  
     
     
         12 . A process for producing a container having a spout according to  claim 1 , the process being characterized by forming the spout on a container by injection molding integrally therewith at an outlet edge portion defining a liquid outlet formed therein, the container blank being covered with a thermoplastic synthetic resin layer at least over inner and outer surfaces thereof, the spout comprising a tubular body projecting outward, and inner and outer two outward flanges formed at one end of the tubular body integrally therewith for holding the outlet edge portion of the container therebetween from inside and outside, and fixedly joining the inner and outer flanges respectively to the inner and outer surfaces of the outlet edge portion simultaneously with the formation of the spout.