Composite container closure with detachable utensil

Abstract

A composite container closure is disclosed having a paperboard central panel surrounded by a molded plastic skirt. A utensil, such as a spoon, is molded with the skirt and is positioned adjacent to a surface of the central panel that faces within the container when the closure is positioned thereon. The utensil is adhered to the surface of the central panel and is removable therefrom for use with the container contents.

1 . A closure for a container, said closure comprising: 
 a central panel formed from paperboard and having a perimeter;    a plastic skirt attached to said central panel along said perimeter, said skirt extending substantially perpendicularly to said panel and thereby defining a well on one side of said panel; and    a plastic utensil removably attached to said skirt, said utensil being positioned within said well.    
     
     
         2 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said utensil has an elongated handle, an end of said handle being removably attached to said skirt.  
     
     
         3 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein said end of said handle is attached to said skirt by a sprue extending between said skirt and said handle.  
     
     
         4 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein a portion of said handle is attached to said central panel.  
     
     
         5 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said utensil comprises a spoon.  
     
     
         6 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene.  
     
     
         7 . A closure for a container, said closure comprising: 
 a central panel formed from paperboard and bounded by a perimeter, said central panel having opposite side surfaces;    a plastic skirt attached to said central panel along said perimeter, said skirt extending substantially perpendicularly to said panel and thereby defining a well on one of said side surfaces;    a release coating applied substantially over said one side surface, a region on said one side surface wherein said release coating is absent; and    a plastic utensil removably attached to said central panel over said region.    
     
     
         8 . A closure according to  claim 7 , wherein said utensil is positioned adjacent to said central panel.  
     
     
         9 . A closure according to  claim 7 , wherein said region is positioned substantially adjacent to said skirt.  
     
     
         10 . A closure according to  claim 7 , wherein said utensil comprises an elongated handle.  
     
     
         11 . A closure according to  claim 10 , wherein said handle is attached to said central panel.  
     
     
         12 . A closure according to  claim 7 , wherein said utensil comprises a spoon.  
     
     
         13 . A method of making a closure for a container, the closure including a utensil and a plastic skirt surrounding a central panel, the method comprising the steps of placing said central panel within a mold, injecting a plastic resin into said mold, said mold having a mold space defining said skirt and said utensil, and removing said closure from said mold.  
     
     
         14 . A method of making a closure according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of adhering said utensil to said central panel.