Container with pour spout

Abstract

A container with an integrated pouring spout is provided. The pouring spout is formed by a series of score lines in a panel on the container. The pouring spout includes two triangular portions in vertical alignment. The upper triangular portion is inverted and the vertices of the triangular portions meet. The container includes depressible panels that flex inwardly and assist in forming the pouring spout. When depressed, the lower triangular portion extends outwardly and the upper triangular portion extends inwardly. When released the triangular portions return to their original positions, thereby sealing the container.

1 . A container for storing and dispensing items comprising: 
 an integrated pouring spout; and    at least one depressible transverse panel joined to the side panel;    the pouring spout comprising a side panel including two triangular portions in vertical alignment, wherein the upper triangular portion is inverted so that the vertices of the triangular portions meet and wherein the triangular portions are separated by a horizontal score line; and    wherein the pouring spout opens when the transverse panel is depressed and closes when the transverse panel is released.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transverse panel is connected to the triangular portions by the horizontal score line.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one transverse panel is bordered by score lines.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the container comprises two depressible transverse panels.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the lower triangular portion extends outwardly when the at least one depressible transverse panel is depressed.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the upper triangular portion extends inwardly when the at least one depressible transverse panel is depressed.  
   
   
       7 . A container for storing and dispensing comprising: 
 a front panel;    a back panel;    a top panel;    a bottom panel; and    two side panels, wherein at least one of the side panels comprises two triangular portions in vertical alignment such that the upper triangular portion is inverted and the vertices of the triangular portion meet;    wherein the triangular portions are separated by a horizontal score line; and    wherein applying pressure to the front panel and the back panel causes the lower triangular portion to extend outwardly and the upper triangular portion to extend inwardly thereby forming a spout.    
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the spout is closed by releasing the pressure on the front panel and the back panel.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 7 , further comprising areas of weakness in the front panel and the back panel to facilitate the opening of the spout.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the areas of weakness comprise a first transverse score line on the front panel and a second transverse score line on the back panel, the first and second transverse score lines aligning with the horizontal score line.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the first transverse score line forks to form a triangular portion on an edge of the front panel and the second transverse score line forks to form a triangular portion on an edge of the back panel.  
   
   
       12 . A blank of material for forming a container comprising: 
 (a) a side flap having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;    (b) a back panel foldably connected to the side flap, the back panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;    (c) a first side panel foldably connected to the back panel, the first side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;    (d) a front panel foldably connected to the first side panel, the front panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;    (e) a second side panel connected to the front panel, the second side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;    (f) a first bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the back panel;    (g) a first top panel connected to the top edge of the back panel, the first top panel having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;    (h) a second bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the front panel;    (i) a second top panel connected to the top edge of the front panel; and    (j) a plurality of score lines in the first side panel, wherein the score lines form two triangular portions in vertical alignment separated by a horizontal score line and wherein the upper triangular portion is inverted so that the vertices of the triangular portions meet.    
   
   
       13 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the second side panel is connected to the side flap when a container is constructed from the blank.  
   
   
       14 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the first top panel and the second top panel are connected when a container is constructed from the blank.  
   
   
       15 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the first bottom panel and the second top panel are connected when a container is constructed from the blank.  
   
   
       16 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein when a container is constructed from the blank, the plurality of score lines form a spout.  
   
   
       17 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the back panel and the front panel each comprise a transverse panel, the transverse panels being formed by score lines and being joined by a horizontal score line, and wherein the transverse panels facilitate the opening of a spout when a container is constructed from the blank.  
   
   
       18 . A container for storing and dispensing items comprising: 
 a front panel;    a back panel;    first and second side panels;    a bottom panel;    a substantially horizontal perforated line extending across the first side panel;    a first angled score line extending from a point above the perforated line to a point below the perforated line and crossing approximately the midpoint of the perforated line;    a second angled fold line extending from a point above the perforated line to a point below the perforated line and intersecting the first angled fold line at approximately the midpoint of the perforated line;    the angled fold lines forming a triangular panel above the perforated line and below the perforated line;    wherein the perforated line may be broken and the front and back panels depressed, allowing the top triangular panel to retract and the bottom triangular panel to protrude, forming a spout.    
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the spout closes when the front and back panels are released.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 18 , further comprising a first transverse panel on the front panel and a second transverse panel on the back panel, wherein the first and second transverse panels are connected to the perforated line by a score line and facilitate the opening of the spout when pressured is applied to the first and second transverse panels.