Container with flexible pour spout

Abstract

A carton with a spout is erected from a blank having a flexible patch attached thereto. The patch cooperates with a pivotable flap of the blank to define the spout. The patch includes a central portion and at least first and second appendages that extend outwardly from the central portion. The central portion is attached to the flap, the first appendage is attached to a first portion of the blank, and the second appendage is attached to a second portion of the blank.

1 . A container with a spout for dispensing goods from the container's interior, comprising: 
 at least one sidewall extending at least partially around said container's interior;    at least one flap operative for pivoting relative to said sidewall between open and closed configurations, with said flap being adjacent an opening to said container's interior during the open configuration, and said flap at least partially closing said opening during the closed configuration; and    at least one piece of material connected to both said flap and said sidewall, with said piece of material being operative for 
 cooperating with said flap for at least partially defining said spout,  
 at least partially holding said flap in the open configuration by restricting said flap from pivoting to more than a predetermined angle relative to said sidewall in the open configuration, and  
 being at least partially automatically folded while said flap is moved from the open configuration to the closed configuration.  
   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said piece of material is fixedly attached to both said flap and said sidewall.  
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said piece of material is less rigid than said sidewall.  
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said piece of material at least primarily comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polymeric film and a textile, and    said sidewall at least primarily comprises paperboard.    
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said piece of material is attached to: 
 an inner-facing surface of said flap, and    an inner-facing surface of said sidewall.    
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said piece of material includes a central portion and at least first and second appendages,    said first appendage is proximate a first side of said central portion, and    said second appendage is proximate a second side of said central portion that is opposite from said first side of said central portion.    
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein while the carton is in the open configuration, each of said first and second appendages functions as a guide that at least spans between said flap and said sidewall for assisting in guiding the goods through said spout.  
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein: 
 said piece of material further includes a third appendage that is proximate a third side of said central portion;    said central portion is attached to said flap;    said first appendage is attached to a first portion of said side wall;    said second appendage is attached to a second portion of said side wall, with said first and second portions of said side wall being on opposite sides of said opening; and    said third appendage is attached to a third portion of said sidewall that is below said opening.    
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein while said spout is in the closed configuration: 
 at least a first fold is defined in said first appendage, and    at least a second fold is defined in said second appendage.    
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said first fold includes portions of said first appendage being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another, and    said second fold includes portions of said second appendage being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another.    
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein while said spout is in the closed configuration: 
 at least a third fold is defined between said first appendage and said central portion, and    at least a fourth fold is defined in said second appendage and said central portion.    
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said third fold includes a portion of said first appendage and a portion of said central portion being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another, and    said fourth fold includes a portion of said second appendage and a portion of said central portion being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another.    
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein while said spout is in the closed configuration: 
 at least a third fold is defined in said piece of material at least partially by said first appendage, and    at least a fourth fold is defined in said piece of material at least partially by said second appendage.    
     
     
         14 . The container according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said first fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said second fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said third fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said fourth fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said crease of said first fold extends obliquely with respect to said crease of said third fold while said spout is in said closed configuration;    said crease of said second fold extends obliquely with respect to said crease of said fourth fold while said spout is in said closed configuration;    said crease of said first fold and said crease of said second fold extend at least generally convergently with respect to one another while said spout is in said closed configuration; and    said crease of said first fold and said crease of said second fold extend at least generally parallel with respect to one another while said spout is in said closed configuration.    
     
     
         15 . A carton with a spout, comprising: 
 first and second ends that are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction; and    a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the carton's interior and includes, at least, 
 first and second panels that are spaced apart from one another and extend in the longitudinal direction, and  
 a third panel that extends in the longitudinal direction and has edges respectively attached to edges of said first and second panels, wherein said third panel includes at least one flap defined by at least one fold line, and said flap can be pivoted along said fold line to open an opening in said third panel; and  
   at least one piece of material that is flexible, is positioned at least partially within the carton's interior, and is attached to at least each of said flap, said first panel and said second panel so that said piece of material cooperates with said flap to at least partially define said spout.    
     
     
         16 . The carton according to  claim 15 , wherein said piece of material is less rigid than said first, second and third panels.  
     
     
         17 . The carton according to  claim 15 , wherein said piece of material is constructed of a different type of material than said plurality of panels.  
     
     
         18 . The carton according to  claim 15 , wherein said piece of material includes a central portion and at least first and second appendages, wherein said first appendage is proximate a first side of said central portion, said second appendage is proximate a second side of said central portion that is opposite from said first side of said central portion, said central portion is attached to said flap, said first appendage is attached to said first panel, and said second appendage is attached to said second panel.  
     
     
         19 . The carton according to  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said central portion is fixedly attached to said flap,    a marginal portion of said first appendage is fixedly attached to said first panel, and    a marginal portion of said second appendage is fixedly attached to said second panel.    
     
     
         20 . The carton according to  claim 19 , wherein said piece of material further includes a third appendage that is proximate a third side of said central portion of said piece of material, and said third appendage is fixedly attached to said third panel at a position that is below said flap.  
     
     
         21 . The carton according to  claim 18 , wherein: 
 at least a first fold is defined in said first appendage, and    at least a second fold is defined in said second appendage.    
     
     
         22 . The carton according to  claim 21 , wherein: 
 said first fold includes portions of said first appendage being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another, and    said second fold includes portions of said second appendage being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another.    
     
     
         23 . The carton according to  claim 22 , wherein: 
 at least a third fold is defined in said piece of material at least partially by said first appendage;    at least a fourth fold is defined said piece of material at least partially by said second appendage;    said first fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said second fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said third fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said fourth fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said crease of said first fold extends obliquely with respect to said crease of said third fold;    said crease of said second fold extends obliquely with respect to said crease of said fourth fold;    said crease of said first fold and said crease of said second fold extend at least generally convergently with respect to one another; and    said crease of said first fold and said crease of said second fold extend at least generally parallel with respect to one another.    
     
     
         24 . An article for being erected into a carton with a spout, the article comprising: 
 a blank for at least partially forming the carton after the article is erected, wherein said blank includes at least one flap defined by at least one fold line, and said flap can be pivoted along said fold line; and    at least one piece of material operative for cooperating with said flap and thereby at least partially defining the spout after the article is erected, said piece of material including a central portion and at least first and second appendages, wherein said first appendage is proximate a first side of said central portion, said second appendage is proximate a second side of said central portion that is opposite from said first side of said central portion, said central portion is attached to said flap, said first appendage is attached to a first portion of said blank, and said second appendage is attached to a second portion of said blank, with said first and second portions of said blank being on opposite sides of said flap.    
     
     
         25 . The article according to  claim 24 , wherein: 
 said first portion of said blank comprises a first panel of said blank, whereby said first appendage is attached to said first panel,    said second portion of said blank comprises a second panel of said blank, whereby said second appendage is attached to said second panel,    said blank further includes a third panel,    said flap is defined in said third panel,    said third panel is attached along a first fold line to said first panel,    said third panel is attached along a second fold line to said second panel, and    said piece of material includes at least first and second creases that are respectively proximate and at least about parallel to said first and second fold lines.    
     
     
         26 . The article according to  claim 25 , wherein said piece of material further includes a third appendage that is proximate a third side of said central portion of said piece of material, and said third appendage is fixedly attached to said third panel at a position that is adjacent said flap.  
     
     
         27 . The article according to  claim 24 , wherein said piece of material is less rigid than said blank.  
     
     
         28 . The article according to  claim 24 , wherein: 
 at least a first fold is defined in said first appendage, and    at least a second fold is defined in said second appendage.    
     
     
         29 . The article according to  claim 28 , wherein: 
 said first fold includes portions of said first appendage being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another, and    said second fold includes portions of said second appendage being in at least opposing face-to-face orientation with respect to one another.    
     
     
         30 . The article according to  claim 28 , wherein: 
 at least a third fold is defined in said piece of material at least partially by said first appendage, and    at least a fourth fold is defined said piece of material at least partially by said second appendage.    
     
     
         31 . The article according to  claim 30 , wherein: 
 said first fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said second fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said third fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said fourth fold comprises at least a crease in said piece of material;    said crease of said first fold extends obliquely with respect to said crease of said third fold;    said crease of said second fold extends obliquely with respect to said crease of said fourth fold;    said crease of said first fold and said crease of said second fold extend at least generally convergently with respect to one another; and    said crease of said first fold and said crease of said second fold extend at least generally parallel with respect to one another.    
     
     
         32 . A flexible patch that is separate from, and for being attached to, a carton blank, the patch comprising: 
 a central portion;    a first appendage that extends at least partially obliquely from a first side of said central portion;    a second appendage that extends at least partially obliquely from a second side of said central portion; and    a third appendage that extends from a third side of said central portion    
     
     
         33 . The patch according to  claim 32 , wherein: 
 an acute angle is defined between said first appendage and said third appendage, and    an acute angle is defined between said second appendage and said third appendage.    
     
     
         34 . The patch according to  claim 32 , wherein: 
 an acute angle is defined between adjacent edges of said first appendage, and    an acute angle is defined between adjacent edges of said second appendage.    
     
     
         35 . The patch according to  claim 32 , wherein: 
 the patch includes a first plurality of fold lines that are at least proximate said first appendage, and acute angles are respectively defined between adjacent fold lines of said first plurality of fold lines, and    the patch includes second plurality of fold lines that are at least proximate said second appendage, and acute angles are respectively defined between adjacent fold lines of said second plurality of fold lines.    
     
     
         36 . The patch according to  claim 32 , wherein the patch includes a plurality of folds, with each fold of the plurality of folds defining at least an opposing face-to-face configuration in the patch.  
     
     
         37 . A method for at least folding a piece of material that is for both being attached to a blank and at least partially defining a spout in a carton erected from the blank, the method comprising: 
 providing a piece of material;    forming at least a first fold in the piece of material so that a first portion of the piece of material is in at least opposing face-to-face-relation with at least part of a second portion of the piece of material; and    forming at least a second fold in the piece of material so that the first portion of the piece of material is in at least opposing face-to-face relation with at least part of a third portion of the piece of material.    
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 providing a blank having at least first, second and third panels, with the first panel being attached along a first fold line to the second panel, the third panel being attached along a second fold line to the first panel, and the first panel including a flap; and    attaching the piece of material to the blank, including 
 attaching the first portion of the piece of material to the flap while at least the first and second folds are present,  
 attaching the second portion of the piece of material to the second panel while at least the first and second folds are present, and  
 attaching the third portion of the piece of material to the third panel while at least the first and second folds are present.  
   
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38 , further comprising erecting the blank into a carton after the attaching of the piece of material to the blank, wherein the erecting of the blank includes folding along the first and second fold lines.  
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 39 , further comprising pivoting the flap outwardly form the carton, whereby the piece of material and the flap cooperate to at least partially define the spout.  
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 forming at least a third fold in the piece of material so that at least part of a fourth portion of the piece of material is in at least opposing face-to-face-relation with the second portion of the piece of material; and    forming at least a fourth fold in the piece of material so that at least part of a fifth portion of the piece of material is in at least opposing face-to-face relation with the third portion of the piece of material.    
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 41 , further comprising: 
 providing a blank having at least first, second and third panels, with the first panel being attached along a first fold line to the second panel, the third panel being attached along a second fold line to the first panel, and the first panel including a flap; and    attaching the piece of material to the blank, including 
 attaching the first portion of the piece of material to the flap,  
 attaching a margin of the fourth portion of the piece of material to the second panel while at least the first and third folds are present, and  
 attaching a margin of the fifth portion of the piece of material to the third panel while at least the second and fourth folds are present.