Closure with pour spout

Abstract

A closure having a spout, and a container using such a closure are disclosed. The closure is formed of a paperboard panel surrounded by a plastic resin skirt formed around the panel in a mold. The spout is integrally molded with the skirt and is attached to an interior surface of the panel by a hinge. The spout has a floor and sides connected to the floor by hinges. The floor is positioned adjacent to a separable portion of the panel defined by perforations. Separation of the separable portion from the panel creates an opening. The floor of the spout is pivoted through the opening. The panel edges defining the opening contact the sides and force them to pivot toward the floor and form the spout. The container may be closed by pivoting the floor back toward the opening, the sides entering the interior of the container beneath the panel.

1 . A closure for a container, said closure comprising:
 a panel having a perimeter, a first surface and a second surface oppositely disposed;   a skirt surrounding said panel and attached thereto at said perimeter, said skirt extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said panel and defining a well with said first surface;   a spout comprising a floor portion and first and second side portions positioned on opposite sides of said floor portion;   a first hinge attaching said first side portion to said floor portion;   a second hinge attaching said second side portion to said floor portion;   a third hinge attaching said floor portion to said first surface of said panel, said first and second hinges being oriented substantially perpendicular to said third hinge; and   wherein said spout is positioned adjacent to said first surface of said panel, a portion of said panel adjacent to said floor portion being separable from said panel to form an opening therein, said floor portion being pivotable about said third hinge through said opening, said first and second side portions being pivotable respectively about said first and second hinges to pass through said opening and form said spout with said floor portion.   
   
   
       2 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said skirt and said spout are formed of plastic resin. 
   
   
       3 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein said panel is formed of paperboard. 
   
   
       4 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein said hinges are living hinges. 
   
   
       5 . A closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a projection positioned on said floor portion and extending through said panel. 
   
   
       6 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said floor portion of said spout is attached to said first surface of said panel. 
   
   
       7 . A container, comprising:
 a sidewall surrounding an interior space;   a bottom attached to said sidewall;   a closure attached to said sidewall opposite to said bottom, said closure comprising:
 a panel having a perimeter, a first surface facing said interior space and a second surface oppositely disposed and facing away from said interior space; 
 a skirt surrounding said panel and attached to said sidewall, said skirt being attached to said panel at said perimeter; 
 a spout comprising a floor portion and first and second side portions positioned on opposite sides of said floor portion; 
 a first hinge attaching said first side portion to said floor portion; 
 a second hinge attaching said second side portion to said floor portion; 
 a third hinge attaching said floor portion to said first surface of said panel, said first and second hinges being oriented substantially perpendicular to said third hinge; and 
 wherein said spout is positioned adjacent to said first surface of said panel, a portion of said panel being separable from said panel to form an opening therein, said floor portion being pivotable about said third hinge through said opening, said first and second side portions being pivotable respectively about said first and second hinges to pass through said opening and form said spout with said floor portion. 
   
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 7 , wherein said skirt and said spout are formed of plastic resin. 
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 8 , wherein said panel is formed of paperboard. 
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 7 , wherein said hinges are living hinges. 
   
   
       11 . A container according to  claim 7 , further comprising a projection positioned on said floor portion and extending through said panel. 
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 7 , wherein said floor portion of said spout is attached to said first surface of said panel.