Paper package with injection-molded plastic seams and handle

Abstract

A coated paperboard blank is placed in the mold and formed into the desired shape of the container. Polymers injection-molded into specific areas about the carton blank to hold the blank together and prevent liquid leaks. Polymer is also injection-molded to form a handle providing easy carrying and pouring. A pouring opening can be injection-molded onto the container top. The bottom of the package has an injection-molded lip to receive a container bottom at a later time.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container, comprising 
 at least one sidewall,    a seam in said sidewall,    plastic material injection molded into said seam.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein 
 said at least one sidewall is paperboard.    
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a lip injection molded on a bottom edge of said at least one sidewall,    a bottom wall sealed to said lip.    
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein 
 said bottom wall is sealed to said lip by ultrasonic, hot air, conduction heat or spin welding.    
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein 
 said bottom wall is formed from plastic or plastic coated paperboard.    
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 3 , further comprising 
 a coating of low density polyethylene on an exterior surface of said at least one sidewall and a barrier layer.    
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a dispensing opening injection molded onto said container.    
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising 
 A handle injection molded to said at least one sidewall.    
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein 
 said handle has one of an I-shaped, T-shaped, round, oval or rectangular cross section.    
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein 
 Said plastic material is pigmented.    
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein 
 said plastic material is transparent.    
     
     
         12 . A method of making a container, comprising 
 forming a blank    placing said blank into a mold to form a side wall of a container, said side wall having at least one seam,    injecting plastic into said mold to seal said at least one seam.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising 
 injection molding a dispensing opening on said container.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising 
 injection molding a handle to said container.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein 
 said handle has one of an I-shaped, T-shaped, round, oval or rectangular cross section.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising sealing a bottom to said side wall.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising sealing said bottom to said container by ultrasonic, hot air or conduction heat.  
     
     
         18 . A method of making a container, comprising 
 forming a blank    placing said blank into a mold to form a side wall of a container,    injecting plastic into said mold to form a handle attached to said side wall.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising 
 forming said handle with an I-shaped, T-shaped, round, oval or rectangular cross section.