Container fitment

Abstract

A fitment is described for a foodstuffs container having a mouth with a surrounding rim that projects radially beyond the walls of the container. The fitment comprises an injection moulded plastics ring having a circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall for making sealing contact with the radially outer surface of the rim. At least one retaining portion projects radially inwards from the ring to engage the underside of the rim and thereby hold the fitment against the mouth of the container. The container is sealed by adhering a foil seal to the upper surface of the ring or the rim of the container.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A tamper evident fitment for a foodstuffs container having 
 a base,    side walls extending from the base,    a mouth at the end of the side walls remote from the base,    a rim surrounding the mouth and projecting radially beyond the walls of the container and    a foil sealingly secured to the mouth of the container,    wherein the tamper evident fitment comprises an injection moulded plastics ring for fitting over the rim of the container to inhibit access to the edge of the foil while permitting the central part of the foil to be seen, the ring having a circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall to contact the radially outer surface of the rim, and at least one retaining portion projecting radially inwards from the ring to engage the underside of the rim and hold the ring over the mouth of the container:    
   
   
       11 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a weakened portion is provided on the ring to assist in breaking of the inner wall engaging the rim of the container when the fitment is to be removed.  
   
   
       12 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the ring is formed integrally with a utensil to facilitate the consumption of the contents of the container.  
   
   
       13 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the utensil is connected to the ring by means of a hinge.  
   
   
       14 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the hinge has an over-centre or toggle action so that the utensil is biased into two stable positions, the utensil being in the same plane as the ring in the first stable position and being urged against the outer wall of the container in the second stable position.  
   
   
       15 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 14  wherein a weakened portion is provided on the ring to assist in breaking of the inner wall engaging the rim of the container when the fitment is to be removed and wherein the utensil is attached to the weakened portion of the ring.  
   
   
       16 . A tamper evident fitment for a foodstuffs container having 
 a base,    side walls extending from the base,    a mouth at the end of the side walls remote from the base, and    a rim surrounding the mouth and projecting radially beyond the walls of the container,    wherein the fitment comprises    an injection moulded plastics ring for fitting over the rim of the container, the ring having a circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall for making sealing contact with the radially outer surface of the rim, and at least one retaining portion projecting radially inwards from the ring for engaging the underside of the rim and holding the ring over the mouth of the container, and    a foil formed separately from the ring and sealingly secured to the ring to cover the open centre of the ring.    
   
   
       17 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a weakened portion is provided on the ring to assist in breaking of the inner wall engaging the rim of the container when the fitment is to be removed.  
   
   
       18 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the ring is formed integrally with a utensil to facilitate the consumption of the contents of the container.  
   
   
       19 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the utensil is connected to the ring by means of a hinge.  
   
   
       20 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the hinge has an over-centre or toggle action so that the utensil is biased into two stable positions, the utensil being in the same plane as the ring in the first stable position and being urged against the outer wall of the container in the second stable position.  
   
   
       21 . A fitment as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein a weakened portion is provided on the ring to assist in breaking of the inner wall engaging the rim of the container when the fitment is to be removed and wherein the utensil is attached to the weakened portion of the ring.  
   
   
       22 . A method of sealing a foodstuff container which comprises 
 providing a foodstuff container having a mouth with a surrounding rim that projects radially beyond the walls of the container,    fitting to the mouth of the container an injection moulded plastics ring having a circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall to make sealing contact with the radially outer surface of the rim and having at least one retaining portion projecting radially inwards from the ring to engage the underside of the rim, and    adhering a foil seal to the upper surface of the ring after the foodstuff has been introduced into the container.    
   
   
       23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the container is filled after the step of fitting the ring.