Spout for food stuff container

Abstract

A spout 10 for application to a generally rectangular container 50 creating a means by which the contents of the container can be easily dispensed, as well as kept fresh and free from contamination via the spout's closing mechanism 40 by which an air-tight seal is achieved. The closing mechanism 40 of the spout is easily engaged by physically manipulating the spouting member 30 from the opened to closed position. The spout 10 can be applied to a container either by the consumer or by the container manufacturer.

1 . An improved spouted container for dispensing a substance, the container comprising a generally hollow rectangular housing with opposing top and bottom faces that are connected to each other by four rectangular side walls, a spout assembly mounted in one of the side walls in a manner providing a tight seal therewith, the spout assembly comprising a mounting frame and a spout that is hingedly mounted, for movement between an closed and an open position, in the mounting frame, the improvement comprising:
 means for selectively maintaining the spout in the closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The improved spouted container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a liner, disposed in the container in an initially sealed condition, with a portion of the liner attached to the spout assembly, such that the first movement of the spout, which is initially in the closed position, from the closed position to the open position converts the liner into an unsealed condition.   
   
   
       3 . The improved spouted container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the spout assembly comprises a polymeric material.   
   
   
       4 . The improved spouted container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 in the closed position, the spout seats in the mounting frame in an air-tight manner.   
   
   
       5 . The improved spouted container of  claim 2 , wherein:
 in the closed position, the spout seats in the mounting frame in an air-tight manner.   
   
   
       6 . The improved spouted container of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the liner is attached to the spout assembly and a seal between the spout and the mounting frame is broken in the initial movement of the spout from the closed position to the open position to convert the liner from the sealed to the unsealed condition.   
   
   
       7 . The improved spouted container of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the liner is attached to the spout and the initial movement of the spout from the closed position to the open position tears an opening in the liner to convert the liner from the sealed to the unsealed condition.   
   
   
       8 . The spout of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the means for selectively maintaining the spout in the closed position comprises a snap-fit sealing interface disposed respectively on the spout and the mounting frame.   
   
   
       9 . The spout of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the means for selectively maintaining the spout in the closed position comprises a snap-fit sealing interface disposed respectively on the spout and the mounting frame.   
   
   
       10 . The spout of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the means for selectively maintaining the spout in the closed position comprises a snap-fit sealing interface disposed respectively on the spout and the mounting frame.