Container having dispensing aperture and related structures

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container having a hollow shell defining a body with a dispensing aperture, and a bag within the shell, the open end of the bag extending through the dispensing aperture and being secured with respect to the outside of the shell. The bag is made from a material suitable for containing the intended contents of the container. The shell may be formed from a material that would not be suitable for containing the intended contents of the container alone. The shell may be formed from a biodegradable material, such as wood or paper pulp. The bag may be separated from the main body of the container to allow for separate disposal. The container may be sealed by providing a spout through which the contents of the container are to be dispensed, and by folding the spout over to create a nip which seals the container.

1 . A container comprising a hollow shell defining the container body and including a dispensing aperture, and a bag or liner provided within the shell, the open end of the bag extending through the dispensing aperture of the shell and being secured with respect to the outside of the shell, the hollow shell formed from a recycled and/or biodegradable material, the shell being moulded as an open shell which is folded to form the hollow shell or in which the shell is formed from a plurality of separate elements which are joined together to form the hollow shell. 
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the hollow shell is formed from wood pulp or paper pulp. 
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 2 , in which the hollow shell is formed by vacuum forming the wood pulp or paper pulp. 
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1  including a zipper type seal to seal the end of the bag. 
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the dispensing aperture includes a spout or neck portion, the spout or neck portion being arranged to be folded over to create a sharp fold or nip to seal the container. 
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 5 , in which the spout or neck portion is arranged to be held in place by inserting this into an opening provided in the body of the container, by a band or clip, or by an adhesive portion or tape provided on the neck or body of the container. 
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 6 , including a clip attached to the body of the shell so that the folded over spout or neck portion clips in or behind the clip to hold this in the folded, sealed, position. 
     
     
         8 . A container according to any one of  claim 5 , in which the spout or neck portion is resilient to cause this to revert to its opened, extended position when removed from any retention mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the portion of the bag or liner provided within the hollow shell has a maximum internal volume greater than the internal volume of the shell. 
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the bag or liner is secured with respect to the outside of the shell by attaching the bag or liner to the shell at least around the dispensing aperture. 
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 10 , in which the bag or liner is attached by an adhesive, by tape, or by shrink wrapping. 
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the bag or liner is provided loosely within the shell. 
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 12 , in which the bag or liner is connected to the inside of the hollow shell at discrete positions. 
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 13 , in which the bag or liner includes rupturable portions around positions where the bag or liner is connected to the interior of the shell. 
     
     
         15 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the dispensing aperture is defined by a spout or neck portion which includes a weakened section around a portion where the bag or liner is joined to the outer surface of the hollow shell, allowing the part of the spout or neck portion distal of the weakened section and the attached bag or liner to be separated from the remainder of the container for removal of the bag or liner from the container. 
     
     
         16 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the connection between the bag or liner and the outer surface of the hollow shell is rupturable so that the bag or liner can be separated from the outer surface of the shell and removed from the interior of the shell. 
     
     
         17 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the bag or liner is formed of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         18 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the hollow shell is provided with a moisture resistant covering on the outer surface. 
     
     
         19 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the shell includes an accelerator that helps promote the degradation of the shell after use. 
     
     
         20 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the container includes a spout or neck portion that is formed separately from the remainder of the shell. 
     
     
         21 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the shell includes at least one extension portion, tab or similar feature arranged to extend over and attach to another portion of the shell to assemble the hollow shell. 
     
     
         22 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the shell includes one or more flanges that are joined together to join one or more parts of the shell. 
     
     
         23 . A container according to  claim 22 , in which the flange includes an opening to define a handle portion for holding the container. 
     
     
         24 . A container according to  claim 23 , in including an extension piece arranged to be folded over the flange so that the handle portion has multiple thicknesses of material to provide a strong handle.