US3896979A

US3896979A - Dispensing spout

Info

Publication number: US3896979A
Application number: US402114A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold T Pehr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-10-01
Filing date: 1973-10-01
Publication date: 1975-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-29

Abstract

A dispensing container for flowable materials with the container having an aperture through one wall thereof with a dispensing spout carried by the one wall wherein the dispensing spout is movable from a dispensing position to a position closing said opening. The spout includes a base member having an opening therethrough defined by side and top edges and includes a plurality of connected panels with certain of the panels having edges hingedly and sealingly connected to the side edges of the opening. The panels are foldable so that when moving from the dispensing position to the closed position at least one of the panels overlies and closes the opening and the remainder of the panels extend into the container. The dispensing spout is adapted to be molded as an integral structure of synthetic resin characterized by being flexible whereby the hinge portions are of reduced thickness and capable of repeated bending or flexing in opening and closing of the dispensing opening.

Description

United States Patent Pehr July 29, 1975 DISPENSING SPOUT [57] ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Harald 3920 96th A dispensing container for flowable materials with the Overland Park Kans- 66207 container having an aperture through one wall thereof 22 Filed; Oct 1 1973 with a dispensing spout carried by the one wall wherein the dispensing spout is movable from a disl PP 402,114 pensing position a position closing said opening.

The spout includesia base member having an opening 52 US. Cl 222/528; 222/528 therethrough by Side and p edges and 51 Int. Cl. B67d 3/00 cludes a i/ f cQnflecte'd Panels with certain of [58] Field of Search 222/527, 528, 530, 569 the Palm]8 having d hingedly and Sealingly nected to the sideedges of the opening. The panels [56] References Cited are foldable so that when moving from the dispensing UNITED STATES PATENTS position to the olosed position at least one of the pan els overlies and closes the opening and the remainder $2122 222/ of the panels extend into the container. The dispens- 3'l54'226 10/1964 222/528 ing spout is adapted to be molded as an integral struc- 3:250:436 5/1966 Kurtz 222/528 We of Synthetic resin characterized by being flexible Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant ExaminerHadd Lane Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishburn, Gold & Litman whereby the hinge portions are of reduced thickness and capable of repeated bending or flexing in opening and closing of the dispensing opening.

7 Claimf s, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJULZQIQYS QBESE TQ SHEET 2 DISPENSING SPOUT The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a container having a dispensing spout wherein the dispensing spout may be integral with the container or a separate part securable in an opening in one wall of the container; to provide such a dispensing spout with hingedly articulated and foldable panels that form a spout portion movable from a closed position to an open position; to provide such a dispensing spout which has the parts thereof being an integral structure with the dispensing spout being adapted to be manufactured from a synthetic plastic resin by an inexpensive molding process; to provide such a dispensing spout wherein the spout portion is reclosable for resealing the opening of the container with the dispensing spout having interengaging portions for sealing the container opening when the spout portion is in the closed position; to provide such a dispensing spout with lock means which retain the spout portion in the closed position preventing accidental opening thereof; to provide such a dispensing spout which is easily insertable into an opening in a wall of the container and has means thereon to secure the dispensing spout within the opening; to provide such a dispensing spout which is easy to open and close in use and is well adapted for its intended use, inexpensive to manufacture and durable.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing spout attachment secured to a wall of a container with the dispensing spout having a spout portion in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the dispensing spout with the spout portion in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a dispensing spout with the spout portion in a closed position and with portions broken away to better illustrate structural details thereof.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the dispensing spout with same being illustrated in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a back elevation view of the dispensing spout with the spout portion in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of dispensing spout with the modified form being mounted on a container and in an open position.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the modified form of the dispensing spout showing a spout portion in an open position.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the modified form of dispensing spout showing the spout portion in a closed position with portions broken away to better illustrate structural details thereof.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the modified form of dispensing spout illustrating the spout portion in an open position.

FIG. 10 is a back elevation view of the modified form of the dispensing spout with the spout position in an open position.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.

The reference numeral 1 designates generally a container having top and bottom walls 2 and side walls 3. The container 1 is provided with a dispensing spout designated by the reference numeral 6 which is carried by a wall. The dispensing spout has portions thereof movable from a position substantially overlying and closing a dispensing opening 4 to a position for dispensing the contents of the container 1. The movable portions includes a plurality of panels connected together with certain of the panels being foldable and having portions cooperating with portions defining the opening 4 to seal same when the panels are in the closed position.

The dispensing spout 6 can be formed as part of the container 1, however, in the illustrated structure it is a separate part adapted for attachment to a container 1, and as such, the dispensing spout 6 is provided with a body member or base member 8 adapted to be mounted in an opening 7 in a container wall, said body member or base member having the dispensing opening 4 therethrough centrally thereof and defined by side and

top edges

5 and 5 respectively, said opening communicating between the interior and exterior of the container 1. The base member 8 has a frame 8' surrounding the dispensing opening 4 and has a peripheral flange portion 9 preferably extending around the periphery of the frame 8, with the flange 9 having a back surface 10 which is engageable with portions of the exterior surface of the container wall, for example, a side wall 3. The body or base member 8 is further provided with means for securing same to the container 1 and as illustrated, the frame 8 includes a plurality of wall members 11 which extend rearwardly from the surface 10 and are preferably connected together forming a continuous wall arrangement adjacent to and around the opening 4. In the illustrated structure the frame 8' or the walls 11 are provided with keeper means that are operable to secure the body or base member 8 to the container wall 3. In the illustrated structure the keeper means is a rib or bead arrangement 12 on the outer periphery of the frame 8 with the rib 12 being spaced rearwardly from the surface 10 forming a groove or channel 13 between the bead 12 and the surface 10 for a purpose to be later described. The bead 12 has a dimension larger than the dimension of the opening 7 and preferably has an inclined surface which converges or slopes inwardly toward the opening 4 from the bead 12 forming a reduced size lead-in having a dimension smaller than the opening 7 to facilitate inserting the frame into the opening 7. The frame 8' fits into the opening 7 and the bead 12 engages the interior surface of the wall 3 cooperating with the flange 9 to secure the base member 8 on the container 1. In the structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 inclusive, the body or base member Sis generally triangularly shaped with the periphery of the walls 11 also being generally triangularly shaped corresponding to the shape of the opening 7. The corners between the connected walls 11 preferably are rounded, as at 14 corresponding to rounded corners between side and top edges 15 and 16' respectively which define the opening 7. It is to be noted that in the illustrated structure, the openings 4 and 7 are also generally triangularly shaped.

The dispensing spout 6 is provided with spout forming wall or panel members that are hingedly and sealingly articulated or connected to the base member 8 and are operable to be moved from an open position to a position wherein the opening 4 is substantially closed. In the illustrated structure, the panels include outer or side panels 18 and intermediate or inner panels 19 extending between the outer panels 18. The

panels

18 and 19 preferably are simi-rigid and have suitable hinge means connecting same together and to the body or base member 8 so that the

panels

18 and 19 are foldable. The hinge means can be of any suitable type and preferably are of a type permitting the manufacture of the dispensing spout 6 as an integral structure. The outer panels 18 have outer edges 21 each adjacent to a respective side edge and having a hinge 22 connecting same with the hinge extending the length of the panels 18. The panels 18 have inner edges 23 and the inner panels 19 have outer edges 24 wherein the

panels

18 and 19 are connected by hinges 25 extending between the respective inner and

outer edges

23 and 24 with the hinges extending the length of the

panels

18 and 19. The panels 19 each have an inner edge 26 and have a hinge 27 connecting the panels 19 and extending between the inner edges 26 with the hinge 27 extending along the length thereof. The

hinges

22, 25, and 27 terminate at a common juncture 28 with the

hinges

22, 25, and 27 also forming a seal between the

respective panels

18 and 19.

As illustrated, the

panels

18 and 19 are generally triangularly shaped and converge toward one another from their top edges toward the juncture 28 and are inclined relative to the wall 3. The

panels

18 and 19 form a spout portion 29 wherein when the spout portion 29 is in a closed position, the panels 18 overlie and substantially close the opening 4. It is to be noted that when the spout 29 is in the closed position, the panels 19 extend into the container 1 and preferably are in engagement with one another to prevent material in the container from entering therebetween. When the spout 29 is in the dispensing position, the panels 18 extend outwardly from the base member 8 and have the panels 19 extending therebetween forming a front portion of the spout 29.

It is desirable to provide the attachment 6 with interengaging portions for providing resistance to opening movement and sealing means whereby when the spount spout is in the closed position the sealing means will prevent leakage of the contents from the container 1. As illustrated, upper disposed edges 30 of the panels 18 have protuberances or ribs 31 extending substantially along the length of the respective edge 30 and extending outwardly therefrom. The upper disposed edge 5' of the opening 4 is provided with a groove 33 for receiving the ribs 31 therein when the spout 29 is in the closed position providing a seal along and between the

edges

5 and 30. The

hinges

22, 25, and 27 also provide a seal between the panels 18 and edges 5 and between the

panels

18 and 19 and between the panels 19 respectively. The rib and groove arrangement also presents resistance to opening of the spout 29 but it is to be noted that lock means such as lugs may be provided to present the resistance. Opening movement is resisted until a predetermined opening force is applied.

Means are provided for the attachment 1 to aid in opening the spout 29 and also to help limit the closing movement of the spout 29 preventing excessive inward movement past the closed position. In the illustrated structure, lugs 35 are secured to the exterior surface of each of the panels 18 with a portion of each of the lugs 35 extending away from the panel 18 and generally parallel thereto. When the spout 29 is in the closed position the extending portions of the lugs 35 overlie a portion of the adjacent panel 18 and provide a stop which limits the closing movement of the spout 29 by engaging the exterior surface of the adjacent panel 18. The lugs 35 also provide grasping means adapted for hand engagement to aid in opening of the spout 29 by engaging the exterior surface of the adjacent panel 18.

In operation the opening 7 is shaped substantially the same as the periphery of the groove 13 and has a peripheral dimension slightly less than the peripheral dimension of the bead 12 whereby the attachment 6 is secured to the container 1 by inserting the wall members 11 into the opening 7 and urging the bead 12 past the

edges

15 and 16 defining the opening 7 until the surface 10 is in engagement with the wall 3 and the

edges

15 and 16 are retained within the groove 13. Preferably the attachment 6 is a structure which is adapted for its manufacture, as a unitary or integral structure, by a molding process wherein the attachment 6 can be molded of plastic with the

hinges

22, 25 and 27 being reduced thickness areas having a greater flexibility than the

panels

18 and 19 and the body or base member 8. In the illustrated structure, the panels 19 extend into the opening 4 and the interior of the container 1 when the spout 28 is in the closed position and the panels 18 are preferably coplanar. When it is desired to discharge a portion of the contents contained in the container 1 the spout 29 is moved to an open position wherein the panels are positioned on the exterior of the container 1 and the contents are poured out. After discharge of the appropriate amount of contents the spout 29 is closed whereby the ribs 31 and the groove 33 interengage and form a seal to prevent leakage of the contents. The attachment 6 provides a durable dispensing spout which is insertable into any suitable carton having an appropriately sized and shaped opening through a wall thereof. With the attachment 6 being adapted to be an integral structure and manufactured by a molding process, it can be manufactured from a synthetic plastic resin that is durable and long-lived.

FIGS. 6 through 10 inclusive illustrate a modified form of the present invention wherein the reference numeral 41 generally designates a container similar to the container 1 and having a bottom wall 42, side walls 43 and a top wall 45 with an opening 44 through one of the side walls 43. The container 41 is provided with a dispensing spout 46 which is carried by the wall 43 having the opening 44 therethrough wherein the dispensing spout 46 is operable to selectively close the opening 44. The wall 43 is substantially flat or planar and the dispensing spout 46 has portions thereof movable from a position substantially overlying and closing the opening 44 to a position for dispensing the contents of the container 41. The movable portions include a plurality of panels connected together with certain of the panels being foldable and extending into the container 41 when the dispensing spout 46 is in the closed position.

It is to be noted that the dispensing spout 46 can be formed as a part of the container 41 but as illustrated,

is a separate part adapted for attachment to the container 41 and as such, the dispensing spout provided with a base member 47 having a frame 47 surrounding a generally rectangular dispensing opening 48 through the base member and defined by side edges 49, a top edge 50, and bottom edge 51 with the dispensing opening 48 communicating between the interior and exterior of the container 41. The frame 47 fits in the opening 44 and has a peripheral flange 53 extending around the periphery thereof with the flange 53 having a surface or face 54, which is adapted for engagement with the exterior surface of the wall 43. Suitable keeper means are provided to secure the dispensing spout at= tachment 46 to the container 41 and preferably are of a type so as to permit a mechanical type of securing. In the illustrated structure the frame 47' includes wall members 55 extending rearwardly from the surface 54 and preferably are adjacent to the opening 48 and positioned around the periphery thereof. Keeper means are associated with the wall members 55 and are operable to secure the base member 47 to the wall 43 and as illustrated, the keeper means include a rib or bead 56 protruding outwardly from the wall members 55 and extending around the periphery thereof forming a groove or channel 57 between same and the surface 54. The bead 56 engages the interior surface of the wall 43 and cooperates with the flange 53 to secure the base member 47 to the wall 43. Preferably the peripheral dimension of the rib 56 is larger than the dimension of the opening 44 and the bead 56 is inclined outwardly of the surface 54 and slopes or converges toward the opening 48 providing a decreased size lead-in having a size preferably smaller than the opening 44 wherein portions of the wall 43 adjacent to side edges 58, a top edge 59, and a bottom edge 60 defining the opening 44 are received therein for securing the base member 47 to the wall 43. In the illustrated structure, the groove 57 extends around the periphery of the wall members 55 with the wall members 55 having the ends thereof connected and forming a continuous wall arrangement around the opening 48 preferably having corners 62 at the junction of the wall members 55 radiused or rounded.

The attachment 46 is provided with panels or wall members that are suitably connected together to form a spout 64. The panels include an inner or front panel 65 and side or outer panels 66 with the

panels

65 and 66 preferably being hingedly articulated to the base member 47. In the illustrated structure, the outer panels 66 each include a plurality of hingedly articulated or

connected panel sections

67, 68 and 69 wherein the outer panels 66 are foldable for a purpose later described. A hinge 71 connects the panel 67 to the panel 68, a hinge 72 connects the panel 68 to the panel 69 and a hinge 73 connects the panel 69 to the base member 47. The hinges 71, 72 and 73 extend the length of the panels and terminate at a junction as at 75. As illustrated, the inner panel 65 is suitably connected to the panels 67 along the length of the edge 74 thereof and is also hingedly connected to the base member 47 along a lower disposed edge thereof by a hinge 76 that extends the width of the opening 48. Preferably the

panels

65 and 66 converge toward the hinge 76 and are inclined relative to the wall 43 when spout 64 is in an open position.

The spout 64 is movable from an open position to a position wherein the panel 65 substantially overlies and closes the opening 48. The inner panel 65 is sized so as to be received within the opening 48 to substantially close same and suitable seal means are provided for the spout 64 to prevent leakage of contents from the container when the spout 64 is in the closed position. In the illustrated structure, a rib or protuberance 77 projects from the upper disposed edge of the inner panel 65 and the upper disposed edge 50 of the opening 48 has a groove or channel 78 extending substantially the width of the opening 48 and when the spout 64 is in the closed position, wherein the groove 78 receives the rib 77 therein providing a seal along the edge 50. Side edges 80 of the inner panel 65 engage the corresponding side edges 49 of the opening 48 providing a seal along the length thereof but it is to be noted that a rib and groove arrangement as above can be provided to effect the seal. It is to be noted that whenthe spout 64 is in the closed position, outer panels 66 extends into the interior of the container 41 and could receive some of the contents of the container 41 between the

panel sections

67, 68 and 69. A flap or elongate seal member 81 is secured to the base member 47 extending into the container 41 each overlying a respective outer panel 66 to prevent the contents from collecting between the

panel sections

67, 68 and 69.

Grasping means are provided for the spout 64 to facilitate opening and closing thereof. In the illustrated structure a lug or ear 83 is provided on the inner panel 65 presenting a hand engaging portion for facilitating movement of the spout 64. It is desirable to provide suitable stop means to limit the closing movement of the spout 64 to prevent same from entering the interior of the container 41. As illustrated, lugs or ears are secured to the base member 47 wherein the lugs 84 extend into the opening 48 to engage the inner panel 65 to limit the closing movement of the spout 64. It is also desirable to provide the attachment 46 with suitable means to resist opening movement of the spout 64 from the closed position until a predetermined opening force is applied. The interengagement of the rib 77 and groove 78 provide some resistance and as illustrated, locking ears 85 are secured to the base member 47 and are positioned to engage the outer disposed surface of the inner panel 65 when same is in a closed position presenting interference to opening movement to help hold same in the closed position.

Preferably, the attachment 46 is of a suitable structure adapted for its manufacture by a molding process wherein same is manufactured preferably from a synthetic plastic resin with the parts thereof integral. The hinges 71, 72, 73 and 76 in the illustrated integral structure are reduced thickness sections of material having greater flexibility than the panels and base member 47.

In the illustrated structure, the base member 47, the opening 44, the opening 48 are generally rectangularly shaped. In operation the opening 44 is sized so as to receive the wall members 55 therethrough with the bead 56 having a size greater than the size of the opening 44 wherein the edges defining the opening 44 are received within the groove 57 having the exterior surface of the wall 43 in engagement with the surface 54 and the interior surface of the wall 43 in engagement with a portion of the bead 56 whereby the base member 47 is secured to the container 41. The attachment 46 provides an auxiliary spout for a container and is operable to provide a recloseable dispensing spout and opening for the container 41.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except to the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A dispensing container comprising:

a. a container body having side, top and bottom walls defining a compartment for flowable materials;

b. means in one of said body walls having edges defining a dispensing opening, said edges including side edges and a top edge;

. a dispensing spout carried by said one of said body walls and having operable portions movable relative to said dispensing opening between container closing and material dispensing positions;

. said dispensing spout having a plurality of hingedly connected panels and including a pair of intermediate panels and a pair of side panels, said side panels having inner and outer side edges with said outer edges hingedly and sealingly connected to said side edges of the dispensing opening for the length thereof, said intermediate panels having adjacent edges directly hingedly and sealingly connected to each other along the length thereof and opposite edges hingedly and sealingly connected to the inner side edges of the side panels along the length thereof;

. said dispensing spout being foldable to a position wherein the side panels close the dispensing openin g and the intermediate panels each fold flat against the other and extend inwardly through the dispensing opening.

2. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 wherein: Y

a. said dispensing spout being movable between said closing and said dispensing positions and said side and intermediate panels extend outwardly of said container in said dispensing position and the intermediate panels extend into the interior of the container in the closing position;

b. said panels converge and said intermediate panels are inclined relative to said one of said body walls when said dispensing spout is in the dispensing position.

3. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. said intermediate panels closing the dispensing opening having a top edge sealingly engaging the top edge of the dispensing opening when in the closed position; and including b. cooperative interengaging means on said intermediate panels top edge and said dispensing opening top edge for holding the dispensing spout in the closed position and providing a resistance against opening until a predetermined opening force is applied, said panels being swingable outwardly to the dispensing position when said interengaging means are released.

4. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said means defining the dispensing opening includ ing a body portion carrying said dispensing spout, said body portion having means thereon engageable with portions of said one of said container body walls for securing said base member thereto;

. said one container body wall having edges defining an aperture therethrough wherein said aperture is in alignment with said dispensing opening, said aperture defining edges including side edges and a top edge;

. said body portion, said side and intermediate panels and said hinged connections being integral, said hinged connections being reduced thickness areas of material forming flexible hinges.

A dispensing container as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cooperative interengaging means include:

ing:

means forming a groove in the top edge defining said dispensing opening with said groove extending substantially the length of said top edge;

said side panels closing said dispensing opening having a rib on said top edge, said panel rib being receivable within said groove wherein said panel rib and said groove cooperatively interengage providing resistence to opening and providing a seal between the engaging top edges when said dispensing spout is closed.

A pouring spout assembly for a container comprissaid intermediate panels each folding flat against the other and extending inwardly into said central opening with said side panels disposed to close said opening;

cooperating interengaging means on free edges of said panels and free edges of said body portion defining said central dispensing opening forming a seal and retaining said panels in position closing said opening.

A pouring spout assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said central dispensing opening is generally in the shape of a triangle with one of the sides of the triangle forming the free edge of the body portion defining said dispensing opening;

said pair of side panels are of corresponding triangular shape and said pair of intermediate are of triangular shape;

the hingedly connected edges meet at a common juncture remote from and below said free edge.

Claims

1. A dispensing container comprising: a. a container body having side, top and bottom walls defining a compartment for flowable materials; b. means in one of said body walls having edges defining a dispensing opening, said edges including side edges and a top edge; c. a dispensing spout carried by said one of said body walls and having operable portions movable relative to said dispensing opening between container closing and material dispensing positions; d. said dispensing spout having a plurality of hingedly connected panels and including a pair of intermediate panels and a pair of side panels, said side panels having inner and outer side edges with said outer edges hingedly and sealingly connected to said side edges of the dispensing opening for the length thereof, said intermediate panels having adjacent edges directly hingedly and sealingly connected to each other along the length thereof and opposite edges hingedly and sealingly connected to the inner side edges of the side panels along the length thereof; e. said dispensing spout being foldable to a position wherein the side panels close the dispensing opening and the intermediate panels each fold flat against the other and extend inwardly through the dispensing opening.

2. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said dispensing spout being movable between said closing and said dispensing positions and said side and intermediate panels extend outwardly of said container in said dispensing position and the intermediate panels extend into the interior of the container in the closing position; b. said panels converge and said intermediate panels are inclined relative to said one of said body walls when said dispensing spout is in the dispensing position.

3. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. said intermediate panels closing the dispensing opening having a top edge sealingly engaging the top edge of the dispensing opening when in the closed position; and including b. cooperative interengaging means on said intermediate panels top edge and said dispensing opening top edge for holding the dispensing spout in the closed position and providing a resistance against opening until a predetermined opening force is applied, said panels being swingable outwardly to the dispensing position when said interengaging means are released.

4. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said means defining the dispensing opening including a body portion carrying said dispensing spout, said body portion having means thereon engageable with portions of said one of said container body walls for securing said base member thereto; b. said one container body wall having edges defining an aperture therethrough wherein said aperture is in alignment with said dispensing opening, said aperture defining edges including side edges and a top edge; c. said body portion, said side and intermediate panels and said hinged connections being integral, said hinged connections being reduced thickness areas of material forming flexible hinges.

5. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cooperative interengaging means include: a. means forming a groove in the top edge defining said dispensing opening with said groove extending substantially the length of said top edge; b. said side panels closing said dispensing opening having a rib on said top edge, said panel rib being receivable within said groove wherein said panel rib and said groove cooperatively interengage providing resistence to opening and providing a seal between the engaging top edges when said dispensing spout is closed.

6. A pouring spout assembly for a container comprising: a. a body portion having a central dispensing opening therethrough; b. means for attaching said body portion to the periphery of a hole in said container and on the outside thereof; c. a plurality of panels hingedly connected each to another and the body portion and defining a pouring spout when said panels are in an open position; d. said plurality of panels including a pair of intermediate panels having adjacent edges directly hingedly connected to each other and to a pair of side panels connecting opposite edges of said intermediate panels with said body portion; e. said intermediate panels each folding flat against the other and extending inwardly into said central opening with said side panels disposed to close said opening; f. cooperating interengaging means on free edges of said panels and free edges of said body portion defining said central dispensing opening forming a seal and retaining said panels in position closing said opening.

7. A pouring spout assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein: a. said central dispensing opening is generally in the shape of a triangle with one of the sides of the triangle forming the free edge of the body portion defining said dispensing opening; b. said pair of side panels are of corresponding triangular shape and said pair of intermediate are of triangular shape; c. the hingedly connected edges meet at a common juncture remote from and below said free edge.