Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5861—Spouts
  • B65D75/5872—Non-integral spouts
  • B65D75/5883—Non-integral spouts connected to the package at the sealed junction of two package walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
  • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
  • B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
  • B65D47/2031—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure
  • B65D47/2037—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure the element being opened or closed by actuating a separate element which causes the deformation, e.g. screw cap closing container slit
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2575/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D2575/52—Details
  • B65D2575/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D2575/583—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture the non-integral spout having an elongate cross-sectional shape, e.g. canoe or boat shaped

Definitions

• Opening / closing device in particular for a container with a flexible wall and a container with a flexible wall and tubular end piece associated with such a device
• the present invention relates to an opening / closing device, in particular for a container with a flexible wall, comprising a tubular end piece of deformable material, integral with the container at one end and having at the other end two parallel lips defining a rectilinear discharge slot. It also relates to a container with a flexible wall and a tubular end piece associated with such a device.
• flexible packaging has certain disadvantages for the consumer.
• the consumer must either transfer the contents of the flexible packaging to a primary packaging, or accommodate the impractical characteristics of this type of packaging: risk of accident when full and sagging when it is started, questionable aesthetics, etc.
• closure devices of these packages are generally ill-suited to the use of its contents directly from the flexible packaging, in particular when it is a question of liquid or pasty contents.
• the object of the present invention is to provide an opening / closing device, in particular for a container with a flexible wall, which responds better than the known devices to the conditions indicated above, in a simple and rapid handling, sparing a flow quick and easy, with good sealing in the closed position and a reduced cost price.
• the present invention relates to an opening / closing device, in particular for a container with a flexible wall, comprising a tubular end piece of deformable material, integral with the container at one end and having at the other end two parallel lips determining a rectilinear discharge slot, this device further comprising a rigid tubular guide associated with the end piece and means for rigidly and removably fixing the guide and the end piece to one another by their bases, said tubular guide comprising means arranged to cooperate with the end piece to force the lips of the slot into spaced positions.
• the lips of the nozzle are sealed so that the container is perfectly sealed before the first opening of the nozzle.
• the subject of the invention is also a container with a flexible wall and a tubular end piece associated with such a device, as claimed in claims 18 and 19.
• FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are views in lateral and front section, and in plan view of a first embodiment, respectively,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of part of the device of FIGS. 1 to 3,
• FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the end piece and of the tubular guide according to FIGS. 1 to 4 with different auxiliary elements
• FIGS. 6 and 7 are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the nozzle provided with a siphon
• FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are respectively side and front section views, and in top plan of a second embodiment
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of part of the device from FIGS. 8 to 10,
• FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 are perspective views of different embodiments of a container support
• FIGS. 16 and 17 are partial schematic views of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, the nozzle being presented in the closed position in FIG. 16 and in the open position in FIG. 17,
• FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the guide element of the device in FIGS. 16 and 17, illustrating in detail the arrangement of the members for actuating the opening of the end piece,
• FIG. 19 is a schematic view illustrating the insertion of a support between the guide element of FIGS. 16 and 17 and the bag,
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a container provided with its support and of the guide element of FIGS. 16 and 17,
• FIGS. 21 and 22 are schematic views of alternative embodiments of the guide element illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17,
• FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an example of a nozzle intended for the device according to the invention
• FIG. 24 is a top view of the nozzle of FIG. 23,
• FIG. 25 is a view from below of the end piece of FIG. 23,
• FIG. 26 is a longitudinal section of the tip of FIG. 23 along the median plane A-A of the tip determined by the slot of the tip,
• FIG. 27 is a cross section of the tip of FIG. 23 along a median plane B-B perpendicular to the direction of the slot in the tip, and
• Figure 28 shows the detail D of Figure 27 on a larger scale.
• the device shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a rigid tubular guide 1 carrying a tilting cover 2, and a nozzle 3, also of tubular shape, engaged in the guide 1 and fixed to the latter.
• the end piece 3 is in one piece, made of a thin and flexible plastic material, closed at its upper part. It extends downwards, outside the guide 1, by a fluted structure 4, shown in FIGS. 3 in the form of a diamond, used for fixing by welding a container or a sachet with a flexible wall (FIGS. 12 to 15).
• the guide 1 and the endpiece 3 secured to the container are removably connected to each other, these connecting means ensuring at the same time the assembly of the assembly on a rigid support or suspension collar 5.
• the tubular guide 1 with its cover 2, and the support 5, are elements intended to be used permanently, while end pieces 3 fixed by the base 4 to containers or sachets will be sold separately as refills intended to be reported on items 1 and 5. More specifically, the tubular guide 1 has two parallel wings 6 between which is formed a notch 7 and which are provided with cylindrical housings or bosses 8 cooperating with complementary means 9, for example two perpendicular ribs 10 (Figure 1) formed in the tilting cover 2 to ensure its pivoting and constituting three privileged positions of the cover, namely a closed position, an open position at 180 ° relative to the closed position and an intermediate position at 90 ° allowing the setting place the tubular guide on the end piece.
• two perpendicular ribs 10 Figure 1 formed in the tilting cover 2 to ensure its pivoting and constituting three privileged positions of the cover, namely a closed position, an open position at 180 ° relative to the closed position and an intermediate position at 90 ° allowing the setting place the tubular guide on the end piece.
• the cover 2 is an elongated piece, of rectangular section, integral with a rounded lower part (see FIG. 4) with a spout 11 at the front to facilitate the closing movement, with an extension 12 behind the axis of pivoting to facilitate the opening movement, this extension having on its lower side in FIG. 1 a curved surface 13 acting as a cam.
• the lower faces of the cover 2 have a housing 14 laterally limited by two beads 15, and inclined faces 16 which are applied in the closed position against corresponding faces 17 of the upper end of the guide 1.
• the flexible tubular part of the end piece 3 is cylindrical at its base and tapers on either side of a median plane upwards so as to form two symmetrical sections connected by a rectilinear edge 18 at its top. This edge extends between two parallel lips 19, sealed at their upper edges before the first opening of the container, and which, in the closed position of the lid, are engaged between the beads 15.
• the cover 2 is shown in phantom in the open position.
• the rear extension 12 engages between the wings 6, the cam surface 13 presses against the end piece 3 in a direction parallel to the edge 18 which presses the end piece against the opposite line of the guide 1.
• the flat part 20 of the rear face of the cover bears against the end piece.
• the edge 18, which tore during the first opening, is then split and the two lips 19 are opened as can be seen according to the quadrilateral line drawn in phantom in Figure 3, which allows a spill convenient container contents.
• the longitudinal beads of the lips 19 are interrupted in line with the middle of the edge 18 to allow the lips to take the shape visible in dashed lines in FIG. 3
• the base 4 of the end piece 3 is designed to be welded to the upper part of a container or bag with a flexible wall while the guide 1 is connected by removable fixing means to this base.
• bayonet fixing means 21 and 22 which ensure that the notch 7 of the guide 1 is oriented correctly relative to the edge 8 of the end piece 3.
• Other fixing means may be planned, for example notch engagement, screwing, clipping. Initially a nozzle fixed to a container is closed, the lips 19 being joined in a leaktight manner. During the first use, these open by tearing off and then return to the joined position under the effect of beads 15.
• the guide 1 has a flange 23 (FIG. 4) which bears against the edge of an opening of the support 5 when the device is put in place.
• the end piece 3 can be equipped with certain auxiliary means such as those represented in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
• auxiliary means such as those represented in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
• This element 24 is engaged in a housing 25 of the base of the nozzle.
• Another auxiliary element is a siphon 26 with a flange 27 which can also engage in the housing 25 so that the body of the siphon is located inside the container.
• the siphon 26 is formed of two parts as seen in Figures 5, 6 and 7. It retains the remaining liquid contained in the nozzle and thus prevents air from entering when the container is straightened after use.
• auxiliary element there may be mentioned, for example, a dip tube ensuring that the liquid pouring out through the opening of the lips 19 comes from the bottom of the container.
• FIGS. 8 to 11 A second embodiment of the device is shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, using the same references as for FIGS. 1 to 4.
• the pivot axis of the cover 2 is arranged lower than in the embodiment described, which allows the cam 13 of the cover to attack the tip at a lower position, which results in a higher attack force. It is thus possible to provide for a more solid sealing of the lips of the end piece, which prevents for example that the end piece unwelcome unintentionally when the container is grasped by the end piece.
• the tip of this embodiment has two lateral ribs 40 extending in the upper middle part of the tip. These ribs have the effect of forcing the lips 19 to close properly when the lid is closed, which in particular has the effect of cutting off the flow of content when it is a pasty product.
• the device shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is provided with a siphon 44 comprising a cup 45 and a brake sleeve arranged to slide vertically inside a tubular lower part 47 of the end piece 3, so to prevent the return of the liquid.
• the device and the container according to the invention are thus particularly well suited for containing liquid (for example fruit juice) or pasty (for example ketchup, mustard), whether food or not.
• liquid for example fruit juice
• pasty for example ketchup, mustard
• Figures 12 to 15 show different forms of containers or sachets and supports.
• the containers can be of different shapes or capacity and the supports of different structures.
• the support comprises a neck 5 with an opening capable of being clamped between the flange 23 of the guide and the base 4 of the end piece.
• the support 28 comprises two flaps 29 which, in the rest position, are oblique to one another so that the support can be placed in the upright position.
• the container 30 with flexible wall is housed between the sides 29 so that by pressure on the latter, the liquid or the pasty product is poured.
• FIG. 13 shows a support 31 with a rear upright in the form of a blade provided with an eyelet 32 and a rigid connection at the neck 5.
• the base of the upright forms a sleeve 33 conforming to the shape of the container 34.
• the support 31 In this case when the cover 2 is in the open position, the support 31 must be inclined so that the liquid can spill. It is a self-pressing system which prevents the product contained from going back down into the container.
• the support 35 is reduced to a simple bracket, with a flat base and an upper part forming a handle.
• the container 36 which can be of any shape is suspended, like the other supports, under the neck 5 of the bracket by the connection of the end piece with the tubular guide.
• FIG. 15 shows a pressure support 37 similar to the support 28 but of smaller dimensions in height and a container 38 adapted to these dimensions.
• the described containers can contain any liquid, in particular drinks or other food liquids or not, but also fluid products like sauces, condiments, etc.
• the device of the invention comprises a tubular guide 50 comprising two fingers 51, 51 ′, arranged diametrically opposite inside the guide, in the median plane of the end piece along its slit line, and the actuation of which, in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, is intended to cause tearing of the slot 58 of the end piece 3 'and its opening.
• each of the fingers has an element 52, 52 'projecting outside the guide element 50 through orifices 53, 53'.
• the fingers 51, 51 ′ can be cut from a tubular element or integral with a tubular element 54, intended to be inserted inside the guide element 51, said tubular element 54, once placed inside the guide element 51 projecting downward for fixing the guide element assembly 50 - fingers 51, 51 ′ on the base of the end piece.
• the lower part of the tubular element 54 comprises members 55, 55 'intended to cooperate with corresponding members of the base of the end piece 3', of the type already described above with regard to the first embodiment.
• the assembly is arranged, as also already described, so as to allow its mounting on a support 56 as shown in Figures 19 and 20.
• a protective cover 57 removable or fixed by a hinge at the upper end of the guide element 50, can be provided.
• the tearing and the opening of the end piece are obtained by a simple pressure on the pushers 52, 52 ′.
• the elasticity of the end piece, in particular when it is made of polyethylene, is in principle sufficient for it to close by itself when the pressure on the pushers 52, 52 ′ is released.
• the end piece can be produced as shown in FIGS. 23 to 28.
• FIG. 25 there is shown a nozzle 3 'of tubular shape with an oval base 70 (FIG. 25), which makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the nozzle and consequently the welding lengths of the nozzle on the container.
• the tip 3 ' has on each of its main faces ribs 71, 71', which are pressed against the inner wall of the guide member 50 during the opening of the nozzle and which, therefore, force the nozzle to close when the pressure on the pushers 52, 52 'of the fingers 51, 51 * is interrupted.
• the elasticity of the end piece produced according to the embodiment shown in Figures 23 to 28 is such that, once the slot 58 of the end piece has been torn, it is no longer necessary to press on the pushers 52, 52 'to remove the dough or the liquid from the sachet. It suffices to compress the contents of the sachet, for example by pressing one against the other the two lateral sides of the support 56 shown in FIG. 20. The pressure of the paste or of the liquid contained in the sachet is then sufficient to part the lips of the slit 58. Thanks to the ribs 71, 71 ', the slot then closes by itself when the pressure is released on the support 56.
• the guide element may comprise a lower part 60 intended to be able to be fixed on the base of the end piece and a part upper 61 can be rotated relative to the lower part 60, said upper part 61 being provided at its upper end with a cover-shaped part 62 in which is cut an opening 63 intended for the passage of the upper end from the mouthpiece.
• the tearing of the tip and its opening are obtained, in this case, by the rotation of the upper part 61 of the guide element.
• finger-shaped elements 64, 64 ′ integral with the lower part 60 of the guide element can be interposed between the edge of the opening 63 of the cover 62 and the end piece. These fingers 64, 64 'remaining fixed, they prevent a torsional movement of the upper part of the end piece when the part 61 is rotated.
• the present invention thus makes it possible to offer liquid or pasty products packaged in containers with flexible walls, using a minimum of material and a minimum bulk, similar to refill sachets, practical to use and which can be used as such, without transfer beforehand into a standard container of the rigid wall type.
• the containers according to the invention provide complete protection of the product they contain, even when the packaging is started, in particular thanks to the fact that the container is flexible, therefore deformable, and that it is arranged to be suspended.
• its aesthetics can easily be personalized.
• both the container and the tip of its closure system are designed to use a minimum of material, which is advantageous for both the producer and the consumer, the rigid tubular guide 1 or 50, as well as the supports 29, 34, 35, 37 and 56 not intended for disposal, but which can be reused with a new container.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
• Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
• Bag Frames (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=4551334

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (4)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 1998
  • 1998-06-04 WO PCT/CH1998/000243 patent/WO1999062784A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-06-04 AU AU74237/98A patent/AU7423798A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 1999
  • 1999-06-04 DE DE69902905T patent/DE69902905D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-06-04 EP EP99922030A patent/EP1084062B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-06-04 WO PCT/CH1999/000242 patent/WO1999062785A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1999-06-04 AT AT99922030T patent/ATE223851T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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