EP1507714A2

EP1507714A2 - Spout closure for liquid packagings

Info

Publication number: EP1507714A2
Application number: EP03720069A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus Wassum
Original assignee: SIG Technology AG
Current assignee: SIG Services AG
Priority date: 2002-05-16
Filing date: 2003-05-15
Publication date: 2005-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-15
Also published as: MXPA04011317A; US6966469B2; CA2485477A1; KR20040108795A; EP1507714B1; WO2003097474A3; TWI289530B; BR0310053A; WO2003097474B1; CN1652980A; CN100345731C; RU2314240C2; RU2004132853A; AU2003223818A1; ATE369298T1; DE50307890D1; US20050173470A1; WO2003097474A2; TW200400146A; EG23407A

Abstract

The pouring closure ( 1 ) for liquid packagings ( 2 ) comprises a pouring stem ( 9 ) with a radially projecting bottom edge ( 12 ) and a threaded cover ( 11 ). Threaded cover ( 11 ) has a larger diameter than pouring stem ( 9 ), and an elastically deformable ring element ( 10 ) is disposed between pouring stem ( 9 ) and threaded cover ( 11 ). The ring surface ( 13 ) of the ring element runs obliquely to the ring plane, with the inner ring edge ( 14 ) ending in an downwardly directed projection ( 15 ) which can be clipped over pouring stem ( 9 ). The outer ring edge ( 16 ) ends in an upwardly directed projection ( 25 ), which is provided with an outer thread ( 26 ) for screwing on cover ( 11 ). The ring element ( 10 ) can be elastically deformed to spring into two stable states, namely and firstly, into a state with the ring surface ( 13 ) sloping downwards from the inner ( 14 ) to the outer ( 16 ) ring edge. In this state, the pouring closure ( 1 ) is compressed, and less than 5 mm high. In the other state with the ring surface ( 13 ) rising upwards, the pouring closure ( 1 ) is around three times higher and ensures the liquid can be reliably poured out beyond the 5 mm high rim ( 6 ) of liquid packaging ( 2 ), which is positioned approximately 11 mm distant from pouring stem ( 9 ).

Description

Spout closure for liquid packs

This invention relates to a pouring closure for liquid packs of all kinds. In particular, liquid packs made of film-coated paper are intended, in which, for example, milk, fruit juices, all kinds of non-alcoholic beverages or liquids in general are packaged. Common volumes of such liquid packs range from 0.125 to 2 liters. Pouring closures made of plastic for such packs are known. They form a pouring spout with a rim which projects radially from its lower edge and an external thread on the nozzle. A threaded cap is screwed onto the nozzle as a closure. This pouring spout is inserted from below through a hole in the upper boundary surface of the pack and the top of the cantilever edge is ultrasonically welded to the underside of the boundary surface, the plastic coating sealingly connecting to the cantilevered edge of the nozzle. The pack is then mechanically sealed and finally filled and the threaded cap is screwed onto the socket. A preferred form of packaging has vertical side surfaces which slightly protrude above the upper, horizontal boundary surface of the packaging and thus form a flange edge or a flange of approximately 2 to 5 mm, which is production-related, but also gives the pack an elegant appearance and also ensures its stackability. In the case of a pouring closure for such a package, it is now important that the height of the pouring spout protrudes beyond the flanging to such an extent that a secure pouring geometry is achieved with which a reliable pouring out is ensured. Such a pouring geometry is realized when the pouring jet surpasses the flare at any time with the nozzle open and the package slowly pivoted into the pouring position, and no liquid reaches the space inside the flare and thus the upper boundary surface. Furthermore, the pouring spout must be designed in such a way that it does not attract the liquid when pouring out due to capillary effects and because of the surface tension, so that it runs down along the outside of the nozzle and finally accumulates on the upper boundary surface and inside the flare when the packing is pivoted back , Depending on the horizontal distance of the socket from the flare when the packing is upright, the socket must protrude correspondingly more over the flare in order to achieve a reliably functioning pouring geometry.

The conventional pouring closures of the type described above consist only of two pieces, namely a nozzle with a radial projection below and an associated threaded cap. Their pouring geometry sometimes leaves something to be desired and, moreover, the conventional pouring closures prevent the packages equipped with them from being stacked. If, in fact, two packs are placed on top of one another, the bottom of the upper pack lies on the top of the closure cap of the lower pack, instead of resting exclusively on the flanging which encompasses the upper boundary surface. Because the liquid packs cannot be stacked with the conventional pouring closures, cardboard boxes, hats or grids made of wood, plastic or metal are required to hold the liquid packs and are themselves stackable regardless of their contents. It would be desirable to be able to work with so-called trays, that is, intermediate cardboard shelves with low borders, into which the liquid packs could be placed in a row, so that one tray each directly could rest on the liquid packs in a row on a lower tray. Several such cardboard trays could then be stacked one on top of the other, whereby six and twelve trays could be used, as are already in use today, but cannot be stacked on the liquid packs of another tray if they are equipped with a conventional spout closure , It would therefore be desirable to be able to achieve this stackability and still be able to safely handle, transport and store the packs. If the bottom of the respective upper tray were to be resting on the flanges of the lower packs as would otherwise be desirable, several trays filled with liquid packs in a row could be stacked directly on top of one another. The weights of the upper trays would be distributed over the circumferential walls of all lower packs. Previously known pouring closures, however, make such a stackability impossible because they have to protrude beyond the flanging to ensure the pouring geometry. The general aim is to keep the pouring closures as low as possible and to ensure that the trays can be stacked.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pouring closure for liquid packs, which enables a safe and clean pouring out of such a liquid pack with its pouring geometry, and which also ensures the stackability of the liquid packs equipped therewith.

This object is achieved by a spout closure for liquid packs, consisting of a spout with a radially projecting lower edge and a threaded cover, which is characterized in that the spout closure is elastically deformable in two stable states, so that it is in axial Direction in a stable compressed and a stable extended position can be brought.

[0005] In the drawings, an advantageous embodiment of this pouring closure for liquid containers is shown in different views and it is described with the aid of these drawings and its function is explained. It shows:

Figure 1: The pouring closure inserted on the top of a liquid pack;

Figure 2: The opened pouring closure in the pouring position of the

Liquid pack;

Figure 3: The spout closure in an elevation viewed from behind, on the folded edge of the foldable handle tab on the closure lid;

Figure 4: The spout closure seen in plan from above;

Figure 5: The spout closure seen in a longitudinal section along the line E-E of Figure 4;

Figure 6: The spout closure in an elevation seen from the side, with the folding edge of the foldable handle tab on the right side;

Figure 7: The pouring spout of the pouring closure seen in the floor plan;

Figure 8: The pouring spout of the pouring closure in a section along the line A-A of Figure 7;

Figure 9: The elastic ring element of the pouring closure in pouring position in the plan;

Figure 10: The elastic ring element in a section along the line A-A of Figure 9;

Figure 11: The elastic ring element in an extended pouring position in one Elevation seen from the side; Figure 12: The elastic ring element of the pouring closure in the compressed packaging position in the plan;

Figure 13: The elastic ring element in a section along the line A-A of Figure 12;

Figure 14: The elastic ring element in the packaging position seen in an elevation from the side;

Figure 15: The elastic ring element with unfolded grip tab in the floor plan, that is seen from above;

Figure 16: A number of liquid packs equipped with the pouring closures in stacked trays.

First, Figure 1 shows the pouring closure 1 used on the top of a liquid pack 2. In this example, the liquid pack 2 has the shape of a standing cylinder. However, other shapes for the liquid packs can also be considered, for example a container with an elliptical cross section or one with a triangular cross section, the triangular sides can be slightly convex, or a cubic container, etc. The side walls 3 consist of a single piece of cardboard and are welded with a vertical seam 4 to form a tubular structure. A horizontal upper boundary surface 5 is inserted slightly below the upper edge of the side wall 3, so that a flange 6 is created, along which the boundary surface 5 is sealingly connected to the side wall 3 and sealed.

Figure 2 shows the opened spout closure 1 in the poured position of the liquid pack 2. It forms a funnel-shaped spout 7, similar to the funnel of a trumpet. This funnel 7 projects above the flange 6, which ensures that the pouring jet 8 the flange 6 in each pouring The liquid pack surely swings over. That is the basic requirement of a good pouring geometry.

In Figure 3, the spout closure is shown in an elevation seen from behind, wherein one can see the folding edge 18 of the foldable handle tab 17, which is shown with other representations and whose function will be explained. This pouring closure 1 is now elastically deformable in two stable states, so that it can be brought into a stable compressed position and a stable extended position in the axial direction. For this purpose, in the example shown, it consists of three parts, namely a pouring spout 9, a ring element 10 which can be placed sealingly thereon and a closure cap 11 which can be screwed onto the same. The pouring spout 9 has a radial projection 12 on its lower edge. Above it runs the upper boundary surface 5 of the liquid pack, which is indicated here by dashed lines. The upper side of the projection 12 is welded to the boundary surface 5 in a sealing manner after the pouring spout has been inserted from below through a corresponding hole in the boundary surface 5, which in practice is all done mechanically. As a special feature, this pouring closure now has an elastically deformable ring element 10, which is arranged between the pouring spout 9 and the threaded cap or the closure cover 11 and whose ring surface 13 extends at an oblique angle to the ring plane, the inner ring edge 14 projecting into a downwardly projecting projection 15 merges, which can be slipped onto the pouring spout 9, and the outer ring rim 16 into an upwardly projecting projection with an external thread, which, however, cannot be seen here because the closure cap 11 is screwed thereon. This ring element 10 can now jump under elastic deformation into two stable shapes or states, one with the ring surface 13 rising from the inner ring edge 14 to the outer ring edge 16 as shown here, and one with the ring surface 13 falling as shown later.

Figure 4 shows the screwed onto this ring member 10 cover 11 seen in plan from above. Here you can see the cover 11 with its grip tab 17, which is in a concentric recess 21 is inserted or inserted in the cover 11. This grip tab 17 consists of two folding legs, of which only the upper one can be seen here. These folding legs are folded around the edge 18 and the upper folding leg forms at the end a ring 19 which has two mutually opposite thin points 20, so that the front, semicircular part of the ring 19 is upwards relative to the rear part, that is to say in the illustration shown the viewer is pivotable.

In Figure 5 you can see the spout closure seen in a longitudinal section along the line EE of Figure 4. The closure cover 11 is equipped with an internal thread, by means of which it can be screwed onto the upper projection 25 of the ring surface 13 via the external thread 26. One can see on the right side the folded edge 18 of the grip tab 17 and to the left of it how the grip tab 17 runs out of the thin areas 20 into the ring 19. The grip tab 17 is equipped at the bottom with a catch 22 so that it engages in the recess 21 in the recess 21 on the closure lid 11 and is held in this position. Below the closure lid 11 one can see the decisive ring element 10, which has jumped here into the upwardly projecting position, in which the ring surface 13 rises from the inner edge 14 to the outer edge 16 and the spout closure is thus pulled out in the axial direction as a whole. The grip tab 17 on the closure cover 11 serves to move the closure cover 11 into the position shown here when it is in the depressed position, in which the annular surface 13 of the ring element 10 extends from the inner edge 14 downwards towards the outer edge 16 pull up by the ring member 10 jumping into this position, as will be explained in more detail. If one takes a closer look at the ring element 10, it can be seen that its ring surface 13 near the inner 14 and outer edge 16 each has a thin point. A downwardly projecting projection 15 is formed on the inner edge 14 and has small, inwardly projecting catches 23 on its lower edge. Thanks to these snaps 23, the ring element 10 with its lower, projecting edge 15 can be slipped over the pouring spout 9, snapping into an outer circumferential groove on the same and thereby creating a tight connection. At the bottom of the exit Cast socket 9 can be seen the radially outwardly extending projection 12, with the top of which the closure is welded to the inside of the upper boundary surface of the liquid pack.

In Figure 6, the pouring closure is seen in an elevation from the same side as in Figure 5, namely with the folded edge 18 of the foldable handle tab 17 on the right side. Here you can see the outside of the closure cover 11 with an internal thread and on its top side the grip tab 17 with the semicircular ring portion 19 beyond the thin areas 20. Below the closure cover 11, the upwardly inclined ring surface 13 of the ring element 10 can be seen, with which The adjoining projection 15 at the bottom, which is placed liquid-tight on the nozzle 9 with its radial projection 12.

Figure 7 shows the pouring spout 9 in a view from above. The nozzle 9 is slightly chamfered on the upper edge from the outside and a groove 24 is formed around the outside of the nozzle 9 and is intended for receiving the catches 23 on the ring element 10. The upper boundary edge of the groove is interrupted at two opposite points 24, which makes it easier to put on or click on the ring element 10. One can see here on the top of the radially protruding projection 12, with which the nozzle 9 is welded from the inside to the liquid pack by means of ultrasound.

In Figure 8, the pouring spout 9 is shown in a section along the line A-A of Figure 7. One can see the special configuration of the outer side of the socket with the outer beveled upper edge 30 and further the groove 31 formed below the edge 30, which is intended for receiving the catches 23 on the ring element 10.

In Figure 9, the essential ring element 10 of the pouring closure is shown in plan. The annular surface 13 ends at the bottom in the downwardly projecting edge 15, and at the top, from the outer edge 16, into an upwardly projecting projection 25 which has an external thread which is formed by two other opposite thread ribs 26 rising with the thread pitch is formed. In the example shown, these threaded ribs 26 only extend by a quarter of the circumference of the projection 25.

Figure 10 shows the elastic ring element 10 in a section along the line AA of Figure 9. Here you can see the thin points on the inner 14 and outer edge 16 of the ring surface 13 and the threaded rib 26 on the outside of the upper projection 25. Next one recognizes on the inside of the lower projection 15 its special design. It has along its upper inner edge 27 a circular groove 29 formed by means of an inward and obliquely downward circumferential projection 28, in which the upper edge 30 of the pouring spout 9 finds a full and sealing seat. So that the connector 9 is held in this groove 29, a plurality of snaps 23 are formed on the inside of the lower projection 15. These snap into the corresponding groove 31 on the outside of the connector 9, so that a liquid-tight connection is created.

FIG. 11 shows the elastic ring element 10 in the axially extended state, that is to say with the ring surface 13 rising obliquely from its inner edge 14 to its outer edge 16. In this state, the ring element 10 forms a pouring funnel. On the outside of the upper projection 25, the threaded rib 26 can be seen, which allows the screw cap 11 to be screwed on. The upper edge of this projection 25 ends on the outside in a sharp tear-off edge 32, which allows a safe pouring without attracting the liquid.

Figure 12 shows the elastic ring member 10 of the pouring closure in the packaging position in the plan. In this state, it is compressed in the axial direction, so that its height is significantly reduced. In this state, the annular surface 13 runs differently than shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, which is indicated by an additional circular ring. The annular surface 13 now runs from the inner edge 14 downwards in the radial direction to the outer edge 16, in contrast to the state according to FIGS. 9 to 11, where the latter Annular surface 13 runs upwards in this direction. Between these two states, namely the state that is compressed in the axial direction and the state that is extended in the axial direction, the ring element 10 can jump back and forth over a dead center with the two thin-point edges beyond the ring surface 13. However, it is stable in both states.

Figure 13 shows the elastic ring member 10 in a section along the line A-A of Figure 12. Here you can see how the ring surface 13 drops from its inner edge 14 to the outer edge 16, that is, runs obliquely downwards. As a result, the overall height of the ring element 10 is significantly reduced compared to the state as shown in FIG. 10. In the example shown, it is reduced so much that the overhangs 15, 25 on the inner 14 and on the outer edge 16 of the ring surface 13 even overlap largely with respect to their height, as can be clearly seen from the figure.

Figure 14 shows the elastic ring member 10 in the packaging position, that is, compressed in the axial direction, seen in an elevation from the side. If one compares this state of the ring element 10 with that shown in FIG. 11, one can see the difference. In one case the ring element 10 is compressed and thus reduced in height, in the other case it is extended so that it forms a pouring funnel. The compressed state now serves to reduce the overall height of the entire pouring closure 1 in such a way that it is less or at most as high as the flanged edge 6 of the liquid pack 2, that is to say, for example, a maximum of 5 mm. At the same time, thanks to the extensibility of this ring element 10 described, this pouring closure 1 allows a pouring funnel to be formed, the overall height of which exceeds the flanged edge 6 by 5 mm sufficiently, so that a good pouring geometry is achieved which ensures reliable pouring beyond this flanged edge 6. In addition, the distance between the pouring spout 9 and the flanged edge 6 must be at least 11 mm for technical reasons in order to allow the sealing tool sufficient space to seal the top side 5 of the liquid pack 2. Therefore, a sufficiently high pouring spout is of crucial importance for a good pouring geometry. The In spite of the relatively large distance of the pouring spout 9 from the flanged edge 6, the pouring jet must run in such a way that it surpasses the flanged edge 6. In the example shown, the height of the funnel formed by the pouring spout 9 and the ring elements 10 is, thanks to the ring element 10, about 3 times higher in the extended state than in the compressed state. To ensure that when the liquid container 2 is pivoted back from the pouring position into the normal position, due to the surface tension conditions and a certain capillary action, no liquid runs down along the outside of the pouring spout, the tear-off edge 32 can be sharp, with a maximum thickness of 0.3 mm, for example. This measure ensures that no liquid is attracted when the package is swung from the normal position into the pouring position and back from the outside of the pouring spout.

So that the collapsed closure with the screwed cap 11 can easily be pulled out of the collapsed position into the pouring position, the grip tab 17 already described is provided on the cap 11. FIG. 15 now shows the grip tab 17 in the unfolded state. In the folded state of the grip tab 17, the ring 19 on the tab 17 at point 28, which forms a fingernail intervention, was gripped and pulled up with the fingernail of a finger. The semicircular segment of the grip ring 19 was pivoted upward beyond the thin points 20, so that one or two fingers can then be inserted through the ring 19. The grip tab can then be pulled upwards with increased force, as a result of which it is unfolded and finally pulls the closure lid 11 upwards. Under the action of the tensile force, the ring element 10 jumps from the compressed to the extended state below the cover. When this is reached, the closure cap 11 is screwed away by a counterclockwise rotation and the pouring spout 9 with the pouring funnel formed by the ring element 10 is open. On the lower side of the grip tab 17 here you can see the snap segment 22 which, when the grip tab 17 is folded down, engages in an associated segment 29 on the closure cover and holds the tab 17 in the folded-down position. FIG. 16 finally shows a number of liquid packs equipped with the pouring closures in a stacked position. Thanks to the low construction of the pouring spout, which does not protrude beyond the flanged edges of the liquid packs, a cardboard tray can be placed directly on these liquid packs. It then rests on the many flanged edges of the liquid packs. The weight of the upper tray and its contents is thus distributed over the total of the flanged edges of all liquid packs in the lower tray, in the same way that the weight of a fakir is distributed over many nails, which makes it possible for it to lie on without injury. At the same time, however, this pouring closure can be pulled out into a pouring position, as described, so that it then has a height which is approx. Three times greater and thus forms a pouring geometry which ensures that the contents of the liquid pack are poured out safely over the approx. 5 mm high, at least 11 mm away Flanged edge allowed.

Claims

claims

1. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2), consisting of a pouring spout (9) with a radially projecting lower edge (12) and a threaded cover (11), characterized in that the pouring closure (1) elastic in two stable states is deformable, so that it can be brought into a stable compressed position and a stable extended position in the axial direction.

2. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the threaded cover (11) is of larger diameter than the pouring spout (9), and that for the elastic deformability of the pouring closure ( 1) an elastically deformable ring element (10) is arranged between the pouring spout (9) and the threaded cover (11), the ring surface (13) of which extends obliquely to the ring plane, the inner ring edge (14) projecting into a downwardly projecting projection (15) merges, which can be slipped onto the pouring spout (9), and the outer ring edge (16) into an upwardly projecting projection (25) with an external thread (26) for screwing on the closure cover (11), the ring element (10) being subjected to elastic deformation can be brought into two stable states via a dead center, one with a ring surface (13) rising from the inner (14) to the outer ring edge (16) and one with a falling surface (13).

3. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that in the state in which the ring surface oblique to the ring plane (13) from the inner (14) to the outer ring edge (16) falls vertically to The cantilevered edges (15; 25) of the inner (14) and outer ring edge (16) are seen in the direction of the ring plane overlap at least partially.

4. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a grip tab (17) is formed on the top of the associated closure cap (11).

5. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the top of the associated closure cover (11) a folded handle tab (17) is formed, the lower folding leg along its lower end one Circular segment outer edge is formed on the upper side of the closure cover (11), and the upper folding leg forms a grip ring (19) at its upper end, such that the grip ring (19) concentric to the circular segment outer edge of the lower one when the grip tab (17) is folded down Folding leg runs.

6. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that on the top of the closure lid (11) a concentric recess (21) is arranged, in which the grip tab (17) is foldable, the Grip ring (19) can be clicked into this recess (21).

7. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the grip ring (19) which can be clicked into the recess (21) has a recess (28) on its side facing the upper side of the closure cover (11) , which forms a fingernail intervention.

8. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized; that the upper edge of the projection (25) on the outer ring edge (16) forms a sharp tear-off edge (32) for pouring.

9. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the downward- lowing projection (15) on the ring element (10) is equipped with snaps (23) which can be brought into engagement with a groove in the outside of the connecting piece (9).

10. pouring closure (1) for liquid packs (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the inside of the upper edge of the downwardly projecting projection (15) on the ring element (10) is formed a groove in which the fits the upper edge of the nozzle (9), and that the external thread on the upper projection (25) on the ring element (10) is formed solely by two threaded ribs (26), each of which extends by a quarter of the circumference of the projection (25).