EP1868903B1 - Reclosable pouring element for composite cardboard/plastic packaging - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packages according to the preamble of claim 1.

Reclosable pouring spouts for disposable packages have long been known in many designs. Here, versions with screw cap are particularly popular because they ensure a reliable tight reclosure, so that it can be shaken in resealed packaging, without any of the contents can escape.

Such spouts are often constructed in three parts, with a peripheral flange equipped with a frame member fixed to the top of the composite package connected is. By interacting with the screw the actual frame shape is cylindrical, wherein inside the cylinder, a cutting element is arranged, which, actuated by the screw, has the task of opening the composite pack by it when first opening the screw from the frame member inside the Composite package is moved, so that below the pouring a pouring opening is formed.

The above-mentioned and previously described in detail pouring is known from WO 02/28728 A1 known. Due to the fixed connection of the frame element and the cutting element via connecting bridges, in this known pouring element for mounting the frame element and the cutting element need only be aligned with one another with the screw cap.

Another three-part pouring element is in the generic EP 1 088 764 B1 described. Again, the frame member has an external thread and the screw on a corresponding internal thread. Here, too, the cutting element is forced during initial actuation of the screw through corresponding threads in the interior of the frame member or on the outer periphery of the cutting element to push axially into the composite material. There frame member and cutting element are also connected to each other in the production by injection molding, however, the cutting element is connected to the flange of the frame member with this. When mounting so cutting element and screw of different Pages with opposite movements on or in the frame element zoom in or be guided.

Furthermore, from the WO 2004/000667 a three-part pouring known, but in which the opening element is not moved by screwing. The actual opening process happens here rather by a combination of a piercing with a rotary motion, so a superposition of an axial and a radial movement.

Also is already out of the US 5,141,133 a pouring known, in which screw cap and cutting element are made in one piece. This spout is fastened with its flange from the outside on the composite package. Here, the cylindrical frame in its upper region on an internal thread, wherein the screw cap is provided with a corresponding external thread. When the screw cap is opened, the cutting element arranged in axial guides in the frame element is pushed down by the packing material, whereby the packing is opened.

Based on this, the present invention has the object, the above-mentioned and described in more detail above pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packages and further, that while maintaining a simple three-part construction a particularly simple assembly and good cohesion of the preassembled pouring is achieved , Furthermore, a reliable penetration of the the spout opening spanning film to be guaranteed when first opened.

The object is achieved in that the external thread of the cutting element consists of two threaded sections, each extending over about a quarter of the circumference of the cutting element and having a slope which is steeper than the internal thread of the screw cap, which cooperates with the external thread of the frame member in that the cutting element has circumferentially distributed and radially projecting cams extending axially from the upper edge of the cutting element to beyond the outer thread so as to form a stop for the cutting element pushed into the interior of the frame element during assembly ,

The invention has recognized that in this way the cutting element is always in a defined position: After removal from the injection mold a plurality of circumferentially distributed radial connecting bridges are provided for connection between the frame member and cutting element, which between the bottom of the cutting element and the upper edge run of the frame element and are destroyed only when nesting. Later, dropping out of the cutting element from the downwardly open frame member during transport or application to the composite package is reliably prevented. Even with the pouring element already applied to the composite packing, no damage can be caused to it lying PE layer of the over-coated pouring opening, since the actual cutting members having cutting element is arranged protected inside the frame member.

Furthermore, a simultaneous axial telescoping of the mounted on the unit of cutting element and frame element screw is sufficient to allow the final assembly of the applied to a composite package pouring.

According to the invention, the frame member has at least one internal thread, which consists of two threaded portions, each extending over about a quarter of the circumference and having a slope corresponding to the pitch of the external thread of the cutting element. By such a steep thread pitch is achieved that when screwing the screw the cutting element moves very quickly with a cutting rotary motion (superimposed rotational and axial movement) in the over-coated pouring opening, so that the existing film is reliably destroyed and is pressed into the package interior, without tearing off completely because the cutting element does not make a full turn.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the external thread of the frame member is zweigängig. For easier (axial) application of the screw cap, it is advantageous if the external thread in a preferred embodiment of the invention from a Plural consists of individual with short interruptions spaced threaded portions.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the frame element at its lower inner circumference on a circumferential and downwardly pointing lip. This is manufacturing technology when removing the injection-molded component frame element / cutting element low and further, the lip serves as a stop for the in the frame member when opening turned into cutting element.

A further teaching of the invention provides that the cutting element has a plurality of circumferentially arranged radially outwardly directed projections, which cooperate with corresponding inner cam of the frame member to prevent unscrewing of the cutting element from the frame member. When screwing on the screw cap, they release the rotation of the cutting element only in one direction, allowing only one left turn. These projections can be formed either by the cams projecting radially on the outside of the cutting element and / or by respective horizontal extensions of the upper ends of the threaded sections. Particularly preferably, the cams and the threaded sections merge into one another.

According to another embodiment of the invention it is provided that the cutting element has on its outer side a plurality circumferentially distributed and radially projecting cams, which extend from the upper edge of the cutting element down and in shape correspond to the already described cam of the cutting element. Preferably, the lower ends of all cams lie in a common, perpendicular to the vertical axis of the cutting element extending plane and thus serve for safe support on the lip at the inner end of the frame member.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the screw cap has at least one internal force transmission element, which causes the first movement of the screw through the arranged inside the cutting element projecting cam, the movement of the cutting element. Such a power transmission element is preferably designed trapezoidal and concentric to the screw cap bent and facilitates the assembly process, the orientation of the screw with respect to the cutting element.

An inventive pouring element preferably has a tamper-evident seal. This can be formed by an integrally molded with the screw cap and radially projecting from this flat element, which is firmly connected to the flange of the frame member, wherein the element is connected to at least one destructible material bridge with the screw cap.

In addition, in the assembly process of the screw cap provided with such a tamper-evident seal, alignment with respect to the frame member is facilitated. However, there are also other, known per se versions of tamper evident known For example, a surrounding the screw cap band or the like (in the WO 2004/000667 A1 referred to as 'guarantee band 25').

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes wiederverschließbares Ausgießelement vor der Montage im Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 2

ein Rahmenelement und ein einstückig mit diesem spritzgegossenes Schneidelement vor der Endmontage in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 3

das erfindungsgemäße Ausgießelement gemäß Fig. 2 während der Montage im Vertikalschnitt, wobei der Schraubdeckel bereits über das Schneidelement greift,

Fig. 4

das fertig montierte und axial zusammengeschobene Ausgießelement im Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 5

das fertig montierte und axial zusammengeschobene Ausgießelement in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 6

das in das Rahmenelement eingeschobene Schneidelement vor dem Öffnungsvorgang, geschnitten in perspektivischer Draufsicht,

Fig. 7

das in das Rahmenelement eingeschobene Schneidelement beim Öffnungsvorgang, geschnitten in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 8

das in das Rahmenelement eingeschobene Schneidelement nach dem Öffnungsvorgang, geschnitten in perspektivischer Darstellung und

Fig. 9

das in das Rahmenelement eingeschobene Schneidelement, geschnitten entlang der Linie IX-IX aus Fig. 8 in perspektivischer Darstellung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only a preferred embodiment. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

a resealable pouring element according to the invention prior to assembly in vertical section,

Fig. 2

a frame element and an integrally molded with this cutting element before final assembly in perspective view,

Fig. 3

the pouring element according to the invention Fig. 2 during assembly in vertical section, wherein the screw cap already engages over the cutting element,

Fig. 4

the fully assembled and axially pushed together pouring element in vertical section,

Fig. 5

the fully assembled and axially pushed together pouring element in a perspective view,

Fig. 6

the cutting element inserted into the frame element before the opening process, cut in perspective plan view,

Fig. 7

the cutting element inserted into the frame element during the opening process, cut in perspective,

Fig. 8

the inserted into the frame member cutting element after the opening process, cut in perspective and

Fig. 9

the inserted into the frame member cutting element, cut along the line IX-IX Fig. 8 in perspective view.

In the figures, a preferred embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention is shown to make clear the process steps of its manufacture and its operation during opening. It is in Fig. 1 an inventive pouring element shown in longitudinal section, consisting of a frame member 1, an integrally molded thereon with the frame member 1 cutting element 2 and a screw 3. The frame member 1 has in its cylindrical main body, an external thread 4 and a circumferential flange 5 for attachment to a (not shown) on composite package. Inside the frame member 1 can be seen a threaded portion 6A. For better understanding, the assembly of frame element 1 and cutting element in Fig. 2 shown in perspective. There is a corresponding with the threaded portion 6A threaded portion 7A of an external thread 7 of the cutting element. 2 recognizable, both threaded portions 6A and 7A have the same, compared to the external thread 4 very steep slope.

Out Fig. 1 is still apparent that the frame member 1 has at its lower inner end a circumferential lip 8, the function will be explained later.

Furthermore, an inwardly projecting cam 9 can be seen at the upper edge of the frame member 1, which serves as a stop for the cutting element 2, which will be discussed in more detail below.

Out Fig. 2 shows that the cutting element has at its upper periphery a plurality of cams, which project radially outward, wherein two opposed cams 10 are each disposed above the threaded portions 7A and 7B. Further cams 11 and 12, of which only the front of the respectively opposite pairs can be seen, are in the illustrated and so far preferred embodiment with a horizontal extension 7D of the threaded portion 7A integrally connected. On the opposite side is also a horizontal extension 7C of the threaded portion 7B can be seen. However, it is also possible to dispense with the cams 12 and the extensions 7C and 7D.

On average according to Fig. 1 are circumferentially arranged teeth 13 of the cutting element 2 can be seen well. These teeth 13 have in the preferred and illustrated embodiment sharp edges. in the upper inner region of the cutting element 2 are in turn radially inwardly projecting cam 14 to recognize, as particularly clear Fig. 2 evident. The frame member 1 is connected to the cutting element 2 via connecting bridges 15, as also out Fig. 2 evident.

The screw cap 3 has an internal thread 16 corresponding to the pitch of the external thread 4 of the frame element 1 and an internal trapezoidal force-transmitting element 17 running essentially trapezoidal and concentric with the screw cap. The force transmission element 17 causes the cutting element with the aid of the inwardly projecting cam 14 is rotated during the first opening of the spout along the threaded portions 6 and 7 and thus penetrates axially into the package interior.

For mounting the pouring element according to the invention, the screw cap 3 is now first moved over the cutting element 2 protruding from the frame element 1, as in FIG Fig. 3 is shown. The remaining reference numerals in Fig. 3 correspond to those of Fig. 1 and 2 ,

Fig. 4 now shows the fully assembled pouring element in vertical section, wherein the axial movement of the applied screw cap 3 and the cutting element 2 has been moved axially into the interior of the frame member 1, without moving in rotation. It can be seen clearly that the tips of the teeth 13 are also arranged at a distance from the lower edge of the frame element 1.

Due to the special shape of the force transmission element 17 can be dispensed with an exact positioning and alignment of the two structural parts. By further axial compression break the connecting bridges 15 and the cutting element 2 is pushed into the frame member 1, wherein simultaneously the screw cap 3 is bounced on the frame member 1, so that the external thread 4 of the frame member 1 comes into contact with the internal thread 16 of the screw 3.

In Fig. 5 is the finished mounted pouring for clarity again shown in perspective. It can be seen that the pouring element according to the invention also has a tamper-evident seal: For this purpose, a plate 18 is integrally molded onto the screw cap 3, which is connected via connecting bridges 19 with the screw cap 3, as is clear Fig. 5 evident. The plate 18 has on its underside in the present case, two pins 20 which in corresponding recesses 21 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) of the flange 5 engage from the frame member 1 which are caulked to the fixed connection from below.

Fig. 6 to 9 finally describe the function of the pouring element according to the invention during the first opening operation of the screw 3. First, in Fig. 6 the mounting position from the Fig. 4 and 5 , but reproduced without screw cap 3. Here it can be seen that the inner cam 9 with the outside Cam 11 and the end of the integrally connected to the cam 11 extensions 7C and 7D of the threaded portions 7A and 7B cooperate. Unscrewing the cutting element 2 from the frame member 1 upwards is reliably excluded by this locking, since the cutting element 2 can rotate only by turning to the left when unscrewing the screw 3.

Fig. 7 now shows a state in which the teeth are just in contact with the film to be pierced (not shown). It can be seen clearly that the lower edges of the cams 10 extend down to the respective threaded section 6A or 6B of the internal thread of the frame element 1. Despite the only one-piece threaded sections 6A, 6B and 7A, 7B, a reliable guidance for the necessary rotary cutting movement is achieved.

The 8 and 9 show the cutting element 2 in its end position in which it remains even after further use of the screw 3 by re-screwing or screwing and reliably holds back the opened film from the pouring channel in this way. Here it can be seen that both the cams 10 ( Fig. 8 ) as well as the cams 11 ( Fig. 9 ) with its lower edge on the lip 8 and fix the cutting element 2 in this way. The same applies to the cam 12, which is not recognizable here. In addition, all cams 10, 11 and 12 arranged diametrically opposite each other ensure that a "falling in" of the cutting element 2 into the interior of the package is reliably ruled out.

Claims (15)

1. Reclosable pouring element for composite cardboard/plastic packaging, particularly packaging for beverages, consisting of a shell element (1) that has a continuous fixing flange (5) and an outer thread (4) and an inner thread (6), a cutting element (2) that has an outer thread (7), and a screw lid (3) with an inner thread (16) wherein, after injection moulding, the cutting element (2) is moulded in one piece at the opposite end of the shell element (1) from the fixing flange (5)) and is attached to said shell element (1) in one piece by means of connecting bridges (15) and wherein, when the pouring element is assembled, the cutting element (2) is situated inside the shell element (1),
   characterised in that the outer thread (7) of the cutting element (2) consists of two thread sections (7A and 7B), each extending around a quarter of the periphery of the cutting element (2) and having a gradient that is steeper than the inner thread (16) of the screw lid (3), which cooperates with the outer thread (4) of the shell element (1), and in that the inner thread (6) of the shell element (1) consists of two thread sections (6A and 6B), each extending around a quarter of the periphery and having a gradient that corresponds to the gradient of the outer thread (7) of the cutting element (2), and
   characterised in that the cutting element (2) has protuberances (10) that jut out radially and are distributed around its outer periphery; said protuberances (10) extending from the upper edge of the cutting element (2) beyond the outer thread (7) of the cutting element (2), in such a way that their lower edges, with the respective thread sections (6A or 6B) of the inner thread (6) of the shell element (1), form a stop for the cutting element (2) that is pressed inside the shell element (1) during assembly.
2. Pouring element according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer thread (4) of the shell element (1) is double-threaded.
3. Pouring element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the outer thread (4) consists of a plurality of individual thread sections.
4. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the shell element (1), at its lower inner periphery, has a continuous lip (8) pointing downwards.
5. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the cutting element (2) has a plurality of protrusions continuously arranged radially outwards, which cooperate with corresponding inner protuberances (9) of the shell element (1), in order to prevent the cutting element (2) unscrewing from the shell element (1).
6. Pouring element according to claim 5, characterised in that the protrusions are formed from the protuberances (11) protruding radially on the exterior of the cutting element (2).
7. Pouring element according to claim 5, characterised in that the protrusions are formed in each case from horizontal extensions (7C, 7D) of the upper ends of the thread sections (7A and 7B).
8. Pouring element according to claim 6 and 7, characterised in that the protuberances (11) and the thread sections (7A and 7B) merge into one another.
9. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the cutting element (2), on its exterior, has a plurality of continuously distributed and radially protruding first protuberances (12), which extend downwards from the upper edge of the cutting element (2) and correspond in their form to second protuberances (10 or 11).
10. Pouring element according to claim 9, characterised in that the lower ends of the second protuberances (10 and 11) lie in a common plane, extending perpendicularly to the vertical axis of the cutting element (2), in order to be supported on the lip (8), with the cutting element (2) protruding from the shell element (1).
11. Pouring element according to claim 9, characterised in that the lower ends of the first protuberances (12) lie in a common plane, extending perpendicularly to the vertical axis of the cutting element (2), in order to be supported on the lip (8), with the cutting element (2) protruding from the shell element (1).
12. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in the screw lid (3) has at least one inner-lying force-transmitting element (17), which causes the cutting element (2) to move, when the screw lid (3) is twisted for the first time, by means of protuberances (14) arranged inside the cutting element (2).
13. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the at least one force-transmitting element (17) is configured to run trapezoidally and concentrically towards the screw lid (3).
14. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the pouring element has an seal.
15. Pouring element according to claim 9, characterised in that a flat plate (18), injection moulded in one piece with the screw lid and radially distant therefrom, which is firmly attached to the flange (5) of the shell element (1) before final assembly of the pouring element, serves as an tamper-proof seal.

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