EP2214967B1 - Self-opening and reclosable pouring element made of plastic for application on a package for liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention shows and describes a self-opening and reclosable pouring element made of plastic for application on a package for liquids, in particular a cardboard/plastic composite package, having a base element (1), which has a fastening flange (2), a cutting element (4), and a screw lid (9), wherein said cutting element (4) is disposed rotatably in the interior of the base element (1) and is operationally linked to said screw lid (9) such that the first time the screw lid (9) is unscrewed, a pouring opening is produced in the package material by the cutting element (4). In order to allow particularly simple and thus cost-effective production and also achieve simple assembly, it is provided that during the production in the injection mold, the cutting element (4) is already disposed completely in the interior of the base element (1) and is spaced apart from the base element (1) by multiple connection bridges (14).

Description

The invention relates to a self-opening and resealable pouring spout made of plastic for application to a pack for liquids, in particular cardboard / plastic composite pack, with a mounting flange having a base element, a cutting element and a screw cap, wherein the cutting element is rotatably disposed in the interior of the base member and with the screw cap is operatively connected in such a way that the first unscrewing of the screw through the screwing into the package inside cutting element creates a pouring opening in the packing material.

Self-opening and resealable pouring elements of the type indicated above are known in practice from a variety of designs. In the process, more and more such pouring elements are emerging, which have a screw cap which, when screwed on for the first time via positive guide elements, causes a cutting element to introduce a pouring opening into the composite material, which was previously completely sealed. Therefore, the known generic pouring elements consist of three parts: base element, cutting element and screw cap.

From the U.S. Patent 5,482,176 is a three-part pouring known, in which all three parts must be made individually and then mounted. For this purpose, the cutting element is screwed into the base element and bounced in a second step, the screw on the base element. Such a type of assembly is relatively expensive.

In order to facilitate the assembly of such known pouring elements, it has already been proposed to injection-mold the base element integrally with the cutting element ( EP 1 088 764 B1 ), in such a way that the cutting element below the mounting flange having bottom of the base member spaced apart by means of connecting bridges. To mount both parts, they only need to be screwed together.

In other known pouring elements ( EP 0 385 603 A1 and FR 2779418 ) also basic element and cutting element are produced in one piece as a subassembly, but the two parts connecting connecting bridges are destroyed only at the first opening by the consumer.

Based on this, the invention has the object, the above-mentioned and previously described in more detail three-part pouring element in such a way and further, that a particularly simple and therefore cost-effective production is possible. Furthermore, a simple assembly is desired.

This object is achieved in a self-opening and resealable pouring element according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that in the manufacture In the injection mold, the cutting element is already completely disposed in the interior of the base member and spaced by a plurality of connecting bridges to the base member.

According to the invention it has been recognized that can be dispensed with a mating or screwing of cutting element and base element when both parts are already injected in the installed state. Due to the particular embodiment of the pouring element according to the invention, a tool can be used without a slide, whereby the production costs and times can be significantly reduced. Because there are no slide elements in the injection mold, the existing space can accommodate a higher number of cavities, so that a more efficient use of the injection mold is possible.

According to a further teaching of the invention, it is provided that the base element has a plurality of distributed on its inner wall guide webs with changing pitch and the cutting element has on its outer wall a plurality of appropriately distributed arranged guide ribs, so that rotation of the cutting element inside the base element initially a steep and then follow a flat helix. This special arrangement of the guide webs and ribs ensures that no overlapping internals are present within the pouring element, so that - as mentioned - can be completely dispensed with slide in the injection mold. Such a type of guide between cutting element and base element is already known from the date of the Applicant European patent EP 1 509 456 B1 known for itself.

For this purpose, the cutting element per guide web of the base element preferably has an upper guide rib and a lower guide rib for forcibly guiding the cutting element above and below the respective guide web. It has been found that it is not necessary to produce mutually corresponding threaded sections, since a sufficient positive guidance is already ensured by the use of short guide ribs.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the radial guide ribs are provided at least partially simultaneously as a stop for arranged by the screw on a concentric circular path and projecting into the interior of the base member cams as power transmission elements. Although it is also conceivable to provide the arranged in the screw cap cam inside the cutting element, but this is on the one hand due to the poorer leverage disadvantageous and has a negative impact on the casting behavior, since corresponding drivers would have to be located inside the cutting element and in this way the narrow casting cross section would narrow.

A sufficiently stable guide between the base element and cutting element is achieved when the base element has three guide webs and the cutting element corresponding to three groups of guide ribs. Nevertheless, within the scope of the invention, such pouring elements also comprise more than three pairs of guide means.

According to a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the guide webs have at their lower end a recess for receiving the upper guide ribs and that the upper guide ribs are forcibly guided during the initial screwing of the screw in these recesses. For this purpose, the cams in the screw cap can be shaped accordingly at their ends, so that when re-closing (screwing) of the screw cap, the upper guide ribs are always pressed into the recesses.

Another teaching according to the invention provides that the connecting bridges between the radial guide ribs of the cutting element and the inner wall of the base element are arranged, preferably between the lower radial guide ribs and the inner wall of the base element. Since the lower guide ribs are below the guide webs when screwing the cutting element into the composite material, the remainders of the connecting bridges can not have a negative effect on the opening process.

Particularly advantageously, the lower radial guide ribs are arranged inclined and corresponds to the inclination substantially the average slope of the guide webs of the base member. By means of such a design, the cutting element slides particularly elegantly along the guide webs when screwing in the screw cap caused by screwing into the composite material and thus facilitates the opening process.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the connecting bridges when first opened by the Consumers are destroyed. However, it is also possible that the connecting bridges are destroyed when pressing or screwing the screw on the base element. Here it is conceivable, for example, that the assembly of integrally manufactured cutting element and base element after application of the lid by a slight Zuschraubbewegung be rotated against each other, so that tear the connecting bridges.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the screw cap is produced in one piece with the base element and cutting element by means of at least one connecting strap. Such a configuration is particularly useful because the entire pouring element can be made in a single tool. The connecting strap can simultaneously serve as a seal of authenticity according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, the connection tab expediently has a predetermined breaking point in order not to complicate the opening process too much.

Preferably, the length of the connection tab is to be dimensioned such that in the manufacturing process in the injection mold the screw cap is molded in open and unfolded position to the connecting flange, and that pivots for the final assembly of the screw cap on the base member and is pressed with this. Such an embodiment is already known and in the U.S. Patent 4,548,332 described above.

In the context of the invention, however, it is also conceivable that the screw cap separately from the base element and cutting element will be produced. In such a case, after pressing the screw cap onto the base element, a connection recognizable by the consumer and destroying upon first opening is applied as a tamper-evident seal between the base element and the screw cap. Thus, in any case, the consumer can tell whether the pouring element has already been opened once or not.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Ausgießelement nach der Entnahme aus dem Spritzwerkzeug in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

das Ausgießelement aus Fig. 1 in Draufsicht,

Fig. 3

das fertig montierte Ausgießelement gemäß den Fig. 1 und 2 mit aufgepresstem Schraubdeckel in perspektivischer Draufsicht,

Fig. 4

das Ausgießelement nach Betätigen des Schraubdeckels in perspektivischer Ansicht von unten,

Fig. 5

Basiselement und Schneidelement im Vertikalschnitt entlang der Linie V-V aus Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Ansicht von unten und

Fig. 6

ein einzelnes Basiselement im Vertikalschnitt 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

an inventive pouring element after removal from the injection mold in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

the pouring element Fig. 1 in plan view,

Fig. 3

the finished mounted pouring according to the Fig. 1 and 2 with pressed-on screw cap in perspective plan view,

Fig. 4

the pouring element after pressing the screw in a perspective view from below,

Fig. 5

Base element and cutting element in vertical section along the line VV Fig. 2 in perspective view from below and

Fig. 6

a single base element in vertical section in perspective view.

In Fig. 1 the pouring element can be seen in the position as it is removed from the injection mold. In this case, the pouring element initially has a base element 1 with a peripheral fastening flange 2 and an external thread 3. In the interior of the base element 1 is a cutting element 4, which is provided on its underside with a plurality of teeth. The positive guidance between the base element 1 and the cutting element 4 takes place on the one hand via guide webs 6 arranged in the interior of the hollow cylindrical base element 1 and also on the outside of the cutting element 4 arranged guide ribs 7 and 8, will be discussed in more detail.

The pouring element is closed by a screw cap 9, which has cams 10 arranged in its interior on a concentric circular path, which serve as force transmission elements for actuation (rotation) of the cutting element 4 when first screwed on. The steep flank of each cam 10 presses against each guide rib 8 On its inner side, the screw cap 9 has an internal thread 11, which corresponds to the external thread 3 of the base element in a greater pitch.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the base member 1 and the screw 9 are connected to each other by means of a connecting plate 12. The connecting plate 12 is arranged between the edge of the screw cap 9 and the mounting flange 2 of the pouring element and has a length which allows pivoting of the screw cap 9 and pressing on the base element 1.

In the plan view according to Fig. 2 moreover, it can still be seen that the connecting lug 12 has a predetermined breaking point 13 towards the fastening flange 2, namely that it is connected to the fastening flange 2 only with two narrow connecting bridges which are not designated in more detail. The connection between base element 1 and cutting element 4 takes place via connecting bridges 14, whose arrangement will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 3 shows a fully assembled pouring element, it can be clearly seen that the connecting tab 12 signals the consumer immediately whether the screw cap has already been opened once or not. It therefore serves as a seal of authenticity.

In Fig. 4 the pouring element according to the invention is shown in a position which shows the individual components after screwing the screw 9. The cutting element 4 is thereby penetrated along the guide webs 6 in the composite material located below the mounting flange 2 and has carried out about a quarter turn. It can be seen clearly that the connecting plate 12 is broken and that the protruding end 12 'has detached from the fastening flange 2. Further, it can be seen that the cutting element 4 does not have excessive teeth at its lower end, but disposes of the arrangement of teeth in a certain area to ensure that the cut piece of composite material does not detach from the remainder of the composite material to ensure that it is no way the Leave composite pack and get into the drink of the consumer. Due to the fact that the cutting element 4 now projects like a tube into the interior of the pack, the partially punched-out composite piece is bent far more downwards, so that the pouring opening always retains its full cross-section.

In Fig. 5 is now the assembly of base element 1 and cutting element 4 in the sprayed state again shown in vertical section to explain the exact preferred location of the connecting bridges 14. These are located between the outer end of the lower guide ribs 18 and the inner wall of the base member 1. Since here the exact formation of the guide webs 6 is covered by the cutting element 4 is in Fig. 6 a cut base element 1 once again shown without cutting element 4. Here you can see that the guide bar 6 - viewed from top to bottom - initially designed to be relatively steep and then ends relatively flat. This causes a rotation of the cutting element 4 in the interior of the base element 1 to follow first a steep and then a flat helix. For the opening process, this means that the teeth first enter into the composite material or into a PE film spanning an opening in the box (stinging) and then follow a flat circular movement (cutting). So that now the cutting element 4 remains in its end position, is provided according to a further teaching of the invention that the guide webs 6 have at their lower end a recess 15, in which the upper guide ribs 7 fit exactly, so that they are there before a stop 16 jam. This forced operation is also effected by the cam 10 of the screw 9. If the top of the web 16 rises slightly again shortly before reaching the recess 15, this serves for the reliable clamping of the upper guide ribs 7 Fig. 6 This increase is a bit exaggerated to clarify the principle.

Claims (17)

1. Self-opening and re-sealable pouring element consisting of plastic for application to a pack for liquids, in particular a cardboard/plastic composite packaging, having a base element (1) which has an attaching flange (2), a cutting element (4) and a screw cap (9), wherein the cutting element (4) is arranged rotatably inside the base element (1) and is operatively connected to the screw cap (9), wherein when produced in the injection mould the cutting element (4) is already entirely arranged inside the base element (1) and is spaced apart from the base element (1) by a plurality of connecting bridges (14), characterised in that the cutting element is operatively connected to the screw cap (9) in such a way that when the screw cap (9) is unscrewed for the first time an opening for pouring is produced by the cutting element (4) which is screwed into the interior of the pack.
2. Pouring element according to Claim 1, characterised in that the base element (1) has a plurality of guiding ridges (6), which are distributed on its inner wall and whose gradient varies, and the cutting element (4) has a plurality of guiding ribs which are correspondingly distributed on its outer wall, so that a rotation of the cutting element (4) inside the base element (1) initially follows a steep helical line and then a shallow helical line.
3. Pouring element according to Claim 2, characterised in that for each guiding ridge (6) of the base element (1), the cutting element (4) in each case has an upper guiding rib (7) and a lower guiding rib (8), in order to enable the cutting element (4) to be positively guided in each case above and below the respective guiding ridge (6).
4. Pouring element according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that at least some of the radial guiding ribs (7) are at the same time provided as stops for lugs (10), acting as force-transmitting elements, which project into the inside of the base element (1) from the screw cap (9) and are arranged on a concentric circular path.
5. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the base element (1) has three guiding ridges (6) and the cutting element (4) accordingly also has three groups of guiding ribs (7, 8).
6. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the guiding ridges (6) have a recess (15) at their bottom ends to receive the upper guiding ribs (7), and in that the upper guiding ribs (7) are positively guided into these recesses (15) when the screw cap (9) is unscrewed for the first time.
7. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the connecting bridges (14) are arranged between the radial guiding ribs of the cutting element (4) and the inner wall of the base element (1).
8. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the connecting bridges (14) are arranged between the lower radial guiding ribs (8) of the cutting element (4) and the inner wall of the base element (1).
9. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the lower radial guiding ribs (8) are arranged in an inclined position, and in that the inclination essentially corresponds to the mean gradient of the guiding ridges (6) of the base element (1).
10. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the connecting bridges (14) are broken by the consumer at the first time of opening.
11. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the connecting bridges are broken when the screw cap is pressed or screwed onto the base element.
12. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the screw cap (9) is produced in one piece with the base element (1) and cutting element (4) by means of at least one connecting strap (12).
13. Pouring element according to Claim 12, characterised in that the connecting strap (12) between screw cap (9) and base element (1) is at the same time provided to act as a tamper-evident seal.
14. Pouring element according to Claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the connecting strap (12) has a predetermined breaking point (13).
15. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the length of the connecting strap (12) is dimensioned in such a way that, during the production process in the injection mould, the screw cap (9) is injected onto the attaching flange (2) in an unfastened, opened position, and in that for final assembly the screw cap (9) is pivoted over the base element (1) and pressed together with the latter.
16. Pouring element according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the screw cap is produced separately from the base element and cutting element.
17. Pouring element according to Claim 16, characterised in that after the screw cap has been pressed onto the base element a connection, which can be identified by the consumer and which breaks when first opened, is applied to act as a tamper-evident seal.

Images