EP2424783A1 - Pour spout fitments with cutting/rupturing tooth - Google Patents

Pour spout fitments with cutting/rupturing tooth

Info

Publication number
EP2424783A1
EP2424783A1 EP10719771A EP10719771A EP2424783A1 EP 2424783 A1 EP2424783 A1 EP 2424783A1 EP 10719771 A EP10719771 A EP 10719771A EP 10719771 A EP10719771 A EP 10719771A EP 2424783 A1 EP2424783 A1 EP 2424783A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cutter
edge
tooth
tip
knife
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP10719771A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2424783B1 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Kieser
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Elopak Systems AG
Original Assignee
Elopak Systems AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Elopak Systems AG filed Critical Elopak Systems AG
Publication of EP2424783A1 publication Critical patent/EP2424783A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2424783B1 publication Critical patent/EP2424783B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
    • B65D5/74—Spouts
    • B65D5/746—Spouts formed separately from the container
    • B65D5/747—Spouts formed separately from the container with means for piercing or cutting the container wall or a membrane connected to said wall
    • B65D5/748—Spouts formed separately from the container with means for piercing or cutting the container wall or a membrane connected to said wall a major part of the container wall or membrane being left inside the container after the opening
    • 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
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
    • B65D51/22—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure
    • B65D51/221—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being left inside the container after the opening
    • B65D51/222—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being left inside the container after the opening the piercing or cutting means being integral with, or fixedly attached to, the outer closure
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0093—Membrane

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a cutter for a pour spout fitment and to a fitment including such cutter.
  • a package comprised of a plastics tube and an accessory for cutting a seal of the tube.
  • the accessory which is generally of bush- form, is screwed on a sealed neck of the tube and carries a tooth used for cutting the seal during the screwing.
  • This accessory is made of plastics which is harder than that of the seal; it includes an internal crown carrying the tooth and advancing in the neck during screwing; it comes into local contact with the seal after at least two-thirds of a turn of screwing and the end of this screwing corresponds with a cutting of the seal over 290° to 330° and it seems to be followed on the internal crown by an inclined edge pressing and folding the seal into the tube as its cutting proceeds.
  • the package is usable in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and hygiene fields and also in the packaging of food and maintenance products.
  • the bush can be topped by an externally threaded neck of its own to receive an applicator nozzle .
  • US-B-6279779 discloses a closable opening device having a frame defining a through hole and fitted about a pierceable portion of a sealed package for pourable food products; a removable threaded cap which screws onto the frame to close the hole; and a tubular cutting member, which engages the hole in movable manner along a spiral feed path, is connected angularly to the cap during disengagement of the cap from the frame when first opening the package, and has an end edge in turn having, on its face, a single cutter acting about a major portion of the periphery of the pierceable portion to open the package.
  • the cutter is defined by a tooth formed on the end edge of the cutting member and having a substantially triangular profile defined by a cutting edge crosswise to the pierceable portion of the wall, and by a lateral cutting edge having a curved profile sloping with respect to the axis of the device and connecting a free end of the cutting edge to the end edge. More specifically, the cutter comprises a cutting portion projecting axially with respect to the end edge and defined, inwards of the cutting member, by a surface sloping slightly with respect to the pierceable portion so as to define a cross-section of the cutting portion decreasing towards the pierceable portion. Adjacent to the cutter, the end edge of the cutting member has a ramp-shaped recess increasing in depth towards the cutter, and defining an axial height of the cutting edge greater than the axial height of the cutting portion.
  • US-A1-2004/0149786 discloses a pour spout fitment which is arranged above a pierceable point of a filled and sealed carton.
  • the fitment comprises a flanged pour spout, a screw cap thereon and an annular piercing element. Screwthreadings are used to displace the piercing element, which is open at both ends, downwards in an axial direction in a helical manner under the action of unscrewing of the cap.
  • the piercing element has two cutting teeth offset at an angle which produce continuous, interconnected cutting lines, and a displacing tooth which shifts a partially cut-out disc of the carton from the region of the spout.
  • US-A1-2005/0242113 discloses a pour spout fitment comprising a spout having a lower flange which is to be moulded or glued to a composite packaging, an associated screw cap as well as a carton opening sleeve arranged within the spout. This sleeve can be made to rotate by the screw cap upon unscrewing of the cap.
  • the inner surface of the spout is provided with four guide webs having varying inclines arranged over its inner circumference.
  • the sleeve first pierces a paper or cardboard laminate of the packaging with the tip of a single piercing tooth thereof in a steep, downwardly directed movement, and thereafter performs a horizontal rotational movement about 340°, whilst it cuts part of a circular disc of the laminate with a sharp cutting edge, and thereafter pivots this disc part downwards and retains it in that position.
  • an annular cutter for a pour spout fitment comprising an annular body, a cutting tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a knife-edge shape circumferentially of said annular body and, as viewed radially of said body, said knife-edge shape being curved.
  • a pour spout fitment comprising: - an annular pour spout,
  • annular cutter comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a curved knife-edge shape circumferentially of said annular body,
  • said cutter being substantially co-axial with said pour spout
  • a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife-edge precedes said tip
  • a package comprising: -
  • a pour spout fitment attached to a wall of said carton and comprising: - an annular pour spout,
  • annular cutter comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a curved knife- edge shape circumferentially of said annular body,
  • said cutter being substantially co-axial with said pour spout
  • a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife-edge precedes said tip
  • a method of opening a package comprising a carton formed of a laminate; and a pour spout fitment attached to a wall of said • carton and comprising an annular pour spout, an annular cutter comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a curved knife-edge shape circumferentially of said annular body, said cutter being substantially co-axial with said pour spout, a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife-edge precedes said tip, and a motion-guiding arrangement effective between said spout and said cutter such that said cutter can be displaced both axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife- edge preceding said tip, comprising turning said cutter around said axis to form through said wall a cut of open loop character
  • the tooth, at its tip is of a curved knife-edge shape circumferentially of the annular body, it is possible to arrange that it does not dig into a packaging wall to be cut and thus tear the wall, leaving unsightly edges and even torn-off portions which may enter the contents of the carton to be poured or being poured, rather than relatively cleanly cutting through the wall.
  • the verb "to cut” is restricted to the usual action of a knife, or whether it also covers pushing upon packaging material so as to cause the material to fracture along a line, whether curved or straight.
  • the verb and its corresponding nouns, adjectives and adverbs
  • the verb is used' in the broader sense, i.e. so as to embrace both possibilities.
  • an annular cutter for a pour spout fitment comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth including a tip and also a leading knife-edge extending away from said tip towards said annular body, said knife-edge being chamfered at both sides thereof.
  • an annular cutter for a pour spout fitment comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth including a tip and also a leading knife-edge extending away from said tip towards said body, wherein an imaginary extension of said leading knife- edge in a sense away from said annular body is angled obliquely outwardly.
  • the diameter of the partially cut-out disc is greater than the internal diameter of the annular cutter, so that the through-flow cross-sectional area at the container wall itself is larger than it would otherwise be.
  • the curved knife-edge shape is substantially part of a sinusoidal wave form.
  • the tooth advantageously has a leading knife edge extending obliquely away from the tip towards the annular body, with the leading knife-edge being preferably another part of the sinusoidal wave form.
  • the tooth as viewed radially of the annular body, is substantially one- half of the sinusoidal wave form.
  • a pour spout fitment including the annular cutter comprises an annular pour spout substantially co-axial with the cutter, a cap mounted on the spout for turning the cutter about the axis so that the leading knife-edge precedes the tip of the tooth, and some motion-guiding arrangement effective between the spout and the cutter such that the cutter can be displaced both axially away from the cap and turningly about the axis with the leading knife-edge preceding the tip.
  • the motion-guiding arrangement upon turning of the cap, causes the cutter to displace simultaneously axially away from the cap and turningly about the axis with the leading knife-edge preceding the tip.
  • Figure 1 is a side elevation of an annular cutter of a pour spout fitment
  • Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the sinusoidal form of a cutting tooth of the cutter
  • Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cutter but taken at right-angles to the side elevation of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of the cutter
  • Figure 5 is an underneath perspective view of a plastics-coated paperboard wall in a test rig and illustrating a final stage in the cutting of a hole through the wall.
  • the pour spout fitment is of the general character disclosed in US-A-2004/0149786, with the major difference that the annular cutter (herein referenced 2) has only a single tooth (herein referenced 4) depending from an annular body (herein referenced 6) of the cutter 2.
  • the annular body 6 is formed externally peripherally with acme screwthreading 8 for co-operating with internal screwthreading of the pour spout.
  • the tooth 4, at its tip 10, is of a curved knife-edge shape circumferentially of the annular body 6.
  • the tooth 4 also has a leading knife- edge 12 extending obliquely upwardly away from the tip 10 to the body 6.
  • the tooth 4, as viewed radially of the body 6, is substantially one-half of a sinusoidal wave form, as indicated in Figure 2.
  • an imaginary extension 12' of the leading knife-edge 12 in a sense away from the body 6 is angled obliquely outwardly.
  • the leading knife-edge 12 is chamfered at both sides 12a and 12b thereof.
  • the shape of the tip 10 and the leading edge 12 of the tooth 4 are such that the tooth tends to ride on the wall as it cuts it, rather than dig into it.
  • the segment 18 is located outwardly of the tooth 4.
  • the angle of cutting by the tooth 4 is, of course, less than 360°, preferably about 300°, so producing a through cut in the form of an open loop. If, however the tooth were to turn in a spiral path, the angle of cutting could be more than 360°, a through cut in the form of an open loop still thus being produced.
  • the test rig 20 is seen round the exposed part of the wall 14.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Knives (AREA)

Abstract

An annular cutter (2) for a pour spout fitment comprises an annular body (6), a single, cutting and/or rupturing tooth (4) protruding from an axial end of the body (6), the tooth (4), at its tip (10), being of a knife-edge shape circumferentialIy of the body. As viewed radially of the body (6), the knife-edge shape, which is substantially part of a sinusoidal wave form, is curved. The tooth (4) also has a leading knife-edge (12) extending obliquely away from the tip (10) towards the body (6), and the leading knife-edge (12) is another part of the sinusoidal wave form.

Description

POUR STOUT FITMENTS WITH CUTTING/RUPTURING TOOTH
This invention relates to a cutter for a pour spout fitment and to a fitment including such cutter.
The precise details of the disclosure in FR-A-2659298 are occasionally unclear but it does disclose a package comprised of a plastics tube and an accessory for cutting a seal of the tube. The accessory, which is generally of bush- form, is screwed on a sealed neck of the tube and carries a tooth used for cutting the seal during the screwing. This accessory is made of plastics which is harder than that of the seal; it includes an internal crown carrying the tooth and advancing in the neck during screwing; it comes into local contact with the seal after at least two-thirds of a turn of screwing and the end of this screwing corresponds with a cutting of the seal over 290° to 330° and it seems to be followed on the internal crown by an inclined edge pressing and folding the seal into the tube as its cutting proceeds. The package is usable in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and hygiene fields and also in the packaging of food and maintenance products. The bush can be topped by an externally threaded neck of its own to receive an applicator nozzle .
US-B-6279779 discloses a closable opening device having a frame defining a through hole and fitted about a pierceable portion of a sealed package for pourable food products; a removable threaded cap which screws onto the frame to close the hole; and a tubular cutting member, which engages the hole in movable manner along a spiral feed path, is connected angularly to the cap during disengagement of the cap from the frame when first opening the package, and has an end edge in turn having, on its face, a single cutter acting about a major portion of the periphery of the pierceable portion to open the package. The cutter is defined by a tooth formed on the end edge of the cutting member and having a substantially triangular profile defined by a cutting edge crosswise to the pierceable portion of the wall, and by a lateral cutting edge having a curved profile sloping with respect to the axis of the device and connecting a free end of the cutting edge to the end edge. More specifically, the cutter comprises a cutting portion projecting axially with respect to the end edge and defined, inwards of the cutting member, by a surface sloping slightly with respect to the pierceable portion so as to define a cross-section of the cutting portion decreasing towards the pierceable portion. Adjacent to the cutter, the end edge of the cutting member has a ramp-shaped recess increasing in depth towards the cutter, and defining an axial height of the cutting edge greater than the axial height of the cutting portion.
US-A1-2004/0149786 discloses a pour spout fitment which is arranged above a pierceable point of a filled and sealed carton. The fitment comprises a flanged pour spout, a screw cap thereon and an annular piercing element. Screwthreadings are used to displace the piercing element, which is open at both ends, downwards in an axial direction in a helical manner under the action of unscrewing of the cap. The piercing element has two cutting teeth offset at an angle which produce continuous, interconnected cutting lines, and a displacing tooth which shifts a partially cut-out disc of the carton from the region of the spout. Each cutting tooth has a sharp apex preceded by a knife edge. US-A1-2005/0242113 discloses a pour spout fitment comprising a spout having a lower flange which is to be moulded or glued to a composite packaging, an associated screw cap as well as a carton opening sleeve arranged within the spout. This sleeve can be made to rotate by the screw cap upon unscrewing of the cap. The inner surface of the spout is provided with four guide webs having varying inclines arranged over its inner circumference. These interact with specially formed guide ribs on the outer wall of the sleeve such that the sleeve, when continuously rotated in the inside of the spout, and by being guided by these ribs, describes an uneven downwardly directed movement, superposed on its rotational movement. Thus, the sleeve first pierces a paper or cardboard laminate of the packaging with the tip of a single piercing tooth thereof in a steep, downwardly directed movement, and thereafter performs a horizontal rotational movement about 340°, whilst it cuts part of a circular disc of the laminate with a sharp cutting edge, and thereafter pivots this disc part downwards and retains it in that position.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an annular cutter for a pour spout fitment, comprising an annular body, a cutting tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a knife-edge shape circumferentially of said annular body and, as viewed radially of said body, said knife-edge shape being curved.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pour spout fitment, comprising: - an annular pour spout,
an annular cutter comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a curved knife-edge shape circumferentially of said annular body,
said cutter being substantially co-axial with said pour spout,
a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife-edge precedes said tip,
and a motion-guiding arrangement effective between said spout and said cutter such that said cutter can be displaced both axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife-edge preceding said tip.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package comprising: -
a carton formed of a laminate; and
a pour spout fitment attached to a wall of said carton and comprising: - an annular pour spout,
an annular cutter comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a curved knife- edge shape circumferentially of said annular body,
said cutter being substantially co-axial with said pour spout,
a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife-edge precedes said tip,
and a motion-guiding arrangement effective between said spout and said cutter such that said cutter can be displaced both axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife-edge preceding said tip,
and wherein said turning of said cutter forms through said wall a cut of open loop character.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of opening a package comprising a carton formed of a laminate; and a pour spout fitment attached to a wall of said • carton and comprising an annular pour spout, an annular cutter comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a curved knife-edge shape circumferentially of said annular body, said cutter being substantially co-axial with said pour spout, a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife-edge precedes said tip, and a motion-guiding arrangement effective between said spout and said cutter such that said cutter can be displaced both axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife- edge preceding said tip, comprising turning said cutter around said axis to form through said wall a cut of open loop character, said tooth tending to ride on said wall as said tooth cuts said wall, rather than digging into said wall.
Owing to those aspects of the invention, because the tooth, at its tip, is of a curved knife-edge shape circumferentially of the annular body, it is possible to arrange that it does not dig into a packaging wall to be cut and thus tear the wall, leaving unsightly edges and even torn-off portions which may enter the contents of the carton to be poured or being poured, rather than relatively cleanly cutting through the wall. Among persons skilled in the art, there is sometimes a dispute as to whether the verb "to cut" is restricted to the usual action of a knife, or whether it also covers pushing upon packaging material so as to cause the material to fracture along a line, whether curved or straight. In the present Specification, the verb (and its corresponding nouns, adjectives and adverbs) is used' in the broader sense, i.e. so as to embrace both possibilities.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an annular cutter for a pour spout fitment, comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth including a tip and also a leading knife-edge extending away from said tip towards said annular body, said knife-edge being chamfered at both sides thereof.
Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to make the knife-edge sharper than if it were to be chamfered at only one side thereof.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an annular cutter for a pour spout fitment, comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth including a tip and also a leading knife-edge extending away from said tip towards said body, wherein an imaginary extension of said leading knife- edge in a sense away from said annular body is angled obliquely outwardly.
Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to arrange that the diameter of the partially cut-out disc is greater than the internal diameter of the annular cutter, so that the through-flow cross-sectional area at the container wall itself is larger than it would otherwise be.
Advantageously, the curved knife-edge shape is substantially part of a sinusoidal wave form. Furthermore, the tooth advantageously has a leading knife edge extending obliquely away from the tip towards the annular body, with the leading knife-edge being preferably another part of the sinusoidal wave form. In a preferred embodiment, the tooth, as viewed radially of the annular body, is substantially one- half of the sinusoidal wave form. Advantageously, a pour spout fitment including the annular cutter comprises an annular pour spout substantially co-axial with the cutter, a cap mounted on the spout for turning the cutter about the axis so that the leading knife-edge precedes the tip of the tooth, and some motion-guiding arrangement effective between the spout and the cutter such that the cutter can be displaced both axially away from the cap and turningly about the axis with the leading knife-edge preceding the tip. Advantageously, upon turning of the cap, the motion-guiding arrangement causes the cutter to displace simultaneously axially away from the cap and turningly about the axis with the leading knife-edge preceding the tip.
In order that the invention may be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an annular cutter of a pour spout fitment;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the sinusoidal form of a cutting tooth of the cutter;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cutter but taken at right-angles to the side elevation of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of the cutter; and
Figure 5 is an underneath perspective view of a plastics-coated paperboard wall in a test rig and illustrating a final stage in the cutting of a hole through the wall.
Referring to the drawings, the pour spout fitment is of the general character disclosed in US-A-2004/0149786, with the major difference that the annular cutter (herein referenced 2) has only a single tooth (herein referenced 4) depending from an annular body (herein referenced 6) of the cutter 2. The annular body 6 is formed externally peripherally with acme screwthreading 8 for co-operating with internal screwthreading of the pour spout. The tooth 4, at its tip 10, is of a curved knife-edge shape circumferentially of the annular body 6. The tooth 4 also has a leading knife- edge 12 extending obliquely upwardly away from the tip 10 to the body 6. The tooth 4, as viewed radially of the body 6, is substantially one-half of a sinusoidal wave form, as indicated in Figure 2. As can be seen from Figure 3, an imaginary extension 12' of the leading knife-edge 12 in a sense away from the body 6 is angled obliquely outwardly.
As can be seen from both Figures 3 and 4, the leading knife-edge 12 is chamfered at both sides 12a and 12b thereof.
Referring to Figure 5, there is seen an inside surface of a carton formed of a laminate 14 which comprises a paperboard substrate with innermost and outermost layers of moisture barrier thermoplastics, possibly with the interposition of an oxygen barrier layer. In Figure 5, the annular body 6 and its tooth 4 as well as the pour spout 16 are visible. It can be seen that the tooth 4 has cut from the wall 14 and turned aside inwardly a major segment 18 of a disc. That final stage has been reached by unscrewing the screw cap of the pour spout fitment, with the result that the tooth 4 moves downwards and turns about the axis of the fitment and presses downwards on the laminate 14 and, especially if the laminate 14 contains a relatively tough oxygen barrier layer, tensions that barrier layer to promote the cutting action of the tooth 4. The shape of the tip 10 and the leading edge 12 of the tooth 4 are such that the tooth tends to ride on the wall as it cuts it, rather than dig into it. In the final relative position of the tooth 4 as seen in Figure 5, the segment 18 is located outwardly of the tooth 4. Assuming that the tooth turns in a circular path, the angle of cutting by the tooth 4 is, of course, less than 360°, preferably about 300°, so producing a through cut in the form of an open loop. If, however the tooth were to turn in a spiral path, the angle of cutting could be more than 360°, a through cut in the form of an open loop still thus being produced. The test rig 20 is seen round the exposed part of the wall 14.

Claims

An annular cutter for a pour spout fitment, comprising an annular body, a cutting tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth, at its tip, being of a knife-edge shape circumferentially of said annular body and, as viewed radially of said body, said knife- edge shape being curved.
2. A cutter according to claim 1, wherein said curved knife-edge shape is substantially part of a sinusoidal wave form.
3. A cutter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tooth has a leading knife-edge extending obliquely away from said tip towards said annular body.
4. A cutter according to claim 3, wherein said leading knife-edge is another part of said sinusoidal wave form.
5. A cutter according to claim 4, wherein said tooth, as viewed radially of said annular body, is substantially one-half of said sinusoidal wave form.
6. A cutter according to claim 3, wherein said leading knife-edge is chamfered at both sides thereof.
7. A cutter according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein an imaginary extension of said leading knife-edge in a sense away from said annular body is angled obliquely outwardly.
A pour spout fitment, comprising an annular pour spout, a cutter according to any one of claims 3 to 7 and substantially co-axial with said pour spout, a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife-edge precedes said tip, and a motion-guiding arrangement effective between said spout and said cutter such that said cutter can be displaced both axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife-edge preceding said tip.
9. A fitment according to claim 8, wherein, upon turning of said cap, said motion-guiding arrangement causes said cutter to displace simultaneously axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife-edge preceding said tip.
10. An annular cutter for a pour spout fitment, comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth including a tip and also a leading knife-edge extending away from said tip towards said annular body, said knife-edge being chamfered at both sides thereof.
11. A cutter according to claim 10, wherein an imaginary- extension of said leading knife-edge in a sense away from said annular body is angled obliquely outwardly.
12. A pour spout fitment comprising an annular pour spout, a cutter according to claim 10 or 11, and substantially co-axial with said pour spout, a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife-edge precedes said tip, and motion-guiding means effective between said spout and said cutter such that said cutter can be displaced both axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife-edge preceding said tip.
13. A fitment according to claim 12, wherein upon turning of said cap, said motion-guiding means causes said cutter to displace simultaneously axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife- edge preceding said tip.
14. An annular cutter for a pour spout fitment, comprising an annular body, a tooth protruding from an axial end of said body, said tooth including a tip and also a leading knife-edge extending away from said tip towards said body, wherein an imaginary extension of said leading knife-edge in a sense away from said annular body is angled obliquely outwardly.
15. A pour spout fitment comprising an annular pour spout, a cutter according to claim 14 and substantially co-axial with said pour spout, a cap mounted on said spout so as to be turnable about the axis of said spout for turning said cutter about said axis so that said leading knife- edge precedes said tip, and motion-guiding means effective between said spout and said cutter such that said cutter can be displaced both axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife-edge preceding said tip.
16. A pour spout fitment according to claim 15, wherein, upon turning of said cap, said motion-guiding means causes said cutter to displace simultaneously axially away from said cap and turningly about said axis with said leading knife-edge preceding said tip.
17. A package comprising :- a carton formed of a laminate; and a pour spout fitment according to claim 8 or 9 attached at a wall of said carton and wherein said turning of said cutter forms a through cut of open loop character.
18. A package according to claim 17, wherein said laminate comprises a paperboard substrate with innermost and outermost layers of moisture barrier thermoplastics.
19. A package according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said laminate contains a relatively tough oxygen barrier layer.
20. A method of opening a package according to any one of claims 17 to 19 and including turning said cutter around said axis, said tooth tending to ride on said wall as said tooth cuts said wall, rather than digging into said wall .
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said package is according to claim 19 and wherein said tooth tends to tension said oxygen barrier layer to promote the cutting action of said tooth
EP10719771.7A 2009-05-02 2010-05-04 Pour spout fitments with cutting/rupturing tooth Active EP2424783B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0907662.1A GB0907662D0 (en) 2009-05-02 2009-05-02 Improvements in or relating to pour spout fitments
PCT/GB2010/000912 WO2010128302A1 (en) 2009-05-02 2010-05-04 Pour spout fitments with cutting/rupturing tooth

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2424783A1 true EP2424783A1 (en) 2012-03-07
EP2424783B1 EP2424783B1 (en) 2020-03-11

Family

ID=40792225

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10719771.7A Active EP2424783B1 (en) 2009-05-02 2010-05-04 Pour spout fitments with cutting/rupturing tooth

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2424783B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2796128T3 (en)
GB (1) GB0907662D0 (en)
RU (1) RU2555654C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2010128302A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102011017793A1 (en) * 2011-04-29 2012-10-31 Robert Bosch Gmbh Cutting tooth of a rotatable cutting device
DE102012012937B3 (en) * 2012-06-29 2013-03-21 Sig Technology Ag Composite package e.g. parallelepiped cardboard/plastic composite package for pourable products e.g. orange juice, has cutting element provided for tearing a tearing line formed in opening region
ITPG20130058A1 (en) * 2013-11-28 2015-05-29 Ipi Srl OPENING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER FOR VERSIBLE PRODUCTS
EP3854716A1 (en) 2020-01-27 2021-07-28 Elopak GmbH Closure device for a paper or paperboard-based package
US11390516B2 (en) 2020-05-08 2022-07-19 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Tap assembly
US11878903B2 (en) 2020-06-11 2024-01-23 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Tap assembly

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3526682A1 (en) * 1985-07-25 1987-01-29 Noefa Gmbh Opening part for a container, method for producing a container and device for carrying out the method
BE904849A (en) * 1986-05-30 1986-09-15 Calwag Sa PLUG FOR SEALING A CONTAINER, THE PORT OF WHICH IS CLOSED BY A SOLIDARIZED LID THEREOF BY INDUCTION OR CONDUCTION.
US5082136A (en) * 1991-02-06 1992-01-21 Enviro-Packaging Corp. Container and cap construction
DE4343816A1 (en) * 1993-12-22 1995-06-29 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Device for opening a plastic packaging
US5477972A (en) * 1994-06-02 1995-12-26 Lester; William M. Tamper evident closure device for bottles and the like
DE102006016113B3 (en) * 2006-04-04 2007-08-23 Sig Technology Ag Reclosable pouring unit for e.g. beverage package, has cams extending from upper edges of cutting unit, such that lower edges with thread sections of internal thread form stop unit for cutting unit pressed in inner side of frame

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2010128302A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2796128T3 (en) 2020-11-25
WO2010128302A1 (en) 2010-11-11
EP2424783B1 (en) 2020-03-11
RU2555654C2 (en) 2015-07-10
RU2011149135A (en) 2013-06-10
GB0907662D0 (en) 2009-06-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2485300C (en) A self-opener closure for composite packagings or for container spouts to be closed with film material
US7458486B2 (en) Self-opening closure for composite packagings or for container or bottle nozzles for sealing with film material
US10384825B2 (en) Sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products
EP2424783B1 (en) Pour spout fitments with cutting/rupturing tooth
US6279779B1 (en) Closable opening device for sealed packages of pourable food products
US7484641B2 (en) Closable opening device for packages of pourable food products
US6820764B2 (en) Closable opening device for sealed packages of pourable food products
EP1088764B1 (en) Closable opening device for sealed packages of pourable food products
JP4182389B2 (en) Spout equipment, combination of spout equipment and packaging material, method of attaching spout equipment to packaging material, and method of opening packaging material
US20070108153A1 (en) Drinking and pouring closure with a piercing cutter device for composite packagings or container and bottle spouts sealed with a film material
US20100018992A1 (en) Plastic closing device comprising a cutting collar
EP3260386B1 (en) Sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products
JP2019517431A (en) Spout element for composite packaging and composite packaging with spout element
EP3715271A1 (en) Opening device for a package containing a pourable product
EP3901046B1 (en) An opening device for a sealed package and a sealed package provided with an opening device
EP3715275A1 (en) Opening device for a package and method for applying an opening device to a package
JP2008503409A (en) Sheet material and method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20111129

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20171113

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20190930

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1242882

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200315

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602010063435

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200611

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20200311

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200611

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200612

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200711

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200805

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1242882

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200311

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2796128

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20201125

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602010063435

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200531

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200531

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20201214

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20200531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200504

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200504

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200311

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230530

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240521

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240521

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20240626

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240529

Year of fee payment: 15