EP2627569B1 - Reclosable pouring element with barrier film and support wall - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a resealable pouring element for liquids filled into packaging, in particular liquid foodstuffs, having a base body which has a pouring opening, an external thread and a flange for connection to the packaging, a cutting ring which has at least one cutting edge and a projection, and one Screw cap, which has an internal thread and at least one driver, wherein the pouring opening is closed by a barrier film.

Reclosable pouring elements for packaged foods are known in practice in many designs. A typical design provides for three elements: a body that is applied to the package; a cutting ring that cuts open the package upon first opening; and a screw cap used to open and close the package.

The main body regularly has a pouring opening. This pour spout is often sealed from the inside of the package with a gas and water-tight film to completely seal the package and protect the contents of the package from environmental impact.

The at least one driver can in turn be provided with a thread.

A resealable pouring element, in which the pouring opening is closed with a barrier film, is known from US Pat US 6,702,161 B1 known.

A generic pouring is also from the US 4,948,015 known and will be there in the FIGS. 9 to 13 described as a third embodiment. The pouring element consists of a base body with a circumferential flange which is connected to the inside of the packaging, a screw cap and a cutting element. The screw cap has an internal thread which cooperates with an external thread provided on the main body. In addition, the screw cap has an internal external thread which cooperates with an internal thread provided on the cutting element. The main body has a cylindrical pouring opening, which is sealed in its lower region by a barrier film. When opening the screw cap for the first time, the barrier film should be cut open by the cutting element.

That in the US 4,948,015 has shown the disadvantage that the sensitive barrier film is arranged largely unprotected and therefore can be easily damaged. On the one hand, the contents of the package can be pressed during transport from the inside against the barrier film, whereby the barrier film could be pressed or peeled off. In addition, the barrier film could be pressed in the direction of the pouring opening and thereby accidentally damaged by the arranged just above the barrier film cutting element.

Another resealable pouring is from the WO 2007/085106 A1 known. This essentially consists of a bung-shaped lower part with a cylindrical spout, which can be closed by a cap, and a cutting ring arranged therein. Discharge nozzle and cap are coupled together via a corresponding thread pairing by means of internal and external thread. The substantially cylindrical cutting ring has a cutting edge and a recess. In this indentation engages a formed on the cap driving cam, so that when unscrewing the cap, the driven cutting ring according to its storage in the cylindrical spout moves helically downwards and so perforates the container in the region of a barrier layer and cuts.

US 2007/095834 A1 shows a resealable pouring element consisting of a flange, a cylindrical spout and a screw cap. In the pouring spout, a wall decorated with a multi-layered barrier film is formed, which is manually removed by a pull-tab ("ring-pull") during the initial opening. The barrier film consists essentially of a coated aluminum foil and is protectively enclosed at its open ends by a portion of the flange.

The invention is therefore based on the object, the initially mentioned and previously described in detail pouring element and further develop that an improved protection of the barrier film from damage while still reliable opening function of the spout is achieved.

This object is achieved by a pouring with all features of claim 1. The support wall preferably has a higher stiffness than the barrier film and therefore serves as reinforcement of the barrier film. The supporting wall can absorb the forces acting on the barrier film and divert them into the base body. By using a retaining wall, the sensitive barrier film is no longer the weakest point of the packaging and is better protected against mechanical damage. The threads may be formed as a constant pitch thread or a variable pitch thread. The threads can be catchy or multi-threaded. Under a thread is to be understood in the context of the invention not only a continuous, spiral thread. Likewise, the term "thread" means alternative guide elements which cooperate to convert a rotational movement into a translational movement.

For a particularly favorable production can be provided according to a further teaching of the invention that the main body and the support wall are integrally formed. An integral formation of the base body and the supporting wall has the advantage that the three-part structure of the pouring element is maintained. By avoiding other components, the assembly can remain largely unchanged. The one-piece Ausbilung also allows the use of cheaper manufacturing processes, such as injection molding.

The barrier film can be applied particularly simply by arranging the support wall and the flange in a plane according to a further embodiment of the invention.

The arrangement of the support wall and flange in the same plane provides a flat surface to which the barrier film can be applied. By avoiding sharp edges and sharp corners damage to the barrier film is largely excluded.

According to a further teaching of the invention it is provided that the support wall is connected by at least one separation point with the base body. The separation point has by the choice of material and / or the shape of a lower stability than the other areas of the pouring element and is thus formed as a predetermined breaking point. The separation point therefore allows, despite the reinforcing function of the support wall, a simple opening of the pouring opening through the cutting edge of the cutting ring.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the separation point is designed as a web, material bridge or circumferential thin point. The connection of the support wall and the base body by webs or material bridges has the advantage that an economical use of materials is possible and that the separation points of the cutting edge can be broken or cut particularly easily. A circumferential thin spot, however, allows the support wall can absorb relatively large forces and thus provides a high dimensional stability to support the barrier film.

According to a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the barrier film rests against the support wall and on the flange. By extending the barrier film beyond the area of the support wall and also covering parts of the flange, an optimal sealing of the packaging can be achieved the edge area of the flange can be achieved. Preferably, the barrier film extends to the edge of the flange so as to overlap the area in which the flange is attached to the package.

A particularly good seal is achieved according to a further embodiment in that the barrier film is sealed, in particular welded, in the region of the support wall and in the region of the flange with the base body. By a seal, in particular by a weld, a uniform and planar connection between the barrier film and the support wall or flange is achieved. This results in a high density of the seam result. The seal is preferably realized as a cohesive connection. Bonding methods or welding methods, in particular ultrasonic welding, may preferably be used for sealing.

A secure opening of the pouring channel is ensured in a further embodiment of the invention by the barrier film is not sealed in the region of the separation point with the base body. Test series have shown that the cutting edge can break or cut the separation point more uniformly and with less force if there is no sealing with the barrier film in the region of the separation point. By locally dispensing with a seal, and thus the influence of thermal and / or chemical energy, the material properties in this area remain unchanged.

According to a further teaching of the invention, it is provided that the barrier film has at least one barrier layer, in particular has a barrier layer of EVOH, AlO _x , or SiO _x . Depending on the requirements, layers of various materials such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as carrier layer, aluminum oxide (AlO _x ) or silicon oxide (SiO _x ) can be used. Films are particularly easy to process, are available in different thicknesses and are therefore particularly well suited as a barrier film. The barrier film can also be produced by vapor deposition, such as aluminum vapor deposition.

In addition, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the barrier film is designed as a multilayer or multilayer film, in particular as a laminate. Multilayer films can combine the properties of single-layer or single-layer films of different materials to form a laminate. Depending on the material and thickness of the individual layers, laminates with a wide variety of properties can be produced.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the barrier film is gas-tight and / or liquid-tight. Many foods are sensitive and should be protected as well as possible against environmental influences. The entry of gases, especially oxygen, would accelerate the proliferation of germs and thus reduce the shelf life of the bottled foods. This can be prevented by a gastight barrier film. At the same time, the packaging can prevent liquid from entering and exiting through a liquid-tight barrier film. The barrier film may also preferably prevent the entry of light.

A tamper-evident seal is achieved according to a further embodiment of the invention by the screw cap is connected in the mounted position via a designed as a predetermined breaking point material bridge with the base body. In this way, consumers can see at a glance whether a package with a closed screw cap has been previously opened and the content may no longer be fresh.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the base body has an internal thread. The internal thread of the main body cooperates with the cutting ring, so that no second thread needs to be provided on the screw cap.

Finally, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the cutting ring has an external thread. The external thread of the cutting ring interacts with the internal thread of the body. Alternatively or cumulatively, although less preferably, the cutting ring can cooperate with the screw cap via another thread. By the thread of the cutting ring is located on the outside, the inside of the cutting ring can be smooth, whereby the contents of the package can flow through the cutting ring easier.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausgestaltung eines dreiteiligen Ausgießelements in montiertem Zustand in einer geschnittenen Ansicht,

Fig. 2

das in Fig. 1 dargestellte Ausgießelement in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 3

eine zweite Ausgestaltung eines dreiteiligen Ausgießelements in montiertem Zustand in einer geschnittenen Ansicht,

Fig. 4

das in Fig. 3 dargestellte Ausgießelement in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 5

eine vergrößerte Ansicht von Bereich V des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Ausgießelements,

Fig. 6

einen Schraubdeckel in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 7

den in Fig. 6 dargestellten Schraubdeckel in einer geschnittenen Ansicht entlang der Linie VII-VII aus Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Schraubdeckels aus Fig. 6,

Fig. 9

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des Schraubdeckels aus Fig. 6,

Fig. 10

einen Schneidring in seitlicher Ansicht,

Fig. 11

den in Fig. 10 dargestellten Schneidring in einer geschnittenen Ansicht entlang der Linie XI-XI aus Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Schneidrings aus Fig. 10, und

Fig. 13

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des Schneidrings aus Fig. 10.

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 first embodiment of a three-part pouring element in the assembled state in a sectional view,

Fig. 2

this in Fig. 1 illustrated pouring element in a perspective view,

Fig. 3

a second embodiment of a three-part pouring element in the assembled state in a sectional view,

Fig. 4

this in Fig. 3 illustrated pouring element in a perspective view,

Fig. 5

an enlarged view of area V of in Fig. 1 illustrated pouring element,

Fig. 6

a screw cap in a plan view,

Fig. 7

the in Fig. 6 shown screw cap in a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII Fig. 6 .

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the screw from Fig. 6 .

Fig. 9

another perspective view of the screw Fig. 6 .

Fig. 10

a cutting ring in lateral view,

Fig. 11

the in Fig. 10 illustrated cutting ring in a sectional view along the line XI-XI Fig. 10 .

Fig. 12

a perspective view of the cutting ring Fig. 10 , and

Fig. 13

another perspective view of the cutting ring Fig. 10 ,

In Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a three-part pouring element 1 in the assembled state is shown in a sectional view. The pouring element 1 is resealable and consists essentially of three parts, namely a base body 2, a cutting ring 3 and a screw cap 4. The three parts of the pouring element 1 are usually made of plastic. The main body 2 has a peripheral flange 5, which can be connected to a package 6. In the central region of the base body 2 forms a cylindrical pouring opening 7. On the walls of the pouring opening 7, the base body 2 has both an internal thread 8 and an external thread 9. The internal thread 8 of the main body 2 cooperates with an external thread 10 of the cutting ring 3, while the external thread 9 of the base body 2 cooperates with an internal thread 11 of the screw cap 4.

The screw cap 4 has in its interior at least one driver 12, which transmits the torque generated during the opening of the screw 4 to a projection 13 of the cutting ring 3. The cutting ring 13 has at least one cutting edge 14. The external thread 9 of the main body 2 and the internal thread 11 of the screw cap 4 have a pitch which is opposite to the pitch of the internal thread 8 of the base body 2 and of the external thread 10 of the cutting ring 3. In this way, it is achieved that the screw cap 4 lifts in a counterclockwise rotation about a vertical axis 15 of the package, while the cutting ring 3 is also rotated counterclockwise, but axially in the opposite direction, ie in the direction of Packing hearts, moving.

In the lower region of the pouring opening 7, the main body 2 has a support wall 16. The support wall 16 is connected via at least one separation point 17 with the base body 2. The separation point 17 may be formed as a web or material bridge. Likewise, the separation point 17 may be formed as a circumferential thin spot or weakening. The underside of the base body 2, that is to say the underside of the flange 5 and the underside of the support wall 16, are covered with a barrier film 18. When opening the screw 4, the cutting edge 14 opens the separation point 17 and the barrier film 18 in the region of the separation point 17 and sets the support wall 16 and the barrier film 18, so that the pouring opening 7 will release. The contents of the pack can pass in this way through the pouring opening 7 to the outside and be removed from the pack. Preferably, the cutting edge 14 has only one action circle of less than 360 ° during the opening operation, so that the support wall 16 is not completely detached from the base body 2 and can fall into the interior of the package, but only into the interior through the cutting ring 3 the pack is folded into it. Nevertheless, the cutting ring 3 is in an open position with the screw cap 4 in such a deep position that in the package interior folded support wall 16 is prevented by the cutting ring 3 during the casting process on folding back. In this way, it is ensured that the pouring opening 7 is not blocked by the support wall 16 when the screw cap 4 is open, so that the contents of the package can be easily flowed out of the pack.

Fig. 2 shows the pouring element 1 from Fig. 1 in a perspective view. Visible is the screw 4 and the protruding flange 5 of the body 2. The cutting ring 3 is located under the screw 4 and is therefore in Fig. 2 not visible. Below the flange 5, the barrier film 18 is shown. In the in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment, the flange 5 is formed round.

In Fig. 3 a second embodiment of a three-part pouring element 1 in the assembled state is shown in a sectional view. The cutting ring 3 and the screw cap 4 are unchanged from the first embodiment of the pouring element. The main difference to that in Fig. 1 shown pouring element lies in the different design of the flange 5. The flange 5 is in the in Fig. 3 The embodiment shown is formed from a flange 5 'extending radially with respect to the vertical axis 15 and from an angled and rather axially extending flange 5 "The radially extending flange 5' is arranged in a plane with the support wall 16. Both the support wall 16 and the flange 5 'are covered on their underside with the barrier film 18. The angled flange 5 "may be connected to the package 6 on its outside. In the illustrated Embodiment, the flange 5 is square and has at its corners lugs 19, which should improve the connection between the package 6 and flange 5 ".

Fig. 4 shows the pouring element 1 from Fig. 3 in a perspective view. The angled flanges 5 "have ribs 20 which on the one hand mechanically reinforce the flanges 5" and on the other hand, like the lugs 19, should enable a better connection of the packaging 6 to the flange 5. A tamper-evident seal 21 with material bridges 22 designed as predetermined breaking points connects the main body 2 to the screw cap 4. When first opened, the material bridges 22 are destroyed, so that a consumer can easily recognize whether the pack has already been opened beforehand.

In Fig. 5 is the area V to the left separation point 17 of in Fig. 1 shown pouring element 1 shown greatly enlarged. The illustration is, however, except for the differently designed flange 5 on the in Fig. 3 shown pouring element 1 transferable. The flange 5, the support wall 16 and the separation point 17 lie in one plane and form on the bottom together a flat surface for conditioning the barrier film 18 from. The barrier film 18 is sealed to the flange 5 and to the support wall 16, which is represented by a seal 23. Under the seal 23 is a cohesive connection, in particular a welded or glued understood. In the region of the separation point 17, the barrier film 18 is not sealed to the main body 2. The seal 23 thus has a gap in the region of the separation point 17. This area is referred to as unsealed area 24. The cutting edge 14 can sever the separation point 17 much easier if the barrier film 18 is not sealed to the base body 2 in the region of the separation point 17. In addition, the cutting ring 3, the support wall 16 easier to fold into the interior of the package 6, when in the hinge left as a region between the base body 2 and the support wall 16 no seal 23 has taken place. Likewise is in Fig. 5 recognizable that the barrier film 18 is sealed to the outer edge of the flange 5 with the flange 5. In this way, it should be avoided that the edge of the barrier film 18 projects loosely from the base body 2.

The screw 4 is in the Fig. 6 to 9 shown. In Fig. 6 the screw cap 4 is shown in a plan view. Fig. 7 shows the screw cap 4 in a sectional view along the line VII-VII Fig. 6 , The screw cap 4 has in its interior two drivers 12, the rotational movement of the screw 4 on the in Fig. 6 not shown cutting ring 3 transmitted. Also inside the screw 4, the internal thread 11 is arranged, which cooperates with the external thread 9 of the main body 2, not shown.

In the 8 and 9 the screw cap 4 is shown in a perspective view. The in the 8 and 9 illustrated screw cap 4 also has two drivers 12 and an internal thread 11. The drivers 12 have on the projection 13 of the cutting ring 3 associated side on an enlarged contact surface. This contact surface is designed so that the driver 12 can transmit the rotational force on the projection 13 securely on the cutting ring 3 and that the projection 13 can slide on the contact surface in the axial direction during the opening process.

The cutting ring 3 is in the Fig. 10 to 13 shown. In Fig. 10 the cutting ring 3 is shown from the side. The cutting ring has two cutting edges 14 and an external thread 10. In Fig. 11 is the in Fig. 10 illustrated cutting ring 3 in a sectional view along the line XI-XI Fig. 10 shown. In addition to the cutting edge 14 and the external thread 10, the projection 13 can be seen in this view, which cooperates with the driver 12, not shown, of the screw 4. In Fig. 12 is the cutting ring 3 made Fig. 10 shown in a perspective view. The cutting ring 3 has, in addition to the external thread 10, two opposing cutting edges 14 and two likewise opposing projections 13. Fig. 13 shows the cutting ring 3 from Fig. 10 in a further perspective view. Again, two cutting edges 14 and one of the two projections 13 are shown in addition to the external thread 10.

Claims (14)

1. Reclosable pouring element (1) for liquids filled in packages (6), in particular liquid foods, comprising:

   - a base body (2), comprising a pouring opening (7), an external thread (9) and a flange (5, 5") for connection to the package (6),

   - a cutting ring (3) arranged in the pouring opening (7), which comprises at least one cutting edge (14) and a projection (13), and

   - a screw cap (4), which comprises an internal thread (11) and at least one catch (12), which transmits the rotational force that occurs during the opening of the screw cap (4) to the projection (13) of the cutting ring (13),

   wherein the pouring opening (7) is closed by a barrier film (18),
   characterised in that the base body (2) comprises a support wall (16) in the lower region of the pouring opening (7), against which the barrier foil (18) rests, and in that the underside of the flange (5) and the underside of the support wall (16) are covered by the barrier film (18).
2. Reclosable pouring element according to claim 1, characterised in that the base body (2) and the support wall (16) are formed integrally.
3. Reclosable pouring element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the support wall (16) and the flange (5, 5') are arranged in one plane.
4. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the support wall (16) is connected to the base body (2) by at least one separation point (17).
5. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the separation point (17) is formed by a web, material bridge or circumferential thin spot.
6. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the barrier foil (18) rests against the support wall (16) and the flange (5, 5').
7. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that in the area of the support wall (16) and in the area of the flange (5, 5') the barrier foil (18) is sealed, in particular welded, to the base body (2).
8. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that in the area of the separating point (17) the barrier foil (18) is not sealed to the base body (2).
9. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the barrier foil (18) comprises at least one barrier layer, in particular a barrier layer of EVOH, AlO_x or SiO_x.
10. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the barrier foil (18) is in the form of a multilayered or multiply foil, in particular as laminate.
11. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the barrier foil (18) is gas-tight and/or liquid-tight.
12. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the screw cap (4) in the mounted position is connected to the base body (2) via a material bridge (22) in the form of a predetermined breaking point.
13. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the base body (2) comprises an internal thread (8).
14. Reclosable pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the cutting ring (3) has an external thread (10).

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