EP3253672B1 - Pouring-out element - Google Patents

Description

field of invention

The invention relates to a pouring element according to the preamble of claim 1, a use of the pouring element according to claim 11 and a method according to the preamble of claim 12.

State of the art

Pouring elements have been known since the end of the 1980s which, when screwed on, cut through the freshness seal of a composite pack, in particular made of plastic and cardboard. Such pouring elements include a lower closure part which is inseparably connected to the composite packaging. A cover can be screwed onto the lower part of the closure. A cutting sleeve is screwed into the lower part of the breech. The cutting sleeve has an external thread which is formed in the opposite direction to the external thread of the closure lower part onto which the cover can be screwed. When the lid is rotated to open the lid, the lid is mechanically engaged with the cutting sleeve in such a way that the latter is rotated in the opposite direction of the lid in the direction of the freshness seal. The freshness seal can consist of an aluminum plate or composite packaging and can be pre-perforated along the cutting line of the cutting sleeve. After the composite packaging has been opened, the mechanical engagement between the lid and the cutting sleeve is broken and the cutting sleeve remains in the screwed-in position in the packaging. This type of screw cap assures the consumer of a clean and hygienic product but is relatively complicated in construction as it consists of three parts and the parts have to be very specially shaped to work together. The unavoidable provision of a pre-perforated weakening line also represents a further work step. Such pouring elements are only suitable for packaging materials which are relatively easy to cut through or are made severable to a certain extent by the weakening line. This type of cutting spout is therefore only suitable for a limited selection of packaging materials.

Pouring elements are also known in which a cover with a tear-off ring is arranged in the pouring channel. This type of tamper evident seal is inconvenient and often annoyed by the user as the tear ring breaks off before the cover can be peeled off.

From the DE 10 2012 012 937 a composite packaging, for example a so-called Tetrapak, is known which has an opening area. This opening area can be opened by a pouring element described above. According to the teaching of DE 10 2012 012 937 the opening portion comprises a line of weakness having a 270 degree circular line and a straight line, both ends of the line of weakness being connected by a hinge portion. This specially shaped opening area is intended to enable the pouring area to be opened and kept open easily and reliably. However, this composite packaging also has the disadvantages mentioned above.

In the DE 1 482 546 discloses a pouring closure made of plastic, which consists of a lower part and an upper part provided with a stamped part. The pouring opening is closed by a cover that consists of one piece with the lower part and is to be punched out. The stamped part has a cavity so that the cover does not fall into a container that can be closed by the pouring closure during stamping. The cover may become stuck inside the cavity after the stamping process. However, this device is not reliable, since it happens again and again that the cover is not or only partially jammed in the stamped part.

In the US 2007/0289663 A1 describes a container onto which a hollow housing is screwed. A cap is screwed onto the housing in turn at its open end. The cap has formed an inner annular wall which rests on a seal. The seal is formed on the body and closes the container to a cavity defined by the top of the cap, the inner wall and the seal. When the cap is screwed on in a clockwise direction, the free end of the inner wall pushes open the seal. The free end of the wall therefore acts like a ram on the seal, which ram presses on the seal. The seal is pivoted about a hinge as the wall end advances. The seal is connected to the housing by the hinge. Is the cap complete? Threaded onto the case, the wall has pushed the seal into a vertical open position. Opening the seal allows a first component to flow from the cavity of the cap into the container. The first component can be mixed with a second component which is in the container. The two-component mixture can be emptied from the container by unscrewing the housing together with the cap from the container. After being screwed into the housing, the cap can no longer be unscrewed from the latter, since it is secured to the housing with pawls.

object of the invention

It can thus be regarded as an object to provide a pouring element with a pouring channel, which reliably ensures that after a cover closing the pouring channel has been severed, this cover cannot close the pouring channel again.

Description

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous configurations of the objects are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, a pouring element is proposed for attachment to a container for pouring out the contents of the container, which has a closure cap, a lower closure part for non-rotatable attachment to the container with a pouring channel, a cover arranged with the pouring channel, and a cutting sleeve that cannot be detached from the Cap is connected, has. The closure cap can be displaced along the pouring channel from a first position to a second position and vice versa. The pouring channel is closed in a fluid-tight manner by the cover before it is moved into the first position for the first time.

According to the invention, after the closure cap has been moved into the second position, the cover is severed by the cutting sleeve in a partial area and pivoted into the pouring channel about a hinge in such a way that the container contents can be poured out through the pouring channel, the cover being held by at least one retaining element arranged on the lower part of the closure is inextricably fixed. Advantageously, only one axial movement of the closure cap is necessary to sever the cover, with the axial displacement taking place in the direction of the contents of the container. The cover is firmly connected to the pouring channel or to a wall delimiting the pouring channel. The cover can be severed in such a way that a partial area of the cover is permanently connected to the pouring channel. This partial area of the cover, which is permanently connected to the pouring channel, serves as a hinge about which this partial area can be pivoted. The severing can also be designed in the form of a spiral. The cover does not necessarily have to be made of the same material as the pouring channel, but can also be a separate part, for example a metal foil or a composite material. The closure cap and the cutting sleeve can also be made of different materials, for example the cap is made of plastic and the cutting sleeve is made of metal. After opening the pouring channel, the closure cap can serve as a fluid-tight closure. The cover is typically rigid in structure or self-supporting as opposed to a film. The pouring can have any cross-sectional shape, but is usually as

Be formed cylinder. In a preferred embodiment, the pouring channel is circular-cylindrical. The cover is separated from the pouring channel as close as possible to an inner wall formed by the lower closure part and delimiting the pouring channel. The cover can be arranged inside the pouring channel. If it is assumed that the pouring channel has an inlet opening through which the stored container contents enter the pouring channel for removal, and an outlet opening opposite the inlet opening, which usually represents the pouring opening and through which the container stock in the pouring channel can be removed from the pouring channel is, it may mean that the cover is not closing the inlet opening or the pouring opening.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the closure cap has a first thread and the lower closure part has a second thread corresponding to the first thread, the first thread and the second thread being in engagement with one another to move the closure cap. The closure cap can have an internal thread which engages in an external thread which is arranged on an outside of the closure lower part and corresponds to the internal thread. The closure cap can also have an external thread which engages in an internal thread which corresponds to the external thread and is preferably arranged in the pouring channel. The axial movement of the closure cap is generated by screwing. Accordingly, the rotational movement can be used so that the cutting sleeve performs cutting or sawing. The cutting sleeve is preferably designed essentially as a circular cylinder.

The pouring element according to the invention can be made from the usual thermoplastically deformable plastics such as PET, PP, PE and mixtures thereof.

Since the opening area is part of the pouring element according to the invention, the material thickness of the opening area can be precisely adapted to the cutting force of the cutting sleeve. As a result, the opening area can be cut through exactly with little effort, without it being undersized and tearing through influences other than the cutting sleeve.

According to a further embodiment, the cutting sleeve is formed on the end face of the closure cap facing the closure bottom part, whereby the Cutting sleeve acts as a cutting device and a pushing device. As a result, the cutting sleeve is not a separate component, as is known from the prior art, but the closure cap and cutting sleeve form a one-piece part of the pouring element, which is characterized by its simple structure and its reliable function. The separate guidance of the cutting sleeve along an additional thread, which is known from the prior art, is also eliminated. The cutting and pressing effect comes about through the screwing movement of the closure cap. The rotary movement causes the cutting or severing of the opening area and the axial movement causes the pressure on the opening area. The pressing effect can be increased or decreased by selecting the thread pitch.

In a further embodiment, at least one cutting tooth is formed on the end face of the cutting sleeve in such a way that it cuts through the opening area along an arc of a circle with an associated central angle of less than 360 degrees when the closure cap is completely closed for the first time. The dimensions of the cutting sleeve are such that the opening area is pressed open or folded open by the cutting sleeve before a circle is cut out of the opening area and the opening area falls into the container. From a defined angle of rotation, the cutting sleeve rotates past the opened opening area. As a result, the opening area can be partially held on the closure base, even when the closure cap is fully screwed on. A plurality of cutting teeth is preferably formed on the end face of the cutting sleeve. The cutting teeth can have different lengths. Preferably, the cutting tooth that first comes into contact with the opening area when screwing on the closure cap is the longest. The other adjacent cutting teeth can gradually decrease in length. The cutting teeth can only be arranged in a partial area of the cutting sleeve. For example, five cutting teeth can be arranged in a circular arc with a central angle of less than 180°, preferably with a central angle of 120° to 170°. The longest cutting tooth can be the one that is the last cutting tooth seen in the screwing direction. The first and last cutting teeth can be connected to each other by a depressing element. This depressing element can extend along the arc of a circle on which the cutting teeth are arranged. The depressing element can also along a Extend circular arc having a larger or smaller radius than the circular arc along which extend the cutting teeth. As a rule, the pressing-down element does not have a cutting edge, but rather a surface, by means of which pressure can be applied to the opening area or the cover in the axial direction without producing a cutting effect. When the cap is screwed on, the longest incisor may be the first to touch the cover, but will not cut through the cover due to its elasticity, but rather deform it elastically in the direction of screwing on the cap and thus generate tension in the cover. The cutting teeth upstream of the longest cutting tooth in the screwing-on direction can begin to scratch the cover when screwed on, the axial force on the cover being increased by the screwing on. Gradually, when the axial force has exceeded a predetermined level, the cover can be punctured by the incisors formed at the tip of the cover. Puncture can be favored by a weakening of the material due to the scratching of the cover and an increase in the tension in the cover due to the increase in the axial force from the cutting teeth. The cover can be pierced first by the longest tooth, followed by the second longest cutting tooth upstream in the tightening direction, and so on. The depressing element can drop obliquely from the first tooth to the last tooth in the opposite direction to the screwing direction. The depressing element may abut the first tooth in a recessed manner with respect to the crest. In one exemplary embodiment, this recess can be approximately 1 mm. The cover can be separated further by screwing the closure cap on further, but the pressing-down element exerts a successively increasing axial force on the cover as a result of the screwing-on process. When the individual sections of the incisors are connected to one another at a predetermined central angle that is less than 360°, the cover can be disengaged from the incisors in the screwing-on direction by the depressing element by folding or pivoting the cover into the pouring channel in the screwing-on direction . By screwing it on again, the cover can be bent by the cutting sleeve in the direction of the inner wall of the pouring channel against the restoring forces of the cover. By cutting through the cover in an area that is less than 360° has been, a portion of the cover remains firmly connected to the closure base. The cover can be pivoted in the screwing-on direction around this sub-area. The cutting edge of a cutting edge can also be in the form of a sawtooth. The material of the cover will usually be softer than the material of the cutting sleeve. The cutting edge can extend continuously from the first incisor to the last incisor, ie without interruptions, on the incisors. The cutting teeth can be shaped in such a way that, in the cutting direction, the cutting edge of the cutting tooth is essentially transverse to the cover to be severed. The cutting edge of the cutting tooth and the cover can enclose an acute angle in the cutting direction, so that when the cover is cut through, the cutting edge exerts an axial force on the cover in the direction of the stored container contents or, if a screw cap is used, in the screwing direction. The cutting edge can only be formed on one side on an inner side of the cutting teeth facing a longitudinal axis of extension of the closure cap, so that the cutting teeth are cylindrical on their outer side opposite the inner side, or the cutting sleeve is smooth on its outer side, i.e. has no recesses or projections due to the cutting teeth.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the closure cap and the cutting sleeve are made of plastic in one piece. The closure cap can be produced quickly together with the cutting sleeve. Due to the one-piece design, the closure cap and cutting sleeve are permanently connected to one another. This is also important because an increased torque acts on the cutting sleeve while the cover is being cut out.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the cover can be folded down, with the uncut area of the cover forming a hinge around which the cover can be pressed or pivoted into an end position by the cutting sleeve, which acts as a pressing device when it is closed, in the lower part of the closure. Since the cover, like the rest of the lower part of the closure, can be made from common thermoplastically deformable plastics such as PET, PP, PE, PEF and PA and mixtures thereof, it has flexible properties. Due to these flexible properties, the cover can cling to the lateral surface of the cutting sleeve. The cover can therefore in the unfolded state to the Adjust the curvature of the cutting sleeve. As a result, the closure cap together with the cutting sleeve can be screwed completely into the lower closure part up to its end position. In this end position, the cover between the cutting sleeve and the lower part of the closure is adjusted to their curvatures. The cover can therefore function essentially like a spring element, since it springs back out of the curved position after the cutting sleeve has been rotated back. It goes without saying that the thickness of the cover is dimensioned such that the cover is flexible. In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one holding element is formed on the pouring channel. The cover can thus be fixed in the end position by the first holding element and does not block the passage opening of the closure base when pouring out the contents of the container. Since the cover can act as a spring element, as described above, it springs back somewhat when the closure cap is screwed back until it strikes the first retaining element and can be prevented from springing back further by this. Accordingly, the cover is held under prestress on the first holding element. This results in the end position causing the cover to be firmly held.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one holding element is designed as a rib which extends essentially in the direction in which the pouring channel extends. The rib is preferably oriented in the axial direction of the lower closure part and can therefore also be referred to as a longitudinal rib. As a result, the cover can latch at any point with its edge at any point on the longitudinal rib and is not fixed to a latching point. Furthermore, instead of a raised longitudinal rib, a depression, a projection or a groove can also take on the task of holding the cover. As already explained above, the cover is forced into a bent position by the circular-cylindrical shape of the cutting sleeve when it is moved into the second position against the restoring forces of the cover, which result from the fixed structure of the cover. By moving the closure cap and thus the cutting sleeve into the first position, the cover relaxes due to the restoring forces until the cover hooks onto at least one of the holding elements. The rib is accordingly formed in such a way that the cover can hook or latch inextricably.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pouring channel is essentially circular-cylindrical and has two holding elements, the distance between the two holding elements being dimensioned in such a way that the cover pivoted into the pouring channel is permanently fixed by the two holding elements. These two holding elements can be used as reinforced holder for the cover, since it can be held from two sides. It goes without saying that the distance between the two holding elements, ie their shortest connection, must be smaller than the diameter of the lower closure part. If this were not the case, the cover would only touch one holding element in its final position. The second retaining member would be too far away to engage the cover rim. Due to the two ribs, mutually opposite edge areas of the cover catch or snap into place. This can on the one hand increase the security of holding and on the other hand a larger cross-sectional area for pouring out the container contents can be available in a view projected transversely to the longitudinal extension of the pouring channel than if the cover is only held by a rib.

It is preferred if the shortest distance between the two holding elements is shorter than the distance between the two points of contact of the cover edge with the holding elements. As a result, the cover is curved in its end position in order to be able to engage between the two holding elements. This can mean that the cover is prestressed in the final position between the holding elements, which can lead to a stronger hold.

In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of first retainers are formed circumferentially on the inner surface of the closure base, and the hinge can be formed between two adjacent first retainers by twisting the cutting sleeve. This can have the effect that the position of the cutting sleeve in relation to the opening area has to be more flexible and not as precise as when only two holding elements are provided. According to the embodiment, the hinge position is not limited to a position between the two holding elements, but can be formed anywhere between two adjacent holding elements. It is conceivable to suffice with two first holding elements, but then the position of the cutting sleeve and the opening area must be coordinated very precisely with one another so that the hinge between the first two Holding elements come to bear. Of course, the number of first holding elements can be selected as desired. The first holding elements are expediently distributed evenly over the circumference of the lower closure part. The provision of four first holding elements is preferred, since four positions are thereby available for the arrangement of the hinge. In most cases, these four possible positions are sufficient to ensure that the cover is securely latched in its final position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the hinge is arranged essentially in the middle between two first holding elements. The symmetrical arrangement of the hinge between the first holding elements can improve the holding of the cover, since the edge of the cover is held evenly on both sides and the cover is prestressed symmetrically between the first holding elements. If the hinge comes to lie asymmetrically between the first holding elements, the flexible material of the cover causes a tolerance. This means that the cover can also be held in its final position if the cover is not cut out by the cutting sleeve exactly relative to the first holding elements.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the lower closure part with the pouring channel and the cover are made in one piece from plastic. This makes it possible for the pouring element to form a unit together with the opening area, which is completely independent of the material of the container. The pouring element is therefore suitable, among other things, for containers whose material cannot be severed by a cutting sleeve. These include, for example, tin cans, glass bottles, ceramic containers, etc. In contrast to this, opening areas which are known from the prior art and are severed by a cutting sleeve are always part of the container. The usable material of the containers is therefore limited to materials such as cardboard, plastic or composite materials from the aforementioned.

The lower closure part with the pouring channel and the cover is preferably an injection molded part. A production of the lower part of the closure in this regard enables rapid and correspondingly economical production not only of the pouring element, but also of the container to which the pouring element is attached. At the No precautions, such as the provision of an opening area, have to be made in the container in order to implement a tamper-proof seal. With the pouring element according to the invention, there is no need for predetermined breaking points on the container, such as weakening lines or film seals.

A further embodiment of the invention states that a circumferential section of the cover, which is partially severed by the cutting sleeve when the closure cap is moved from the first position to the second position, has a smaller thickness than the surrounding sections. The partial area can be made thinner in the axial direction of the closure cap and/or in the opposite direction. The portion may reduce the force applied to the cutting sleeve to sever. The peripheral partial area can be designed as a groove, wherein the groove can have a rectangular or V-shaped cross section. The groove can also be designed as a fillet; in particular, a V-shaped groove can lead the cutting tooth to sever the cover, especially when the angle of the cutting tooth entering the groove is smaller than the angle of the V-groove The portion can be formed during the manufacture of the fastener base and needs not be reworked after the manufacture of the lower part.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of the pouring element in combination with a container, the pouring element having a flange which is inserted into a through-opening of the container corresponding to the flange and fixed to a holding element formed in the container and in the rotational and translational direction is connected, wherein the container and the pouring element are fluid-tightly connected to each other. The container is preferably made of metal, but can also be made of plastic. The holding element, particularly if the container is made of metal, can be a flange with a sharp-edged and/or burred end, which locks inextricably with a shape of the pouring element, preferably made of plastic, that corresponds to the holding element on the flange.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for opening a pouring element, which is used for fixing to a container for pouring out a container's contents is trained. According to the inventive idea of the method, the closure cap is shifted into the second position, whereby the cover is severed by the cutting sleeve in a partial area as a result of the shift and is pivoted into the pouring channel about a hinge in such a way that the container contents can be poured out through the pouring channel, the Cover is inextricably fixed by at least one arranged on the lower part of the closure holding element. Through the opening process, the cover is first severed in a partial area and then pivoted into the pouring channel in a single process step, namely the displacement of the closure cap into the second position. The opening procedure is therefore user-friendly because it can be carried out intuitively and no further opening steps are necessary.

According to a further preferred method step, the closure cap has a first thread and the lower closure part has a second thread corresponding to the first thread, with the first thread and the second thread being in engagement with one another for displacement of the closure cap, with displacement from the first position in the second position the closure cap is screwed in the direction of the contents of the container. If the thread is assumed to be right hand, then a clockwise rotation of the locking cap with the cutting sleeve will cut the cover; this results in a severing by "screwing" the container.

According to a further preferred method step, a tear-off strip, which is arranged between an underside of the closure cap facing the contents of the container and an upper side of a flange of the lower closure part which faces away from the contents of the container, and by means of which the underside and the upper side are spaced apart in a predetermined manner, is removed before the closure cap is displaced from the first Position removed to the second position. This tear-off strip also has the function of a guarantee strip; only when the tear-off strip has been removed can the closure cap be displaced axially in the direction of the contents of the container and the cover severed by the cutting sleeve. If the guarantee band is present, it is ensured that the cover is not severed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a pouring element having a flange, which is inserted into a through-opening of a container that corresponds to the flange and is firmly connected to a holding element formed in the container and in the rotational and translational direction, the container and the pouring element being fluid-tight with one another are connected. According to the characteristic of this aspect of the invention, at least one further retaining element is formed on the outside in the region of the second end of the lower closure part. The at least one further holding element can be arranged in such a way that it brings about the connection of the closure lower part to the container. The connection is preferably non-detachable and tightens the lower part of the closure on the container, as a result of which a sealing effect can be achieved between these components.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the further holding element is a locking lug for positive connection with the container. The detent can have the effect of a leaf spring. By inserting the lower part of the closure into the passage opening of the container, the locking lug is prestressed or pressed in. In the holding position, the latching lug can relax outwards in the radial direction and latch on the container wall adjoining the through-opening.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the flange with a first and second shoulder is formed between the locking lug and the external thread on the outside of the lower closure part. The second step of the flange can serve as a stop and as a sealing surface of the closure base against the container. The locking lug pulls the flange against the container wall, as a result of which a sealing surface corresponding to the second flange can be assigned around the through-opening. The interaction of these two sealing surfaces therefore prevents the filling material stored in the container, which is preferably liquid or free-flowing, from escaping.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of third retaining elements distributed in the radial direction and over the annular surface of the second shoulder are formed on the second shoulder of the flange, which faces the second end of the lower closure part. The third holding elements can prevent the closure bottom part from rotating relative to the container. In particular, when the closure cap is screwed on for the first time and the at least one cutting tooth cuts through the opening area, an increased torque acts on the lower closure part. At least this torque can be absorbed by the third holding elements. Twisting of the lower closure part relative to the container, which can lead to errors in the cutting function, tilting of the cutting teeth and leaks, can be prevented by the features of this embodiment.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the third holding elements are first holding teeth which are distributed evenly over the annular surface of the second step. The first retaining teeth can form a form fit and a friction fit with the corresponding sealing surface of the container. The positive locking can be achieved by corresponding second retaining teeth on the container sealing surface, whereas the frictional locking can be achieved by preloading the two corresponding sealing surfaces.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one fourth retaining element is formed on the first shoulder of the flange, which faces the first end of the lower closure part, which interacts with the closure cap in the screwed-on position in such a way that it is prevented from being unscrewed. The fourth holding element can be designed as a projection or a recess which interacts with a further holding element designed on the closure cap. The fourth holding element can also be formed on the outer surface at a short distance from the second shoulder. By squeezing the closure cap at points which are approximately 90 degrees away from the fourth retaining element, the engagement of the fourth retaining element is released and the closure cap can be released in the compressed state. Such an anti-twist device is also referred to as a child safety device in the packaging sector.

The subject matter of the present invention is also packaging with a container for receiving a free-flowing or free-flowing product and a pouring element as described above. A through-opening is provided on the container, in which the second end of the lower closure part is held by means of the at least one second holding element. According to the invention, in the area of the container surface on which the second shoulder of the flange rests, a multiplicity of second retaining teeth are formed in such a way that they engage with the first retaining teeth of the flange work together in a form-fitting manner. These features of the invention prevent the pouring element from twisting relative to the container. The second and first retaining teeth may have the same height and width, with the first retaining teeth protruding into the spaces between the second retaining teeth. Other forms of corresponding holding elements are also possible, in that elevations of the second shoulder and of the container engage in opposite, corresponding depressions. It goes without saying that twisting of the lower closure part in both possible directions of rotation is prevented. The engagement of the first and second retaining teeth can also have a sealing effect. The sealing effect can be achieved by prestressing between the container and the bottom part of the closure. The use of an additional sealing ring is also conceivable.

In a preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention, the number of second retaining teeth is unequal to the number of first retaining teeth. This feature can prevent an undesired advancing movement or subsequent twisting of the lower closure part relative to the container after these two components have latched. The first and second retaining teeth jam together because their number is different. The first and second retaining teeth can therefore not project fully into the corresponding spaces and jam on the tooth flank of an opposite corresponding tooth. The number of teeth of the first and second retaining teeth preferably differs by one tooth. Moving up from this jammed state of the first and second retaining teeth is no longer possible.

Figur 1:

einen Querschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemässes Ausgiesselement mit einer Verschlusskappe und einem Verschlussunterteil und mit einer mit der Verschlusskappe verbundenen Ausgiesshilfe;

Figur 2:

eine axonometrische Unteransicht des Ausgiesselements aus Figur 1;

Figur 3:

die Verschlusskappe in einer axonometrischen Unteransicht;

Figur 4:

das Verschlussunterteil in einer axonometrischen längs aufgeschnittenen Ansicht;

Figur 5:

eine axonometrische Ansicht der teilweise auf das Verschlussunterteil aufgeschraubten Verschlusskappe mit entferntem Abreißband; und

Figur 6:

eine axonometrische längs aufgeschnittene Ansicht der zugeschraubten bzw. vollständig auf das Verschlussunterteil aufgeschraubten Verschlusskappe.

Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic illustrations. It shows in a representation that is not true to scale:

Figure 1:

a cross section through a pouring element according to the invention with a closure cap and a closure base and with a pouring aid connected to the closure cap;

Figure 2:

an axonometric bottom view of the pouring element figure 1 ;

Figure 3:

the cap in an axonometric view from below;

Figure 4:

the lower part of the closure in an axonometric, longitudinally sectioned view;

Figure 5:

an axonometric view of the closure cap partially screwed onto the closure base with the tear-off strip removed; and

Figure 6:

an axonometric, longitudinally sectioned view of the closure cap screwed closed or completely screwed onto the closure base.

In the Figures 1 to 6 an embodiment of a proposed pouring element or parts thereof are shown. The pouring element is denoted in its entirety by the reference number 11 . The pouring element 11 comprises a closure cap 13, which is designed as a screw cap, and a lower closure part 15.

The lower closure part 15 defines a pouring channel 16, the sealing cap 13 being displaceable along the pouring channel 16 from a first position into a second position and vice versa. The lower closure part 15 has a first end 17 which faces away from a container 19 on which the lower closure part 15 is placed. An external thread 21 is formed in the area of the first end 17 , onto which the screw cap 13 can be screwed by means of an internal thread 20 . A flange 25 with a first and second shoulder 27 , 29 is formed at the second end 23 of the closure lower part 15 . A plurality of latching lugs 31 is formed below the flange 25 on the outer surface of the closure lower part 15 . The lower closure part 15 is fastened to the container 19 in a form-fitting manner with the aid of the latching lugs 31 in that it protrudes through a through-opening 35 of the container 19 and the latching lugs 31 latch on the container wall.

The pouring opening 37 is closed by an opening area that serves as a freshness seal, ie an openable area of the pouring element 11, which leads to a hinged cover 39 can be cut out. The cover 39 is arranged in the pouring channel 16 . The opening portion is preferably injection molded together with the remainder of the closure base 15 as a one-piece part. At the edge of the opening area, a peripheral partial area 41 is formed, which can be severed in a defined manner by a cutting sleeve 43 . The defined severability along the sub-area 41 can be achieved in that the material thickness of the sub-area 41 is less than the material thickness of the areas of the lower closure part 15 adjoining the sub-area 41.

The cutting sleeve 43 is formed within the closure cap 13 in one piece with the latter. The cutting sleeve 43 is fixed to the inner surface of the lid 45 of the closure cap 11 and extends into the pouring opening 37 of the closure base 15 . A predetermined number of cutting teeth 47 are preferably formed along a helical line on the open end face of the cutting sleeve 43 . Accordingly, the tips of the cutting teeth 47 do not lie in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the cutting sleeve and the cutting teeth 47 can have different lengths. The helix along which the tips of the cutting teeth 47 extend winds in the same direction as a thread of the screw cap 13. However, in the present embodiment, a pitch of the helix along which the tips of the cutting teeth 47 extend is greater than one Pitch of the helix in the screw cap 13. Thus, the tip of the last incisor 47 seen in the screwing direction touches the cover 39 first. Thus, when the closure cap 13 is screwed on, the cutting teeth do not reach the opening area at the same time, but rather one after the other. A good cutting effect is thus produced at the opening area.

The screwing movement of the cutting sleeve 43 acts as a cutting and pressing device. The cutting teeth 47 are formed on the cutting sleeve 43 in such a way that they do not cut through the peripheral partial area 41 over its entire circumference, but only through an arc of a circle. The central angle associated with the intersected circular arc is less than 360 degrees. A central angle between 280 and 340 degrees is preferred and particularly preferably between 300 and 320 degrees. The portion 41 is not completely severed, since the cover 39 or formed flap is already partially open. As a result, the angle of attack of the cutting teeth 47 becomes continuously flatter during the screwing movement, the cutting teeth slide past the cover 39 from a certain angle of attack and only press the cover 39 open.

The uncut area of the peripheral partial area 41 acts as a hinge 49, about which the cover 39 can be pivoted into the container. If the closure cap 13 is screwed on again or unscrewed from the lower closure part 15, there is no longer a cutting sleeve 43 which could hold the cover 39 in a folded-out end position. So that the cover 39 does not partially or completely block the pouring opening when pouring, at least one longitudinal rib 51 is provided on the inside of the lower closure part 15, with which the cover 39 can latch in the end position. The cover is advantageously prestressed when it latches onto the at least one longitudinal rib 51 . The cover thus remains in a defined end position while the container 19 is in use. The cover 39 is prevented from folding back into the pouring opening 37 at the longitudinal rib 51 by a stop point 53 . Two longitudinal ribs 51 are preferably provided. The hinge 49 is preferably located centrally between the two longitudinal ribs 51. The arc length of the hinge 49 is shorter than the arc length between the two longitudinal ribs 51. This ensures that the cover 39 fits between the two ribs 51 and reliably fits to the longitudinal ribs in its final position 51 locked or wedged. The distance between the two stop points 53 is to be dimensioned such that it is at most equal to or smaller than the chord length 53 of the cover 39 between the two stop points 53 . Since the cover is flexible, the chord length 55 can also be slightly greater than the rib spacing. In this case the cover 39 is bent towards the inside of the spout in the final position. The longitudinal ribs 51 have an essentially rectangular cross-section transverse to the axis of rotation of the cutting sleeve 43 , with a central axis of the cross-section extending essentially in the direction of a center point of the cover 39 . The longitudinal ribs 51 can be arranged in a 10° grid on the inside of the pouring channel 16, so that thirty-six longitudinal ribs 51 are present. The cover 39 is forced into a flexed position between the adjacent longitudinal ribs 51 . By shifting the cap and thus the cutting sleeve in the In the first position, the cover 39 relaxes due to the restoring forces until the cover catches on at least one of the longitudinal ribs 51 . The rib is accordingly shaped in such a way, that is to say it has a minimum height in the radial direction, so that the cover can be hooked or latched in a non-detachable manner.

The lower closure part 15 is fixed to the container 19 in a twist-proof manner. Since an increased torque acts on the lower closure part 15 while the opening area is being cut open, an anti-twist device with a surprisingly good effect was created: On the second step 29 of the flange 25, a large number of first retaining teeth 57 are formed. These are oriented radially and are arranged on the annular surface 58 of the second step 29 . The first retaining teeth 57 interact in a form-fitting manner with the second retaining teeth 59 which are formed on the surface of the container. The second holding teeth are formed in the area of the contact surface between the second shoulder 29 and the container surface. The number of first and second retaining teeth 57.59 is unequal. The tooth difference between the number of first holding teeth and the number of second holding teeth is preferably one tooth. As a result, the retaining teeth 57 , 59 jam together when the lower closure part 15 is snapped into place on the container 19 . The wedging of the retaining teeth 57, 59 results in increased anti-twist protection of the closure lower part 15. With this proposed configuration, at least one tooth crest of the first retaining teeth engages in a tooth base. The second retaining heads. If the number of first and second retaining teeth 57, 59 were the same, the tips of the teeth of the two retaining teeth could stand on top of one another and also be jammed. During operation, however, the tips of the teeth of the first holding teeth could possibly slip into the tooth roots of the second holding teeth and thereby possibly reduce the clamping force. As a result, a leak could form between the container 19 and the lower closure part 15 .

The pouring element 11 also includes a guarantee seal. A guarantee strip 61 is provided so that the closure cap 13 is not unintentionally screwed on or off. The anti-tamper strip 61 is arranged on the open end face of the closure cap 13 between the latter and the first shoulder 27 . The anti-tamper strip 61 is also provided with a tear-off tab 63 for easier removal of the anti-tamper strip 61 . After the anti-tamper strip 61 has been torn off, the closure cap 13 can be screwed on and off.

Furthermore, the pouring element 11 also includes a child safety device. If the closure cap 13 is completely screwed onto the lower closure part 15 , the closure cap 13 hooks with first projections onto second projections, which rise up on the first shoulder 27 . By compressing the closure cap 13 on its lateral surface, its cross section becomes elliptical and the first and second projections can be moved past one another.

The following steps must be carried out to open the pouring element 11: First, the pouring aid 65 clipped to the cover 45 must be unclipped. Then the guarantee strip 61 is to be torn off. The closure cap 13 can now be screwed onto the lower closure part 15 until it strikes the first shoulder 27 . Due to the screwing movement, the opening area is partially cut open along the peripheral sub-area 41 and the cover 39 formed is folded into the container 19 . The cover 39 is locked with the longitudinal ribs 51 in the end position. In this position of the cap 13, the childproof lock is activated. Finally, the closure cap 13 is to be pressed together at the marked points on the lateral surface in order to deactivate the childproof lock. The closure cap 13 is compressed and twisted in the unscrewing direction. After the closure cap 13 has been unscrewed, the pouring aid 65 can be screwed onto the lower closure part 15 .

Legend:

11

pouring element

13

sealing cap

15

closure base

16

spout

17

First end of the lower part of the breech

19

container

20

internal thread of the sealing cap

21

External thread of the lower part of the closure

23

Second end of the lower part of the breech

25

flange

27

First paragraph

29

second paragraph

31

Latches, second retaining element

35

passage opening

37

pouring opening

39

cover, opening area

41

Circumferential section

43

cutting sleeve

45

Lid

47

cutting teeth

49

hinge

51

Longitudinal rib, first retaining element

53

attachment points

55

chord length

57

First holding teeth, third holding element

58

Annular surface of the second step

59

Second retaining teeth

61

Guarantee tape, tear-off tape

63

tear-off tab

65

pouring aid

Claims (14)

1. Pouring element (11) for securing on a container (19) for pouring out the content of a container with

   - a closure cap (13),

   - a closure lower part (15) for the non-rotatable fixing on the container (19) with a pouring channel (16),

   - a cover (39) placed in the pouring channel (16) and

   - a cutting sleeve (43) that is non-releasably connected with the closure cap (13),

   wherein the closure cap (13) can be displaced along the pouring channel (16) from a first position to a second position and conversely,

   wherein, before a first displacement, in the first position the pouring channel (16) is fluid-tightly closed by the cover (39),

   wherein after a displacement of the closure cap (13) into the second position, the cover (39) is cut by the cutting sleeve (43) in a partial area and is pivoted about a hinge (49) into the pouring channel (16) in such a manner that the container content can be poured out through the pouring channel (16), wherein the cover (39) is non-releasably fixed by at least one retaining element (51) placed on the closure lower part (15).
2. Pouring element (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure cap (13) includes a first thread (20) and that the closure lower part (15) includes a second thread (21) corresponding with the first thread (20), wherein for the displacement of the closure cap (13) the first thread (20) and the second thread (21) engage with one another.
3. Pouring element (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutting sleeve (43) is configured on a front side of the closure cap (13) that is facing the closure lower part (15) so that the cutting sleeve (43) acts as a cutting device and a pressing device.
4. Pouring element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cutting tooth (47) is configured on a front side of the cutting sleeve (43) facing away from the closure cap (13) in such a manner that it cuts the cover (39) during the first displacement of the closure cap (13) from the first position to the second position along an arc of circle with an associated center angle of less than 360 degrees.
5. Pouring element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (13) and the cutting sleeve (43) are integrally made of plastics.
6. Pouring element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one retaining element (51) is molded on the pouring channel (16).
7. Pouring element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one retaining element (51) is configured as a rib (51) extending substantially in the direction of extension of the pouring channel (16).
8. Pouring element according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the pouring channel (16) is substantially circularly cylindrical and includes two retaining elements (51), wherein a distance between the two retaining elements (51) is dimensioned such that the cover (39) pivoted in the pouring channel (16) is non-releasably fixed by the two retaining elements (51).
9. Pouring element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure lower part (!5) with the pouring channel (16) and the cover (39) are integrally made of plastics.
10. Pouring element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a peripheral partial area (41) of the cover (39) that is partially cut by the cutting sleeve (43) during the displacement of the closure cap (13) from the first position to the second position has a lower thickness than areas adjacent to the peripheral partial area (41).
11. Use of a pouring element (11) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the pouring element (11) includes a flange (25) that is introduced into a passage opening (35) of the container (19) that corresponds with the flange (25) and that is fixedly connected to a retaining element configured in the container (19) and in direction of rotation and translation, wherein the container (19) and the pouring element (11) are fluid-tightly connected with each other.
12. Method for opening a pouring element (11) that is configured for securing on a container (19) for pouring out the content of a container with

    - a closure cap (13),

    - a closure lower part (15) for the non-rotatable fixing on the container (19) with a pouring channel (16),

    - a cover (39) placed in the pouring channel (16) and

    - a cutting sleeve (43) that is non-releasably connected with the closure cap (13),

    wherein the closure cap (13) can be displaced along the pouring channel (16) from a first position to a second position and conversely,

    wherein, before a first displacement, in the first position the pouring channel (16) is fluid-tightly closed by the cover (39),

    wherein after a displacement of the closure cap (13) into the second position, the cover (39) is cut by the cutting sleeve (43) in a partial area and is pivoted about a hinge (49) into the pouring channel (16) in such a manner that the container content can be poured out through the pouring channel (16),

    wherein the cover (39) is non-releasably fixed by at least one retaining element (51) placed on the closure lower part (15).
13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the closure cap (13) includes a first thread (20) and that the closure lower part (15) includes a second thread (21) corresponding with the first thread (20), wherein for the displacement of the closure cap (13) the first thread (20) and the second thread (21) engage with one another, wherein for the displacement of the first position to the second position the closure cap (13) is screwed in direction of the container content.
14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a tear-off band (61) placed between a lower side of the closure cap (13) facing the container content and an upper side of a flange (25) of the closure lower part facing away from the container content, band by which the lower side and the upper side are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, is removed before the first displacement of the closure cap (13) from the first position to the second position.

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