EP3464090B1 - Pouring element for a composite packing and composite packaging with a pouring element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a pouring element for a composite package, in particular a beverage carton for liquid foodstuffs, with a base body having a fastening flange and a pouring tube, a cutting element arranged and guided in the pouring tube and a closure cap which can be connected to the base body, the cutting element being actuated over the at the first actuation Shaped cap first drive means and second drive means formed on the inner wall of the cutting element can be driven and wherein the movement of the cutting element follows different slopes and a composite package, in particular a beverage carton for liquid food, with a packing gable panel suitable for receiving a pouring element.

In the field of packaging technology, composite packaging has long been part of the current state of the art. For example, beverage cartons consist of various packaging materials, such as paper and plastics, which, when fully assembled and printed, form a packaging laminate. The layer structure can vary depending on requirements, for example, an additional aluminum layer is inserted for aseptic filling goods in order to achieve a good barrier effect against gases and light. Often - but not always - the laminate is cut to the size of the packaging during its manufacture, and so-called packaging blank blanks (blanks) are formed in this way. Alternatively, the packaging laminate is also delivered as a continuous material (rolled goods) and only cut later.

The actual shaping and filling of the packaging and the sealing into a package takes place in a packaging machine, which is often referred to as a form / fill / seal machine based on its main functions. As Filled goods are mainly liquid foods such as drinks, soups or yoghurt. Stocked, pasty or lumpy products or the like are also conceivable.

Packs of the type mentioned are sometimes also provided with pouring elements. In addition to controlled pouring, these also generally enable the consumer to reclose. It is not uncommon and predominantly for aseptic use that a first opening function is provided for the pack. The previously sealed package is opened for the first time. This can be done for example by means of a pull-ring ("ring-pull") or tab or also by means of a lancing and / or cutting device. Such puncturing and / or cutting devices are often designed as sleeve-like cutting elements (cutting rings) which are coupled to the screw cap, for example by means of drive means, so that the pack is cut open simultaneously by means of the rotary actuation of the screw cap.

The international patent application dating back to the applicant WO 2007/113215 A1 shows for example a three-part pouring element. The base body, screw cap and cutting sleeve are initially individually manufactured in the injection molding process and, when put together, result in a functional pouring element which can be permanently connected to a filled, described above, via a fastening flange on the base body. When the screw cap is operated by the consumer for the first time, the cutting element moves in the direction of an area of the composite package that is to be opened and separates it by means of a specially provided cutting edge. The cutting element is driven by driver webs formed in the inner region of the cap, which act on corresponding hook-like projections on the cutting element and thus set it in rotation during the first opening process. These carrier webs are created in such a way that they can transmit torsionally stiff torsional forces due to their curved, concentric web shape, but can deflect radially inwards when they are closed again. So initiated Rotation movement is converted into a movement following a helical line via an external thread on the cutting element and an internal thread on the base body. The thread pairing enables a relatively safe guidance of the components - which is always desired - but limits the kinematics of the cutting element to a constant feed. This can be disadvantageous since, in the case of packages of the type mentioned, a so-called "PE pulling" can occur during the separation process. The polyethylene film stretches in length without separating, which results in a poor or even incomplete opening result, so that the product cannot be poured out in the required manner.

To remedy the problem, the applicant has provided a solution, which is disclosed in the international patent application WO 2004/000667 A1 , has been proposed: a specially staggered kinematics of the cutting element. This is first pushed in purely axially and the composite pack is pierced by a combined lancing and cutting element. This is followed by a pure rotation that only allows the organ to be cut. In order to make this special kinematics possible, guide means are formed on the base body and on the cutting element. For driving the cutting element by rotating the screw cap, simple cams are formed on the inner wall of the cutting element, which act on the cylinder wall segments of the screw cap. Since there is always a risk of the cutting element tipping and / or tilting, the guide and drive means are of massive dimensions, which results in high material consumption.

An improved solution with regard to guiding and driving the pouring element is disclosed in the international patent application, which also goes back to the applicant WO 2006/050624 A1 . The drive cams on the cutting element have been supplemented with a nail head-like extension. Such an extension supports and improves the guidance of the cutting element, since it partially engages behind the cylinder wall segments and thus helps prevent tilting. Such extensions are difficult to manufacture because they require a relatively large amount of material behind the constriction of the cam. In particular arise poorer flow profiles for the plastic and relatively high cycle times for injection molding. Furthermore, such drive elements must always have a stable dimension so that it is ensured that under no circumstances can parts break off and fall into the product.

Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to design and develop a pouring element and a composite pack of the type mentioned at the beginning and described in more detail above in such a way that the disadvantages described are overcome. In particular, the drive and the guidance of the cutting element when opening the composite package are to be improved while at the same time being able to be optimized.

This object is achieved in a pouring element according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the second drive means are designed as an obliquely running rib enclosing an angle to the longitudinal direction of the cutting element, and in that the end face of the rib partially projects beyond its rib base and that the rib lies between the inner wall of the cutting element and the contact surface of the rib includes an acute fillet angle on its drive-side rib base. If the movement of the cutting element follows different gradients, a second drive means which runs obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the cutting element permits improved torque transmission from the closure cap to the cutting element. Ideally, the force acts exactly in the direction of movement of the cutting element. The continuous rib has a solid strength. In particular, there are no notch stresses in the transition areas to further formations. Only intact parts can perform the functions intended for them (such as the drive function). Under no circumstances may parts break off which, in the worst case, could end up in the ready-to-eat product. A continuous rib is also easier to implement in terms of manufacturing technology. The parts, which are usually manufactured using the injection molding process, do not have any additional constrictions that affect the filling of the cavity in terms of extended cycle times and / or have a negative impact on the quality of the material, which is of a lower quality locally. With one of hers The front of the rib protruding from the foot also supports and improves the guidance of the cutting element.

The object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a composite packing, the packing gable panel having a local packing material weakening and such a pouring element being positioned and permanently connected in such a way that when the pouring element is actuated for the first time, the cutting element can be moved in the direction of the packing material weakening and can thus be severed, that the composite package is ready for emptying. Pouring element and compound packaging must always be closely coordinated. Exact positioning on a packing gable panel provided for this purpose is of crucial importance. On the one hand, the pouring element must remain connected to the composite package, on the other hand, the cutting element should dig into the packaging material weakening created for this purpose and then cut it open. This is the only way to fully open the package, which is then ready for emptying.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the angle α includes 40 ° to 50 °. With such an angular range, an optimal compromise is found even with different gradients of the cutting element movement. The advantages of a rib and an improved drive do not have to be foregone.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the angle β includes 50 ° to 80 °. Tests have shown that such a region of the fillet angle offers a balanced solution between the management and drive functions. On the one hand, the drive means sufficiently supports the cutting element guide, but does not hinder the drive.

In a further advantageous embodiment, during the first reclosing, the cutting element can be further driven via third drive means formed on the closure cap and fourth drive means formed on the cutting element. To When the pouring element is actuated for the first time, the cutting element has fulfilled its function of opening the compound pack for the first time. The first and second drive means are decoupled. If the closure cap is closed again after the product has been removed for the first time, the third drive means on the closure cap and the fourth drive means on the cutting element ensure that the cutting ring is pressed even further in the direction of the pack and that it is brought into its end position so that Decouple the drive means completely.

In further expedient embodiments, the fourth drive means are designed as an obliquely running second rib enclosing an angle γ to the longitudinal direction, the angle γ enclosing 5 ° to 25 °. With such an embodiment, a good solution for fulfilling the described function has been found. In particular, this prevents the closure cap from blocking.

In further refinements of the invention, the second rib forms an obtuse angle δ on the contact surface side, which has an angle of 100 ° to 130 °. Such an obtuse angle offers the advantage that the third drive means of the closure cap are given the possibility of elastic deflection and "sliding off".

According to a special embodiment of the invention, a third rib which is transverse to the longitudinal direction is formed between the first rib and the second rib. In addition to additional reinforcement of the drive ribs, such a horizontally extending rib also offers the advantage of a flat surface. Such may be desirable or necessary for the production by injection molding, since it can serve as a functional surface as a gating point and / or as a point of application of the ejection pins for demolding the part from the injection molding tool.

According to further teachings of the invention, the first drive means are designed as first drive flanks, which ideally have an angular width on the contact surface side such that they form the complement angle with angle β. Are the First drive means designed as thin-walled flanks, it is not only always possible to save material, but also allows the flanks to undergo slight elastic deformation. Such a drive flank can - especially with a contact angle on the contact surface to the angle β - offer a particularly good drive and an additional supportive guidance of the cutting element. If the third drive means are also designed as a second drive flank, the closure cap can be manufactured particularly well.

According to a special embodiment of the invention, the packaging material weakening is listed as an over-coated hole. Such a special preparation of the packing material is particularly suitable for opening by means of a pouring element which is optimized in terms of drive and guidance, since the separation does not have to take place through the solid material of the composite packing.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Verbundpackung mit Ausgießelement in perspektivischer Ansicht von vorn oben,

Fig. 2

ein erfindungsgemäßes Ausgießelement in perspektivischer Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 3

den Grundkörper des Ausgießelements aus Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 4

das Schneidelement des Ausgießelements aus Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 5

den Grundkörper mit eingesetztem Schneideelement des Ausgießelements aus Fig. 2 in Draufsicht,

Fig. 6

ein Antriebsmittel des Schneidelements aus Fig. 4 in Detailansicht und

Fig. 7

die Verschlusskappe des Ausgießelements aus Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Innenansicht.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of the drawings which show only one exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a composite package according to the invention with pouring element in a perspective view from above,

Fig. 2

a pouring element according to the invention in a perspective view from above,

Fig. 3

the base of the pouring element Fig. 2 in perspective view from above,

Fig. 4

the cutting element of the pouring element Fig. 2 in perspective view from above,

Fig. 5

the base body with the inserted cutting element of the pouring element Fig. 2 in top view,

Fig. 6

a drive means of the cutting element Fig. 4 in detailed view and

Fig. 7

the cap of the pouring element Fig. 2 in perspective interior view.

In the Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment of a composite pack P according to the invention shows this as a beverage carton. The composite pack P consists of a packing material that forms a packing laminate from a sequence of flatly joined materials: polymer layers are laminated on both sides of a cardboard carrier layer and an additional aluminum layer shields the product of the composite pack P from undesired environmental influences (light, oxygen).

The composite pack P provides a pack gable panel 1 in the head region, to which a pouring element A, which is also according to the invention, is applied and permanently attached. When the pouring element A is actuated for the first time, a packaging material weakening region, which is covered here by the pouring element A, is severed and the composite package P, which is thus ready for emptying, is opened for the first time. In the exemplary embodiment shown and in this respect preferred, this weakening area is designed as an over-coated hole which is formed during manufacture: a hole is punched out of the cardboard carrier layer so that local weakening occurs after it has been coated.

Figure 2 shows the pouring element A according to the invention, the parts of which are individually assembled (assembled) in the injection molding process: a base body 2, a — here hidden — cutting element 3 (shown in FIG Figure 4 ) and a sealing cap 4. The pouring element A, which is now ready for use, is then applied to the composite package P via a fastening flange 5 and permanently connected by means of hot glue.

If the closure cap 4 is actuated by the consumer for the first time, the unscrewing movement of the closure cap 4 is transferred to the cutting element 3 guided in the base body 2, which separates the composite pack P in the area of the weakening. The product can then be poured out through the opening created in this way.

In the Figure 3 the base body 2 is shown, which in addition to the mounting flange 5 also consists of a pouring tube 6. In the assembly and functional state, the cutting element 3 is arranged in the pouring tube 6 and via first guide means 7 formed on the inner wall of the pouring tube and corresponding second guide means 8 formed on the cutting element 3 (see Figure 4 ) positively guided. The first guide means 7 are formed by a circumferential web 9.

Figure 4 shows the cutting element 3 as a single part. The second guide means 8 mentioned are realized as cam pairs 10 arranged over the circumference and molded onto the outer wall of the cutting element 3. The pairs of cams 10 enclose the web 9 and thus form a forced guidance of the cutting element 3 in the pouring tube 6 of the base body 2. When used for the first time, the cutting element 3 then moves in the direction of the over-coated hole of the composite package P, pierces and / or cuts through it then by means of separating elements 11 formed at the end of the cutting element 3. The cutting element 3 is driven by first drive means 12 formed on the closure cap 4 (see Figure 7 ), which act on ribs 14 formed on the inner wall of the cutting element 3 as second drive means 13 and thus set the cutting element 3 in the movement already described.

In Figure 5 the cutting element 3 mounted in the pouring tube 6 by the base body 2 is shown in the starting position. The top view shows the fillet angle β enclosed in the foot region of a rib 14. The end face 15 of the rib 14 projects beyond its foot on the drive side, so that the fillet angle β is an acute angle. This acute fillet angle β supports the guidance of the cutting element 3.

The Figure 6 shows one of the ribs 14 in detail, which includes an angle α to the longitudinal direction of the cutting element 3. This enables an improved torque transmission from the closure cap 4 to the cutting element 3, the positive guidance of which in the pouring tube 6 of the base body 2 forces the cutting element 3 onto a movement path with different pitches. In the exemplary embodiment shown and preferred in this respect, third drive means 16 (see Figure 7 ) and fourth drive means 17 formed on the cutting element 3. These come into active contact when the closure cap 4 is reclosed and bring the cutting element 3 into its end position. The fourth drive means 17 are formed as second ribs 18 and are inclined to the longitudinal direction of the cutting element 3 by an angle γ and are furthermore by an obtuse angle δ (in Figure 5 drawn), which also optimizes this drive part. A third rib 19 forms a supplementary piece between rib 14 and second rib 18 and connects them in one piece.

In Figure 7 the closure cap 4 is finally shown. On the inside, the first drive means 12 project as first drive flanks 20 from the cover into the interior of the closure cap 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the first drive flanks 20 are of relatively thin-walled design and have the complement angle to the fillet angle β on the contact surface side. Second drive flanks 21 are integrally connected to the first drive flanks 19 as third drive means 16. Thus, the closure cap 4 is coupled to the cutting element 3 for the individual movements as a drive and the desired power and torque transmission can take place in a solid manner.

Claims (14)

1. Pouring element (A) for a composite packaging (P), in particular for a beverage carton for liquid foodstuffs, comprising a basic body (2) having a fastening flange (5) and a pouring tube (6), a cutting element (3) which is arranged and guided in the pouring tube (6) and a closure cap (4) which can be joined to the basic body (2), wherein during actuation for the first time, the cutting element (3) can be driven by first drive means (12) formed on the closure cap (4) and by second drive means (13) formed on the inner wall of the cutting element (3) and wherein the movement of the cutting element (3) follows different gradients,
   characterised in that
   the second drive means (13) is configured as a rib (14) extending obliquely to and thus includes an angle (α) with the longitudinal direction of the cutting element (3), in that the end face (15) of the rib (14) projects partly above its rib foot and in that the rib (14) includes an acute valley angle (β) between the inner wall of the cutting element (3) and the contact area of the rib (14) on its drive-side rib foot.
2. Pouring element (A) according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the angle (α) includes 40° to 50°.
3. Pouring element (A) according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the angle (β) includes 50° to 80°.
4. Pouring element (A) according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   during the first reclosing procedure, the cutting element (3) can be driven further by third drive means (16) formed on the closure cap (4) and by fourth drive means (17) formed on the cutting element (3).
5. Pouring element (A) according to claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the fourth drive means (17) is configured as a second rib (18) which runs obliquely to and thus includes an angle (γ) with the longitudinal direction of the cutting element (3).
6. Pouring element (A) according to claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the angle (γ) includes 5° to 25°.
7. Pouring element (A) according to claim 5 or 6,
   characterised in that
   the second rib (18) on its contact surface side rib foot includes an obtuse angle (δ).
8. Pouring element (A) according to claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the angle (δ) includes 100° to 130°.
9. Pouring element (A) according to any of claims 5 to 8,
   characterised in that
   a third rib (19) which stands transversely to the longitudinal direction is formed between the first rib (14) and the second rib (18).
10. Pouring element (A) according to any of claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that
    the first drive means (12) is configured as drive flanks (20).
11. Pouring element (A) according to claim 10,
    characterised in that
    the first drive flanks (20) have an angular width on the contact surface side such that they form with angle (β) the complementary angle.
12. Pouring element (A) according to any of claims 4 to 11,
    characterised in that
    the third drive means (16) is formed as second drive flanks (21).
13. Composite packaging (P), in particular a beverage carton for liquid foodstuffs, having a pack gable-top panel (1) suitable for receiving a pouring element (A), wherein the pack gable-top panel (1) has a local weakening in the pack material and a pouring element (A) according to any of claims 1 to 12 is positioned and joined permanently such that when the pouring element (A) is actuated for the first time, the cutting element (3) is movable in the direction of the pack material weakening and said weakening can be severed so that the composite packaging (P) is ready to be emptied.
14. Composite packaging (P) according to claim 13,
    characterised in that
    the weakening in the pack material is formed as a prelaminated hole.

Images