EP4177181A1 - Opening device for a package and package having an opening device - Google Patents
Opening device for a package and package having an opening device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4177181A1 EP4177181A1 EP22203489.4A EP22203489A EP4177181A1 EP 4177181 A1 EP4177181 A1 EP 4177181A1 EP 22203489 A EP22203489 A EP 22203489A EP 4177181 A1 EP4177181 A1 EP 4177181A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- opening device
- annular protrusion
- closure
- flow channel
- collar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000005022 packaging material Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 13
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 9
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 8
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241000227653 Lycopersicon Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000007688 Lycopersicon esculentum Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 235000020124 milk-based beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 235000015067 sauces Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000008924 yoghurt drink Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000011111 cardboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004715 ethylene vinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011389 fruit/vegetable juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000014101 wine Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
- B65D5/74—Spouts
- B65D5/746—Spouts formed separately from the container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/16—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
- B65D41/18—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics
- B65D41/185—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics with integral internal sealing means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
- B65D47/10—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having frangible closures
- B65D47/103—Membranes with a tearing element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
- B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
- B65D51/22—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure
- B65D51/228—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being removed from the container after the opening
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0025—Upper closure of the 47-type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/0093—Membrane
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an opening device for a package, in particular a package having a main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product.
- the present invention also relates to a package having a main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product, and an opening device coupled to the main body.
- liquid or pourable food products such as fruit juice, milk, milk-based drinks, drinking yoghurt, wine, tomato sauce, salt, sugar etc.
- packages in particular sealed packages, made of a sterilized packaging material.
- a typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding a laminated strip packaging material.
- the packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a carton and/or paper base layer, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. layers of polyethylene.
- the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
- such a type of package comprises a main body formed from a multilayer packaging material and has a designated pour opening, which allows the outpouring of the pourable product from the package.
- the package can comprise an opening device coupled to the main body and arranged about the designated pour opening. The opening device is designed to seal the package prior to a first opening of the opening device and to allow for a controlled outpouring.
- a typical opening device comprises a collar having an inner surface delimiting a flow channel and having a pouring outlet and a closure group configured to selectively open and close the pouring outlet.
- closure groups also comprise a closure and a sealing lip, which extends from the closure and into the flow channel when the closure covers the pouring outlet. Additionally, the sealing lip contacts the inner surface so as to seal the flow channel such that the pourable product cannot leak out of the flow channel.
- an opening device according to the independent claim.
- Number 1 indicates as a whole a package (only partially shown to the extent necessary for the comprehension of the present invention) comprising:
- the pourable product may be milk, tomato sauce, milk-based drinks, drinking yoghurt, water, sugar, salt, juices, emulsions, and the like.
- the packaging material may comprise at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene layers, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another.
- a layer of fibrous material such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer
- heat-seal plastic material e.g. polyethylene layers
- One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material may define the inner face of main body 2 contacting the pourable product.
- the packaging material may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material.
- the packaging material may also comprise a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.
- each package 1, in particular the respective main body 2 may be obtained from a respective blank of the multilayer packaging material.
- the blank may define a precursor of the respective package 1, in particular the respective main body 2.
- the respective blank may comprise the respective designated pour opening, which in particular may be covered by a separation membrane.
- the separation membrane may be formed from a gas-barrier material, in particular the separation membrane may be defined by a portion of the layer of the gas- and light-barrier material and/or the layers of heat-seal plastic material.
- the multilayer packaging material may be provided in the form of a web, thereby the blanks may be successively arranged with respect to one another.
- the web is formed into a tube, longitudinally sealed, filled with the pourable product and transversally sealed and cut in correspondence with the extensions of the blanks.
- each opening device 3 may be applied, in particular molded or bonded, to the respective main body 2 or onto the respective packaging blank.
- each opening device 3 may be molded onto the respective packaging blank and about the designated pour opening.
- a first portion of opening device 3 may be molded onto the respective packaging blank and a second portion of opening device 3 may be applied onto the first portion after molding of the first portion.
- opening device 3 may be molded by means of a respective mold.
- main body 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis A, a first transversal axis B perpendicular to longitudinal axis A and a second transversal axis C perpendicular to first transversal axis B and longitudinal axis A.
- the extension of package 2 along longitudinal axis A may be larger than the extension of package 2 along first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C.
- main body 2 may be parallelepiped-shaped.
- main body 2 may comprise a first wall (not shown and known as such), in particular being transversal, even more particular perpendicular, to longitudinal axis A, from which main body 2 may extend along longitudinal axis A.
- the first wall may define a support surface of package 1, in particular main body 2, which may be designed to be put in contact with a support, such as e.g. a shelf, when, in use, being e.g. exposed within a sales point or when being stored.
- a support such as e.g. a shelf
- the first wall when being arranged on the support the first wall may define a bottom wall.
- main body 2 may also comprise a side wall 4 being (fixedly) connected to the first wall and extending, in particular substantially parallel, along longitudinal axis A, from the first wall.
- side wall 4 being (fixedly) connected to the first wall and extending, in particular substantially parallel, along longitudinal axis A, from the first wall.
- main body 2 may also comprise a second wall 5 opposed to the first wall and being (fixedly) connected to side wall 4.
- side wall 4 may be interposed between the first wall and second wall 5.
- second wall 5 may define a top wall.
- first wall and second wall 5 may be parallel to one another.
- first wall and second wall 5 may be inclined with respect to one another.
- second wall 5 may define a slanted top or may define a portion of a gable-top.
- second wall 5 may carry and/or comprise the designated pour opening.
- package 1, in particular main body 2 may comprise an inner space configured to contain and/or containing the pourable product.
- first wall, side wall 4 and second wall 5 may delimit the inner space.
- opening device 3 may comprise:
- opening device 3 may also comprise a base frame 13 configured to couple and/or coupling opening device 3 onto main body 2, in particular to second wall 5, and about the designated pour opening.
- collar 9 may extend from base frame 13.
- collar 9 and base frame 13 may be integrally connected to one another. Even more preferentially, collar 9 and base frame 13 may be made in a single piece.
- closure group 12 may be made as a separate piece.
- closure group 12 may be coupled to collar 9 after formation of collar 9.
- collar 9 may also comprise an inlet opening 14 configured to allow for the introduction of the pourable product into flow channel 10.
- inlet opening 14 may be arranged opposite to pouring outlet 11.
- collar 9 may extend along a central axis E.
- pouring outlet 11 and inlet opening 14 may be arranged at respective axial ends of collar 9.
- collar 9 comprises an inner surface 15 delimiting flow channel 10.
- collar 9 may also comprise an external surface 16 opposed to inner surface 15.
- closure group 12 comprises a closure 17 configured to selectively open and close pouring outlet 11.
- Closure 17 may be movable between:
- closure 17 may be configured to selectively open and close pouring outlet 11 when being respectively in the opening position and the closing position.
- closure 17 may be reversibly movable between the closing position and the opening position.
- Closure group 12 also comprises a sealing lip 18, in particular an annular sealing lip 18, extending from closure 17.
- sealing lip 18 may be integrally connected to closure 17.
- sealing lip 18 may extend into flow channel 10 with closure 17 being in the closing position.
- opening device 3 also comprises one or more annular protrusion elements 19, in the specific case shown three, extending from inner surface 15 and into flow channel 10.
- each one of the one or more annular protrusion elements 19 may be integral to inner surface 15.
- Sealing lip 18 interacts with, in particular contacts, at least one of the one or more annular protrusion elements 19 for sealing pouring outlet 11 in cooperation with annular protrusion elements 19 with closure 17 being in the closing position.
- the interaction between sealing lip 18 and annular protrusion elements 19 determines the tightness of opening device 3 when closure 17 is in the closing position.
- the overall sealing of pouring outlet 11 results both from the interaction of sealing lip 18 with at least one of the one or more annular protrusion elements 19 and the presence of closure 17.
- closure 17 comprises a main wall 25 and a lateral annular wall 26 integrally connected to main wall 25 and transversally protruding from main wall 25.
- main wall 25 covers pouring outlet 11 (in other words, main wall 25 is superimposed on pouring outlet 11) and lateral annular wall 26 at least partially surrounds collar 9, in particular facing external surface 16.
- sealing lip 18 is integrally connected to and extends from main wall 25, in particular an inner face 27 of main wall 25.
- inner face 27 may face flow channel 10 with closure 17 being in the closing position.
- opening device 3 may comprise at least two, preferentially at least three, annular protrusion elements 19. In dependence of the actual position of sealing lip 18 within flow channel 10 when closure 17 is in the closing position, it may occur that sealing lip 18 contacts only one of annular protrusion elements 19 (which still is sufficient to improve the tightness of opening device 3 with closure 17 being in the closing position). Such an example situation is e.g. also depicted in Figures 4 and 5a .
- sealing lip 18 may vary between successive placements of closure 17 in the closing position. Thus, there may be positions of sealing lip 18 in which sealing lip 18 contacts only one of annular protrusion elements 19, but there may also be positions of sealing lip 18 in which sealing lip 18 contacts two or more annular protrusion elements 19.
- sealing lip 18 interacts with at least one of annular protrusion elements 19 so as to obtain the sealing effect, independently of the actual position.
- annular protrusion elements 19 may be axially displaced from one another (with respect to central axis E).
- each annular protrusion element 19 may comprise a tip portion 28.
- each annular protrusion element 19 may have a respective radial extension.
- the respective radial extensions of annular protrusion elements 19 may differ from one another or at least two may have the same radial extensions or at least one annular protrusion element 19 may have a radial extension different from the radial extension of the other annular protrusion elements 19.
- each annular protrusion element 19 into flow channel 10 may be such that each tip portion 28 may lie on and/or be in contact with an imaginary cylinder surface (of an imaginary cylinder placed within flow channel 10).
- an imaginary cylinder surface of an imaginary cylinder placed within flow channel 10
- At least one annular protrusion element 19 may be arranged adjacent to pouring outlet 11.
- the at least one annular protrusion element 19 may be adjacent to and axially displaced with respect to central axis E from a rim 29 of collar 9, rim 29 delimiting pouring outlet 11.
- the one or more annular protrusion elements 19 may protrude into a first zone 30 of flow channel 10.
- first zone 30 may extend from pouring outlet 11 and towards inlet opening 14.
- flow channel 10 may comprise a second zone 31 distinct from first zone 30 and extending towards inlet opening 14.
- second zone 31 may extend from first zone 30 to inlet opening 14.
- an extension of first zone 30 may correspond to at most one third of an extension of flow channel 10 from pouring outlet 11 to inlet opening 14.
- an extension of second zone 31 may correspond to at least two thirds of the extension of flow channel 10 from pouring outlet 11 to inlet opening 14. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain an extension of sealing lip 18 within certain limits.
- each tip portion 28 may lie within a respective plane being perpendicular to central axis E.
- sealing lip 18 may have an outer diameter, which equals or substantially equals an inner diameter of collar 9.
- the outer diameter may equal or substantially equal an inner diameter defined by the one or more annular protrusion elements 19. In this way, one guarantees that sealing lip 18 can enter flow channel 10 and can interact with at least one of annular protrusion elements 19, in particular independently of the actual position of sealing lip 18 within flow channel 10.
- sealing lip 18 may comprise at least one curved portion, in particular at least one curved end portion 32.
- sealing lip 18 may also comprise a connecting portion 33 connected, in particular integrally connected, to closure 17, in particular main wall 25, even more particular inner face 27.
- the at least one curved portion in particular curved end portion 32, may be connected to connecting portion 33.
- opening device 3 may also comprise a closing element 37 arranged and/or being arrangeable within flow channel 10 and configured to close flow channel 10 when being arranged within flow channel 10, i.e. closing element 37 can be arranged within flow channel 10 so as to interrupt a fluidic connection between inlet opening 14 and pouring outlet 11.
- closing element 37 may be arranged within flow channel 10.
- closing element 37 may be coaxially positioned with respect to collar 9.
- base frame 13, collar 9 and closing element 37 may be made in a single piece.
- closing element 37 may be rupturably fixed to collar 9, in particular inner surface 15. Even more particular, during a first movement of closing element 37 away from collar 9 and/or out of flow channel 10, closing element 37 irreversibly ruptures, i.e. closing element 37 may contact again collar 9, in particular inner surface 15 when being newly placed within flow channel 10, but is not fixed again to collar 9, in particular inner surface 15.
- closing element 37 may comprise:
- coupling structure 39 may be integral to and may extend from membrane wall 38.
- membrane wall 38 may be configured to rupturably detach from collar 9, in particular inner surface 15 so as to allow a fluid connection between inlet opening 14 and pouring outlet 11 for allowing the outpouring of the pourable product.
- membrane wall 38 may be controllable between an active position in which membrane wall 38 is arranged within flow channel 10 for interrupting the fluid connection between pouring outlet 11 and inlet opening 14 and an inactive position in which membrane wall 38 is positioned out of flow channel 10 for allowing the fluid connection between pouring outlet 11 and inlet opening 14
- coupling structure 39 couples closing element 37, in particular main wall 25, to closure 17, membrane wall 38 is in the active position and the inactive position, when closure 17 is in respectively the closing position and the opening position.
- coupling structure 39 may be welded and/or bonded and/or fused, to closure group 12, in particular closure 17, even more particular inner face 27.
- closure group 12 may comprise a coupling ring 40 arranged about collar 9.
- closure 17 may be coupled to, in particular tethered to, even more particular hinged to, coupling ring 40.
- closure 17 may be hinged to coupling ring 40 and may be angularly movable about a hinge axis and between the closing position and the opening position.
- closure group 12 may also comprise one or more rupturable coupling bridges rupturably connected to coupling ring 40 and closure 17, in particular lateral wall 26, and configured to irreversibly rupture during the first movement of closure 17 from the closing position to the opening position.
- base frame 13, collar 9, annular protrusion elements 19 and closing element 37 may be integrally formed, in particular in a single piece.
- base frame 13, collar 9 and closing element 37 may be formed during a molding process, in particular during a molding of opening device 3 onto the respective packaging blank.
- closure group 12 may be coupled to collar 9 after formation of base frame 13, collar 9 and closing element 37.
- base frame 13, collar 9, annular protrusion elements 19 and closing element 37 may define the first portion of opening device 3 and closure group 12 may define the second portion of opening device 3.
- closure group 12 is applied to collar 9 after molding of base frame 13, collar 9, annular protrusion elements 19 and closing element 37, in particular about the designated pour opening.
- the molding of the first portion onto main body 2 or the blank defining the precursor of main body 2 relies on the use of a respective mold.
- a user receives package 1 with closure 17 being in the closing position. Additionally, membrane wall 38 is in the active position and is still rupturably connected to collar 9.
- the user in order to access the pourable product, needs to control closure 17 from the closing position to the opening position, in particular also leading to a movement of membrane wall 38 from the active position to the inactive position and a rupturing of membrane wall 38 from collar 9. This then allows the pourable product to flow from the inner space through flow channel 10 and out of pouring outlet 11.
- closure 17 Between the opening position and the closing position, sealing lip 18 seals flow channel 10 by interacting, in particular contacting, at least one of annular protrusion elements 19.
- sealing lip 18 contacts at least one annular protrusion elements 19 at any angular position.
- opening device 3 and/or of package 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
- annular protrusion elements 19 it is possible to improve the tightness of opening device 3 in comparison to the state-of-the-art opening devices.
- a further advantage resides, in that the tightness is guaranteed independently of the actual position of sealing lip 18, which may slightly differ each time closure 17 is placed in the closing position.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an opening device for a package, in particular a package having a main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product.
- Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a package having a main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product, and an opening device coupled to the main body.
- As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, milk, milk-based drinks, drinking yoghurt, wine, tomato sauce, salt, sugar etc., are sold in packages, in particular sealed packages, made of a sterilized packaging material.
- A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding a laminated strip packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a carton and/or paper base layer, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. layers of polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
- Thus, such a type of package comprises a main body formed from a multilayer packaging material and has a designated pour opening, which allows the outpouring of the pourable product from the package. Additionally, the package can comprise an opening device coupled to the main body and arranged about the designated pour opening. The opening device is designed to seal the package prior to a first opening of the opening device and to allow for a controlled outpouring.
- A typical opening device comprises a collar having an inner surface delimiting a flow channel and having a pouring outlet and a closure group configured to selectively open and close the pouring outlet.
- Some closure groups also comprise a closure and a sealing lip, which extends from the closure and into the flow channel when the closure covers the pouring outlet. Additionally, the sealing lip contacts the inner surface so as to seal the flow channel such that the pourable product cannot leak out of the flow channel.
- Even though the known opening devices work satisfyingly well, a desire is felt in the sector to improve the known opening devices, in particular so as to improve the sealing effect obtained by means of the coupling between the collar and the sealing lip.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved opening device for a package, in particular a package having a main body formed from a multilayer packaging material, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product.
- In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved opening device for a package, in particular a package having a main body formed from a multilayer packaging material, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product, which comes along with improved sealing properties.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner a package, in particular a package having a main body formed from a multilayer packaging material, filled with a pourable product, in particular filled with a pourable food product, having an opening device, in particular an opening device which comes along with improved sealing properties.
- According to the present invention, there is provided an opening device according to the independent claim.
- Further advantageous embodiments of the opening device are specified in the claims directly or indirectly depending on claim 1.
- According to the present invention, there is also provided a package according to
claim 13, claim 14 orclaim 15. - A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a package having an opening device according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; -
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the package ofFigure 1 and focusing on a detail of the opening device ofFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity; -
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the opening device ofFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity; -
Figure 4 is a section view of the opening device ofFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity; -
Figure 5a is an enlarged section view of details of the opening device ofFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity; and -
Figure 5b is an enlarged sectioned perspective view of details of the opening device ofFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity. - Number 1 indicates as a whole a package (only partially shown to the extent necessary for the comprehension of the present invention) comprising:
- a
main body 2, in particular amain body 2 formed from a multilayer packaging material, being filled and/or being fillable with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, and in particular having a designated pour opening (not shown and known as such) configured to allow for an outflow of the pourable product frommain body 2; and - an
opening device 3, in particular formed from a polymer material, coupled tomain body 2 about the designated pour opening and configured to seal the designated pour opening and to be controllable so as to open the designated pour opening and to allow for the outpouring of the pourable product. - The pourable product may be milk, tomato sauce, milk-based drinks, drinking yoghurt, water, sugar, salt, juices, emulsions, and the like.
- According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the packaging material may comprise at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene layers, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material may define the inner face of
main body 2 contacting the pourable product. - Preferably, the packaging material may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferentially but not necessarily, the packaging material may also comprise a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.
- Preferentially, each package 1, in particular the respective
main body 2, may be obtained from a respective blank of the multilayer packaging material. In particular, the blank may define a precursor of the respective package 1, in particular the respectivemain body 2. - In more detail, the respective blank may comprise the respective designated pour opening, which in particular may be covered by a separation membrane. The separation membrane may be formed from a gas-barrier material, in particular the separation membrane may be defined by a portion of the layer of the gas- and light-barrier material and/or the layers of heat-seal plastic material.
- According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the multilayer packaging material may be provided in the form of a web, thereby the blanks may be successively arranged with respect to one another. During the formation of packages 1, the web is formed into a tube, longitudinally sealed, filled with the pourable product and transversally sealed and cut in correspondence with the extensions of the blanks.
- According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each
opening device 3 may be applied, in particular molded or bonded, to the respectivemain body 2 or onto the respective packaging blank. Preferentially, eachopening device 3 may be molded onto the respective packaging blank and about the designated pour opening. In particular and as will be explained further below, a first portion ofopening device 3 may be molded onto the respective packaging blank and a second portion ofopening device 3 may be applied onto the first portion after molding of the first portion. - In particular,
opening device 3 may be molded by means of a respective mold. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 and 2 ,main body 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis A, a first transversal axis B perpendicular to longitudinal axis A and a second transversal axis C perpendicular to first transversal axis B and longitudinal axis A. In particular, the extension ofpackage 2 along longitudinal axis A may be larger than the extension ofpackage 2 along first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C. - Preferentially,
main body 2 may be parallelepiped-shaped. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments,
main body 2 may comprise a first wall (not shown and known as such), in particular being transversal, even more particular perpendicular, to longitudinal axis A, from whichmain body 2 may extend along longitudinal axis A. Preferably, the first wall may define a support surface of package 1, in particularmain body 2, which may be designed to be put in contact with a support, such as e.g. a shelf, when, in use, being e.g. exposed within a sales point or when being stored. In particular, when being arranged on the support the first wall may define a bottom wall. - Preferably,
main body 2 may also comprise aside wall 4 being (fixedly) connected to the first wall and extending, in particular substantially parallel, along longitudinal axis A, from the first wall. - Preferentially,
main body 2 may also comprise asecond wall 5 opposed to the first wall and being (fixedly) connected toside wall 4. In particular,side wall 4 may be interposed between the first wall andsecond wall 5. - In particular, when package 1 is arranged on the support,
second wall 5 may define a top wall. - According to the shown non-limiting embodiment, the first wall and
second wall 5 may be parallel to one another. - According to non-limiting alternative embodiments not shown, the first wall and
second wall 5 may be inclined with respect to one another. In particular,second wall 5 may define a slanted top or may define a portion of a gable-top. - According to some non-limiting embodiments,
second wall 5 may carry and/or comprise the designated pour opening. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, package 1, in particular
main body 2, may comprise an inner space configured to contain and/or containing the pourable product. In particular, the first wall,side wall 4 andsecond wall 5 may delimit the inner space. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 to 5b ,opening device 3 may comprise: - a
collar 9 delimiting aflow channel 10 for the pourable product and having a pouringoutlet 11; and - a
closure group 12 coupled tocollar 9 and configured to selectively open and close pouringoutlet 11. - Moreover,
opening device 3 may also comprise abase frame 13 configured to couple and/orcoupling opening device 3 ontomain body 2, in particular tosecond wall 5, and about the designated pour opening. - In particular,
collar 9 may extend frombase frame 13. - Preferentially,
collar 9 andbase frame 13 may be integrally connected to one another. Even more preferentially,collar 9 andbase frame 13 may be made in a single piece. - Additionally,
closure group 12 may be made as a separate piece. In particular,closure group 12 may be coupled tocollar 9 after formation ofcollar 9. - More specifically,
collar 9 may also comprise aninlet opening 14 configured to allow for the introduction of the pourable product intoflow channel 10. In particular, inlet opening 14 may be arranged opposite to pouringoutlet 11. - In further detail,
collar 9 may extend along a central axis E. In particular, pouringoutlet 11 and inlet opening 14 may be arranged at respective axial ends ofcollar 9. - Moreover,
collar 9 comprises aninner surface 15 delimitingflow channel 10. - Additionally,
collar 9 may also comprise anexternal surface 16 opposed toinner surface 15. - With particular reference to
Figure 1 ,3 ,4 and5a ,closure group 12 comprises aclosure 17 configured to selectively open and close pouringoutlet 11. -
Closure 17 may be movable between: - a closing position, in which
closure 17 closes and/orcovers pouring outlet 11, in particular for impeding an outflow of the pourable product out of pouringoutlet 11; and - an opening position in which
closure 17 may be detached from pouringoutlet 11, in particular for allowing an outflow of the pourable product through pouringoutlet 11. - In other words,
closure 17 may be configured to selectively open and close pouringoutlet 11 when being respectively in the opening position and the closing position. - Preferentially,
closure 17 may be reversibly movable between the closing position and the opening position. -
Closure group 12 also comprises a sealinglip 18, in particular anannular sealing lip 18, extending fromclosure 17. In particular, sealinglip 18 may be integrally connected toclosure 17. - In more detail, sealing
lip 18 may extend intoflow channel 10 withclosure 17 being in the closing position. - Advantageously and with particular reference to
Figures 4 ,5a and 5b ,opening device 3 also comprises one or moreannular protrusion elements 19, in the specific case shown three, extending frominner surface 15 and intoflow channel 10. Preferentially, each one of the one or moreannular protrusion elements 19 may be integral toinner surface 15. - Sealing
lip 18 interacts with, in particular contacts, at least one of the one or moreannular protrusion elements 19 for sealing pouringoutlet 11 in cooperation withannular protrusion elements 19 withclosure 17 being in the closing position. In particular, the interaction between sealinglip 18 andannular protrusion elements 19 determines the tightness ofopening device 3 whenclosure 17 is in the closing position. - More specifically, by sealing pouring
outlet 11 whileclosure 17 is arranged in the closing position, one guarantees that the pourable product does not leak out fromflow channel 10 whileclosure 17 is in the closing position. - More precisely, the overall sealing of pouring
outlet 11 results both from the interaction of sealinglip 18 with at least one of the one or moreannular protrusion elements 19 and the presence ofclosure 17. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 ,3 and5a ,closure 17 comprises amain wall 25 and a lateralannular wall 26 integrally connected tomain wall 25 and transversally protruding frommain wall 25. In particular, withclosure 17 being arranged in the closing position,main wall 25 covers pouring outlet 11 (in other words,main wall 25 is superimposed on pouring outlet 11) and lateralannular wall 26 at least partially surroundscollar 9, in particular facingexternal surface 16. - Preferentially, sealing
lip 18 is integrally connected to and extends frommain wall 25, in particular aninner face 27 ofmain wall 25. - In particular,
inner face 27 may faceflow channel 10 withclosure 17 being in the closing position. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments,
opening device 3 may comprise at least two, preferentially at least three,annular protrusion elements 19. In dependence of the actual position of sealinglip 18 withinflow channel 10 whenclosure 17 is in the closing position, it may occur that sealinglip 18 contacts only one of annular protrusion elements 19 (which still is sufficient to improve the tightness ofopening device 3 withclosure 17 being in the closing position). Such an example situation is e.g. also depicted inFigures 4 and5a . - It should be noted that the actual position of sealing
lip 18 may vary between successive placements ofclosure 17 in the closing position. Thus, there may be positions of sealinglip 18 in which sealinglip 18 contacts only one ofannular protrusion elements 19, but there may also be positions of sealinglip 18 in which sealinglip 18 contacts two or moreannular protrusion elements 19. - In particular, by having more than one
annular protrusion element 19 it is guaranteed that sealinglip 18 interacts with at least one ofannular protrusion elements 19 so as to obtain the sealing effect, independently of the actual position. - Preferentially,
annular protrusion elements 19 may be axially displaced from one another (with respect to central axis E). - Preferentially, each
annular protrusion element 19 may comprise atip portion 28. - According to some possible embodiments, each
annular protrusion element 19 may have a respective radial extension. - Possibly, the respective radial extensions of
annular protrusion elements 19 may differ from one another or at least two may have the same radial extensions or at least oneannular protrusion element 19 may have a radial extension different from the radial extension of the otherannular protrusion elements 19. - It may also be possible that the radial extension of each
annular protrusion element 19 intoflow channel 10 may be such that eachtip portion 28 may lie on and/or be in contact with an imaginary cylinder surface (of an imaginary cylinder placed withinflow channel 10).In other words, when considering a cross-section ofannular protrusion elements 19 with respect to a cross-section plane having central axis E, the respective points originating fromtip portions 28 lie on a linear line. - Preferentially, at least one
annular protrusion element 19 may be arranged adjacent to pouringoutlet 11. - More precisely, the at least one
annular protrusion element 19 may be adjacent to and axially displaced with respect to central axis E from arim 29 ofcollar 9, rim 29delimiting pouring outlet 11. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the one or more
annular protrusion elements 19 may protrude into afirst zone 30 offlow channel 10. In particular,first zone 30 may extend from pouringoutlet 11 and towards inlet opening 14. - Moreover, flow
channel 10 may comprise asecond zone 31 distinct fromfirst zone 30 and extending towards inlet opening 14. In particular,second zone 31 may extend fromfirst zone 30 toinlet opening 14. - Preferentially, an extension of
first zone 30 may correspond to at most one third of an extension offlow channel 10 from pouringoutlet 11 toinlet opening 14. In other words, an extension ofsecond zone 31 may correspond to at least two thirds of the extension offlow channel 10 from pouringoutlet 11 toinlet opening 14. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain an extension of sealinglip 18 within certain limits. - In further detail, the one or more
annular protrusion elements 19 may be coaxially arranged with respect to central axis E. In particular, eachtip portion 28 may lie within a respective plane being perpendicular to central axis E. - Preferentially, sealing
lip 18 may have an outer diameter, which equals or substantially equals an inner diameter ofcollar 9. Alternatively, the outer diameter may equal or substantially equal an inner diameter defined by the one or moreannular protrusion elements 19. In this way, one guarantees that sealinglip 18 can enter flowchannel 10 and can interact with at least one ofannular protrusion elements 19, in particular independently of the actual position of sealinglip 18 withinflow channel 10. - With particular reference to
Figures 3, 4 and5a , sealinglip 18 may comprise at least one curved portion, in particular at least onecurved end portion 32. - Additionally, sealing
lip 18 may also comprise a connectingportion 33 connected, in particular integrally connected, toclosure 17, in particularmain wall 25, even more particularinner face 27. - Preferentially, the at least one curved portion, in particular
curved end portion 32, may be connected to connectingportion 33. - Reverting again to
Figures 2 ,3 and 4 ,opening device 3 may also comprise aclosing element 37 arranged and/or being arrangeable withinflow channel 10 and configured to closeflow channel 10 when being arranged withinflow channel 10, i.e. closingelement 37 can be arranged withinflow channel 10 so as to interrupt a fluidic connection between inlet opening 14 and pouringoutlet 11. - In particular, closing
element 37 may be arranged withinflow channel 10. - Preferentially, closing
element 37 may be coaxially positioned with respect tocollar 9. - Preferentially,
base frame 13,collar 9 and closingelement 37 may be made in a single piece. - In particular, closing
element 37 may be rupturably fixed tocollar 9, in particularinner surface 15. Even more particular, during a first movement of closingelement 37 away fromcollar 9 and/or out offlow channel 10, closingelement 37 irreversibly ruptures, i.e. closingelement 37 may contact againcollar 9, in particularinner surface 15 when being newly placed withinflow channel 10, but is not fixed again tocollar 9, in particularinner surface 15. - In more detail, closing
element 37 may comprise: - a
membrane wall 38 rupturably fixed tocollar 9, in particularinner surface 15; and - a
coupling structure 39 extending frommembrane wall 38 and operatively coupling closingelement 37 toclosure group 12, inparticular closure 17. - In particular,
coupling structure 39 may be integral to and may extend frommembrane wall 38. - More specifically,
membrane wall 38 may be configured to rupturably detach fromcollar 9, in particularinner surface 15 so as to allow a fluid connection between inlet opening 14 and pouringoutlet 11 for allowing the outpouring of the pourable product. - In more detail,
membrane wall 38 may be controllable between an active position in whichmembrane wall 38 is arranged withinflow channel 10 for interrupting the fluid connection between pouringoutlet 11 andinlet opening 14 and an inactive position in whichmembrane wall 38 is positioned out offlow channel 10 for allowing the fluid connection between pouringoutlet 11 andinlet opening 14 - In particular, as
coupling structure 39couples closing element 37, in particularmain wall 25, toclosure 17,membrane wall 38 is in the active position and the inactive position, whenclosure 17 is in respectively the closing position and the opening position. - More specifically,
coupling structure 39 may be welded and/or bonded and/or fused, toclosure group 12, inparticular closure 17, even more particularinner face 27. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments,
closure group 12 may comprise acoupling ring 40 arranged aboutcollar 9. - In particular,
closure 17 may be coupled to, in particular tethered to, even more particular hinged to,coupling ring 40. - Preferentially,
closure 17 may be hinged tocoupling ring 40 and may be angularly movable about a hinge axis and between the closing position and the opening position. - Preferentially,
closure group 12 may also comprise one or more rupturable coupling bridges rupturably connected tocoupling ring 40 andclosure 17, in particularlateral wall 26, and configured to irreversibly rupture during the first movement ofclosure 17 from the closing position to the opening position. - According to some non-limiting embodiments,
base frame 13,collar 9,annular protrusion elements 19 and closingelement 37 may be integrally formed, in particular in a single piece. In particular,base frame 13,collar 9 and closingelement 37 may be formed during a molding process, in particular during a molding ofopening device 3 onto the respective packaging blank. - Furthermore,
closure group 12 may be coupled tocollar 9 after formation ofbase frame 13,collar 9 and closingelement 37. - In other words,
base frame 13,collar 9,annular protrusion elements 19 and closingelement 37 may define the first portion ofopening device 3 andclosure group 12 may define the second portion ofopening device 3. Thus,closure group 12 is applied tocollar 9 after molding ofbase frame 13,collar 9,annular protrusion elements 19 and closingelement 37, in particular about the designated pour opening. - In particular, the molding of the first portion onto
main body 2 or the blank defining the precursor ofmain body 2 relies on the use of a respective mold. - In use, a user receives package 1 with
closure 17 being in the closing position. Additionally,membrane wall 38 is in the active position and is still rupturably connected tocollar 9. - The user, in order to access the pourable product, needs to control
closure 17 from the closing position to the opening position, in particular also leading to a movement ofmembrane wall 38 from the active position to the inactive position and a rupturing ofmembrane wall 38 fromcollar 9. This then allows the pourable product to flow from the inner space throughflow channel 10 and out of pouringoutlet 11. - Afterwards, it is repeatably possible to move
closure 17 between the opening position and the closing position. Eachtime closure 17 is moved in the closing position, sealinglip 18 seals flowchannel 10 by interacting, in particular contacting, at least one ofannular protrusion elements 19. - In particular, sealing
lip 18 contacts at least oneannular protrusion elements 19 at any angular position. - The advantages of
opening device 3 and/or of package 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description. - In particular, by having one or more
annular protrusion elements 19 it is possible to improve the tightness ofopening device 3 in comparison to the state-of-the-art opening devices. - A further advantage resides, in that the tightness is guaranteed independently of the actual position of sealing
lip 18, which may slightly differ eachtime closure 17 is placed in the closing position. - Another advantage can be seen in that the tightness is guaranteed for any shape of sealing
lip 18. - Clearly, changes may be made to opening
device 3 and/or package 1 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (15)
- Opening device (3) for a package (1) having a main body (2) being filled with a pourable product;the opening device (3) comprises:- a collar (9) having an inner surface (15) delimiting a flow channel (10) for the pourable product and having a pouring outlet (11);- a closure group (12) coupled to the collar (9) and configured to selectively open and close the pouring outlet (11); and- one or more annular protrusion elements (19) extending from the inner surface (15) and into the flow channel (10);wherein the closure group (12) comprises a closure (17) configured to selectively open and close the pouring outlet (11) when being respectively in an opening position and a closing position and a sealing lip (18) extending from the closure (17);wherein the sealing lip (18) extends into the flow channel (10) with the closure (17) being in the closing position;wherein the sealing lip (18) interacts with at least one of the one or more annular protrusion elements (19) for sealing the pouring outlet (11) in cooperation with the annular protrusion elements (19) with the closure (17) being in the closing position.
- Opening device according to claim 1, and comprising at least two annular protrusion elements (19);
wherein the annular protrusion elements (19) are axially displaced from one another along a central axis (E) of the collar. - Opening device according to claim 2, wherein each annular protrusion element (19) comprises a tip portion (28);
wherein an imaginary cylinder surface contacts the respective tip portions (28) of each annular protrusion element (19). - Opening device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each annular protrusion element (19) has a respective radial extension;
wherein the respective radial extensions of at least one annular protrusion element (19) differs from the respective radial extension of the other annular protrusion elements (19). - Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one annular protrusion element (19) is arranged adjacent to the pouring outlet (11).
- Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow channel (10) comprises a first zone (30) extending from the pouring outlet (11) and a second zone (31) distinct from the first zone (30) and extending from the first zone (30) to an inlet opening (14) of the collar (9);wherein an extension of the first zone (30) corresponds to at most one third of an extension of the flow channel (10) from the pouring outlet (11) to the inlet opening (14);wherein the one or more annular protrusion elements (19) extend into the first zone (30) of the flow channel (10) .
- Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each one of the one or more annular protrusion elements (19) is integral to the inner surface (15) .
- Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing lip (19) comprises at least one curved portion (32).
- Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising a closing element (37) arranged and/or being arrangeable within the flow channel (10) and being configured to close the flow channel (10).
- Opening device according to claim 9, wherein the closing element (37) comprises a membrane wall (38) rupturably fixed to the inner surface (15) of the collar (9) and a coupling structure (39) extending from the membrane wall (38) and operatively coupling the membrane wall (38) to the closure (17).
- Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising a base frame (13) configured to couple the opening device (3) about a designated pour opening of the main body (2);
wherein the collar (9) extends from the base frame (13). - Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure group (12) comprises at least a coupling ring (40) arranged about the collar (9);
wherein the closure (17) is coupled to the coupling ring (40). - Package (1) filled and/or fillable with a pourable product and comprising at least one opening device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
- Package according to claim 13, wherein the package (1) comprises a main body (2) having a designated pour opening and being formed from a multilayer packaging material, wherein the opening device (3) is coupled onto the main body (2) and about the designated pour opening.
- Package according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the opening device (3) is molded to a main body (2) of the package (1).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP21207094 | 2021-11-09 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP4177181A1 true EP4177181A1 (en) | 2023-05-10 |
EP4177181B1 EP4177181B1 (en) | 2024-06-19 |
EP4177181C0 EP4177181C0 (en) | 2024-06-19 |
Family
ID=78592591
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP22203489.4A Active EP4177181B1 (en) | 2021-11-09 | 2022-10-25 | Opening device for a package and package having an opening device |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP4177181B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN118302366A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2022388600A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2024004634A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2023083598A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021080497A1 (en) * | 2019-10-24 | 2021-04-29 | Petro-Pack Ab | A package closure and a method for producing a package closure |
EP3854716A1 (en) * | 2020-01-27 | 2021-07-28 | Elopak GmbH | Closure device for a paper or paperboard-based package |
EP3892559A1 (en) * | 2020-04-09 | 2021-10-13 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Spout for a package, lid-spout assembly for a package and package having a spout |
-
2022
- 2022-10-25 MX MX2024004634A patent/MX2024004634A/en unknown
- 2022-10-25 CN CN202280074130.2A patent/CN118302366A/en active Pending
- 2022-10-25 WO PCT/EP2022/079711 patent/WO2023083598A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-10-25 EP EP22203489.4A patent/EP4177181B1/en active Active
- 2022-10-25 AU AU2022388600A patent/AU2022388600A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021080497A1 (en) * | 2019-10-24 | 2021-04-29 | Petro-Pack Ab | A package closure and a method for producing a package closure |
EP3854716A1 (en) * | 2020-01-27 | 2021-07-28 | Elopak GmbH | Closure device for a paper or paperboard-based package |
EP3892559A1 (en) * | 2020-04-09 | 2021-10-13 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Spout for a package, lid-spout assembly for a package and package having a spout |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP4177181B1 (en) | 2024-06-19 |
CN118302366A (en) | 2024-07-05 |
WO2023083598A1 (en) | 2023-05-19 |
EP4177181C0 (en) | 2024-06-19 |
AU2022388600A1 (en) | 2024-04-04 |
MX2024004634A (en) | 2024-04-30 |
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