EP4592209A1

EP4592209A1 - Opening device for a package and package

Info

Publication number: EP4592209A1
Application number: EP25151936.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Angelo Sorbara; Martina LINGUITI; Tiziano VIANI; Marco INSERO
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Current assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date: 2024-01-24
Filing date: 2025-01-15
Publication date: 2025-07-30
Also published as: IT202400001308A1; WO2025157640A1

Abstract

There is described an opening device (3) for a package (1) comprising a collar (10) and a closure (12). The collar (10) comprises an inner surface (16) and the closure (12) comprises an annular sealing lip (24). The collar (10) comprises a sealing ring (26) protruding from the inner surface (16) into the flow channel (11). The closure (12) is movable between a first axial position and a second axial position when being in a closing position. When the closure is in the first axial position, the sealing lip (26) contacts the inner surface (16) at a first contact area (25) axially spaced away from the sealing ring (26) and the sealing lip (24) is radially displaced from and/or does not contact the sealing ring (26), and when the closure (12) is in the second axial position, the sealing lip (24) contacts the sealing ring (26).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an opening device for a package, more specifically a composite package, filled with a pourable product, even more specifically filled with a pourable food product.
The present invention also relates to a package having a main body filled with a pourable product, more specifically filled with a pourable food product, and an opening device arranged on the main body.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of composite 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 web of 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. 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.
Some of the known packages, in particular a respective sealed main body of the packages formed from the packaging material, comprise a designated pour opening area, which allows the outpouring of the pourable product from the package. Typically, the designated pour opening area is covered by a separation membrane, which isolates an inner space of the main body from an outer environment, and which is cut prior to the first outpouring of the pourable product. It is also known to arrange an opening device having a collar and a closure onto the main body. The closure is movable between a closing position in which the closure covers the collar, and an opening position in which the closure is distanced from the collar so as to allow for the outpouring.
There are known closures that comprise a sealing lip protruding into a flow channel of the collar and being in engagement with a contact area of an inner surface the collar when being in the closing position for guaranteeing that the liquid cannot leak out of the package once the separation membrane has been ruptured.
Even though such opening devices work satisfyingly well, a need is felt in the sector to further improve the opening devices and/or the packages having opening devices.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved opening device for a package, more specifically a composite package, filled with a pourable product, even more specifically filled with a pourable food product.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package having a main body filled with a pourable product, more specifically filled with a pourable food product, and an opening device applied on the main body.
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 respective dependent claims.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a package according to claim 14 or 15.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 package having a main body and an opening device according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the opening device of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity;
Figure 3 is a sectioned view of a detail of the opening device of Figure 1 with a closure of the opening device being in a first axial position, with parts removed for clarity; and
Figure 4 is a sectioned view of the detail of the opening device of Figure 3 with the closure being in a second axial position, with parts removed for clarity.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 indicates as a whole a package, more specifically a composite package, comprising:

a main body 2, more specifically a composite main body, even more specifically a sealed composite main body, being filled with a pourable product, more specifically a pourable food product, and in particular having a designated pour opening area (not shown and known as such) configured to allow for the outpouring of the pourable product from main body 2; and
an opening device 3, more specifically an opening device formed from a polymer, fitted to main body 2, more specifically to main body 2 about the designated pour opening area.

Main body 2 may be obtained from a multilayer packaging material, for example being provided in the form of a web. The packaging material may comprise at least a layer of fibrous material, e.g. a paper or cardboard, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material may define an 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 the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. More specifically, 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.
In further detail, each opening device 3 is applied to the respective main body 2 prior, during or after forming, filling and sealing of the respective main body 2 by means of at least one of a molding process, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding and welding.
Alternatively, each opening device 3 can be applied onto the packaging material prior to arranging the packaging material within or during advancement of the packaging material through a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing the respective main body 2 from the packaging material.
Main body 2 may contain a pourable food product such as water, milk, milk-based drinks, yoghurt drinks, coffee-based drinks, fruit juice, beverages with pulp, tomato sauce, salt, sugar and the like.
With particular reference to Figure 1, main body 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis A.
In particular, package 2 may comprise a first wall 4, in particular being transversal, even more particular perpendicular, to longitudinal axis A, from which main body 2 extends along a longitudinal axis A. Preferentially, first wall 4 may define a supporting surface of package 2, which, in use, can be put in contact with a support element, e.g. a shelf, when, in use, being e.g. exposed within a sales point, placed within a storage chamber, placed within a refrigerator or similar. In particular, when being arranged on a support element, first wall 4 may define a bottom wall.
Moreover, main body 2 may also comprise a side wall 5 being (fixedly) connected to first wall 4 and extending from first wall 4 along longitudinal axis A.
Additionally, main body 2 may also comprise a second wall 6 opposite to first wall 4 and being (fixedly) connected to side wall 5. In other words, side wall 5 may be interposed between first wall 4 and second wall 6. In particular, when package 1 is arranged on a support element, second wall 6 may define a top wall of package 1.
First wall 4 and second wall 6 may be parallel to one another or, alternatively, first wall 4 and second wall 6 may be inclined with respect to one another (in other words, second wall 6 may define a slanted-top or a gable-top).
In more detail, second wall 6 may comprise the designated pour opening area.
Furthermore, package 1, in particular main body 2, may comprise a separation membrane covering the designated pour opening area so as to isolate an inner space of main body 2 from an outer environment. Additionally, the separation membrane may be at least partially (and non-reversibly) breakable (i.e. openable and/or rupturable and/or cuttable and/or pierceable), in particular so as to allow a loss of the integrity of the separation membrane, which therefore allows the outpouring of the pourable product out of main body 2.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the separation membrane may comprise a gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the separation membrane may be defined by a portion of the packaging material, in particular a portion of the layers of the packaging material being different from the layer of fibrous material. Preferentially, the separation membrane may comprise a portion of the layer of the gas- and light-barrier material.
With particular reference to Figures 1 to 4, opening device 3 comprises at least:

a collar 10, in particular aligned with the designated pour opening area, delimiting a flow channel 11 for the pourable product; and
a closure 12 coupled to collar 10.

Moreover, opening device 3 may also comprise a coupling ring 13 rotatably arranged around collar 10, in particular such that coupling ring 13 is inseparable from collar 10.
Furthermore, each opening device 3 may also comprise a connection element, preferentially a tethering element, connected to, more specifically non-rupturably connected to, coupling ring 13 and closure 12. In one embodiment, the connection element may be a hinge.
In more detail, collar 10 may comprise an inlet opening configured to allow an inflow of the pourable product, in particular from the inner space, into flow channel 11 and a pouring outlet 15 configured to allow an outflow of the pourable product from flow channel 11 (and collar 10).
More specifically, flow channel 11 may extend between the inlet opening and pouring outlet 15.
In further detail, collar 10 and/or flow channel 11 may extend along a central axis B.
More specifically, collar 10 may have an annular cross-section profile in a cross-sectional plane being perpendicular to central axis B.
Even more specifically, collar 10 and/or the inlet opening and/or pouring outlet 15 may have a (substantially) circular cross-sectional profile, in particular in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to central axis B.
With particular reference to Figures 1 to 4, closure 12 is configured to selectively open and close pouring outlet 15.
Advantageously, closure 12 may be controllable in at least:

a closing position (see Figures 1, 3 and 4) in which closure 12 covers pouring outlet 15, in particular for impeding an outflow of the pourable product from collar 10; and
an opening position (not specifically shown) in which closure 12 is detached from pouring outlet 15 so as to allow an outflow of the pourable product.

Advantageously, opening device 3 may comprise an actuation device partially coupled to collar 10 and partially coupled to closure 12, and configured such that a rotation of closure 12 about central axis B moves closure 12 from the closing position to and/or towards the opening position.
With particular reference to Figures 2 to 4, collar 10 may comprise an inner surface 16 facing and/or delimiting flow channel 11, and in particular also an outer surface 17 opposite to inner surface 16 (i.e. facing away from flow channel 11).
In further detail, collar 10 may comprise one or more protrusion elements 18 protruding from outer surface 17 and interacting with coupling ring 13 for retaining closure 12 coupled to collar 10.
It should be noted that closure 12 is (axially) movable between a first axial position (see Figure 3) and a second axial position (see Figure 4) when being in the closing position. In particular, the first axial position and the second axial position are relative to central axis B. In other words, the first axial position and the second axial position are defined along central axis B.
In particular, the interaction between the one or more protrusion elements 18 with coupling ring 13 is such to allow an (axial) movement between the first axial position and the second axial position.
In more detail, the (axial) movement of closure 12 from the first axial position to the second axial position is along a movement direction D1 parallel to a direction D2 defined from the inlet opening to pouring outlet 15.
Moreover, the movement of closure 12 from the first axial position to the second axial position may result from the generation of a pressure within flow channel 11, (e.g. as a result of the exertion of a pressure on package 1, in particular main body 2) and/or when package 1 is overturned (i.e. gravitational forces act on closure 12).
In other words, under normal conditions, closure 12 is in the first axial position and only in some exceptional circumstances, closure 12 may move to the second axial position. Moreover, once the exceptional circumstances are removed, closure 12 may move back to the first axial position.
In further detail, closure 12 comprises a main wall 19 and a lateral wall 20 protruding from main wall 19.
More specifically, main wall 19 is (substantially) perpendicular to central axis B when closure 12 is in the closing position.
In more detail, closure 12 covers pouring outlet 15 and lateral wall 20 surrounds collar 10 when closure 12 is in the closing position.
Moreover, main wall 19 is closer to pouring outlet 15 when closure 12 is in the first axial position than when closure 12 is in the second axial position.
Additionally, closure 12 comprises an annular sealing lip 24 protruding into flow channel 11 with closure 12 being in the closing position. Sealing lip 24 is configured to contribute to a sealing function when closure 12 is in the closing position. Preferentially, sealing lip 24 provides the sealing function when closure 12 is in the closing position.
Advantageously, sealing lip 24 protrudes from main wall 19.
In particular, sealing lip 24 may be integral to main wall 19.
Sealing lip 24 is curved in a direction perpendicular to main wall 19.
Advantageously, sealing lip 24 contacts inner surface 16 at a first contact area 25 when closure 12 is in the first axial position.
In particular, first contact area 25 has an annular configuration.
More specifically, first contact area 25 is interposed between the inlet opening and pouring outlet 15.
Collar 10 comprises a sealing ring 26 protruding, in particular radially protruding, from inner surface 16 into flow channel 11.
Preferentially, sealing ring 26 is integral to inner surface 16.
In particular, sealing ring 26 has an annular shape.
Moreover, when closure 12 is in the first axial position first contact area 25 is (axially) spaced away from sealing ring 26 and, additionally, sealing lip 24 is radially displaced from sealing ring 26 (i.e. there is no contact between sealing lip 24 and sealing ring 26). In other words, when closure 12 is in the first axial position sealing lip 24 does not contact sealing ring 26.
Hence, when closure 12 is in the first axial position, sealing lip 24 only contacts first contact area 25 and does not contact sealing ring 26. When closure 12 is in the first axial position, the sealing effect is obtained by sealing lip 24 being in contact with first contact area 25.
Advantageously, when closure 12 is in the second axial position sealing lip 24 contacts sealing ring 26. Preferentially but not necessarily, when closure 12 is in the second axial position sealing lip 24 also contacts inner surface 16 at a second contact area 27 axially spaced away from sealing ring 26.
In particular, second contact area 27 has an annular configuration.
Thus, while sealing lip 24 is not in contact with sealing ring 26 when closure 12 is in the first axial position, sealing lip 24 contacts sealing ring 26 when closure 12 is in the second axial position.
The Applicant has found that such a solution allows to improve tightness of closure 12 even in the case that a pressure within flow channel 11 should increase leading to an axial movement of closure 12 from the first axial position to the second axial position.
Preferentially but not necessarily, irrespective of whether closure 12 is in the first axial position or the second axial position, sealing lip 24 is in contact with a respective area of inner surface 16, namely with first contact area 25 and second contact area 27.
In more detail, a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion of sealing lip 24 contact, respectively, second contact area 27 and sealing ring 26 when closure 12 is in the second axial position.
Moreover, sealing lip 24 may comprise an intermediate portion interposed between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.
Advantageously, the intermediate portion is (radially) spaced away from inner surface 16, i.e. the intermediate portion is not in contact with inner surface 16 when closure 12 is in the second axial position.
In further detail, first contact area 25, and in particular also second contact area 27, are interposed between sealing ring 26 and the inlet opening.
Preferentially, first contact area 25 and second contact area 27 are axially displaced from one another.
Additionally, second contact area 27 is interposed between first contact area 25 and sealing ring 26, i.e. first contact area 25 is closer to the inlet opening than second contact area 27.
In further detail and with particular reference to Figure 1, opening device 3 may also comprise a base frame 31 configured to be fitted and/or being fitted on main body 2, in particular second wall 6 and/or both second wall 6 and (a portion of) side wall 5, and about the designated pour opening area. The base frame 31 carries collar 10.
In further detail, opening device 3 may also comprise a (ring-shaped) cutter 32 configured to break (i.e. to rupture and/or cut and/or pierce and/or open) the separation membrane and being at least partially arranged within collar 10 and/or flow channel 11.
Furthermore, cutter 32 may be controlled in a rest position in which cutter 32 is detached from the separation membrane (so as to guarantee integrity of the separation membrane) and an active position in which cutter 32 breaks the separation membrane.
More specifically, when package 1 is provided to an end customer, cutter 32 is arranged in the rest position and the separation membrane is intact. Moreover, control of cutter 32 from the rest position to the active position may be actuated once. After the separation membrane has been broken, it is not necessary to repeatedly control cutter 32 between the active position and the rest position.
Advantageously, opening device 3 may comprise an actuation device configured to actuate and guide movement of cutter 32 from the rest position to the active position. In particular, the actuation device may be coupled to closure 12 and may be configured to direct cutter 32 from the rest position to the active position during the first-time control of closure 12 from the closing position to the opening position.
In use, control of closure from the closing position to the opening position allows an outpouring of the pourable product through pouring outlet 15.
During the first-time control of closure 12 from the closing position to the opening position, cutter 32 breaks the separation membrane so that the pourable product can flow from the inner space into flow channel 11.
The advantages of opening device 3 and/or package 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
In particular, by having sealing ring 26 it is possible to further improve tightness of opening device 3 also when a pressure is created within flow channel 11.
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

Opening device (3) for a package (1) having a designated pour opening area and filled with a pourable product;
the opening device (3) comprises at least:
- a collar (10) delimiting a flow channel (11) extending along a central axis (B) and between an inlet opening of the collar (10) configured to allow an inflow of the pourable product into the flow channel (11) and a pouring outlet (15) of the collar (10) configured to allow an outflow of the pourable product from the flow channel (11); and

- a closure (12) selectively movable between an opening position and a closing position for selectively opening and closing the pouring outlet (15);

wherein the collar (10) comprises an inner surface (16) facing the flow channel (11);

wherein the closure (12) comprises an annular sealing lip (24) protruding into the flow channel (11) with the closure (12) being in the closing position;

wherein the collar (10) comprises a sealing ring (26) protruding from the inner surface (16) into the flow channel (11) ;

wherein the closure (12) is movable between a first axial position and a second axial position when being in the closing position;

wherein:
- when the closure is in the first axial position, the sealing lip (26) contacts the inner surface (16) at a first contact area (25) axially spaced away from the sealing ring (26) and the sealing lip (24) is radially displaced from and/or does not contact the sealing ring (26); and

- when the closure (12) is in the second axial position, the sealing lip (24) contacts the sealing ring (26).
Opening device according to claim 1, wherein when the closure (12) is in the second axial position, the sealing lip (24) also contacts the inner surface (16) at a second contact area (27) axially spaced away from the sealing ring (26) .
Opening device according to claim 2, wherein a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion of the sealing lip (24) contacts, respectively, the second contact area (27) and the sealing ring (26) when the closure (12) is in the second axial position.
Opening device according to claim 3, wherein an intermediate portion of the sealing lip (24) interposed between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is displaced from and/or does not contact the inner surface (16).
Opening device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first contact area (25) is axially displaced from the second contact area (27).
Opening device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second contact area (27) is interposed between the sealing ring (26) and the first contact area (25).
Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact area (25) is interposed between the sealing ring (26) and the inlet opening.
Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (12) moves from the first axial position to the second axial position along a movement direction (D1) parallel to a direction (D2) defined from the inlet opening to the pouring outlet (15).
Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (12) comprises a main wall (19) placed above the pouring outlet (15) when the closure (12) is in the closing position;
wherein the sealing lip (24) protrudes from the main wall (19) and into the flow channel (11) when the closure (12) is in the closing position.
Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first axial position of the closure (12) corresponds to a nominal position of the closure (12) when being in the closing position and the second axial position of the closure (12) results from the generation of a pressure within the flow channel (11).
Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing ring (26) is integral to the inner surface (16).
Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising a cutter (32) configured to break a separation membrane of the package (1) and being at least partially arranged within the flow channel (11) .
Opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising a base frame (31) configured to be fitted and/or being fitted on the main body (2) and about the designated pour opening area and carrying collar (10).
Package (1) comprising:
- a main body (2) filled with a pourable product and having a designated pour opening area covered with a separation membrane; and

- an opening device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims fitted about the designated pour opening area.
Package according to claim 14, wherein the main body (2) is formed from a multilayer packaging material.