FI20207065A1 - Tap for liquid cardboard packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a tap (5) for a liquid cardboard packaging (1), a liquid cardboard packaging (1) comprising the tap (5) and methods of recycling and using the liquid cardboard packaging (1). The tap comprises: - a base part (6) to be attached to the cardboard packaging (1); - a regulator part (8) in connection with and movable in relation to the base part (6), made of one and the same material as the base part (6); - a liquid channel (9) inside at least one of the base part (6) and the regulator part (8) for leading the liquid from the cardboard packaging (1).

Description

TAP FOR LIQUID CARDBOARD PACKAGING

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention applies to a tap for liquid cardboard packaging, a liquid cardboard packaging and methods of recycling and using a liquid cardboard packaging. The invention is especially to a new way of producing and using a recyclable liguid cardboard packaging.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND Various solutions for storing and dispensing liquids are known in prior art. The bag-in-a-box container comprises a flexible container, e.g. a plastic bag filled with a liguid and situated inside a cardboard box. An openable closing mechanism, such as a tap, is attached to the bag and situated outside the box for dispensing the liguid. Patent publication GB 891071 A presents an early example of a bag-in-a-box container. A typical liguid cardboard packaging is formed by folding and sealing a laminated web of cardboard into a container. The packaging usually contains an openable closing mechanism, such as a cap. Patent publication WO 2018/220139 A1 presents some examples of such packagings. o The bag-in-a-box containers are much used for large containers of edible liguids, such as N as wine, milk and juices. One reason for this is that the closing mechanism is easily S 25 constructed so that it prevents air from Entering the bag during dispensing of the liguid. = This extends the preservation time. j o In sizes larger than approximately 1.5 liters, the liquid cardboard packagings are heavy = and hard to handle, lift and pour from. Also, as air enters the container when the liguid O 30 is dispensed, the liquid cardboard packagings are not largely used for edible liquids in large size containers.

A typical bag-in-a-box container uses approximately double the material measured in weight compared to a typical liguid cardboard packaging. Both types of packaging can be made recyclable, but that is typically more difficult with the bag-in-a-box containers. Taps and bags comprise various materials, which are often difficult to separate from each other and the cardboard box. Thus, it can be said that usually liguid cardboard packaging is more recyclable and sustainable than a bag-in-a-box container of similar size.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce or even eliminate the abovementioned problems appearing in prior art. The present invention has an object of providing an inexpensive, easy-to-use and easy-to-recycle tap.

The present invention has an object of providing an inexpensive, easy-to-use and easy-to-recycle liguid cardboard packaging, especially for edible liguids, such as wine. The present invention has an object of providing an easy way of storing and dispensing liquids, especially edible liquids, such as wine. The present invention has an object of providing an environmentally friendly packaging o alternative for liguids, especially edible liguids, such as wine, especially in packagings N of a larger size. S 25 = SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION E Among others, in order to realize the objects mentioned above, the tap, the liguid o cardboard packaging and the methods of recycling and using a liguid cardboard = packaging and other objects according to the invention are characterized by what is O 30 presented in the enclosed independent claims.

The embodiments, examples and advantages mentioned in this text relate, where applicable, as well to the tap, the liquid cardboard packaging, to the methods as to any other aspect of the invention, even though it is not always specifically mentioned. Atypical tap for a liguid cardboard packaging according to the invention comprises: - a base part comprising an attachment part to be attached to the cardboard packaging; - the regulator part arranged in connection with the base part and movable in relation to the base part; - a liquid channel formed inside at least one of the base part and the regulator part and comprising an Inlet opening and an outlet opening for leading liguid from the cardboard packaging.

The base part and the regulator part are arranged to be moved in relation to each other between at least two positions, namely - an open position, where the liguid channel is arranged open, thereby allowing the liguid to be dispensed from the cardboard packaging; and - aclosed position, where the liquid channel is arranged closed, thereby hindering the liquid from being dispensed from the cardboard packaging. The base part and the regulator part are made of one and the same material, e.g. plastics.

A typical liguid cardboard packaging according to the invention is formed by folding and sealing a laminated web of cardboard. The packaging comprises S - an opening for a liguid to be dispensed out of the packaging; s - atap according to the invention, adapted to be attached at the opening and 7 25 adapted to stop the dispensing of the liquid when in closed position, z n. at least the following steps: S - removing the tap from the liguid cardboard packaging after the packaging is N 30 empty; - recycling the liguid cardboard packaging in a cardboard recycling facility;

- recycling the tap as one piece in a recycling facility, e.g. a plastics recycling facility. A typical method of using a liguid cardboard packaging according to the invention comprises at least the following steps: - dispensing the liquid out of the packaging through an opening in the laminated web of cardboard; - storing the packaging horizontally on a support so that the liquid level inside the packaging is above the outlet opening of the liguid channel; and while keeping the packaging in that position; - dispensing liquid out of the packaging by allowing and stopping the dispensing of the liguid with the tap. It has thus been found out that through forming the base part and the regulator part of atapof the same material, e.g. plastics, the recycling of the tap and thereby e.g. a liguid cardboard packaging with such a tap can be made a lot simpler and effective. The taps and the packagings with the tap, become more environmentally friendly. In an embodiment the tap is made of only two parts, i.e. the base part and the regulator part. The liquid channel is formed by providing suitable grooves, pipes, openings, etc. inside at least one of the base part and the regulator part. In an embodiment the base part and the regulator part both form part of the liquid channel. In an embodiment they form at least one liguid tight seam between them in the liguid channel. A tap comprising N only two parts is simple and easy to use and recycle. With a suitable selection of S 25 materials and shapes for the parts, they are adapted with liguid-tight seams and - reliable functioning.

T = 2 In an embodiment the base part and the regulator part are made of only one kind of = plastics material. In an embodiment the base part and the regulator part are made of S 30 a recyclable material. In an embodiment they are made of a thermoplastic. In an embodiment they are made of polyethylene (PE) All the above-mentioned embodiments enhance the recyclability and the eco-friendliness of the tap and the packaging it is used on, e.g. a liguid cardboard packaging with such a tap.

The web of cardboard means the web of any cellulose-based material providing adeguate 5 strength for the packaging. A laminated web means that the bulk layer of cardboard is laminated with one and normally more than one outer and / or inner layers of e.g.

thermoplastics, Aluminum and possible other cellulose-based layers. The layers have different purposes, e.g. adding mechanical strength, water or gas resistance or tightness, reducing transparency. The opening frame as well as the tap can be made eg. of a thermoplastic, such as polyethylene (PE). The opening frame may comprise a flange surrounding the opening. The opening frame e.g. the flange may be glued to the cardboard material or it may be integrated as a part of the cardboard material e.g. be laminating it into the cardboard.

In an embodiment the liguid cardboard packaging comprises an opening frame attached to the laminated web of cardboard at the opening. The opening frame comprises a channel, e.g. a collar around the opening, for the liguid to be led away from the opening. The tap may be attached or adapted to be attached to the opening frame.

In an embodiment the tap is arranged to be attached directly to the web of liguid carboard with an adhesive, such as glue or two-sided tape. In an embodiment the o attachment part of the tap is arranged to be attached directly to the web of liguid N carboard with an adhesive. The attachment part may comprise a flange for the S 25 adhesive. The tap can be readily assembled and attached with an adhesive already at = the factory producing the packaging. In an embodiment the tap is adapted to be E attached with the adhesive by the end user. In an embodiment the attachment part of the tap comprises a flange with the adhesive, ready to be used by the end user. In this = simple and reliable embodiment there is no need for a separate opening frame O 30 attached to the web of liguid carboard. When recycling a packaging of this embodiment, removing the tap easily removes all non-carboard material from the liguid carboard.

The liguid cardboard packaging may be of a single use disposable type. Liguid cardboard packagings as such are well known. Prior art taps comprising e.g. the base part, the liquid channel and the regulator part are well known. thus, the production, features andpossibilities of cardboard packagings and taps as such are not discussed in detail in this text. It has thus been found out that through attaching a tap of the invention to a liguid cardboard packaging, this invention provides a way to store and dispense a liguid more environmentally friendly and in a more easy-to-handle continent than the previously known alternatives . The invention gives convenience compared to e.g. screw caps, which are hard to control and pour from, especially in larger cardboard packaging sizes.

The invention makes even a large liguid cardboard packaging easy to use. You can store the cardboard packaging eguipped with a tap e.g. on a refrigerator shelf. With the tap outwards it is easy to dispense a liguid, such as wine, directly into a glass, without a need to move or move the actual packaging. This is not possible with a regular liquid cardboard packaging. The invention makes it possible to use existing prior art packaging, prior art opening o frames with collars with threadings around the collars, and prior art caps to be screwed N into said threadings. The tap of the invention can be individually packaged. The tap S 25 can be glued or otherwise removable fixed to the top of the package before attaching = it to the opening frame, e.g. during transport and retail phases. The taps can also be E delivered in other ways, e.g. sold separately. 3 = In an embodiment the laminated web of cardboard comprises a designated tap O 30 attachment area where the tap is removably attached to before its use. The tap attachment area may be situated e.g. on the same surface of the packaging where the opening frame is situated. The tap attachment area may comprise features specific to only that part of the packaging surface for facilitating or enabling the removable attachment of the tap. E.g. the surface of the tap attachment area may be Smoother or glossier than the rest of the packaging. The surface of the tap attachment area may comprise specific markings for facilitating or enabling the Positioning of the tap on the packaging e.g. at the factory producing the packaging.

In an embodiment the opening frame and the tap are a single piece. This way the tap may be readily assembled at its end use place already at the factory producing the packaging.

In an embodiment the opening frame comprises a collar with Threading, and the tap, e.g. the attachment part of the base part comprises a corresponding Threading. Thereby the tap is adapted to be attached to the opening frame using the threadings. This way it is possible that only the opening frame with the collar is assembled at its place at the factory Performing the manufacturing of the cardboard packaging or the packaging. The tap may be kept detached from the threads as a removable cap is protecting the opening at the opening collar. The user may remove the cap and screw the tap on before use.

In an embodiment the tap comprises a manual opening mechanism, such as a lever or a push button, to be activated by a user in order to allow dispensing of the liguid out of the packaging.

S N In an embodiment the tap comprises a venting means arranged to lead air through the S 25 tap into the packaging when the liguid is dispensed. In an embodiment the venting = means are arranged to operate automatically with the tap. This way the venting means E is opened when the tap is opened, and the venting means is closed when the tap is o closed.

S 30 In an embodiment the inlet opening and / or the outlet opening of the liguid channel are closed with a removable plastic seal, film or foil. This prevents contamination of the liguid channel before the tap is used or attached to the opening frame. This kind of seals are known as such, they may be attached to the tap surface e.g. by welding. In an embodiment the packaging has an inner volume of at least 1.5 or 2 liters. The larger the packaging, the more difficult a prior art liquid cardboard packaging is to use. The present packaging is easy to handle even in this size. In an embodiment the liguid cardboard packaging is aseptic. A sterile packaging and environment during packaging are important for products such as wine, that they have a relatively long shelf life and are easily contaminated. In an embodiment the liguid cardboard packaging is filled with an edible liguid, such as milk, juice or wine. The present invention is particularly useful with e.g. wines, because when the aseptic film in the packaging is broken the tap enables a clean and easily controllable way for the liquid to be dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which Figure 1 shows a liquid cardboard packaging according to the invention in a vertical position, Figure 2 shows the packaging of Figure 1 in a horizontal position, o Figure 3 shows the top of a second liguid cardboard packaging according to the N invention, S 25 Figure 4 shows the top of a third liquid cardboard packaging according to the = invention, and E Figure 5 shows a vertical cross-section of a tap according to the invention. 8 = DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES O 30 Forthe sake of clarity, in different embodiments the same reference numerals are used for parts corresponding to each other. For the sake of clarity, every part and feature has not been numbered in every figure.

Figures 1 and 2 show a two-liter liguid cardboard packaging 1 formed by folding and sealing a laminated web 2 of cardboard.

The packaging 1 is aseptic and filled with wine.

The top side 3 of the packaging comprises an opening frame 4 (see Figures 3 and 4) laminated into the cardboard web 2. The opening frame 4 comprises an opening through the cardboard web 2 for the wine to be dispensed out from the packaging 1. The opening frame 4 comprises a collar with Threading arranged around the opening through the cardboard web.

A tap 5 is attached to the opening frame at its first end 21. The tap 5 comprises a base part 6 comprising an attachment part 7 at the first end 21 with Threading corresponding to the Threading on the collar for attaching the tap 5 to the cardboard packaging 1. The threadings are not shown in the figures.

The tap also comprises a regulator part 8 arranged in connection with the base part 6. The regulator part 8 comprises a Knob 13 at the second end 22 of the tap 5. As best seen in the embodiment of Figure 5, a liquid channel 9 is formed inside the base part 6 and the regulator part 8. The liguid channel 9 comprises an Inlet opening 10 at its first end and an outlet opening 11 at its second end for leading liguid out from the cardboard packaging 1. The Inlet opening 10 is situated at the attachment part 7 at the first end 21 of the tap.

The outlet opening 11 is situated in the middle part 23 of thetap.

The Inlet opening 10 is arranged in a liquid tight connection with opening frame 4 so that liquid from the packaging 1 flows through the Inlet opening 10 into the liquid channel 9. The outlet opening 11 is arranged as a spout 12 for controlled dispensing o of the liguid into a glass, for example.

The base part 6 may be arranged substantially N immovably in relation to the packaging 1. The base part 6 and the regulator part 8 are S 25 arranged movable in relation to each other between at least an open and a closed = position of the tap 5 by turning the round Knob 13 of the regulator part 8. The tap 5 E comprises a venting channel 14 alongside the liguid channel 9 for allowing air o movement in and out of the packaging, especially in order to lead a suitable amount = of air into the packaging 1 when wine is dispensed.

The regulator part 8 comprises a O 30 closure part 15 (shown by the dashed line in Figure 5) which forms part of the liquid channel 9 and venting channel 14. The seams 26 between the closure part 15 and the rest of the liquid channel 9 and venting channel 14 are made substantially liguid-tight.

When the Knob 13 is turned anti-clockwise into the open position, the liguid channel 9 is opened by turning the closure part 15 at least partly out of the liguid channel 9. The liguid can now flow from the cardboard packaging 1 through the liguid channel 9 and out from the spout 12. When the Knob 13 is turned clockwise into the closed position, the closure part 15 is inserted into the liguid channel 9, eventually closing it. Now the liguid cannot flow from the cardboard packaging 1 through the liguid channel 9 and out from the spout 12. At the same time as the movement of the closure part 15 closes and opens the liguid channel 9 it automatically closes and opens the venting channel 14 In Figure 1 the packaging 1 is stored vertically, in this position the wine would not flow out of the packaging even with the tap 5 in the open position. The spout 12 is directed horizontally. Figure 2 shows how when using the packaging 1, one may keep it on its side, i.e. with front side 24 and spout 12 facing downwards. The tap 5 in closed position, no wine is poured out of the packaging 1. If the spout 12 is now situated over e.g. the edge 16 of a table or a refrigerator shelf 17, wine can easily be dispensed from the spout 12 directly into e.g. a glass by turning the Knob 13 a little towards the open position.

Figures 3 and 4 show two different possibilities on how the tap 5 can be stored attached to the packaging 1 before its end use, i.e. during transport, in a storage facility or e.g. o is the shelf of a retail shop. An opening frame 4 with a collar with Threading around the N collar is arranged on the top side 3 of the packaging. A cap 18 with corresponding S 25 Threading is attached to the Threading of the collar. The end user may remove the cap = 18 and screw the tap 5 on the collar before use. jo Thetap 5 of Figures 3 and 4 is removably attached to the top surface 3 of the packaging = on a designated tap attachment area 27. The surface of the tap attachment area 27 is O 30 made somewhat Smoother than the rest of the surface in order to facilitate a suitable gluing force between the tap 5 and the surface of the packaging.

In Figure 3, the tap is attached horizontally on the tap attachment area 27 at the top 3 of the packaging, via a tear part 19 glued to the surface of the packaging 1. The tear part 19 comprises a flange 25 providing support and adeguate area for the glue. The tear part 19 can be formed as part of the tap 5, e.g. as part of the base part 6 when the base part 6 is made. The weakened line 20 is formed at the tear part 19 so that when the tap 5 is to be used, it can be torn off the packaging 1 along the weakened line 20. In Figure 3 the spout 12 is arranged behind the rest of the tap 5 and thus not seen in the Figure.

In Figure 4, the tap is attached vertically on the tap attachment area 27 at the top surface 3 of the packaging, by gluing the first end 21 of the tap, that is the end of the attachment part 7, removably on the surface of the packaging 1. The end of the attachment part 7 may comprise a flange (not shown) to provide adeguate area for gluing, if needed.

In the Figures, all parts of the tap 5, i.e. the base part 6 and the regulator part 8 are made of one and the same material. They might be made of e.g. polyethylene (PE), a well-known, reliable and fully recyclable plastics material. It would be advantageous to arrange also the cap 18 and the opening frame 4 made of the same material. The recycling is made easier if more of the parts, or all the parts attached and used with the liguid cardboard, are made of the same material.

o The Inlet opening 10 and the outlet opening 11 of the liguid channel can be closed with N a removable plastic seal, film or foil (not shown). This prevents contamination of the S 25 liquid channel before the tap is used. In the example of Figure 4, if the seam between = the cardboard surface 3 and the attachment part 7 is sufficiently tight, such a seal may E not be needed over the Inlet opening 10 in the attachment part 7. The seals would be o removed by the end user before use of the tap 5. The seals may be of the same or different = material than the tap 5. S 30 The figures show only a few preferred embodiments according to the invention. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited exclusively to the examples described above, but that the invention can vary within the scope of the claims presented below. The dependent claims present some possible embodiments of the invention, and they are not to be considered to restrict the scope of protection of the invention as such.

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Claims (23)

1. A tap (5) for a liguid cardboard packaging (1), the tap comprising: — a base part (6), comprising an attachment part (7) to be attached to the cardboard packaging (1); — aregulator part (8) arranged in connection with the base part (6) and movable in relation to the base part (6); — a liquid channel (9) formed inside at least one of the base part (6) and the regulator part (8) and comprising an inlet opening (10) and an outlet opening (11) for leading liguid from the cardboard packaging (1); whereby the base part (6) and the regulator part (8) are arranged to be moved in relation to each other between at least two positions, namely — an open position, where the liquid channel (9) is arranged open, thereby allowing the liguid to be dispensed from the cardboard packaging (1); and — a closed position, where the liquid channel (9) is arranged closed, thereby hindering the liquid from being dispensed from the cardboard packaging (1); characterised by that the base part (6) and the regulator part (8) are made of one and same material.

2.Atap according to claim 1, characterised by that it is made of only two parts, i.e. the base part (6) and the regulator part (8). N 3. A tap according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by that the base part (6) and the N regulator part (8) are made of plastics. S 25 = 4. A tap according to any previous claim 1 to 3, characterised by that the base part (6) E: and the regulator part (8) are made of a recyclable material. 3 S 5. A tap according to any previous claim 1 to 4, characterised by that base part (6) N 30 andtheregulator part (8) are made of polyethylene (PE).

6. A tap according to any previous claim 1 to 5, characterised by that it comprises a venting means (14) arranged to lead air through the tap (5) into the packaging (1) when the liguid is dispensed.

7. Atap according to any previous claim 1 to 6, characterised by that the attachment part (7) of the base part (6) comprises threadings arranged to be attachable to the packaging (1).

8. A tap according to any previous claim 1 to 7, characterised by that the inlet opening (10) and/or the outlet (11) opening of the liquid channel (9) are closed with a removable seal.

9. A tap according to any previous claim 1 to 8, characterised by that the base part (6) and the regulator part (8) both form part of the liguid channel (9) and that they form at least one liquid tight seam (26) between them in the liquid channel (9).

10. A tap according any previous claim 1 to 9, characterised by that the attachment part (7) of the tap (5) is arranged to be attached directly to the web (2) of liguid carboard with an adhesive.

11. Liguid cardboard packaging (1) formed by folding and sealing a laminated web (2) of cardboard, which packaging (1) comprises S — an opening for a liquid to be dispensed out from the packaging (1); N — a tap (5) adapted to be attached at the opening and adapted to stop the S 25 dispensing of the liguid when in closed position, = characterised by that the tap (5) is one according to any previous claim 1 to 9.

T = 8 12. A packaging according to claim 11, characterised by that it comprises an opening S frame (4) attached to the laminated web (2) of cardboard at the opening, the opening S 30 frame (4) comprising a channel for the liquid to be led away from the opening, whereby the tap (5) adapted to be attached on the opening frame (4).

13. A packaging according to claim 12, characterised by that the opening frame (4) comprises a collar with threading, and the tap (5) comprises a corresponding threading, whereby the tap (5) is adapted to be attached to the opening frame (4) using the threadings.

14.A packaging according to claim 13, characterised by that it comprises a removable cap (18) with threading, the cap (18) arranged onto the threading of the collar and adapted to be removed before attaching the tap (5) onto the same threading of the collar.

15. A packaging according to any previous claim 11 to 14, characterised by that the tap (5) is removably attached to the laminated web (2) of cardboard before attaching the tap (5) onto the opening frame.

16.A packaging according to claim 15, characterised by the laminated web (2) of cardboard comprises a designated tap attachment (27) area where the tap (5) is removably attached to.

17. A packaging according to claim 15 or 16, characterised by that the inlet opening (10) of the liquid channel (9) is formed at the attachment part (7) of the base part, and that the tap (5) is removably attached to the laminated web (2) of cardboard by the attachment part (7) in such a way that the inlet opening (10) is arranged sealed o against the web (2) of cardboard. & 3 25 18. A packaging according to any previous claim 11 to 17, characterised by that it has = an inner volume of at least 1.5 or 2 litres. j o 19. A packaging according to any previous claim 11 to 18, characterised by that it is S aseptic. S 30

20. A packaging according to any previous claim 11 to 19, characterised by that it is filled with an edible liguid.

21. A packaging according to claim 20, characterised by that it is filled with wine.

22. A packaging according to claim 11, characterised by that the attachment part (7) of the tap (5) is arranged to be attached directly to the web (2) of liquid carboard with an adhesive.

23.A method of recycling a liguid cardboard packaging (1) formed by folding and sealing a laminated web (2) of cardboard and comprising a tap (5), which method comprises at least the following steps: — removing the tap (5) from the liguid cardboard packaging (1) after the packaging is empty; — recycling the liguid cardboard packaging (1) in a cardboard recycling facility; characterised by that the liguid cardboard packaging (1) is one according to any previous claim 11 to 22, whereby the method further comprises: — recycling the tap (5) as one piece in a plastics recycling facility.

24. A method of using a liguid cardboard packaging (1) formed by folding and sealing a laminated web (2) of cardboard, which method comprises at least the following steps: — dispensing liquid out from the packaging (1) through an opening in the laminated web (2) of cardboard; characterised by that the liguid cardboard packaging (1) is one according to any S previous claim 11 to 22, whereby the method further comprises: N — storing the packaging (1) horizontally on a support (17) so that the liguid level S 25 inside the packaging (1) is above the outlet opening (11) of the liquid = channel (9); and while keeping the packaging (1) in that position: z — dispensing liquid out from the packaging (1) by allowing and stopping the & dispensing of the liguid with the tap (5).

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