IT202100021059A1 - CLOSURE FOR A STRAW OF THIN-WALLED PACKAGING - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention belongs to the sector of thin-walled packages equipped with a straw, usually referred to as "pouches". In particular, the object of the present invention is a closure assembly for a straw of such a package.

[0002] Such packages are mainly used for containing fruit juices, yoghurts, fruit purees, energy drinks and similar products for children. These packages have known an enormous diffusion, thanks to the compact dimensions, the great practicality? of use and the playful aspect linked to the use of the straw, which attracts the attention of children. Hundreds of millions of specimens are marketed every year.

[0003] Typically, closures for straws, made of plastic, consist of a cap and a guarantee seal, comprising a guarantee ring joined to the cap by a plurality of of breakable bridges. When the cap? unscrewed for the first time, the jumpers break, separating the cap from the guarantee ring and thus making? evident the first opening.

[0004] Recently, the research and development efforts of manufacturing companies have focused on the creation of a closure assembly provided with a guarantee seal for which, even after the first opening, the cap remains bound to the guarantee ring, for prevent it from being lost in the environment.

[0005] Am I already? known solutions of caps for straws of thin-walled packages provided with a tie which keeps the cap connected to the straw, for example by means of a collar.

[0006] Known solutions, however, have some drawbacks.

[0007] For example, the cap which remains connected to the straw hinders the use of the straw itself. Not ? rare, in fact, that, using the straw, the cap touches the region around the lips, annoying the user.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention? that of making a closure assembly for a straw of a thin-walled package that meets the needs of which one? said and is particularly comfortable to use.

[0009] This purpose? achieved by a closure assembly according to claim 1. The dependent claims show preferred embodiments involving further advantageous aspects.

[00010] The characteristics and advantages of the closure assembly according to the present invention will be evident from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, in accordance with the figures of the attached tables, in which:

- figures 1a and 1b show a package including the closure assembly object of the present invention in a preferred embodiment, respectively in a perspective view and in a front view;

- figures 2a to 2c represent a straw assembly of the closure assembly respectively in a perspective view, in a front view and in a side view;

- figures 3a to 3e show a straw group of the closure assembly, according to different embodiments;

- figures 4a to 4e show the section of an engagement plate of the straw unit according to the embodiments of figures 3a to 3e, according to the sectional plane A-A in figures 3a to 3e;

- figures 5a and 5b show two front views of a closure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- figures 6a and 6b are longitudinal sections respectively of the closure of figures 5a and 5b;

- figure 7a shows a closure in an initial opening configuration;

- figure 7b ? an enlargement of a box of figure 7a, which highlights a breakable section of the guarantee seal;

- figure 7c ? an enlargement of a box of figure 7a, which highlights breakable bridges of the guarantee seal;

- figures 8a to 8d show a closure according to a further embodiment of the invention;

- figures 9a to 9d show a closure according to a still further embodiment of the invention;

figures 10a and 10b are two sections of a closure assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- figures 11a and 11b illustrate a package according to the present invention, in a configuration of use;

- figure 12 shows a section through a portion of the package shown in figure 11a;

- figures a 13a from 13c represent three perspective views of the closure assembly in two configurations;

- figure 14 ? an enlargement of a box of figure 5a, which highlights a first attachment portion of the guarantee seal;

- figure 15 ? a section of the first attachment portion of figure 14, according to the sectional plane B?B in figure 14.

[00011] With reference to the figures of the attached tables, with 1 yes? indicated as a whole a closure assembly of a thin-walled package 500, usually referred to as a ?pouch?. Said package 500 comprises a bag 2 for containing the product.

[00012] In accordance with one embodiment, the package 500 comprises a front wall 4 and a rear wall 6, facing each other, formed by a single-layer or multi-layer flexible film. Along the side edges, the walls 4, 6 are welded together or, in a variant embodiment, there are sides formed by flexible film, welded to the walls 4, 6.

[00013] The closure assembly 1 comprises a straw unit 10 which extends along a straw axis X-X, typically made in a single piece of plastic material, by injection moulding.

[00014] In accordance with one embodiment, the straw assembly 10 has an internal straw duct 12 which extends along the straw axis X-X from one end to the straw. lower 14a, intended to be contained in bag 2, at one? upper 14b in which there is a mouth 16 for the product to come out.

[00015] The straw unit 10 comprises a connecting portion 20, called the ?welding boat?, suitable for being applied hermetically to the bag 2, preferably between the upper edges of the walls 4, 6, for example by welding.

[00016] In accordance with one embodiment, the straw unit 10 comprises a first plate 22 orthogonal to the straw axis X-X.

[00017] According to one embodiment, the connecting portion 20 ? delimited axially by this first plate 22.

[00018] In accordance with one embodiment, the straw unit 10 further comprises a second plate 24, also perpendicular to the straw axis X-X, spaced axially from the first plate 22. The second plate 24 has two straight edges 25?, 25??, opposite each other, connected by two leading edges 26?, 26??, for example arched.

[00019] According to the invention, the straw assembly 10 further comprises a threaded straw 30. Preferably, the straw 30 extends axially from the second plate 24 and ends with the mouth 16.

[00020] In one embodiment, the straw assembly 10 further comprises an engagement plate 26, orthogonal to the straw axis X-X and protruding radially outwardly from the outer lateral surface of the straw 30. The projection of the shape of the engagement plate 26 along the ?straw axis X-X on the second plate 24 ? entirely contained in said second plate 24, so as not to interfere with the movement of the packages along the filling lines.

[00021] On an imaginary plane orthogonal to the straw axis X-X, said engagement plate 26 has a section having different shapes (figures 4a to 4e): shape of a cylindrical circular crown; cylindrical annulus rounded off by straight sections at the straight edges 25?, 25?? of the second plate 24; fluted with arched edges; fluted with straight edges; cylindrical circular crown rounded off by mixed straight and arched strokes.

[00022] According to one embodiment, a ring seat 100 is made between the engagement plate 26 and the second plate 24. Furthermore, a hooking seat 120 is made between the first plate 22 and the second plate 24.

[00023] According to the invention, the straw group 10 comprises a coupling region 110, which will be referred to as afterwards.

[00024] In accordance with the invention, the closure assembly 1 further comprises a closure 40 applicable to the straw assembly 10. The closure 40 comprises a stopper assembly 42.

[00025] The cap assembly 42 comprises a cap 46, which can be screwed onto the straw 30, which extends along a cap axis Y-Y, and an over-cap 44, preferably made separately and joined together.

[00026] According to one embodiment, the plug 46 comprises an annular plug wall 48, internally threaded, a plug base 50 which closes at one end the plug wall 48, and a plug flange 52, which projects radially outwardly from the plug wall 48, at the other end.

[00027] The closure 40 further comprises a guarantee seal 54 to highlight the first opening of the closure 40. Said guarantee seal 54 comprises a guarantee ring 56, an annular guarantee band 58 and a plurality of of 60 breakable bridges.

[00028] According to the invention, the guarantee ring 56 ? constrained axially to the straw 30, for example arranged in the ring seat 100, between the second plate 24 and the engagement plate 26.

[00029] The guarantee band 58, in an inviolate seal configuration, is surmounted axially to the guarantee ring 56, from which ? separated axially by a first separation line 62, along which bridges 60 are arranged; the cap flange 52 ? in turn superimposed axially on the guarantee band 58, from which ? separated axially by a second separation line 64, along which further bridges 60 are arranged.

[00030] In other words, the plurality? of jumpers 60 join the guarantee band 58 to the guarantee ring 56 and the guarantee band 58 to the cap flange 52.

[00031] In accordance with one embodiment, the security band 58 extends between an initial portion 58a and an end portion 58b, and ? wrapped around the Y-Y cap axis, with a circumferential trend, cos? that, in an inviolate seal configuration, the initial portion 58a ? circumferentially adjacent to the terminal portion 58b, spaced therefrom.

[00032] According to one embodiment, the guarantee seal 54 also comprises a first attachment portion 66, more resistance of the bridges 60, which joins the guarantee band 58, and in particular the initial section 58a thereof, to the guarantee ring 56. The guarantee seal 54 also comprises a second attachment portion 68, more? resistance of the bridges 60, which joins the guarantee band 58, and in particular the terminal section 58b of this, to the cap 46, and in particular to the cap flange 52.

[00033] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the guarantee seal 54 comprises a breakable portion 70, which extends mainly circumferentially and joins the initial portion 58a of the band 58 with the end portion 58b.

[00034] Preferably, the breakable section 70 ? configured so as to undergo preferential breakage at the initial portion 58a, so that the residue remaining after the first opening remains attached to the terminal portion 58b (figures 7a and 7b). For this purpose, the breakable section 70 has a resistant section which decreases from the end section 58b to the initial section 58a.

[00035] Preferably, moreover, the bridges 60 are configured in such a way as to undergo a preferential break in correspondence with the guarantee band 58, so that the residual protrusions remaining after the first opening remain attached to the guarantee ring 56 or to the cap flange 52, leaving the guarantee band 58 free of protrusions (figures 7a and 7c).

[00036] For this purpose, the bridges 60 have a resistant section that decreases from the guarantee band 58 towards the guarantee ring 56 or towards the cap flange 52, so that in correspondence with the guarantee ring 56 or or with the cap flange 52, the section is minimal and particularly weak.

[00037] According to a preferred embodiment, the first separation line 62 has a circumferential Greek-shaped (figures 8a to 8d) or wavy (figures 9a to 9d) pattern, so that the guarantee band 58 and the guarantee ring 56 interpenetrate axially, forming protrusions and respective recesses.

[00038] For example, the guarantee band 58 has at least one axial protrusion 80, which corresponds to the respective axial return 82 of the guarantee ring 56. According to a further example, the guarantee ring 56 has at least one axial protrusion 84 to which the respective axial return 86 of the guarantee band 58.

[00039] Advantageously, during the first screwing of the closure 40 to the straw unit 10, the projections 80 of the guarantee band 58 push the projections 84 of the guarantee ring 56, which act as circumferential abutments, dragging the guarantee ring 56 into rotation , what? avoiding the breakage of the jumpers 60 between the guarantee band 58 and the guarantee ring 56.

[00040] In one embodiment, the attachment of the security band 58 to the security ring 56 and to the stopper 46 is configured in such a way that, if the stopper is pulled so as to cause a breakage and separation from the straw unit 10, this breakage preferably occurs at the connection between the guarantee band 58 and the guarantee ring 56.

[00041] For this purpose, the resistant section of the first attachment portion 66 ? smaller than the resistant section of the second attachment portion 68 and of the resistant section of the guarantee band 58, so? to cause preferential rupture in this region (figures 14 and 15).

[00042] According to one embodiment, the over-cap 44, preferably made in a single piece of plastic material, for example by injection moulding, comprises an annular handle 92. The handle 92 ? spaced radially outward from plug 46, preferably from plug wall 48.

[00043] In accordance with one embodiment, the over-cap 44 also comprises fins 93 which make the handle 92 integral with the cap 46.

[00044] According to one embodiment, the handle 92 has a handle opening 94 at the top, i.e. on the side of the cap base 50, delimited by an opening edge 108 which surmounts the cap base 50 and ? arranged spaced axially from this. The handgrip 92, on the other hand, has a peripheral edge 98 at the bottom which is substantially coplanar with the lower edge of the cap wall 48, below which it is located. place the cap flange 52.

[00045] According to a variant embodiment, the closure 40 ? made in a single piece, in plastic material, for example by injection moulding.

[00046] Having applied the closure 40 to the straw unit 10 (figure 6b) by screwing the cap 46 to the straw 30, the guarantee ring 56? at least partially received in the ring seat 100, unable to be withdrawn axially, except for damage. The guarantee band 58 is instead located outside the ring seat 100, above the engagement plate 26.

[00047] In one embodiment, the guarantee ring 56 is freely rotatable in the ring seat 100.

[00048] According to a further embodiment, blocking means are provided which prevent or limit the free rotation of the guarantee ring 56 in the ring seat 100.

[00049] According to the invention, in an opening configuration of the closure 40 in which the cap 46 is unscrewed from the straw 30 and the jumpers 60 are broken, the guarantee band 58 forms a loop 58? which connects the cap group 42 to the guarantee ring 56.

[00050] In other words, by unscrewing the closure 40 from the straw 30, the breakable portion 70 breaks, thus as the jumpers 60, cos? that at the end of the unscrewing, the guarantee band 58 takes the form of the lace 58?, connected to the guarantee ring 56 by the first attachment portion 66 and to the cap 46, and in particular to the cap flange 52, by the second attachment portion 68. The closure 40, although unscrewed from the straw 30, remains so? connected to the straw unit 10.

[00051] According to the invention, the over-cap 44 comprises a hooking portion 95. In a configuration of use, the closure assembly 100 provides that the hooking portion 95 is engaged in the hooking region 110 of the straw group 10 to hold the group cap 42 in a predefined position with respect to said straw 30.

[00052] In other words, the noose 58? constitutes a permanent connection between the cap group 42 and the straw group 10. The engagement between the coupling portion 95 of the cap 42 and the coupling region 110 of the straw 30 can be made only when the cap group 42 ? unscrewed from the straw 30 and allows the cap group 42 to be kept in a predefined position with respect to the straw 30, such as not to cause discomfort to the user when the straw 30 is removed. between the lips.

[00053] Preferably, said hook region 110 ? positioned below the engagement plate 26, so as to be sufficiently distant from the mouth 16.

[00054] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, moreover, in the configuration of use, i.e. in the configuration in which the hooking portion 95 of the cap group 42 ? engaged to the coupling region 110 of the straw group 10, the cap group 42 ? arranged so that the cap axis Y-Y lies on an imaginary plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X-X of the straw group 10.

[00055] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, moreover, the handle 92 of the over-cap 44 comprises said hooking portion 95.

[00056] According to one embodiment, the handle 92 comprises a handle body 96 and a grip 97. This grip 97 is? a portion of the handle 92 which extends from the handle body 96.

[00057] According to one embodiment, the handle 92 is preferably made in a single piece of plastic material, for example by injection moulding.

[00058] Furthermore, in accordance with one embodiment, said cheek 97 protrudes from the handle body 96 axially with respect to the cap axis Y-Y.

[00059] In accordance with a first embodiment, the cheek 97 protrudes from the handle body 96 axially in the direction of the cap flange 52.

[00060] According to a second embodiment, the cheek 97 protrudes from the handle body 96 axially in the direction of the handle opening 94.

[00061] According to one embodiment, the grip 97 comprises a grip portion 97a which forms said hooking portion 95.

[00062] According to one embodiment, the hooking seat 120 of the straw group 10 constitutes said hooking region 110.

[00063] In accordance with one embodiment, cheek 97 comprises an outer surface 97? and an internal surface 97??, of which it will be said? afterwards.

[00064] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the cheek 97 comprises a reinforcing element 197 which makes the cheek 97, preferably the internal wall 97??, integral with the plug 46. Preferably, said reinforcing element 197 constitutes the extension of a fin 93.

[00065] In accordance with one embodiment, the cheek 97 further comprises a cheek tooth 297 extending radially from the inner wall 97??. That is to say that in the configuration of use, the cheek tooth 297 engages the first plate 22, while the external surface 97?? engages the second plate 24.

[00066] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said cheek tooth 297 constitutes the extension of the reinforcing element 197.

[00067] According to one embodiment, the overcap 44 has a plurality of of hooking portions 95.

[00068] In accordance with one embodiment, the over-cap 44 comprises two hooking portions 95 arranged symmetrically with respect to the cap axis Y-Y. Preferably, the grip 92 comprises said grip 97 and a further grip 97, symmetrical to grip 97 with respect to the cap axis Y-Y.

[00069] In a configuration of use (figure 11a), the hooking portion 95 of the cap unit 42 ? engaged to the coupling region 110 of the straw group 10, so? to retain the cap group 42 in a predefined position with respect to the straw group 10, such as not to hinder the use of the straw 30.

[00070] According to one embodiment, the engagement between the hook portion 95 and the hook region 110 is a pressure engagement, obtained by forced insertion of the hooking portion 95 in the hooking region 110, for example of the cheek section 97a in the hooking seat 120 of the straw unit 10.

[00071] According to a further embodiment, the engagement between the hook portion 95 and the hook region 110 is a snap commitment.

[00072] According to a still further embodiment, the engagement between the hook portion 95 and the hook region 110 is an engagement by shape coupling, i.e. between a shaped element of the hooking portion 95 and a counter-shaped element of the hooking region 110, with or without forcing.

[00073] Innovatively, the closure assembly according to the present invention achieves the object said as it meets the needs of the industry.

[00074] In particular, the closure assembly ? provided with a guarantee seal and allows you to keep the cap and the handle connected to the straw unit, even after the packaging has been opened, keeping the cap in a position where it does not hinder the use of the straw.

[00075]? it is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent needs, could make modifications to the closure assembly described above, all contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims (16)

1. Closure assembly (1) for a packaging (500) with thin-walled flexible bag (2) for containing fruit juices and purees, yogurt, energy drinks and the like, comprising: - a straw assembly (10) extending along a straw axis (X-X), comprising a connecting portion (20), suitable to be applied hermetically to the bag (2), and a threaded straw (30), in which the straw assembly (10) comprises a hook region (110); - a closure (40) applicable to the straw assembly (10) comprising: a) a stopper unit (42) comprising a stopper (46) that can be screwed onto the straw (30) which extends along a stopper axis (Y-Y), and an over-stopper (44) comprising a hook portion (95); b) a guarantee seal (54) to highlight the first opening of the closure (40), comprising: i) a guarantee ring (56) connected axially to the straw (30); ii) an annular guarantee band (58) which, in an inviolate seal configuration, is surmounted axially to the guarantee ring (56), and ? separated from the guarantee ring (56) by a first separation line (62) and from the cap (46) by a second separation line (64); iii) a plurality? of breakable bridges (60) which, in the inviolate seal configuration, join the guarantee band (58) to the guarantee ring (56) and the guarantee band (58) to the plug (46); wherein in an open configuration, the plug (46) is unscrewed from the straw (30), the bridges (60) are broken and the guarantee band (58) forms a lace (58?) which connects the cap unit (42) to the guarantee ring (56); and wherein in a usage configuration, the latch portion (95) is engaged to the coupling region (110) to hold the cap assembly (42) in a predefined position with respect to the straw (30). The closure assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the engagement between the latch portion (95) and the latch region (110) is ? a pressure commitment. The closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement between the latch portion (95) and the latch region (110) is ? a snap commitment. The closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement between the latch portion (95) and the latch region (110) is ? a positive fit engagement. 5. Closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the over-cap (44) comprises a handle (92), wherein said handle (92) comprises said hook portion (95). 6. Closure assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the handle (92) comprises a handle body (96) and a cheek (97), wherein said cheek (97) protrudes from the handle body (96) axially with respect to the cap axis (Y-Y). 7. Closure assembly (1) in accordance with claim 6, wherein the cheek (97) comprises a cheek section (97a) which forms said hooking portion (95). A closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the configuration of use, the cap assembly (42) is arranged so that the cap axis (Y-Y) lies on an imaginary plane substantially orthogonal to the straw axis (X-X). 9. Closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the straw assembly (10) comprises a first plate (22) and a second plate (24), perpendicular to the straw axis (X-X), wherein the second plate (24) ? spaced axially from the first plate (22) so as to form an engagement seat (120) which constitutes said engagement region (110). The closure assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the cheek (97) comprises an outer surface (97?) and an inner surface (97??). A closure assembly (1) according to claims 9 and 10, wherein the cheek (97) comprises a cheek tooth (297), wherein said cheek tooth (297) extends radially from the inner wall (97? ?), in which in the configuration of use the external surface (97?) engages the second plate (24) and in which the cheek tooth (297) engages the first plate (22). 12. Closure assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the cheek (97) comprises a reinforcing element (197) which makes the cheek (97) integral with the stopper (46). 13. Closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the over-cap (44) has a plurality of? of hook portions (95). 14. Closure assembly (1) in accordance with claim 13, wherein the over-cap (44) comprises two hooking portions (95), arranged symmetrically with respect to the cap axis (Y-Y). The closure assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the handle (92) is spaced radially outward from the cap (46), wherein the over-cap (44) comprises fins (93) which make the handle (92) integral with the cap (46). 16. Packaging (500) including: - a thin-walled flexible bag (2); And - a closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein the straw group (10) of the closure assembly (1) ? sealed to the bag (2).