NO20210707A1

NO20210707A1 - Opening device for a container

Info

Publication number: NO20210707A1
Application number: NO20210707A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Stein-Fredrik Fossum
Original assignee: Elopak As
Priority date: 2021-06-04
Filing date: 2021-06-04
Publication date: 2022-12-05

Description

OPENING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an opening device for a container. In particular, the present invention relates to an opening device which is configured to be mounted upon a paperboard-based container and which, during a first opening of the container, is configured to force a pouring opening through the wall of the container. The present invention also relates to a container system comprising a paperboard-based container and an opening device.

Background

A challenge associated with opening devices configured to force a pouring opening through the wall of the container during a first opening is to guarantee that the pouring opening is forced open without the operator, i.e. the person opening the container, contaminating the contents in the container, e.g. by mistakenly forcing a finger into the container during the first opening.

In order to mitigate this problem, different types opening devices suitable for mounting upon gable-topped, flat-topped and other types of paperboard containers, also referred to as "cartons", have been devised.

In EP-A-0328652; EP-A-0385603; GB-A-2210359; US-A 5141133, the opening devices include tubular members which are encircled by rings sealed to the containers and are driven axially inwards by the operator, relative to the rings to force pouring openings through the walls of the container. In EP-A-0385603, the operator can push the tubular member linearly inwards, whereas in EP-A-0328652; GB-A-2210359 and US-A 5141133 the operator can turn a closure cap to produce an inwardly camming action on the tubular member, bringing the tubular member to force the pouring opening in a roto-translational motion.

A disadvantage of this type of prior art opening devices, however, is that they require a relatively large height to accommodate the tubular members.

Consequently, it is a challenge to provide a low-profile opening device that guarantees a contamination-free first opening.

Summary of the invention

With the abovementioned challenges and known solutions in mind, and according to a first example aspect, the present disclosure provides an opening device for a container, in particular a paperboard-based container, the opening device comprising:

- a base comprising:

- a surface section configured to be attached to an outside surface of the container surrounding a breakable section thereof; and

- a pour spout defining a through-opening in the surface section; and - a lid hingedly attached to the base and configured to be brought between a first, closed position in which the lid covers the through-opening and a second, open position in which the lid is transversally arranged to the through-opening.

The lid comprises a plug which is configured to sealingly engage with the pour spout when the opening device is in the closed position. The plug comprises a foldable section allowing the plug, when the opening device is in the closed position, to be brought between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration, in which collapsed configuration the plug is confined within the pour spout, i.e. does not extend through the through-opening, and in which expanded configuration the plug extends through the through-opening.

The foldable section of the plug allows the plug to be expanded during a first opening of the container to break open the breakable section of the container. A subsequent removal of the plug from the through-opening, by bringing the lid from the closed to the open position, allows the content inside the container to be accessed via the through-opening.

The plug may comprise a distal end which, when the opening device is in the closed position and the plug is in the collapsed configuration, is substantially level with said surface section, and which, when the opening device is in the closed position and the plug is in the expanded configuration, extends beyond the surface section. In other words, when the opening device is mounted on a container, the distal end will be substantially level with the container wall when the foldable section is in the collapsed configuration. However, when the foldable section is in the expanded configuration, the plug will extend through the through-opening and the distal end will be positioned inside the container.

The distal end may display an attachment surface configured to be permanently attached to the breakable section, thus allowing the breakable section to be removed from the rest of the container together with the plug when the opening device is borough from the closed to the open position. The attachment surface may be any one of: annular and planar; and circular and planar.

The foldable section may comprise a first wall section, a second wall section and a third wall section, the first wall section being foldably connected to the second wall section via a first annular folding line and the second wall section being foldably connected to the third wall section via a second annular folding line. This will allow the foldable section to act as an accordion fold when being brought between the collapsed and the expanded configuration.

The opening device may be formed, e.g. moulded, as a unitary body, and may be made from any one of: low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), rubber, silicon, polypropylene or a combination of at least two of said materials. The opening device may be moulded using a single injection technique. Alternatively, a bi-injection technique may be used, e.g. to produce the folding section in a different material than the rest of the opening device.

According to a second example aspect, the present disclosure provides a containing system comprising a paperboard-based container and an opening device as described above.

Above-discussed preferred and/or optional features of each aspect of the invention may be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects of the invention.

Description of the drawings

Following drawings are appended to facilitate the understanding of the disclosure:

Fig. 1 illustrates a containing system comprising a paperboard-based container and an opening device according to a first embodiment mounted on the container;

Fig. 2 is a detailed, sectional view of the opening device according to Fig.1, wherein the opening device is in a closed position on the container and wherein a plug of the opening device is in a collapsed configuration;

Fig. 3 is a detailed, sectional view of the opening device according to Fig.1 wherein the opening device is in the closed position and the plug is in an expanded configuration;

Fig. 4 is a detailed, sectional view of the opening device according to Fig.1 wherein the opening device is in an open position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the opening device according to the first embodiment, wherein the opening device is in the closed position and the plug is in the collapsed configuration;

Fig. 5b is a perspective view of the opening device according to Fig.5, wherein the opening additionally comprises a tamper evidence element;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the opening device illustrated in Fig.5;

Fig. 7 is a second perspective view of the opening device according to the first embodiment, wherein the opening device is in the closed position and the plug is in the collapsed configuration;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the opening device according to the first embodiment, wherein the opening device is in the closed position and the plug is in the expanded configuration;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the opening device illustrated in Fig.8;

Fig. 10 is a second perspective view of the opening device according to the first embodiment, wherein the opening device is in the closed position and the plug is in the expanded configuration;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the opening device according to the first embodiment, wherein the opening device is in the open position;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the opening device illustrated in Fig.11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an opening device according to a second embodiment, wherein the opening device is in a closed position and a plug of the opening device is in a collapsed configuration;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the opening device illustrated in Fig.13;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the opening device, wherein the opening device is in the closed position and the plug is in an expanded configuration;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the opening device illustrated in Fig.15;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the opening device, wherein the opening device is in an open position; and

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of the opening device illustrated in Fig.16.

It should be understood that the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the subject-matter depicted in the drawings.

In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used to indicate common parts, elements or features unless otherwise explicitly stated or implicitly understood by the context.

Detailed description

In the following, specific embodiments of an opening device will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, it is specifically intended that the invention as defined in the following claims is not limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein but includes modified forms of the embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the claims.

Fig. 1 illustrates a containing system 300 comprising a paperboard-based container 200 and an opening device 100 mounted on the container 200. Figs.2-4 are detailed sectional views of the opening device 200 illustrating different positions and configuration of the opening device 100 when mounted on the container.

The opening device 100 is mounted on an outside surface 202 of the container 200 aligned with a weakened and breakable section 204 of the container wall. Consequently, the opening device 100 covers and surrounds the breakable section 204 The breakable section 204 defines where a pouring opening 206 is to be formed in the container wall when the container is forced open during a first opening of the container. As is known in the art, such weakened sections can, for example, be obtained by providing cuts in the container wall material extending partially through the container wall material, or by providing a pre-laminated hole (PLH) in the container wall.

The opening device 100 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figs.2-4 and also with reference to Figs.5-10, which show the opening device 100 in different views but not mounted on a container.

The opening device 100 may advantageously be formed as a unitary body moulded from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The opening device 100 comprises a base 102 (e.g. see Figs.10 and 11) which is configured to be attached to the outside surface 202 of the container 200.

The opening device 100 extends over a top edge of the container 200, as is illustrated in Fig. 1. Consequently, the base 102 is adapted to conform with the shape of the container 200 and comprises a first base section 136 which is configured to be aligned with a top wall section 206 of the container, a second base section 138 which is configured to be aligned with a side wall section 208 and a third base section 140 which is configured to be aligned with a transition wall section 210 arranged between the top and side wall sections of the container (e.g. see Fig.4).

Each base section 136-140 comprises an inside surface section 142, 144, 146 and an outside surface section 148, 150, 152 (see Figs. 10 and 11). Surface sections 142 and 144 are substantially planar and configured to be permanently attached to top wall section 206 and side wall section 208, respectively. Surface section 146 is curved and configured to be permanently attached to transition wall section 210. Consequently, surface sections 140, 142 and 144 form a mounting surface 104 configured to permanently attach the opening device 100 to the container 200.

Base section 136 comprises an annular pour spout 105 which extends substantially orthogonally from the surface section 148 and defines a through-opening 106 (see Fig.11). When the opening device 100 is mounted on the container 200, the through-opening 106 is configured to be aligned with the breakable section 204 in the container wall, thus allowing the through-opening 106 to be aligned with an opening 212 in the container wall when the breakable section 204 is forced open during the first opening (see Fig.4).

The opening device 100 further comprises a lid 108 which is hingedly attached to the base 102 via a hinge 109 (see Fig.11). By means of the hinge 109, the opening device 100 can be brought between a first, closed position in which the lid 108 covers the through-opening 106, e.g. as is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3), and a second, open position in which the lid 108 is transversally arranged to the through-opening 106, i.e. arranged at the side of the throughopening 106, e.g. as is illustrated in Fig.4.

The lid 108 comprises a cover 107 and a plug 110 arranged centrally in the cover 107 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The plug 110 is configured to sealingly engage with the pour spout 105 when the opening device 100 is in the closed position, e.g. as is illustrated in Figs.2 and 5. Annular ridges and recesses 130 in an inside wall of the pour spout 105 and corresponding annular ridges and recesses 134 in an outside wall of the plug 110 (see Figs.11 and 12) may be provided to ensure a liquid tight engagement between the plug 110 and the pour spout 105 when the opening device 100 is in the closed position.

The plug 110 comprises a foldable section 112 which allows the plug 110, when the opening device 100 is in the closed position, to be brought between a first, collapsed configuration, e.g. as is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6, and a second, expanded configuration, e.g. as is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 9.

When in the collapsed configuration, the plug 110 is confined within the pour spout 105, as is illustrated in Fig.6. In other words, the plug 110 does not extend through the throughopening. In other words still, when in the collapsed configuration the plug 110 does not extend beyond the substantially planar surface section 142. However, when in the expanded configuration, the plug 110 extends through the through-opening 106, i.e. beyond the substantially planar surface section 142, as is illustrated in Fig.9.

The plug 110 comprises a distal end 114 which, when the opening device 100 is in the closed position and the plug 110 is in the collapsed configuration, is substantially level with the surface section 142, i.e. the mounting surface section encircling the through-opening 106. When the opening device 100 is in the closed position and the plug 110 is in the expanded configuration, however, the distal end 114 extends beyond the surface section 142, as is illustrated in Fig.10. The distal end 114 may display an attachment surface 116 which is configured to be permanently attached to the breakable section 204. This will allow safe removal of the breakable section 204 from container during the first opening in a manner which will be discussed in more detail below. In the present embodiment, the attachment surface 116 is annular and planar.

The foldable section 112 comprises a first wall section 118, a second wall section 120 and a third wall section 122 (see Figs. 6 and 9). The first wall section 118 is foldably connected to the second wall section 120 via a first annular folding line 124 and the second wall section 120 is foldably connected to the third wall section 122 via a second annular folding line 126. The folding lines 124, 126 are formed by portions in the side wall having a reduced thickness as compared to the adjoining side wall sections. However, the folding lines 124, 126 do not affect the plug's ability to form a liquid tight seal.

The folding lines 124 and 126 allow the foldable section 112 to act as an accordion fold which can to be brought between a collapsed state and an expanded state, in which expanded state the folding section 112 displays an axial extent that is larger than in the collapsed state.

The foldable section 112 also comprises a substantially circular bottom section 128 which is connected to the third wall portion 122 adjacent to the second annular folding line 126.

Operation of the opening device 100 will now be discussed in more detail.

Prior to a first opening, the opening device 100 is in the closes position and the plug 110 is in the collapsed configuration, as is illustrated in Fig.2, and the breakable section 204 in the container wall is unbroken. To open the container 200, the operator, in a first step, pushes down on the bottom section 128 to activate the foldable section 112. The second wall section 120 will then pivot about the first and second annular folding lines 124 and 126 and push the third wall section 122 downwards. This will bring about an axial expansion of the foldable section 112, thus causing the plug 110 to extend in the axial direction. This, in turn, will cause the distal end 114 of the plug 110 to push down on the breakable section 204 and force open the pouring opening 206. Continued pushing on the bottom section 128 by the operator will force the foldable section 112 past an equilibrium position, cause the second wall section 120 to flip inside-out and bring the plug 110 to the expanded configuration illustrated in Fig.3, completely separating the breakable section 204 from the rest of the container material.

According to one embodiment, the opening device may comprise a temper evidence element 113 covering the bottom section 128, as is illustrated in Fig.5b. In such an embodiment, said first step may comprise the operator breaking the tamper evidence element 113 prior to pushing down on the bottom section 128.

The above-described first step will break the seal created the breakable section 204. If the container is an aseptic container, this will constitute a breaking of an aseptic seal of the container. However, after the first step the content inside the container will not yet be accessible due to the lid 106 still being in the closed position.

To make the content inside the container accessible, e.g. for drinking or pouring, the operator, in a second step, brings the lid 108 from the closed position illustrated in Fig.3 to the open position illustrated in Fig.4. This step comprises the operator pivoting the lid 108 about the hinge 109. Advantageously, the lid 108 may comprise a pull-tab 111 to facilitate this operation. The breakable section 204 may advantageously be permanently attached to the distal end 114 of the plug 110, thus allowing the breakable section 204 to be pulled away from the rest of the container when the lid 108 is pivoted open, as is illustrated in Fig.4. Also, if the breakable section did not completely separate from the rest of the container during said first step, the second step may also include breaking any remaining connections between the breakable section and the rest of the container prior to pulling the breakable section away from the container. However, in an alternative embodiment the breakable section may remain connected to the rest of the container also after that the pouring opening 206 has been forced open, e.g. as is schematically indicated by breakable section 204' in Fig. 4.

The above-described second step completes the first opening of the container, after which step the content inside the container can be accessed for drinking or pouring.

In the present embodiment the surface sections 150 and 152 (see Fig.11) form a surface against which a person can rest his or her lips when drinking from the container 200. In the closed position, the lid 108 covers this surface, thus protecting it from being contaminated. The lid 308 may advantageously also comprise boards 154 preventing contaminants from entering between the base 102 and the lid 108 when the opening device 100 is in the closed position.

After the first opening, the lid 108 may be pivoted back to the closed position allowing the plug 110 to re-enter the through-opening 106 and sealingly re-engage with the pour spout 105.

Fig. 13-18 illustrated a second embodiment of an opening device 160 which differs from the above-discussed opening device 100 in that it is configured to be attached only to a planar surface of a paperboard-based container. Similar to the above discussed opening device, the opening device 160 comprises a base and a lid which is hingedly attached to the base. The lid comprises a folding section which is similar to and operated in the same way as the abovediscussed folding section. However, in the present embodiment the distal end of the foldable section comprises a substantially circular attachment surface, as is illustrated in Fig.17. Also, this embodiment comprises an annular rim 162 which encircles the plug and thus protects the pour spout when the opening device 160 is in the closed position.

As the previously discussed opening device 100, the opening device 160 may be a unitary body moulded from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). However, other materials capable of producing the above-discussed responsive folding section may alternatively be used, e.g. rubber, silicon, or polypropylene. The opening device may be moulded using a single injection technique. Alternatively, a bi-injection technique may be used, e.g. to produce the folding section in a different material than the rest of the opening device.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which, for clarity, have been described above in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which, for brevity, have been described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

In the preceding description, various aspects of an opening device has been described with reference to the illustrative embodiments. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the opening device and its workings. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the opening device, which are apparent to person skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject-matter pertains, may lie within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An opening device (100, 160) for a container (200), comprising:

- a base (102) comprising:

- a surface section (142) configured to be attached to an outside surface (202) of the container (200) surrounding a breakable section (204) thereof; and

- a pour spout (105) defining a through-opening (106) in the surface section (142);

and

- a lid (108) hingedly attached to the base (102) and configured to be brought between a first, closed position in which the lid (108) covers the through-opening (106) and a second, open position in which the lid (108) is transversally arranged to the throughopening (106), the lid (108) comprising a plug (110) which is configured to sealingly engage with the pour spout (106) when the opening device (100, 160) is in the closed position,

characterised by the plug (110) comprising a foldable section (112) allowing the plug (110), when the opening device (100, 160) is in the closed position, to be brought between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration, in which collapsed configuration the plug (110) is confined within the pour spout (105), and in which expanded configuration the plug (110) extends through the through-opening (106).

2. The opening device (100, 160) according to claim 1, characterised by the plug (110) comprising a distal end (114) which, when the opening device (100, 160) is in the closed position and the plug (110) is in the collapsed configuration, is substantially level with the surface section (142), and which, when the opening device (100, 160) is in the closed position and the plug (110) is in the expanded configuration, extends beyond the surface section (142).

3. The opening device (100, 160) according to claim 2, characterised by the distal end (114) displaying an attachment surface (116) configured to be permanently attached to the breakable section (204).

4. The opening device (100, 160) according to claim 3, characterised by the attachment surface (116) being any one of: annular and planar; and circular and planar.

5. The opening device (100, 160) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by the foldable section (112) comprising a first wall section (118), a second wall section (120) and a third wall section (122), the first wall section (118) being foldably connected to the second wall section (120) via a first annular folding line (124) and the second wall section (120) being foldably connected to the third wall section (122) via a second annular folding line (126).

6. The opening device (100, 160) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening device (100, 160) is a unitary body moulded from high-density polyethylene.

7. A containing system (300) comprising a paperboard-based container (200) and an opening device (100, 160) according to any one of the preceding claims.