WO1992004274A1

WO1992004274A1 - Device for opening and emptying a gable-top carton containing a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO1992004274A1
Application number: PCT/DK1991/000260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alf Nielsen
Original assignee: Alf Nielsen
Priority date: 1990-09-11
Filing date: 1991-09-10
Publication date: 1992-03-19
Also published as: JPH06500754A; DK45291A; DK45291D0

Abstract

The device comprises a top (3) with two pointed tubes (11, 12) for piercing the top of the carton, the first tube (11) thereby providing an outlet for the contents of the carton and the second tube (12) an air intake, the top (3) constituting a lid pivotal about a substantially horizontal axis (4) in a vessel (1) which receives the entire carton (10), both of the two tubes (11, 12) have lower, pointed edges (17, 18) facing the hinge (4) of the lid and at least one of the two tubes (11) has a conical portion (19) for sealed abutment on the carton at the pierced edge of the perforation.

Description

Device for opening and emptying a gable-top carton containing a beverage.

The invention relates to a device for opening and emptying a gable-top carton containing a beverage and comprising a top with two pointed tubes for piercing the top of the carton, the first tube thereby providing an outlet for the contents of the carton and the second tube an air intake.

Various beverages are marketed in a carton of the so-called gable-top type. The opening of such cartons may sometimes cause troubles and a number of different devices for opening and emptying such cartons has therefore been developed. Various of such devices include two conical tubes that are penetrated through the top of the carton, by the user, a tube being forced down on either side of the top sealing fin of the carton.

There are two essential problems to be solved in connection with such devices, viz. sealing the carton around the tubes at the perforations and ensuring an easy handling without the risk of maloperation.

Examples of such assemblies are inter alia disclosed in published FR patent specification No.

2 333 756 relating to a closed vessel with a loose bottom. The vessel accommodates members pressing against the carton and in order to seal the carton against the tubes, annular means are arranged about the tubes, said means being either flexible or springbiassed.

Another example is disclosed in US patent No.

3 285 472 which relates to a top encircling the upper portion of the two opposite sides of the carton, the inclined "roof surfaces" of the carton and the top sealing fin. Moreover, bent lobes support the remaining two opposite sides of the carton. Sealing rings are arranged about the tubes to seal the carton at the piercings.

Published EP patent specification No. 0 173 434 deals with a top encircling the upper portion of two of the opposite side walls of the carton, the inclined "roof surfaces" and the top sealing fin of the carton. In use, a U-shaped tubular member extends through one roof surface and provides a pouring spout. The device is asymmetrical to ensure that the U-shaped tubular member is pressed "home" to ensure a correct functioning of the device.

Finally, US patent No. 4 271 983 describes a small clamping means with two conical tubes penetrating the inclined roof surfaces of the carton on either side of the top sealing fin, the means being squeezingly retained about said sealing fin.

In order to ensure a correct functioning of a device of the type concerned it is important, on one hand, that the device by its design ensures sealing between the carton and the tubes and, on the other hand, that the device when the tubes penetrate the top of the carton is precisely guided, thereby making sure that the device is positioned correctly in relation to the carton.

The object of the invention is to provide a device ensuring the optimum fulfilment of said conditions.

This is obtained by means of a device differing from the prior art devices in that the top constitutes a lid pivotal about a substantially horizontal axis in a vessel receiving the entire carton, that both of the two tubes have lower, pointed edges facing the hinge of the lid and that at least one of the two tubes has a conical portion for sealed abutment on the carton at the pierced edge of the perforation. This ensures that the two tubes upon their piercing the top of the carton are guided exactly so that the device when mounted, is located as predicted in relation to the carton, i.e. the functioning of the conical portion being ensured.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first tube has a substantially triangular cross-section with a first edge facing the hinge of the lid, said tube being bevelled to form its pointed edge in the shape of a proper tip and the dimensions of the cross- section increase in the direction away from the tip. This provides for obtaining an extremely good sealing about the tube which in use provides an outlet for the contents of the carton and is most critical as regards sealing between the tube and the carton.

In a further embodiment the surface of the triangular tube facing away from the first edge has a gradually increasing distance from the hinge of the lid in the direction away from the tip. This offers an extra good sealing.

In a further embodiment the first edge has an increasing radius of curvature in the direction away from the tip. The risk of crack formation in the carton thus decreases, which otherwise might cause damage to the sealing.

In a further embodiment the lateral faces of the first tube have at least one hole between the tip of the tube and the part of the tube which in use extends through the top of the carton. This ensures substantially complete emptying of the carton.

In a second embodiment the first tube includes a lower, cylindrical portion whose side facing away from the hinge is bevelled to form said pointed edge, and an upper, conical portion including at least one longitudinal slit extending from the lower part of the conical portion and approximately on to the portion which in use penetrates the carton. This ensures, on one hand, that the first tube may be given a shape that is able to pierce the carton and to seal along the perforated edge and, on the other hand, that the carton may be completely emptied.

In a further embodiment the two tubes are located in the vertical central plane perpendicular to the axis of the hinge in the vessel, the second tube being closest to the hinge and when the vessel is closed the two tubes point obliquely downwards and backwards towards the hinge at an angle of less than 10° in relation to vertical. Moreover, the underbody of the vessel is preferably designed to encompass the bottom and the sides of the carton and is preferably provided with an internally horizontal cross-section whose dimensions are a little larger, preferably about 5 mm, than the dimensions of the bottom of the carton. This ensures that the carton substantially retains its shape while being pierced.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of an example with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention in the form of a vessel while the beverage is being poured,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the vessel in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a vertical, longitudinal section through the first tube in Fig. 1,

Figs 3A to 3C are cross-sections at A-A, B-B and C-C in Fig. 3, respectively,

Figs 4A to 4D is a sequence of the mounting of the device, and

Fig. 5 is a partially sectional view of the top in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is an alternative embodiment of an outlet tube.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, in an embodiment of the invention the device is a vessel or a pour jug 1 with an underbody 2 and a top 3. The top 3 is by means of a hinge 4 and a spring lock 5 secured to the underbody 2. The underbody is conveniently provided with a handle 6. The gable-top is provided with a pouring spout 7 covered by a flap lid 8. Moreover, an air intake with a valve 9 is provided.

Fig. 2 shows a beverage carton 10 of the gabletop type accommoated in vessel 1. Two pointed tubes 11 and 12 extend through the inclined roof surfaces 13 of the carton on either side of the sealing fin 14.

The first of the pointed tubes 11 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 3 and 3A to 3C. Said tube has a substantially triangular cross-section with a first edge 15 facing the hinge 4 and an opposite side wall 25. Tube 11 is bevelled to provide said pointing in the form of a proper tip 17. Due to said bevelling of tube 11 the lower edge 26 of the side wall 25 is located somewhat above the level of the tip 17. The external surface of the side wall 25 has a smooth curvature on to the edge 26, thereby causing the distance from said external surface to the hinge 4 to increase gradually in the direction away from tip 17, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The dimensions of the cross-section of tube 11 increase generally in the upward direction, and also the radius of curvature of the edge 15 increases. This design of tube 11 entails that the tip 17 and the downwards facing edges 28 extending from said tip cut out a triangular lobe 27 that is pressed downwards by the ed ge 26 of side wall 25. When tube 11 is being ressed

ining distance down, the gradually curving side wall 25 will further exert a press on lobe 27 and the increasing radius of curvature of edge 15 will be responsible for establishing also at this edge an increased pressure from tube 11 towards the edge of the carton in the provided hole. Due to the relatively large radius of curvature of edge 15 in the portion of the tube which in use extends through the carton, i.e. corresponding to the section A-A in Fig. 3, shown in Fig. 3A, there is only a slight risk that the carton cracks, and a good sealing is obtained, the flexibility in the carton being utilized. This utilization of the flexibility is based on the circumstance that due to the piercing the inclined roof surfaces 13 are being pressed somewhat inwards and the flexibiity of the carton will try to counteract said squeezing, thereby causing the material of the carton at the tube to be pressed in the direction of a larger tubular cross- section, i.e. creating an enhanced tension in the perforated edge.

The second of the pointed tubes 12 has a lower, cylindrical portion 16 that is bevelled to provide said pointing in the form of a lower, sharp edge 18 on the side of the tube that is closest to hinge 4. Above the lower cylindrical portion the tube 12 has a conical portion 20. As regards this tube, it is the conical portion 20 which in the closed position of the vessel 1 extends through the inclined roof surface 13 of the carton and ensures sealing while utilizing the flexibility of the carton.

In use the first tube 11 constitutes an outlet from carton 10 and the second tube 12 constitutes an air intake to the carton. The outlet extends from tube 11 into the pouring spout 7. In order to prevent impurities coming from the surroundings from penetrating into carton 10 a flap lid 8 is provided above the outlet and is swung up about a hinge 21, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Likewise, in order to prevent impurities coming from the outside from penetrating through the air intake, a valve 9 is mounted in the upper part of tube 12, said valve including an air channel 22 and a ball 23. When vessel 1 is in its vertical position, i.e. when no beverage is being poured, the ball 23 will settle on the air channel 22 and close it. When vessel 1 is tilted to pour the beverage, ball 23 rolls aside and allow substitute air to flow into carton 10 through air channel 22 and tube 12.

In order to allow the carton 10 to be substantially completely emptied, holes 24 are provided in the side walls contiguous to the side wall 25 in the vicinity of the portion of tube 11 which in use extends through the roof surface of the carton. Said portion corresponds to line A-A in Fig. 3.

As it likewise appear from Fig. 2 the underbody 2 of vessel 1 encircles the bottom and the sides of carton 10, an interspace of some few millimeters being provided between the side walls of carton 10 and the internal side walls of the vessel underbody.

Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of tube 11 which, however, in the shown proportions makes heavier demands on the flexibility of the carton material than the embodiment illustrated in Figs 3 and

3A to 3C. Thus, Fig. 6 shows a tube 11a including a lower, cylindrical portion 30 which one the side intended to face away from the hinge 4 (Fig. 2) is bevelled to form the pointed edge 17. Tube 11a further comprises an upper, conical portion 31 having slits 32 extending from the lower part of the conical portion 31 and almost to the portion 31a which in use is intended to extend through the top of the carton 10 (Fig. 2).

Figs 4A to 4D show the use of vessel 1. This is opened by grasping an edge 5A so as to release the spring lock, following which top 3 is tilted backwards about the hinge 4. A beverage carton 10 is inserted into the underbody 2 of vessel 1 , as illus trated in Fig. 4A. Top 3 is then again swung forwards, thereby causing the tube 12 to perforate at first one of the inclined roof surfaces 13, as it appears from Fig. 4B. Top 3 is swung further forwards until tube 11 penetrates the second of the inclined roof surfaces 13. This appears from Fig. 4C. Top 3 is finally swung fully forwards until the spring lock 5 comes into mesh. The vessel now occupies the position illustrated in Figs. 4D and 2.

As it appears from Fig. 2, tubes 11 and 12 are directed downwards and a little backwards towards hinge 4, thereby forming a small angle in relation to vertical. Like the position of the sharp edges 17 and 18 on tubes 11 and 12, this is essential to ensure that the holes provided by the initial piercings in the inclined roof surfaces 13 are not extended beyond the final piercings when vessel 1 is closed as illustrated in Fig. 2, which would impede a safe sealing.

Even though the tube hereinbefore primarily has been described with a triangular cross-section, it may alternatively have a circular, oval or other polygonal cross-section.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S

1. A device for opening and emptying a gable-top carton (10) containing a beverage and comprising a top

(3) with two pointed tubes (11, 12) for piercing the top of the carton, the first tube (11) thereby providing an outlet for the contents of the carton and the second tube (12) an air intake, characterized in that the top (3) constitutes a lid pivotal about a substantially horizontal axis (4) in a vessel (1) receiving the entire carton (10), that both of the two tubes (11, 12) have lower, pointed edges (17, 18) facing the hinge

(4) of the lid and that at least one of the two tubes (11) has a conical portion (19) for sealed abutment on the carton at the pierced edge of the perforation.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first tube (11) has a substantially triangular cross-section with a first edge (15) facing the hinge (4) of the lid, that this tube (11) is bevelled to form its pointed edge in the shape of a proper tip (17) and the dimensions of the cross-section increase in the direction away from the tip (17).

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the face (25) of the triangular tube (11) facing away from the first edge (15) has a gradually increasing distance from the hinge (4) of the lid in the direction away from the tip (17).

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first edge (15) has an increasing radius of curvature in the direction away from the tip (17).

5. A device as claimed in claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the lateral faces of the first tube (11) have at least one hole (24) between the tip (17) of the tube (11) and the part of the tube (11) which in use extends through the top (13) of the carton.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, chracterized in that the first tube (11a) includes a lower, cylin drical portion (30) whose side facing away from the hinge (4) is bevelled to form said pointed edge (17), and an upper, conical portion (31) including at least one longitudinal slit (32) extending from the lower part of the conical portion and approximately on to the portion (31a) which in use extends through the top of the carton (10).

7. A device as claimed in claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the two tubes (11, 12) are located in the vertical central plane perpendicular to the axis of the hinge (4) in the vessel, that the second tube (12) is closest to the hinge (4) and that the two tubes (11, 12) when the vessel (1) is closed point obliquely downwards and backwards towards the hinge (4), preferably at an angle of less than 10° in relation to vertical.

8. A device as claimed in claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the underbody (2) of the vessel is designed to encompass the bottom and the sides of the carton (10) and is provided with an internally horizontal cross-section whose dimensions are a little larger, preferably about 5 mm, than the dimensions of the bottom of the carton.