WO2005032961A1

WO2005032961A1 - Spout closing element comprising a self-opener and a drinking nozzle

Info

Publication number: WO2005032961A1
Application number: PCT/CH2004/000591
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario Weist
Original assignee: Sig Technology Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-10-09
Filing date: 2004-09-20
Publication date: 2005-04-14

Abstract

The invention relates to a spout closing element consisting of a spout nozzle (2) that can be mounted on a composite packaging or on a container or bottle nozzle closed by a film material, an associated screw cap (1), and a self-opener collet (3) which is arranged inside the spout nozzle (2), can be rotated by the screw cap, and comprises at least one combined piercing and cutting element (9) projecting from the lower end thereof. The self-opener collet (3), the spout nozzle (2), and the screw cap (1) are provided with guiding and force transmitting means that co-operate with each other in such a way that, when the screw cap (1) is turned for the first time in the opening direction, the self-opener collet (3) can be pushed downwards in the spout nozzle (2) and rotated about the rotational axis thereof. The invention is characterised in that a bellows-type extension (13) is formed on the upper edge of the spout nozzle (2). Said extension can be axially extended in relation to the spout nozzle (2) and folded up again.

Description

Pourer closure with self-opener and drinking spout

[0001] This invention relates to a pouring closure with self-opener and drinking spout for composite packs as well as for container spouts or bottle spouts of all types to be closed with film material. In particular, liquid packs in the form of such composite packs made of film-coated paper, in which, for example, milk, fruit juices, are intended , all kinds of non-alcoholic beverages or liquids in general can also be packed from the non-food sector. The closure can also be used for multi-packs in which bulk goods such as sugar, semolina or all kinds of chemicals and the like are stored or packaged. This film-coated paper is a laminate material, for example a paper or cardboard web coated with plastic such as polyethylene and / or aluminum. Usual volumes of such packs range from 20cl to 2 liters and more. Alternatively, the pouring cap can also be mounted on containers which are closed by a film material, for example on all kinds of bottles made of glass or plastic or on similar containers. Such closures made of plastic are known in various designs. If they are intended for a composite package, they essentially form a pouring spout with a shoulder which projects radially from its lower edge and forms a closing flange on this pouring spout. The socket is equipped with an external thread, onto which a threaded cap can be screwed as a closure. Such a pouring cap is flanged onto the composite package by sealingly welding it onto the composite package with the underside of its projecting edge, that is to say with the underside of its flange. The free passage at the lower end of the nozzle is then closed by the paper and the sealing film of the composite package. In the case of a bottle stopper, the pouring spout can in turn be plugged or screwed onto a bottle mouth and sealed on the inside with a film membrane. The socket is equipped with an external thread, onto which the threaded cap can then be screwed as a closure.

The continuous foil-reinforced paper underneath the welded-on nozzle or the membrane membrane running inside the nozzle must be cut open, torn open or pushed away so that the passage is released and the liquid or the bulk material is poured out or poured out of the container through the nozzle can. For this purpose, a sleeve is arranged in the inside of the nozzle, which is taken along by the screwed cap when it is turned and is therefore rotated in the same direction of rotation by the cap and at the same time moves downward in the axial direction. Such a self-opening pouring closure for composite packs and for container sockets to be closed with foil material thus consists of a pouring spout which can be sealingly mounted on a composite package or on a container or bottle closure sealed with foil material, an associated rotating cap and one inside the spout -Stocks arranged self-opening sleeve, which can be set in rotation by the rotary cap. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the self-opening sleeve has at least one combined lancing and cutting element at its lower edge and projecting therefrom, and the self-opening sleeve, the pouring spout and the rotary cap are equipped with Fühπings- and power transmission means, which cooperate with one another in such a way that when the rotary cap is rotated for the first time in the opening direction, the self-opening sleeve can first be pushed axially downward without rotation in the pouring spout and then rotatable about its axis of rotation without axial movement.

This is realized, for example, in such a way that on the underside of the associated rotating cap and concentrically to the same, a nozzle with a projecting edge is formed at its lower end, over the same the self-opening sleeve in the form of a nipple with projecting inwards on its upper side Edge is turned over, the two cantilevered edges engaging behind one another, as a result of which the slipped-over nipple is rotatable relative to the connecting piece formed on the underside of the rotary cap and can be longitudinally displaced in the axial direction, and the free displacement path in the axial direction corresponds at least to the axial path of the rotary cap, which it when rotating for the first time in the opening direction until the self-opening sleeve is first pushed axially downwards in the pouring spout and is then rotated through 360 ° about its axis of rotation without axial movement.

Such pouring closures with integrated self-opening sleeves are known. If they are now welded or glued to a composite package, they are often too low to be able to directly attach the associated nozzle to the lips for drinking. This is because the pouring spout is welded onto a flat place on the compound packaging and the compound packaging extends horizontally from the pouring server closure. If you place the nozzle of such a welded pouring cap on your lips, you touch the composite packaging with your nose or, in general, the composite packaging moves too close to your face, which is uncomfortable. You then have to tilt your head backwards to drink the composite pack empty, because the composite pack alone if you Pouring spout is attached to the lips, can not be swung up far enough. This is because the nose of the drinker stands in the way.

It is therefore important to remedy this problem and to create a pouring cap with self-opener and drinking spout for multi-packs or for containers or bottle sockets to be sealed with foil material or already sealed with foil material, which makes drinking easy by attaching the nozzle allows the lips, and a composite pack can be drunk empty without tilting the head too far back.

This object is achieved by a pourer closure with self-opener and drinking spout for composite packs or for container or bottle spouts to be sealed with foil material or already sealed with foil material, consisting of a spout spout which seals onto a composite package or onto one with Foil material sealed container or bottle is mountable, an associated rotating cap and a self-opening sleeve arranged within the pouring spout, which can be set in rotation by the rotating cap and thereby at least one combined piercing and cutting element projecting from its lower edge and from this has, whereby this self-opening sleeve, the pouring spout and the rotating cap are equipped with guide and force transmission means which cooperate with one another in such a way that when the rotating cap is turned for the first time in the opening direction, the self-opening sleeve in the pouring spout goes down ossbar and then rotatable about its axis of rotation, and which is characterized in that a bellows-like extension is formed on the upper edge of the pouring spout, which is extendable in the axial direction to spout spout and foldable again.

In the figures, an embodiment of this pourer closure with self-opener and drinking spout for multi-packs is shown. The pourer closure is described in detail below with the aid of these figures and its function is explained and explained. It shows:

Figure 1: The pourer closure with its three components in a disassembled state shown in a section;

Figure 2: The pouring cap on a composite pack in a drinking position.

In Figure 1, the pourer closure with its three components in a disassembled state is shown in section. The rotating cap 1 can be seen at the top, the pouring spout 2 in the middle and the self-opening sleeve 3 underneath. Inside the rotating cap 1, which is designed here as a threaded cap 1 and is accordingly equipped with an internal thread 4, two can be seen as an essential feature Cylinder wall segments 5 arranged concentrically with the axis of rotation of the cap on the inside of its cover. These cylinder wall segments 5 serve as force transmission means, so that when the threaded cap 1 is turned in the loosening direction, that is, viewed from above on the threaded cap 1 counterclockwise, a torque is applied from it to the self-opening sleeve 3 is transferable. The pouring spout 2 essentially forms a hollow cylindrical spigot or pipe section, which is provided on its outside with an external thread 6, which fits the internal thread 4 of the rotary cap 1. On the lower side of the pouring spout 2, a radial projection 7 can be seen at the lower edge of the nozzle. With this projection 7, which forms a flange at the lower end of the pouring spout 2, the pouring spout 2 is welded onto a composite pack in a known manner, so that the underside of the flange rests on the composite and is sealingly connected to the same. However, this flange can also be welded onto a bottle neck, which is sealed with a film. Various guide webs 8 can be seen on the inside of the pouring spout 2. These serve to ensure that the self-opening sleeve 3 is guided in the interior of the pouring spout 2 in the desired manner, namely initially axially downward, in order to then change to a pure rotation ,

The self-opening sleeve 3 fits into the interior of the pouring spout 2 and here has a single combined lancing and cutting member 9. This piercing and cutting element 9 is integrally formed on the lower edge of the self-opening sleeve 3. In the example shown, it forms an equilateral triangle, the downwardly projecting Spitza 10 being sharpened and the free sides of the triangle also forming sharpened edges 11. This triangle therefore acts as a piercing cutter 9, which means that it first pierces when axially depressed and then cuts during horizontal turning. In an advantageous variant, which is particularly suitable for thicker sealing foils, two piercing cutters 9 can also be provided instead of a single one, which are then formed approximately diametrically opposite one another on the lower edge of the self-opening sleeve 3. With two piercing cutters 9 lying opposite one another in this way, it is achieved that the reaction forces acting on the sleeve when piercing the film are evenly distributed and therefore do not act only at one point. This ensures that the sleeve 3 does not tilt in the socket 2. On the upper edge of the self-opening sleeve 3, on the inside thereof, driver cams 12 can be seen. These belong to the power transmission means and take over the torque applied by the rotating cap 1 and transmit it to the self-opening sleeve 3, so that the latter with the rotating cap 1 rotates.

As a special feature, a bellows-like extension 13 is now formed on the upper edge of the actual pouring spout 2, which extension can be pulled out and folded again in the axial direction to the pouring spout 2. As seen in cross-section here, the wall of this extension 13 is zigzag-shaped, with sharp inner edges 14 and sharp outer edges 15. The bellows-like extension 13 consists namely of several annular surfaces 16 which run at an acute angle to one another and which alternate with their outer 15 and their inner edges 14 are connected. The individual ring surfaces 16 between these sharp edges 14, 15 lie fully on top of each other when the bellows is fully compressed, and the extension 13 is only a few millimeters high from the upper edge of the actual rigid pouring spout 2. As soon as the rotary cap 1 is screwed away from the pouring spout 2 and this bellows-like extension 13 is relieved of the contact pressure, it relaxes into the position shown here. For drinking, your rim becomes one with your index finger and thumb Gripped hand and pulled up. In a variant, the extension 13 can also be produced as a separate piece and then connected to the upper edge of the pouring spout by means of welding or gluing. The extension 13 can also be designed in such a way that it is produced as a separate piece and can only be slipped over the upper edge region of the pouring spout 2, so that it can be connected to this upper edge region of the nozzle 2 by means of welding or gluing. In this case too, it consists of a plurality of annular surfaces 16 which run at an acute angle to one another and which are alternately connected to their outer edges 15 and to their inner edges 14.

Finally, it is also possible that the extension 13 can be designed so that it is made as a separate piece and is little inserted into the upper edge area of the pouring spout 2 by means of welding or gluing to the inside of this upper edge area of the nozzle 2 is connected. In this case too, the actual extension 13 consists of a plurality of annular surfaces 16 which run at an acute angle to one another and which are alternately connected to their outer edges 15 and to their inner edges 14.

Figure 2 shows the pourer closure with extended extension 13, which forms a mouthpiece for drinking in this position. The individual ring surfaces 16 between the sharp inner 14 and outer edges 15 of the bellows now form an obtuse angle to one another and the extension 13 now measures several centimeters and thus forms a mouthpiece for direct drinking from a composite pack or bottle. This mouthpiece is also flexible, so that the head of the drinker does not have to be tilted far back to drink the package empty, but the composite package can be swiveled up only by bending the mouthpiece formed by the extension 13. This extension 13 therefore allows comfortable drinking from a composite pack and also the easy drinking of the same. If one wishes that the extension 13 remains in the extended position, one stretches it at least at one point to such an extent that buckling 17 occurs at the edges 14, 15, as is shown in FIG. 2. These folds 17 stabilize the extended extension 13 and prevent the bellows from collapsing spontaneously. If a partially drunk composite pack is to be closed again, the folds 17 are ironed out by hand by pressing out the edges 14, 15 on the extension 13 and afterwards the extension 13 can be folded up again without any problems. In this state, the rotary cap 1 can then be put on by compressing and collapsing the extension 13 or the mouthpiece, and when the rotary cap 1 is screwed on, the extension 13 is folded up completely and snugly. The next time the rotary cap 1 is opened, it is relaxed again into the position shown in FIG. 1 and can be completely pulled out again by hand.

Claims

claims

1.Pourer closure with self-opener and drinking spout for composite packs or for container or bottle spouts to be sealed with foil material or already sealed with foil material, consisting of a pouring spout (2), which seals onto a composite packing or onto a container sealed with foil material - Or bottle neck is mountable, an associated rotating cap (1) and a self-opening sleeve (3) arranged inside the pouring spout (2), which can be rotated by the rotating cap (1) and thereby at its lower edge and from protruding at least one combined lancing and cutting member (9), this self-opening sleeve (3), the pouring spout (2) and the rotary cap (1) are equipped with guide and power transmission means that interact with each other in such a way that the first time the rotating cap (1) is turned in the opening direction, the self-opening sleeve (3) in the pouring spout (2) a Can be pushed downwards and rotated about its axis of rotation, characterized in that a bellows-like extension (13) is formed on the upper edge of the pouring spout (2), which can be pulled out and folded again in the axial direction to the pouring spout (2).

2. pourer closure with self-opener and drinking spout according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension (13) is integrally formed on the upper edge of the pouring spout (2) and consists of several acute-angled ring surfaces (16), which alternate with their outer (15) and their inner edges (14) are connected.

3. pourer closure with self-opener and drinking spout according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension (13) is made as a separate piece and with the upper edge of the pouring spout (2) by means of Welding or Veriemimen is connected and consists of several annular surfaces (16) extending at an acute angle to each other, which are alternately connected to their outer (15) and with their inner edges (14).

Pourer closure with self-opener and drinking spout according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension (13) is made as a separate piece and is placed little over the upper edge region of the spout spout (2) and is connected to it by welding or gluing and consists of a plurality of annular surfaces (16) running at an acute angle to one another, which are alternately connected to their outer (15) and to their inner edges (14).

Pourer closure with self-opener and drinking spout according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension (13) is made as a separate piece and is little inserted into the upper edge region of the spout spout (2) and connected to it by means of welding or gluing and consists of a plurality of annular surfaces (16) running at an acute angle to one another, which are alternately connected to their outer (15) and their inner edges (14).