WO2007115978A1

WO2007115978A1 - Reclosable pouring element for composite cardboard/plastic packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2007115978A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/053253
Authority: WO
Inventors: Felix Rigling
Original assignee: Sig Technology Ag
Priority date: 2006-04-04
Filing date: 2007-04-03
Publication date: 2007-10-18
Also published as: EA200702017A1; PL1863717T3; ATE432883T1; MX2007015317A; DE102006016113B3; CA2605163A1; ATE432884T1; AU2007221929A1; EP1863717B1; CA2603111A1; WO2007115976A1; AR060305A1; DE502007000808D1; ES2327975T3; KR20080114672A; PL1868903T3; MX2007015318A; EA013271B1; KR20080114671A; EP1863717A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a reclosable pouring element for composite cardboard/plastic packaging, particularly packaging for beverages, consisting of a shell element (1) that has a continuous fixing flange (5), an outer thread (4) and an inner thread (6), a cutting element (2) that has an outer thread (7), and a screw lid (3) with an inner thread (16). After injection moulding, the cutting element (2) is moulded on the shell element in one piece at the opposite end of the shell element (1) from the fixing flange (5). When the pouring element is assembled, the cutting element (2) is situated inside the shell element (1). The outer thread (7) of the cutting element (2) consists of two thread sections comprising two respective thread turns (7A, 7A' and 7B, 7B' ), which extend approximately around a quarter of the periphery of the cutting element (2) and have a gradient that is steeper than the inner thread (16) of the screw lid (3). The inner thread (6) of the shell element (1) consists of two thread sections (6A and 6B), each extending approximately around half the periphery and having a gradient that corresponds to that of the outer thread (7) of the cutting element (2). The lower inner periphery of the shell element (1) has a continuous lip (8) that is oriented downwards and the cutting element (2) has a groove (10) in the vicinity of the outer thread (7) that runs parallel to the lip (8) and is designed to receive said lip (8).

Description

03. April 2007

Resealable pouring element for carton / plastic composite packages

The invention relates to a resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packages, in particular beverage packages, consisting of a peripheral mounting flange and an external thread having frame member, an external thread and an internal thread exhibiting cutting element and a screw cap with an internal thread, wherein the cutting element in the injection position on the the mounting flange opposite end of the frame member and this is produced integrally molded via at least one connecting bridge and wherein the cutting element is arranged in the mounting position of the pouring element in the interior of the frame member.

Reclosable pouring spouts for disposable packages have long been known in many designs. Here, versions with screw cap are particularly popular because they ensure a reliable tight reclosure, so that it can be shaken in resealed packaging, without any of the contents can escape.

Such spouts are often constructed in three parts, with a peripheral flange equipped with a frame member is firmly connected to the top of the composite package. Through the interaction with the

TH / bs 070280WO Screw cap is the actual frame shape cylindrical, wherein inside the cylinder, a cutting element is arranged, which, operated by the screw, has the task of opening the composite package by being moved when first opening the screw from the frame member inside the composite package, so that a pouring opening is formed below the pouring element.

The initially mentioned pouring element described above is known from WO 02/28728 A1. Due to the fixed connection of the frame element and the cutting element via connecting bridges, in this known pouring element for mounting the frame element and the cutting element need only be aligned with one another with the screw cap.

Another three-part pouring element is described in EP 1 088 764 Bl. Again, the frame member has an external thread and the screw on a corresponding internal thread. Here, too, the cutting element is forced the first time Betatigen the screw through corresponding threads in the interior of the frame member or on the outer periphery of the cutting element hineinzudrucken axially in the composite material. There frame member and cutting element are also connected to each other in the production by injection molding, however, the cutting element is connected to the flange of the frame member with this. When mounting so cutting element and screw on different sides with opposite movements on or in the frame element zoom in or must be guided.

TH / bs 070280WO Furthermore, from WO 2004/000667 a three-part pouring element is known in which, however, the opening element is not moved in a screwing manner. The actual opening process is done here rather by a combination of a piercing with a rotational movement, ie a sequence of initially an axial and subsequent radial movement.

Also, from US 5,141,133 a pouring is known in which screw and cutting element are made einstuckig. This spout is fastened with its flange from the outside on the composite package. Here, the cylindrical frame in its upper region on an internal thread, wherein the screw cap is provided with a corresponding external thread. When opening the screw cap arranged in Axialfuhrungen in the frame member cutting element is printed by the packing material downwards, whereby the package is opened.

Based on this, the present invention has the object, the above-mentioned and more closely described above pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packages and further, that while maintaining a simple three-part construction a particularly simple installation and good cohesion of the preassembled pouring element is achieved , Furthermore, a reliable penetration of the pouring spanning film over the first opening should be ensured. Furthermore, it is desirable that a collapse of the cutting element into the interior of the package after the opening process can be reliably prevented.

TH / bs 070280WO The object is achieved in that the external thread of the cutting element consists of two threaded sections, each with two threads, each extending over approximately at least a quarter of the circumference of the cutting element and having a slope which is steeper than the internal thread of the screw cap, that the Internal thread of the frame member consists of two threaded portions, each extending over about half of the circumference and have a slope corresponding to the pitch of the external thread of the cutting element, that the frame member has at its lower inner circumference a circumferential and downwardly facing lip and that the cutting element in the region of the external thread has a groove running parallel to the lip, which groove is suitable for receiving the lip when the cutting element protrudes from the frame element.

The invention has recognized that in this way the cutting element is always in a defined position: After removal from the injection mold a plurality of circumferentially distributed radial connecting bridges are provided for connection between the frame member and cutting element, which between the bottom of the cutting element and the upper edge run of the frame element and are destroyed only when nesting. Later, dropping out of the cutting element from the downwardly open frame member during transport or application to the composite package is reliably prevented. Even with the pouring element already applied to the composite packing, no damage to the underlying PE layer of the over-coated pouring opening can occur

TH / bs 070280WO take place, since the actual cutting elements having cutting element is arranged protected inside the frame member.

Furthermore, a simultaneous axial telescoping of the mounted on the unit of cutting element and frame element screw is sufficient to allow the final assembly of the applied to a composite package pouring.

Finally, by dropping element according to the invention, a falling in of the cutting element into the interior of the package after opening is reliably precluded by the fact that after insertion of the cutting element the lip arranged at the lower inner edge of the frame element is located in the groove of the external thread provided for this purpose and in this way becomes positive Stop worrying. The formation of a lip is manufacturing technology when demolding the injection-molded component frame element / cutting element favorable and further, the lip also serves as a stop for the turned into the frame member when opening cutting element.

Due to the steep thread pitch on the cutting element is achieved that when screwing the screw the cutting element moves very quickly with a cutting rotary motion (superimposed rotational and axial movement) in the uberbeschichtete Gießoffnung so that the existing film is reliably destroyed and printed inside the package without completely tearing, as the cutting element does not perform a full turn.

TH / bs 070280WO A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the external thread of the frame member in cross-section has a lower edge extending parallel to the mounting flange and an inclined upper edge and cooperating with the internal thread in the screw cap. For easier (axial) application of the screw cap, it may be advantageous if the external thread consists in a preferred embodiment of the invention of a plurality of individual spaced apart with short interruptions threaded portions.

A further teaching of the invention provides that the cutting element has a plurality of circumferentially arranged radially outwardly directed projections, which cooperate with corresponding inner cam of the frame member to prevent unscrewing of the cutting element from the frame member. When screwing on the screw cap, they release the rotation of the cutting element only in one direction, allowing only one left turn. These projections can either be formed by cams protruding radially on the outside of the cutting element and / or by respective horizontal extensions of the upper ends of the threaded sections. Particularly preferably, the cams and the threaded sections merge into one another.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the cutting element has at least one opening in the region between the threaded sections. Such an opening acts as a "pouring window" and ensures that even during the emptying of residues, that is, when the package is upside down,

TH / bs 070280WO when the cutting element projects as a tube into the interior of the package, the product to be emptied flows through these pouring openings, so that the pack can be completely emptied.

According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the cutting element has on its outer side a plurality circumferentially distributed and radially projecting cams, which extend from the upper edge of the cutting element down and correspond in shape to the already described cam of the cutting element. Preferably, the lower ends of all cams lie in a common, perpendicular to the vertical axis of the cutting element extending plane and thus serve for safe support on the lip at the inner end of the frame member.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the screw cap has at least one internal force transmission element, which causes the first movement of the screw through the arranged inside the cutting element projecting cam, the movement of the cutting element. Such a power transmission element is preferably designed trapezoidal and concentric to the screw cap bent and facilitates the assembly process, the orientation of the screw with respect to the cutting element.

A pouring element produced by the method according to the invention preferably has a tamper-evident seal. This can be formed by an integrally molded with the screw cap and radially projecting from this flat element, which is firmly connected to the flange of the frame member, wherein the

TH / bs 070280WO Element with at least one destructible material bridge is connected to the screw cap.

In addition, in the assembly process of the screw cap provided with such a tamper-evident seal, alignment with respect to the frame member is facilitated. There are, however, other, known for known types of originality closures such as a screw cap the encircling band or the like (WO 2004/000667 Al as ^Λ guarantee strip 25 'refers to).

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only a preferred embodiment. In the drawing show:

1 shows a resealable pouring element according to the invention prior to assembly in vertical section,

2A shows a frame element and an integrally molded with this cutting element before final assembly in a perspective view,

Fig. 2B, the frame element with cutting element in

Side view in the direction of the arrow II in Fig. 2A,

3 shows the pouring element according to the invention according to FIGS. 2A and 2B during the assembly in vertical section, wherein the screw cap already engages over the cutting element,

TH / bs 070280WO 4 shows the fully assembled and axially pushed together pouring element in vertical section,

5 shows the fully assembled and axially pushed together pouring element in a perspective view,

6 shows the inserted into the frame member cutting element before the opening process, cut in perspective,

Fig. 7 inserted into the frame member

Cutting element during the opening process, cut in perspective,

Fig. 8 inserted into the frame member

Cutting element after the opening process, cut in perspective and

Fig. 9 inserted into the frame member

Cutting element after the opening process, cut in perspective view.

In the figures, a preferred embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention is shown in order to make clear the method steps of its manufacture and its operation during opening. 1, a pouring element according to the invention is shown in longitudinal section, consisting of a frame element 1, a single-piece injection-molded with the frame member 1 cutting element 2 and a screw 3. The frame member 1 has in its cylindrical Hauptkorper an external thread. 4

TH / bs 070280WO and a circumferential flange 5 for attachment to a composite package (not shown). The external thread 4 has in cross section a parallel to the mounting flange 5 extending lower edge 4B and an inclined upper edge 4T to allow a slight Uberpressen during assembly of the screw cap 3.

Inside the frame member 1 can be seen two threaded sections 6A and 6B. For better understanding, the assembly of frame member 1 and cutting element 2 in Fig. 2A is shown in perspective and in Fig. 2B in a side view. There are corresponding with the threaded portions 6A and 6B threaded portions 7A, 7A 'and 7B, 7B' of an external thread 7 of the cutting element 2 can be seen, all threaded portions 6A, 6B and 7A, 7A ', 7B, 7B' the same, compared with the external thread 4 of the frame member 1 have significantly steeper slope.

From Fig. 1 it is still apparent that the frame member 1 has at its lower inner end a circumferential lip 8, whose function will be explained later.

Furthermore, an inwardly projecting cam 9 can be seen at the upper edge of the frame member 1, which serves as a guide or as a stop for the cutting element 2, which will be discussed in more detail below.

According to the invention, the threaded sections 7A, 7A 'and 7B, 7B' now have a groove 10 running parallel to the lip 8, which is suitable for receiving the lip 8 when the cutting element 2 protrudes out of the frame element 1 (casting position). This horizontal groove 10 is particularly clear from Fig. 2B.

TH / bs 070280WO Fig. 2A also shows that the cutting element 2 has at its upper periphery a plurality of cams 11 and 12, of which only the front of the respective opposite pairs can be seen. They are shown in the preferred and preferred

Exemplary embodiment with a horizontal extension 7D of the threaded portion 7B einstuckig connected. On the opposite side is also a horizontal extension 7C of the threaded portion 7A can be seen. However, it is also possible to dispense with the cams 12 and the extensions 7C and 7D.

In the section according to FIG. 1, circumferentially arranged teeth 13 of the cutting element 2 are also clearly visible. These teeth 13 have in the preferred and illustrated embodiment sharp edges. In the upper inner region of the cutting element 2, in turn, radially inwardly projecting cams 14, 14 'can be seen, as can be seen particularly clearly from FIG. 2A. The frame element 1 is connected to the cutting element 2 via a plurality of connecting bridges 15, as also apparent from FIG.

The screw cap 3 has an internal thread 16 corresponding to the pitch of the external thread 4 of the frame element 1 and an internal, essentially trapezoidal, and concentrically with the screw cap extending force transmission element 17. The force transmission element 17 causes the cutting element 2 with the aid of the inwardly projecting cams 14, 14 'at the first opening of the pouring element along the threaded portions 6 and 7

TH / bs 070280WO is rotated and so screwing penetrates into the package interior.

For mounting the pouring element according to the invention the screw cap 3 is now first moved over the projecting from the frame member 1 cutting element 2, as shown in Fig. 3. The remaining reference numerals in Fig. 3 correspond to those of Figs. 1 and 2A and 2B.

Fig. 4 now shows the finished mounted pouring element in vertical section, wherein the axial movement of the applied screw cap 3 and the cutting element 2 has been moved axially into the interior of the frame member 1, without moving in rotation. It can be seen clearly that the tips of the teeth 13 are also arranged at a distance from the lower edge of the frame element 1.

Due to the special shape of the force transmission element 17 can be dispensed with an exact positioning and alignment of the two structural parts. By further axial compression break the connecting bridges 15 and the cutting element 2 is pushed into the frame member 1, wherein simultaneously the screw cap 3 is bounced on the frame member 1, so that the external thread 4 of the frame member 1 comes into contact with the internal thread 16 of the screw 3. To facilitate assembly, the external thread 4 is provided with a sloped upper flank 4T, and formed horizontally with its lower flank 4B. In this way, it is easier to push the thread 16 over the inclined flank 4T during axial pushing together.

TH / bs 070280WO In Fig. 5, the finished mounted pouring is reproduced in perspective again for clarity. It can be seen that the pouring element according to the invention also has a seal of originality: For this purpose, a plate 18 is injection-molded onto the screw cap 3 in one piece, which is connected to the screw cap 3 via connecting bridges 19, as clearly shown in FIG. The plate 18 has on its underside in the present case, two pins 20 which engage in corresponding recesses 21 (Fig. 2A) of the flange 5 from the frame member 1, which are caulked for firm connection from below.

Finally, FIGS. 6 to 9 describe the function of the pouring element according to the invention during the first opening operation of the screw cap 3, which, however, is not shown for a better overview. First, the assembly position of FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown in Fig. 6. Here it can be seen that the inner cam 9 cooperate with the outer cam 11 and the end of einstuckig associated with the cam 11 extensions 7C and 7D of the threaded portions 7A and 7B. Unscrewing the cutting element 2 from the frame member 1 upwards is reliably prevented by this latching, since the cutting element 2 can rotate only by a counterclockwise rotation when unscrewing the screw 3.

Fig. 7 now shows a state in which the teeth are just in contact with the film to be pierced (not shown). The axial force is thereby

TH / bs 070280WO transmitted via the (not shown) power transmission elements 17 on the cams 14 and 14 '.

8 and 9 show the cutting element 2 in its end position, in which it remains even after further use of the screw 3 by re-screwing or screwing and reliably holds back the opened film from the pouring channel in this way. Here it can be seen that both the cams 12 (FIG. 8) and the cams 11 (FIG. 9) rest with their lower edge against the lip 8 and in this way fix the cutting element 2. The same applies to the cam 12, which is not recognizable here. In addition, the groove 10 and all diametrically opposite cams 11 and 12 ensure that a "falling in" of the cutting element 2 into the interior of the package is reliably ruled out.

TH / bs 070280WO

Claims

03. April 2007P ATENTANSPRU CHE

1. Resealable pouring element for

Cardboard / plastic composite packs, in particular beverage packs, consisting of a frame element (1) having an encircling mounting flange (5) and an external thread (4) and an internal thread (6), a cutting element (2) having an external thread (7) and a screw cap (3) with an internal thread (16), wherein the cutting element (2) in the injection position at the mounting flange (5) opposite end of the frame member (1) and with this at least one connecting bridge (15) is injection molded in one piece and wherein Cutting element (2) in the mounting position of the pouring element inside the frame member (1) is arranged, characterized in that the external thread (7) of the cutting element (2) consists of two threaded sections with two threads (7A, 7A 'and 7B, 7B') which each extend approximately over at least a quarter of the circumference of the cutting element (2) and have a pitch which is steeper than the internal thread (16) of the screw cap (3), that the internal thread (6) of the frame member (1) consists of two threaded portions (6A and 6B), each extending over about half of the circumference and a slope have the slope of the external thread (7) of the cutting element (2) corresponds to that

TH / bs 070280WO Frame member (1) has at its lower inner circumference a circumferential and downwardly facing lip (8) and that the cutting element (2) in the region of the external thread (7) has a parallel to the lip (8) extending groove (10) which Receiving the lip (8) from the frame element (1) outstanding cutting element (2) is suitable.

2. Pouring element according to claim 1, characterized in that the external thread (4) of the frame member (1) in cross-section parallel to the mounting flange (5) extending lower edge (4B) and an inclined upper edge (4T) and with the internal thread (16) in Screw cap (3) cooperates.

3. Pouring element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the external thread (4) consists of a plurality of individual threaded sections.

The pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutting element (2) has a plurality of circumferentially arranged radially outwardly directed projections which cooperate with corresponding inner cams (9) of the frame element (1)

Remove the cutting element from the (2) frame element (1).

TH / bs 070280WO

5. Pouring element according to claim 4, characterized in that the projections of cams (11) projecting radially on the outside of the cutting element (2) are formed.

6. Pouring element according to claim 4, wherein the projections of respectively horizontal extensions (7C, 7D) of the upper ends of the threaded sections (7A and 7B) are formed.

7. Pouring element according to claim 5 and 6, d a d u r c h e k e n e c i n e s, the cams (11) and the threaded sections (7A and 7B) merge into one another.

8. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 7, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that the cutting element (2) in the region between the threaded portions (7A, 7A 'and 7B, 7B') at least one opening (W).

9. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cutting element (2) on its outer side a plurality of circumferentially distributed and radially projecting cam (12) which extend from the upper edge of the cutting element (2) downwards and in shape correspond to the cam (10 or 11).

TH / bs 070280WO

10. Pouring element according to claim 9, characterized in that the lower ends of the cams (11) lie in a common plane perpendicular to the vertical axis of the cutting element (2) extending plane in order out of the frame element (1) outstanding cutting element (2) on the Support lip (8).

Pouring element according to claim 9, characterized in that the lower ends of the cams (12) lie in a common plane extending perpendicularly to the vertical axis of the cutting element (2), in order to extend out of the frame element (1) on the cutting element (2) Support lip (8).

12. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the screw cap (3) has at least one internal power transmission element (17) which on the first turn of the screw (3) via inside the cutting element (2) arranged cam (14 ) causes the movement of the cutting element (2).

13. Pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one force transmission element (17) has a substantially trapezoidal shape and concentric with the screw cap (3).

14. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the pouring element has a tamper-evident seal.

TH / bs 070280WO

15. Pouring element according to claim 14, characterized in that as a seal of integrity an integrally molded with the screw cap and radially projecting from this flat plate (18), which is fixedly connected to the flange (5) of the frame member (1) prior to the final assembly of the spout ,

TH / bs 070280WO