WO2010012576A1 - Capping process for capping a plastic material discharge spout and discharge spout obtainable by means of said process - Google Patents

Capping process for capping a plastic material discharge spout and discharge spout obtainable by means of said process Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010012576A1
WO2010012576A1 PCT/EP2009/058649 EP2009058649W WO2010012576A1 WO 2010012576 A1 WO2010012576 A1 WO 2010012576A1 EP 2009058649 W EP2009058649 W EP 2009058649W WO 2010012576 A1 WO2010012576 A1 WO 2010012576A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sealing ring
cap
head
discharge spout
main body
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2009/058649
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jaume Bonet Pedrol
Original Assignee
Volpak, S.A.U.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Volpak, S.A.U. filed Critical Volpak, S.A.U.
Publication of WO2010012576A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010012576A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2835—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers applying and rotating preformed threaded caps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5861—Spouts
    • B65D75/5872—Non-integral spouts
    • B65D75/5883—Non-integral spouts connected to the package at the sealed junction of two package walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
    • B65D41/3442—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with rigid bead or projections formed on the tamper element and coacting with bead or projections on the container
    • B65D41/3447—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with rigid bead or projections formed on the tamper element and coacting with bead or projections on the container the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges

Definitions

  • the invention is comprised in the field of flexible bags of the type known as a pouch and generally used to contain fluids or granules.
  • These bags are provided with a rigid plastic material discharge spout which is sealed between the two walls forming the flexible bag and is formed by a main body and a cap body provided with a sealing ring.
  • the discharge spouts are delivered capped, i.e., with the cap assembled on the main body, to feed the sealing process by means of which they are incorporated to the flexible bags.
  • the invention relates to a capping process for capping a plastic material discharge spout, of the type formed by a main body and a cap body which is screwed on the former, said cap body comprising a cap and a sealing ring extending the ring in the lower portion and joined thereto by means of breakable bridges, retaining means being provided in the discharge spout which generate an elastic resistance opposite the axial advance of the sealing ring during the screwing operation for screwing the cap body on the main body, such that after having overcome this elastic resistance, the sealing ring is axially retained by the retaining means.
  • the invention also relates to a discharge spout obtainable by means of a similar capping process.
  • the known solution for small discharge spouts consists of the cap being provided with legs which in rotation push corresponding legs arranged in the sealing ring.
  • This known solution has the drawback that after the first unscrewing of the cap by a user, the subsequent screwing and unscrewing operations of the cap are hindered by the fact that the legs catch on the remains of the broken bridges when the cap is turned.
  • the purpose of the invention is to provide a capping process for discharge spouts of the type indicated above, which assures the integrity of the breakable bridges and which allows obtaining discharge spouts, especially small discharge spouts, which are easy for the end user to open and use.
  • a capping process for capping a discharge spout for flexible bags of the type indicated above, characterized in that the screwing operation for screwing on the cap body is performed using a head which is assembled with the cap body, said head comprising an upper part which is coupled to the cap such that it is integral therewith in the direction of rotation and a lower part which is opposite the outer surface of the sealing ring and separated therefrom by a small radial distance, and in that the retaining means and the sealing ring are configured such that in order to overcome the elastic resistance, the sealing ring, in its axial advance movement, is forced to expand radially in an elastic manner, without causing the breakable bridges to break, until said outer surface of the sealing ring comes into contact with said lower part of the head and is integral therewith in the direction of rotation.
  • the elastic resistance which the retaining means use to counter the axial advance of the sealing ring causes the bridges to break, since the turning of the sealing ring is stopped and this causes a relative torque with respect to the cap.
  • the solution according to the invention prevents this torque between the cap and the sealing ring from being generated as a result of the fact that the elastic resistance of the retaining means causes the sealing ring to expand and become integral with the head in rotation. It is therefore achieved that the head, the cap and the sealing ring rotate integrally with one another while the necessary screwing force is applied in order to overcome the resistance of the retaining means, whereby assuring the integrity of the bridges.
  • the coupling between the cap and the upper part of the head, by means of which both become integral to one another in rotation, is carried out by means of a relative axial movement of the cap body in the head.
  • the outer surface of the cap and the inner surface of the upper part of the head comprise complementary protrusions which, in a section perpendicular to the direction of axial movement, fit together.
  • the main body and the cap body are preferably configured such that, after having overcome the elastic resistance of the retaining means, the sealing ring is released from the forces of interaction with said retaining means which had caused its radial expansion and said sealing ring elastically returns to a rest position in which its outer surface is separated from the lower part of the head by a radial distance.
  • This configuration is particularly advantageous since it allows performing the entire capping operation in a particularly easy manner.
  • the head is assembled with the cap body by means of a simple axial movement, after which a rotation movement is transmitted to the head to perform the screwing until overcoming the elastic resistance of the retaining means and, as a result of the fact that the outer surface of the sealing ring is again radially separated from the lower part of the head, the head is removed by means of a simple axial movement in the direction opposite the first direction.
  • the retaining means comprise an annular lip arranged in the main body and a projection arranged in the inner surface of the sealing ring, such that said annular lip and said projection interfere with one another in a radial length which is greater than the small radial distance separating the lower part of the head and the outer surface of the sealing ring, and the meeting between said annular lip and said projection during the axial advance of said sealing ring causes the elastic radial expansion of the sealing - A -
  • the capping process according to the invention allows obtaining a novel type of discharge spout with respect to the state of the art, specifically a discharge spout for flexible bags of the type formed by a main body and a cap body screwed on said main body, said cap body comprising a cap and a sealing ring extending the ring in the lower portion and joined thereto by means of breakable bridges, said discharge spout comprising retaining means axially retaining the sealing ring and configured such that in the capping operation of the discharge spout, which is performed by means of screwing the cap body on the main body, they generate an elastic resistance opposite the axial advance of the sealing ring, said sealing ring being axially retained by the retaining means after having overcome the elastic resistance of the latter, characterized in that the outer diameter of the sealing ring is less than or equal to 20 millimeters and in that said breakable bridges are the only means comprised in the discharge spout which make said cap and said sealing ring integral with one another in rotation.
  • the cap and the sealing ring comprise legs which make these two elements integral with one another in rotation.
  • the discharge spout according to the invention overcomes this prejudice and has the advantage of being much easier for the end user to open and close.
  • the preferred embodiments of the discharge spout according to the invention are furthermore characterized in that they comprise four breakable bridges at the most, whereby facilitating the first opening by the end user.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show perspective, upper and lower views of the cap body, respectively;
  • Figure 3 shows an upper perspective view of the main body;
  • Figures 4 and 5 show upper perspective views of the head; Figure 5 being a diametrical section of Figure 4;
  • Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 show diametrically sectioned upper perspective views illustrating the successive phases of the capping process
  • Figure 10 shows a front view corresponding to the view of Figure 8, which shows the discharge spout capped and with the head still assembled in the cap body;
  • Figures 1 1 and 12 show enlarged section views of the area corresponding to the sealing ring, which show the final phases of the screwing process for screwing the cap body on the main body;
  • Figure 1 1 shows the state right before the retaining means enter into action and generate an elastic resistance to the axial advance of the sealing ring;
  • Figure 12 shows the final state, corresponding to that of Figures 8 and 10.
  • the discharge spout according to the invention is specifically designed to be applied to a flexible bag of the type known as a pouch and which are normally intended to contain a fluid or granulated product.
  • These pouch-type bags are plastic bags which are formed from two laminar walls sealed against one another on their perimeter to form a closed volume, trapping between one another a rigid discharge spout which is sealed to these walls.
  • the discharge spout 1 is formed by a rigid plastic main body 2 and an also rigid plastic cap body 3, comprising a cap 4 and a sealing ring 5 and screwed on the main body 2 as a result of a thread 20 internally provided in the cap 4 and a corresponding thread 19 provided externally in the main body 2.
  • the main body 2 and the cap body 3 are depicted separately in Figures 1 to 3.
  • the main body 2 internally defines a passage 2 intended to open at its lower end inside a flexible bag (not depicted), whereas the upper end forms the pouring outlet of the bag.
  • the lower part of this rigid body is a tube 17 forming a sealing surface by means of which the discharge spout 1 is sealed to the bag.
  • the tube 17 has a smooth outer surface 5 from which two opposite flat flaps 18 extend in a mid-plane of the tube 17.
  • the sealing surface is formed by the assembly of the outer surface of the tube 17 and the surface of the flat flaps 18.
  • the sealing ring 5 is a cylindrical band extending the cap 4 at its lower end and joined to said cap 4 only by four breakable bridges 6 (seen all together in Figure 2) uniformly distributed along the circumference of the cap.
  • the outer diameter of the sealing ring 5 is less than or equal to 20 mm; in the embodiment depicted in the figures, said diameter has a value of 18 mm.
  • the main body 2 has on its outer surface an annular lip 7 interfering with projections 8 arranged in the inner surface of the sealing ring 5. As will be seen below in the description of the capping process, the interaction between the projections 8 and the annular lip 7, which occurs during the capping process by screwing on the cap 4, generates an elastic resistance to the axial pitch of the sealing ring 5.
  • the projections 8 are trapped under the annular lip 7, whereby the sealing ring 5 is axially retained.
  • the axial retention of the sealing ring 5 causes the bridges 6 to break.
  • the cap 4 nor the sealing ring 5 comprise any element making them integral in rotation after the first opening, i.e., after the user has performed the first unscrewing of the cap 4 with the subsequent breaking of the bridges 6.
  • the joining between the cap 4 and the sealing ring 5 comprises only four breakable bridges 6, it is not necessary for the end user to exert an elevated force to perform the first opening: the torque necessary to break the bridges 6 and release the cap 4 does not exceed the value of 30 N.cm.
  • the capping process is the process by means of which the cap body 3 is coupled to the main body 2 by means of screwing to form the discharge spout 1 .
  • the screwing operation is performed using the head 9 depicted in Figures 4 and 5.
  • the head 9 is a solid cylindrical body having an upper part 10 by means of which it is assembled with the cap 4, a lower part 1 1 functioning as a stop for the radial expansion of the sealing ring 5, as will be seen below, and an axial port 21 axially traversing the head 9.
  • the protrusion 14 is a negative of the corresponding protrusion 13 in the form of a ring with which the outer surface of the cap 4 is provided, such that in a section perpendicular to the axial direction, the protrusions 13 and 14 fit together.
  • Figure 6 shows the initial state, prior to the assembly of the head 9 with the cap body 3, in which the main body 2, the cap body 3 and the head 9 are separated.
  • Figure 7 shows the state after the assembly of the head 9 with the cap body 3, which is done by axial movement of the cap body in the head 9.
  • the cap body 3 is introduced axially, by its end corresponding to the cap 4, in the axial port 21 of the head 9, whereby the cap 4 becomes integral to the upper part 10 of the head 9 in rotation as a result of the fitting between the corresponding protrusions 13 and 14, whereas the lower part 1 1 of the head is opposite the outer surface of the sealing ring 5 and separated therefrom by a small radial distance 12.
  • FIG. 1 1 shows the position of the lower part 1 1 of the head 9 with respect to the sealing ring 5 in greater detail.
  • the outer surface of the sealing ring 5 is separated from the inner surface of the lower part 1 1 of the head 9 by a radial distance 12, as seen in the enlarged view of Figure 12.
  • the head 9 is simply extracted by means of an axial movement in the direction opposite to that of the assembly process, the capped discharge spout 1 shown in Figure 9 being obtained as the end product.
  • Figures 1 1 and 12 show in greater detail the process taking place during screwing.
  • Figure 1 1 shows the position right before the projections 8 come into contact with the radial lip 7.
  • the projections 8 are wedge-shaped, with the narrowest part being at the lower end, and the annular lip 7 has a rounded edge on its upper side.
  • the projections 8 and the annular lip 7 interfere with one another in a radial length 15 which is greater than the small radial distance 12 separating the lower part 1 1 of the head 9 and the outer surface of the sealing ring 5.
  • Figure 12 shows the end position in which the sealing ring 5, with its projections 8, has left the annular lip 7 behind, whereby said sealing ring 5 has been released from the forces of interaction between the projections 8 and the annular lip 7, which had caused its radial expansion, and has elastically recovered its initial position.
  • the outer surface of the sealing ring 5 is separated from the lower part 1 1 of the head 9 by a radial distance 12, which allows extracting the head 9 by simple axial movement, as explained above.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

The discharge spout is formed by a main body (2) and a cap body (3) comprising a cap (4) and a sealing ring (5) joined to the former by breakable bridges (6). Retaining means (7, 8) generate an elastic resistance to the axial advance of the ring (5) during the screwing and they axially retain it. The discharge spout is characterized in that the diameter of the ring (5) is less than or equal to 20 millimeters and in that making the cap (4) and the ring (5) integral to one another in rotation is done only by means of the bridges (6). The capping process uses a head (9) which, during the screwing, makes the cap (4) and the ring (5) integral to one another in rotation as a result of a radial expansion of the ring (5).

Description

D E S C R I P T I O N
"Capping process for capping a plastic material discharge spout, and discharge spout obtainable by means of said process"
Field of the Invention
The invention is comprised in the field of flexible bags of the type known as a pouch and generally used to contain fluids or granules. These bags are provided with a rigid plastic material discharge spout which is sealed between the two walls forming the flexible bag and is formed by a main body and a cap body provided with a sealing ring. The discharge spouts are delivered capped, i.e., with the cap assembled on the main body, to feed the sealing process by means of which they are incorporated to the flexible bags.
More specifically, the invention relates to a capping process for capping a plastic material discharge spout, of the type formed by a main body and a cap body which is screwed on the former, said cap body comprising a cap and a sealing ring extending the ring in the lower portion and joined thereto by means of breakable bridges, retaining means being provided in the discharge spout which generate an elastic resistance opposite the axial advance of the sealing ring during the screwing operation for screwing the cap body on the main body, such that after having overcome this elastic resistance, the sealing ring is axially retained by the retaining means.
The invention also relates to a discharge spout obtainable by means of a similar capping process.
State of the Art
Capping this type of discharge spout by means of screwing a cap body on a main body has the difficulty that during the screwing operation the breakable bridges breaking as a result of the resistance of the retaining means to the axial advance of the ring must be prevented. A possible solution for overcoming this problem would consist of a high number of breakable bridges. However, this solution does not apply when the cap and the sealing ring are small in diameter, because it complicates the manufacture of the cap body and because it makes the first unscrewing of the cap by a user difficult since the user must apply on the cap considerable torque in order to break all the bridges. Furthermore, this dimensional solution would not entirely assure the integrity of all the breakable bridges during the screwing operation for screwing the cap body on the main body. The known solution for small discharge spouts consists of the cap being provided with legs which in rotation push corresponding legs arranged in the sealing ring. This known solution has the drawback that after the first unscrewing of the cap by a user, the subsequent screwing and unscrewing operations of the cap are hindered by the fact that the legs catch on the remains of the broken bridges when the cap is turned.
Summary of the Invention
The purpose of the invention is to provide a capping process for discharge spouts of the type indicated above, which assures the integrity of the breakable bridges and which allows obtaining discharge spouts, especially small discharge spouts, which are easy for the end user to open and use.
This purpose is achieved by means of a capping process for capping a discharge spout for flexible bags, of the type indicated above, characterized in that the screwing operation for screwing on the cap body is performed using a head which is assembled with the cap body, said head comprising an upper part which is coupled to the cap such that it is integral therewith in the direction of rotation and a lower part which is opposite the outer surface of the sealing ring and separated therefrom by a small radial distance, and in that the retaining means and the sealing ring are configured such that in order to overcome the elastic resistance, the sealing ring, in its axial advance movement, is forced to expand radially in an elastic manner, without causing the breakable bridges to break, until said outer surface of the sealing ring comes into contact with said lower part of the head and is integral therewith in the direction of rotation.
In a conventional discharge spout, the elastic resistance which the retaining means use to counter the axial advance of the sealing ring causes the bridges to break, since the turning of the sealing ring is stopped and this causes a relative torque with respect to the cap. The solution according to the invention prevents this torque between the cap and the sealing ring from being generated as a result of the fact that the elastic resistance of the retaining means causes the sealing ring to expand and become integral with the head in rotation. It is therefore achieved that the head, the cap and the sealing ring rotate integrally with one another while the necessary screwing force is applied in order to overcome the resistance of the retaining means, whereby assuring the integrity of the bridges.
In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the coupling between the cap and the upper part of the head, by means of which both become integral to one another in rotation, is carried out by means of a relative axial movement of the cap body in the head. To that end, the outer surface of the cap and the inner surface of the upper part of the head comprise complementary protrusions which, in a section perpendicular to the direction of axial movement, fit together. As a result of this configuration the assembly of the head to the cap body is particularly easy.
Furthermore, in said preferred embodiments the main body and the cap body are preferably configured such that, after having overcome the elastic resistance of the retaining means, the sealing ring is released from the forces of interaction with said retaining means which had caused its radial expansion and said sealing ring elastically returns to a rest position in which its outer surface is separated from the lower part of the head by a radial distance. This configuration is particularly advantageous since it allows performing the entire capping operation in a particularly easy manner. In fact, the head is assembled with the cap body by means of a simple axial movement, after which a rotation movement is transmitted to the head to perform the screwing until overcoming the elastic resistance of the retaining means and, as a result of the fact that the outer surface of the sealing ring is again radially separated from the lower part of the head, the head is removed by means of a simple axial movement in the direction opposite the first direction.
In one of these preferred embodiments, the retaining means comprise an annular lip arranged in the main body and a projection arranged in the inner surface of the sealing ring, such that said annular lip and said projection interfere with one another in a radial length which is greater than the small radial distance separating the lower part of the head and the outer surface of the sealing ring, and the meeting between said annular lip and said projection during the axial advance of said sealing ring causes the elastic radial expansion of the sealing - A -
ring and an elastic bending of said annular lip. When the outer surface of the sealing ring comes into contact with the lower part of the head, this elastic bending of the annular lip maintains an elastic force radially pushing against said sealing ring. Once the sealing ring has left the annular lip behind, the latter elastically recovers its initial state and thus prevents the sealing ring from being able to move back in the axial direction.
The capping process according to the invention allows obtaining a novel type of discharge spout with respect to the state of the art, specifically a discharge spout for flexible bags of the type formed by a main body and a cap body screwed on said main body, said cap body comprising a cap and a sealing ring extending the ring in the lower portion and joined thereto by means of breakable bridges, said discharge spout comprising retaining means axially retaining the sealing ring and configured such that in the capping operation of the discharge spout, which is performed by means of screwing the cap body on the main body, they generate an elastic resistance opposite the axial advance of the sealing ring, said sealing ring being axially retained by the retaining means after having overcome the elastic resistance of the latter, characterized in that the outer diameter of the sealing ring is less than or equal to 20 millimeters and in that said breakable bridges are the only means comprised in the discharge spout which make said cap and said sealing ring integral with one another in rotation.
As previously explained, in known small discharge spouts the cap and the sealing ring comprise legs which make these two elements integral with one another in rotation. Until now no solutions had been explored to do away with these legs because the technical prejudice that this would excessively complicate the capping process existed. The discharge spout according to the invention overcomes this prejudice and has the advantage of being much easier for the end user to open and close.
The preferred embodiments of the discharge spout according to the invention are furthermore characterized in that they comprise four breakable bridges at the most, whereby facilitating the first opening by the end user.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Other advantages and features of the invention will be observed from the following description in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is described in a non-limiting manner, referring to the attached drawings. In the drawings:
Figures 1 and 2 show perspective, upper and lower views of the cap body, respectively; Figure 3 shows an upper perspective view of the main body;
Figures 4 and 5 show upper perspective views of the head; Figure 5 being a diametrical section of Figure 4;
Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 show diametrically sectioned upper perspective views illustrating the successive phases of the capping process; Figure 10 shows a front view corresponding to the view of Figure 8, which shows the discharge spout capped and with the head still assembled in the cap body;
Figures 1 1 and 12 show enlarged section views of the area corresponding to the sealing ring, which show the final phases of the screwing process for screwing the cap body on the main body; Figure 1 1 shows the state right before the retaining means enter into action and generate an elastic resistance to the axial advance of the sealing ring; Figure 12 shows the final state, corresponding to that of Figures 8 and 10.
Detailed Description of an Embodiment of the Invention
The discharge spout according to the invention is specifically designed to be applied to a flexible bag of the type known as a pouch and which are normally intended to contain a fluid or granulated product. These pouch-type bags are plastic bags which are formed from two laminar walls sealed against one another on their perimeter to form a closed volume, trapping between one another a rigid discharge spout which is sealed to these walls.
The discharge spout 1 , depicted in Figure 9, is formed by a rigid plastic main body 2 and an also rigid plastic cap body 3, comprising a cap 4 and a sealing ring 5 and screwed on the main body 2 as a result of a thread 20 internally provided in the cap 4 and a corresponding thread 19 provided externally in the main body 2. The main body 2 and the cap body 3 are depicted separately in Figures 1 to 3.
The main body 2 internally defines a passage 2 intended to open at its lower end inside a flexible bag (not depicted), whereas the upper end forms the pouring outlet of the bag. The lower part of this rigid body is a tube 17 forming a sealing surface by means of which the discharge spout 1 is sealed to the bag. The tube 17 has a smooth outer surface 5 from which two opposite flat flaps 18 extend in a mid-plane of the tube 17. The sealing surface is formed by the assembly of the outer surface of the tube 17 and the surface of the flat flaps 18.
The sealing ring 5 is a cylindrical band extending the cap 4 at its lower end and joined to said cap 4 only by four breakable bridges 6 (seen all together in Figure 2) uniformly distributed along the circumference of the cap. The outer diameter of the sealing ring 5 is less than or equal to 20 mm; in the embodiment depicted in the figures, said diameter has a value of 18 mm. The main body 2 has on its outer surface an annular lip 7 interfering with projections 8 arranged in the inner surface of the sealing ring 5. As will be seen below in the description of the capping process, the interaction between the projections 8 and the annular lip 7, which occurs during the capping process by screwing on the cap 4, generates an elastic resistance to the axial pitch of the sealing ring 5. Once this elastic resistance has been overcome, the projections 8 are trapped under the annular lip 7, whereby the sealing ring 5 is axially retained. When the user unscrews the cap 4 for the first time, the axial retention of the sealing ring 5 causes the bridges 6 to break. Neither the cap 4 nor the sealing ring 5 comprise any element making them integral in rotation after the first opening, i.e., after the user has performed the first unscrewing of the cap 4 with the subsequent breaking of the bridges 6. Once this first opening has occurred, the user can screw on and unscrew said cap 4 freely, without the cap 4 in its rotation movement finding any impediment (obviously with the exception of that involved with the screwing limit). In addition, as a result that the joining between the cap 4 and the sealing ring 5 comprises only four breakable bridges 6, it is not necessary for the end user to exert an elevated force to perform the first opening: the torque necessary to break the bridges 6 and release the cap 4 does not exceed the value of 30 N.cm.
The capping process is the process by means of which the cap body 3 is coupled to the main body 2 by means of screwing to form the discharge spout 1 . The screwing operation is performed using the head 9 depicted in Figures 4 and 5. The head 9 is a solid cylindrical body having an upper part 10 by means of which it is assembled with the cap 4, a lower part 1 1 functioning as a stop for the radial expansion of the sealing ring 5, as will be seen below, and an axial port 21 axially traversing the head 9. The inner surface of the upper part 10 of the head 9, which demarcates the upper part of the axial port 21 , forms a protrusion 14 in the form of a ring gear, whereas the inner surface of the lower part 1 1 of the head 9, demarcating the lower part of the axial port 21 , is a smooth cylindrical surface. The protrusion 14 is a negative of the corresponding protrusion 13 in the form of a ring with which the outer surface of the cap 4 is provided, such that in a section perpendicular to the axial direction, the protrusions 13 and 14 fit together.
The successive steps of the capping process are illustrated in Figures 6 to 9. Figure 6 shows the initial state, prior to the assembly of the head 9 with the cap body 3, in which the main body 2, the cap body 3 and the head 9 are separated. Figure 7 shows the state after the assembly of the head 9 with the cap body 3, which is done by axial movement of the cap body in the head 9. The cap body 3 is introduced axially, by its end corresponding to the cap 4, in the axial port 21 of the head 9, whereby the cap 4 becomes integral to the upper part 10 of the head 9 in rotation as a result of the fitting between the corresponding protrusions 13 and 14, whereas the lower part 1 1 of the head is opposite the outer surface of the sealing ring 5 and separated therefrom by a small radial distance 12. Said radial distance 12 can be more clearly seen in Figure 1 1 , which shows the position of the lower part 1 1 of the head 9 with respect to the sealing ring 5 in greater detail. After having assembled the head 9 with the cap body 3, this assembly is taken to the meeting of the main body 2 and is screwed until the end of screwing position shown in Figures 8 and 10. To that end, a sustained turning movement is transmitted to the head 9 until overcoming the elastic resistance to the axial pitch of the sealing ring 5 caused by the interference between the projections 8 and the annular lip 7, after which the sealing ring 5 is axially retained. In this end of screwing position, the outer surface of the sealing ring 5 is separated from the inner surface of the lower part 1 1 of the head 9 by a radial distance 12, as seen in the enlarged view of Figure 12. Next, the head 9 is simply extracted by means of an axial movement in the direction opposite to that of the assembly process, the capped discharge spout 1 shown in Figure 9 being obtained as the end product.
Figures 1 1 and 12 show in greater detail the process taking place during screwing. Figure 1 1 shows the position right before the projections 8 come into contact with the radial lip 7. The projections 8 are wedge-shaped, with the narrowest part being at the lower end, and the annular lip 7 has a rounded edge on its upper side. The projections 8 and the annular lip 7 interfere with one another in a radial length 15 which is greater than the small radial distance 12 separating the lower part 1 1 of the head 9 and the outer surface of the sealing ring 5. As the axial advance of the sealing ring 5 continues due to the screwing, this interference between the projections 8 and the annular lip 7 causes a radial expansion of the sealing ring 5 until the latter abuts against the inner surface of the lower part 1 1 of the head 9, and next a downward elastic bending of the annular lip 7 thus maintaining pressure of the sealing ring 5 against said lower part 1 1 of the head 9, whereby obtaining a high enough coefficient of friction so that the sealing ring 5 becomes integral to the head 9 in rotation. It is thus assured that while the screwing is performed against the elastic resistance to the axial advance of the sealing ring 5, both the cap 4 and the sealing ring 5 become integral to the head 9 in rotation, whereby preventing a relative torque which can break the bridges 6. In addition, the radial distance 12 is small enough so that the radial expansion of the sealing ring 5 allowed by said radial distance 12 does not cause the bridges 6 to break. Figure 12 shows the end position in which the sealing ring 5, with its projections 8, has left the annular lip 7 behind, whereby said sealing ring 5 has been released from the forces of interaction between the projections 8 and the annular lip 7, which had caused its radial expansion, and has elastically recovered its initial position. In this position, the outer surface of the sealing ring 5 is separated from the lower part 1 1 of the head 9 by a radial distance 12, which allows extracting the head 9 by simple axial movement, as explained above.

Claims

C L A I M S
1.- A capping process for capping a plastic material discharge spout, said discharge spout (1 ) being formed by a main body (2) and a cap body (3) which is screwed on said main body (2), said cap body (3) comprising a cap (4) and a sealing ring (5) extending said cap (4) in the lower portion and joined to said cap (4) by means of breakable bridges (6), retaining means (7, 8) being provided in said discharge spout (1 ) which generate an elastic resistance opposite the axial advance of said sealing ring (5) during the screwing operation for screwing said cap body (3) on said main body (2), such that after having overcome said elastic resistance, said sealing ring (5) is axially retained by said retaining means (7, 8), characterized in that the screwing operation for screwing on said cap body (3) is performed using a head (9) which is assembled with said cap body (3), said head (9) comprising an upper part (10) which is coupled to said cap (4) such that it is integral therewith in the direction of rotation and a lower part (1 1 ) which is opposite the outer surface of said sealing ring (5) and separated therefrom by a small radial distance (12), said retaining means (7, 8) and said sealing ring (5) being configured such that in order to overcome said elastic resistance, said sealing ring (5), in its axial advance movement, is forced to expand radially in an elastic manner, without causing said breakable bridges (6) to break, until said outer surface of the sealing ring (5) comes into contact with said lower part (1 1 ) of the head (9) and is integral therewith in the direction of rotation.
2.- The capping process according to claim 1 , characterized in that the coupling between said cap (4) and said upper part (10) of the head (9), which makes said cap (4) and said upper part (10) of the head (9) integral with one another in rotation, is performed by means of a relative axial movement of said cap body (3) in said head (9), complementary protrusions (13, 14) being provided in the outer surface of said cap (4) and in the inner surface of said upper part (10) of the head (9) which, in a section perpendicular to the direction of axial movement, fit together.
3.- The capping process according to claim 2, characterized in that said main body (2) and said cap body (3) are configured such that, after having overcome said elastic resistance, said sealing ring (5) is released from the forces of interaction with said retaining means (7, 8) which had caused its radial expansion and said sealing ring (5) elastically returns to a rest position in which its outer surface is separated from said lower part (1 1 ) of the head (9) by a radial distance (12).
4.- The capping process according to claim 3, characterized in that said retaining means comprise an annular lip (7) arranged in said main body (2) and a projection (8) arranged in the inner surface of said sealing ring (5), said annular lip (7) and said projection (8) interfering with one another in a radial length (15) greater than said small radial distance (12) separating the lower part (1 1 ) of the head (9) and the outer surface of the sealing ring (5), such that the meeting between said annular lip (7) and said projection (8) during the axial advance of said sealing ring (5) causes said elastic radial expansion of the sealing ring (5) and an elastic bending of said annular lip (7).
5.- A plastic material discharge spout formed by a main body (2) and a cap body (3) screwed on said main body (2), said cap body (3) comprising a cap (4) and a sealing ring (5) extending said cap (4) in the lower portion and joined to said cap (4) by means of breakable bridges (6), said discharge spout (1 ) comprising retaining means (7, 8) axially retaining said sealing ring (5), said retaining means being configured such that in the capping operation for capping said discharge spout (1 ), performed by means of screwing said cap body (3) on said main body (2), they generate an elastic resistance opposite the axial advance of said sealing ring (5), said sealing ring (5) being axially retained by said retaining means (7, 8) after having overcome said elastic resistance, characterized in that the outer diameter of said sealing ring (5) is less than or equal to 20 millimeters and in that said breakable bridges (6) are the only means comprised in said discharge spout (1 ) which make said cap (4) and said sealing ring (3) integral with one another in rotation.
6.- The discharge spout for flexible bags according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises four of said breakable bridges (6) at the most.
PCT/EP2009/058649 2008-07-28 2009-07-08 Capping process for capping a plastic material discharge spout and discharge spout obtainable by means of said process WO2010012576A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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ESP200802220 2008-07-28
ES200802220A ES2312296B1 (en) 2008-07-28 2008-07-28 ENCAPSULATED PROCEDURE OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL DISCHARGE MOUTH, AND DISCHARGE MOUTH OBTAINABLE BY MEANS OF THIS PROCEDURE.

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NL2004592C2 (en) * 2010-04-22 2011-10-25 Ipn Ip Bv A closure assembly.
CN111498298A (en) * 2016-02-03 2020-08-07 肖勒Ipn私人有限公司 Closure assembly and container provided with said closure assembly

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EP1273551A1 (en) * 2001-07-05 2003-01-08 MBF S.p.A. Capping head for a capping machine
WO2004014777A1 (en) * 2002-08-05 2004-02-19 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.Pa. Centering and holding unit for capping head
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KR200196226Y1 (en) * 2000-04-07 2000-09-15 김종기 One touch type spout for drink receptacle
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EP0103567A2 (en) * 1982-09-14 1984-03-21 Elisabeth Schütt Plastic screw cap and apparatus for closing a container with such a cap
EP1273551A1 (en) * 2001-07-05 2003-01-08 MBF S.p.A. Capping head for a capping machine
WO2004014777A1 (en) * 2002-08-05 2004-02-19 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.Pa. Centering and holding unit for capping head
WO2004080838A1 (en) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-23 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Tamper-indicating closure, package and method of manufacture

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL2004592C2 (en) * 2010-04-22 2011-10-25 Ipn Ip Bv A closure assembly.
EP2380820A1 (en) * 2010-04-22 2011-10-26 Ipn Ip B.V. A closure assembly
CN111498298A (en) * 2016-02-03 2020-08-07 肖勒Ipn私人有限公司 Closure assembly and container provided with said closure assembly
CN111498298B (en) * 2016-02-03 2022-05-27 肖勒Ipn私人有限公司 Closure assembly and container provided with said closure assembly

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Publication number Publication date
ES2312296B1 (en) 2010-01-05
ES2312296A1 (en) 2009-02-16

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