WO2021214596A1

WO2021214596A1 - Closure for a thin-walled packaging pouch

Info

Publication number: WO2021214596A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/053033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Tamarindo; Alberto Buzzi
Original assignee: Guala Pack S.P.A.
Priority date: 2020-04-22
Filing date: 2021-04-13
Publication date: 2021-10-28
Also published as: EP4139224A1; CL2022002509A1; CN115605405A; AU2021261649A1; PL4139224T3; EP4139224B1; BR112022020565A2; MX2022011494A

Abstract

A closure assembly (1) for a flexible thin-walled packaging (P) comprises a spout (S) and a closure (C). The closure comprises a ring (40) which is attached to the spout (S), a cap (6) for the mouth (20) and a fastener (50) which connects the ring (40) to the cap (6). A coupling portion (70) of the cap (6) can engage with a coupling region (72) of the spout (S) in order to retain the cap (6) in a predefined position with respect to the spout (S). The spout (S) comprises a lower plate (10) and a lower flange (12), which project radially outwards and are axially spaced apart so as to obtain a coupling seat (17) which forms said coupling region (72).

Description

CLOSURE FOR A THIN-WALLED PACKAGING POUCH

DESCRIPTION

[001] The present invention relates to the field of thin-walled packaging, usually referred to as "pouches," and in particular to the field of packaging equipped with a spout for the outflow of the product. In particular, the object of the present invention is a closure for a spout of a thin-walled packaging.

[002] Such packaging is now widely spread and used above all for containing products for children, such as fruit juices and purees, yogurt, vegetable purees, and drinks. The enormous known diffusion of such packaging is attributable to the great convenience of use and ease of use by children, as well as to the playful component linked to the use of the spout and the need to crush the packaging to make the product outflow.

[003] Currently, several hundreds of millions of flexible packaging with a spout are produced worldwide. [004] As is occurring for numerous other widely consumed goods, even in the field of flexible packaging with spouts there are significant efforts in research and development by producers, in order to produce and market a good which is respectful of the environment, as well as capable of meeting the needs mentioned above. [005] In this regard, one of the most felt drawbacks in the sector is that the cap which closes the spout, once unscrewed, can be inadvertently lost by the user, due to the small size thereof, or incorrectly disposed of, without proceeding to proper disposal.

[006] Given the volumes produced and marketed each year, one can imagine how important it is that such caps are disposed of correctly. It is therefore essential that, after unscrewing the cap, the cap remains connected to the spout so that the entire packaging is disposed of correctly.

[007] There are already known solutions of caps for spouts of thin-walled packaging, provided with a fastener which keeps the cap connected to the spout, for example by means of a collar.

[008] However, the known solutions have some drawbacks.

[009] For example, the cap which remains connected to the spout hinders the use of the spout itself. In fact, it is not uncommon that while using the spout, the cap touches the region around the lips, annoying the child.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a closure which meets the needs of the field and overcomes the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the background art.

[0011] Such an object is achieved by a closure according to claim 1. The dependent claims identify further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0012] The features and advantages of the closure according to the present invention will be apparent from the description given below, provided by way of non limiting example, in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figures la and lb show a packaging comprising a closure assembly according to the present invention, respectively in a closing configuration and in an opening configuration; - figures 2a and 2b depict a closure assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively in a closing configuration and in an opening configuration;

- figures 3 and 4 show a closure of the closure assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- figures 5 and 7 show the closure assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a coupling configuration; figure 6 is an enlargement of box VI of figure 5; - figure 8 shows a detail of the connection between the fastener and the ring in the closure assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] According to the present invention, a flexible thin-walled packaging P comprises a flexible bag B having at least a front wall and a rear wall, made from a thin film, joined together along peripheral edges by a weld. Above, between the upper edge of the front wall and the upper edge of the rear wall, a spout S is attached for the outflow of the product contained in the packaging; the spout is closed by a closure C.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the bag comprises a first side wall, welded between first side edges of the front wall and of the rear wall, for example on a first side; according to a still further embodiment, the bag comprises a second side wall, welded between second side edges of the front wall and the rear wall, for example on a second side.

[0015] According to a still further embodiment, the bag comprises a bottom wall, welded between the lower edges of the front wall and the rear wall, to form a base of the packaging.

[0016] The thin film is single-layer or multi-layer; permeable to oxygen or impermeable to oxygen. [0017] In accordance with the figures of the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates as a whole a closure assembly comprising the spout S and the closure C which can be attached to the spout S. The closure C in turn comprises a cap 6 and a connecting device 8 for the permanent connection between the cap 6 and the spout S.

[0018] From a lower end toward an upper end, the spout S comprises a connecting portion 9, generally referred to as the "welding boat," intended to be attached between the upper edges of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag B, a lower plate 10, which delimits the connecting portion 9 at the top, a lower flange 12, axially spaced apart from the lower plate 10, and an upper flange 14, axially spaced apart from the lower flange 12.

[0019] Therefore, an annular connecting seat 15 is formed between the lower flange 12 and the upper flange 14, while an annular coupling seat 17 is formed between the lower plate 10 and the lower flange 12.

[0020] The spout S further comprises a tube 16, projecting axially from the upper flange 14, ending with a tube edge 18 which peripherally delimits an opening 20 for the outflow of the product from the packaging. The tube 16 extends along a main axis X and has a thread 22 outside for the engagement of the spout S with the cap

6.

[0021] The spout 2 further has an inner duct 24, coaxial to the main axis X, which extends from the mouth 20 to the lower end of the connecting portion 9 or, in a variant embodiment, there below.

[0022] The spout S is made in a single piece of plastic material, for example by means of injection molding. [0023] The cap 6 comprises an annular side wall 30, which extends around a main axis Y of the cap 6, between an upper cap edge 32 and a lower cap edge 33, and a base 34 which closes it at the top, connected to said upper cap edge 32. [0024] The side wall 30 of the cap 6 is internally threaded for screwing onto the tube 16 of the spout 2. [0025] The cap 6 comprises a cap flange 36 at the bottom, projecting radially outwards from the lower cap edge 33 and having a free lower surface 37, for example in the form of a flat circular crown.

[0026] The connecting device 8 comprises a connecting element or ring 40, which can be axially constrained to the spout S, for example arranged in the connecting seat 15, between the lower flange 12 and the upper flange 14, freely rotatable in said connecting seat 15. [0027] The ring 40 has a predefined axial height between a lower surface 42, for example in the form of a flat circular crown, and an upper surface 44, for example rounded, which, when the cap 6 is screwed to the spout 2, faces the lower surface 37 of the cap flange 36.

[0028] The ring 40 also has an outer side surface 45a, for example cylindrical, and an annular inner side surface 45b. On said annular inner surface 45b there is an annular protuberance 45c, continuous or in sections, which, when the ring is attached to the spout 2, creates an axial constraint, snapping into the connecting seat 15.

[0029] The connecting device 8 further comprises a plurality of breakable jumpers 46 which, when intact, join the ring 40 to the cap 6, and in particular the ring 40 to the cap flange 36.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, said jumpers 46 join the upper surface 44 of the ring 40 to the lower surface 37 of the cap flange 36.

[0031] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the connecting device 8 comprises at least one tooth 47a, projecting from the ring 40, for example axially, and in particular from the lower surface 37 of the cap flange 36, and at least one recess 47b, obtained in the ring 40, and in particular in the upper surface 44 thereof. The tooth 47a is at least partially received in the recess 47b and is configured to abut against a wall delimiting said recess 47b. When the cap 6 is unscrewed, the tooth 47a abuts against a wall of the recess 47b and easily drags the ring 40 in rotation. [0032] The connecting device 8 further comprises a flexible connecting band or fastener 50, having a main extension along a dimension which forms the length thereof, between a ring end 52, joined to the ring 40, and in particular to the outer side surface 45a thereof, and a cap end 54, joined to the cap 6, and in particular to the cap flange 36, and preferably to an outer side surface thereof. [0033] Preferably, the fastener 50 has a cross section, obtained with a rectangular section plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, preferably oriented so that the shorter side is parallel to the central axis Y of the cap 6. [0034] The fastener 50 is configured to break by traction near the end of the ring 52, so that if the child tries, for example playing, to tear the cap 6 from the spout 2 by pulling it, the fastener 50 breaks near the ring 40, while a main portion remains connected to the cap. Advantageously, this allows the spout to be used, placing it between the lips, without incurring the discomfort which would be caused by a possible piece of fastener connected to the ring.

[0035] For this purpose, at the end of the ring 52, the fastener 50 has a weakening 60, for example consisting of a notch made at the connection between the fastener 50 and the ring 40, or a reduction of the resistant section between the fastener 50 and the ring 40. [0036] The cap 6 and the connecting device 8 together form the closure 1 and are made in a single piece in plastic material, for example by means of injection molding.

[0037] The cap 6 further comprises a coupling portion 70 adapted to engage with a coupling region 72 of the spout S in order to retain the cap 6 in a predefined position with respect to said spout S.

[0038] In other words, the fastener 50 forms a permanent connection between the cap 6 and the spout S, but when the cap 6 is unscrewed, it assumes a random position with respect to the spout, often such as to hinder the use of the spout itself. The engagement between the coupling portion 70 of the cap 6 and the coupling region 72 of the spout S can be obtained only when the cap 6 is unscrewed from the spout S and allows the cap to be kept in a predefined position with respect to the spout, such as not to bring discomfort to the user when the spout is between the lips.

[0039] Preferably, said coupling region 72 is outside the tube 16 of the spout S, so as to be sufficiently far from the mouth 20.

[0040] Preferably, moreover, when the coupling portion 70 of the cap 6 is engaged with the coupling region 72 of the spout, the cap 6 is arranged so that the central axis Y lies on an imaginary plane which is orthogonal to the main axis X of the tube 16.

[0041] For example, the cap 6 comprises a gripping paddle 80, for example axially projecting from the base 34 and/or radially projecting from the side wall 30, provided with a peripheral edge 82.

[0042] For example, the paddle 80 has a flat shape, substantially lying on an imaginary plane which contains the central axis Y of the cap 6, for example also passing through a center line of the fastener 50. [0043] A portion 84 of the peripheral edge 82 obtains said coupling portion 70; preferably, said portion 84 is enlarged with respect to the remaining part of the peripheral edge 82.

[0044] Furthermore, the cap 6 preferably has a plurality of coupling portions 70. For example, the peripheral edge 82 comprises said portion 84 and a further portion 86, symmetrical to the portion 84 with respect to the main axis Y of the cap 6.

[0045] According to the invention, the coupling seat 17 of the spout S forms said coupling region 72.

[0046] In an initial configuration (figures la and

2a), the cap 6 is screwed to the tube 16 of the spout S, the ring 40 is arranged in the connecting seat 15, axially constrained to the spout S and free to rotate in said connecting seat 15, and the jumpers 46 are intact and join the ring 40 to the cap flange 36.

[0047] By unscrewing the cap 6 from the spout S, this drags the ring 40 in rotation and simultaneously moves axially on the tube 16, causing the jumpers 36 to break. [0048] Once the unscrewing has been completed

(figures lb and 2b), the inner duct 24 of the spout S is accessible through the mouth 20, the jumpers 36 are broken, reflecting the tampering, and the cap 6 remains constrained to the spout S by means of the fastener 50 which continues to join the cap 6 to the ring 40, in turn constrained to the spout S.

[0049] Finally, in a coupling configuration (figures 5 and 7), the coupling portion 70 of the cap 6 is engaged with the coupling region 72 of the spout S, so as to retain the cap 6 in a predefined position with respect to the spout S, such as not to hinder the use of the spout S.

[0050] Preferably, the engagement between the coupling portion 70 and the coupling region 72 is a pressure engagement, obtained by forced insertion of the coupling portion 70 in the coupling region 72, for example of the portion 84 of the cap 6 in the coupling seat 17 of the spout S.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, the engagement between the coupling portion 70 and the coupling region 72 is a snap-in engagement.

[0052] According to a still further embodiment, the engagement between the coupling portion 70 and the coupling region 72 is a positive-fit engagement, i.e., between a shaped element of the coupling portion and a counter-shaped element of the coupling region, with or without forcing.

[0053] Innovatively, the closure assembly according to the present invention meets the needs of the field, as it allows the cap to be kept in permanent connection with the bag, by means of the fastener which joins it to the spout, and at the same time overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, as the cap is arranged in a position in which it does not hinder the use of the spout. [0054] It is apparent that, in order to meet contingent needs, those skilled in the art may make changes to the closure assembly described above, all contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A closure assembly (1) for a flexible thin-walled packaging (P), comprising:

- a spout (S), which is sealingly attached to a bag (B) of the packaging (P), provided with a tube (16) which extends along a central axis (X) and ends in a mouth (20), and is equipped with a coupling zone (72);

- a closure (C) which can be attached to the spout (S), comprising : i) a ring (40) which is attached to the spout (S) and is axially constrained and free to rotate; ii) a cap (6) which has a central axis (Y), can be screwed to the tube (16), and is adapted to close the mouth (20), comprising a coupling portion (70); iii) a fastener (50) which connects the ring (40) to the cap (6); wherein the coupling portion (70) can engage with the coupling region (72) in order to retain the cap (6) in a predefined position with respect to the spout (S); wherein the spout (S) comprises a lower plate (10) and a lower flange (12), which project radially outwards and are axially spaced apart so as to obtain a coupling seat (17) which forms said coupling region (72).

2 . A closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the coupling region (72) is outside the tube (16).

3. A closure assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the coupling portion (70) of the cap (6) engages with the coupling region (72) of the spout (S), the cap (6) is arranged such that the central axis (Y) lies on an imaginary plane which is orthogonal to the main axis (X) of the tube (16).

4. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement between the coupling portion (70) and the coupling region (72) is a pressure engagement.

5. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement between the coupling portion 70 and the coupling region 72 is a snap- in engagement. 6. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement between the coupling portion (70) and the coupling region (72) is a positive-fit engagement.

7. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spout (S) comprises an upper flange (14), which projects radially outwards and is axially spaced apart from the lower flange (12) on the opposite side to the lower plate (10) so as to form a connecting seat (15) together with the lower plate (12) for engagement with the ring (40).

8. A closure assembly according to claim 7, wherein the spout (S) comprises a connecting portion (9) which is sealingly welded to the bag (B), said connecting portion being axially delimited at the top by said lower plate (10).

9. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (6) comprises a paddle (80) for gripping and unscrewing it, which is provided with a peripheral edge (82), and a portion (84) of said peripheral edge (82) forms said coupling portion (70).

10. A closure assembly according to claim 9, wherein said portion (84) is enlarged with respect to the remaining adjacent part of the peripheral edge (82).

11. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (6) comprises a plurality of coupling portions (70).

12. A closure assembly according to claim 11, wherein the cap (6) comprises two coupling portions (70) arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis (Y) of the cap (6).

13. A spout assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (C) is formed in one piece of plastic material, for example by means of injection molding.

14. A spout assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener (50) has a rectangular cross section.

15. A spout assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, at a ring end (52) where it joins the ring (40), the fastener (50) has a weakened portion (60) for tearing the fastener (50) in a controlled manner.

16. A spout assembly according to claim 15, wherein said weakened portion (60) consists of a reduction in the cross section between the fastener (50) and the ring

(40).