CLOSURE FOR A SPOUT IN A THIN-WALLED PACKAGE

Abstract

A closure assembly for a package with a thin-walled flexible pouch for containing fruit juices and purees, yoghurt, and energy drinks is provided. The closure assembly has a spout assembly and a closure having a guarantee seal. The guarantee seal has a guarantee ring, a guarantee band, a plurality of breakable bridges, a first attachment portion, and a second attachment portion. In an open configuration, the guarantee band forms a strap that keeps the cap fastened to the guarantee ring and has a length such that, in a use configuration in which the guarantee band is stretched, the second attachment portion is arranged axially below a connection portion of the spout assembly. The guarantee seal has a breakable segment which, in the open configuration, is broken.

Description

The present invention is in the field of thin-walled packages provided with a spout, usually referred to as a “pouch”. In particular, the present invention refers to a closure for a spout of said package.

Said packages are primarily used to contain fruit juices, yoghurt, fruit puree, energy drinks, and similar products for children. These packages have become very popular, due to their compact size, great practicality of use, and playful aspect linked to the use of the spout, which attracts the attention of children. Several hundred million units are produced and sold every year.

Typically, spout closures, made of plastic, comprise a cap and a guarantee seal, which comprises a guarantee ring joined to the cap by a plurality of breakable bridges. When the cap is unscrewed for the first time, the bridges break, separating the cap from the guarantee ring and making the first opening apparent.

Recently, research and development efforts of manufacturing companies have focused on constructing a closure with a guarantee seal in which, even after the first opening, the cap remains attached to the guarantee ring to prevent it from being lost in the environment.

It is the object of the present invention to make a closure for a spout of a thin-walled package that meets the aforesaid requirements and is particularly comfortable to use.

This object is achieved by a closure according to claim 1. The claims dependent thereon identify additional advantageous embodiments.

The features and advantages of the closure according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example according to the figures in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1a through 1d show a package according to one embodiment of the present invention, in various configurations;

FIG. 2a through 2e and 3a through 3e depict a spout assembly of the package, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4a through 4e illustrate the cross section of an engagement plate of the spout assembly, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 depicts a closure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section of the closure in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7a shows a closure assembly in an initial open configuration;

FIG. 7b is an enlargement of a box in FIG. 7a, showing a breakable segment of the guarantee seal;

FIG. 7c is an enlargement of a box in FIG. 7a, highlighting breakable bridges of the guarantee seal;

• • FIG. 8a through 8d depict a closure according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9a through 9d depict a closure according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross section of a closure assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 through 14 illustrate a package according to the present invention in a use configuration;

FIG. 15 is an enlargement of a box in FIG. 5, showing a first attachment portion of the guarantee seal;

FIG. 16 is a cross section of the first attachment portion of FIG. 15, according to the cross-sectional plane XVI-XVI in FIG. 15.

In reference to the figures in the attached drawings, 1 has been used to indicate a thin-walled package, usually referred to as a “pouch”. The package 1 comprises a pouch 2 for containing the product, comprising a front wall 4 and a rear wall 6, facing each other, made of a flexible, single-layer or multi-layer film. Along the side edges, the walls 4, 6 are welded together or, in a variant embodiment, sides are provided made of flexible film and welded to the walls 4, 6.

The package 1 further comprises a spout assembly 10, typically made in one piece of plastic material by injection molding. The spout assembly 10 has an internal spout duct 12 extending from a lower end 14a, intended to be contained in the pouch 2, to an upper end 14b in which is found a mouth 16 for dispensing product along a spout axis X.

The spout assembly 10 comprises a connection portion 20, referred to as a “weld boat,” intended to be hermetically applied to the pouch 2, between the top edges of the walls 4, 6, for example, by welding. The connection portion 20 is axially delimited by a first plate 22 orthogonal to the spout axis X.

A second plate 24 of the spout assembly 10, also orthogonal to the spout axis X, is spaced axially from the first plate 22. The second plate 24 has two opposing straight edges 25′, 25″, connected by two leading edges 26′, 26″, which are, for example, arched.

The spout assembly 10 further comprises a spout extending axially from the second plate 24 and ending with the mouth 16.

The spout assembly 10 further comprises an engagement plate 26a-26e, which is orthogonal to the spout axis X and projecting radially outward from the outer side surface of the spout 30. The projection of the engagement plate template 26a-26e along the spout axis X onto the second plate 24 is entirely contained within said second plate 24, so as not to interfere with the movement of the packages along the filling lines.

In an imaginary plane orthogonal to the spout axis X, said engagement plate 26a-26e has a cross section having various shapes (FIG. 4a through 4e): cylindrical circular crown shape; cylindrical circular crown chamfered by straight portions at the straight edges 25′, 25″ of the second plate 24; grooved with arched edges; grooved with straight edges; cylindrical circular crown chamfered by mixed straight and arched segments.

Between the engagement plate 26a-26e and the second plate 24, a ring seat 100 is obtained, which is discussed below.

The package 1 further comprises a closure 40 applicable to the spout assembly 10.

According to a preferred embodiment, the closure 40 comprises a cap assembly 42 and an over-cap 44, which are made separately and joined together.

The cap assembly 42 comprises a cap 46, having a central cap axis Y and comprising an annular, internally threaded cap wall 48, a cap base 50 which closes the cap wall 48 at one end, and a cap flange 52, radially projecting externally from the cap wall 48, on the other end.

The cap assembly 42 further comprises a guarantee seal 54 comprising a guarantee ring 56, a guarantee band 58, and a plurality of breakable bridges 60 joining the guarantee ring 56 to the guarantee band 58 and the guarantee band 58 to the cap flange 52.

The guarantee band 58, which extends between an initial portion 58a and an end portion 58b, is wound about the cap axis Y in a circumferential pattern, whereby, in an unbroken seal configuration, the initial portion 58a is circumferentially opposite the end portion 58b and spaced apart therefrom.

The guarantee band 58 is also superimposed on the guarantee ring 56, from which it is axially separated by a first separation line 62, along which some bridges 60 are arranged; the cap flange 52 is in turn axially superimposed on the guarantee band 58, from which it is axially separated by a second separation line 64, along which some bridges 60 are arranged.

The guarantee seal 54 further comprises a first attachment portion 66, which is more resistant than the bridges 60 and joins the guarantee band 58, and in particular the initial portion 58a thereof, to the guarantee ring 56. The guarantee seal 54 further comprises a second attachment portion 68, which is more resistant than the bridges 60 and joins the guarantee band 58, and in particular the end portion 58b thereof, to the cap flange 52.

Moreover, according to an embodiment, the guarantee seal 54 comprises a predominantly circumferentially extending breakable segment 70, which joins the initial portion 58a of the band 58 with the end portion 58b.

Preferably, the breakable segment 70 is configured to encounter a preferential breakage at the initial portion 58a, whereby the part remaining after the first opening remains attached to the end portion 58b (FIGS. 7a and 7b). To this end, the breakable segment 70 has a cross section with decreasing resistance from the end portion 58b to the initial portion 58a.

Preferably, moreover, the bridges 60 are configured to preferentially break at the guarantee band 58, whereby any residual protrusions remaining after the first opening remain attached to the guarantee ring 56 or cap flange 52, leaving the guarantee band 58 free of protrusions (FIGS. 7a and 7c).

For this purpose, the bridges 60 have a cross section with decreasing resistance from the guarantee band 58 toward the guarantee ring 56 or toward the cap flange 52, whereby, at the guarantee ring 56 or the cap flange 52, the cross section is small and particularly weak.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first separation line 62 has a fret (FIG. 8a through 8d) or wavy circumferential pattern (FIG. 9a through 9d), whereby the guarantee band 58 and the guarantee ring 56 interpenetrate axially, forming reliefs and respective indents.

For example, the guarantee band 58 has at least one axial relief 80, which corresponds to the respective axial indent 82 of the guarantee ring 56; according to a further example, the guarantee ring 56 has at least one axial relief 84 which corresponds to the respective axial indent 86 of the guarantee band 58.

Advantageously, when the closure 40 is first screwed to the spout assembly 10, the reliefs 80 of the guarantee band 58 thrust on the reliefs 84 of the guarantee ring 56, which act as circumferential abutments, dragging the guarantee ring 56 in rotation, thus avoiding the breakage of the bridges 60 between the guarantee band 58 and the guarantee ring 56.

According to an embodiment, the over-cap 44, preferably made of plastic material in one piece, for example by injection molding, comprises a shell 90 integral with the cap 46, for example so that it covers, at least partially, the outer surface of the cap wall 48.

The over-cap 44 further comprises an annular handle 92, radially spaced externally from the shell 90, and spokes 94 that make the handle 92 integral with the shell 90.

The handle 92 has a handle opening 94 at the top, i.e., on the side of the cap base 50, delimited by an opening edge 96 that surmounts the cap base 50 and is arranged axially spaced therefrom. On the other hand, the handle 92 has a lower perimeter edge 98 substantially coplanar with the lower edge of the cap wall 48, below which the cap flange 52 is located.

According to a variant embodiment, the closure 40 is made of plastic material in a single piece, for example by injection molding. In said variant, the shell is integrated with the cap.

Having applied the closure 40 to the spout assembly 10 (FIG. 10) by screwing the cap 46 to the spout 30, the guarantee ring 56 is at least partially received in the ring seat 100, which is impossible to be pulled out axially without damaging it. The guarantee band 58, on the other hand, is located outside of the ring seat 100, above the engagement plate 26a-26e.

In one embodiment, the guarantee ring 56 is freely rotatable in the ring seat 100; according to a further embodiment, locking means are provided to prevent or limit the free rotation of the guarantee ring 56 in the ring seat 100.

Upon unscrewing the closure 40 from the spout 30, the breakable segment 70 breaks, as do the bridges 60, so that after unscrewing, the guarantee band 58 takes the form of a strap 58′, connected to the guarantee ring 56 by the first attachment portion 66 and to the cap 46, and in particular to the cap flange 52, by the second attachment portion 68 (FIG. 1a through 1d). The closure 40, although unscrewed from the spout 30, thus remains connected to the spout assembly 10 (open configuration).

The guarantee band 58 is configured whereby in the open configuration, the handle 92 may be sufficiently far from the spout 30 so as to be able to place a user's fingers on the extended guarantee band 58, between the spout 30 and the handle 92, whereby the handle 92 is not in the way when using the spout (FIGS. 11 and 12).

In particular, the guarantee band 58, when the package is in a use configuration in which it is substantially taut and straight, has a length such that the end portion 58b, to which the cap 46, and in particular the cap flange 52, is attached, is below the connection portion 20 of the spout assembly 10 (FIGS. 13 and 14). Because the end portion 58b is deformable, the handle 92 may be easily rotated and positioned out of the way.

Moreover, the attachment of the guarantee band 58 to the guarantee ring 56 and the cap 46 is configured whereby if the cap is pulled so that it causes a breakage and separation from the spout assembly, such breakage preferably occurs at the attachment between the guarantee band 58 and the guarantee ring 56.

To this end, the resistant cross section of the first attachment portion 66 is smaller than the resistant cross section of the second attachment portion 68 and the resistant cross section of the guarantee band 58 so as to cause preferential breakage in said region (FIGS. 15 and 16).

Innovatively, the closure according to the present invention achieves the aforementioned object, in that it meets the industry requirement of being provided with a guarantee seal, while at the same time allowing the cap and handle to remain fastened to the spout assembly even after the package has been opened and allowing the spout to be used without the cap or handle being in the way.

Advantageously, the closure assembly is equipped with a guarantee seal, the broken condition of which is particularly apparent.

Advantageously, the guarantee seal of the present invention allows the user to evaluate the condition of the closure assembly. In particular, the breakable segment allows the user to easily determine whether the closure assembly has been even partially opened.

Advantageously, the breakable segment is another visible sign that determines whether the guarantee seal has been breached.

Advantageously, the breakable segment increases the resistance of the guarantee seal, avoiding the accidental breakage of said seal and the resulting opening of the closure assembly, compromising its conformity.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy current needs, could make modifications to the closure described above, said modifications all being contained within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A closure assembly for a package with a flexible thin-walled pouch for containing fruit juices and puree, yoghurt, energy drinks, comprising: a spout assembly comprising a connection portion, suitable for being hermetically applied to the flexible thin-walled pouch, and a threaded spout, externally provided with a ring seat;a closure comprising a cap assembly comprising: a cap screwable to the threaded spout; anda guarantee seal to highlight first opening of the closure, comprising: a guarantee ring at least partially received in the ring seat of the threaded spout;a guarantee band which, in an unbroken seal configuration, axially overlaps the guarantee ring, separated from the guarantee ring by a first separation line and from the cap by a second separation line;a plurality of breakable bridges which, in the unbroken seal configuration, join the guarantee ring to the guarantee band and the guarantee band to the cap; anda first attachment portion, more resistant than the breakable bridge, which joins the guarantee band to the guarantee ring and a second attachment portion, more resistant than the breakable bridges, which joins the guarantee band to the cap;wherein, in an open configuration of the closure in which the cap is unscrewed and the bridges are broken, the guarantee band forms a strap that keeps the cap fastened to the guarantee ring;the guarantee band having a length such that, in a use configuration in which the guarantee band is stretched, the second attachment portion is axially arranged below the connection portion of the spout assembly;wherein the guarantee band extends between an initial portion and an end portion, and, in the unbroken seal configuration, the initial portion is circumferentially adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the end portion; andwherein the guarantee seal comprises a predominantly circumferentially extending breakable segment joining the initial portion of the guarantee band with the end portion, wherein, in the open configuration, the breakable segment is broken.

2. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion is at the initial portion and the second attachment portion is at the end portion.

3. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the breakable segment is sized so as to undergo a preferential break at the initial portion.

4. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the breakable bridges are sized so as to undergo a preferential break at the guarantee band.

5. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the first separation line has a fret or wavy circumferential pattern, so as to form at least one relief of the guarantee band which, in a first screwing configuration, thrusts on a respective relief of the guarantee ring, dragging the guarantee ring in rotation.

6. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the guarantee ring is freely rotatable in the ring seat.

7. The closure assembly of claim 1, comprising locking elements that prevent or limit free rotation of the guarantee ring in the ring seat.

8. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion is sized so that, if the cap is pulled so as to cause a breakage and a separation from the spout assembly, the breakage occurs at the first attachment portion.

9. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises an over-cap comprising a shell integral with the cap and an annular handle, spaced radially externally from the shell, and spokes that make the annular handle integral with the shell.

10. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring seat is delimited by a second plate and by an engagement plate, whereby a projection of the shape of the engagement plate along a spout axis on the second plate is entirely contained in the second plate.

11. A package comprising: a thin-walled flexible pouch; anda closure assembly for a package with a flexible thin-walled pouch for containing fruit juices and puree, yoghurt, and energy drinks, comprising: a spout assembly comprising a connection portion, suitable for being hermetically applied to the flexible thin-walled pouch, and a threaded spout, externally provided with a ring seat;a closure comprising a cap assembly comprising: a cap screwable to the threaded spout; anda guarantee seal to highlight first opening of the closure, comprising: a guarantee ring at least partially received in the ring seat of the threaded spout;a guarantee band which, in an unbroken seal configuration, axially overlaps the guarantee ring, separated from the guarantee ring by a first separation line and from the cap by a second separation line:a plurality of breakable bridges which, in the unbroken seal configuration, join the guarantee ring to the guarantee band and the guarantee band to the cap; anda first attachment portion, more resistant than the breakable bridges, which joins the guarantee band to the guarantee ring and a second attachment portion, more resistant than the breakable bridges, which joins the guarantee band to the cap;wherein, in an open configuration of the closure in which the cap is unscrewed and the bridges are broken, the guarantee band forms a strap that keeps the cap fastened to the guarantee ring;the guarantee band having a length such that, in a use configuration in which the guarantee band is stretched, the second attachment portion is axially arranged below the connection portion of the spout assembly;wherein the guarantee band extends between an initial portion and an end portion, and, in the unbroken seal configuration, the initial portion is circumferentially adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the end portion; andwherein the guarantee seal comprises a predominantly circumferentially extending breakable segment joining the initial portion of the guarantee band with the end portion, wherein, in the open configuration, the breakable segment is broken,wherein the spout assembly of the closure assembly is hermetically applied to the thin-walled flexible pouch.