The present disclosure relates to liquid product packaging improvements and more specifically to improvements in liquid product packaging caps with opening plugs.
This application claims the benefit of Greek Patent Application GR20170100185 filed 20 Apr. 2017 and Greek Patent Application GR20180100086 filed 5 Mar. 2018.
BACKGROUND
Opening plugs are used in packaging for: food, beverages, soft drinks, juices, but also chemical cleaners, drugs, oils, lubricants and other products. Opening plugs are used to open packaging.
Liquid product packaging is made of various plastic materials or metal alloys such as aluminium, iron, tin, bronze, etc.
Liquid product packaging remains for a long time exposed to pollutants and germs from the packaging of the product to its consumption by the end user, resulting in an increased risk of user exposure to pollutants and contaminants.
The reason why the user may be exposed to pollutants and contaminants from the packaging of liquid products is because it has three key flaws:
1) The user presses the metal opening plug downward to open the packaging of liquid products. The metal opening plug enters the interior of the product packaging, polluting and contaminating the liquid content because the outer surface of the liquid product packaging of the metal plug is exposed to pollutants, germs, insect and rodent dirt.
2) As the liquid product packaging is leaned at an angle by the user to consume its liquid content, the liquid content flows to the outer walls of the liquid product packaging, resulting in being polluted or contaminated by dirt (dust, soil etc.) or adsorbed pollutants which may have toxic and residual exhaust gases and other air pollutants as well as contaminants such as insect, rodent, cockroach, etc. residues.
3) In liquid product packaging where the user drinks directly from the packaging without pouring the liquid into a glass, he/she necessarily touches the outer casing of the liquid product packaging with his/her lips, leading to the dirt and germs in his/her mouth being directly transferred, not only from the metal opening plug which has already been tapped into the liquid content and not only by the flow of liquid in the cap of the liquid product packaging, but also by the outer casing of the liquid product packaging as the user is forced to put his/her lips on the outer walls of the liquid product packaging, as he/she would on a regular glass.
In one prior solution, the metal opening cap is removed from the liquid product packaging, to prevent the metal opening plug from entering into the liquid product packaging, polluting and contaminating the liquid content, but the other drawbacks persist.
The prior solution of removing the metal plug also had the following drawbacks:
A. By completely removing the metal plug, users used to discard it, resulting in environmental pollution.
B. The removable metal plug was small and often sharp and was thus potentially dangerous, as it could injure someone by cutting his/her fingers or lips.
C. By removing the metal plug and due to the time it usually takes from the opening of the liquid product packaging to the consumption of the liquid content, the users had already discarded the metal plug in the waste. The user does not recognize the recycling value of such a small volume of material and he/she is used to discarding the removable metal plug and recycling only the packaging of the product.
D. In the event that the user removes the metal opening plug to place the drinking straw, the drinking straw stops being stable when it rises to the liquid level (due to the buoyancy of the plastic in the liquid content) and is positioned at a large inclination oscillating with respect to the packaging. It takes the user more concentration and more time to put the drinking straw in his/her mouth.
SUMMARY
In a first aspect, a liquid product packaging cap is proposed. The liquid product packaging cap comprises a fixed portion and a metal opening plug attached to the fixed portion. The metal opening plug has a sharp circumferential edge guard, a strengthening rib, a traction ring-opening plug retaining pin, a traction ring attached to the retaining pin, a primary folding line to drive an opening plug bending and a first part of a male-female type fitting. The fixed portion has a packaging cap strengthening rib, a frangible line partially encircling the metal opening plug, a folding line to drive an opening plug folding, a second part of the male-female type fitting and a dispensing gland that is releasable from inside the liquid product packaging of the product by opening the metal opening plug. The dispensing gland is internally secured in the packaging, sterilised and, in use, it prevents the liquid content from being in contact with the external surface of the liquid product packaging.
The proposed invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and creates a safe way to remove the liquid content from the packaging without the user being at risk of exposure to polluting and contaminating agents.
The user applies force to the traction ring attached to the metal plug through the retaining pin. A portion of the metal plug is bent slightly into the interior of the liquid product packaging to aid in cutting the opening plug off and opening the metal opening plug from the liquid product packaging cap. Due to the distance of the metal plug from the level of the liquid content and because of the dispenser gland that is internally fixed, the metal opening plug does not touch the liquid content. With a second movement by the user, the metal opening plug wraps over the liquid product packaging cap, so that the liquid content is not polluted.
The metal opening plug, when folded into the packaging cap, is secured on the surface (through the pressure applied by the user) with a male-female type fitting through which the metal opening plug is held on the cap of the liquid product packaging.
The metal opening plug after its removal and its opening in the cap of the liquid product packaging has a sharp circumferential edge. In order to protect the user, a membrane has been placed circumferentially to the opening plug in the liquid product packaging. This membrane is shaped and attached in the packaging and around the opening plug so as to have the tendency to spring out (due to the pre-existing bending stress) and to cover the sharp circumferential edge of the metal opening plug, thereby protecting the user.
With the opening of the metal opening plug, the dispensing gland, which is internally secured in the packaging is sterilised and prevents the liquid content from entering into contact with the cap of the liquid product packaging, which has been in contact with pollutants and contaminants, as it is exposed to the environment.
The user, by putting his lips only at the sterilised dispensing gland and not on the outer casing of the packaging of the liquid product packaging avoids contact with polluting and contaminating agents.
The packaging is discarded for recycling along with the metal opening plug, as the latter is not removed from it. This has the benefit of protecting the environment and the packaging industry, by recycling the packaging of liquid products.
The dispensing gland is made of various materials, metal, plastic, silicone, rubber, paper, resin, etc. and any other material that has the property of storing mechanical energy through elastic deformation and that does not affect and is not affected by the liquid content of the liquid product packaging.
The dispensing gland is shaped and attached in the packaging so that it has the tendency to spring out once the metal opening plug opens (due to the pre-existing bending stress) and to remain in a vertical position (with respect to the liquid product packaging cap packaging).
In some examples, a protection mesh is integrated into or attached to the dispensing gland, which is an integral part of the latter.
This protection mesh is embedded or fixed to the dispensing gland, opens together with the gland and when the gland springs out of the packaging, the protection mesh closes the opening in the packaging after it is opened by the user.
By adding the protection mesh to the dispensing gland, the entry of an object or insect is prevented since the protection mesh prevents entry of anything larger than its gaps, as does a common protective filter in any other application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1A to 1G schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to a first example.
FIGS. 2A to 2H schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to a second example.
FIGS. 3A to 3G schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to a third example.
FIGS. 4A to 4G schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to a fourth example.
FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a detail of the liquid product packaging cap of FIGS. 1A to 1G in an opened state.
FIG. 6 shows the liquid product packaging cap of FIGS. 4A to 4G, in a closed state.
FIG. 7 presents a side view of the mode of consumption of various liquid packaging products according to examples.
FIGS. 8A to 8H schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to a fifth example.
FIGS. 9A and 9B shows in detail an additional protection mesh support accessory.
FIG. 10 shows in detail an additional dispensing gland support accessory.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES
FIGS. 1A to 1G schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to an example. In FIGS. 1A to 1G the liquid product packaging cap (101) comprises a metal opening plug (102), a dispensing gland (103), a sharp circumferential edge guard (104) for the opening plug, a packaging cap strengthening rib (105), a frangible line (106) to cut the opening plug, an opening plug strengthening rib (107), a traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (108), a traction ring (109), a primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (110), a folding line (111) to drive an opening plug folding, a male-female type fitting (112).
FIG. 1A shows the liquid product packaging cap (101) as produced by the factory and ready for use.
FIG. 1B shows the first operation phase by the user. The user applies force to the traction ring (109) attached to the metal plug (102) through the traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (108). A portion of the metal plug (102) is bent slightly into the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (110) to the interior of the liquid product packaging to aid in cutting the opening plug (107) off and open the metal opening plug (102) from the liquid product packaging cap (101).
FIG. 1C shows the second operation phase by the user. The user pulls the traction ring (109) and the metal opening cap (102) is cut off circumferentially over the entire length of the frangible line (106) of the opening plug and remains attached to the secondary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (111). At the same time, the dispensing gland (103) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (101).
FIG. 1D shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. The dispensing gland (103) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (101).
FIG. 1E shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. Cutting has been completed across the frangible line (106) of the opening plug. The user has completed pulling the traction ring (109) and is removing his finger from the traction ring (109). The dispensing gland (103) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory.
FIG. 1F shows the third operation phase by the user. The user applies pressure to the metal opening plug (102) thereby eliminating the elastic recovery tendencies of both the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (110) and a secondary folding line (111) to drive the opening plug bending, creating a plastic deformation on the metal opening plug (2) resulting in both lines (110) and (111) remaining parallel to the liquid product packaging cap (101).
FIG. 1G shows that at the same time as the above process, the metal opening plug is held onto the cap of the liquid product packaging (through the pressure applied by the user) using a male/female type accessory (112). The dispensing gland (103) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory and the user can consume the contents of the packaging in a safe manner.
FIGS. 2A to 2H schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to another example. In FIGS. 2A to 2H the liquid product packaging cap (201) comprises a metal opening plug (202), a dispensing gland (203), a sharp circumferential edge guard for the opening plug (204), a packaging cap strengthening rib (205), a frangible line (206) to cut the opening plug, an opening plug strengthening rib (207), a traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (208), a traction ring (209), a primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (210), a secondary folding line to drive the opening plug folding line (211), a male-female type fitting (212), a traction ring joint (214).
FIG. 2A shows the liquid product packaging cap (201) as produced by the factory and ready for use.
FIG. 2B shows the first operation phase by the user. The user applies force to the traction ring (209) attached to the metal plug (202) through the traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (208). A portion of the metal plug (202) is bent slightly into the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (210) to the interior of the liquid product packaging to aid in cutting the opening plug off and open the metal opening plug (202) from the liquid product packaging cap (201).
FIG. 2C shows the second operation phase by the user. The user pulls the traction ring (209) and the metal opening cap (202) is cut off circumferentially over the entire length of the frangible line (206) of the opening plug and remains attached to the secondary folding line to drive the opening plug folding line (211). At the same time, the dispensing gland (203) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (201).
FIG. 2D shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. The dispensing gland (203) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (201).
FIG. 2E shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. Cutting has been completed across the frangible line surface for the opening plug (206). The user has completed pulling the traction ring (209) and is removing his finger from the traction ring (209). The dispensing gland (203) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory.
FIG. 2F shows the third operation phase by the user. The user applies pressure to the metal opening plug (202) thereby eliminating the elastic recovery tendencies of both the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (210) and the secondary folding line to drive the opening plug folding line (211), creating a plastic deformation on the metal opening plug (202) resulting in both lines (210) and (211) remaining parallel to the liquid product packaging cap (201).
FIG. 2G shows that at the same time as the above process, the metal opening plug is held onto the cap of the liquid product packaging (through the pressure applied by the user) using a male/female type accessory (212).
FIG. 2H shows the traction ring (209) being bent at the traction ring joint (214) through the pressure on the traction ring (209) applied by the user. The dispensing gland (203) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory and the user can consume the contents of the packaging in a safe manner.
FIGS. 3A to 3G schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to yet another example. In FIGS. 3A to 3G the liquid product packaging cap (301), a metal opening plug (302), a dispensing gland (303), a sharp circumferential edge guard for the opening plug (304), a packaging cap strengthening rib (305), a frangible line (306) to cut the opening plug, an opening plug strengthening rib (307), a traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (308), a traction ring (309), a primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (310), a folding line (311) to drive the opening plug bending, a male-female type fitting (312), a storage cavity (313), a traction ring joint (314). The traction ring (309) is articulated and consists of two parts one of which is fixed to the opening plug (304) by means of the traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (308), thereby exerting force by means of a lever to assist in guiding the opening plug frangible line (306) to detach the metal opening plug (302) from the liquid product packaging cap (301). In this case, a storage cavity (313) for the traction ring (309) is formed in the liquid product packaging cap (301).
FIG. 3A shows the liquid product packaging cap (301) as produced by the factory and ready for use.
FIG. 3B shows the first operation phase by the user. The user applies force to the traction ring (309) attached to the metal plug (302) through the traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (308). A portion of the metal plug (302) is bent slightly into the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (310) to the interior of the liquid product packaging to aid in cutting the opening plug off and open the metal opening plug (302) from the liquid product packaging cap (301).
FIG. 3C shows the second operation phase by the user. The user pulls the traction ring (309) and the metal opening cap (302) is cut off circumferentially over the entire length of the frangible line (306) of the opening plug and remains attached to the folding line (311) to drive the opening plug bending. At the same time, the dispensing gland (303) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (301).
FIG. 3D shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. The dispensing gland (303) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (301).
FIG. 3E shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. Cutting has been completed across the frangible line (206) of the opening plug. The user has completed pulling the traction ring (309) and is removing his finger from the traction ring (309). The dispensing gland (303) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory.
FIG. 3F shows the third operation phase by the user. The user applies pressure to the metal opening plug (302) thereby eliminating the elastic recovery tendencies of both the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (310) and the folding line (311) to drive the opening plug bending, creating a plastic deformation on the metal opening plug (302) resulting in both bending lines (310) and (311) remaining parallel to the liquid product packaging cap (301).
FIG. 3G shows that the traction ring (309) is partially placed inside the storage cavity (313). At the same time as the above process, the metal opening plug (302) is held onto the cap of the liquid product packaging (301) (through the pressure applied by the user) using a male/female type accessory (312). The dispensing gland (303) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory and the user can consume the contents of the packaging in a safe manner. In the present invention, it is not necessary for the user to neutralise the elastic recovery tendencies of the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (310).
FIGS. 4A to 4G schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to yet another example. In FIGS. 4A to 4G, the liquid product packaging cap (401), a metal opening plug (402), a dispensing gland (403), a sharp circumferential edge guard for the opening plug (404), a packaging cap strengthening rib (405), a frangible line (206) to cut the opening plug, an opening plug strengthening rib (407), a traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (408), a traction ring (409), a primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (410), a folding line (411) to drive the opening plug bending, a male-female type fitting (412), a storage cavity (413), a traction ring joint (414), a retaining loop of the traction ring of the opening plug (415), a storage cavity for the retaining loop of the traction ring of the opening plug (416).
FIG. 4A shows the liquid product packaging cap (401) as produced by the factory and ready for use.
FIG. 4B shows the first operation phase by the user. The user applies force to the traction ring (409) attached to the metal plug (402) through the retaining loop of the traction ring of the opening plug (415). A portion of the metal plug (402) is bent slightly into the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (410) to the interior of the liquid product packaging to aid in cutting the opening plug off and open the metal opening plug (402) from the liquid product packaging cap (401).
FIG. 4C shows the second operation phase by the user. The user pulls the traction ring (409) and the metal opening cap (402) is cut off circumferentially over the entire length of the frangible line (406) of the opening plug and remains attached to the folding line (411) to drive the opening plug bending. At the same time, the dispensing gland (403) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (401).
FIG. 4D shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. The dispensing gland (403) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (401).
FIG. 4E shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. Cutting has been completed across the frangible line (406) of the opening plug. The user has completed pulling the traction ring (409) and is removing his finger from the traction ring (409). The dispensing gland (403) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory.
FIG. 4F shows the third operation phase by the user. The user applies pressure to the metal opening plug (402) thereby eliminating the elastic recovery tendencies of both the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (410) and the folding line (411) to drive the opening plug bending, creating a plastic deformation on the metal opening plug (402) resulting in both bending lines (410) and (411) remaining parallel to the liquid product packaging cap (401).
FIG. 4G shows that the retaining loop of the traction ring of the opening plug (15) is placed inside the storage cavity for the retaining loop of the traction ring of the opening plug (416). At the same time as the above process, the metal opening plug (402) is held onto the cap of the liquid product packaging (401) (through the pressure applied by the user) using a male/female type accessory (412). The dispensing gland (403) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory and the user can consume the contents of the packaging in a safe manner. In the present invention, it is not necessary for the user to neutralise the elastic recovery tendencies of the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (410).
FIG. 5 shows in detail the sharp circumferential edge guard for the opening plug (104) initially located at the underside of the liquid product packaging cap (101), as the metal opening plug (102) has been cut and detached from the liquid product packaging cap (101), having obtained a sharp circumferential edge. The sharp circumferential edge guard for the opening plug (104), due to the existing bending stresses, overlaps the sharp circumferential edge of the metal opening plug, thus protecting the user.
FIG. 6 shows the liquid product packaging cap (401) described in FIG. 4, as produced by the factory and ready for use.
FIG. 7 presents a side view of the mode of consumption of various liquid packaging products according to examples using the dispensing gland and is used for understanding purposes.
FIGS. 8A to 8H schematically illustrate various states of a liquid product packaging cap, according to a fifth example. In FIGS. 8A to 8H, the liquid product packaging cap (801) comprises a metal opening plug (802), a dispensing gland (803), a sharp circumferential edge guard for the opening plug (804), a packaging cap strengthening rib (805), a frangible line (806) to cut the opening plug, an opening plug strengthening rib (807), a traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (808), a traction ring (809), a folding line (810), to drive the opening plug bending a folding line (811) to drive the opening plug bending, a male-female type fitting (812), a protection mesh (813), a preselected pre-cut area for the protective mesh (814).
FIG. 8A shows the liquid product packaging cap (801) as produced by the factory and ready for use.
FIG. 8B shows the first operation phase by the user. The user applies force to the traction ring (809) attached to the metal plug (802) through the traction ring-opening plug retaining pin (808). A portion of the metal plug (802) is bent slightly into the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (810) to the interior of the liquid product packaging to aid in cutting the opening plug (807) off and open the metal opening plug (802) from the liquid product packaging cap (801).
FIG. 8C shows the second operation phase by the user. The user pulls the traction ring (809) and the metal opening cap (802) is cut off circumferentially over the entire length of the frangible line (806) of the opening plug and remains attached to the folding line (811) to drive the opening plug bending. At the same time, the dispensing gland (803) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (801).
FIG. 8D shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. The dispensing gland (803) is ready to be released and spring out from the liquid product packaging cap (801).
FIG. 8E shows the interval between the second and third operation phases by the user. Used for understanding purposes. Cutting has been completed across the frangible line (806) of the opening plug. The user has completed pulling the traction ring (809) and is removing his finger from the traction ring (809). The dispensing gland (803) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory. Below the dispensing gland (803) a protection mesh (814) is integrated, forming an integral part of the dispensing gland (803). The protection mesh (814) is drawn by the dispensing gland (803) and moves with it. The protection mesh (814) in its final position fits fully into the opening in the packaging after it is opened by the user and allows the flow of liquid products out of the packaging, while preventing the entry of insects or objects into the packaging.
FIG. 8F shows the third operation phase by the user. The user applies pressure to the metal opening plug (802) thereby eliminating the elastic recovery tendencies of both the primary folding line to drive the opening plug bending (810) and the folding line (811) to drive the opening plug bending, creating a plastic deformation on the metal opening plug (802) resulting in both bending lines (810) and (811) remaining parallel to the liquid product packaging cap (801).
FIG. 8G shows that at the same time as the above process, the metal opening plug is held onto the cap of the liquid product packaging (through the pressure applied by the user) using a male/female type accessory (812). The dispensing gland (803) is fully released and has followed a 90-degree trajectory and the user can consume the contents of the packaging in a safe manner.
FIG. 8H shows the preselected pre-cut area for the protective mesh (814) which has been pierced and the user has placed the drinking straw.
FIG. 9 shows in detail an additional protection mesh support accessory (915).
FIG. 10 shows in detail the additional dispensing gland support accessory (1016). The protection mesh, apart from the gaps it has to prevent insects or objects from entering, has a pre-selected pre-cut area to allow the user to insert a standard sized drinking straw into the packaging.
In this case, the user applies the drinking straw to the protection mesh (813) and the latter is cut at the pre-cut points (which are preselected for this purpose by design), the drinking straw passes through the protection mesh (813) and enters in the packaging.
The preselected pre-cut area for the protective mesh (814) with the pre-cut has a slightly smaller diameter than the drinking straw, which when inserted into the former, is stabilized by the clamping fit. The clamping fit is necessary so that the drinking straw does not rise (due to the buoyancy of the plastic in the liquid content) and make it difficult for the user to place the drinking straw in his mouth.
In an alternative view, an additional dispensing gland support accessory (1016) is incorporated or secured on the back of the dispensing gland (803) to assist in the dispensing gland opening (803).
The additional dispensing gland support accessory (1016) is made of metal or plastic, and any other material having sufficient elastic recovery, with which it draws and ultimately helps the dispensing gland (803) to exit the packaging.
In an alternative view, an additional protection mesh support accessory (915) has been incorporated to assist the opening of the protection mesh (813) and therefore, the dispensing gland drawn by the protection mesh.
The additional protection mesh support accessory (915) is made of metal or plastic or any other material that has an elastic recovery.
The additional protection mesh support accessory (915) assists the protective mesh (813) to cover the hole opening and hence the dispensing gland to be drawn out of the packaging.
The additional protection mesh support accessory (915) exerts a force on the protection mesh (813) and the protection mesh (813) exerts force in turn to the dispensing gland draw out of the packaging.
Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow. If reference signs related to drawings are placed in parentheses in a claim, they are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim.
Patent Application
20200130888
