Pouring Element and Composite Package With Improved Opening Behaviour

Abstract

Please replace the Abstract at page 19 with the following replacement paragraph: Illustrated and described is a pouring element for a composite package, including a main body with a flange, a hollow cylindrical spout, which defines a central axis, and a closure part formed in the spout, which runs substantially orthogonal to the central axis, with a central region and a weakening zone running in a ring-shaped manner around the central region, wherein a conical ring-shaped intermediate region is formed between the weakening zone and central region,a hollow cylindrical cutting element movably guided in the spout with at least one cutting tooth for severing the weakening zone to open the spout and composite package,a reclosable screw cap, which serves to drive the cutting element when the composite package is opened for the first time.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a pouring element for a composite package, comprising:

• • a main body with a flange, a hollow cylindrical spout which defines a central axis, and a closure part formed in the spout, which runs substantially orthogonal to the central axis, with a central region and a weakening zone running in a ring-shaped manner around the central region, wherein a conical ring-shaped intermediate region is formed between the weakening zone and the central region,
  • a hollow cylindrical cutting element movably guided in the spout with at least one cutting tooth for severing the weakening zone to open the spout and composite package,
  • a reclosable screw cap which is used to drive the cutting element when the composite package is opened for the first time.

Description of Related Art

Such pouring elements are integrated as part of the gable of the composite package for simplified handling during pouring and the possibility of reclosing composite packages. This type of pouring element is, for example, shown in the EP-A-2 627 569 from the applicant. The hollow cylindrical cutting element opens the main body and therefore the previously gas-tight package for the first time and thus forms a dispensing opening, wherein the screw cap allows the now open composite package to be reclosed. The cutting element, which is movably guided in the spout, is provided with force transmission elements and is thereby driven by corresponding force transmission elements on the cap. During the first opening process, the cutting element approaches the closure part and after the first contact of the two elements, the cutting tooth of the cutting element separates the closure part approximately in the region of the weakening zone. The movement path that the cutting element travels corresponds to the ring-shaped weakening zone.

The opening process can be divided into the following sections, for example. The approach of the cutting element mentioned above can also be omitted if the two elements already touch in the assembled state. The cutting element then moves through the closure part and separates it with the cutting tooth along a cutting line. This separation process is a combination of separation, plastic deformation and material displacement, wherein a uniform and controlled application of the forces is advantageous. As soon as a large part of the circumference has been separated, the cutting element starts to fold the closure part to the side and thus release the spout for the content. Folding away is carried out with the aid of the remaining piece of the weakening zone, which has not been separated, as a pivot axis, wherein first the cutting tooth and then the outer side of the cutting element exert force on the closure part during the course of folding away and thus press it to the side. After the pouring element has been completely opened, the closure part is approximately parallel to the central axis Z along the outer wall of the screwed-in cutting element.

Pouring elements with such a closure part are mainly, but not exclusively, used in aseptic packages. In this case, previously sterilised foodstuffs are packaged under aseptic conditions in similarly sterilised packaging materials in order then to obtain so-called aseptic packages. Apart from the question of aseptics, there are various types of composite packages into which a pouring element according to the invention can be integrated.

In a first manner, the pouring element is an integral part of the composite package, which is introduced during the manufacturing process of the same. For this purpose, cut-outs of composite material, which are initially shaped into package sleeves by sealing the longitudinal seam, are usually firstly connected to the pouring element in a so-called “form fill and seal” packaging machine (FFS). These semi-shaped products, which are open on one side, are then filled with the product and sealed thereafter. The first step can be provided in different ways: For example, the flange can be connected to one side of the package sleeve by a further plastic element, which is injection-moulded directly in the packaging machine. The flange can also be welded directly to the package sleeve or even adhered to it without using an additional plastic element. In this case, the flange can be designed either the same size as the opening of the package sleeve or smaller in order to save plastic. In the case of a smaller flange, the surfaces of the package sleeve must be folded together and then placed on and welded with the flange. Preferably, such a composite package then has polyhedral gable surfaces which are correspondingly connected to the polyhedral flange of the pouring element, wherein the polyhedral flange substantially corresponds to a pyramid stump.

In a second manner, an initially completely sealed composite package is manufactured, wherein a punched hole is present in the composite package, usually in the gable region, into which a pouring element is introduced. The pouring element is usually inserted by welding the flange to at least one layer of the composite material, but alternatively these parts can also be adhered. This second type of composite package is also characterised in particular in that the insertion of the pouring element can be independent of the manufacture of the composite package. The production of the hole and also the insertion of the pouring element can therefore take place before, during or after the manufacture of the composite package itself. Both steps are preferred before manufacture in order not to make the packaging machines themselves unnecessarily complicated. This arrangement of the production steps also represents the simplest possibility of inserting the pouring element into the punched hole from the inside. Such a composite package is normally manufactured in one of two types of packaging machines. In this first alternative, an endless web of sterilised composite material is shaped into a tube and sealed, after which it is filled with the similarly sterilised product and sealed and cut at equal distances transversely thereto. The resulting “package pads” are then formed along the pre-folded edges into parallelepipedic packages. The sealing seam formed during transverse sealing in the gable region is usually referred to as a gable seam. The second alternative uses blanks of composite material, which are first shaped into package sleeves by sealing the longitudinal seam and then shaped on mandrels into package bodies open on one side, then sterilised, filled and lastly sealed and finally shaped. In this case, the gable region can be designed differently, such as for example as a parallel surface to the base surface (flat gable package), as a surface formed at least partially at an angle to the base surface (slanted gable package) or also as a saddle roof with two opposing, slanted surfaces (‘gable top’ package).

The precise layer structure of the composite material can vary depending on requirements, but at least consists of a carrier layer of cardboard and cover layers of plastic. In addition, a barrier layer (for example, aluminium (Al), polyamide (PA) or ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) may be necessary in order to ensure an increased barrier effect against gases for aseptic products and also against light in the case of aluminium. For this reason, such composite packages are also referred to as cardboard/plastic composite packages. If the pouring element is integrated as part of the composite package, it should have a similarly strong barrier effect against gases and light as the composite material used. At the same time, cheap materials should of course be used that are easy to recycle together. This also applies in particular to the materials of the pouring elements used.

Unfortunately, such combinations of materials lead to poorer opening results. For example, when separating the closure part by way of the cutting element in the region of the weakening zone, plastic deformation of the plastic of the weakening zone can occur without being completely severed, which leads to thread-like residual pieces remaining. It may also occur that at the end of the opening process the closure part does not fold away cleanly to the side because the cutting tooth of the cutting element does not transmit the force cleanly to the central region of the closure part during rotation. A less stiff or hard cutting element material often results in the cutting tooth not moving on a clean circular path corresponding to the weakening zone, which in turn gives a little bit of controlled and reproducible opening result. It can even happen that the weakening zone is completely severed circumferentially, which ensures an open composite package, but with a loose closure part inside the package, which must be avoided in any case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on this, the object underlying the present invention is to design and further develop the pouring element mentioned at the outset and previously described in more detail such that the described disadvantages are overcome in spite of the given material selection.

This object is achieved in a pouring element with the features as described herein in that the cutting element and the closure part are designed such that at least one part of a projection of the cutting tooth is parallel to the central axis on the intermediate region. The object is also achieved by two embodiment variants of a composite package for liquid foodstuffs, which is provided such that a pouring element according to the invention is integrated into the respective gable region of the composite package.

This arrangement of cutting element and the parts of the closure part enables a clearly defined and smooth cutting process by supporting the cutting tooth at the intermediate region. During the unfolding process of the closure part, the application of force on the conical ring-shaped intermediate region ensures that this process is initiated cleanly on the one hand, but that the closure part is later also completely folded to the side. In other words, the cutting element and the closure part are thus designed such that the cutting tooth strikes the intermediate region when the composite package is opened for the first time and exerts force on it. This is the case because the cutting element moves towards the closure element (parallel to the central axis) while simultaneously rotating about the central axis. The projection thus defines the radial position at which the cutting element strikes the different regions of the closure part and which are for the most part separated during the opening process. Unexpectedly, it has been shown that it is advantageous if the cutting element not only strikes the weakening zone, but also the radially further inner intermediate region and separates the closure element there. Even with the application of force to the two regions, the weakening zone is still the thinnest region of the closure element and is therefore preferably separated from the cutting element, but the arrangement and formation of the main body and cutting element according to the invention ensures that the closure element is separated cleanly and in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the folding away of the closure element at the end of the opening process can also be made easier thanks to an enlarged lever of the force application from the inner wall of the spout.

A further teaching of the invention envisages the weakening zone having less than 50% of the height of the central region measured parallel to the central axis. This guarantees a clean separation of the weakening zone, combined with a stable central region that can also be folded completely to the side at the end of the opening process.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the weakening zone extends substantially orthogonal to the central axis between an inner radius and an outer radius. A main body with a weakening zone designed in this way is easier to manufacture and also enables a more controlled separation and opening of the thin section.

A further design of the invention, which further intensifies these effects, provides that the difference between the inner radius and the outer radius is at least twice as great, measured parallel to the central axis, as the height of the weakening zone.

According to a further teaching of the invention, an inner radius of the hollow cylindrical cutting element should comprise a maximum of 95% of the inner radius of the weakening zone. This dimension for the overlapping of the cutting element and intermediate region, defined by the limiting radii, enables an improved effect of the previously described cutting and folding process.

In a further expedient embodiment, the weakening zone connects directly to the spout. On the one hand, this enables simplified production of the main body because the transition region between the spout and closure part can be formed more precisely. On the other hand, the forces are better transmitted during the separation process and absorbed by the spout.

In a further configuration of the invention, the cutting tooth is designed to be ground on the inside at the end facing the weakening zone. This results in a cutting blade on the cutting tooth, which on the one hand facilitates the piercing into the closure part and on the other hand forms a surface corresponding to the surface of the conical ring-shaped intermediate region, which is therefore arranged approximately parallel thereto. In the course of the opening process, the corresponding surfaces of the cutting tooth and the intermediate region come into contact, since the cutting element moves along the central axis and at least part of a projection of the cutting tooth along the central axis lies on the intermediate region. This then guarantees a better force transmission over a larger region from the cutting element to the intermediate region.

A further teaching of the invention envisages the ground section of the cutting tooth continuously transitioning relative to and along the central axis from a chamfered inner surface to an inner surface formed parallel to the central axis. This makes it possible for the cutting tooth not only to be in contact with the intermediate region at the beginning of the separation process, but also for it to continue to exert force on it during the further movement of the cutting element along the central axis. Of course, this also allows the design of a lighter version of the entire cutting element without losing the aforementioned advantages.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cutting tooth extends at the end facing the weakening zone in the circumferential direction in a plane orthogonal to the central axis. The flattened end of the cutting tooth ensures that the cutting tooth separates the weakening zone more stably and is guided along the intermediate region. If the part of the projection on the intermediate region is so large that this end extending in a circumferential direction in a plane orthogonal to the central axis is arranged above the intermediate region, it also ensures that this cutting edge of the cutting tooth is cleanly directed outwards from the intermediate region until it reaches a region which is thin enough to be separated, such as the weakening zone itself.

A further design of the invention is that the cutting element is designed to be radially thickened inwards in the region of the cutting tooth. A reinforcement in the alignment of the cutting tooth ensures that the forces that occur during the various phases of the opening process are absorbed without any problems. This is particularly useful because the cutting tooth is a protruding part of the cutting element and therefore tends to break off. Adjustments to the cutting element which relate to the separation process, as for example set out in the previous embodiments, are usually located in the region of the cutting tooth. However, it is usually sufficient to restrict such changes locally in order to save as much material as possible in the remaining cutting element. In this sense, any reinforcement of the cutting element can be regarded as thickening, which is designed to protrude inwards on the hollow cylinder and for example has a maximum of 95% of the inner radius of the remaining hollow cylinder.

According to a further teaching of the invention, at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, of the surface of the intermediate region facing the cutting element should be covered by a projection of the cutting element parallel to the central axis. It has been shown that such a coverage is useful in order to further intensify the effect of the invention. In this case, it makes sense to use the projection of the entire cutting element for the definition of this overlap, since it rotates about the central axis and thus also the cutting tooth moves along the entire intermediate region.

In a further expedient embodiment, the cutting element has two cutting teeth. In principle, a cutting element will pass through the phase of separation more quickly and transition to folding away, the more cutting teeth are formed on it, provided that they are distributed reasonably regularly over the circumference. On the other hand, the force increases when opening with each additional cutting tooth, which simultaneously penetrates into the closure part with cutting teeth of the same length. With this selection, a good compromise is reached between the necessary rotation of the screw cap and the force required thereto.

In a further configuration of the invention, an injection-moulding point is located on the closure part on the central axis. In most cases, the individual components of the pouring element are manufactured by an injection-moulding process. Here, a tool with a negative shape of the part to be produced is filled with liquid plastic, which then solidifies before this tool opens and thus ejects the finished part. Normally, the liquid plastic is filled via a single nozzle, wherein the solidly formed plastic part separates from the remaining plastic, which is still in the nozzle, during ejection.

Of course, this separation can also take place before ejection via the nozzle itself. In all cases, a visible and usually protruding unevenness of the surface occurs on the plastic part, which is commonly referred to as the injection point. Filling with liquid plastic is slower the more material has to be pressed through narrow points, such as for example the weakening zone. Surprisingly, it has been shown that the advantages of a central injection point and therefore an even filling of the entire main body prevail, although a large part of the liquid plastic then has to move through the weakening zone.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention, a composite package for liquid foodstuffs is provided such that a pouring element according to the invention is integrated into the gable region of the composite package. There are various ways of manufacturing such a composite package, as has already been explained. In this case, the pouring element often serves primarily to close the opening in the gable region and has a rather secondary effect with regard to the dimensional stability of the composite package.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention relates to a composite package which is provided such that a pouring element according to the invention is integrated into the gable region of the composite package, wherein the gable region has polyhedral gable surfaces which are correspondingly connected to a polyhedral flange of the pouring element. As already described, this combination allows a bottle-like composite package to be formed without the need for further components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of a drawing which simply represents preferred exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows

FIG. 1 a pouring element according to the invention in perspective view,

FIG. 2 the pouring element according to the invention in plan view,

FIG. 3 the pouring element according to the invention from FIG. 2 in the vertical section along the line III-III,

FIG. 4 a detailed view of the vertical section from FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 a detailed view of the vertical section from FIG. 3 during the opening process,

FIG. 6 a screw cap in plan view,

FIG. 7 the screw cap from FIG. 6 in the vertical section along the line VII-VII,

FIG. 8 the screw cap from FIG. 6 in perspective view,

FIG. 9 a cutting element according to FIG. 3 in perspective view from above,

FIG. 10 the cutting element in perspective view from below,

FIG. 11 a composite package according to the invention with integrated pouring element after the first opening and reclosing of the screw cap in a sectioned perspective view,

FIG. 12 a pouring element according to the invention of a second exemplary embodiment in perspective view,

FIG. 13 the pouring element according to the invention from FIG. 12 in plan view,

FIG. 14 the pouring element according to the invention from FIG. 13 in the vertical section along the line XIV-XIV,

FIG. 15 the pouring element according to the invention from FIG. 13 in the vertical section along the line XV-XV,

FIG. 16 a detailed view of the vertical section from FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 a screw cap of the second exemplary embodiment in perspective view and

FIG. 18 a cutting element of the second exemplary embodiment in perspective view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Two preferred embodiments of a pouring element 1 and 1′ according to the invention are represented in the drawing in order to make clear the mode of operation when opening. FIG. 1 shows a first pouring element 1 in a closed state with a central axis Z without composite package P. A reclosable screw cap 2, which is used for the first opening and for reclosing the composite package P, is located on a main body 3, which is only clearly visible in FIG. 3 and from which in FIG. 1 only one circumferential flange 4 is visible, which is used for connection with and integration into the composite package P. In the plan view of FIG. 2, a section line III-III is also drawn in.

FIG. 3 shows the entire pouring element 1 in the vertical section along the cutting line 111-111. The main body 3 also has a hollow cylindrical spout 5 and a closure part 6 formed in the spout 5. The closure part 6 comprises a ring-shaped weakening zone 7, which adjoins the spout 5, a central region 8, which closes the majority of the dispensing opening, and a conical ring-shaped intermediate region 9, which extends between weakening zone 7 and central region 8. The chamfering of the intermediate region 9 compensates for the thickness difference between the central region 8 and the weakening zone 7.

Between screw cap 2 and the outer side of the spout 5 there is a first thread pair 10A and 10B, which enables screw cap 2 to be screwed on and tightened. A hollow cylindrical cutting element 11 with two cutting teeth 12 is arranged inside the main body 3, which separates the closure part 6 when the pouring element 1 and thus the composite package P are opened for the first time. The central axis Z is defined by the concentrically arranged hollow cylindrical elements of the spout 5 and the cutting element 11, wherein the cutting element 11 rotates about the central axis Z and moves along it during the opening process. This movement is defined by a second thread pair 13A and 13B, which is located between the inner side of the spout 5 and the cutting element 11. In this movement, the cutting element 11 is driven on at least one force takeover element 14, which interacts with at least one corresponding force transmission element 15 of the screw cap 2.

The detailed views in FIGS. 4 and 5 show how the cutting teeth 12 strike the weakening zone 7 and the intermediate region 9 and start to separate this region. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the original arrangement of the elements before the first opening and FIG. 5 the one during the opening process. It is particularly easy to see here how the cutting element 11 and therefore the cutting teeth 12 are arranged above the intermediate region 9, since the inner delimitation of the projection of the cutting tooth 12 is also shown with the projection line.

FIGS. 6 to 8 correspond approximately to the views in FIGS. 1 to 3, wherein only the screw cap 2 is shown here. In this case, half of the first thread pair 10A in FIG. 7 and the three force transmission elements 15 in FIG. 8 are particularly clearly visible. The screw cap 2 also has a strip 16 serving as a tamper-evident seal and an anchor ring 17. For this purpose, the strip 16 immediately detaches from the rest of the screw cap 2 when opened for the first time and remains visibly separated in its original position. Stop elements 18 on the strip 16, which hook onto corresponding elements of the main body 3, ensure that the strip 16 has already detached from the rest of the screw cap 2 before the cutting element 11 impairs the integrity of the closure part 6 during separation. The anchor ring 17 also detaches during the first opening process and then remains on the spout 5, wherein the anchor ring 17 and the rest of the screw cap 2 remain connected by retaining elements. These are designed such that the screw cap 2, after it has been unscrewed from the spout 5, can be folded to the side in order to enable pouring. The arrangement of the mentioned parts of the screw cap 2 and the corresponding elements of the spout 5 can also be seen in the detailed views of FIGS. 4 and 5.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, a single cutting element 11 is also represented in two different perspective views. The two cutting teeth 12, which are formed at the lower end of the cutting element 11, are now clearly visible. The three force takeover elements 14 can also be seen on the inner wall and the thread of the second thread pair 13B on the outer wall.

An open composite package P with reclosed screw cap 2 can be seen in the sectioned view of FIG. 11 from the inside, wherein a tab is particularly noticeable. This occurs because the closure part 6 loses its tension during the separation process before the cutting element 11 could cut a complete circle. The tab, which roughly corresponds to the central region 8 and the intermediate region 9, then only holds on a single segment of the weakening zone 7, is pressed to the side by the further movement of the cutting element 11 and thus releases the dispensing opening. This segment of the weakening zone 7 is sufficient to hold the tab in its “folded away” state when the composite package P is open in order to reliably prevent an unintentional tearing off of the tab and complete severing of the weakening zone 7. The cutting tooth 12 formed at the front in the direction of rotation is positioned at the end of the first opening such that it is at the height of the tab and thus holds it stable to the side. FIGS. 12 to 18 of the drawing show a second preferred exemplary embodiment, wherein the differences are in particular pointed out. The remaining embodiments of the first exemplary embodiment also apply accordingly to the following part. The flange 4′ of the main body 3′ is designed here as a pyramid stump in a polyhedral shape. In particular, it should be noted that the contact surfaces with the composite material of the composite package P′ no longer lie in a plane, but are provided by the four side surfaces of the pyramid stump, as is particularly discernible in FIGS. 12 to 14. Apart from the flange 4′, the basic structure of the pouring element V is comparable to the first exemplary embodiment: it is also a three-part pouring element 1′ with a main body 3′, a screw cap 2′ and a cutting element 11′. Between the screw cap 2′ and the outer side of the spout 5′ of the main body 3 is located the first thread pair 10A′, 10B′ and the second thread pair 13A′, 13B′ connect the inner side of the spout 5′ to the cutting element 11′ in order to arrange it in a movable manner. Comparable elements are also designed for transmitting force during the opening process from the screw cap 2′ to the cutting element 11′, wherein in FIGS. 17 and 18, it can be seen that screw cap 2′ and cutting element 11′ are connected to one another by respectively two force takeover elements 14′ and force transmission elements 15′.

Finally, FIGS. 15 and 16 clearly show that a modification of the cutting element 11′ can also be carried out in that the cutting tooth 12′, in particular in the upper region, is designed reinforced in its thickness. Thus, the cutting element 11′ is thickened radially inwards such that it protrudes over the intermediate region 9′ in the assembled state and comes into contact therewith during the opening process.

Claims

1. A pouring element for a composite package, comprising: a main body with a flange, a hollow cylindrical spout, which defines a central axis, and a closure part formed in the spout, which runs substantially orthogonal to the central axis, with a central region and a weakening zone running in a ring shape around the central region, wherein a conical ring-shaped intermediate region is formed between the weakening zone and the central region, a hollow cylindrical cutting element movably guided in the spout with at least one cutting tooth for severing the weakening zone to open the spout and composite package,a reclosable screw cap, which serves to drive the cutting element when the composite package is opened for the first time,whereinthe cutting element and the closure part are designed such that at least one part of a projection of the cutting tooth lies parallel to the central axis on the intermediate region.

2. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the weakening zone has less than 50% of the height of the central region measured parallel to the central axis.

3. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the weakening zone extends between an inner radius and an outer radius substantially orthogonal to the central axis.

4. The pouring element according to claim 3, wherein the difference between the inner radius and the outer radius is at least twice as large, measured parallel to the central axis, as the height of the weakening zone.

5. The pouring element according to claim 3, wherein an inner radius of the hollow cylindrical cutting element comprises a maximum of 95% of the inner radius of the weakening zone.

6. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the weakening zone connects directly to the spout.

7. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tooth is designed to be ground on the inside at the end facing the weakening zone.

8. The pouring element according to claim 7, wherein the ground section of the cutting tooth continuously transitions relative to and along the central axis from a chamfered inner surface into an inner surface parallel to the central axis.

9. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tooth extends at the end facing the weakening zone in a circumferential direction in a plane orthogonal to the central axis.

10. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the cutting element is designed to be radially thickened inwards in the region of the cutting tooth.

11. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, of the surface of the intermediate region facing the cutting element is covered by a projection of the cutting element parallel to the central axis.

12. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the cutting element has two cutting teeth.

13. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein an injection-moulding point is located on the closure part on the central axis.

14. A composite package for liquid foodstuffs which is provided such that a pouring element according to claim 1, is integrated into the gable region of the composite package.

15. The composite package for liquid foodstuffs, which is provided such that a pouring element according to claim 1 is integrated into the gable region of the composite package, wherein the gable region has polyhedral gable surfaces, which are correspondingly connected to a polyhedral flange of the pouring element.