Resealable Pouring Element for Cardboard/Plastic Composite Packages With an Anchor Ring for Securely Fastening Screw Cap

Abstract

Represented and described is a resealable pouring element for cardboard/plastic composite packages, in particular beverage packages, with a base element with a circumferential fastening flange as well as an external thread, with opening means arranged at least in the unopened state of the pouring element in the interior of the base element and with a screw cap with internal thread. The opening means are designed such that when the composite package is initially opened by unscrewing the screw cap by breaking the composite material of the package or a barrier layer located in the base element, a pour opening is created inside the pouring element. In order to ensure a fastening of the screw cap to the pouring element in such a resealable pouring element, even in the unscrewed stale, it is provided that an anchor ring is arranged below the screw cap, is connected thereto in a rotationally-fixed manner and is connected to the base element so as to be radially freely rotatable around the base element and in a tension-resistant manner in the axial direction and in that, to securely fasten the screw cap to the base element, even in the unscrewed state, the anchor ring is connected to the screw cap a hinged manner via a hinge element, whose pivot axis is aligned tangentially to the outer circumference of the screw cap.

Claims

1. A resealable pouring element for cardboard/plastic composite packages, in particular beverage packages, with a base element having a circumferential fastening flange as well as an external thread, with opening means arranged at least in the unopened state of the pouring element in the interior of the base element and with a screw cap with internal thread, wherein an anchor ring is arranged below the screw cap, is connected thereto in a rotationally-fixed manner and is connected to the base element so as to be radially freely rotatable around the base element and in a tension-resistant manner in the axial direction, in that, to securely fasten the screw cap to the base element even in the unscrewed state, the anchor ring is connected to the screw cap in a hinged manner via a binge element, whose pivot axis is aligned tangentially to the outer circumference of the screw cap, wherein the opening means are designed such that when the composite package is initially opened by unscrewing the screw cap by breaking the composite material of the package or a barrier layer located in the base element, a pour opening is created inside the pouring element, in that the base element has an outwardly protruding and substantially circumferential collar on its outer side, in that the anchor ring has at its lower end a substantially circumferential web, which is directed towards the base element and which is arranged below the collar, in order to prevent the anchor ring from being pulled off over the collar, in that the collar is arranged in the unopened state in the axial direction in the upper region of the anchor ring such that when the screw cap is unscrewed, a movement of the binge element hi the axial direction is possible until the web comes into contact with the collar and in that, when the screw cap is pivoted away, the pivot axis of the hinge element is arranged in the axial direction in the upper half of the base element.

2. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the anchor ring has a slot running in the circumferential direction, which separates the anchor ring in a section into upper parts and a lower part, wherein the upper parts and the lower part are arranged spaced apart from one another in the axial direction.

3. The pouring element according to claim 2, wherein the slot is arranged in the circumferential direction in the region of the hinge element, wherein the hinge element is connected to the upper parts of the anchor ring such that in each case the end of the upper parts facing the hinge element is twisted after pivoting open the screw cap.

4. The pouring element according to claim 2, wherein the hinge element is arranged centrally to the slot in the circumferential direction.

5. The pouring element according to claim 2, wherein the lower end of the hinge element protrudes downwards over the lower end of the upper parts of the anchor ring in the direction of the fastening flange in the unopened state of the pouring element.

6. The pouring element according to claim 2, wherein the screw cap in the pivoted-open state at an opening angle of 120° to 150° is locked by the hinge element in its opening position in relation to its pivot opening.

7. The pouring element according to claim 6, wherein the screw cap is radially freely rotatable in its locked opening position.

8. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the hinge element is arranged above the lower third of the base element in relation to its pivot axis in the unopened state.

9-12. (canceled)

13. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein when the screw cap is pivoted away, the pivot axis of the hinge element is arranged in the axial direction in the upper third of the base element.

14. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein ribs protruding outwards in the direction of the anchor ring and extending perpendicular to the fastening flange are provided on the base element below the collar and center the anchor ring in relation to the base element.

15. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the opening means comprise a cutting element arranged in the interior of the base element and at least one driver web arranged in the interior of the screw cap and connected thereto in a form-fitting or materially-bonded manner.

16. The pouring element according to claim 15, wherein the at least one driver web protrudes at least partially from the interior of the screw cap in the pivoted-open state.

17. The pouring element according to claim 15, wherein the at least one driver web is attached as close as possible to the hinge element in the circumferential direction.

18. The pouring element according to claim 15, wherein the at least one driver web is in each ease arranged as far as possible away from the hinge element in the circumferential direction.

19. The pouring element according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of driver webs arranged evenly distributed over the circumference is provided.

20. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein at least one tamper-evident seal is arranged between the fastening flange and the anchor ring or the screw cap.

21. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein another ring is arranged below the anchor ring and is connected to the anchor ring via a plurality of material bridges and serves as a tamper-evident seal.

22. The pouring element according to claim 21, wherein the ring can only be twisted to a limited extent by blocking webs protruding inwards from the ring with locking elements arranged over the circumference of the base element such that it is released from the anchor ring when the screw cap is unscrewed initially by tearing off the material bridges and remains in its position on the base element.

23. The pouring element according to claim 21, wherein the base element has an outwardly protruding and substantially circumferential collar on its outer side, wherein the clear inner diameter of the collar is smaller than the clear distance between the webs of the ring arranged opposite in each case.

24. The pouring element according to claim 1, wherein the fastening flange is connected to the inner side of the composite package, wherein the base element is sealed on the package side in its interior in the unopened state, wherein the opening means comprise an opening element arranged in the unopened state in the interior of the base element and connected thereto in a materially-bonded manner and at least one force transfer element, which is arranged in the interior of the screw cap and is connected thereto in a materially-bonded manner, and wherein the opening element is connected to the at least one force transfer element in a materially-bonded manner.

25. The pouring element according to claim 24, wherein the opening element is no longer connected to the base element in a materially-bonded manner after the initial opening of the pouring element.

26. The pouring element according to claim 24, wherein the opening element protrudes at least partially from the interior of the screw cap in the pivoted-open state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of a drawing which simply represents preferred exemplary embodiments.

[0036] The drawing shows

[0037] FIG. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in an unopened state (without cardboard/plastic composite package) in perspective representation,

[0038] FIG. 2 the pouring element from FIG. 1 in a side view,

[0039] FIG. 3 a base element of the pouring element from FIG. 1 in perspective representation,

[0040] FIG. 4 the pouring element from FIG. 1 in the vertical section along the line IV-IV,

[0041] FIG. 5 the pouring element from FIG. 1 at the start of the screw-on process of the screw cap in perspective view,

[0042] FIG. 6 the pouring element from FIG. 1 with screw cap already screwed on but still closed in a side view in half-section,

[0043] FIG. 7 the pouring element from FIG. 1 with unscrewed and pivoted-away screw cap in a side view,

[0044] FIG. 8 the pouring element from FIG. 1 with unscrewed, pivoted-away and locked screw cap in a side view,

[0045] FIG. 9 a second exemplary embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in an unopened state (without cardboard/plastic composite package) in perspective representation,

[0046] FIG. 10 the pouring element from FIG. 9 in the vertical section along the line X-X,

[0047] FIG. 11 the pouring element from FIG. 9 in a horizontal section along the line XI-XI from FIG. 10,

[0048] FIG. 12 the pouring element from FIG. 9 with screw cap already screwed on but still closed in a side view in half-section along the line XII-XII from FIG. 11 and

[0049] FIG. 13 a further exemplary embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in the vertical section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] A preferred embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention is represented in the drawing in order to make its functionality clear when opening a composite package. FIG. 1 represents a pouring element according to the invention without composite package in perspective view. The pouring element has a base element 2 having a circumferential fastening flange 1 (which is not visible in FIG. 1) and a screw cap 3, which is used for the initial opening and resealing of a composite package not represented.

[0051] An anchor ring 4 is arranged below the screw cap 3 and is connected thereto in a rotationally-fixed manner in order to reliably prevent the screw cap 3 from being removed from the base element 2 or from a composite package provided therewith. For this purpose, the screw cap 3 and the anchor ring 4 are connected to one another in a hinged manner via a hinge element 5, whose pivot axis is aligned tangentially to the outer circumference of the screw cap 3. The anchor ring 4 has a slot 6 running in the circumferential direction, which separates the anchor ring 4 in a section into upper parts 4A and a lower part 4B, wherein the upper parts 4A and the lower part 4B are arranged spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. The hinge element 5 can be designed with a larger, identical or even smaller wall thickness compared to the rest of the screw cap 2.

[0052] It is clearly discernible in FIG. 2 that the slot 6 is arranged centrally to the hinge element 5 in the circumferential direction. The hinge element 5 is connected to the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4 and arranged above the lower third of the base element 2 in relation to its pivot axis in the unopened state. In addition, it emerges from FIG. 2 that the lower end of the hinge element 5 protrudes downwards over the lower end of the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4 in the direction of the fastening flange 1 in the unopened state of the pouring element. Furthermore, ribs 7 protruding outwards in the direction of the anchor ring 4 and extending perpendicular to the fastening flange 1 are provided on the lower region of the base element 2. These center the anchor ring 4 in relation to the base element 2 and ensure uniform friction when twisting the anchor ring 4.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows the base element 2 of the pouring element represented in FIG. 1. It can be seen that the base element 2 has an external thread 8 by means of which the screw cap 3 not represented in FIG. 3 can be screwed onto the base element 2. The base element 2 also has an outwardly protruding and radially circumferential collar 9 on its outer side above the ribs 7.

[0054] Furthermore, a cutting element 10 is discernible in the interior of the base element 2, which creates a pour opening within the pouring element when the composite package is opened initially by screwing on the screw cap 3.

[0055] FIG. 4 now represents the pouring element in the vertical section in the unopened state. It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the collar 9 with its outer circumferential surface in the upper region of the anchor ring 4 touches the inner surface of the anchor ring 4. According to the invention, the anchor ring 4 has at its lower end a radially circumferential web 11 which is directed towards the base element 2 and which is arranged below the collar 9 provided on the base element 2. This prevents the anchor ring 4 from being pulled off beyond the collar 9. The collar 9 is arranged in the unopened state of the pouring element in the upper region of the anchor ring 4 such that when the screw cap 3 is screwed on, the movement of the anchor ring 4 and thus also of the hinge element 5 is enabled upwards in the axial direction until the web 11 comes into contact with the collar 9.

[0056] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an opening means is discernible, consisting of the cutting element 10 arranged in the interior of the base element 2 and driver webs 12, which are arranged in the interior of the screw cap 3 and which are connected thereto in a materially-bonded manner. When the composite package is opened initially, the cutting element 10 having an external thread 13 is carried by means of the driver webs 12 and an internal thread 14 formed on the base element 2 by screwing on the screw cap 3 in the direction of the composite package such that a pour opening is created within the pouring element. It is clearly discernible that the driver webs 12 protrude downwards in comparison to the outer circumferential surface of the screw cap 3 such that they protrude from the interior of the screw cap 3 in the pivoted-open state.

[0057] FIGS. 5 to 8 lastly illustrate the function of the pouring element according to the invention during the opening process of the screw cap 3.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows the pouring element at the start of the screw-on process of the screw cap 3. Here, it can be seen that the anchor ring 4 is connected to the base element 2 so as to be radially freely rotatable such that the anchor ring 4 moves with the rotational movement of the screw cap 3.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows the pouring element with screw cap 3 already screwed on but still closed. On the left side of FIG. 6, the pouring element is shown in a side view, while the right side of FIG. 6 shows a vertical section. The anchor ring 4 and thus the hinge element 5 have also moved upwards due to the upwards movement of the screw cap 3. In this state, the collar 9 provided on the base element 2 and the web 11 arranged on the anchor ring touch one another. The slot 6 has been enlarged at least centrally in the axial direction as a result of the screw cap 3 being carried upwards such that the pivot axis of the hinge element 5 has moved further upwards in the axial direction.

[0060] FIG. 7 represents the pouring element in an opened state and with a pivoted-away screw cap 3 with a composite package. Like in FIG. 6, it can also be seen here that the anchor ring 4 cannot slide over the collar 9 such that it is connected in a tension-resistant manner to the base element 2 in an axial direction in spite of its rotatability in relation to the base element 2. As a result, the anchor ring 4 and thus also the screw cap 3 being pulled off is reliably prevented.

[0061] In addition, it emerges from FIG. 7 that by pivoting open the screw cap 3, the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4 twist at their one end, which establish a connection to the hinge element 5, but do not tear off. The hinge element 5 rotates by pivoting open the screw cap 3 in the direction of the slot 6 until it is folded over as shown in FIG. 8 such that it is locked in its opening position at an opening angle of 120° to 150° in relation to its pivot opening. In its locked opening position, the screw cap 3 is still radially freely rotatable, if a certain force must be applied externally due to an increased frictional resistance in order to enable rotation.

[0062] It can be clearly seen from FIGS. 7 and 8 that driver webs 12 of the opening means protrude from the interior of the screw cap 3 in the pivoted-open state.

[0063] Furthermore, it can be inferred from FIGS. 7 and 8 that attached to the anchor ring 4 is a strip 15 serving as a tamper-evident seal, whose one end is firmly connected to the anchor ring 4 and in the case of which the other end is connected to the anchor ring 4 by means of a predetermined breaking point in such manner that the predetermined breaking point is broken open by a mandrel element 16 arranged on the fastening flange 1 when the screw cap 3 is screwed on initially.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention without composite package in perspective view. This pouring element has, as in the first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, a circumferential fastening flange 1′ and a screw cap 3′. An anchor ring 4′ is located below the screw cap 3′ and is connected thereto in a rotationally-fixed manner as in the case of the first exemplary embodiment in order to fasten the screw cap 3′ to the base element (not discernible in FIG. 9). The embodiment of screw cap 3′ and the anchor ring 4′ located therebelow correspond exactly to the first exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1.

[0065] However, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, another ring 17 is located below the anchor ring 4′ and is connected to the anchor ring 4′ in one piece with a plurality of material bridges 18.

[0066] FIG. 10 initially corresponds substantially to the vertical section according to FIG. 4 such that reference can be made to the description of the screw cap 3′, the anchor ring 4′ and the cutting element 10′. However, the (other) ring 17 can clearly be seen below the anchor ring 4′ and is designed as a tamper-evident seal. For this purpose, the ring 17 has a plurality of webs 19 arranged distributed over the circumference and protruding inwards, which come into contact with corresponding locking elements 20 proceeding from the base element 2′ when the screw cap 3′ is screwed on initially and they block the further rotation of the ring 17, as described in more detail below.

[0067] FIG. 11 represents the pouring element from FIG. 9 in the horizontal section along the line XI-XI from FIG. 10. Here, the circumferential ring 17 can be clearly seen, from which proceed a plurality of inwardly protruding webs 19, 19A and 19B. In order to ensure that the ring 17 does not rotate with the anchor ring 4′ when unscrewing the screw cap 3′, the base element 2′ has a plurality of outwardly protruding locking elements 20, 20A and 20B, which interact with the aforementioned webs 19, 19A and 19B such that the ring 17 blocks when unscrewed such that the material bridges 18 arranged thereabove tear off and no longer hinder the further rotation of the anchor ring 4′.

[0068] It clearly emerges from FIGS. 11 and 12 that the base element 2′ has an outwardly protruding and substantially circumferential collar 21 on its outer side, wherein the clear inner diameter of the collar 21 is smaller than the clear distance between the webs 19 of the ring 17 arranged opposite in each case. This reliably prevents the ring 17 from moving out of its lower position 17 on the base element 2′ even when the screw cap is screwed on. This ensures that the ring 17 cannot enter the environment as a “loose plastic part”.

[0069] FIG. 13 is a further embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in which the fastening flange 1″ of the pouring element is connected with its upper side to the inner side of a composite package P. A corresponding composite package P has a material recess at the point of the later pouring opening. For assembly, the pouring element is guided through the interior of the composite package P, positioned in the region of the material recess and then connected to the inner side of the composite package P, for example by means of ultrasound. In this configuration of the invention, the base element 2″ is sealed on the package side in its interior in the unopened state such that the product in the composite package P cannot flow into the pouring element in the unopened state.

[0070] The opening means of this pouring element comprise an opening element 22 arranged in the unopened state in the interior of the base element 2″ and connected thereto in a materially-bonded and two force transfer elements 23, which are arranged in the interior of the screw cap 3″ and connected thereto in a materially-bonded manner. The force transfer elements 23 each comprise a radially inwardly protruding hook 24 at their end pointing downwards. Recesses 25 are provided at the corresponding points on the opening element 22 in which the hooks 24 of the force transfer elements 23 engage in the assembled state such that a form-fitting connection is created. A radially circumferential predetermined breaking point 26 is provided in the section in which the base element 2″ and the opening element 22 are connected to one another in a materially-bonded manner such that the materially-bonded connection can be easily severed when the screw cap 3′ screwed on. It is clearly discernible that the opening element 22 protrudes downwards in comparison to the outer circumferential surface of the screw cap 3″ such that it protrudes from the interior of the screw cap 3″ in the pivoted-open state.