Tamper-evident pouch closure

Abstract

A pouch fitment is provided and comprises a base which is attachable to a pouch and includes a dispensing spout. The fitment further comprises a closure cap for closing the spout. The closure cap is non-releasably associated with the base. The base and the closure cap are connected by a hinge. The fitment comprises a tamper-evident member. The tamper-evident member is movable from an engaged position to a released position. In the engaged position the closure cap is blocked from opening and in the released position the closure cap can be opened.

Claims

1. A pouch fitment comprising: a base which is attachable to a pouch and includes a dispensing spout, the pouch fitment further comprises a closure cap for closing the dispensing spout, in which the closure cap is non-releasably associated with the base, the base and the closure cap are connected by a hinge, the pouch fitment comprises a non-detachable tamper-evident member, the non-detachable tamper-evident member is movable from an engaged position to a released position, in the engaged position the closure cap cannot be opened and in the released position the closure cap can be opened, a hinge function is provided between the closure cap and the non-detachable tamper-evident member, the non-detachable tamper-evident member is connected to the closure cap by frangible bridges, to be able to open the cap the non-detachable tamper-evident member must first be hinged away and this movement breaks the frangible bridges and the non-detachable tamper-evident member remains attached to the closure cap.

2. The pouch fitment of in claim 1, in which the non-detachable tamper-evident member is a band.

3. The pouch fitment of claim 1, in which the dispensing spout includes hooks and the non-detachable tamper-evident member includes slots or cut-outs in which the hooks engage.

4. The pouch fitment of claim 3, in which the hooks have an inclined upper surface and a flat abutment surface.

5. The pouch fitment of claim 1, in which the closure cap is provided with a peak to assist lifting.

6. The pouch fitment of claim 1, in which the base comprises a sealing part and the sealing part comprises lateral tabs joined by fins.

7. The pouch fitment of claim 6, in which axial strengthening members extend between the fins.

8. The pouch fitment of claim 1, in which the closure cap comprises a top plate with a side wall depending from the periphery thereof.

9. The pouch fitment of claim 1, wherein the pouch fitment is formed from a material and a pouch configured to receive the pouch fitment is formed from the same material.

10. The pouch fitment of claim 1, wherein the pouch fitment is formed as a unitary component.

11. A pouch fitment comprising: a base and a closure cap, the base and the cap are connected by a hinge, the closure cap comprises a circular top plate with a side wall depending from the periphery thereof, the base comprises a spout and a sealing part, the sealing part comprises two lateral/axial tabs joined by four horizontal fins, axial strengthening members extend between the fins, a frontal tamper-evident member is molded with the cap, a hinge function/mechanism is provided between the closure cap and the frontal tamper-evident member, the frontal tamper-evident member is connected to the cap by frangible bridges, the link between the closure cap and the frontal tamper-evident member is not breakable, only the frangible bridges need to be broken to allow the closure cap to be opened, the spout includes hooks each having inclined upper surfaces and flat abutment surfaces, when the cap is closed for the first time the frontal tamper-evident member can pass over the surfaces so that the hooks engage in slots/cut-outs formed in the frontal tamper-evident member, before the first opening, therefore, the hooks on the spout engage in the slots in the frontal tamper-evident member to maintain the closure cap closed in position with the frontal tamper-evident band and the bridges not broken, when the contents of the pouch are required the closure cap needs to be lifted, the closure cap cannot be lifted because the frontal tamper-evident member cannot pass over the hooks, the frontal tamper-evident member is held by the hooks when the closure cap is closed, to be able to open the closure cap the frontal tamper-evident member must first be hinged/rotated/torn away, this movement breaks the bridges, the frontal tamper-evident member remains attached to the closure cap, the closure cap is provided with a peak to assist lifting.

12. A pouch fitment comprising: a base adapted to be attached to a pouch and including a dispensing spout, a closure cap for closing the dispensing spout, a first hinge coupled between the base and the closure cap to allow movement of the closure cap relative to the base between a closed position closing the dispensing spout and an opened position exposing the dispensing spout, and a non-detachable tamper-evident member, the non-detachable tamper-evident member including frangible bridges coupled to the base and a second hinge coupled to the closure cap, wherein the non-detachable tamper-evident member is movable about the second hinge from an engaged position, in which the non-detachable tamper-evident member blocks movement of the closure cap to the opened position, to a released position, in which the frangible bridges are separated from the base while the closure cap is in the closed position and non-detachable tamper-evident member remains attached to the closure cap to free the closure cap for movement from the closed position to the opened position.

13. The pouch fitment of claim 12, wherein the closure cap is configured to pivot about a first axis established by the first hinge and the non-detachable tamper-evident band is configured to pivot about a second axis established by the second axis, the second axis being non-parallel to the first axis.

14. The pouch fitment of claim 13, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

15. The pouch fitment of claim 12, wherein a distal end of the non-detachable tamper-evident band is spaced a first distance from the base in the engaged position and a second distance, greater than the first distance, in the released position when the closure cap is in the closed position.

Description

(1) FIGS. 1 to 11 illustrate a pouch fitment generally indicated 10.

(2) The fitment 10 comprises a base 12 and a closure cap 14. The base 12 and the cap 14 are connected by a hinge 35.

(3) The closure cap 14 comprises a circular top plate 16 with a side wall 18 depending from the periphery thereof.

(4) The base 12 comprises a spout 20 and a sealing part 40.

(5) The sealing part 40 comprises two lateral/axial tabs 42, 44 joined by four (in this embodiment) horizontal fins 46. Axial strengthening members 48 extend between the fins 46.

(6) A frontal tamper-evident member 24 (in this embodiment being a band/strip) is moulded with the cap. A hinge function/mechanism 15 (such as a material thinning and/or other formations) is provided between the cap 14 and the band.

(7) The link between the cap and the band is not breakable; only bridges 26 need to be broken to allow the cap to be opened.

(8) FIGS. 3 and 6 show the fitment in an as-moulded condition. The cap is in an open position. The member is connected to the cap by frangible bridges 26.

(9) FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 8 show the cap initially closed onto the base. The spout 20 includes hooks 27 (two, in this embodiment) each having inclined upper surfaces 28 and flat abutment surfaces 29. When the cap is closed for the first time the member can pass over the surfaces 28 so that the hooks engage in slots/cut-outs 30 formed in the member.

(10) Before the first opening, therefore, the hooks 27 on the spout 20 engage in the slots 30 in the member 24 to maintain the cap closed in position with the tamper-evident band and the bridges 26 not broken.

(11) When the contents of the pouch are required the closure cap needs to be lifted. The cap cannot be lifted because the member cannot pass over the hooks (FIG. 1, 4, 7, 8). The band is held by the hooks when the cap/lid is closed.

(12) To be able to open the cap the member must first be hinged/rotated/torn away as shown in FIG. 9. This movement breaks the bridges 26. The tamper-evident band remains attached to the cap.

(13) The cap is provided with a peak 35 to assist lifting. FIG. 10 shows the cap half open and FIG. 11 shows the cap fully open.

(14) The closure can be replaced to seal any remaining contents of the pouch if required. The member 24 may be folded back so that the hooks engage in the U-shape slots (but the bridges will remain broken, of course).

(15) FIG. 12

(16) In the context of a tamper-evident single component for flexible pouch which should remain linked to the base after opening; proposal of an innovative solution liaison.

(17) The concept uses a hinge 3 between a cover 2 and a base 1.

(18) Proposed Solution:

(19) Tamper-proofness consists of at least one detachable element 8 with clip 5 linked to the cover 2 by bridges 6.

(20) When closing the cover 2 detachable element with clip 5 snaps into the housing 7 of the base to create inviolability.

(21) The cover 2 is snapped onto the rim 4.

(22) When the hood 2 is opened by the consumer there is a rupture of the bridges 6 which creates an opening indicator and the detachable element remains fixed to the base 1.

(23) The tilting of the cover 2 around the hinge area 3, this fact at the time of opening and frees the drinker.

(24) The cover 2 is still attached to the base 1 after opening by means of the hinge.

(25) During the reclosing of the hood 1 the hinge 3 will resume its initial place allowing the snap-fitting of the hood 1 on the drink 4 and thus guarantee the tightness.

(26) Concept Improvement:

(27) This solution consists of a single component, therefore it is manufactured with a single material. If the pouch is made from the same material as the one-component, there is a 100% recyclable system).

(28) In another design the clip can be on the tie-back and the housing is located in the detachable element of the cover

(29) FIG. 13

(30) As part of a tamper-evident cap for flexible pouch which should remain attached to the pouch after opening; proposal of an innovative connection solution.

(31) The concept uses a strap 3 between a cap 1 and a base 2.

(32) When the strap 3 belongs to the cap 1, the base 2 being welded to the pouch, the deformation of the strap 3 during unscrewing and re-screwing is complicated: crushing or twisting of the strap hampering use.

(33) Proposed Solution:

(34) On this model the strap 3 belongs to the base 2.

(35) When the cap 1 is screwed onto the base 2 a belt 5 of the cap 1 snaps into the clip 4 of the strap 3.

(36) The clip 4 is free in the clearance 8 of the belt 5, which allows the rotation of the cap 1 for complete screwing.

(37) When the cap 1 is unscrewed, the connection 6, between the belt 5 and the cap 1, comes to jam against the clip 4.

(38) By continuing to divide the strap 3 takes place, the bridges 7 break, which creates an opening indicator; but the cap 1 remains attached to the base 2.

(39) By removing the cap 1 to release the rim, the strap deforms but the plug 1 is still held by the clip 4 therefore the cap 1 remains attached to the strap 3.

(40) When the strap 3 is screwed back on, it will return to its original position, allowing the cap 1 to be screwed back onto the base 2.

(41) FIG. 14

(42) As part of a tamper-evident cap for flexible pouch which should remain attached to the base after opening; proposal of an innovative connection solution.

(43) The concept uses a hinge 8 between the cap 1 and the tamper-evident belt 3.

(44) Proposed Solution:

(45) The cap 1 is snapped at the level of the inviolability band, on the base 2.

(46) When the cap 1 is opened, the bridges 6 break, which creates an opening indicator. The tilting of the plug around the hinge 8 causes the bridges 7 to extend, which allows the cap 1 to be released beyond the rim. This movement can be facilitated by the presence of a rigid element and protruding from the main body, a tongue, which, bearing on the base 2, serves as a point of rotation.

(47) The tab remaining in contact with the neck 2 of the base 1 allows the plug 4 to be kept in the open position.

(48) The cap 1 being connected by strands 7 to the tamper-evident belt in the open position, the cap 1 is always attached to the base 2 after opening.

(49) When closing, the strands 7 will resume their initial places allowing the closure and snap-on of the cap 1 on the base 2.

(50) FIG. 15

(51) As part of a tamper-evident cap for a flexible bag which should remain attached to the base after opening; proposal of an innovative linking solution.

(52) Proposed Solution:

(53) Strand 80 connects cap 1 to the strip inviolability, this strand 80 is completely part of the design of the cap 1.

(54) The concept is to have a base 70, a stopper body and its tamper-evident band 3 as a basic element common to different versions.

(55) When screwing the cap 1 on the base 70, the tamper-evident band 3 snaps onto the counter ring 60 of the base 70, the tamper-evident band 3 remains free to rotate.

(56) When the cap 1 is unscrewed, the bridges 50 break, which creates an opening indicator.

(57) By moving the cap 1 aside to release the drink, the strand 80 is deformed but the cap 1 is still attached to the tamper-evident band 3.

(58) When screwing in, the tamper-evident strip 3 and the strand 80 rotate with the cap 1.

(59) Option to block cover 1 in the open position on the base 70. The lug 9 of the base 70 allows the hole 10 created on the strand 80 to snap onto it.

(60) Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.