Cap assembly for a container, container having a cap assembly, and method of coupling a cap assembly to a spout
By designing a lid assembly with a gripping wall, the process of applying the lid assembly to the spout is simplified, the risk of damage is reduced, and low-cost and convenient operation is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202180009760.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-04-09
- Filing Date
- 2021-04-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-26
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-04-01
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the cover assembly is easily damaged when it is applied to the spout, and the operation is complicated and the cost is high.
A lid assembly is designed, comprising a coupling ring and a lid, wherein the coupling ring can rotate around the spout, the lid can selectively control the opening and closing of the pouring outlet, and a first and a second gripping wall are provided on the lid to simplify the application process and reduce the risk of damage.
The application process of the lid assembly is simplified, the risk of damaging the lid assembly and the spout is reduced, and the cost is low.
Smart Images

Figure CN115003603B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a cap assembly for a container, in particular a sealed package, which is filled with a pourable product, more in particular a pourable food product.
[0002] Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a container, in particular a sealed package, filled with a pourable product, even more in particular a pourable food product, and comprising a cap assembly, in particular coupled to a spout of the container.
[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of coupling a lid assembly to a spout. Background Art
[0004] It is known that many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high temperature treated) milk, wine, ketchup etc., are sold in packages, in particular sealed packages, which are made of aseptic packaging material.
[0005] A typical example is the parallelepiped packaging known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark) for pourable foods, which is made by sealing and folding a laminated strip of packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a carton and / or paper base layer, covered on both sides with layers of heat-sealable plastic material (e.g., polyethylene). In the case of aseptic packaging for long-term storage products, the packaging material also includes a layer of oxygen barrier material, such as aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-sealable plastic material and covered with another layer of heat-sealable plastic material, which forms the inner surface of the packaging that ultimately comes into contact with the food.
[0006] Some known packages include a designated pouring opening surface area having a separator membrane that separates the interior of the package from the external environment and is to be opened or removed or broken or cut or pierced prior to the first pouring of the pourable product to allow the pourable product to be poured out. It is also known to arrange a spout having a pouring outlet around the designated pouring opening surface area on the package, the spout being configured to allow controlled pouring of the pourable product from the package.
[0007] It is also known to provide a lid assembly configured to selectively control the reversible closing and opening of a pour spout.
[0008] A typical lid assembly includes a coupling ring, such as a tamper-evident feature, and a lid, wherein the coupling ring is arranged around the spout and the lid is configured to close the pouring spout when arranged on the spout.
[0009] The cap assembly is to be applied to the spout, which requires operation of an application apparatus. The application apparatus needs to grasp the cap assembly so as to align and / or orient the cap assembly relative to the spout and / or the package itself and press the cap assembly onto the spout. The application apparatus must operate so that the cap assembly and / or the package are not damaged during application of the cap assembly.
[0010] Although the application of known cap assemblies to known spouts works satisfactorily, there is a need in the art for further improvements in cap assemblies and / or packaging and / or methods of assembling cap assemblies to spouts, particularly for improving the application of cap assemblies to spouts. Summary of the Invention
[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved cap assembly for a container, in particular a sealed package, filled with a pourable product, even more in particular a pourable food product, in a simple and cost-effective manner.
[0012] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide, in a simple and low-cost manner, an improved lid assembly for a container, in particular a sealed package, which is filled with a pourable product, even more in particular with a pourable food product, which allows facilitating and improving its application to the corresponding spout, in particular so as to further reduce the risk of damaging the lid assembly and / or the spout and / or the sealed package.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a container, in particular a finished package, filled with a pourable product, in particular with a pourable food product, in a simple and cost-effective manner, the container having a lid assembly, in particular a lid assembly designed to improve and facilitate its application to a corresponding spout, in particular so as to further reduce the risk of damaging the lid assembly and / or the spout and / or the sealed package.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of applying a cover assembly in a simple and cost-effective manner.
[0015] According to the present invention, there is provided a cap assembly according to claim 1 .
[0016] Further advantageous embodiments of the cover assembly are described in the corresponding dependent claims.
[0017] According to the present invention, there is also provided a container according to any one of claims 12 and 13.
[0018] According to the present invention, there is also provided a method according to any one of claims 14 and 15. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Three non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a container having a lid assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with some components removed for clarity;
[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a top view of the cover assembly of FIG. 1 with some components removed for clarity; and
[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 an enlarged perspective view of a detail of a cover assembly of FIG. 1 with some components removed for clarity;
[0023] Figure 4 is a top view of a cover assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention with some components removed for clarity; and
[0024] Figure 5 is a top view of a cover assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with some components removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Reference numeral 1 generally denotes a container, in particular a finished product package, comprising:
[0026] a base container, in particular a sealed package 2 , even more in particular a sealed carton package, which is filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, in particular having a designated pouring opening surface area (not shown and known per se);
[0027] a spout 3 (shown only partially to the extent necessary for understanding the invention), in particular a plastic spout, which is fitted to the container, in particular to the package 2 around a designated pouring opening surface area, and which has a pouring outlet; and
[0028] - a lid assembly 4 coupled and / or coupleable to the spout 3 and configured to selectively control the opening and closing of the pouring outlet 4 .
[0029] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, packaging 2 is obtained by packaging material, and this packaging material is particularly in coil form, and has multilayer structure (not shown).The packaging material comprises at least one fibrous material (for example paper or cardboard) layer, and at least two heat-sealing plastic material (for example polyethylene) layers of this fibrous material layer are inserted between each other.One of these two heat-sealing plastic material layers defines the inner face of the packaging 2 that contacts with the pourable product.
[0030] Preferably, but not necessarily, the packaging material further comprises a layer of gas and light barrier material, for example, an aluminum foil or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular arranged between one of the heat-sealable plastic material layers and the fiber material layer. Preferably, but not necessarily, the packaging material further comprises a further layer of heat-sealable plastic material interposed between the gas and light barrier material layer and the fiber material layer.
[0031] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the spout 3 is applied to the package 2 before, during or after the package 2 is formed, filled and sealed.
[0032] Alternatively, the spout 3 may be applied to the packaging material before the packaging material is arranged in the packaging machine or during advancement of the packaging material through the packaging machine to form, fill and seal the package 2 from the packaging material.
[0033] In particular, the spout 3 is applied to the packaging material or the packaging 2 by means of a moulding process and / or adhesive bonding and / or ultrasonic bonding.
[0034] In particular, the package 2 and / or the packaging material in combination with the spout 3 defines a precursor to the finished package 1 .
[0035] Special References Figure 1 , the package 2 extends along the longitudinal axis A, the first transverse axis B and the second transverse axis C. In particular, the extension of the package 2 along the longitudinal axis A is greater than the extension of the package 2 along the first transverse axis B and the second transverse axis C.
[0036] Preferably, the package 2 is parallelepiped-shaped.
[0037] In particular, the designated pouring opening surface area of the package 2 is configured to be at least partially opened and / or ruptured and / or cut and / or punctured and / or removed in order to allow the pourable product to be poured out of the package 2, in particular through the spout 3, more in particular through the pouring outlet. Even more in particular, the pouring opening surface area is configured to allow the pourable product to be poured out after its integrity has been lost and to protect the pourable product from the external environment before it is cut and / or opened and / or ruptured and / or punctured and / or removed.
[0038] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the pouring opening surface area comprises a separating membrane (not shown and known per se) which is configured to be broken and / or (partially or completely) removed and / or opened and / or cut and / or pierced and / or removed. In particular, the separating membrane separates the interior of the package 2 from the external environment in the area of the pouring opening surface area, in particular in this area. Preferably, the separating membrane comprises a gas and light barrier material, for example, an aluminum foil or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film.
[0039] According to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the separating membrane is defined by a portion of the packaging material, in particular by a portion of a layer of the packaging material different from the layer of fibrous material.
[0040] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the finished product package 1 further comprises an opening device, which is configured to rupture and / or open and / or cut and / or pierce and / or (partially or completely) remove the separating membrane. In particular, the opening device is coupled to the lid assembly 4 so that the opening device can be actuated by means of the lid assembly 4.
[0041] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the opening device may include a cutter.
[0042] According to some alternative non-limiting embodiments, the opening device may include a (polymer) covering layer, which is in particular molded onto the separating membrane and / or partially defines the separating membrane; and a leg assembly, which is molded and / or welded and / or fused to the cover assembly 4 and the covering layer.
[0043] Special References Figure 1 , the spout 3 at least includes:
[0044] a base 5 which couples the spout 3 to the package and / or is configured to couple the spout 3 to the package, in particular at the pouring opening surface area; and
[0045] - a collar provided with at least a pouring outlet configured to allow a (controlled) outflow of the pourable product from the finished package 1 and / or package 2, in particular in the event that the separating membrane loses its integrity.
[0046] In particular, the collar extends along the longitudinal axis E (preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis A) and away from the base frame 5 .
[0047] Preferably, the collar and the pouring spout present a (substantially) circular cross-sectional profile, in particular with respect to a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis E.
[0048] Advantageously, the cover assembly 4 comprises:
[0049] a coupling ring 6 configured to be arranged, and / or arranged, in particular rotatably, around at least a portion of the spout 3, in particular around at least a portion of the collar, in particular such that the coupling ring 6 is inseparable from the spout 3, in particular from the collar;
[0050] a lid 7 configured to selectively cover the pouring outlet, in particular for selectively opening and closing the pouring outlet; and
[0051] A tethering element (not shown) tethering the cover 7 to the coupling ring 6 .
[0052] Preferably, the cover 7 is hinged to the coupling ring 6 by means of a tethering element and is adapted to be angularly movable about an articulation axis defined by the tethering element.
[0053] In particular, the tethering element is connected to the rear portion 8 of the cover 7 .
[0054] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the cover 7 is controllable between at least the following configurations:
[0055] - Closed configuration (see Figure 1 and 3 ), in particular wherein the lid 7 is in a first angular position relative to the hinge axis, and wherein the lid 7 is configured to cover and / or cover the pouring outlet, in particular for preventing the pourable product from flowing out of the finished package 1 and / or the package 2; and
[0056] an open configuration (not shown), in particular wherein the lid 7 is in a second angular position relative to the hinge axis (different from the first angular position) and wherein the lid 7 is configured to be detached from the pouring spout and / or detached from the pouring spout.
[0057] In particular, in use, controlling the lid 7 between the closed configuration and the open configuration requires application of an opening force or a closing force by a user in order to actuate angular movement of the lid 7 about the hinge axis.
[0058] In particular, during formation of the finished package 1, the lid assembly 4 is coupled to and / or arranged on and / or associated with the spout 3 such that the lid 7 is in a closed configuration. Even more particularly, the finished package 1 is provided to a user with the lid 7 in a closed configuration.
[0059] Preferably, the opening means are actuated during the first control of the lid 7 from the closed configuration to the open configuration in order to break and / or open and / or cut and / or pierce and / or completely or partially remove the separation membrane.
[0060] Preferably, the lid assembly 4 further comprises one or more breakable coupling bridges 9 connecting the coupling ring 6 to the lid 7. In particular, the coupling bridges 9 are configured to be irreversibly broken during the first control of the lid 7 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
[0061] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the cover 7 includes a body portion 14 carrying and / or having a rear portion 8 and a front portion 15 opposite the rear portion 8; and
[0062] A lifting portion 16 , in particular projecting from the front portion 15 in a forward direction, in particular projecting away from the rear portion 8 and / or the main portion 14 .
[0063] It should be noted that the terms "front" and "rear" should be understood in the context of how the lid assembly 4 is arranged on the spout 3 and, therefore, on the finished package 1. In particular, when a user first attempts to manipulate the lid 7 from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the user faces the front portion 15, while the rear portion 8 faces away from the user. In other words, in this case, the front portion 15 is between the user and the rear portion 8.
[0064] However, in the context of the present description, it is important to note that the rear portion 8 is the portion of the cover 7 that is in direct contact with the tethering element, whereas the front portion 15 is opposite the rear portion 8 .
[0065] In particular, the lifting portion 16 is configured to be manipulated by a user to exert at least an opening force on the lid 7 in order to control the lid 7 from the first angular position to the second angular position about the hinge axis. In other words, the lifting portion 16 defines a contact surface for the user. In particular, the lifting portion 16 is designed to be contacted by a finger (e.g., a thumb) of the user.
[0066] Preferably, the cover 7, in particular the main body 14, comprises:
[0067] - a top wall 17 configured to cover and / or cover the pouring outlet with the lid 7 in the closed configuration; and
[0068] - a side wall 18 which projects from the top wall 17 and is configured to at least partially surround and / or at least partially enclose a collar in which the lid 7 is controlled in the closed configuration.
[0069] In particular and with the lid 7 in the closed configuration, the top wall 17 is transverse to the longitudinal axis E, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis E, and the side walls 18 are (substantially) parallel thereto.
[0070] In particular, when the lid 7 is controlled in the closed configuration in use, the lid 7, in particular the body portion 14, even more in particular the top wall 17 and the side walls 18, are at least partially in contact with the collar.
[0071] In particular, the top wall 17 has a circular shape, and the side walls 18 enclose a generally cylindrical space.
[0072] Preferably, the cover 7 comprises an inner surface, in particular an inner surface in contact with and / or facing the collar, wherein the cover 7 is controlled in the closed configuration.
[0073] Special References Figures 1 to 3 The lifting portion 16 is connected to the main body portion 14 , in particular, to the top wall 17 and / or the side wall 18 .
[0074] Preferably, the lifting portion 16 includes an elongated main wall 19 , which in particular extends away from the main body portion 14 , in particular away from the top wall 17 and / or the side wall 18 .
[0075] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the elongated main wall 19 is (substantially) parallel to the top wall 17 and / or transverse to, in particular perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis E.
[0076] Alternatively, the elongated main wall 19 may be transverse to the top wall 17 .
[0077] Preferably, the top wall 17 lies on a first extension plane and the elongated main wall 19 lies on a second extension plane. According to possible non-limiting embodiments, the first extension plane and the second extension plane can coincide with each other or be different. In other words, the first extension plane and the second extension plane can be parallel to each other but spaced apart from each other.
[0078] Advantageously, the lid 7 comprises at least a first gripping wall 20 and at least a second gripping wall 21. In particular, each of the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 defines a respective engagement surface configured to be engaged by a portion of an application device adapted to arrange the lid assembly 4 on the spout 3 and / or to align and / or orient the lid 7 during coupling and / or applying and / or arranging the lid assembly 4 on the spout 3. In particular, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are configured to support alignment and / or orientation and / or rotation of the lid 4 (by the application device).
[0079] Preferably, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are opposite to each other (ie are arranged at opposite portions of the cover 7).
[0080] In particular, the first gripping wall 20 is located on a first plane H1 and the second gripping wall 21 is located on a second plane H2. The first plane H1 and the second plane H2 are different from each other.
[0081] Preferably, the first plane H1 and the second plane H2 are parallel to each other, or in other words, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are parallel to each other.
[0082] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first plane H1 and the second plane H2 are parallel to the longitudinal axis E, in particular when the lid 7 is controlled in the closed configuration.
[0083] In particular, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 , by being situated in the first plane H1 and the second plane H2 respectively, present a rectilinear portion, which is advantageous for their gripping properties.
[0084] In particular, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are designed to be engaged by gripping elements of an application device.
[0085] By providing the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21, the application apparatus is able to improve control over the application of the lid assembly 4 to the spout 3. In particular, it is easier to grip and orient and / or align the lid assembly 4 relative to the spout 3 and / or the packaging 2, while reducing the risk of damaging the lid assembly 4 and / or the spout 3 and / or the packaging 2.
[0086] according to Figures 1 to 3 In the disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the lifting portion 16 includes a first gripping wall 20 and a second gripping wall 21 .
[0087] Preferably, the first 20 and second 21 gripping walls are transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the elongated main wall 19. In particular, the elongated main wall 19 is arranged on the first 20 and second 21 gripping walls.
[0088] Preferably, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are interposed between the elongated main wall 19 and the base frame 5 with the lid assembly 4 coupled to the spout 3 and the lid 7 in the closed configuration.
[0089] Preferably, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 define respective lateral end walls of the lifting portion 16 .
[0090] In particular, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are connected to the front portion 15 and / or protrude from the side wall 18 .
[0091] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the lifting portion 16 further includes one or more auxiliary walls 22 (in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ) inserted between the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21. Figure 1 and 3 Only part of it is shown).
[0092] Preferably, the auxiliary wall 22 is designed to provide an improved tactile feel of the lifting portion 16 to the user's fingers.
[0093] Preferably, the auxiliary walls 22 are parallel to each other and to the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 .
[0094] Preferably, the auxiliary wall 22 is connected to and protrudes from the front portion 15 and / or the side wall 18 .
[0095] Preferably, the elongated main wall 19 is also arranged on the auxiliary wall 22 .
[0096] In particular, the auxiliary wall 22 is interposed between the elongated main wall 19 and the base frame 5 .
[0097] During the packaging process, coupling of the cap assembly 4 to the spout 3 requires coupling the cap assembly 4 to a precursor of the finished package 1. In particular, the precursor of the finished package 1 comprises the spout 3.
[0098] The precursor of the finished package 1 may be defined by the packaging material and the spout 3 connected to the packaging material. Alternatively, the precursor of the finished package 1 may be defined by the package 2 carrying the spout 3.
[0099] The coupling of the lid assembly 4 and the spout 3 includes at least the following steps:
[0100] - in particular providing a precursor to the finished package 1 and the spout 3;
[0101] - gripping the cover assembly 4 at the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 ;
[0102] - orienting and / or aligning the lid assembly 4 relative to the precursor and / or spout 3 of the finished package 1; and
[0103] - Applying and / or arranging the lid assembly 4 onto the spout 3 .
[0104] In particular, during the gripping step, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are engaged by gripping elements of the application device, and during the orienting and / or aligning step, the gripping elements are controlled to orient and / or align the cover assembly 4 .
[0105] Preferably, during the applying and / or arranging step, the coupling ring 6 is arranged around the collar and the cover 7 is arranged on the spout 3 so as to cover the pouring outlet.
[0106] In use, pouring of the pourable product from the finished package 1 requires releasing and / or opening the pouring outlet of the spout 3. This is done by controlling the lid 7 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
[0107] Control from the closed configuration to the open configuration is accomplished by the user engaging the lift 16 and applying an opening force to angularly move the lid 7 from the first angular position to the second angular position.
[0108] Preferably, the first time the lid 7 is controlled from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the coupling bridge 9 is irreversibly broken and the separating membrane becomes broken and / or opened and / or cut and / or removed and / or pierced.
[0109] By repeatedly moving the lid 7 between the closed configuration and the open configuration, the pouring spout can be repeatedly closed and opened.
[0110] refer to Figure 4 , reference numeral 4 ' denotes an alternative embodiment of a cover assembly according to the present invention; since cover assembly 4 ' is similar to cover assembly 4 , the following description is limited to the differences therebetween, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts where possible.
[0111] In particular, cover assembly 4' differs from cover assembly 4 in that it includes cover 7'; since cover 7' is similar to cover 7, the following description is limited to the differences therebetween, and like reference numerals are used for like or corresponding parts where possible.
[0112] In particular, the cover 7 ′ differs from the cover 7 in that the body portion 14 comprises a first gripping wall 20 and a second gripping wall 21 .
[0113] Preferably, the top wall 17 and / or the side wall 18 comprises a first gripping wall 20 and a second gripping wall 21 .
[0114] In particular, according to Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are parallel to each other.
[0115] In particular, the top wall 17 and / or the side walls 18 comprise respective linear and curved exteriors.
[0116] Since the method of coupling the lid assembly 4' to the spout 3 is substantially the same as the method of coupling the lid assembly 4 to the spout 3, we refer to the description provided above.
[0117] Since the use of the finished package 1 with the lid assembly 4 ′ is similar to the use of the finished package 1 with the lid assembly 4 , we refer to the description provided above.
[0118] refer to Figure 5 , numeral 4" designates an alternative embodiment of a cover assembly according to the present invention; since cover assembly 4" is similar to cover assembly 4', the following description is limited to the differences therebetween, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts where possible.
[0119] In particular, cover assembly 4" differs from cover assembly 4' in that it includes cover 7"; since cover 7" is similar to cover 7', the following description is limited to the differences therebetween, and like reference numerals are used for like or corresponding parts where possible.
[0120] In particular, the cover 7 ″ differs from the cover 7 ′ in that the first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 are not parallel to each other.
[0121] Since the method of coupling the lid assembly 4 ″ to the spout 3 is the same as the method of coupling the lid assembly 4 ′ or the lid assembly 4 to the spout 3 , we refer to the description provided above.
[0122] Since the use of the finished package 1 with the lid assembly 4 ″ is similar to the use of the finished package 1 with the lid assembly 4 or the lid assembly 4 ′, we refer to the description provided above.
[0123] The advantages of the lid assembly 4, 4' or 4" and / or the finished package 1 and / or the method of coupling the lid assembly 4, 4' or 4" to the spout 3 according to the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description.
[0124] In particular, by providing a first gripping wall 20 and a second gripping wall 21, the overall handling of the lid assemblies 4, 4' and 4" by means of the application device is facilitated. The first gripping wall 20 and the second gripping wall 21 allow improved gripping and alignment and / or orientation of the lid assemblies 4, 4' and 4" while reducing the risk of damaging the lid assemblies 4, 4' and 4" and / or the finished packaging 1 and / or packaging 2 and / or the spout 3 during application of the lid assemblies 4, 4' and 4".
[0125] Obviously, changes may be made to the cover assemblies 4, 4' and 4" and / or the finished package 1 and / or the coupling method as described herein, without departing from the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A lid assembly (4, 4', 4") for a container (1, 2) having a spout (3); The cover assembly (4, 4', 4") comprises at least: - a coupling ring (6) configured to be arranged around at least a portion of the spout (3); - a lid (7, 7', 7") configured to selectively cover the pouring outlet of the spout (3); and - a tethering element for tethering the cover (7, 7', 7") to the coupling ring (6); Wherein said cover (7, 7', 7") comprises: a main body portion (14) having a rear portion (8) and a front portion (15) opposite the rear portion (8); wherein the main body portion (14) includes a top wall (17) configured to cover the pour spout with the lid in a closed configuration; a lifting portion (16) protruding from the front portion (15), the lifting portion (16) comprising an elongated main wall (19) substantially parallel to the top wall (17); at least one first gripping wall (20) and at least one second gripping wall (21) arranged on opposite portions of the cover (7, 7', 7"); wherein the first gripping wall (20) is located on a first plane (H1), and the second gripping wall (21) is located on a second plane (H2) different from the first plane (H1); wherein the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21) define respective engagement surfaces configured to be engaged by at least a portion of an application device and / or to support gripping and / or alignment and / or rotation of the lid (7, 7', 7") during coupling of the lid assembly (4, 4', 4") to the spout (3); wherein the body portion (4) further comprises a side wall (18) protruding from the top wall (17); wherein the side wall (18) is configured as a collar at least partially surrounding the spout (3), wherein the lid is controlled to be in the closed configuration; wherein the first plane (H1) and the second plane (H2) are parallel to each other, the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21) protrude from the side wall (18), the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21) are transverse to the elongated main wall (19), and the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21) are connected to the front portion (15) of the main body portion (14); in, The elongated main wall (19) of the lifting portion (16) extends away from the top wall (17) of the main body portion (14). And the elongated main wall (19) is arranged on the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21).
2. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21) are parallel to each other.
3. A lid assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid (7, 7', 7") is hingedly connected to the coupling ring (6) by means of the tethering element and is adapted to be angularly movable about a hinge axis defined by the tethering element; and wherein the tethering element is connected to the cover (7, 7', 7") at the rear portion (8) of the cover (7, 7', 7").
4. The cover assembly according to claim 3, The lifting portion (16) includes the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21).
5. The lid assembly of claim 4, wherein the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21) define respective transverse end walls of the lifting portion (16).
6. The lid assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the lifting portion (16) further comprises: - one or more auxiliary walls (22) interposed between said first gripping wall (20) and said second gripping wall (21); as well as - a main wall (19) arranged on said first gripping wall, said second gripping wall and said auxiliary wall.
7. The cap assembly according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary wall (22) is parallel to the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21).
8. A lid assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid assembly (4, 4', 4") is controllable between at least a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the lid (7, 7', 7") is configured to cover the pouring outlet and in the open configuration the lid (7, 7', 7") is configured to be removed from the pouring outlet.
9. Container for pourable products comprising a spout (3) having a pouring outlet and a lid assembly (4, 4', 4") according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 and coupled to the spout (3).
10. The container according to claim 9, wherein The container is a package (1).
11. A container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the coupling ring (6) surrounds the collar of the spout (3) and the lid (7, 7', 7") can be controlled between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the lid (7, 7', 7") covers the pouring outlet and in which the lid (7, 7', 7") opens the pouring outlet.
12. Method of coupling a lid assembly (4, 4', 4") according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to a spout (3) having a pouring spout; The method comprises the following steps: - gripping the cover assembly (4, 4', 4") at the first gripping wall (20) and the second gripping wall (21); - orienting and / or aligning the lid assembly (4, 4', 4") relative to the front body of the container and / or the spout (3); as well as - Arranging and / or applying the cover assembly (4, 4', 4") onto the spout (3).
13. Method according to claim 12, wherein during the steps of arranging and / or applying, the coupling ring (6) is arranged around the collar of the spout (3) and a cover (7, 7', 7") is arranged on the spout (3) to cover the pouring outlet.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Closure cap for a container
WO2019113681A1