Foldable ultra-low-cost locking device, container and mounting device

Abstract

A hinged, ultra-low-cost closure device 1 for integration into a container for flowable products 31, in particular beverages, especially preferably a foil bag 32, a cardboard container 34 or a plastic bottle 35, comprising a flat base with a box-shaped recess formed in the middle, which has two segments such as the mouthpiece fitting 5 and a wider bending tube chamber 19, wherein an outwardly directed bending tube 2 is formed on the bottom of the bending chamber 19, characterized in that all said elements are manufactured as one part by means of preferably the plastic injection molding process such that the bending tube 2 is positioned with an angle of inclination relative to the vertical axis in the range of 30° to 70° (angle A) (see Fig. 1c).

Description

AREA OF APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinged, resealable, ultra-low-cost closure device for drinking or pouring liquid and flowable products, a container with the integrated closure device, and the assembly device for this. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

[0002] Current environmental requirements for packaging production include the following points: CO2 reduction, material usage reduction, weight reduction, high recyclability, use of mono-materials, and avoidance of separate or separable small parts and elements (which contribute to the formation of microplastics). Furthermore, manufacturers are striving to optimize production costs (including reducing the "plastic tax") and to achieve a better, more environmentally friendly market position.

[0003] The most economical and environmentally friendly alternative to the aforementioned containers are foil pouches. This type of packaging can achieve material savings of up to 90% compared to rigid containers. These foil pouches can be shaped as gusseted pouches, flat pouches, side-gusseted pouches, sachets (and other pouch types) and can be equipped with a tear-off edge, a spout with a threaded closure, a spout with a flip-top closure, a separate drinking straw, or other closure types.

[0004] The small, most common beverage containers, so-called "to-go drinks" with a volume of up to 350 ml, have a significantly higher proportion of packaging material relative to the product weight (the so-called product-to-packaging ratio) compared to larger containers (e.g., 1 liter and up). This leads to the problem that the production costs of the packaging can exceed the production costs of the contents themselves several times over. This reduces the manufacturer's profit and increases unnecessary spending by end consumers. Many brands have now switched to offering less product in the same packaging in order to maintain the same product price in the market.

[0005] Hard containers such as glass bottles, aluminum cans, and rigid plastic bottles are inefficient and expensive for small beverage containers (up to 350 ml). Therefore, they are being used less and less in the "to-go" drinks sector. The most common packaging types in this sector are pouches (film bags), cardboard containers (multilayer), or thin-walled bottles.

[0006] Small pouches and cardboard containers can be equipped with an integrated spout with a screw cap or with a separate drinking straw. The spouts consist of two injection-molded plastic parts: a welded spout with a nozzle and a cap (with a tab – so-called tethered caps). These two parts weigh approximately 2.5–4 g and are more expensive to manufacture and assemble than separate drinking straws, which require significantly less material. For this reason, most smaller containers with a volume of approximately 200 ml are produced with separate drinking straws.

[0007] Despite their widespread use, separate drinking straws currently offer a negative user experience. Due to regulations in numerous countries (especially within the EU), separate plastic parts are prohibited, meaning that drinking straws may only be made of paper. Consumers are misled, however, as most paper straws actually contain a plastic layer, making this solution far less sustainable than it is led to believe. Consumers complain about the difficulty of piercing the opening of the drinking glass with the insufficiently rigid paper straw, which can bend and become unusable. Additionally, the paper straw must be held with the fingers while piercing the glass, which is perceived as unhygienic. After a short time in the liquid, the hygroscopic paper straw softens, begins to disintegrate, and even affects the taste of the product.Furthermore, containers with a separate drinking straw are not resealable, which further reduces user convenience.

[0008] A plastic drinking straw permanently integrated into the beverage container could solve all these problems. Since the early 1990s, various approaches to integrating drinking straws into beverage containers have been known to the state of the art in order to improve hygiene and ease of use. Several technical solutions exist in which a tube or straw is integrated into a beverage container in such a way that one segment of the tube lies within the container's volume, while another segment is fixed outside to direct the contents outwards.

[0009] To close or seal, the outer segment of the tube can be covered in a bent position with a hard cap, a tear-off foil section, or a flap. However, single-use containers with an integrated, non-separable drinking straw or tube as a closure have not yet become widespread. This principle is primarily used for reusable containers.

[0010] The problem with existing technical solutions that use an integrated, non-separable drinking straw or tube as a closure in a disposable beverage container lies in the insufficient cost-effectiveness of the design. Such solutions often consist of two or more components, require a relatively large amount of material, and involve complex manufacturing and assembly, which precludes efficient production (e.g., cavity molding). Furthermore, these solutions require a relatively large amount of material and are characterized by complex manufacturing and assembly, making efficient design difficult. THE GOAL OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The object of the invention is to develop a hinged, resealable, ultra-low-cost closure device for drinking and pouring liquid and flowable products, as well as a container with the integrated closure device. This container should consist of a minimal amount of material and be manufactured in one piece, without separate or detachable parts, from a single material (the same material as the container). The invention is intended to offer a high level of user-friendliness. Furthermore, an assembly device is to be developed that enables cost-effective and high-cavity production and filling of a pouch. SOLUTION

[0012] As a solution to the above-mentioned problems, an invention is proposed which is an ultra-cheap, hinged, resealable closure device that can be integrated into a foil pouch or other container types such as cardboard containers, plastic bottles, etc.

[0013] The closure device according to the invention ensures, in the closed state, i.e. in the “folded-up” state, a safe, gas-tight storage of the liquid or flowable products in the container.

[0014] When open, i.e., in the "unfolded" state, the closure device allows for controlled dispensing of liquid or flowable products and also offers a comfortable drinking process.

[0015] The closure device according to the invention represents a more efficient alternative to disadvantageous separate drinking straws and screw caps.

[0016] The design of the locking device is geared towards environmentally friendly, sustainable and ultra-cost-effective manufacturing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are not to be understood as limiting the invention and are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. These drawings schematically show: 1a - Perspective view of the locking device in an open state, viewed from above. 1b - Perspective view of the locking device in an open state, viewed from below. 1c - Vertical sectional view of the locking device in a closed state. 1d - Vertical sectional view of the locking device in a closed state, from the front. 2a - Vertical sectional view of the container (pouch) with the closure device in a closed state. 2b - Vertical sectional view of the container (pouch) with the closure device in an open state during the application process (ready for drinking or pouring). 3a - Schematic representation of the welding contours and tear lines of the design variant of the closure device with the tear-off collar (top view). 3b - Vertical sectional view of the design variant of the locking device with the tear-off collar. 3c - Schematic representation of the welding contours and tear lines of the design variant of the closure device with the contact collar (top view). 3D - Vertical sectional view of the design variant of the closure device with a contact collar. 4a - Vertical sectional view of the combined assembly tool with a locking device attached inside, including the tear-off collar. 4b - Perspective view of the assembly gripper. 5a - Vertical top view of the design variant of the locking device with finger fits. 5b - Vertical sectional view of the design variant of the locking device with the integrated pull tab. 5c - Vertical sectional view of the bending tube of the variant of the locking device with the integrated pull tab in the unfolded state. 6a - Perspective view of the design variant of the closure device for cardboard containers in the closed state. 6b - Vertical sectional view of the design variant of the closure device for cardboard containers in the open state. 6c - Vertical sectional view of the design variant of the closure device for cardboard containers in the closed state. 7a - Perspective view of the further variant of the locking device for hard containers in the closed state. 7b - Vertical sectional view of the further variant of the locking device for hard containers in the closed state. 8a - Vertical sectional view of the segments of the bent tube in an unfolded state. 8b - Vertical sectional view of the segments of the kinked tube in an unfolded state, with a kink formed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The invention is described in more detail below in various embodiments by means of a detailed description of the technical features and the figures. To avoid unnecessary repetition, identical or equivalent parts – even across different embodiments – are provided with the same reference numerals and are described only once, unless their function and effect are already clearly evident from the preceding description in conjunction with the illustrations. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0019] The design of the closure device according to the invention was developed taking into account all the requirements that the current market places on ultra-low-cost disposable beverage packaging. These include low manufacturing costs, high cavity capacity during production and filling, sustainability and environmental friendliness, user-friendliness, and product safety.

[0020] The closure device according to the invention is a flexible, one-piece manufactured component which has a thin-walled construction ( Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b). The closure device according to the invention can be contained in a pouch (foil bag) ( Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b), in a cardboard container ( Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b, Fig. 6c) or in a hard bottle ( Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b) be integrated.

[0021] The operating principle of the closure device according to the invention is based on a flexible tube with a mounting base, which is attached to or integrated into the container. In the open or "unfolded" state, this flexible tube directs the container volume outwards. The unfolded, protruding, flexible, resealable tube then serves as a drinking straw, enabling comfortable drinking.

[0022] When the flexible tube is bent or kinked, the inner walls of the flexible tube come into contact with each other at the kink point, thus hermetically interrupting the flow of the container volume within the flexible tube. This flexible tube (hereinafter referred to as the kink tube) serves as a resealable drinking mouthpiece.

[0023] The invention described below comprises three embodiments or modifications of the closure device according to the invention, adapted for different types of containers: one modification for pouches, one for cardboard containers, and one for plastic or hard bottles. Furthermore, the invention includes a special assembly device for welding the closure device according to the invention to the wall of the pouch. The specified dimensions of the closure device according to the invention were determined through tests on physical prototypes and established as optimal for achieving the objectives of the invention (ergonomics, safety, and cost-effectiveness). It should be noted that the optimal dimensions of the closure device for pouches listed below are specifically tailored to the application of "drinking liquid beverages."These specifications apply to a PE closure device weighing between 0.8 and 1.3 grams and having an inner bend tube diameter of 3 to 5 mm. STRUCTURE OF THE INVENTIONAL LOCKING DEVICE

[0024] In the perspective representation of the Fig. 1a and Fig. Figure 1b shows the closure device 1 according to the invention in an open or unfolded state, in which it is manufactured as a component (one piece) (preferably by means of the plastic injection molding process or another process made of PE material (polyethylene injection molded part) or of a PP material (polypropylene injection molded part) or of another plastic or another innovative material (e.g. compostable material, plastic made from sugar cane, etc.).

[0025] The closure device 1 according to the invention consists of two main components: the weld base 6 and the bendable tube 2. The weld base 6 ( Fig. 1a) represents a thin-walled, rectangular, elongated plate with rounded corners (or another shape), having a preferred wall thickness of 0.5–1 mm. The welding base 6 serves to connect the closure device 1 according to the invention to the wall of the container by welding or bonding.

[0026] In the middle of the welding base 6 a box-shaped, elongated recess is formed, which is divided into two segments such as the nozzle fitting 5 and the bending chamber 19, the bending chamber 19 being wider than the nozzle fitting 5 because more space is needed in the bending area (for the sealing bend 37).

[0027] The upper edge of the mouthpiece fitting 5 and the bending chamber 19 is provided with a thin-walled tear-off collar 18, wherein the tear-off collar 18 forms a closed contour having a wall thickness in the range of 0.4 mm and 0.7 mm and is equipped on one side with a foil ramp 14.

[0028] A valve dome 22 is formed in the rear inner wall of the mouthpiece fitting 5. The inner base and walls of the mouthpiece fitting 5 repeat the round shape or profile of the mouthpiece 3. A pipe clamp profile 15 is formed at the top of the walls of the mouthpiece fitting 5. The distance between the left and right pipe clamp profiles 15 is preferably 0.1–0.5 mm smaller than the diameter of the mouthpiece 3. Fig. 1d), so that the pipe clamp profile 15 holds the mouthpiece 3 in the closed position and can still be easily unfolded.

[0029] The upper edge of the tear-off collar 18 ( Fig. 1d) is positioned at least at a level or height (preferably up to 0.6 mm) above the upper surface of the weld base 6. A cutting channel 12 is formed between the tear-off collar 18 and the upper surface of the weld base 6, which surrounds the tear-off collar 18, with a wider space formed at one end of the cutting channel 12, which constitutes a nail fit 13.

[0030] The upper surface of the film ramp 14 has a slope with a preferred angle of at least 8° to 15°. The bottom of the cutting channel 12 is lower than the level of the upper surface of the welding base 6 and the level of the tear-off collar 18. KNUCKLE PIPE

[0031] The kinked pipe 2 consists of two segments with different wall thicknesses. The lower segment is the kink 4 ( Fig. 1c), which is connected to the bottom of the buckling chamber 19, and has a thinner wall thickness (preferred wall thickness of 0.5 - 0.8 mm).

[0032] The mouthpiece 3, as the upper segment, has a greater wall thickness (preferred wall thickness of 0.9 - 1.2 mm) and is therefore stiffer than the bending point 4, whereby when the bending tube 2 is bent, the bending point 4 serves as the pre-planned bending / kinking point.

[0033] The open end of the mouthpiece 3 has an outlet opening 10, which is surrounded by a domed saddle 16. On the underside of the mouthpiece 3, near the bend 4, a pipe weld rib 8 is formed in the form of a protruding rib. According to the invention, the ergonomically determined distance between the pipe weld rib 8 and the edge of the outlet opening 10 is between 13 and 16 mm. This distance of the mouthpiece 3 is enclosed by the lips and is an optimal distance, as determined through numerous tests. The overall preferred (optimal) length of the bent tube 2 (from the bottom of the bend chamber 19 to the outlet opening 10) is between 30 and 45 mm. INCLINATION ANGLE OF THE PARTS OF THE LOCKING DEVICE

[0034] The bending tube 2, in the unfolded state in which it is manufactured, has an angle of inclination of 30° to 70° (angle A) in a direction opposite to the mouthpiece fitting 5 (see figure). Fig. 1c). Angle A refers to a degree of inclination perpendicular to the welding base surface.

[0035] In order to ensure demoldability of the mold during plastic injection molding, the elements such as the frontal folding chamber wall 26, the frontal and rear sections of the tear-off collar 18 and the rear part of the film ramp 14 should have the same angle of inclination as the folding tube 2. DEWING OF THE BENDABLE TUBE

[0036] The inner pipe channel 9 is shaped in such a way ( Fig. 2b) that it has no undercuts that could prevent demolding from the injection mold. For this purpose, the pipe channel 9 according to the invention has a smaller diameter in the area of ​​the nozzle 3 than in the area of ​​the bend 4, so that the pin forms the pipe channel 9 and can be pulled out downwards through the inlet opening 11. DEMOLDING OF THE PIPE WELDED RIB

[0037] The pipe welding rib 8, as a prominent welding point, protects the nozzle 3 against overheating during the welding process. The thin walls of the pipe welding ribs 8 weld more quickly and do not require high temperatures. The pipe welding ribs 8 ( Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, Fig. 1d, Fig. 1c) represent protruding ribs, at least one rib, wherein the ribs are directed upwards in the bent state of the bending tube 2 and are formed on the outer wall of the mouthpiece 3 (cf. Fig. 1a). The pipe welding ribs 8 are positioned along the bending pipe axis. The pipe welding ribs 8 also have wedge-shaped or rounded ends.

[0038] Therefore, these ribs represent a minimal negative angle (minimal undercuts), so that, thanks to their low height (approx. 0.4–0.8 mm) and wedge-shaped form, the bending tube 2 can be pulled out of its negative plastic injection mold by means of force demolding. Before demolding the nozzle 3 with the pipe welding rib 8, the pin of the pipe channel 9 must be removed. Thus, the walls of the nozzle 3 and the pipe welding rib 8 can be removed with minimal resistance. SEALING THE LOCKING DEVICE

[0039] To close the locking device 1 according to the invention ( Fig. 1c) The bending tube 2 is inclined towards the nozzle fitting 5, causing the bending tube 2 to bend at the pre-planned bend 4. This brings the inner walls of the bend 4 into close contact with each other, thus creating a gas-tight seal between the inlet opening 11 and the pipe channel 9. The sealing bend 37 acts as a hinge between the bottom of the bending chamber 19 and the nozzle 3, allowing the bending tube 2 to be folded in and out in a controlled manner. BEND ANGLE

[0040] An optimal angle of inclination of the bending tube 2 in a direction opposite the nozzle fitting 5 is 35° (angle A). Thus, when the nozzle 3 is folded into its mounting position (the nozzle fitting 5), the bend 4 is bent by 125° (angle B), which enables an effective seal of the bending tube 2. With a smaller angle A, or if the bending tube 2 is positioned completely vertically at 90°, the bend 4 will not be sufficiently sealed in the area of ​​the sealing bend 37 when folded, which could lead to leakage of the liquid product. A larger angle of inclination of the bending tube 2 of more than 70° (angle A) will necessitate a proportional increase in the geometry of the weld base 6, which will also proportionally increase the amount of material required.

[0041] The preferred optimal inclination angle of the bend tube 2 of 35° (angle A) is relevant for an outer diameter of the bend 4 of 4 to 5 mm and a wall thickness of 0.5 to 0.7 mm. Furthermore, the pouch 32 is used when drinking from an unfolded mouthpiece 5 ( Fig. 2b) held vertically and an inclination angle of the bending tube 2 of 35° (angle A) was determined to be optimal - from an ergonomic point of view - through numerous prototype tests. Crease formation

[0042] For a more precise bend formation ( Fig. 8a) The planned kink 4 can be shortened by means of a lower pipe wall stiffener 53. The wall thickness of the lower pipe wall stiffener 53 can be in the range of 0.9 mm to 1.2 mm. This makes it possible to concentrate the epicenter of the kink formation in a specific section of the kinked pipe 2. This is necessary so that, when the kinked pipe 2 is closed, the sealing kink 37 lies at the same level as the center of the valve coupling 22 on a horizontal plane, thus ensuring optimal sealing of the outlet opening 10 (see Figure 8a). Fig. 1c and Fig. 8a). BEND DEFORMATION

[0043] After the kinked pipe 2 has been in a kinked state, a plastic deformation occurs in the area of ​​the kink 4 ( Fig. 8b), which causes the bend 4 to become narrower when unfolded again. This means that the inner walls of the bend 4 are bent into the pipe channel 9 (cf. Fig. 8b). This narrow point acts as a flow restrictor during the drinking process, making drinking from the pouch more controlled and comfortable for the user (compared to an unlimited product flow). The stiffer walls of the mouthpiece 3, the lower tube wall stiffener 53, and the rigid base of the bending chamber 19 prevent the bend 4 from collapsing when a vacuum is created in the tube channel 9. Folding chamber width

[0044] The round profile of the bending point 4 becomes oval during bending and can become up to 50% wider (along the bending axis), therefore the bending pipe chamber 19 must be correspondingly wider than the bending pipe fitting 5. INTRODUCTION TO MOUTHPIECE FIT AND VALVE DOME

[0045] During the closing process, the mouthpiece 3 is inserted into the mouthpiece fitting 5 in such a way ( Fig. 1c) that the open end of the mouthpiece 3 with the dome saddle 16 comes into contact (is clamped) with the valve dome 22. VALVE DOME FUNCTION

[0046] Since the distance between the center of the sealing bend 37 and the dome saddle 16 is greater than the distance between the center of the sealing bend 37 and the center of the projecting valve dome 22, the nozzle 3 is forced into the nozzle fitting 5 and fixed in a closed or folded position. The flexibility of the sealing bend 37 continuously presses the dome saddle 16 against the valve dome 22. This allows for additional sealing of the section of the pipe channel 9 between the sealing bend 37 and the dome saddle 16. The valve dome 22 prevents product residues remaining in the pipe channel 9 from drying out, dripping, and spoiling. BEND PIPE FIT

[0047] The inner walls and the bottom of the bend pipe fitting 5 ( Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b, Fig. 4b) Repeat the round outer profile of the mouthpiece 3 convexly or with a small gap (up to 0.1 mm). This shape enables the correct positioning of the mouthpiece 3 in the bend tube fitting 5. PIPE CLAMPS

[0048] The pipe clamp profile 15 ( Fig. 1a), which is formed on both walls of the bending tube fitting 5, represents a negative angle that holds the mouthpiece 3 in a closed or bent position. The profile of the bending tube fitting 5, the tube clamp profile 15, and the valve dome 22 prevent the bending tube 2 from opening unintentionally under the influence of dynamic and static forces acting on the container, for example, during storage, transport, or when carried in the user's pocket. When sealed, the film provides additional protection. The distance between the left and right tube clamp profiles 15 is preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mm smaller than the diameter of the mouthpiece 3. SUSPENSION SYSTEM, DUCT RIBBON AND DUCT

[0049] On the lower side of the closure device 1 according to the invention ( Fig. 1b) A conduction rib 20 is formed, which is positioned on the lower outer side of the mouthpiece fitting 5 and the bending chamber 19. The conduction rib 20 surrounds the inlet opening 11 in an arc-like (U-shaped) manner, with the two sections of the conduction rib 20 running parallel along the outer side of the mouthpiece fitting 5 and terminating together with the rear side of the mouthpiece fitting 5. Thus, a conduction channel 21 is formed between the segments of the conduction rib 20, which leads from the rear side of the mouthpiece fitting 5 to the inlet opening 11. APPLICATION OF THE LOCKING DEVICE

[0050] On the vertical sectional view of the Fig. Figure 2a shows a pouch 32. A folded (i.e., closed) closure device 1 according to the invention is attached to the frontal film 27 within the container volume 30 of the pouch 32 (welded by means of the welding base 6). The film flap 29 (section of the frontal film 27), which is welded to the thin-walled tear-off collar 18 and the pipe welding rib 8, covers the bent bending tube 2. The open end of the film flap 29, which is positioned in the area of ​​the nail fitting 13, is lifted by the film ramp 14, allowing it to be opened with two fingers by the user.

[0051] To open the closure device 1 according to the invention, the raised end of the foil flap 29 is pulled upwards with two fingers. This tears the foil flap 29 away from the tear-off collar 18. The lower segment of the particularly preferred tear-off collar 18 in the area of ​​the nail fitting 13 has a wedge-shaped form, the tip of which terminates with the foil ramp 14. This form facilitates easier separation of the foil flap 29 from the tear-off collar 18 when opening the closure device 1.

[0052] The extended foil flap 29 pulls the mouthpiece 3 out of its mouthpiece clamp 5 thanks to the welded pipe welding rib 8, and the bending tube 4 straightens (cf. Fig. 2b). Thus, the bend 4 opens and the liquid product 31 can flow outwards via inlet opening 11 and via the pipe channel 9.

[0053] During the drinking process (or drawing the product), a vacuum is created in the container volume 30, and the walls of the pouch 32 come together. The rear film 28 comes into contact with the conduit rib 20, thereby creating a conduit channel 21 that allows the free flow of the free-flowing product 31 to the inlet opening 11. ASSEMBLY WELDING TO THE CONTAINER

[0054] The closure device 1 according to the invention is inserted into a pouch or into the container volume 30 during assembly ( Fig. 2a). The welding base 6, the tear-off collar 18 and the pipe welding rib 8 are welded to the inner wall of the frontal foil 27. CONTOURS

[0055] The schematic representation of the Fig. Figure 3a shows that the welded connection contour 51 (which is created by welding the welding base 6 to the inner wall of the frontal foil 27) represents the first closed contour. CONTOURS WITH TEAR-OFF COLLAR

[0056] Within this contour with a distance, a second closed contour is formed, which is formed by the welded tear-off collar 18, with the bending chamber 19 and the mouthpiece fitting 5 being located in this second contour. CUTTING LINE CONTOUR

[0057] A cutting line 24 is formed between the welded surface of the welded contour 51 and the welded surface of the tear-off collar 18. The cutting line 24 encircles the nozzle fitting 5, the film ramp 14, and the folding chamber 19. The cutting line 24 forms an open contour that is interrupted in the upper area of ​​the folding chamber 19. The cutting lines 24 terminate with the cutting line end 54. This is a circular cutout that prevents further tearing of the film. The cutting line 24 forms a film flap 29 (i.e., a film cutout) that is partially separated from the frontal film 27. Please see the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b. On the vertical section view of the Fig. 3b shows that the foil flap 29 welded to the tear-off collar 18 forms a closed sealing chamber 7 (aseptic space) in which the kinked pipe 2 is hermetically stored before the first break-up. CONTACT COLLAR

[0058] On the Fig. 3c and Fig. Figure 3d shows the embodiment of the closure device 1 with a contact collar 17. The contact collar 17 (just like the tear-off collar 18) forms a closed contour in which the bending chamber 19 and the mouthpiece fitting 5 are located (see Figure 3d). Fig. 3d).

[0059] Since the level of the upper edge of the contact collar is 17 ( Fig. 3d) If the weld base 6 is higher than the upper surface of the welding base 6, a portion of the frontal foil 27 is pulled over the upper edges of the contact collar 17 during welding of the welding base 6 to the frontal foil 27. This creates a dustproof space 55 within the closed contour. To allow the foil flap 29 to be removed, a perforation line 23 is formed in the frontal foil 27 between the welded contour 51 and the contact collar 17 using a knife profile or laser (etc.). Fig. 3c). The foil flap 29 has a limited cutting line 24 in the area of ​​the nail fitting 13, which allows for easier opening. ALTERNATIVE MODIFICATIONS OF THE CLOSURE DEVICE FOR POUCHES

[0060] On the Fig. 5a, Fig. 5 b and Fig. 5c shows further modifications of the closure device 1 according to the invention - without pipe welding point 8. VERSION WITH FINGER FIT

[0061] The vertical top view 5a illustrates a modification of the closure device 1 according to the invention with the finger fits 47, which are formed between the mouthpiece fit 5 and the bending chamber 19 on both sides of the bending tube 2. In this embodiment according to the invention, the foil flap 29 is pulled downwards to the end of the cutting lines 54 when opened, and the bending tube 2 can be pulled out of its fixation or unfolded with two fingers thanks to the finger fits 47. VERSION WITH ONE TAB

[0062] On the vertical sectional view of the Fig. Figure 5b shows a modification of the closure device 1 according to the invention, comprising a pull tab 48 which also serves as a folding aid. The pull tab 48 is formed on the bending tube 2 and is part of it. The pull tab 48 is connected in the region of the lower segment of the nozzle 3 (near the bend 4) and is positioned parallel to the nozzle 3 in the direction of the outlet opening 10. For the purpose of easy demolding from the injection mold, the pull tab 48 and the nozzle 3 are shaped such that the total width of the pull tab 48 and the nozzle 3 is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the bend 4 (see Figure 5b). Fig. 1a). MOUNTING DEVICE

[0063] The assembly device 25 (preferably for use on pouches) has an assembly gripper 56 and a welding device 57 ( Fig. 4a). The assembly gripper 56 serves to introduce the closure device 1 according to the invention into the container volume 30 of the film bag 32 and to position the closure device 1 according to the invention during the welding process. The assembly gripper 56 represents a rigid construction ( Fig. 4a). The shape of the welding base stop 58 repeats the vertical contour of the welding base 6.

[0064] In the contour of the welding base stop 58 ( Fig. 4b) A recess is formed in the shape of the lower part of the locking device 1 according to the invention. This recess represents a locking device fit 59 into which the locking device 1 according to the invention is inserted and held by means of fixator teeth 45 during the assembly process. The fixator teeth ( Fig. 4b) are mounted to be horizontally movable. After welding, the fixator teeth 45 separate and the ejector rod 44 removes the closure device 1 according to the invention from the closure device fitting 59. Furthermore, the assembly gripper 56 is removed from the foil bag 32 and the pouch can be filled and sealed. WELDING AND CUTTING

[0065] The welding device 57 consists of the outer contour welding lips 40, the tear-off collar welding lips 42, the contour cutter 41 and the pipe welding lips 43. During the welding process, the hot outer contour welding lips 40 press the frontal foil 27 against the welding base 6, thereby joining the frontal foil 27 and the welding base 6 together (creating the welded contour).

[0066] The tear-off collar 18 is welded to the frontal foil 27 by means of the tear-off collar welding lips 42, and the pipe welding rib 8 is welded to the frontal foil 27 by means of the pipe welding lips 43. The contour cutting blades 41 cut through the frontal foil 32 and form a cutting line 24. During this process, the welding base stop 58 absorbs some of the thermal energy from the thin-walled welding base 6 (cools down), which prevents overheating of the closure device 1 according to the invention. The welding base stop 58 can have cooling channels 60 (for air or coolant). The welding of the welding base 6 to the frontal foil 27 can be carried out by heat, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, or bonding. For ultrasonic welding processes, the welding base 6 can be provided with special welding rib profiles 52 (see Figure 5). Fig. 5b). In order to increase the cavity or the production speed, the filling process can be parallelized with the welding by inserting the filling tube 46 together with the assembly gripper 56 into the container volume 30. DESIGN VARIANT FOR THE CARTON CONTAINERS

[0067] In the perspective representation of the Fig. 6a and the vertical section view of the Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c is a further embodiment of the closure device 1 according to the invention, which is adopted for use in cardboard containers. This embodiment of the closure device 1 according to the invention has a similar structure and function of the bending tube 2 and the mouthpiece fitting 5 as in other embodiments of the closure device 1 according to the invention described above. In addition, this embodiment has two additional elements, namely the tube extension 36 and the decompression bending tube 49.

[0068] The pipe extension 36, which represents an extension of the pipe channel 9, leads to the bottom of the container volume 30 and directs the liquid product 31 (in the drinking process) upwards to outlet opening 10 ( Fig. 6b). The decompression bend pipe 49 and decompression pipe fitting 50 have the same construction and function as the bend pipe 2 and the bend pipe fitting 5, but are smaller than the bend pipe 2 and the bend pipe fitting 5. In addition, the decompression pipe fitting 50 is formed as a lower level in the base of the bend pipe fitting 5.

[0069] In the vertical section view of the Fig. Figure 6b shows that the decompression bend tube 49 is shorter than the bend tube 2 when open, so that the decompression bend tube 49 does not interfere with drinking from the bend tube 2.

[0070] The open decompression bend tube 49 ensures pressure equalization and prevents liquid product from being ejected from the outlet opening 10 when the cardboard container 34 is deformed or squeezed in the hands. Furthermore, when drinking or drawing the flowable product 31 through the extended pipe channel 9, a negative pressure is created in the container volume 30, which would make further drawing of the flowable product 31 more difficult. Pressure equalization through the open decompression bend tube 49 prevents this.

[0071] When the bending tube 2 is closed or folded shut, the closing bending tube 2 presses the decompression bending tube 49 into the decompression tube fitting 50 in its mounting position ( Fig. 6c). Thus, the decompression kink pipe 49 is kinked, creating a sealing kink 37 ( Fig. 6c). Additionally, the open end of the decompression kink tube 49 is closed by means of the valve dome 22.

[0072] During assembly, the closure device 1 according to the invention is placed in a specially provided opening (cutout) in the cardboard container 34 ( Fig. 6b), wherein this opening is formed in the shape and size of the bending chamber 19 and mouthpiece fitting 5. Thus, the lower surface of the welding base 6 can be welded or glued to the wall of the cardboard container 34. The folded bending tube 4 and the decompression bending tube 49 are covered with a film section 39, wherein this film section 39 is welded to a pipe welding rib 8 with the closure device 1 according to the invention by means of a tear-off welding contour 64.

[0073] Alternatively, this design variant can also be used with the tear-off collar 18 ( Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b) be equipped. DESIGN VARIANT FOR FLEXIBLE PLASTIC BOTTLES

[0074] The perspective representation of the Fig. 7a and the vertical section view of the Fig. Figure 7b shows a further embodiment of the closure device 1 according to the invention, which is adopted for the plastic bottles. The plastic bottle 35 has a bottle groove 62 that repeats the extended oval shape of the outer contours of the closure device 1 according to the invention. The bottle groove 62 is surrounded by a bottle welding surface profile 38.

[0075] During assembly, the closure device 1 according to the invention is inserted from above into the throat of the plastic bottle 35 until it stops, so that the upper surface of the welding base 6 lies on the same plane as the bottle welding surface profile 38 ( Fig. 7b).

[0076] The surface of the bottle welding profile 38 and the upper surface of the welding base 6 are welded together by means of a foil section 39, according to a further advantageous aspect. This creates a hermetic connection between the bottle throat 62 and the closure device 1 ( Fig. 7a). Furthermore, the pipe welding rib 8 and the tear-off collar 18 are welded together, and the cutting line 24 is incorporated, creating a film flap 29 (same as in the embodiment for pouches). The structure and function of the embodiment of the closure device 1 according to the invention, adopted for plastic bottles 35, is identical to the embodiment of the closure device 1 according to the invention for film bags 32.

[0077] The difference lies in the fact that this embodiment does not have the guide ribs 20 on the lower side. The plastic bottle 35 with the integrated closure device 1 according to the invention is sufficiently robust to also accommodate beverages containing gases, since the closure device 1, thanks to its bent bending tube 2, can withstand high internal pressures. Because the bottle neck 62 and the bottle welding surface 38 are thin-walled, the plastic bottle 35 can be manufactured using only the blow molding process without a pre-made injection-molded plastic part, which can make the manufacturing process significantly cheaper and faster. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 locking device 2 Bend pipe 3 Mouthpiece 4. Folding point 5 Mouthpiece fit 6 Welding base 7 sealing chamber 8 pipe welding ribs 9 Pipe channel 10 Outlet opening 11 Entrance 12 cutting channel 13 Nail fitting 14 Foil ramp 15 pipe clamp profile 16 domed saddles 17 Contact collars 18 tear-off collars 19 Folding chamber 20 conductor rib 21 conduit 22 Valve dome 23 Perforation line 24 cutting line 25 Mounting device 26 Folding chamber wall 27 frontal slide 28 rear slide 29 foil flap 30 container volume 31 Flowable product 32 foil bags 34 cardboard containers 35 plastic bottles 36 Pipe extension 37 Seal kink 38 bottle welding area 39 slide section 40 external contour welding lips 41 contour cutting knives 42 tear-off collar welding lips 43 pipe welding points - welding lips 44 Ejector rod 45 Fixator Tooth 46 Filling tube 47 finger fit 48 Pull tab 49 Decompression kink pipe 50 Decompression Tube Fitting 51 welded contour 52 weld rib profile 53 lower pipe wall stiffening 54 Cutting line ending 55 dust-proof room 56 assembly grippers 57 Welding device 58 Welding base stop 59 Locking device fit 60 Cooling channel 61 Thermometer 62 Bottle throat 63 Bottle throat profile 64 tear-off weld contour

Claims

[1] A hinged ultra-low-cost closure device 1 for integration into a container for flowable products 31, in particular beverages, in particular preferably a foil bag 32, a cardboard container 34 or a plastic bottle 35, comprising a flat base with a box-shaped recess formed in the middle, which has two segments such as the mouthpiece fitting 5 and a wider bend tube chamber 19, wherein an outwardly directed bend tube 2 is formed on the bottom of the bend chamber 19, characterized by , that all the aforementioned elements are manufactured as a single unit, preferably by means of the plastic injection molding process, such that the bending tube 2 is positioned with an angle of inclination relative to the vertical axis in the range of 30° to 70° (angle A) (cf. Fig. 1c.). [2] Closure device 1 according to claim 1, further comprising a buckling chamber 19 which is formed in the box-shaped recess of the welding base 6, wherein the buckling chamber 19 comprises a buckling chamber wall 26, characterized by , that the angle of inclination of the kink chamber wall 26 is equal to the angle of inclination of the kink pipe 2. [3] Bend pipe 2 according to claims 1 and 2, having different wall thicknesses in three segments, characterized by , that the upper rigid segment represents a mouthpiece 3 and particularly preferably has a wall thickness in the range of 0.9 mm to 1.2 mm, as well as the middle segment represents a thin-walled bending point 4 and particularly preferably has a wall thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm, and the lower segment represents a lower tube wall stiffening 53, which connects the bending tube 2 to the bottom of the bending chamber 19 and preferably has a wall thickness in the range of 0.9 mm to 1.2 mm ( Fig.8a), wherein the bending tube 2 at the end of the mouthpiece 3 has a domed saddle 16 which surrounds the outlet opening 10 ( Fig. 1a), includes. [4] Bend pipe 2 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pipe channel 9 has a smaller diameter in the area of ​​the mouthpiece 3 than in the area of ​​the bend 4, which means that no undercuts are formed and demolding of the pin forming the pipe channel 9 through the inlet opening 11 is possible ( Fig. 8a.). [5] Bend pipe 2 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that this has a total length from the bottom of the bending chamber 19 to the outlet opening 10, an ergonomically determined total length in the range of 30 mm to 45 mm. [6] Bend pipe 2 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that this has at least one pipe welding rib 8 which is directed in the direction of the bending pipe axis and is formed on the outer wall of the mouthpiece 3, wherein these have wedge-shaped or rounded ends and protrude from the mouthpiece 3 with a height in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm ( Fig. 1d and Fig. 1c), wherein the ergonomically determined distance between the pipe welding rib 8 and the edge of the outlet opening 10 is in the range of 13 mm and 16 mm. [7] The locking device 1 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the box-shaped depression formed in the middle, consisting of two segments such as the mouthpiece fitting 5 and the bending chamber 19, is surrounded by a tear-off collar 18 ( Fig. 1a), wherein the tear-off collar 18 is a thin-walled profile with a wall thickness in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm and is at a level with the upper surface of the weld base 6 or higher. [8] The locking device 1 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a cutting channel 12 is formed between the tear-off collar 18 and the weld base 6, wherein the bottom of this cutting channel 12 is below the level of the weld base 6 and the tear-off collar 18, wherein the cutting channel 12 has a wider space in the area of ​​the foil ramp 14, which is shaped as a nail fit 13. [9] The closure device 1 according to one of the preceding claims is welded to the frontal foil 27 in such a way that three welded surfaces are formed, characterized by , that by welding the welding base 6 the closed surface of the welded contour 51, a welded surface of the tear-off collar 18 and a welded surface in the area of ​​the pipe welding rib 8 are created. [10] The welded closure device 1 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that this includes a foil flap 29 which is part of the frontal foil 27. [11] The welded closure device 1 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that this has a cutting line 24 between the welded contour 51 and the welded surface of the tear-off collar 18, wherein the cutting line 24 surrounds the mouthpiece fit 5 and the nail fit 13 and is interrupted on two sides in the cutting line ends 54 in the area of ​​the bending chamber 24 ( Fig. 3a), wherein the foil flap 29 is separated from the frontal foil 27 in the area of ​​the dividing line 24. [12] The closure device 1 according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a foil ramp 14 which rests against the tear-off collar 18 in the area of ​​the nail fit 13, characterized by, that it has a slope with a preferred angle of at least 8° to 15° and is designed so that the open end of the foil flap 29 can be gripped with two fingers or with two fingernails ( Fig. 2a). [13] The mouthpiece fitting 5 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the walls and the bottom of the mouthpiece fitting 5 convexly repeat the round profile of the mouthpiece 3 with a small gap and have a valve dome 22 on the rear wall, wherein two pipe clamp profiles 15 are positioned on the two walls of the mouthpiece fitting 5 in the upper region, wherein the distance between the two pipe clamp profiles 15 is smaller than the diameter of the mouthpiece 3 ( Fig. 1a). [14] The closure device 1 according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a guide rib 20 on the lower outer side of the mouthpiece fitting 5 and the bending chamber 19 ( Fig. 1b), characterized by, that its two segments run along the mouthpiece fitting 5 and surround the inlet opening 11, thus forming a conduit 21 that leads from the rear side of the bend tube fitting 5 to the inlet opening 11 ( Fig. 1b, Fig. 1c, Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b). [15] The closure device 1 for use on the cardboard containers 34 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that this includes a pipe extension 36 which extends to the bottom of the container, as well as a decompression pipe 49 which is smaller and shorter than the bending pipe 2 and has the same structure and function as the bending pipe 2, and in addition has a decompression pipe fitting 50 which is formed in the bottom of the mouthpiece fitting 5 and lies on a lower level. [16] Container in the shape of a plastic bottle 35, having a bottle throat 62 and a bottle welding surface 38, characterized by, that these repeat an extended oval shape of the closure device 1, wherein when the closure device 1 is attached to the bottle groove 62 the bottle welding surface 38 and the welding base 6 are on the same plane ( Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b).

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