Resealable pouring element for a cardboard / plastic composite package with an attached screw cap and method for mounting a screw cap

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a resealable pouring element for a cardboard / plastic composite package comprising: a base body with a flange and a hollow cylindrical nozzle with at least one external thread, an opening means movably guided in the nozzle for opening the composite package and a resealable screw cap, comprising an anchor ring, wherein the screw cap serves to drive the opening means when the composite package is opened for the first time and wherein the screw cap and the anchor ring are connected by a plurality of breakable material bridges or at least by a

[0002] Material anchoring for connection to the base body are connected, wherein the base body has at least one circumferential rib on the nozzle for securely holding the anchor ring, and wherein the anchor ring has a circumferential retaining rib on its inside which is shaped to correspond with the circumferential rib, as well as a method for mounting the screw cap for such a pouring element.

[0003] A resealable pouring element of this type is known from DE 20 2021 103 289 U1, which is attributable to the applicant.

[0004] Such pouring elements are integrated into the gable end of composite packaging to simplify pouring and allow for resealing. Another known pouring element is shown, for example, in EP 1 795 456 A1. In this design, a hollow cylindrical cutting element opens the previously gas-tight composite packaging for the first time, creating a pouring opening. The screw cap then allows the now-opened composite packaging to be resealed. The cutting element, which is movably guided in the nozzle, is equipped with force transmission elements and is driven by corresponding force transmission elements on the screw cap. During the initial opening process, the cutting element approaches the area of ​​the composite packaging to be opened, and after the first contact between the two elements, at least one cutting tooth of the cutting element separates the composite packaging in a weakened zone.The path of movement taken by at least one cutting element corresponds to the weakening zone.

[0005] The opening process can be subdivided into the following sections, for example. The previously mentioned approach of the cutting element can also be omitted if the two elements are already in contact when assembled. The cutting element then moves through the composite material, separating it with its cutting tooth along a cutting line. This separation process is a combination of cutting, plastic deformation, and material displacement, whereby a uniform and controlled application of forces is advantageous. Once a large portion of the circumference has been separated, the cutting element begins to fold the exposed composite material, or a closure part (as part of the base body), to the side, thus opening the nozzle for the contents.The folding action is achieved using the remaining, uncut portion of the weakened zone as a pivot axis. First, the cutting tooth, and then, as the folding action progresses, the outer surface of the cutting element, exert force on the closure, pushing it into the packaging and to the side. Once the pouring element is fully open, the composite material or closure is positioned approximately parallel to the vertical axis along the outer wall of the screwed-in cutting element. This ensures reliable and unobstructed pouring of the product contained in the composite package.

[0006] Pouring elements with such a closure component are used primarily, but not exclusively, in aseptic packaging. In this process, previously sterilized food products are packaged under aseptic conditions into equally sterilized packaging materials to create so-called aseptic packages. Aside from the issue of asepsis, there are various types of composite packaging into which a pouring element according to the invention can be integrated.

[0007] In one type of packaging, the pouring element is an integral part of the composite package, incorporated during the manufacturing process. Typically, in a so-called "form-fill-seal" (FFS) packaging machine, pre-cut composite material blanks, initially formed into packaging shells by sealing the longitudinal seam, are first connected to the pouring element. These semi-finished products, open on one side, are then filled with the product and subsequently sealed. The first step can be implemented in various ways: For example, the flange can be connected to one side of the packaging shell by another plastic element that is injection-molded directly in the packaging machine. Alternatively, the flange can be welded or even bonded directly to the packaging shell without using an additional plastic element.

[0008] A second type of composite packaging involves producing a completely sealed package with a punched hole, usually in the gable end, into which a pouring element is inserted. The pouring element is typically inserted by welding the flange to at least one layer of the composite material. Alternatively, these parts can also be bonded. This second type of composite packaging is characterized primarily by the fact that the insertion of the pouring element can be independent of the packaging's manufacturing process. Therefore, both the punching of the hole and the insertion of the pouring element can take place before, during, or after the packaging itself. Preferably, both steps are performed before manufacturing to avoid unnecessarily complicating the packaging machines.This arrangement of production steps also represents the simplest way to insert the pouring element into the punched hole from the inside.

[0009] Another type involves composite packaging with a so-called overcoated hole (OCH). In this case, the punched-out hole is coated on one or both sides with liquid plastic and a barrier layer before the packaging sleeve is folded and formed, thus resealing the package gas-tight in the area of ​​the hole. With such composite packaging, the weakened zone is formed by the plastic layer(s), and the initial opening of such a package occurs close to the edge of the overcoated hole.

[0010] Such composite packs are typically produced in one of two types of packaging machines. In the first, a continuous web of sterilized composite material is formed into a tube and sealed. It is then filled with the sterilized product and sealed and cut at regular intervals across the tube. The resulting "pack cushions" are then formed into parallelepiped packs along the pre-folded edges. The sealing seam created by the cross-sealing at the gable end is commonly referred to as the gable seam. The second method uses pre-cut composite material blanks, which are first formed into pack shells by sealing the longitudinal seam. These are then formed on mandrels into pack bodies open at one end, sterilized, filled, and finally sealed and shaped.

[0011] In general, the gable area can be designed in various ways, such as a surface parallel to the base (flat gable packing), a surface shaped at least partially at an angle to the base (sloping gable packing), or a pitched roof with two opposing, sloping surfaces ("gable-top" packing). It is also possible to design the gable in a truncated pyramid shape. In this case, the flange of the pouring element is square and has downward-sloping, truncated pyramid-shaped sealing surfaces at the edges, which are sealed with the packing material, creating four protruding tabs that are folded over onto the gable ends and sealed there.

[0012] The exact layer structure of the composite material can vary depending on the requirements, but it consists at least of a cardboard base layer and plastic cover layers. An additional barrier layer, such as aluminum (Al), polyamide (PA), or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), may be necessary to ensure enhanced barrier properties against gases, especially oxygen, and, in the case of aluminum, also against light, for aseptic products. Therefore, such composite packaging is also referred to as cardboard / plastic composite packaging. If the pouring element is integrated as part of the composite packaging, it should exhibit a similarly strong barrier effect against gases and light as the composite material itself. Naturally, cost-effective materials that are easy to recycle should also be used. This applies particularly to the materials used for the pouring elements.

[0013] The pouring elements described above generally consist of three individual components: the base body, the opening mechanism, and the screw cap. Before sealing with the composite packaging, it is therefore necessary to assemble the pouring element. To do this, the opening mechanism is inserted into the base body from above until the top edge of the base body's spout and the top edge of the opening mechanism are approximately in the same plane. The opening mechanism is either screwed in or pressed in linearly. The screw cap is then pressed onto the base body from above in a predetermined orientation. This process expands both the anchor ring and the screw cap with its hollow cylindrical threaded section, allowing it to move over the external thread of the hollow cylindrical spout. This process is also known as bouncing.

[0014] If the base body has a significantly smaller diameter on the outer circumference of its hollow cylindrical nozzle below the external thread than the outer diameter of the external thread, the anchor ring can become jammed during the impact process after passing through the nozzle's external thread. In this case, the screw cap of the pouring element shifts in front of or behind part of the anchor ring, causing it to wedge in a plane oblique to the base body's flange. Such a pouring element can no longer perform its function and must be rejected and disposed of as scrap.

[0015] Based on this, the present invention aims to design and further develop the aforementioned and previously described pouring element in such a way that tilting of the anchor ring is reliably prevented during the assembly process of the pouring element.

[0016] This problem is solved in a pouring element with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the fact that the base body on the nozzle between the external thread and the circumferential rib has a plurality of vertical guide ribs distributed around the circumference for uniformly expanding the anchor ring when the screw cap is fitted during the assembly of the pouring element. According to the invention, the anchor ring expands uniformly during the assembly process of the screw cap, and is centered during assembly. This causes the anchor ring to expand simultaneously with the screw cap. The anchor ring cannot move inwards. Outwards movement of the anchor ring is also prevented by the clamping in the assembly tool. In this way, any misalignment of the anchor ring and the screw cap relative to each other is reliably prevented.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the overlap of the circumferential web and the circumferential retaining web is 0.5 to 0.7 mm with respect to the respective radius. This dimension has proven effective for reliably securing the anchor ring to the base body without unnecessarily complicating assembly. Overlap is defined as the difference between the inner radius of the circumferential retaining web and the outer radius of the circumferential web. The outer radius is measured outside any recesses that may be present.

[0018] The interaction of the circumferential bridge and the circumferential retaining bridge also allows the anchor ring to rotate freely. This free rotation is not only necessary when unscrewing the cap, but also very helpful for allowing the cap to rotate freely in its open position, ensuring that the product's pouring stream is not obstructed by the cap.

[0019] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the upper edges of all lateral guide surfaces of the vertical guide ribs lie on a common circle whose circumference is the same as the outer circumference of the external thread. This reliably ensures uniform elongation of the anchor ring after it passes through the external thread of the socket of the base body. Advantageously, additional internal support is provided to prevent the anchor ring from deflecting (unevenly) inwards during the assembly process when force is applied from above.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lateral guide surfaces below the circular line extend purely axially to the circumferential web. This enables a uniform path during the axial assembly movement.

[0021] Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the outer radius of the circumferential web is at most 5%, particularly preferably at most 4%, larger than the radius of the circle.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the base body has at least six vertical guide ribs arranged evenly distributed around its circumference.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the base body has ten to twenty-four vertical guide ribs arranged distributed around its circumference.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a slot without material bridges is provided between the anchor ring and the lid element, and the anchor ring has a tether integrally connected to the lid element for material anchoring. This design reliably ensures that the screw cap cannot detach from the pouring element and thus from the composite packaging after being unscrewed.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a hollow cylindrical cutting element with at least one cutting tooth is provided as the opening means. This design, known per se, has proven effective in guaranteeing reliable initial opening of a composite package when the screw cap is first screwed on. Preferably, the cutting element has an external thread on its outer circumference, which interacts with a corresponding internal thread in the hollow cylindrical nozzle of the base body and enables a helical movement of the cutting tooth.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a circumferential band is provided below the anchor ring, which is connected to the anchor ring arranged above it via a plurality of breakable material bridges distributed around the circumference and serves as a seal of authenticity.

[0027] It is particularly advantageous if the circumferential band has a plurality of stop elements distributed around its circumference on its inner side, which, when the screw cap is opened for the first time, interlock with corresponding vertical locking elements arranged around the circumference of the base body, so that the material bridges break and visually indicate that the composite packaging has already been opened.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the circumferential web of the base body has recesses distributed around its circumference, which, in the assembled state of the pouring element, are each located above the stop elements of the tamper-evident band. This facilitates simpler assembly of the pouring element and reliably prevents premature breakage of the material bridges during the assembly process.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertical locking elements are arranged in line with the vertical guide ribs. This is advantageous for manufacturing the screw cap in the injection mold.

[0030] The invention further relates to a method for assembling the screw cap for a pouring element, which is characterized by the following steps: Gripping the screw cap around its circumference using a holding device to achieve support around the entire 360° of the circumference, rotating alignment of the screw cap in relation to the base body, and relative axial movement of the clamped screw cap and base body until the final position is reached.

[0031] Preferably, the holding device has a cavity, wherein the screw cap is moved axially into this cavity and clamped there before final assembly. In this way, the pouring element according to the invention is mounted with optimal support, so that tilting of the anchor ring during assembly is reliably prevented. By a staggered procedure, in which the screw cap is first moved to its final position and only then is the holding device closed, damage to or displacement of the anchor ring is reliably avoided.

[0032] Finally, it is preferably intended that the screw cap is only clamped externally in axial areas without screw threads or webs. In this way, the material of the screw cap can deflect outwards in the unsupported areas, i.e., those with screw threads or webs, while remaining supported in the remaining areas.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing that illustrates only a preferred embodiment. The drawing shows Fig. 1 a pouring element according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 2 the pouring element according to the invention made of Fig. 1 in top view, Fig. 3 a basic body of the pouring element according to the invention in a perspective view from above, Fig. 4 the screw cap of the pouring element according to the invention in vertical section, Fig. 5 the pouring element according to the invention made of Fig. 2 In the vertical section along the VA-VA line at the beginning of assembly, Fig. 5 Legs Detail view of the vertical section from Fig. 5A , Fig. 6A The pouring element according to the invention made of Fig. 2 In vertical section along the VA-VA line during assembly, Fig. 6: Legs, detail view of the vertical section from Fig. 6A , Fig. 7A The pouring element according to the invention made of Fig. 2 in vertical section along the VA-VA line after assembly and Fig. 7 legs detail view of the vertical section from Fig. 7A .

[0034] The drawing shows a preferred embodiment of a pouring element 1 according to the invention. Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a first pouring element 1 in a closed state with a vertical axis Z, without a composite pack P. A resealable screw cap 2, which serves for the initial opening and resealing of the composite pack P, is located on a base body 3, of which in Fig. 1 Only a circumferential flange 4 is visible, which serves for connection to and integration into the (not shown) composite packing. In the top view of Fig. 2 An additional VA-VA intersection line is drawn.

[0035] The base body 3 of the pouring element 1 according to the invention, which is located in the Figuren 1 und 2 was covered by screw cap 2, is in Fig. 3 The individual components are shown in a perspective view from above. It essentially consists of a horizontal flange 4, the outer edge of which is sealed with the packing edge of a punched opening of the composite packing, as described in more detail below, and a hollow cylindrical nozzle 5, which has an external thread 6 and an internal thread 7. The internal thread 7 serves to receive a cutting element 8, which, however, is only revealed in Fig. 5A This is recognizable and is also described in more detail there.

[0036] According to the invention, the nozzle 5 has a plurality of vertical guide ribs 9 distributed around its outer circumference below the external thread 6. It can be seen that the depth of the vertical guide ribs 9 corresponds approximately to the depth of the external thread 6. The upper edges of all lateral guide surfaces of the vertical guide ribs 9 lie on a common circle CL and, during the assembly process, ensure that the screw cap 2 is uniformly expanded and centered after passing through the external thread 6 of the nozzle 5 during the impact process. In addition to the vertical guide ribs 9, a circumferential web 10A is visible in the area of ​​these guide ribs 9. This web is not rotationally symmetrical but has recesses in some areas that are not further specified.Parallel to and below this circumferential web 10A, further web sections 10B can be seen, which have the same outer contour as the circumferential web 10A.

[0037] Below and extending from the vertical guide ribs 9, as well as below the web sections 10B, a number of vertical webs can be seen, which serve as locking elements 11. The function of these locking elements 11 will be explained further below in connection with the description of the Fig. 4 explained in more detail below. In the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment, the screw cap 2 has, in addition to the actual cover element 12, an anchor ring 13 underneath and a band 14 arranged below it, as can also be seen from the outside in the perspective view of Fig. 1 is clearly visible.

[0038] In the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment, the cover element 12 is connected to the anchor ring 13 via a one-piece tether T, i.e., a "retaining band". For this purpose, the screw cap 2 is provided with at least one slot S by a circumferential slotted cutter. In the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment, two slots S are provided, as shown in Fig. 1 It is evident. Two cuts are made in parallel planes for its manufacture. This results in the screw cap 2 being connected via a tether T, with both tether arms being integrally connected to the anchor ring 13. Fig. 1 However, only the front "end" of the tether T is visible. It is also possible to provide only a single slot if attachment to the anchor ring via only one end of the tether strap is desired. In this case, the single cut around the circumference is at least partially helical, so that the two ends of this slot are at different heights with respect to the vertical axis Z.

[0039] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a vertical section through the screw cap 2 of the pouring element 2 according to the invention, in which the cover element 12, the anchor ring 13 and the band 14 of the screw cap 2 are clearly visible. The two force transmission elements 15, which extend downwards from the straight section of the cover element 12, are also particularly visible. Furthermore, an internal thread 16 inside the cover element 12 is visible, which corresponds to the external thread 6 of the nozzle 5 of the base body 3. Furthermore, Fig. 4 It can be seen that the anchor ring 13 has a circumferential retaining rib 17 in its lower area. This is described in more detail below.

[0040] Finally, it turns out Fig. 4 It is also clearly evident that the band 14, which serves as a seal of authenticity, has a plurality of stop elements 18 distributed around its circumference on its inner side. The arrangement of these stop elements is chosen such that, in the assembled state of the pouring element 1 according to the invention, they lie in the area of ​​the locking elements 11 and below the webs 10 of the base body 3. When the screw cap 2 is opened for the first time, they engage with the locking elements 11, thus reliably preventing the rotating band 14 from turning. The locking elements 11 are distributed such that, as shown in Fig. 3 Clearly visible, the recesses of the webs 10A and 10B are located beneath them. Anchor ring 13 and band 14 are integrally connected by small material bridges (not shown). During the initial opening process, these material bridges break due to the locking action of the surrounding band 14, thus signaling to the consumer that the pouring element 1 has already been opened. Such a tamper-evident seal is also referred to as a "tamper evident element".

[0041] The further Figuren 5A bis 7B These serve to clarify the assembly process of the pouring element 1. This shows Fig. 5A First, start the assembly with the screw cap 2 just put on, Fig. 6A another intermediate position of the screw cap 2 and Fig. 7A the fully assembled pouring element, sealed in an opening of a composite packaging P.

[0042] Fig. 5A shows the entire pouring element 1 in vertical section along the VA-VA section line. Fig. 2 The base body 3, sealed to the circumferential edge of an opening in the composite packaging P by the flange 4, further comprises a closure element 19 formed in the nozzle 5. The closure element 19 has a central area 20 that closes the majority of the pouring opening, an annular weakening zone 21 adjoining the nozzle 5, and a conical intermediate area 22 extending between the weakening zone 21 and the central area 20. The chamfer of the intermediate area 22 compensates for the difference in thickness between the central area 20 and the weakening zone 21.

[0043] The area in the dotted circle VB from Fig. 5A is in Fig. 5B Shown enlarged. Fig. 5A The position of the screw cap 2 with reference to the base body 3 and the opening element 8 incorporated therein, which in the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment is designed as a cutting element 8, is shown at the beginning of the assembly of the pouring element 1 (bounce process). The internal thread 16 of the cover element 12 is still located above the base body 3 and the cutting element 8. However, it can be seen that the circumferential retaining rib 17 of the anchor ring 13 has already partially passed the external thread 6 of the nozzle 5, and this can be seen in the enlarged illustration in Fig. 5B It is evident that the inner diameter of the retaining web 17 is smaller than the outer diameter of the external thread 6. However, the plastic material used allows for temporary deformation of both elements, causing the circumferential retaining web 17 to expand. Due to the recesses in the web 10A, this expansion does not occur uniformly around the circumference of the retaining web 17.

[0044] A further "snapshot" of the assembly process of the pouring element 1 according to the invention is shown by the Figuren 6A und 6B , in which the internal thread 16 of the cover element 12 already comes into contact with the external thread 6 of the nozzle 5. The anchor ring 13, with its circumferential retaining rib 17, has already passed the thread 6, and one can see in Fig. 6B It is evident that the geometric design of the vertical guide rib 9, which is rounded in its upper region, ensures that the circumferential retaining web 17 widens uniformly in the area of ​​the vertical guide surface of the guide rib 9. This reliably prevents the anchor ring 13 from tilting during the rebound process. It can also be seen that the stop element 18 of the circumferential band 14 has already passed the circumferential web 10A. However, the band 14 does not need to widen uniformly like the circumferential web 17 of the anchor ring 13, but only in the short sections where stop elements 18 are present (see Figure 1). Fig. 4 Additionally, the previously mentioned cutouts on the bridges 10 A and 10 B (see below) ensure... Fig. 3 ) to ensure that this widening remains as small as possible, since the stop elements 18 are positioned accordingly.

[0045] The Fig. 7A und 7B Figure 1 shows the pouring element 1 according to the invention in its fully assembled position. A first pair of threads 6 and 16 is located between the screw cap 2 and the outer surface of the nozzle 5, which enables the screw cap 2 to be screwed on and off. Inside the base body 3, the hollow cylindrical cutting element 8 with cutting teeth 23 is arranged, which, when the pouring element 1 and thus the composite package P is opened for the first time, separates the closure part 19 by destroying a section of the weakened zone 21. The vertical axis (not shown here) is defined by the concentrically arranged hollow cylindrical elements of the nozzle 5 and the cutting element 8. The cutting element 8 rotates about the vertical axis during the opening process and moves along this axis. This movement is defined by a second pair of threads 7 and 25, which is located between the inner surface of the nozzle 5 and the cutting element 8.In this movement, the cutting element 8 is driven by at least one force transmission element 24, which interacts with at least one corresponding force transmission element 15 of the screw cap 2. Bezugszeichenliste

[0046] 1 Pouring element 2 Screw cap 3 Base body 4 Flange 5 Nozzle 6 External thread 7 Internal thread 8 Cutting element 9 Vertical guide rib 10 A Circumferential web 10 B Web section 11 Detent element 12 Cover element 13 Anchor ring 14 Band (tamper-evident seal) 15 Force transmission element 16 Internal thread 17 Retaining web 18 Stop element 19 Closure part 20 Central area 21 Annular weakening zone 22 Conical ring-shaped intermediate area 23 Cutting tooth 24 Force transfer element 25 External thread Z-axis vertical axis CL-circular line P-composite packing S-slot TTether

Claims

1. Resealable dispensing element (1) for a composite package (P) comprising - a main body (3) with a flange (4) and a hollow cylindrical spout (5) with at least one outer thread (6), - an opening means guided movably in the spout (5) for opening the composite package (P) and - a resealable screw cap (2), having an anchor ring (13), wherein the screw cap (2) serves to drive the opening means when the composite package (P) is opened for the first time, and wherein the screw cap (2) and the anchor ring (13) are connected by a plurality of breakable material bridges or at least by a material anchorage for connection to the main body (3), wherein the main body (3) on the spout (5) has at least one circumferential web (10A) for securely holding the anchor ring (13) and wherein the anchor ring (13) has on its inside a circumferential retaining web (17) shaped such that it corresponds with the circumferential web (10A) characterised in that the main body (3) has a plurality of vertical guide ribs (9) arranged distributed over the circumference on the spout (5) between the outer thread (6) and the circumferential web (10A) for uniformly stretching the anchor ring (13) when the screw cap (2) is applied during the mounting of the dispensing element (1).

2. Dispensing element according to claim 1, characterised in that the overlap of the circumferential web (10A) and the circumferential retaining web (17) is 0.5 to 0.7 mm with respect to the respective radius.

3. Dispensing element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the upper edges of all lateral guide surfaces of the vertical guide ribs (9) lie on a common circular line (CL) that is as large as the outer circumference of the outer thread (6).

4. Dispensing element according to claim 3, characterised in that the lateral guide surfaces run purely axially below the circular line (CL) up to the circumferential web (10A).

5. Dispensing element according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the outer radius of the circumferential web (10A) is a maximum of 5% larger than the radius of the circular line (CL).

6. Dispensing element according to claim 5, characterised in that the outer radius of the circumferential web (10A) is a maximum of 4% larger than the radius of the circular line (CL).

7. Dispensing element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the main body (3) has at least six vertical guide ribs (9) arranged distributed evenly over its circumference.

8. Dispensing element according to claim 7, characterised in that the main body (3) has ten to twenty-four vertical guide ribs (9) arranged distributed over its circumference.

9. Dispensing element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a slot without material bridges is provided between the anchor ring (13) and the cover element (12) and in that the anchor ring (13) has a tether (T) connected in one piece to the cover element (12) as a material anchorage.

10. Dispensing element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a circumferential strip (14) is provided below the anchor ring (13), which is connected to the anchor ring (13) arranged above it via a plurality of breakable material bridges arranged distributed over the circumference and serves as a tamper-evident seal.

11. Dispensing element according to claim 10, characterised in that the circumferential strip (14) has on its inside a plurality of stop elements (18) arranged distributed over the circumference, which hook with vertical locking elements (11) arranged correspondingly over the circumference of the main body (3) when the screw cap (2) is opened for the first time, such that the material bridges break and visually indicate an opening of the composite package (P) that has already taken place.

12. Dispensing element according to claim 11, characterised in that the circumferential web (10A) has recesses arranged distributed over its circumference, which in the assembled state of the dispensing element (1) are in each case above the stop elements (18).

13. Dispensing element according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the vertical locking elements (11) are arranged in an extension of the vertical guide ribs (9).

14. Method for mounting the screw cap (2) for a dispensing element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised by the following steps: - grasping the screw cap around its circumference by means of a retaining device to achieve support around the entire 360° of the circumference, - aligning the screw cap by rotating with respect to the main body and - moving the clamped screw cap and main body relatively axially until the end position is reached.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the retaining device has a cavity and in that the screw cap is moved axially into this cavity before the final assembly and is clamped after reaching the end position.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterised in that the screw cap is only clamped in axial regions without screw thread or webs from the outside.