Method for producing a pouring element, and pouring element
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023833410
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-16
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-22
AI Technical Summary
Current methods for producing pouring elements for composite packaging are complex, involving multiple machines and processes, leading to higher costs and potential errors due to the need for separate production and assembly of components, which can result in defects and increased material usage.
A method where the pouring element is produced by first creating the base element and then using it as a form for the closure element, with a helper element that remains connected to the base element to facilitate the filling of the mold, allowing for a more streamlined process and reduced material usage.
This approach simplifies the production process, reduces material waste, and enhances the sealing properties of the pouring element, ensuring a secure and efficient integration with the composite packaging while maintaining aseptic conditions.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001]December 15, 2023 Method for producing a pouring element and pouring element. The invention relates to a method for producing a pouring element for a composite package for liquid foodstuffs, comprising a base element and a closure element. The base element can be connected to the composite package and integrated into the composite package as part of the gable, and the closure element closes the base element. The pouring element is produced by injection molding, with either the base element or the closure element being produced first and serving at least partially as a mold for the other element in a subsequent injection molding process. The invention also relates to a pouring element produced using the method according to the invention. Such pouring elements are integrated into the composite package as part of the gable for simplified handling during pouring and the possibility of reclosing composite packages.Such pouring elements are known and are used primarily, but not exclusively, in aseptic packages. Previously sterilized food products are packaged under aseptic conditions in equally sterilized packaging materials to produce so-called aseptic packages. Aside from the issue of asepticity, there are various types of composite packages into which a pouring element according to the invention can be integrated. In a first type, the pouring element is an integral component of the composite package, inserted during its manufacturing process. Usually, blanks made of composite material, which are first formed into package sleeves by sealing the longitudinal seam, are first connected to the pouring element in a so-called "form-fill-seal" (FFS) packaging machine. These semi-formed products, which are open on one side, are then filled with the contents and sealed.The first step can be provided in different ways: For example, the flange can be connected to one side of the pack sleeve by means of another plastic element that is injection-molded directly in the packaging machine. The flange can also be welded directly to the pack sleeve or even glued to it without using an additional plastic element. The flange can be either the same size as the opening of the pack sleeve or smaller to save plastic. In the case of a smaller flange, the surfaces of the pack sleeve must be folded together and then applied to the flange and welded. The composite pack then preferably has polyhedral gable surfaces that are connected to the polyhedral flange of the pouring element in a corresponding manner, with the polyhedral flange essentially corresponding to a truncated pyramid.In a second type, a completely sealed composite package is initially produced, with a punched hole in the composite package, usually in the gable area, into which a pouring element is inserted. The pouring element is usually inserted by welding its flange to at least one layer of the composite material of the composite package; alternatively, these parts can also be glued. This second type of composite package is characterized primarily by the fact that the pouring element can be inserted independently of the production of the composite package. The creation of the hole and the insertion of the pouring element can therefore take place before, during, or after the production of the composite package itself. Both steps are preferably carried out before production in order to avoid unnecessarily complicating the packaging machines themselves.This arrangement of the production steps also represents the simplest way to insert the pouring element into the punched hole from the inside. Such a composite pack is normally produced in one of two types of packaging machines: In a first alternative, a continuous web of sterilized composite material is formed into a tube andT. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023, after which it is filled with the also sterilized contents and sealed and cut transversely at regular intervals (through the contents). The resulting "pack cushions" are then formed into parallelepiped packs along the pre-folded edges. The sealing seam created in the gable area during transverse sealing is commonly referred to as the gable seam. The second alternative uses blanks made of composite material, which are first formed into pack sleeves by sealing the longitudinal seam and then formed on the mandrels of the packaging machine into one-sidedly open pack bodies, then sterilized, filled, and finally sealed and finally formed.The gable area can be designed in different ways, for example, as a surface parallel to the base (flat gable pack), as a surface at least partially angled to the base (sloped gable pack), or as a gable-top pack with two opposing, sloping surfaces (gable-top pack). The exact layer structure of the composite material can vary depending on requirements, but consists at least of a cardboard carrier layer and plastic cover layers. In addition, a barrier layer, such as aluminum (Al), polyamide (PA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), or other plastic barriers, may be necessary to ensure an increased barrier effect against gases and, in the case of aluminum, also against light in aseptic products. Therefore, such composite packs are also referred to as cardboard / plastic composite packs.If the pouring element is integrated as part of the composite packaging, it should have a barrier effect against gases and light similar to that of the composite material used. At the same time, inexpensive materials that are easy to recycle together should be used. This is especially true for the materials of the pouring elements used. As mentioned above, the barrier effect against light often cannot be guaranteed in the pouring area, and therefore the simplest and most cost-effective way is to supplement the pouring element, if desired, with a masterbatch so that it is T. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023, has a comparable barrier effect. The entire sealed pouring element then allows a light transmission of less than 1% in a wavelength range of 350 to 550 nm. Such a light barrier is particularly useful for light-sensitive products, such as milk. Damage to such products occurs primarily in the wavelength range of 350 to 550 nm, which is why light should be absorbed particularly there. Any spectrophotometer can be used for the measurement, such as a Specord 250Plus from Analytik Jena or a Perkin-Elmer LAMBDA 850+, following the instructions of the respective manufacturer. The individual components of the pouring element are manufactured using the injection molding process (often referred to as injection molding or injection molding), which is a primary molding process used, as shown here, particularly in plastics processing.The material is liquefied (plasticized) using an injection molding machine and injected under pressure into a mold, the injection mold. Such a mold usually consists of two mold halves, which together form the negative mold for the molded part. At least one mold half is movable and is opened at the end of the injection molding process to eject the molded parts. In the mold, the material returns to its solid state through cooling or a crosslinking reaction and is removed or ejected as a finished part after the mold is opened. The cavity of the mold determines the shape and surface structure of the finished part. Injection molding takes place in cycles, with the essential basic operations being as follows: plasticizing, injection, holding pressure, cooling, and demolding. Plastic is plasticized in a screw for the following cycle.The free-flowing molding compound is fed in granular form via a hopper into a rotating screw in a heated cylinder. The molding compound is conveyed to the screw tip and melted by heat conduction and friction. A cushion of molten T forms in front of the screw tip. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023. This mass pushes the screw backward against the applied back pressure. If the resulting cushion of melt is sufficient to create the molded part, the screw rotation is stopped, and the plasticizing process is completed. The plasticizing process can also occur partially during subsequent processes. By advancing the screw in the cylinder of the plasticizing unit, the melt is injected into the mold through the nozzle and sprue. A non-return valve ensures that no melt can flow back into the screw channel during injection. After the mold has been completely filled with melt, the cooling melt begins to contract. This is compensated for by additional post-pressing to minimize sink marks and warpage. High pressure is applied until the melt is sealed in the sprue. As mentioned, the melt begins to cool as soon as it spreads in the mold.After the end of the post-pressing process, the cooling phase begins, which lasts until the molded part is dimensionally stable enough to be ejected. The (steel) tools are usually cooled with a cooling liquid in appropriate cooling channels to keep this phase as short as possible. To ensure that the dimensionally stable molded part can be demolded safely, ejector devices are often used. In most cases, these are metal pins that push the molded part out of the mold half. In a process according to the invention, this final step can either be omitted for the first element or replaced, for example, by part removal. Typically, the individual parts of a multi-part pouring element are manufactured separately and later assembled together. This usually results in simpler and therefore cheaper manufacturing processes, but it requires more processes and machines overall.This results in a significantly more complex system, viewed as a whole, which often requires significantly more floor space. Obviously, various machines must be purchased and maintained, which can quickly lead to higher overall costs. Furthermore, each process step introduces potential sources of error, which could, for example, lead to line jams. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023. Product flow or individual parts could be damaged during transport between the injection molding machine and the assembly line, which is particularly critical for the tamper-evident seal. Furthermore, rejects potentially arise in each additional production step, for example, due to imperfectly adjusted machines or the aforementioned damage. The combined production of such a pouring element allows the otherwise required assembly systems to be completely eliminated, and thus also the corresponding transport routes between the individual injection molding machines and the assembly line. Such manufacturing processes are usually called multi-component injection molding or, as specifically referred to here, two-component injection molding. There are various versions of this technology that are suitable for the manufacturing process according to the invention. The manufacturing process is preferably carried out using a cube mold.The first tool half is formed by a centrally positioned cube, which, together with a conventional tool half, forms the cavity for the first of the elements (base element, closure element). After the first production step, the central cube body is rotated, usually by 90° around the central vertical axis of the cube. The first manufactured element remains in the tool half on the cube body. After the first rotation, elements are again manufactured in the original position together with the same tool half, while the previously produced elements can be either further processed or cooled in the second position, as shown here. This is followed by another rotation of the cube body with identical actions in the first two positions. In the third position, the tool half containing the first produced elements is now coupled with another conventional tool half to produce the second of the two elements.According to the invention, the tool half on the cube body and the first-produced element serve partly as a mold for the second element to be manufactured. After a further rotation, all of the aforementioned steps are repeated, and in the final position, the finished pouring element is either removed or ejected. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023. There are also various modifications of the previously described method or equivalent alternatives that can also implement the manufacturing process according to the invention. For example, an additional element could be injection-molded in the second position if a three-piece pouring element is desired. Instead of a cube-shaped body with four mold halves, only two can be installed for cost and space reasons, so that in the first and third, either an element is only injection-molded every other time, or cooling and removal take place at these same positions, and the empty positions are then omitted. Instead of a central cube-shaped body that is rotated (stack turning mold technology), a so-called rotation technology could also be used, in which the mold halves are moved or rotated in a plane, thus changing positions (rotation technology).If the injection molding tools themselves are to be kept simpler, two separate tools can be provided for the two production steps, ideally located directly next to each other. This transfer technology then allows for removal from the first tool using a robot arm, which inserts the parts directly into the second (transfer technology). Finally, this could also be achieved with a single variable tool, in which the first element is manufactured first. The core of the tool is then retracted and adjusted using a slider, creating a new cavity that allows the second element to be manufactured using the adjusted tool and the already produced first element as a mold (core-back technology).Typically, the liquid plastic is poured through a single nozzle, and during ejection, the solidified plastic part separates from the remaining plastic still in the nozzle. Of course, this separation can also occur before ejection via the nozzle itself. In all cases, a visible and usually prominent unevenness in the surface of the plastic part is created, commonly called the injection point. The more material is forced through narrow spaces, the slower the filling with liquid plastic. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023. Hollow-cylindrical and similar parts now have the problem that this injection point must either be selected decentrally or laboriously divided among several nozzles. Even then, one is sometimes forced to choose an unfavorable position, for example, on the drinking lip of the base element, which can lead to leaks or at least unpleasant drinking. Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of further simplifying the manufacturing process mentioned at the beginning and described in more detail above, and of designing and developing it in such a way that the described disadvantages are overcome.This object is achieved in a method having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 in that the base element is first produced and subsequently the closure element is cast onto the already solidified base element, and in that the base element is injection-molded onto an auxiliary element that is connected to the remaining base element via at least one breakable element. In addition to the speed of the melt, short distances until the tool is completely filled naturally also lead to shorter times until the negative mold is completely filled, which is usually achieved by a centrally selected injection point, as is possible here with the auxiliary element. The auxiliary element can also be viewed as a cold runner gate, which either remains in the component during further production or is removed separately.An additional step is thus incorporated into the process, which at the same time simplifies and accelerates the essential production steps. The object is also achieved by a pouring element for a composite package with a base element with a central pouring channel with an upper edge and a circumferential flange element opposite the upper edge for connection to the composite package, and a closure element, wherein the closure element comprises a cap which closes the pouring channel before the first opening, which is characterized in that the cap before the first openingT. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023, at least along the upper edge of the pouring channel over the entire surface and adheres before the initial opening. This is a pouring element with interactions between the two elements that can hardly be meaningfully achieved by assembly. The term "adherence of two parts" means that no cavities arise between the individual surfaces, as is the case, for example, when the elements of a pouring element are injection-molded directly onto one another using a manufacturing method according to the invention as claimed in claim 1. According to the invention, the base element is first produced, and then the closure element is cast onto the already solidified base element. Despite the somewhat more complex tool design, this variant enables a comparatively better pouring element.During the cooling phase of the injection molding process, plastic parts shrink, which is used, among other things, to facilitate the ejection of the finished parts. These are relatively small volume changes of, for example, 2%. This shrinkage occurs evenly across the entire component. However, if, according to the invention, one element serves as part of the mold for the second element, the first element has solidified and thus already completely shrunk. The material of the second element is thus plasticized (melted) onto the already solidified part and only begins to shrink during this second cooling phase; it shrinks onto the previously solidified element, resulting in a tight fit and adhesion of the two parts.If the second produced element is the closure element, as in this design, this results in significantly greater design diversity with closure elements that adhere cleanly before initial opening and are safe from an aseptic point of view. The perfectly aligned elements remain adhered to each other even if the second element, here the closure element, shrinks away from the first in certain areas of this contact zone. This is due to various factors, such as the previously mentioned ideal fit in the contact zone, but also chemical bonds, etc. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023 physical interlocks in the microscopic range. In particular, the microscopic connections can be further optimized. The breakable elements can expediently be arranged regularly distributed over the circumference if two or more breakable elements are present, as shown in a later embodiment of the invention. This enables a uniform melt flow due to the better distribution. Auxiliary elements with exactly three breakable elements have proven to be a good compromise between good melt flow and low material consumption as well as low opening forces. A further preferred embodiment of the invention is that the auxiliary element is firmly attached to the closure element by means of a positive fit. This enables simultaneous opening of the closure element and breaking out of the auxiliary element, which would otherwise have to be manually separated in an additional step.This form-fit is further reinforced by the aforementioned shrinkage of the closure element. The contraction of the closure element causes the part of the auxiliary element that is to be held by the form-fit to be additionally clamped and thus held more firmly. Of course, more complicated ways of attaching the closure element and auxiliary element to one another are also conceivable, for example by adding a metal-containing masterbatch and subsequently induction welding the two elements. In another practical embodiment, the auxiliary element is designed as a sealing membrane and the frangible element as a circumferential thin section. This offers the primary advantage of a base element that already completely seals the composite package, resulting in increased barrier properties of the entire package.Additional masterbatches could also easily be added to the material of the base element to specifically increase the light and / or oxygen barrier without having to make changes to the closure element. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023 Furthermore, the auxiliary element can also be further adapted specifically for the opening process of the closure element. It is particularly important to consider that breaking the breakable elements requires additional force each time, which must be specifically optimized throughout the entire initial opening process. In a further embodiment of the invention, the closure element therefore has a pivotable connection, and the individual breakable connections each have a different angular distance from the center of the pivotable connection, measured only in the circumferential direction, with the differences between the individual angular distances preferably always being at least 10°. The center here refers to the central axis of the pivotable connection, viewed in the circumferential direction. This ensures that two breakable elements never have to be broken simultaneously during the initial opening of the pouring element.A consumer begins the opening process by grasping the closure element at the (front) edge, which is diametrically opposite the pivoting connection, or any gripping aid. The closure element is then torn open from this side and then pivoted away, with the breakable elements breaking one after the other during the tearing process. Preferably, all angular distances are between 25° and 155°. Therefore, there are no breakable elements directly at the pivoting connection or at the opposite end of the closure element, which the consumer grasps. This ensures that the individual elements are exposed to a higher proportion of shear forces because they are arranged on the sides of the pouring element, as seen from the pivoting connection.In the ranges from -25° to +25° and -155° to +155°, the proportion of tensile forces is significantly higher, which leads to less controllable and generally higher opening forces. According to a further preferred teaching of the invention, the auxiliary element is removed from the pouring element after the base element has been manufactured. This can be done in different ways. Either the auxiliary element is removed in T. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023, an intermediate step prior to the production of the closure element. This is particularly useful if it is desired to simplify the manufacturing process as a whole by separating the auxiliary element from the base element and ejecting it as early as possible by breaking the breakable elements. However, it is also possible, albeit with greater effort, to remove the auxiliary element only at the end of the manufacturing process, for example, by a multi-stage ejection of the pouring element. A pouring element according to the invention, preferably manufactured according to the method according to the invention, offers, on the one hand, a circumferential surface on which the base element and closure element rest, thus ensuring a complete seal.On the other hand, the two elements adhere to each other prior to initial opening, giving the consumer a clear sense that a previously sealed package has been opened when opening the pouring element and thus the composite pack for the first time. The combination of these two effects also results in a significantly stronger seal on the unopened pack than would have been possible with assembled closures, for example. Because this sealing surface is the upper edge, integrity can be guaranteed even when compressive loads occur on stacked composite packs. Adhesion can also be understood to mean that the initial breaking of the connection requires greater forces than those occurring during subsequent opening after the first reclosure of the closure element. When the cap is subsequently opened, the elements still adhere due to their fit, but the adhesion is lost.In a further embodiment of the invention, the cap has an at least partially circumferential cap skirt, the inner side of which rests against the outer wall of the pouring channel and adheres to it before initial opening. The expansion of the aforementioned sealing surface naturally further enhances the aforementioned advantages. Furthermore, the cap skirt according to the T. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023 Initial opening during reclosing ensures that the cap can be placed neatly centered on the base element and sits securely there. A further preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the cap having a circumferential seal, the outer side of which rests against the inner wall of the pouring channel and adheres to it before initial opening. Such a seal can be designed, for example, as a single element projecting downwards from the cap cover or as part of a downwardly extending cap cover (see also the exemplary embodiments) with possibly an additional protruding element. It is always important that the seal is circumferential and that its outer side rests against the inner wall of the pouring channel, thus creating a seal.In addition to the advantages already mentioned, which are also enhanced with this improvement, an internal circumferential seal also ensures that the cap seals the pouring element properly even after the first re-closing. This is especially true when the circumferential seal and the inner wall of the pouring channel each have an undercut, which causes the cap to snap into its original position. A circumferential undercut is most easily achieved by forming a circumferential rib on the inner wall of the pouring channel as a combined sealing and retaining element. On the side of the cap seal, a corresponding sealing and retaining element is formed directly below it, so that the two elements must press past each other during each opening or closing of the cap.Another embodiment of the invention has a circumferential ridge on the inner wall of the pouring channel, which directly adjoins the circumferential seal of the cap, wherein the circumferential ridge and the seal have the same inner diameter, at least in the contact area. On the one hand, the circumferential ridge serves as an ideal molding end for the adjacent seal in a manufacturing process according to the invention; on the other hand, the smooth transition from ridge to cap seal ensures an aseptically unproblematic surface that can be easily sterilized as part of the inner surface of the composite package. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023 In a further embodiment of the invention, the bond between the base element and the cap, which adheres prior to initial opening, serves as a tamper-evident seal. This has the advantage that no additional complex tamper-evident elements need to be added to the design of the pouring element, because the bond already provides a consumer with haptic feedback ("tamper proof") with the same information. If a visible tamper-evident seal is also desired, in one embodiment, the cap and the base element can each have a tamper-evident seal that is firmly attached to one another, with either the tamper-evident seal of the cap being connected to the cap via a breakable connection, or the tamper-evident seal of the base element being connected to the base element via a breakable connection. This results in the tamper-evident seal with the breakable connection detaching from the original component and remaining on the other.Especially if the base element and closure element are manufactured in different colors, this provides an additional visual indicator after initial opening. The tamper-evident seals are sensibly located outside the upper edge (further from a central axis of the pouring channel) so that the pouring channel is not compromised by the broken element. wird.Alternatively, in a further embodiment of the invention, it is also possible for the cap to have at least one arm designed as a tamper-evident seal, which is connected to another part of the pouring element via at least one breakable connection. This part can be either the base element itself or an anchor ring arranged thereon for attaching the cap. In another preferred embodiment, the base element consists mainly of a first material, preferably polyethylene, and the closure element of a polymer blend of a second material, preferably H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023 polypropylene, and 1–30 wt.% of the first material. This allows for the adjustment of the adhesive forces that exist between the base element and the closure element before initial opening. These forces tend to be weaker when different materials are used and stronger the more similar the material selection is. It has been found that mixing ratios in this range result in ideal adhesion, while the elements can still be separated from each other with moderate force. It should be understood that a base element consisting primarily of a first material consists of a single material with the possible addition of masterbatches in small quantities. It is also possible for the entire pouring element to be made of renewable raw materials. Polyolefins are usually produced from fossil raw materials such as ethane, liquefied petroleum gas, or petroleum.Recently, there has been an increasing search for alternatives to produce more sustainable products. Using bioethanol, produced from starch-, sugar-, or cellulose-containing raw materials, for example, instead of the familiar fossil raw materials, has proven to be a viable option. Preferred raw materials are those that do not require intensive agricultural cultivation and that also grow on poor soils. This bioethanol can then be used to produce a polyolefin using conventional processes. In this case, all components of the pouring element are made of polyolefins and can therefore be manufactured from the same renewable raw materials with relatively little effort. It is also conceivable that a blowing agent is added to the closure element. As previously noted, shrinkage during the manufacturing process can certainly lead to problems.By adding a blowing agent to the closure element material, it can be ensured that the contact surfaces between the base element and the closure element remain clean and adhere as desired. Even small amounts of blowing agent trigger slight foaming and thus an increase in volume in the closure element, thereby reducing shrinkage. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023. This is particularly useful when the closure element is manufactured as a second element in a process according to the invention. At least the upper edge of the base element can also be surface-activated. If there are further adjacent surfaces between the two elements, such as on the cap skirt or cap seal, the corresponding surfaces on the base element are preferably also surface-activated. Surface activation can be achieved by plasma treatment or by flaming the surfaces. Here, too, the adhesion of the two elements can be adjusted and optimized better than would be possible by purely injection molding two components. This is particularly useful when the base element is manufactured as the first element in a process according to the invention. wird.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pouring channel of the base element is designed as a hollow cylinder. In principle, uniformly shaped shapes are particularly well suited to eliminating problems with tightness and sterility as effectively as possible: a circular base element with a hollow cylinder as the pouring channel. Of course, certain negative consequences regarding sealing and sealing could also be accepted in exchange for improving other aspects. The pouring channel could, for example, be oval or teardrop-shaped. The narrow constriction on the pouring side (front) and the wider opening behind it can enable targeted pouring behavior, while still allowing sufficient air to enter the package through the wide opening behind it.Another embodiment of the pouring element according to the invention comprises an anchor element which runs around the pouring channel and is connected to the cap via at least one pivotable connection, the anchor element being immovably attached to the base element and thereby directly to the base elementT. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023. In addition to the previously mentioned advantages regarding the assembly of the pouring element, such a strongly anchored closure element also offers various other advantages. A cap that is pivoted away in the open configuration can quickly get in the way of the consumer while drinking, especially if such a cap can still rotate around the base element while drinking. The immovable anchor element opens up the possibility of optimally aligning the pouring element during the production of the composite pack, so that the pivoted-open cap will not disturb a consumer while drinking. In addition, this combination also allows for the precise selection of length ratios and arrangements of the individual elements to enable specific open configurations that could otherwise not be reliably achieved due to moving parts.A practical embodiment of the invention is for the anchor element to directly abut an outer wall of the pouring channel and be immovably anchored. Alternatively or additionally, the anchor element can be directly abut the circumferential flange element and be immovably anchored. In all variants, the primary objective is to create a stable pivot axis through the pivotable connections connecting the anchor element and cap. The anchor element should be designed such that it remains stable in position when the cap is moved from the closed to the open configuration (and back). This can be ensured in particular if the anchor element is designed to be completely circumferential, according to a further teaching of the invention.The possible designs range from a simple band around the pouring channel, which can absorb the stresses generated by its shape and position, to complex circumferential elements that run from the pouring channel over the flange element and are additionally held, for example, by form-fitting connections. Another embodiment of the invention has a pivoting connection that rests against the pouring channel in the closed configuration. This can prevent damage to the usually rather thin pivoting elements. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023 connections because they do not protrude further, as is usually the case with known pouring elements. In addition, this also allows the pivot axis of the pivotable connection to be positioned as close as possible to the pouring channel, or even partially in the wall of the pouring channel due to its curvature. In another conceivable embodiment, the pivotable connection is designed as a single connection that extends over at least 45° of the cap circumference and is longer in the outer areas. In the closed configuration, such a wider element has a curvature along the circumference of the pouring channel. When the cap is now moved into the open configuration, the pivotable connection snaps into a second stable position.Such a snap-over can preferably be achieved by a so-called 'butterfly' hinge, in which the pivoting connection on the cap and the anchor element ends in a circular arc-shaped projection, which are arranged closer together in the central region of the connection and further apart in the outer regions. If the pivoting connection extends to the upper end of the cap, the curvature of the cap can also serve as a replacement for the upper arc-shaped projection of the pivoting connection, which enables a comparable snap-over effect despite the 90° rotation. According to another embodiment, the at least one pivoting connection is designed as two spaced-apart pivoting connections. On the one hand, material can be saved due to the generally narrower connections, and on the other hand, the intermediate area between the two spaced-apart pivoting connections opens up new design possibilities.In the open configuration, the cap can be positioned between the two spaced pivoting connections on the pouring channel and / or the anchor element. Additional ribs could be added there, for example, to better hold the cap in the open configuration, or more precisely, to determine the stable opening angle by which the cap is pivoted away. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023. Regardless of the exact design, the contact of the cap is used to build up tension via the pivoting connections between the cap and the anchor element, which holds the cap stably in the open configuration. In one possible embodiment, the base element is designed to be deformable such that, due to the contact of the cap in the open configuration, the diameter is at least 1.5%, in particular at least 2%, smaller than the same diameter with the cap in the closed configuration. In order to be able to measure the diameter meaningfully and comparably, the outer diameter (at the upper edge) is measured above the contact point of the cap in the open configuration to the opposite point of the pouring channel. The comparison measurement in the closed position can also be carried out on an individual base element after the cap has been completely removed.Due to the flexibility and deformation of the base element, the measured, now smaller diameter also means that the diameter perpendicular to it tends to be larger. This flexibility, which would not be possible in the neck of a PET bottle, for example, further increases the stability of the open configuration and thus maintains the pouring channel in any case. frei.In the open configuration, the cap can also be pivoted open from the closed configuration by 180° to 270°, preferably by 210° to 250°, via the pivoting connection. This ensures that the pivoted-open cap does not disturb the consumer while drinking. Of course, this only makes sense if the composite pack is designed to allow this movement, for example, by positioning the pivoting connection close to a pack edge or a generally open design of the composite pack, as is the case with a gable area with polyhedral surfaces. A composite pack for liquid foodstuffs can also be designed such that a pouring element according to the invention is integrated into the gable area of the composite pack. There are various ways of producing such a composite pack, such as H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023, as already stated above. Often, the pouring element primarily serves to close the opening in the gable area and has a rather secondary effect with regard to the dimensional stability of the composite package. Likewise, a composite package can be designed such that a pouring element according to the invention is integrated into the gable area of the composite package, wherein the gable area has polyhedral gable surfaces that are correspondingly connected to a polyhedral flange of the pouring element. As already described, this combination allows a bottle-like composite package to be formed without the need for additional components. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing illustrating only four preferred embodiments. In the drawing zeigen Fig. 1 shows a pouring element according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2 shows the pouring element according to the invention in a view from the right front in Fig. 1,Fig. 3 the pouring element according to the invention in a view from the left front in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows the pouring element according to the invention in plan view, Fig. 5 shows the pouring element according to the invention in a vertical section along the line VV in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 shows the pouring element according to the invention in bottom view, TH / lh 220889WO15 December 2023 Fig. 7 shows the pouring element according to the invention in a perspective view from nten,Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in vertical section along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 4, Fig. 9 shows the pouring element from Fig. 8 in bottom view, Fig. 10 shows the pouring element from Fig. 8 in perspective view from below, Fig. 11 shows a third embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in vertical section along the line XI-XI in Fig. 4, Fig. 12 shows the pouring element from Fig. 11 in bottom view, Fig. 13 shows the pouring element from Fig. 11 in perspective view from below, Fig. 14A shows a further embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in a side view, Fig. 14B shows the pouring element from Fig. 14A with the pouring element raised after the initial opening. Kappe undFig. 14C shows the pouring element from Fig. 14A in side view after the cap has been resealed. The drawing shows four preferred embodiments of a pouring element 1, 1', 1'' and 1''' according to the invention. In Fig. 1, a first pouring element 1 is shown in the closed state without a composite package. The pouring element 1 comprises a base element 2 and a closure element 3. A circumferential flange element 4 of the base element 2 for connection to the composite package is H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023, followed by a pouring channel 5, which is partially covered by the closure element 3. The closure element 3 comprises a cap 6, which closes the pouring channel 5 and can be released after initial opening to allow the contents of the composite package to be poured out. In the lower region of the pouring channel 5, the anchoring part of the closure element 3 is designed as an anchor element 7, which is immovably attached to the base element 2. On the one hand, this permanently connects the opened cap 6 to the composite package (not shown), and on the other hand, it allows the orientation of the closure element 3, which was carefully selected during the application of the pouring element, to be maintained. In Fig. 2, the same pouring element 1 can be seen from behind.Clearly visible here are the two pivot connections 8 that connect cap 6 and anchor element 7, allowing cap 6 to be pivoted away when opening and closing pouring element 1. Snap-in components 9 and 10 ensure that cap 6 can be held open. Preferably, the two components are located on cap 6 and anchor element 7 between the two pivot connections 8. Alternatively, snap-in components 9 and 10 could also be attached laterally or on the pouring channel 5 instead of anchor element 7. In the side view of Fig. 3, the previously described parts for pivoting away and securing the cap are again at least partially visible. Also prominently visible here are some breakable elements 11, which connect anchor element 7 and cap 6 and break open at the beginning of the initial opening process; this break-open action then clearly signals to a consumer that pouring element 1 has already been opened.In this embodiment, the anchor element 7 is immovably attached to the base element 2, which is why a tamper-evident guarantee cannot be indicated by falling in the axial direction, as is often the case with common tamper-evident bands. A gripping aid 12 makes it easier for a consumer to grasp and open the cap 6.T. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023 Fig. 4 shows the same pouring element 1 in a top view, in which the snap-in component 10 and the gripping aid 12 of the cap 6 can be clearly seen again. Additionally, an energy director 13, which supports the welding to the composite packaging, is clearly visible here. The section line through the central axis of the pouring element defines the sectional view of Figs. 5, 8, and 11. There, it is clearly visible how the cap 6 and the anchor element 7 rest against the pouring channel 5, because one of the components served at least partially as a mold for the other in the injection molding process. This creates a material pairing without air inclusions or cavities in between. A circumferential retaining rib 14 can be seen between the anchor element 7 and the pouring channel 5, which completely fills the cavity on the other component due to the multi-component injection molding.The anchoring of the anchor element 7 to the base element 2 is based, on the one hand, on the tension built up by the immovable contact and complete circumferential contact of the anchor element 7 with the base element 2 and the aforementioned retaining rib 14. The pouring channel 5 has an inlet opening at the end of the circumferential flange element 4, i.e., on the composite packaging side, and an outlet opening at the opposite end. The pouring channel 5 ends on the outlet opening side with an upper edge 15, with the cap 6 adhering and adhering along the entire upper edge 15 prior to the initial opening. In addition, the wall of the cap adhering to the inner wall of the pouring channel 5 defines a seal 16, which also adhering and adhering closely to one another prior to the initial opening.A combined sealing and retaining element 17 interacts with a second sealing and retaining element 18 of the pouring channel 5, each defining an undercut and precisely complementing each other in their shapes due to the manufacturing method. Even after initial opening, these elements still rest against each other, even if they are no longer adhered. At the lower end of the seal 16, on the inner wall of the pouring channel 5, there is an inwardly projecting closure element 19, which on the one hand closes the seal 16 and on the other hand. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023, together with the inner walls of the cap 6, provides a uniform surface to simplify the sterilization of the package interior. Said sterilization is also facilitated because the seal 16 of the cap 6 and the closure element 19 abut each other, adhere, and form a clean seal towards the interior without forming a projection. Figures 6 and 7 show the same pouring element 1 in an (isometric) bottom view. Here, too, the uniform surface without undercuts for improved sterilization can be seen. Since the pouring element 1 is sealed into the package from the inside, the underside of the circumferential flange element 4 can also be flat and uniform.Figures 8 to 10 show a second embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention, which is particularly advantageous when the base element 2' is manufactured first in the manufacturing process and serves at least partially as an injection mold for the closure element 3'. Only the differences from the first embodiment are described below; the remaining features are identical. An auxiliary element 20', which is manufactured as part of the base element 2', enables a centrally positioned injection point for the base element 2'. On the one hand, this ensures a uniform melt distribution from this central point during the injection molding process. On the other hand, it is significantly simpler and the most sensible solution for the base element 2' and the closure element 3' to be injected from the same side in the injection mold, i.e., the nozzles for the melt, which ultimately create the injection point in the plastic part, to be positioned on the same side.The term 'side' always refers to a mold half with respect to the positioning and alignment of the pouring element 1' to be produced, which, for example, later defines the inlet or outlet opening of the base element 2'. The base element 2' is expediently molded from the side of the outlet opening. This, in turn, allows the side of the inlet opening to remain firmly in the mold, so that a mold half of the closure element 3' can be attached to it. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023. In this second process, the closure element 3' can now be molded from the side of the outlet opening, so that openings 21' in the auxiliary element 20' are filled with the cap material and anchored to an undercut. The auxiliary element 20' is connected to the rest of the base element 2' via three breakable elements 22' evenly distributed over the circumference. When the cap 6' is first opened, the auxiliary element 20' is then broken out of the remaining base element 2' and pivoted away together with the cap 6'; the pouring channel 5' is then completely exposed. Figures 11 to 13 show a third embodiment of the pouring element according to the invention, which is particularly useful when the base element 2'' is produced first in the manufacturing process and serves at least partially as an injection mold for the closure element 3''.In the following, only the differences from the first and second embodiments are described; the remaining features are identical. Here, the auxiliary element 20" contains six smaller openings 21" to better distribute the forces during initial opening. The three arms and thus the breakable elements 22" of the auxiliary element 20" are no longer evenly distributed over the circumference of the pouring channel 5". Fig. 12 shows the position of the gripping aid 12" where a consumer grasps the cap 6". The breakable elements 22" are arranged laterally, so that no additional breakable elements 22" need to be broken either at the start position (gripping aid 12" on the left in the image) or at the opposite end position (pivoting connection 8" on the right in the image) of the opening movement. The initial tearing of the adhesive connection requires increased force, particularly at the start and end of the opening movement.This positioning thus balances these forces throughout the entire process. In addition, the breakable elements 22" do not break simultaneously, but one after the other (in Fig. 12: top left, bottom, top right), because the angular distances from the pivoting connection 8" to the individual breakable elements 22" are different. The angular distances are always measured between the legs from the central vertical axis to the points mentioned. H / lh 220889WODecember 15, 2023 Figures 14A to 14C show a fourth embodiment of the pouring element according to the invention, wherein Fig. 14A shows a pouring element 1''', still in the unopened state, in side view. The pouring element 1''' has a base element 2''', a closure element 3''', and a circumferential flange element 4'''. The circumferential flange 4''' encloses a hollow cylinder (not further designated) that defines a pouring channel 5 (not visible in Fig. 14A). As in the previously described examples, the base element 3''' also has a cap 6''', which enables the pouring element 1''' to be opened and reclosed. A circumferential anchor element 7' can also be seen, which in the illustrated and therefore preferred embodiment is articulated to the cap 6''' via two pivot connections 8'.The cap 6''' further has two arms 23 firmly connected to the cap 6''' in its rear part, which are described in more detail below. In Fig. 14B, the pouring element 1''' is shown with the cap 6''' projecting upwards by approximately 90° during the opening process. It can be clearly seen that the cap 6''' has a plug-shaped cross-section, whereby the plug-shaped part of the cap 6''' is suitable for tightly closing the pouring channel 5 when the cap 6''' has been returned to the closed position, as shown in Fig. 14C. For this purpose, the plug-like, drawn-in part of the cap 6''' has a circumferential seal 24. When the cap 6''' is opened for the first time by lifting the handle 12''', the end of each arm 23 connected to the cap 6''' first tears at the breakable connections 11' arranged on the anchor element 7'. Upon further opening, the other breakable elements 11' at the free end of each arm 23 also tear.In the process, the free ends of the arms 23, which previously ran parallel to the edge of the cap 6''', deform slightly outwards and "downwards", i.e. from the edge of the cap 6'''T. H / lh 220889WO December 15, 2023. This occurs, on the one hand, through the staggered breaking of the breakable connections 11', but also through the arms 23 coming into contact with the respective pivoting connections 8 during the final part of the opening process. This is particularly evident in the side view according to Fig. 14C, in which the free front ends of the arms 23 point toward the flange 4''', thus readily informing the consumer that the container has already been opened for the first time. The arms 23 therefore also serve as an extremely visible tamper-evident seal. H / lh 220889WO December 15, 2023
Claims
December 15, 2023Patent claims1. Method for producing a pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') for a composite package for liquid foodstuffs, comprising a base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') and a closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3'''), wherein the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') is connectable to the composite package and can be integrated into the composite package as part of the gable, and the closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3''') closes the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2'''), and wherein the pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') is produced by injection molding, wherein either the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') or the closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3''') is produced first and, in a subsequent injection molding process, is used at least partially as a mold for the respective other element, characterized in that first the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') is produced and then the closure element (3, 3', 3'',3''') is cast onto the already solidified base element (2, 2', 2'', 2'''), and that the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') is injection-molded onto an auxiliary element (20', 20''), which is connected to the remaining base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') via at least one breakable element (22', 22'').
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary element (20', 20'') is firmly attached to the closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3''') by form-fitting.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - 2 - the auxiliary element (20', 20'') is designed as a sealing membrane and the breakable element (22', 22'') as a circumferential thin section.
4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the auxiliary element (20', 20'') is connected to the remaining base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') via at least two, preferably exactly three, breakable elements (22', 22'').
5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3''') has a pivotable connection (8, 8') and the individual breakable connections (22', 22'') all have a different angular distance from the center of the pivotable connection (8, 8'), measured in the circumferential direction, wherein the differences between the individual amounts of the angular distances are preferably always at least 10°.
6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that all angular distances are between 25° and 155°.7.Method according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 6, characterized in that the auxiliary element (20', 20'') is removed from the pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') after the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') has been produced.
8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the removal of the auxiliary element (20', 20'') takes place in an intermediate step before the production of the closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3''').T. H / lh 220889WO December 15, 2023 - 3 -9. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the removal of the auxiliary element (20', 20'') at the end of the manufacturing process is carried out by a multi-stage ejection of the pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''').
10. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') for a composite package with a base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') with a central pouring channel (5) with an upper edge (15) and a circumferential flange element (4, 4', 4'', 4''') opposite the upper edge (15) for connection to the composite package, and a closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3'''), wherein the closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3''') comprises a cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') which closes the pouring channel (5) before the first opening, characterized in that the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') rests against the entire surface of the pouring channel (5) at least along the upper edge (15) and before the first opening adheres.11.Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to claim 10, characterized in that the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') has an at least partially circumferential cap skirt, the inside of which rests against the outer wall of the pouring channel (5) and adheres before the initial opening.
12. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') has a preferably partially circumferential seal, the outside of which rests against the inner wall of the pouring channel (5) and adheres before the initial opening.T. H / lh 220889WO December 15, 2023 - 4 -13. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to claim 12, characterized in that the, preferably partially circumferential, seal and the inner wall of the pouring channel (5) each have an undercut.
14. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the inner wall of the pouring channel (5) has a circumferential web which directly adjoins the, preferably partially circumferential, seal of the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6'''), wherein the circumferential web and the seal have the same inner diameter at least in the contact region.
15. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the connection between the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') and the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') adhering before the first opening serves as an authenticity seal.16.Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') and the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') each have a tamper-evident seal which are firmly attached to one another, wherein either the tamper-evident seal of the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') is connected to the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') via a breakable connection (11, 11') or the tamper-evident seal of the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') is connected to the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') via a breakable connection (11).
17. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') has at least one arm (23) designed as a tamper-evident seal, which is connected to a further part of the pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') via at least one breakable connection (11, 11').T. H / lh 220889WO December 15, 2023 - 5 -18. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') consists mainly of a first material, preferably polyethylene, and the closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3''') consists of a polymer blend of a second material, preferably polypropylene, and 1-30 wt.% of the first material.
19. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that the pouring channel (5) of the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') is designed as a hollow cylinder.20.Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to one of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that the closure element (3, 3', 3'', 3''') comprises an anchor element (7, 7') which runs around the pouring channel (5) and is connected to the cap (6, 6', 6'', 6''') via at least one pivotable connection (8, 8'), the anchor element (7, 7') being immovably attached to the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''') and thereby resting directly on the base element (2, 2', 2'', 2''').
21. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to claims 17 and 20, characterized in that the at least one arm (23) designed as a tamper-evident seal is connected to the anchor element (7, 7') via at least one breakable connection (11, 11').
22. Pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') according to one of claims 10 to 21, characterized in that the pouring element (1, 1', 1'', 1''') is manufactured using a method according to one of claims 1 to 9.T.H / lh 220889WO December 15, 2023