Spout for film bags

Abstract

The invention relates to a spout for film bags, which comprises a pouring channel 1, the channel walls 1a, 1c of which are formed in a first end region 2a as pouring connection pipes and which are surrounded in a second end region 2b by a welding area 3, which has two welding arms 3a, 3b which extend in opposite directions perpendicular to a channel axis 1b of the pouring channel 1 to respective welding arm ends 4a, 4b, in particular away from the channel wall 1c in the second end region 2b, and each of the welding arms 3a, 3b has a number of rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c which are connected to the channel wall 1c and which are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the channel axis 1b, and each of the welding arms 3a, 3b has a plurality of rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c which are connected to the channel wall 1c and which are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the channel axis 1b, 5a, 5b, 5c have, at a first welding side 6a, a first edge region 7a extending between the passage wall 1c and the welding arm portion ends 4a, 4b, and at a second welding side 6b, a second edge region 7b extending between the passage wall 1c and the welding arm portion ends 4a, 4b, the first and second edge regions 7a, 7b forming first and second welding zones 7a, 7b, which weld zones 7a, 7b are connected to the welding arm portion ends 4a, 4b. 4a, 4b, whereby in each of the welding arm parts 3a, 3b, respectively, only one free space 8a, 8b is formed between the two spaced apart rib elements 5a, 5b / 5b, 5c, and each of the free spaces 8a, 8b is open on one of the two welding sides 6a, 6b and is closed by a welding surface 9 on the other of the two welding sides 6a, 6b.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spout for a film bag, the spout comprising a spout passageway, the passage wall of the outlet passage is formed as an outlet pipe connection in the first end region, and the passage wall is surrounded by a welded region at the second end region; the welding area has two welding arms that extend in opposite directions perpendicular to the passage axis of the pouring passage to the ends of the welding arms, in particular away from the passage wall in the second end region; and Each of the welding arms has a plurality of rib elements, which are connected to the passage wall in the second end region and are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the passage axis; and Each of the rib elements is a first edge region extending between the passage wall and the weld arm end at a first weld side; and a second edge region extending between the passage wall and the end of the weld arm at a second weld side; The first and second edge regions form first and second weld zones. In doing so, the welding zones converge in a direction towards the end of the welding arm. [Background technology]

[0002] In a possible embodiment, the edge regions / welding zones may extend at least partially linearly, in which case the linearly extending regions of the first and second edge regions form an acute angle between themselves.

[0003] Such a spout is known in the prior art, for example from patent application WO 02 / 04999 of the same applicant. The spout is intended to be fixed by welding between two film layers of a film bag, which contains, for example, a food product, in particular a flowable food product. Due to the converging shape of the edge regions forming the welding zone in both welding arms, the welding region has a shape that tapers in the direction from the passage axis to the end of the welding arm, in particular this shape is often also referred to as shuttle-shaped, with the taper occurring in a plane perpendicular to the passage axis.

[0004] Welding between the welding zone and each film layer is performed on each welding side of both welding sides using welding jaws that apply welding energy from two oppositely positioned welding sides through each film layer of the film bag to the welding zone.

[0005] The welding may be performed, for example, thermally or inductively, or ultrasonically, as well as using other suitable welding methods.

[0006] The welding sides are therefore two opposite sides of the welding area, lying on either side of a plane that includes the passage axis and both welding arm ends. The channel axis is then the longitudinal axis of the pouring channel, which leads through the spout.

[0007] This plane is also called the front face and corresponds to the plane of the film bag, in particular an unfilled film bag, that lies parallel to the film layers. It is to this front that the viewer's attention is directed, in effect, when viewing the film bag from the front.

[0008] In the state of use in an upright film bag, in the function of the end region as a pouring connection pipe, one end region forms the upper end region, Typically, a removable closure, for example a cap, is provided, which is preferably fixed to the pouring connection by means of a threaded connection or which is fixable and removable.

[0009] The second end region forming the welded region is the lower end region of the spout in the mentioned use state. Between the spout connection pipe and the welded region, it is possible in the prior art, and also in the present invention, for a radially protruding collar to be arranged around the passage wall. This collar serves as an abutment for the cap and / or has a functional structural element of so-called originality, by means of which it can be indicated whether the cap has already been opened once or at least whether the cap has been moved from its originally closed position.

[0010] The rib elements are advantageously formed as flat elements. In particular, this refers to an element having two surfaces spaced apart by a thickness, the thickness being preferably smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of both surfaces located opposite each other in the thickness direction. The thickness of such surface elements can be the same everywhere, although this is not essential for the invention. It is also possible for this thickness to vary locally.

[0011] the rib elements form the aforementioned welding zones with their edge regions, which welding zones run parallel to the upper edge of the film bag, Therefore, after welding, it is ensured that the film bag has a plurality of linear fastening and sealing portions along the welded area at the upper edge of the film bag.

[0012] During welding, the rib elements are subjected to forces acting parallel to the rib plane, and in order to prevent them from being pushed back by bulging under the action of these forces, prior art techniques usually aim to stabilize these rib elements by means of a wall connecting all the rib elements, this wall being arranged around the periphery of said plane or face. As a result, the wall extends centrally and perpendicularly to the rib elements, which provides two free spaces between each two adjacent rib elements, which are formed on either side of the separating wall.

[0013] Such spouts are widespread on the market, can be easily manufactured in advantageous injection molding methods, are easily weldable and require little material usage, but have the drawback that the essentially linear weld zone can fail in the event of excessively strong stresses and therefore become non-sealing. Indeed, solutions are also known which provide a very large welding surface, in particular over the entire height of the welding area (seen in the direction of the passage axis), but which however clearly require a lot of material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2017 009 693 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a spout of the type mentioned at the beginning, The spout can further be easily manufactured in an injection molding method, and is particularly easily demoldable, and provides an increase in the surface available for welding in the welding area, at no or only a secondary increase in material costs, while at the same time providing sufficient stability of the provided welding surface, particularly against the forces acting in the welding process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] According to the invention, this problem is solved by Within each of the welding arms, only one free space is formed between each of the two spaced apart rib elements; and each of the free spaces is open at one of the two welding sides, in particular open outward; In addition, the other of the two welding sides is closed by a welding surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In particular, when each of these welding arm portions has at least three rib elements arranged adjacently with a gap therebetween, such an embodiment has, viewed in the direction of extension of the passage, at least two adjacent free spaces located adjacently, in particular adjacently overlapping, within each welding arm portion. An advantageous embodiment is Each welding arm has exactly three rib elements, thereby providing exactly two free spaces within each welding arm. It is possible to intend this.

[0018] Unlike in the prior art described above, the central stabilizing wall for the rib elements described above is omitted, and instead the stabilization of two adjacent rib elements is achieved by the welding zones of these rib elements, i.e. the edge regions of these rib elements, which are at least essentially overlapping in the channel extension direction, being connected by welding surfaces. Such a welding surface therefore extends between the welding zones of both rib elements surrounding a free space and, in addition to the stabilizing function, increases the area available for welding as a whole. This gives the weld an increased load-bearing capacity compared to conventional linear connections, with a simultaneously guaranteed stability of the rib element.

[0019] An important advantage of the present invention is that, compared to the prior art, an increase in the total welding surface is provided, advantageously without the need for more, or at least not significantly more, synthetic material to be used for this purpose in the injection molding process.

[0020] Structurally, an embodiment according to the present invention comprises: the initially existing wall section as described at the beginning is displaced from the center between the conventional welding zones partially towards the first welding side and partially towards the second welding side, and the displaced wall areas then each form one welding surface, It can be interpreted as follows.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, each of the welding arms comprises: at least one free space, in particular exactly one free space, which is open on the first welding side and closed on the second welding side, and at least one free space, in particular exactly one free space, which is closed on the first welding side and open on the second welding side, That is what is intended.

[0022] This advantageously results in an embodiment in which the welded area is not formed identically on the first welding side to the second welding side, which represents an important departure from the prior art: in this advantageous embodiment, at least one, preferably exactly one, welding surface enclosing the free space on the first side is advantageously arranged offset in height (seen in the direction of passage extension) with respect to at least one, preferably exactly one, welding surface on the other welding side. Similarly, such misalignment is likewise provided at least one opening in the free space at the aforementioned welding side, in particular across this welding side the free space being open to the outside, which opening is subsequently covered in use by a film layer fixed around this opening in the welding area.

[0023] This embodiment likewise ensures good demoldability during injection molding, since the molding projections that define the free space in the injection molding tool can be moved during opening and closing of the injection molding mold in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned front face.

[0024] The present invention the two welding arms are configured identically or identically to one another on one and the same welding side, in particular, i.e. differ only on different welding sides, in terms of their respective geometrical shape, in particular, i.e., in terms of the relative arrangement of the open and closed free spaces; It is possible to intend this.

[0025] Regardless of the number of rib elements and the free spaces formed between them, the invention advantageously provides: the free spaces located adjacent to each other in the direction of the passage axis, in particular adjacent and overlapping, are alternately closed or open to the first welding side and the second welding side; It is possible to intend this.

[0026] Advantageously, this results in that, viewed in a cross section through the welding arm, perpendicular to the direction of separation of the welding arm ends: It is provided that the rib element and the welding surface enclosing a free space have a serpentine-shaped course. The cross section perpendicular to the direction of separation of the ends of the welding arms is then preferably spaced apart from the channel axis and, in particular, is therefore located outside the outlet channel, which provides an overall very stable structure with an increased welding surface.

[0027] On one welding side, or alternatively on the other welding side, the welding surface closing the free space between the rib elements is arranged so that its outwardly directed surface, i.e., the surface in contact with the film layer to be welded, is flush with the edge region of the rib element forming the welding zone. This ensures that the weld and the welding zones in the edge regions adjacent to this welding surface on both sides are integrated into a co-working surface, which is used for welding.

[0028] Advantageously, the welding surface enclosing the free space has a wall thickness equal to or less than the wall thickness of the adjacent rib element, in particular at least less than the wall thickness of the rib element at its thickest point; This in turn contributes to material savings without hindering weldability.

[0029] Advantageously, the free space therefore extends, for example, from an opening on one of these welding sides, which is bounded on the upper and lower sides by the edge regions of the rib element, in a direction perpendicular to the front face, into the welding arm part, up to the inner side of the welding surface of the oppositely located welding side. At the end of each welding arm, the opening can be bounded on the periphery by a thickened portion extending in the passage axis direction, the thickened portion being arranged on the inside at the oppositely positioned welding surface.

[0030] Advantageously, in each welding arm of one welding side, the welding zone of the rib element and at least one welding surface enclosing the free space, and in particular also the thickened portion, are located in the same plane of a welding plane, in which welding is carried out. This plane can be parallel to the passage axis or it can be non-parallel as well. In possible non-parallel embodiments, the welding plane can be downwardly away from the passage axis or approaching this passage axis.

[0031] The surface areas of the present invention that come into contact with the film layer during welding can have different surface embodiments, particularly depending on the welding method used. These contacting surfaces are preferably at least the edge area or weld zone, the welding surface enclosing the free space, and the surface of the mantle surface area that surrounds the passage axis and connects the surface areas of the welding arms.

[0032] In the case of the preferably conductive welding energy introduction, it is possible for these contacting surfaces to be formed, for example, smooth, in particular without contouring.

[0033] In other embodiments, these contacting surfaces can also be roughened, in particular with three-dimensional shapes, preferably with three-dimensional shapes such as protrusions, which provide initial points for melting in ultrasonic welding.

[0034] It is possible that the three-dimensional mouldings are arranged on the contacting surfaces, for example raised within a certain dimensional range, in particular 0.02 to 0.05 mm.

[0035] It is particularly advantageous that the free space widens in the direction from the welding side, where it is closed by the welding surface, to the welding side, where it is open, in particular in the height direction, i.e. in the direction of the spacing of the rib elements. It is possible that this is what is intended. The expansion of the free space in the direction of the separation of the welding arm ends is advantageously already present because the welding arms taper in the direction towards the welding arm ends, thereby achieving particularly easy demoldability between the produced spout and the molding projection in the injection molding mold that defines the free space.

[0036] An advantageous embodiment is Each of the rib elements has a transverse plane Surrounding (around) the transverse plane being perpendicular to the passage axis; It is possible to intend this. The transverse plane and the front face mentioned at the outset are advantageously perpendicular to one another, the transverse planes of the different rib elements being accordingly spaced apart from one another.

[0037] Advantageously, in this embodiment, further The surface of the rib element pointing towards the free space is in its transverse plane. Surrounding (around) the rib elements are arranged inclined relative to the transverse plane; That is what is intended. Thereby the previously mentioned widening of the free space in the direction towards the open side of this free space can be achieved and demoldability can be facilitated.

[0038] A further advantageous embodiment is In the rib element located closest to the second end of the pouring passage, a collar is formed that points away from the rib element and increases the weld zone / edge area of ​​the rib element; It is possible to intend this. Since the lowermost rib element does not have any further adjacent rib elements below it, the welding zone of this rib element is limited to the thickness of the edge region of this rib element.

[0039] The associated collar extends downwards flush with the welding zone. Advantageously, the welding zone of the rib element is increased at least essentially by the height of the collar, in particular, i.e. the rib element is thickened downwards at the edge. This induces an improved load-bearing capacity of the weld bond between the weld area and the film layer, precisely at the location where there is the greatest movement between the film layer and the weld area in use.

[0040] The collar may define a resiliently flexible region that may prevent stretching of the film in that region during welding.

[0041] It is particularly advantageous if the collar has a chamfer or is rounded with a radius on its lower, outwardly pointing edge. Similarly, it is possible to prevent this chamfer from applying stress to the film.

[0042] Advantageously, as well as In a direction toward the end of the welding arm portion, the thickness of at least one rib element, preferably all rib elements, seen in the direction of the passage axis, is increased, in particular on only one side of the transverse plane or on both sides; and / or the height of the free space, as seen in the direction of the passage axis, is reduced between the two rib elements; It is also possible that this is intended.

[0043] This achieves an increase in the effective welding surface in the direction towards the end of the welding arm. Furthermore, in the region of the end of the welding arm, as viewed in the projection of the welding surface in a direction perpendicular to the front face, an increased overlap of the offset, facing welding surfaces on both welding sides is provided, which results in an improved load-bearing capacity of the weld at the end of the welding arm.

[0044] Advantageously, in both welding arms, the free spaces which are arranged identically in relation to the position of the welding arms relative to the passage axis, as viewed in the direction of the passage axis, are closed or open towards the same welding side.

[0045] In this case, it is furthermore advantageous if the two identically arranged free spaces are It is possible that the outer surface area of ​​the second end region extending between both welding arms is joined by a groove. Advantageously, the height of this groove, measured in the direction of the passage axis, corresponds to the height of the free space in the same direction.

[0046] The present invention, however, also the outer surface area is formed without grooves, in particular the outer surface area has a curved surface profile at the level of the two free spaces in different arms, which surface profile corresponds to the surface profile between the welding surfaces closing the free spaces of both welding arms on the same welding side; It is also possible to intend this.

[0047] A further structurally advantageous embodiment is Within the welding area, The pouring passage has two flat / planar passage walls that are parallel to each other and located opposite each other about the passage axis, the rib elements of both of the welding arms are connected to the passage walls; This is the intention. This flat, planar shape is therefore present at least on the side of the passage wall with which the rib element adjoins, the flat, planar surface of the passage wall thus pointing into free space. Demolding during injection molding preferably takes place in a direction parallel to this plane, and the channel walls are preferably configured identically there, although it is also possible for them to be configured differently from flat radially inward toward the channel axis.

[0048] The pouring channel advantageously has a plurality of reinforcing ribs in the welded area between two parallel, oppositely positioned channel wall areas, The reinforcing ribs can extend radially inward from the inner surface of the passage wall, and the inner surface of the passage wall between the parallel, flat passage wall regions can extend curved, in particular with a constant radius relative to the passage axis.

[0049] Further embodiments that can be combined with all of the above-described embodiments are described below.

[0050] For example, the welding surface enclosing the free space may be for at least one edge region of the rib element adjacent to the welding surface, preferably for both edge regions adjacent to the welding surface, It is positioned to protrude outwards, It is possible that this is what is intended.

[0051] Advantageously, such protruding welding surface comprises: At least in a region, in particular at least in a region extending from the outer surface region of the second end region to the end of the welding arm portion, Is formed flat, or The edge regions have a curvature extending in the direction of separation, in particular outwardly, an outwardly arched curvature. Advantageously, such curvature lies in one plane, this plane being oriented perpendicular to the extension direction of the linearly extending edge region of the rib element.

[0052] Such a protruding welding surface can form, for example, a welding material reservoir, which is pressurized during welding, particularly up to the edge region.

[0053] One embodiment is the welding surface enclosing the free space is arranged flush with at least one edge region of the rib element adjacent to it, preferably with both edge regions adjacent to it, It is possible to intend this.

[0054] With a flush-arranged and protruding welding surface over the edge area, The welding surface and / or the edge region are At least in a region extending from the outer surface region of the second end region to the end of the welding arm portion, Is formed flat, or a curvature extending in a plane perpendicular to the passage axis; In particular, it is formed concavely or convexly outwardly, It is possible that this is what is intended.

[0055] The preferred embodiment will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0056] Figures 1 to 4 show a first advantageous embodiment, which has features in common with all other embodiments of the figures, except for the differences described below, and which additionally will not be described again in the subsequent figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0057] [Figure 1]1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 2] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 3] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 4] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 5] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 6] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 7] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 8] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 9] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 10] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 11] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 12] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 13] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 14] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; [Figure 15] 1A-1C show features according to the present invention in different views; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] The common features are:

[0059] The illustrated spout has a pouring passage 1, which has a longitudinal extension according to a passage axis 1b, and whose passage wall 1a is formed with at least an essentially cylindrical cross section in the upper end region 2a and forms a pouring connection pipe.

[0060] In the upper end region 2a, the passage wall 1a carries on the outside an external thread which cooperates with a secondary cap for the invention, not shown here, which has a corresponding internal thread, so that the pouring connection pipe can be selectively closed or opened. The pour-out connection is the area which can be covered by a cap and from which the contents of the film bag, not shown here, can be taken out.

[0061] In the lower end region 2b, the channel wall 1a is surrounded by a welding region 3, which comprises two welding arms 3a. In this region, the surrounded channel wall does not necessarily correspond to the cylindrical shape that is recognizable in the upper region.

[0062] The welding area 3 comprises two welding arms 3a and 3b arranged diametrically opposite each other around the passage wall / passage axis and extending away from the passage axis 1b / passage wall 1a. Film layers of the film bag are welded to the welding arms 3a and 3b at two opposite side surfaces 6a and 6b, respectively, so that the welding area is enclosed between the film layers. The welding sides 6a and 6b are located on either side of an imaginary front face which itself comprises the passage axis 1b and both welding arm ends 4a, 4b. This front face is accordingly located in the center of the spout and parallel to the film layer, not shown, of the film bag.

[0063] 3 and 4 clearly show that each welding arm 3a, 3b is itself provided with a plurality of rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c, here three. Possible embodiments are not limited to the three rib elements shown. In particular, it is also possible for more than three rib elements to be provided, which merely analogously extends this embodiment downwards. The rib elements are advantageously formed as planar elements and extend around respective transverse planes 10a, 10b, 10c which lie perpendicular to the passage axis 1b. The rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c or their transverse planes 10a, 10b, 10c are spaced apart in the direction of the passage axis 1b.

[0064] In the height direction corresponding to the direction of the passage axis 1b, two rib elements 5a and 5b, respectively 5b and 5c, spaced apart, surround free spaces 8a and 8b. Each free space 8a, 8b occupies the space between the opposing flat surfaces of the rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c and is therefore located in the interior of each welding arm 3a, 3b, with the free spaces 8a, 8b having the same position relative to the passage axis 1b in both welding arms 3a, 3b.

[0065] In particular, the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 clearly shows that each rib element 5a, 5b, 5c has one edge region 7a or 7b on both weld sides 6a, 6b, respectively. The edge regions 7a, 7b extend at their outer edges essentially over the height of the rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c (seen in the direction of the passage axis 1b), and these edge regions 7a, 7b, and in particular their outwardly facing end faces, form welding zones which are used, either alone or with increasing area, for welding with the film layer. 1 clearly shows that the edge regions 7a, 7b or welding zones then converge in the direction towards the end of the welding arm, which in particular gives the welding zone a shuttle-like shape.

[0066] FIG. 4 clearly shows that the rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c are thereby connected in one piece to the channel wall 1c in the lower end region 2b.

[0067] For the purposes of this invention, in each welding arm 3a, 3b, the adjacent free spaces 8a, 8b, which are located one above the other, are open towards exactly one of the welding sides 6a, 6b and are closed towards the other by a welding surface 9, which joins the overlapping edge regions and increases the welding zone of these edge regions; It is important to

[0068] 1 to 4 it can be seen that in both welding arms 3a, 3b the upper free space 8a is open towards the welding side 6b and is closed towards the welding side 6a by a welding surface 9. The lower free space 8b, on the other hand, is open towards the welding side 6a and is closed towards the welding side 6b by a welding surface 9. On the same welding side, and therefore in both welding arms, the embodiment is identical. In the case of more than two overlapping free spaces, these free spaces are advantageously closed or open alternately towards one welding side and the other in the direction of the passage axis.

[0069] In particular, the view of the welding arm end 4b in FIG. the welding surfaces 9 enclosing the upper or lower free space, or the openings through which these free spaces open outwards, are offset on both welding sides, in particular, i.e., are offset alternately by the height difference between the two free spaces; It clearly shows that. That is, the welding area 3 is not mirror symmetrical with respect to the front face.

[0070] The molding protrusions for forming the free spaces 8a, 8b are formed during injection molding as shown in FIG. With respect to the upper free space 8a, it extends from the welding side 6b in the direction towards the welding side 6a, up to the inner wall of the upper welding surface 9, into the spout, and The lower free space 8b extends from the welding side 6a in the direction towards the welding side 6b up to the inner wall of the upper welding surface 9 and into the spout. Therefore, demolding can be performed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of spacing between the welding arm end portions 4a, 4b.

[0071] The respective free space 8a, 8b is continuous on the inside from the welding surface 9 to the oppositely located opening, and advantageously the free space widens in this direction.

[0072] The thickness of the welding surface 9, as seen perpendicularly to the front face, is then advantageously less than the thickness of the thickest rib element 5a, 5b, 5c, as seen in the direction of the passage axis 1b. Advantageously, in all possible embodiments, the term "welding surface" is understood to mean not only a surface that is functional for welding, but also a wall element that has this functional surface.

[0073] 3 shows the serpentine progression of the continuation of the rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c and the welding surface 9, which results outwardly from the staggered positioning of the openings of the welding surface 9 or the free spaces 8a, 8b. In more free spaces than the two free spaces 8a, 8b shown, the serpentine progression continues further.

[0074] 2 it is clearly visible that no wall is present around the central front face. The reinforcement of the rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c is provided by outer welding surfaces 9 which alternately extend outwards in the direction of the passage axis 1b, and which have the effect of increasing the welding zone.

[0075] Between the end regions 2a and 2b, a radially protruding collar portion as shown is advantageously arranged around the passage wall 1a, which collar portion can be used as a stopper for the cap and carries an original functional element.

[0076] Further, with respect to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 , It is characteristic that on each of the two welding sides, a respectively open free space is provided, i.e. for example, free space 8a on welding side 6b, beyond the mantle surface area 12 which joins the two welding arm parts 3a, 3b, and which transitions one into the other by means of a groove 13.

[0077] Advantageously, moreover, the free spaces 8a, 8b have the same height everywhere outward in the plane of the opening.

[0078] Furthermore, it is particular to this embodiment that the lowermost rib element has a downwardly projecting collar 11, which in particular serves as an increase in the downward welding zone and / or prevents load stresses on the film at this location due to the increased flexibility. Such a collar can also be omitted in other embodiments.

[0079] 5 and 6 show a second embodiment according to the invention with otherwise identical features, in which the groove 13 is absent. The mantle surface area 12 has a curved course at the height of the opening of the free space that is the same height as the welding surfaces, which close off the other free space on the same welding side.

[0080] Figures 7 and 8 show a third embodiment, otherwise of the same characteristics as in Figures 1 to 4, which can however likewise be formed without grooves 13, and it is characteristic of this embodiment that the thickness of the rib elements 5a, 5b, 5c or the height of the free spaces 8a, 8b decreases in the direction towards the welding arm ends 4a, 4b.

[0081] Here, in particular, FIG. 8 shows that in this embodiment the surface effectively used for welding is increased in the direction towards the welding arm ends 4 a, 4 b, which in particular results in an increased overlap 14 of the oppositely located welding surfaces 9 on both welding sides 6 a, 6 b in a projection perpendicular to the front surface, in comparison with the other embodiments.

[0082] Figure 9 shows a view from the underside of the spout, common to the previous embodiments, with a collar portion 11, from which it is clear that the passage wall of the pouring passage in the lower end region 2b has two flat / planar walls 1c positioned parallel and facing each other, to which rib elements are attached, from which the lowest rib element 5c is visible here.

[0083] In the area of ​​the passage wall between these flat walls 1c, reinforcing ribs 14 are directed radially inwards towards the passage axis 1b.

[0084] Furthermore, it is recognizable that the pouring channel 1 transitions from a cylindrical internal shape to a shape with flat parallel channel walls 1c at a step 1d at the level of the collar with an inventive function. However, it should be commented that the invention is not limited to the shown internal shape of the pouring channel 1 in all possible embodiments.

[0085] 10 and 11 show views of one embodiment in which the previously described collar 11 is not provided, in which the welded area 3 terminates downwards at the underside of the lowermost rib element 5c. Otherwise, all other features previously described can be realized in this embodiment as well, particularly with groove 13 as shown here, but also equally or without groove 13.

[0086] All figures show embodiments, and in these embodiments: The edge regions 7a, 7b of the rib elements 5a, 5b, which serve as welding zones, and / or the welding surfaces 9 which are arranged flush with one another and close the free spaces 8a, extend linearly at least in areas in their extension to the welding arm ends 4a, 4b, in particular between the respective welding arm ends 4a, 4b and the curved outer jacket surface region 12.

[0087] In the region between the joints of the rib elements 5a, 5b to both walls 1c of the second end region 2b, the welding zone, possibly augmented by welding surfaces 9 enclosing the free space, advantageously transitions continuously one into the other with the above-mentioned outwardly convexly curved mantle surface region 12.

[0088] The present invention In all the illustrated embodiments, and in general in all possible non-illustrated embodiments according to the invention, the edge regions 7a, 7b, including the welding surface 9 enclosing the free space, are formed with a curved course, in particular between the welding arm ends 4a, 4b and the outwardly convexly curved jacket surface region 12. It is also possible to intend this.

[0089] For example, it is possible for the flush welding surface 9 and the edge regions 7a, 7b, at least in a region, in particular at least in the region extending from the outer surface region 12 of the second end region 2b to the welding arm end portions 4a, 4b, to have a curvature extending in a plane perpendicular to the passage axis 1b, which curvature is formed concavely outward, in particular, whereby this curvature merges into the outer surface region 12, which is curved convexly outward, on the other hand.

[0090] Figure 12 shows such an arrangement in an axial view from below the spout, in one embodiment without collar 11. This arrangement can, however, also be contemplated in embodiments with collar 11, and this is also true for the following figures.

[0091] In contrast to the above, Figure 13 shows an embodiment in an axial view from below the spout, in which the flush welding surface 9 and the edge regions 7a, 7b have, at least in a region, in particular at least in the region extending from the outer surface region 12 of the second end region 2b to the welding arm end portions 4a, 4b, a curvature extending in a plane perpendicular to the passage axis 1b, which curvature is formed convexly outward, in particular whereby this curvature merges into the outer convexly curved outer surface region 12.

[0092] 14 and 15 each show one embodiment in which the welding surface 9 is arranged to project outwards relative to the edge regions 7a, 7b.

[0093] 14, the welding surface 9 has a flat surface, whereas in FIG. 15, the welding surface 9 is curved outward, in particular convex outward, in one plane which is oriented perpendicular to the linearly extending edge regions 7a, 7b. This curvature now extends in the direction of separation of the edge regions 7a, 7b.

[0094] It should be commented that the embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15 can be combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13 as well. The present application relates to the invention described in the claims, but may also include the following as other aspects. 1. A spout for a film bag, the spout having a spout passage (1), a. the passage wall (1a, 1c) of the pouring passage (1) is formed as a pouring connection pipe in the first end region (2a), and b. the passage walls (1a, 1c) are surrounded by a welded area (3) at the second end area (2b); c. the welding area (3) has two welding arms (3a, 3b) extending in opposite directions perpendicular to the passage axis (1b) of the pouring passage (1) to welding arm ends (4a, 4b), in particular extending away from the passage wall (1c) in the second end region (2b); and d. each of the welding arm portions (3a, 3b) has a plurality of rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c), which are connected to the passage wall (1c) and spaced apart from one another in the direction of the passage axis (1b); and e. each of said rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) a first edge region (7a) extending at a first welding side (6a) between the passage wall (1c) and the welding arm end portions (4a, 4b); and a second edge region (7b) extending between the passage wall (1c) and the welding arm end portions (4a, 4b) on a second welding side (6b); f. the first and second edge regions (7a, 7b) form first and second welding zones (7a, 7b), which converge in a direction towards the welding arm ends (4a, 4b); At the spout, g. in each of said welding arms (3a, 3b), only one free space (8a, 8b) is formed between each of the two spaced apart rib elements (5a, 5b / 5b, 5c); and Each of the free spaces (8a, 8b) is open on one of the welding sides (6a, 6b) and closed by a welding surface (9) on the other of the welding sides (6a, 6b). A spout characterized by: 2. Each of the welding arm portions (3a, 3b) is at least one free space (8b), in particular exactly one free space (8b), which is open on the first welding side (6a) and closed on the second welding side (6b), and at least one free space (8a), in particular exactly one free space (8a), which is closed on the first welding side (6a) and open on the second welding side (6b), 1. The spout according to claim 1, characterized in that 3. A spout as described in 1 or 2 above, characterized in that the free spaces (8a, 8b) located adjacent to each other in the direction of the passage axis (1b), in particular adjacent to each other and overlapping each other, are alternately closed or open to the first welding side (6a) and the second welding side (6b). 4. viewed in a cross section through the welding arms (3a, 3b) perpendicular to the direction of separation of the welding arm ends (4a, 4b), advantageously viewed at a distance from the passage axis (1b), 3. The spout according to claim 3, characterized in that the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) and the welding surface (9) enclosing one free space (8a, 8b) have a serpentine-shaped course. 5. A spout according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the welded surfaces (9) closing the free spaces (8a, 8b) have a wall thickness equal to or less than the wall thickness of the adjacent rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c). 6. A spout as described in any one of 1 to 5 above, characterized in that the free space (8a) expands in the direction from the welding side (6a) where the free space is closed by the welding surface (9) to the welding side (6b) where the free space is open. 7. A spout according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) is arranged around a transverse plane (10a, 10b, 10c), this transverse plane being perpendicular to the passage axis (1b). 8. A spout according to claim 7, characterized in that the faces of the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) facing towards the free space (8a, 8b) are inclined with respect to the transverse plane (10a, 10b, 10c) around which the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) are arranged. 9. In the rib element (5c) located nearest to the second end of the pouring passage (1), A spout as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is formed with a collar portion (11) that increases the welding zone / edge area (7a, 7b) of the rib element (5c) and points away from the rib element (5c). 10. In the direction toward the welding arm end portions (4a, 4b), the thickness of at least one rib element (5a, 5b, 5c), as seen in the direction of said passage axis (1b), increases, in particular on only one side of said transverse plane or on both sides; and / or the height of the free space (8a, 8b) as seen in the direction of the passage axis (1b) is reduced between two rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c); 10. A spout as described in any one of 1 to 9 above. 11. A spout according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in both welding arm sections (3a, 3b), the free spaces (8a) which are arranged in the same way with respect to the position of these welding arm sections as seen in the direction of the passage axis (1b), are closed or open towards the same welding side (6a). 12. Two free spaces (8a) arranged in the same way are the second end region (2b) is connected by a groove (13) over an outer surface region (12) extending between both the welding arm portions (3a, 3b); 12. A spout according to claim 11, characterized in that the height of this groove, measured in the direction of the passage axis (1b), corresponds to the height of the free space (8a) in the same direction. 13. In the welding area (3), The pouring passage (1) has two passage walls (1c) that are parallel to each other and positioned opposite each other about the passage axis (1b), 13. A spout according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) of both welded arm portions (3a, 3b) are connected to these passage walls. 14. The pouring passage (1) has a plurality of reinforcing ribs (14) between the two parallel and opposite passage wall regions (1c) in the welding region (3); 14. The spout according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing ribs extend radially inward from the inner surface of the passage wall. 15. The welding surfaces (9) that close the free spaces (8a, 8b) are for at least one edge region (7a, 7b) of the rib element (5a, 5b, 5c) adjacent to the welding surface, advantageously for both edge regions (7a, 7b) adjacent to the welding surface, 15. A spout according to any one of 1 to 14 above, characterized in that it is arranged so as to protrude outward. 16. The protruding welding surface (9) At least in a region, in particular at least in a region extending from the outer surface region (12) of the second end region (2b) to the welding arm end portions (4a, 4b), a. be flat; or b. having a curvature extending in the direction of separation of the edge regions (7a, 7b), in particular having an outwardly arched curvature, 16. The spout according to claim 15, characterized in that: 17. The welding surfaces (9) that close the free spaces (8a, 8b) are 17. A spout according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it is arranged flush with at least one edge region (7a, 7b) of the rib element (5a, 5b, 5c) adjacent to the welding surface, preferably with both edge regions (7a, 7b) adjacent to the welding surface. 18. The welding surface (9) and the edge regions (7a, 7b) are preferably flush with one another. At least in a region, in particular at least in a region extending from the outer surface region (12) of the second end region (2b) to the welding arm end portions (4a, 4b), a. be flat; or b. has a curvature extending in a plane perpendicular to the passage axis (1b); In particular, it is formed concavely or convexly outwardly, 18. A spout according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that

Claims

1. A spout for a film bag, the spout comprising a spout passage (1), a. the channel wall (1a, 1c) of the pouring channel (1) is formed as a pouring connection pipe in the first end region (2a), and b. the passage walls (1a, 1c) are surrounded by a welded area (3) in the second end region (2b); c) the welding area (3) has two welding arms (3a, 3b) which extend in opposite directions perpendicular to the passage axis (1b) of the pouring passage (1) to the welding arm ends (4a, 4b), in particular extending away from the passage wall (1c) in the second end region (2b); and d. each welding arm (3a, 3b) has a plurality of rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c), which are connected to the passage wall (1c) and spaced apart from each other in the direction of the passage axis (1b); and e. Each rib element (5a, 5b, 5c) a first edge region (7a) extending at the first welding side (6a) between the passage wall (1c) and the welding arm ends (4a, 4b); and a second edge region (7b) extending at the second welding side (6b) between the passage wall (1c) and the welding arm ends (4a, 4b); f. the first and second edge regions (7a, 7b) form first and second welding zones (7a, 7b), which converge in a direction towards the welding arm ends (4a, 4b); At the spout, g. In each welding arm (3a, 3b), only one free space (8a, 8b) is formed between each of the two spaced apart rib elements (5a, 5b / 5b, 5c), and Each free space (8a, 8b) is open on one of the two welding sides (6a, 6b) and is closed by a welding surface (9) on the other of the two welding sides (6a, 6b). A spout characterized by:

2. Each welding arm portion (3a, 3b) is at least one free space (8b), in particular exactly one free space (8b), which is open on the first welding side (6a) and closed on the second welding side (6b), and at least one free space (8a), in particular exactly one free space (8a), which is closed on the first welding side (6a) and open on the second welding side (6b); The spout of claim 1 .

3. 3. The spout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the free spaces (8a, 8b) lying adjacent, in particular adjacent and overlapping, in the direction of the passage axis (1b) are alternately closed or open to the first weld side (6a) and the second weld side (6b).

4. viewed in a cross section through the welding arms (3a, 3b) perpendicular to the direction of separation of the welding arm ends (4a, 4b), advantageously at a distance from the passage axis (1b), 4. A spout according to claim 3, characterized in that the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) and the welding surfaces (9) closing one free space (8a, 8b) have a serpentine-shaped course.

5. 3. A spout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the welded surfaces (9) closing the free spaces (8a, 8b) have a wall thickness equal to or smaller than the wall thickness of the adjacent rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c).

6. 3. A spout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the free space (8a) expands in the direction from the welded side (6a), where the free space is closed by the welded surface (9), to the welded side (6b), where the free space is open.

7. 3. A spout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) are arranged around a transverse plane (10a, 10b, 10c), which is perpendicular to the passage axis (1b).

8. 8. A spout according to claim 7, characterized in that the faces of the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) pointing towards the free space (8a, 8b) are inclined with respect to the lateral planes (10a, 10b, 10c) around which the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) are arranged.

9. In the rib element (5c) located closest to the second end of the pouring channel (1), 3. A spout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is formed with a collar (11) which increases the welding zone / edge area (7a, 7b) of said rib element (5c) pointing away from said rib element (5c).

10. In the direction towards the welding arm end (4a, 4b), the thickness of at least one rib element (5a, 5b, 5c), as seen in the direction of the passage axis (1b), increases, in particular on only one side of a transverse plane or on both sides, and / or the height of the free space (8a, 8b), as seen in the direction of the passage axis (1b), decreases between two rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c); 3. A spout according to claim 1 or 2.

11. 3. A spout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in both welding arms (3a, 3b), the free spaces (8a) which are arranged in the same way with respect to the position of these welding arms as seen in the direction of the passage axis (1b), are closed or open towards the same welding side (6a).

12. The two free spaces (8a) are arranged in the same way. the second end region (2b) extending between the two welding arms (3a, 3b) is connected by a groove (13) over the outer surface region (12) of the second end region (2b); 12. Spout according to claim 11, characterized in that the height of this groove, measured in particular in the direction of the passage axis (1b), corresponds to the height of the free space (8a) in the same direction.

13. In the welding area (3), The pouring passage (1) has two passage walls (1c) parallel to each other and positioned opposite each other about a passage axis (1b); 3. Spout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rib elements (5a, 5b, 5c) of both welded arms (3a, 3b) are connected to said passage walls.

14. The pouring channel (1) has a plurality of reinforcing ribs (14) between two parallel and oppositely positioned channel wall regions (1c) in the welded region (3); 14. A spout according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing ribs extend radially inward from the inner surface of the passageway wall.

15. The welding surface (9) enclosing the free space (8a, 8b) is for at least one edge region (7a, 7b) of the rib element (5a, 5b, 5c) adjacent to the welding surface, preferably for both edge regions (7a, 7b) adjacent to the welding surface, 3. The spout according to claim 1, wherein the spout is disposed so as to protrude outward.

16. The protruding welding surface (9) At least in a region, in particular at least in a region extending from the outer surface region (12) of the second end region (2b) to the welding arm end (4a, 4b), a. be flat, or b. has a curvature extending in the direction of separation of the edge regions (7a, 7b), in particular an outwardly arched curvature, 16. The spout of claim 15.

17. The welding surface (9) enclosing the free space (8a, 8b) is 3. A spout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is arranged flush with at least one edge region (7a, 7b) of the rib element (5a, 5b, 5c) adjacent to this welding surface, preferably with both edge regions (7a, 7b) adjacent to this welding surface.

18. The welding surface (9) and the edge regions (7a, 7b) are preferably flush with one another. At least in a region, in particular at least in a region extending from the outer surface region (12) of the second end region (2b) to the welding arm end (4a, 4b), a. be flat, or b. has a curvature extending in a plane perpendicular to the passage axis (1b); In particular, it is formed concavely or convexly outwardly, 16. The spout of claim 15.

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