Opening device for a package, mold for molding the opening device for a package, and package having the opening device

Abstract

An opening device (3) for a package (1) having a given spout and filled with a pourable product is described. The opening device (3) comprises a contact portion (6) and a closure element (7) removably and / or breakably attached to the contact portion (6) and configured to close the given spout. The closure element (7) comprises a central main wall (17) and a plurality of leg elements (18) connected to and extending from the central main wall (17). The central main wall (17) comprises a plurality of radially extending ridge elements (22) interposed between each one of the leg elements (18) and a center (23) of the central main wall (17), and a plurality of grooves (24) extending between each one of the respective pairs of leg elements (18).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening device for packages, in particular for pourable products, and more particularly for packages having a body filled with a pourable food product.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a mould for forming an opening device for a package, in particular for a pourable product, more particularly for a package having a body filled with a pourable food product.

[0003] Advantageously, the invention also relates to a package, in particular a pourable product, more in particular a package having a body filled with a pourable food product, and equipped with an opening device. [Background technology]

[0004] As is well known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juices, milk, dairy drinks, drinkable yoghurt, wine, tomato sauce, salt, sugar, etc., are sold in packages, in particular sealed packages, made from sterile packaging material.

[0005] A typical example is the parallelepiped package for pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic®, which is made by sealing and folding a laminated strip of packaging material. The packaging material has a multi-layer structure including a base layer of carton and / or paper, covered on both sides with a layer of heat-sealable plastic material, e.g., polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for shelf-stable products, the packaging material includes a layer of oxygen barrier material, e.g., aluminum foil, which overlaps with a layer of heat-sealable plastic material and is covered with another layer of heat-sealable plastic material to form the inner surface of the package that ultimately contacts the food product.

[0006] Thus, such types of packages comprise a body formed from a multi-layer packaging material and having a predetermined spout to allow pouring of the pourable product from the package, and an opening device disposed about the predetermined spout, the opening device being designed to seal the package prior to initial opening of the opening device.

[0007] It is further known that the body may be obtained from a packaging blank of a multi-layer packaging material, the packaging blank having a defined spout being covered by a sealing membrane of an oxygen barrier material.

[0008] One technical solution for providing a final package with an opening device is based on moulding the opening device onto a packaging blank and manipulating the packaging blank after moulding of the opening device to obtain the final package.

[0009] It should be noted that the opening device must be formed on the packaging blank such that the separator membrane adheres to a portion of the opening device such that when the package is formed, the separator membrane faces away from the interior space of the package.

[0010] Despite the success of currently known opening devices, a need is felt in the art for further improvements in opening devices and / or packages, particularly for ease of molding the opening devices. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved opening device for packages, in particular packages having a body formed from a multi-layer packaging material and filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, which is simple and low cost.

[0012] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved opening device for a package, in particular a package having a body formed from a multi-layer packaging material and filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, in a simple and cost-effective manner, which facilitates the moulding of the opening device into the package and / or a precursor to the package.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and low-cost mould for moulding the opening device, which in particular makes it possible to involve an easy moulding process.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a package, in particular a package having a body formed from a multi-layer packaging material and filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, which package has an opening device, in particular an opening device that is facilitated in being moulded onto the package and / or a precursor of the package, in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0015] According to the invention there is provided an opening device according to the independent claims.

[0016] Further advantageous embodiments of the opening device are defined in the claims which depend directly or indirectly on claim 1.

[0017] According to the present invention there is provided a mould as claimed in claim 13.

[0018] According to the present invention there is provided a package as claimed in claim 14, claim 15 or claim 16. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a portion of a package having an opening device according to the invention; FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1, focusing on details of the opening device of FIG. 1, with parts removed for clarity; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the opening device of FIG. 2 with parts removed for clarity; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of a detail of FIG. 3 with parts removed for clarity. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of some of the details of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, with parts removed for clarity; [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a detail of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 with parts removed for clarity; [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the detail of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 with parts removed for clarity; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The number 1 indicates the entire package (only a part of which is shown to the extent necessary for understanding the present invention), which includes: a body 2, in particular made from a multi-layer packaging material, which is filled and / or can be filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, and which has a given spout (not shown, but known per se) in particular configured to allow the outflow of the pourable product from the body 2; an opening device 3, in particular made from a polymeric material, connected to the body 2 around the given spout and configured to seal the given spout and controllably configured to open the given spout to allow the pouring of the pourable product; Equipped with.

[0022] Pourable products include milk, tomato sauce, milk-based beverages, drinkable yogurt, water, sugar, salt, juice and milk emulsions.

[0023] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the packaging material may comprise at least one layer of fibrous material, such as, for example, a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-sealable plastic material, such as, for example, a polyethylene layer, sandwiching the layers of fibrous material between each other. One of the two layers of heat-sealable plastic material may define the inner surface of the body 2 that contacts the pourable product.

[0024] Preferably, the packaging material may comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, such as an aluminum foil or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular arranged between one of the layers of heat-sealing plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferably, but not necessarily, the packaging material may comprise a further layer of heat-sealing plastic material interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.

[0025] Preferably, each package 1, in particular each body 2, may be obtained from a respective blank of multi-layer packaging material. In particular, the blank may define a precursor of the respective package 1, in particular each body 2.

[0026] More specifically, each blank may include a respective designated pouring hole which may in particular be covered by a separation membrane. The separation membrane may be formed from a gas barrier material, in particular the separation membrane may be defined by a portion of a layer of gas barrier material and light barrier material.

[0027] According to some preferred, non-limiting embodiments, the multi-layer packaging material may be provided in the form of a web, whereby the packaging blanks may be successively arranged relative to one another. During formation of the package 1, the web is formed into a tube, longitudinally sealed, filled with the pourable product, transversely sealed, and cut to correspond to the extensions of the packaging blanks.

[0028] According to preferred, non-limiting embodiments, each opening device 3 may be specifically molded and applied to the respective body 2 or to the respective packaging blank. Preferably, each opening device 3 may be molded on the respective packaging blank for a given spout. In particular, as will be explained further below, a first part of the opening device 3 may be molded on the respective packaging blank and a second part may be applied onto the first part after molding of the first part.

[0029] With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2, the body 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis A, a first lateral axis B perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, and a second lateral axis C perpendicular to the first lateral axis B and the longitudinal axis A.

[0030] Preferably, the body 2 is of parallelepiped shape.

[0031] According to some preferred, non-limiting embodiments, the body 2 may comprise a first wall (not shown, known) that is in particular transverse, more in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, from which the body 2 may extend along the longitudinal axis A. Preferably, the first wall may define a support surface of the package 1, in particular the body 2, which may be designed to come into contact with a support, such as for example a shelf, when exposed in use, for example in a point of sale, or when stored. In particular, when placed on a support, the first wall may define a bottom wall.

[0032] Preferably, the body 2 may also comprise a side wall 4 which is (fixedly) connected to the first wall and extends from the first wall along, in particular substantially parallel to, the longitudinal axis A.

[0033] Preferably, the body 2 may also include a second wall 5 opposite the first wall and (fixedly) connected to the side wall 4. In particular, the side wall 4 may be interposed between the first wall and the second wall 5.

[0034] In particular, when the package 1 is placed on a support, the second wall 5 may define a top wall.

[0035] According to the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the first wall and the second wall 5 may be parallel to each other.

[0036] According to alternative non-limiting embodiments not shown, the first wall and the second wall 5 may be inclined relative to each other. In particular, the second wall 5 may define a sloped top or may define part of the gable top.

[0037] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the second wall 5 may carry and / or include a pre-determined spout.

[0038] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the package 1, and in particular the body 2, may include an interior space configured to accommodate and / or contain a pourable product. In particular, the first wall, the side wall 4 and the second wall 5 may define the interior space.

[0039] With particular reference to Figures 2 to 7, the opening device 3 may comprise a contact portion 6, in particular an annular contact portion 6, and a closure element 7 removably and / or breakably attached to the contact portion 6, in particular fixed to the contact portion 6, and configured to close, in particular seal, a given spout.

[0040] Furthermore, the closure element 7 may be configured to separate from the contact portion 6 to release and / or open a given spout to allow pouring of the pourable product.

[0041] Preferably, before the closure element 7 is separated from the contact part 6, in particular for the first time, the closure element 7 may be configured to seal the given spout and the interior space, in particular in cooperation with the contact part 6. Thereafter, the closure element 7 may be arranged such that, although it is able to close the given spout, it no longer seals the given spout and the interior space.

[0042] More specifically, the closure element 7 may be controllable between an active position (see Figures 2-7), in which the closure element 7 is configured to cover and / or close the given spout, and an inactive position (not shown), in which the closure element 7 is configured to release the given spout. Before the closure element 7 moves from the active position to the inactive position for the first time, the closure element 7 is configured to seal the given spout and the interior space of the body 2. After the closure element 7 moves from the active position to the inactive position for the first time, it is also possible to position the closure element 7 anew in the active position, in which it covers (but does not seal) the given spout.

[0043] Furthermore, the opening device 3 is a base frame 8 adapted and / or configured to fix the opening device 3 to the package 1, in particular to the body 2, more particularly to the second wall 5 and to a given spout; a collar 9 extending in particular laterally, and more particularly vertically, from the base frame 8 and defining and / or demarcating a flow channel 10; The present invention may also include:

[0044] More specifically, the flow path 10 may extend between a pour spout 11 (in the collar 9) configured to allow the pouring of a pourable product, and an inlet 12 (in the collar 9) configured to allow the introduction of a pourable product into the flow path 10.

[0045] In particular, the closure element 7 may be arranged in the flow passage 10 .

[0046] Preferentially, the closure element 7 may be arranged coaxially relative to the collar 9 .

[0047] Preferably, the closure element 7 may be interposed between the spout 11 and the base frame 8 when in the active position.

[0048] Additionally, the opening device 3 may comprise a closure 13 coupled and / or coupleable to the collar 9 and configured to selectively open and close the spout 11 .

[0049] Preferably, the closure element 7 and the closure 13 may be connected to each other, in particular fixed, such that a movement of the closure 13 simultaneously moves the closure element 7. In particular, the closure element 7 and the closure 13 may be connected to each other by melting and / or welding and / or gluing and / or molding.

[0050] Preferably, the base frame 8, the collar 9 and the closure element 7 may in particular be formed integrally. In particular, the base frame 8, the collar 9 and the closure element 7 can be formed during the moulding process, in particular during the moulding of the opening device 3 onto the respective packaging blank.

[0051] Furthermore, the closure 13 may be coupled to the collar 9 after the base frame 8, the collar 9 and the closure element 7 have been formed.

[0052] In other words, the base frame 8, the collar 9 and the closure element 7 may define a first portion of the opening device 3, and the closure 13 may define a second portion of the opening device 3. Thus, the closure 13 is applied to the collar 9 after molding of the base frame 8, the collar 9 and the closure element 7.

[0053] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the base frame 8 or the collar 9, in particular embodiments the collar 9, may comprise the contact portion 6.

[0054] More specifically, the annular portion of the collar 9 may define the contact portion 6. In particular, the annular portion of the collar 9 may face the flow passage 10.

[0055] With particular reference to Figures 2 to 7, the closure element 7 is a central main wall 17, in particular a circular main wall 17; a plurality of leg elements 18, of which four are shown in a specific embodiment, connected to the central main wall 17, in particular integrally connected thereto, and extending in particular laterally, more in particular substantially vertically, from the central main wall 17; The present invention may also include:

[0056] In particular, the foot element 18 may extend from the central main wall 17 within the flow passage 10 towards the spout 11 .

[0057] Furthermore, the closure element 7 may have an annular connecting membrane 19 integrally connected to the central main wall 17 and rupturably connected to the contact portion 6. In particular, the connecting membrane 19 may be configured such that upon a first removal of the closure element 7, the connecting membrane 19 ruptures to allow removal of the closure element 7 from the contact portion 6.

[0058] More specifically, the central main wall 17 may include an annular peripheral portion 20 .

[0059] Preferably, the connecting membrane 19 may extend radially from the annular peripheral portion 20. In other words, the connecting membrane 19 is disposed radially outward with respect to the annular peripheral portion 20.

[0060] More specifically, the leg elements 18 may be integrally connected to an annular peripheral portion 20 .

[0061] Preferably, the leg elements 18 may be angularly offset from one another about the central axis E of the central main wall 17. In particular, the leg elements 18 may be unevenly arranged about the central axis E.

[0062] More specifically, each leg element 18 may be integrally connected at a respective first end portion to the central main wall 17 , in particular to the annular peripheral portion 20 .

[0063] Preferably, the closure element 7 may also include a connecting structure 21, in particular a connecting ring, (integrally) connected to the leg elements 18, in particular to the second end portions of the leg elements 18 opposite the respective first end portions.

[0064] More specifically, the connecting structure 21 may be connected to the closure 13, in particular to the inner surface of the closure 13, in particular by melting and / or gluing and / or fusing.

[0065] With particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, the central main wall 17 is a plurality of radially extending ridge elements 22, four shown in the specific embodiment, each interposed between one respective leg element 18 and the center 23 of the central main wall 17; a plurality of grooves 24, four being shown in the specific embodiment, each groove 24 extending between a respective pair of leg elements 18 (i.e., each groove 24 is interposed between a first leg element 18 and a second leg element 18); The present invention may also include:

[0066] In particular, by providing the ridge element 22, it is possible to ensure a large flow of the molten polymer from the central injection point to the part of the mold designed to form the leg element 18 and the connecting membrane 19 during the molding process. In particular, it is possible to ensure a flow of the molten polymer such that it reaches the separation membrane from below. Furthermore, by having the grooves 24, it is possible to restrict the flow of the molten polymer laterally from the part of the mold forming the leg element 18, which further ensures that the flow of the molten polymer reaches the separation membrane from below. This makes it possible to restrict the flow of the molten polymer to the separation membrane from above. This prevents the molten polymer from reaching the separation membrane from above too early. In this way, the separation membrane is broken in the desired way by the flow of the molten polymer and the broken parts of the separation membrane are located in the correct position. This is advantageous for a proper application of the separation membrane to the closure element 7.

[0067] In particular, the opening device 3 is shaped such that the separating membrane is attached to the part of the closure element 7 facing away from a given spout and / or interior space.

[0068] Preferentially, the central main wall 17 may comprise a first face 25 and a second face 26 opposite the first face 25. In particular, the first face 25 and the second face 26 are configured to face away from and towards the given spout, respectively.

[0069] Preferably, the opening device 3 may be shaped such that the separation membrane is attached to a zone of the first surface 25 .

[0070] In particular, each leg element 18 may be connected to the first face 25 and extend laterally, in particular substantially vertically, from the first face 25 .

[0071] Preferably, each ridge element 22 may be arranged on the first face 25. Alternatively, each ridge element 22 may be arranged on the second face 26. According to a further alternative, each ridge element 22 may be arranged on the first face 25 and on the second face 26.

[0072] Further, according to some possible non-limiting embodiments, some ridge elements 22 may be disposed on the first surface 25 and some ridge elements 22 may be disposed on the second surface 26 .

[0073] More specifically, each ridge element 22 may contact a respective leg element 18 , ie, each ridge element 22 may extend from a respective leg element 18 towards a center 23 .

[0074] Furthermore, each ridge element 22 may not extend all the way to the center 23 , that is, each ridge element 22 may be radially spaced away from the center 23 .

[0075] More specifically, each ridge element 22 may define an elongated raised area of ​​central major wall 17 , and in particular first face 25 .

[0076] More specifically, each ridge element 22 may comprise an elongated apex, two flanks extending laterally from the apex (inclined relative to the apex), and a front portion (extending from the apex at an end of the apex adjacent the centre 23). In particular, each apex may define a maximum height of the respective ridge element 22. Furthermore, each apex may be located at a height higher than a portion of the central main wall 17 adjacent the respective ridge element 22, in particular the first face 25.

[0077] According to particular embodiments disclosed, one or more ridge elements 22 may be connected to each other at their respective ends adjacent the center 23 .

[0078] With particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the annular peripheral portion 20 may be provided with a groove 24 .

[0079] Preferably, the grooves 24 may be angularly offset from one another about the central axis E.

[0080] According to the particular embodiment shown, the grooves 24 may be unevenly distributed about the central axis E. Alternatively, the grooves 24 may be equally spaced about the central axis E.

[0081] Additionally, the grooves 24 may be angularly interposed between each of the leg elements 18 .

[0082] Additionally, each leg element 18 may be angularly interposed between two respective grooves 24 .

[0083] The groove 24 may be arcuate.

[0084] Additionally, the grooves 24 may be laterally and / or angularly (relative to the central axis E) offset from the respective leg elements 18 (ie, may not contact the respective leg elements 18).

[0085] Preferably, the grooves 24 may be of different or equal size. In the particular non-limiting embodiment shown, each groove 24 in the first group may be of equal size to each other, and each groove 24 in the second group may be of equal size to each other.

[0086] According to the particular embodiment shown, the groove 24 may be disposed in the first surface 25 .

[0087] In particular, groove 24 may define a recessed area in central major wall 17 .

[0088] More specifically, each groove 24 may include a base, two lateral flanks extending from the base, a front portion, and a rear portion.

[0089] Furthermore, each bottom of the grooves 24 may be located at a lower height than the portion of the central main wall 17 adjacent the grooves 24 , in particular the first surface 25 .

[0090] With particular reference to FIGS. 2-7, the central main wall 17 may include a central portion 27 having a center 23 .

[0091] Preferably, the central main wall 17 may include a plurality of auxiliary grooves 28, in particular arcuate auxiliary grooves 28.

[0092] In particular, the auxiliary grooves 28 may be angularly offset about the central axis E.

[0093] Preferably, the auxiliary grooves 28 may be angularly offset (with respect to the central axis E) from the ridge elements 22, in particular from the respective ends of the ridge elements 22 adjacent the centre 23. In other words, the auxiliary grooves 28 and the ridge elements 22 may be angularly offset with respect to each other. In yet another way, each auxiliary groove 28 may be angularly interposed between two respective ridge elements 22.

[0094] In particular, the central portion 27 may be provided with an auxiliary groove 28 .

[0095] Preferably, the auxiliary groove 28 may be disposed in the second surface 26. In particular, the auxiliary groove 28 may define a recessed area in the second surface 26.

[0096] The provision of auxiliary grooves 28 allows for the flow of molten polymer to be directed towards the portion of the mold that will form ridge elements 22. In other words, auxiliary grooves 28 allow for an increased amount of molten polymer to flow towards the portion of the mold designated to form ridge elements 22, while decreasing the amount of molten polymer to flow towards other portions of the mold (adjacent to ridge elements 22) that will form other portions of central major wall 17.

[0097] With particular reference to FIGS. 2-4 and 6, the collar 9 may include (n) (annular) defining rims 35 that define the spout 11.

[0098] Additionally, the collar 9 may include an inner wall 36 that defines the flow passage 10 .

[0099] Preferably, the inner wall 36 may comprise the contact portion 6. In particular, prior to the initial movement of the closure element 7, the closure element 7 may be rupturably connected to the portion of the inner wall 36 that defines the contact portion 6.

[0100] Additionally, the interior wall 36 may include a plurality of slots 37, and in certain embodiments, may include eight slots 37. In particular, each slot 37 may extend toward the boundary rim 35 and / or the spout 11. More specifically, each slot 37 may extend from a location adjacent the contact portion 6 in a direction that defines the boundary rim 35 and / or the spout 11.

[0101] Further, the plurality of slots 37 may define a plurality of pairs of slots 37 .

[0102] Preferably, each pair of slots 37 is located adjacent a respective leg element 18 .

[0103] Alternatively, or additionally, each pair of slots 37 may be arranged such that each slot 37 sandwiches a projection of a respective leg element 18 to the inner wall 36 therebetween.

[0104] In particular, the slots 37 restrict the flow of molten polymer towards the part of the mold forming the leg elements 18 from the side opposite to that facing the respective ridge elements 22. In this way it is possible to ensure a correct flow of the molten polymer so that it reaches the separating membrane from below.

[0105] More particularly, the collar 9 may extend along a longitudinal axis F, in particular parallel to the central axis E, and more particularly coaxially therewith.

[0106] Preferably, the slots 37 and / or pairs of slots 37 may be angularly offset about the longitudinal axis F. In particular, the pairs of slots 37 are equally spaced about the longitudinal axis F.

[0107] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the closure 13 may move between: - a closure arrangement in which the closure 13 covers the spout 11, in particular to prevent the outflow of the pourable product from the spout 11; and In particular, an open configuration in which the closure 13 can be removed from the spout 11 to allow the pourable product to flow out of the spout 11.

[0108] Preferably, the closure 13 may be reversibly moved between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

[0109] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the closure element 7 may be connected, in particular melted and / or welded and / or glued, to the closure 13 such that movement of the closure 13 between a closed configuration and an open configuration results in movement of the closure element 7 between an active position and an inactive position, respectively.

[0110] It should be noted that immediately after its formation, the package 1 may be placed in an initial configuration in which the closure 13 and the closure element 7 are in the closed and active positions, respectively. The package 1 may be distributed and / or sold to users while in the initial configuration.

[0111] In use, a user receives the package 1 with the closure 13 and closure element 7 in the closed configuration and active position, respectively, covering the spout 11 and a given spout, respectively.

[0112] Prior to the initial control of the closure 13 from the closed configuration to the open configuration and the initial control of the closure element 7 from the active position to the inactive position, the closure element 7 is fixed to the contact portion 6, in particular via the annular connecting membrane 19.

[0113] To access the pourable product, the user must control the closure 13 from a closed to an open configuration in order to move the closure element 7 from an active position to an inactive position and burst the closure element 7, in particular the connecting membrane 19, from the contact portion 6. This allows the pourable product to flow from the interior space through the flow passage 10 and out of the flow passage 10 through the spout 11.

[0114] Each time the closure element 7 is placed in the active position again (by moving the closure 13 in the closed configuration), the closure element 7 covers the given spout.

[0115] According to another aspect of the invention, the opening device 3 may be joined to the body 2 by a molding process. In particular, the opening device 3 may be joined to the body 2 by molding a first portion of the opening device 3 into the respective packaging blank.

[0116] For that purpose, it is necessary to provide a mould configured to be able to mould the opening device 3 in the body 2 and / or the packaging blank. More particularly, the mould may be configured to be able to mould and form a first part of the opening device 3.

[0117] In particular, the mould may be configured so as to be able to form the base frame 8 , the collar 9 and the closure element 7 .

[0118] More specifically, the mold may be designed to allow for the formation of leg elements 18, central main wall 17, contact portion 6, bonding membrane 19. Even more specifically, the mold may be designed to allow for the formation of ridge elements 22 and grooves 24. Additionally, the mold may be designed to allow for the formation of auxiliary grooves 28 and / or slots 27.

[0119] Advantageously, the ridge elements 22 and grooves 24, in particular the auxiliary grooves 28 and / or slots 27, make it possible to design the mold such that the flow of molten polymer within the mold ensures correct positioning of the separation membrane on the closure element 7.

[0120] In particular, the mold may be designed so that the injection point of the molten polymer is in the area that will form central portion 27 and / or central portion 23 .

[0121] The advantages of the opening device 3 and / or the package 1 according to the invention will be apparent from the above description.

[0122] In particular, providing a closure element 7 with a central main wall 17 having ridge elements 22 and grooves 24 can ensure (e.g., during the molding process) that the separator membrane will adhere correctly to the closure element 7. More particularly, the ridge elements 22 and grooves 24 ensure that the molten polymer flows such that the separator membrane ruptures correctly during the molding process.

[0123] Another advantage lies in the provision of auxiliary grooves 28 and / or slots 37, which make it possible to further improve the flow of the molten polymer during the molding process in order to further favour a correct bonding of the separation membrane with the closure element 7.

[0124] However, modifications may be made to the opening device 3 and / or the package 1 described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An opening device (3) for a package (1) having a predetermined spout and filled with a pourable product, comprising: The opening device (3) comprises a contact part (6) and a closure element (7) removably and / or rupturably attached to the contact part (6) and configured to close the predetermined spout; The closure element (7) a central main wall (17); a plurality of leg elements (18) connected to and extending from the central main wall (17); Equipped with The central main wall (17) a plurality of radially extending ridge elements (22), each ridge element being interposed between one respective leg element (18) and the center (23) of said central main wall (17); a plurality of grooves (24), each groove extending between a respective pair of leg elements (18); Opening device (3).

2. Each of the ridge elements (22) contacts a respective one of the leg elements (18); The opening device according to claim 1 .

3. the leg elements (18) are angularly offset from one another about the central axis (E) of the central main wall (17); The opening device according to claim 1 .

4. The leg elements (18) are connected to an annular peripheral portion (20) of the central main wall (17); The annular peripheral portion (20) is provided with a groove (24). The opening device according to claim 1 .

5. The groove (24) is arc-shaped. The opening device according to claim 1 .

6. the central main wall (17) has a first surface (25); The leg elements (18) extend from the first surface (25) of the central main wall (17); The groove (24) is disposed on the first surface (25). The opening device according to claim 1 .

7. the central main wall (17) comprises a central portion (27) having a plurality of auxiliary grooves (28); The auxiliary groove (28) is angularly offset from the ridge element (22). The opening device according to claim 1 .

8. the central main wall (17) has a first surface (25) and a second surface (26); The leg elements (18) extend laterally from the first surface (25) of the central main wall (17); The auxiliary groove (28) is disposed on the second surface (26). The opening device according to claim 7.

9. the closure element (7) further comprises an annular connecting membrane (19) radially protruding from the central main wall (17) and detachably connecting the closure element (7) to the contact part (6); The opening device according to claim 1 .

10. a base frame (8) configured to secure the opening device (3) to the package (1) around a predetermined spout, and a collar (9) extending from the base frame (8) and defining a flow path (10); The collar (9) or the base frame (8) comprises the contact portion (6), The opening device according to claim 1 .

11. The collar (9) has an inner wall (36), The inner wall (36) comprises a plurality of slots (37) extending towards a boundary rim (35), the boundary rim (35) defining the spout (11); The opening device according to claim 10.

12. the plurality of slots (37) defining a plurality of pairs of slots (37); each pair of slots (37) is positioned adjacent to one respective leg element (18) and / or each pair of slots (37) is positioned such that the respective slots (37) sandwich a projection of the respective leg element (18) onto the inner wall (36) of the leg element (18); The opening device according to claim 11.

13. A mould adapted to mould an opening device (3) according to claim 1 onto a body (2) of a pourable product package (1) and / or onto a precursor of a pourable product package (1).

14. A package (1) filled and / or fillable with a pourable product and comprising at least one opening device (3) according to claim 1.

15. The package (1) comprises a body (2) having a predetermined spout and formed from a multi-layer composite packaging material, and the opening device (3) is bonded to the body (2) around the predetermined spout.

15. The package of claim 14.

16. the opening device (3) is molded into the body (2) of the package (1) and / or into a precursor of the package (1), 15. The package of claim 14.

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