Cap with tamper-evident seal

Abstract

A cap (6) for a spout (4d) of a thin-walled flexible package (1) comprising a tamper-evident seal (30) formed by a plurality of main sections (32, 34), each of which includes a tooth (44) for engaging a respective raised portion (4h) of the spout (4d). The teeth (44) are comprised of pointed solid elements projecting radially inwardly and having a tooth height (H3) greater than the height of the remainder of the main sections (32, 34).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of flexible thin-walled packages with a pouring spout, commonly called "pouches with a pouring spout". In particular, the present invention relates to a cap for the pouring spout of such a package, which cap comprises an opening indication seal that can emphasize that it has been opened for the first time.

Background Art

[0002] Such packages, which are particularly used for containing foods such as juices, purees, yogurts, energy drinks, etc., are particularly highly regarded among children who highly appreciate the playful aspect associated with the use of the pouring spout, for their convenience. Currently, hundreds of millions are sold every year.

[0003] In this context, it is essential that the cap has an opening indication seal so that consumers can be confident that the package has not already been opened and that, as a result, the product is optimally preserved and not contaminated by foreign objects.

[0004] The applicant has been manufacturing and selling for many years a cap called "BabyCap (registered trademark)" described in international application WO-A1-2008 / 050361. Such a solution is particularly highly regarded because, once the opening indication seal is broken, it becomes clear that the first opening has been made, but at the same time, the part of the seal peeled off from the breakable bridge remains constrained to the cap body.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The applicant has found that, under low temperature conditions such as may occur in certain situations, for example when the package contains a frozen product such as ice cream, some fragments of the opening indication seal may peel off when it is broken.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and provide an tamper-evident cap, particularly a cap for flexible thin-walled packaging, that meets the needs of this field. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Such objectives are achieved by the cap described in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a package consisting of a bag, a spout, and a cap, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2a] Figure 2a shows the spout portion of the package shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2b] Figure 2b is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cap of the package shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of Figure 3 in an unbroken seal configuration applied to the spout of Figure 2a. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the cap from Figure 4 in the initial break seal configuration. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the cap from Figure 4 in the final break seal configuration. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the cap from Figure 4 in the final break seal configuration. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a cap according to a further embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of Figure 8 in an unbroken seal configuration applied to the spout portion of Figure 2a. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the cap from Figure 9 in the final break seal configuration. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a cap according to a further embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a magnified view of the area in Figure 11 that highlights the tamper-evident seal. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows a cap according to a further embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a magnified view of the area in Figure 13 that highlights the tamper-evident seal. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The features and advantages of the cap according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description, which is made in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the drawings in the attached figures. Referring to the attached drawings, reference figure 1 shows a flexible thin-walled package comprising, as a whole, a flexible bag 2 for containing the product, a spout portion 4 applied to the bag, and a cap 6 screwed onto the spout portion 4.

[0010] Preferably, the bag 2 consists of a first wall 2a and a second wall 2b, which are welded to the first wall along their respective peripheries, except for a functional segment 2c opposite the first wall to which the spout 4 is applied. The walls 2a and 2b consist of a thin single-layer or multi-layer film and preferably have gas barrier properties. According to a modified embodiment, the bag 2 consists of one or two sides or bottoms, the sides and bottom also consisting of a flexible film.

[0011] The spout portion 4 is made, for example, from a single piece of resin material by injection molding and includes a connecting portion 4a for welding to the walls 2a, 2b of the bag 2 at a functional segment 2c called a "welded rim", a lower flange 4b ​​defining the connecting portion 4a at the top, an upper flange 4c spaced axially from the lower flange 4b, and a spout 4d consisting of an annular spout wall 4e terminating at a spout rim 4f defining the opening 4g. The spout 4d is provided with a spout thread 5.

[0012] The spout section 4 is traversed by a through-spout duct 4i, which extends along the spout axis Z between the spout section 4g and the connecting section 4a.

[0013] The pouring spout portion 4 is, for example, disposed between an upper flange 4c and a pouring spout 4d, and further includes a plurality of fixed ridges 4h suitable for engaging an opening indication seal during the cap unscrewing step.

[0014] The cap 6 is made of a single piece of resin material by, for example, injection molding, and consists of a closed body 8 including an annular main wall 10 having a central axis X. The main wall 10 extends between an open lower end 12 for inserting the pouring spout 4d and an upper end 14 closed by a base 16 of the closed body 8.

[0015] Inside, the main wall 10 has a thread 18 for screwing the closed body 8 onto the pouring spout portion 4. When the cap 6 is screwed onto the pouring spout portion 4, the pouring spout axis Z of the pouring spout 4d coincides with the central axis X of the cap 6.

[0016] At the lower end 12, the closed body 8 has a first circular sector 20 and a second circular sector 22 that project radially outward substantially perpendicular to the main axis X.

[0017] The cap 6 further includes an opening indication seal 30 disposed at the lower end 1 of the main wall 10 and joined to the closed body 8 by the sectors 20, 22, suitable for emphasizing the first opening.

[0018] Preferably, the cap 6 includes, at a radial distance therefrom, a shell 100 consisting of an annular shell wall 102 that is coaxial with the closed body 8, continuous in the circumferential direction, or formed by separate parts and surrounds the closed body 8. Preferably, the shell 100 is tapered from the lower end 12 towards the upper end 14.

[0019] Axially, that is, in the direction of the central axis X, the shell wall 102 extends between a lower edge 104 on the side of the lower end 12 and an upper edge 106 on the side of the upper end 14, defining an upper opening 106a of the shell 100.

[0020] Preferably, the tamper-evident seal 30 protrudes from the bottom of the shell 100, i.e., it is located below the lower edge 104 of the shell wall 102. Furthermore, the base 16 of the closure body 8 is preferably housed inside the shell 100, i.e., it is located below the upper edge 106 of the shell wall 102.

[0021] Furthermore, the cap 6 preferably comprises a plurality of flaps 200 that join the shell 100 and the closure 8, including, for example, a number of four flaps 200, for example, that are arranged at equal angular intervals. Each flap 200 substantially extends on a virtual plane on which the principal axis X exists, is joined to the inner surface of the shell wall 102 at its radially outer end, and to the outer surface of the principal wall 10 at its radially inner end.

[0022] The ingestion prevention passage 300 penetrates the cap and opens between the shell wall 102 and the main wall 10.

[0023] The tamper-evident seal 30 consists of multiple main sections. For example, according to the first embodiment (Figures 3 to 10), the seal 30 consists of a first main section 32 and a second main section 34. When the cap is rotated in the opening direction A, the cap first engages with the raised portion 4h of the spout 4, and then, as the rotation continues, the tamper-evident seal 30 is broken.

[0024] Each main section 32, 34 extends circumferentially from a first partial end 32a, 34a or downstream end (with respect to the opening direction A) to a second partial end 32b, 34b or upstream end, and includes a breakable bridge 36 at the first partial end 32a, 34a that temporarily connects to the second ends 34b, 32b of the other main sections 34, 32 in an unbroken seal configuration.

[0025] Preferably, at least one of the flaps 200 protrudes from the main wall 10 of the closure 8 near the second section ends 32b, 34b of each main section 32, 34.

[0026] Each main section 32, 34 includes a fixed segment 38 and a functional segment 40, the functional segment 40 being arranged in continuity with each of the downstream fixed segments 38.

[0027] The fixed segment 38, which consists of a strip-shaped body extending in the circumferential direction, has a substantially constant fixed segment height H1, i.e., an axial dimension, and is directly constrained to the main wall 10 or shell wall 102 even in the fracture seal configuration.

[0028] For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, the fixed segment 38 is directly constrained to the main wall 10 by one of the sectors 20, 22 of the closure 8. In this embodiment, in particular, the fixed segment 38 extends from the second ends 32b, 34b of the main sections 32, 34 to an intermediate position 42 where sectors 20, 22 end. Preferably, at least one of the flaps 200 protrudes from the main wall 10 of the closure 8 near the circumferential position of the intermediate position 42.

[0029] The functional segment 40, consisting of a circumferentially extending strip, has a substantially constant functional segment height H2, i.e., an axial dimension, and extends from an intermediate position 42 to the first section ends 32a, 34a of the main sections 32, 34. In the break seal configuration, the functional segment 40 remains constrained only to the fixed segment 38, to which it is joined by the intermediate position 42, while detaching from the other main sections 34, 32 by the break of the bridge 36 located at the first section ends 32a, 34a.

[0030] Each main section 32, 34 is provided with teeth 44 for engaging with the respective protrusions 4h of the spout section 4 when unscrewing the cap 6 from the spout section 4. The teeth and the protrusions are configured to engage with each other and, when subjected to the unscrew torque, generate an action on the teeth directed radially outward, thereby facilitating the bending of the functional segment.

[0031] The teeth 44, which consist of pointed solid elements, have substantially constant tooth height H3, project radially inward from the respective functional segments 40 of the main sections 32 and 34, and are positioned upstream of the first section ends 32a and 34a.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the tooth height H3 is greater than the functional segment height H2, and the functional segment height H2 is substantially equal to the fixed segment height H1. In particular, the tooth 44 is at the same height as the functional segment 40 and the fixed segment 38 at its upper end, while the tooth 44 protrudes downward relative to the functional segment 40 and the fixed segment 38.

[0033] Advantageously, this makes the tooth stronger and prevents it from detaching from the rest of the tamper-evident seal when the seal itself is broken.

[0034] The functional segment 40 further comprises weakening means suitable for locally reducing the structural strength of the functional segment to obtain a lead-in bending point.

[0035] According to the first embodiment (Figures 3 to 7), the functional segment 40 has an inner surface 40i facing inward and an outer surface 40e on the opposite side, and the weakening means includes a first constriction 46 of the resistive portion of the functional segment 40, which is obtained by an inner recess 48 located on the inner surface 40i and positioned upstream of the teeth 44.

[0036] Preferably, the weakening means further includes a second constriction 50 of the resistant portion of the functional segment 40, which is obtained by an outer recess 52 located on the outer surface 40e and positioned upstream of the first constriction 46. Preferably, the second constriction 50 is positioned close to the intermediate position 42.

[0037] Therefore, with respect to the functional segment 40, it is possible to identify a first branch 54 or downstream branch extending from the first section ends 32a, 34a to the first constriction 46, and a second branch 56 or upstream branch extending from the first constriction 46 to the second constriction 50.

[0038] When the cap 6 is removed from the spout portion 4, the teeth 44 engage with the raised portion 4h, causing the teeth 44, which are oriented radially outward, to rotate outward (Figure 5), and then the first branch 54 folds inward into the second branch (Figure 6). As a result, the functional segment deforms, and the damage becomes very noticeable when the cap 6 is screwed back onto the spout portion.

[0039] According to further embodiments (Figures 8 to 10), the functional segment 40 has a downward-facing lower surface 40inf, and the weakening means consists of a constricted portion 60 of the resistive part of the functional segment 40, which is obtained by a lower recess 62 located on the lower surface 40inf and positioned upstream of the teeth 44.

[0040] Preferably, the constricted portion 60 is positioned close to the intermediate position 42.

[0041] When the cap 6 is removed from the spout portion 4, the teeth 44 engage with the raised portion 4h, causing action on the teeth 44. This action causes the functional segment 40 to rotate downward, which is caused by the constricted portion 60. As a result, when the cap 6 is screwed back onto the spout portion, the functional segment is displaced from its undamaged sealing configuration to such an extent that the damage is very obvious.

[0042] According to further embodiments (Figures 11 and 12, 13 and 14), the tamper-evident seal 30 is composed of four main sections. For example (Figures 11 and 12), each functional section has two constrictions, with the first constriction on the inner surface and the second constriction on the outer surface. According to further examples (Figures 13 and 14), each functional segment has a constriction on its lower surface.

[0043] According to a modified embodiment (not shown), the fixed segment of the main part of the tamper-evident seal has a different height from the functional segment of the main part.

[0044] Innovatively, the cap according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks described with reference to the prior art, because the teeth of the tamper-evident seal are strong enough not to separate when the screw is unscrewed, even under low-temperature conditions.

[0045] Advantageously, the tamper-evident seal can also clearly highlight the break point through its constricted portion, thus making it clear to the consumer.

[0046] Those skilled in the art may make modifications to the cap described above to meet incidental needs, but it is clear that all of these fall within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cap (6) for the spout (4d) of a flexible thin-walled package (1), - A closed body (8) including an annular main wall (10) extending along a central axis (X) between an open lower end (12) and a closed upper end (14), and a plurality of circular sectors (20, 22) projecting radially outward from the lower end (12), - An open-touch seal (30) provided at the lower end (12) of the main wall (10), which is joined to the closing body (8) by sectors (20, 22), and the open-touch seal (30) includes a plurality of main sections (32, 34), Equipped with, i) Each main section (32, 34) extends circumferentially from a first section end (32a, 34a) to a second section end (32b, 34b), with a breakable bridge (36) formed at the first section end (32a, 34a), the bridge (36) being connected to the second end (34b, 32b) of another main section (34, 32) in an unbreakable seal configuration; ii) Each main section (32, 34) includes a fixed segment (38) and a functional segment (40) continuously joined to the fixed segment (38), the fixed segment (38) being a circumferentially extending strip having a fixed segment height (H1) and being directly constrained to the main wall (10) even in a fracture seal configuration by one of the sectors (20, 22), the functional segment (40) being a circumferentially extending strip having a functional segment height (H2) and extending from the fixed segment (38) to the first section ends (32a, 34a) of the main sections (32, 34), remaining constrained only to the fixed segment (38) in the fracture seal configuration, and being separated from the other main sections (34, 32) by the fracture of the bridge (36), iii) A cap in which each main section (32, 34) includes teeth (44) for engaging with the respective protrusions (4h) of the spout (4d), the teeth (44) being positioned upstream of the first section ends (32a, 34a) and consisting of pointed solid elements projecting radially inward from the functional segment (40), with a tooth height (H3) greater than the height (H2) of the functional segment.

2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the teeth (44) are at the same height as the functional segment (40) and the fixed segment (38) at the top and protrude downward from the functional segment (40) and the fixed segment (38).

3. The cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functional segment (40) is equipped with weakening means suitable for locally reducing the structural strength of the functional segment (40) to obtain a retraction fold point.

4. The cap according to claim 3, wherein the functional segment (40) has an inner surface (40i) facing inward and an outer surface (40e) on the opposite side, and the weakening means includes a first constriction (46) of the resistive portion of the functional segment (40) obtained by an inner recess (48) located on the inner surface (40i) upstream of the teeth (44).

5. The cap according to claim 4, wherein the weakening means includes a second constriction (50) of the resistance section of the functional segment (40), obtained by an outer recess (52) located on the outer surface (40e) and positioned upstream of the first constriction (46).

6. The cap according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the functional segment (40) has a downward-facing lower surface (40inf), and the weakening means includes a constricted portion (60) of the resistive portion of the functional segment (40) obtained by a lower recess (62) located on the lower surface (40inf) and positioned upstream of the teeth (44).

7. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tamper-evident seal (30) comprises two main sections (32, 34).

8. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tamper-evident seal (30) consists of four main sections.

9. A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a shell (100) including an annular shell wall (102) which is circumferentially continuous or consists of separate parts, wherein the shell (100) surrounds a closure (8) at radial intervals.

10. The cap according to claim 9, wherein, in the direction of the central axis (X), the shell wall (102) extends between the lower edge (104) and the upper edge (106) that defines the upper opening (106a).

11. The cap according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the tamper-evident seal (30) protrudes from the bottom of the shell (100).

12. A cap according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising a plurality of flaps (200) that join a shell (100) to a closure (8), wherein each flap (200) substantially extends on a virtual plane on which a principal axis (X) exists.

13. The cap according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the flaps (200) protrudes from the main wall (10) of the closure (8) near the second section ends (32b, 34b) of each main section (32, 34).

14. A cap-spout assembly for a flexible thin-walled bag (2) of package (1), - A single piece of resin material comprising a spout portion (4) including a connecting portion (4a) that is welded to a flexible bag (2), and a spout (4d) consisting of an annular spout wall (4e) having a spout screw (5) and a plurality of fixing protrusions (4h) on its exterior; - A cap (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; Equipped with, - A cap-spout assembly in which the protrusion (4h) of the spout portion (4) is suitable for engaging with the tamper-evident seal (30) of the cap (6) during the step of unscrewing the cap.

15. - Flexible thin-walled bag (2); - The cap-spout assembly according to claim 14; Equipped with, - Package (1) in which the spout portion (4) and the connecting portion (4a) are welded to the bag (2).

16. A cap (6) for the spout (4d) of a flexible thin-walled package (1), - A closed body (8) comprising an annular main wall (10) extending along a central axis (X) between an open lower end (12) and a closed upper end (14), and a plurality of circular sectors (20, 22) projecting radially outward from the lower end (12); - An open-touch seal (30) provided at the lower end (12) of the main wall (10), which is joined to the closing body (8) by sectors (20, 22), and the open-touch seal (30) includes a plurality of main sections (32, 34), Equipped with, i) Each main section (32, 34) extends circumferentially from a first section end (32a, 34a) to a second section end (32b, 34b), with a breakable bridge (36) formed at the first section end (32a, 34a), the bridge (36) being connected to the second end (34b, 32b) of another main section (34, 32) in an unbreakable seal configuration; ii) Each main section (32, 34) includes a fixed segment (38) and a functional segment (40) joined to the fixed segment (38) in a continuous manner, wherein the fixed segment (38) is directly constrained to the main wall (10) even in a fracture seal configuration by one of the sectors (20, 22), and the functional segment (40) extends from the fixed segment (38) to the first section ends (32a, 34a) of the main sections (32, 34), and in a fracture seal configuration remains constrained only to the fixed segment (38), and is separated from the other main sections (34, 32) by the fracture of the bridge (36); iii) Each main section (32, 34) is provided with teeth (44) for engaging with the respective protrusions (4h) of the spout (4d), the teeth (44) being located upstream of the first section ends (32a, 34a) and projecting radially inward from the functional segment (40); iv) The functional segment (40) is equipped with a weakening means suitable for locally reducing the structural strength of the functional segment (40), which can obtain a retraction fold point. v) A cap having a functional segment (40) with a downward-facing lower surface (40inf), and a weakening means including a constricted portion (60) of the resistive part of the functional segment (40), obtained by a lower recess (62) located on the lower surface (40inf) and positioned upstream of the teeth (44).

17. The cap according to claim 16, wherein the functional segment (40) has an inner surface (40i) facing inward and an outer surface (40e) on the opposite side, and the weakening means includes a first constriction (46) of the resistive portion of the functional segment (40) obtained by an inner recess (48) located on the inner surface (40i) upstream of the teeth (44).

18. The cap according to claim 17, wherein the weakening means includes a second constriction (50) of the resistance section of the functional segment (40), obtained by an outer recess (52) located on the outer surface (40e) and positioned upstream of the first constriction (46).

19. A cap-spout assembly for a flexible thin-walled bag (2) of package (1), - A single piece of resin material spout component (4) including a connecting portion (4a) that is welded to a flexible bag (2), and a spout (4d) consisting of an annular spout wall (4e) having a spout screw (5) and a plurality of fixing protrusions (4h) on the outside; - A cap (6) according to any one of claims 16 to 18; Equipped with, - A cap-spout assembly in which the protrusion (4h) of the spout portion (4) is suitable for engaging with the tamper-evident seal (30) of the cap (6) during the step of unscrewing the cap.

20. - Flexible thin-walled bag (2); - The cap-spout assembly according to claim 19; Equipped with, - Package (1) in which the spout portion (4) and the connecting portion (4a) are welded to the bag (2).

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