Resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite containers with a tamper-evident seal to indicate initial opening
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SIG TECH AG
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing resealable pouring elements for composite containers require significant assembly effort and space due to the need for a form-fit connection or material bond between the security seal and the fixing flange, and they often result in loose plastic parts when opened.
A resealable pouring element with an anchoring ring connected to the screw cap via a hinge, featuring a security seal with a predetermined breaking point that separates from the fixing flange when unscrewed, allowing for a simpler assembly and preventing loose parts, while ensuring the seal remains attached to the base element.
The solution reduces assembly complexity and prevents loose parts by allowing the pouring element to rotate freely with the screw cap open, while providing a secure indication of initial opening without the need for a form-fit connection to the fixing flange, enhancing stability and ease of use.
Smart Images
Figure MX433998B0
Abstract
Description
Resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite containers with a tamper-evident seal to indicate initial opening FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a resealable pouring element for composite cardboard / plastic containers, in particular beverage containers, comprising a base element having a circumferential fixing flange and an external thread, with opening means arranged at least in the closed state of the pouring element inside the base element, and with a screw cap having an internal thread, wherein the opening means are designed so that when the composite container is initially opened by unscrewing the screw cap, breaking the composite material of the container or a barrier layer located in the base element, a pouring opening is created inside the pouring element, and wherein at least one tamper seal is disposed between the base element and the screw cap. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A generic pouring element is known from document DE 10 2006 016 113 B3 attributable to the applicant. To assemble the pouring element, the threaded cap is moved over the cutting element protruding from the pouring element and pressed (pushed) together with it onto the base element. As a safety seal, a plate is molded into the one-piece threaded cap, which is connected to the cap via connecting bridges. For attachment to the base element, the plate has pins on its underside, which fit into corresponding recesses in the flange of the base element and are caulked from below after assembly. Therefore, to implement the security seal, this known pouring element requires, on the one hand, a certain amount of space Lenn / zznz / E / Yii relatively large to receive the plate in the fixing flange and, on the other hand, the working step to caulk in order to be able to establish the form-fit connection or material bond between the plate and the fixing flange. Furthermore, a self-opening and resealable pouring element made of plastic for use in liquid containers is known from document DE 10 2007 057 863 Al. A screw cap is attached to the base element of the pouring element by means of a fixing flange. This fixing flange also serves as a safety seal and breaks when the screw cap is initially opened. Pouring elements are also known that have a plate or fin within the base element that acts as a barrier layer and allows a pouring opening when the composite container is initially opened, actuated by the screw cap, by pulling it back or folding it inwards (DE 600 24 772 T2). In addition, pouring elements are known (WO 2008 / 002249 Al), where the indicator elements for signaling an initial opening are arranged directly on the lower region of the threaded cap. This is also known from US patent 5,482,176 A, where a ring produced in one piece with the threaded cap is used as a safety seal, which breaks when the threaded cap is initially opened and remains as an indicator element at the base of the base element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Based on this, the objective of the present invention is now to design and develop a resealable pouring element of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way as to reduce the assembly effort. According to its independent claim 1, the objective is achieved because an anchor ring is disposed under the threaded cap and is connected to the threaded cap via a hinge in a fixed rotatable manner and because the safety seal comprises an indicator element, the end of which is fixedly attached to the anchor ring and wherein the other end is connected to the anchor ring or threaded cap by means of a predetermined breaking point such that the predetermined breaking point of at least one mandrel element disposed in the fixing flange breaks when the threaded cap is unscrewed and thereby indicates to the consumer that an initial opening has already been effected. The invention has recognized that a fixed connection between the safety seal and the fixing flange is not absolutely necessary, since the arrangement, according to the invention, of the elements necessary for the safety seal reliably fulfills the function of a safety seal, even without the indicating element being connected to the fixing flange or to the mandrel element arranged therein in the form of a positive or material union. Another aspect of the invention provides that the anchoring ring can rotate freely and radially around the base element and is attached to the base element in a tensile-resistant manner in the axial direction. Such a configuration of the invention ensures that, even after the initial opening of the screw-on cap in the screwed-on state, it remains attached to the anchoring ring arranged on the base element in a tensile-resistant manner by means of a suitable element, such as a hinge. Therefore, loose plastic parts are reliably prevented even when the package is open. The pouring element according to the invention can rotate freely with the screw-on cap open and extended. However, a certain degree of frictional resistance acting in the circumferential direction is desirable to allow the open screw-on cap to be rotated in one direction during pouring, so as not to obstruct the pouring flow. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the anchoring ring has at least one cam on its upper side, which is arranged in the region The indicator element, Lenn / zznz / E / Yii, has an oblique surface and fits into a corresponding notch in the lower edge of the threaded cap. Because the cam surface runs obliquely in the circumferential direction, the anchor ring is pressed in the direction of the retaining flange when first opened, so that the predetermined breaking points between the anchor ring and the threaded cap are safely broken. Another aspect of the invention provides that the predetermined breaking point of the indicator element is arranged in the threading direction of the cap before it is securely joined to the anchor ring. This is advantageous if the dimensions and arrangement of the indicator element are adapted to the mandrel element such that the guaranteed destruction of the predetermined breaking point is associated with the tightening process. However, it is also possible to position the predetermined breaking point of the indicator element in the threading direction of the cap, behind the fixed joint with the anchor ring. Alternatively, the indicator element can be configured as a radially protruding loop, with its predetermined breaking point located at the fixed joint with the anchor ring. In this configuration, the loop of the indicator element conveniently encloses the mandrel element within the clamping flange before the pouring element initially opens. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a membrane is provided as a predetermined rupture point of the indicator element. In such a configuration, the membrane is completely or largely destroyed so that the indicator element directly signals to the consumer the initial opening of the pouring element. According to another configuration of the invention, the mandrel element is arranged radially outside the anchor ring on the flange Lenn / zznz / E / Yii fixing. For this purpose, an internal flange can also be designed circumferentially on the anchor ring. This design increases the stability of the entire assembly, the anchor ring, and also the tensile forces. However, if a greater mounting height is not a problem, it is also possible to alternatively position the mandrel element below the anchor ring on the fixing flange. Since, in particular in the case of pouring elements provided with a cutting element as a means of opening, the cutting element cuts the package material very sharply during the initial opening, it is particularly convenient if, in a further configuration of the invention, the indicator element and the mandrel element are aligned with each other in a closed position, so that the predetermined breaking point of the mandrel element already breaks with a rotation angle of 3° to 10°, preferably with a rotation angle of 5° to 7°, when the screw cap is screwed on. A different configuration of the invention provides that the predetermined breaking point breaks when the threaded cap is screwed on with a torque of >0.2 Nm. In another embodiment of the invention, the predetermined breaking point is provided to occur inside the base element when the screw cap is tightened, before the composite container is actually opened for the first time or before the barrier layer is broken. This means that even the smallest manipulations of the screw cap can be reliably indicated. Another teaching of the invention provides that the lower cut between the anchor ring and the threaded cap is higher than the upper end of the indicator element. This cut indicates the space between the anchor ring and the threaded cap below the hinge between the two elements. Another preferred configuration of the invention provides that the indicator element is arranged opposite the hinge with respect to the Lenn / zznz / E / Yii circumference of the threaded cap. This configuration reliably ensures that the functions of the indicator element and the hinge do not interfere with each other. Finally, the pouring element according to the invention with its special configuration of the safety seal can also be used as protection for transport. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following drawings depict an example of a modality of the present invention. The drawings show: Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a pouring element according to the invention in an assembled state (without cardboard / plastic composite packaging), Figure 2 shows the pouring element from Figure 1 at the beginning of the screw cap screwing process and Figure 3 shows the pouring element of Figure 1 with a threaded or even screwed cap in another perspective representation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 clearly shows the circumferential clamping flange 1 of the base element (hidden) and a threaded cap 2, which is used for the initial opening and for resealing the container (not shown) after its initial opening. An anchoring ring 3 is arranged beneath the threaded cap 2 and is rotatably fixed to it to securely prevent the cap 2 from being removed from the pouring element or a beverage container fitted with it. For this purpose, the threaded cap 2 and the anchoring ring 3 are hinged together. According to the invention, an indicator element 4 is used as a security seal, the end of which is fixedly connected to the ring of Lenn / zznz / E / Yii anchor 3 and wherein the other end is connected to the anchor ring 3 by means of a predetermined breaking point 5 such that the predetermined breaking point 5 is broken by means of a mandrel element 6 disposed in the fixing flange 1 when the threaded cap 2 is screwed on. In the assembled position without opening according to Figure 1, a certain distance can be seen between the predetermined breaking point 5 and the mandrel element 6. Figure 2 now shows the pouring element from Figure 1 after a slight rotation during the screwing process. In this case, the predetermined breaking point 5 (which is no longer visible in the figure) already impacts the mandrel element 6. It is clear that by continuing to screw on the threaded cap 2, the mandrel element 6 cuts through the predetermined breaking point 5 and thus releases the front end of the indicator element 4 from the anchor ring 3. As the threaded cap 2 continues to be screwed on, the threaded cap 2, together with the anchor ring 3, slowly rises in accordance with the pitch of the external thread (not shown) on the base element 8 or the corresponding internal thread of the cap screw 2, as shown in Figure 3. The strip-shaped indicator element 4 is only connected in one piece to the anchor ring 3 at its fixed connection. In the representation according to Figure 3, in addition to the elements already mentioned, the articulated connection between the threaded cap 2 and the anchor ring 3 can also be seen. This connection is designed as a hinge 9 in the represented and preferred embodiment. In the represented embodiment, the hinge 9 has a reinforcing element 9A or 9B on each side. This design ensures a fixed connection between the threaded cap 2 and the anchor ring 3, reliably preventing the threaded cap 2 from being pulled off the anchor ring 3. Lenn / zznz / E / Yii Finally, Figure 3 also shows that the indicator element 4 is positioned opposite the hinge 9 in relation to the circumference of the threaded cap 2. The configuration according to the invention allows for a simpler assembly of the resealable pouring element without the indicator element 4, which serves as a safety seal, having to be connected to the fixing flange 1 in the form of a positive or materially glued union.
Claims
1. A resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite containers, in particular beverage containers, comprising a base element (8) having a circumferential fixing flange (1) and an external thread, with opening means arranged at least in the closed state of the pouring element inside the base element (8) and with a screw cap (2) having an internal thread, wherein the opening means are designed so that when the composite container is initially opened by unscrewing the screw cap (2) breaking the composite material of the container or a barrier layer located in the base element, a pouring opening is created inside the pouring element, and wherein at least one tamper seal is disposed between the base element (8) and the screw cap (2),characterized in that an anchoring ring (3) is disposed below the threaded cap (2) and is connected to the threaded cap via a hinge (9) in a fixed-rotation manner, and wherein the tamper seal comprises an indicator element (4), the end of which is fixedly connected to the anchoring ring (3) or to the threaded cap (2), and wherein the other end is connected to the anchoring ring (3) by means of a predetermined breaking point (5), such that the predetermined breaking point (5) of at least one mandrel element (6) disposed in the fixing flange (1) breaks when the threaded cap (2) is unscrewed, thus indicating to the consumer that an initial opening has been performed.
2. The pouring element according to claim 1, further characterized in that the anchoring ring (3) can rotate freely and radially around the base element (8) and is connected to the base element (8) in a tensile-resistant manner in the axial direction.
3. The pouring element according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the anchoring ring (3) has at least one cam (7) on its upper side, which is arranged in the region of the indicator element (4), has an oblique surface and fits into a corresponding recess in the lower edge of the cap screw (2).
4. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (5) of the indicating element (4) is arranged in the unscrewing direction of the threaded cap (2) before the fixed union with the anchoring ring (3).
5. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the predetermined breaking point of the indicating element is arranged in the unscrewing direction of the threaded cap behind the fixed joint with the anchor ring.
6. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the indicator element is designed as a radially protruding loop and in that the predetermined breaking point of the indicator element is arranged at the fixed connection with the anchor ring.
7. The pouring element according to claim 6, further characterized in that the loop encloses the mandrel element in the fixing flange before the initial opening.
8. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that a membrane is provided as a predetermined rupture point of the indicating element.
9. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 8, further characterized in that the mandrel element (6) is arranged radially outside the anchoring ring (3) on the fixing flange (1).
10. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 8, further characterized in that an internal cord is circumferentially designed in the anchoring ring. Lenn / zznz / E / Yii 11. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 8, further characterized in that the mandrel element is arranged below the anchor ring in the fixing flange.
12. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 11, further characterized in that the indicator element (4) and the mandrel element (6) are aligned with each other in a closed position such that the predetermined breaking point (5) of the mandrel element (6) breaks after a rotation angle of 3° to 10° when the threaded cap (2) is screwed on.
13. The pouring element according to claim 12, further characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (5) of the mandrel element (6) breaks after a rotation angle of 5° to 7° when the threaded cap (2) is screwed on.
14. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 13, further characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (5) breaks when the threaded cap (2) is screwed on with a torque of >0.2 Nm.
15. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 14, further characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (5) breaks when the threaded cap (2) is screwed on before the composite package is initially opened or before the barrier layer is broken.
16. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 15, further characterized in that the lower cut between the anchoring ring (3) and the threaded cap (2) is higher than the upper end of the indicating element (4).
17. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 16, further characterized in that the indicator element (4) is arranged opposite the hinge (9) with respect to the circumference of the threaded cap (2). Lenn / zznz / E / Yii 18. The pouring element according to any of claims 1 to 17, further characterized in that at least one security seal is used as protection for transport.