Pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packages

Abstract

The invention relates a pouring element (1,21) for cardboard / plastic composite packages or pouch packages comprising a spout body (2,22) and a closure cap (3,23) undetachably connected to the spout body (2,22), wherein the spout body (2,22) comprises an attachment portion (4,25) for fastening the spout body (2,22) to the package and a pouring opening (6,26), wherein the closure cap (3,23) is directly or indirectly connected to the spout body (2,22) in an unbreakable fashion by means of a hinge element (8,27), defining a hinge axis, in such a way that the closure cap (3,23) can be moved from a closing position closing the pouring opening (6,26) into a pouring position releasing the pouring opening (6,26) for pouring product from the package and back again. To ensure that it is easily detectable for the consumer with the naked eye in the reclosed position whether the pouring element has been initially opened and that the pouring element is nevertheless easy to manufacture it is provided that the closure cap (3,23) is also directly or indirectly connected to the spout body (2,22) in an unbreakable fashion by means of a tamper evidence device (9,30) which is arranged at a distance from the hinge axis such that the tamper evidence device (9,30) gets plastically deformed when the closure cap (3,23) is moved from the closing position to the pouring position for the first time in such a way that in the closing position of the closure cap (3,23) the deformation can be detected indicating that an initial opening of the pouring element (1,21) has occurred.

Description

[0001] Pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packages

[0002] The invention relates to a pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packages or pouch packages comprising a spout body and a closure cap undetachably connected to the spout body, wherein the spout body comprises an attachment portion for fastening the spout body to the composite package and a pouring opening, wherein the closure cap is directly or indirectly connected to the spout body in an unbreakable fashion by means of a hinge element, defining a hinge axis, in such a way that the closure cap can be moved from a closing position closing the pouring opening into a pouring position releasing the pouring opening for pouring product from the package and back again.

[0003] Cardboard / plastic composite packages have long been used for packaging beverages and other foodstuff and consist of different package materials in the form of a packaging laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer plastic layers, in particular outer thermoplastic layer, for example polyethylene (PE). The cardboard gives the package material sufficient stability to form packages that can be easily handled and stacked, for example. The plastic layers protect the cardboard from moisture and the products, especially food, from taking up undesirable substances from the package material. In addition, further layers, such as diffusion protection layers, if necessary, an aluminum layer, can be provided to prevent diffusion of oxygen and other gases through the package material.

[0004] The cardboard / plastic composite packages are preferably formed from package sleeves which are open at opposing longitudinal ends and have been produced from package material blanks, in particular by sealing the longitudinal edges of the package material blanks to one another. The package sleeves are folded and sealed at one longitudinal end. This results in a semifinished package body open on one side, which is then filled with a product such as foodstuff. Thereafter, the filled package body is folded and sealed at the other end.

[0005] The pouch packages are preferably produced from a plastic film material that is folded on one side of the pouch package and heat sealed at opposing sides forming a flattened tubular shape with open ends. One open end is then heat sealed as well to produce a bottom seam of the pouches. Further, a pouring element can be fitted to the second end of the pouch package via an attachment portion of the pouring element, preferably after filling the semi-finished open-ended pouch.

[0006] Either prior to filling the package body or after closing the package a pouring element can be attached to the package material so that pourable products can easily and conveniently be poured out of the package. Pouring elements generally comprise a spout body with a circumferential attachment portion for fastening the spout body to a composite package or pouch package and a pouring tube for pouring pourable content out of the composite package or pouch package, whereby the pouring tube extends from the attachment portion upward and away from the package. In case of a cardboard / plastic composite package the attachment portion is preferably formed as a fastening flange, that is arranged perpendicular to the pouring tube and extends outwardly from the pouring tube, which has a cross section that is often circular but can also be teardrop-shaped, oval or in the form of a truncated pyramid. In case of a pouch package the attachment portion can also be formed as a fastening flange. However, many pouch packages have at least essentially tub-shaped attachment portions which may be inserted into a semi-finished pouch body, at least in part, and then used to fully seal the pouch package.

[0007] The closure caps can be unbreakably and therefore undetachably connected to the spout body, so that the closure cap cannot get lost in the opened state of the pouring element. Instead, the closure cap is directly or indirectly retained at the spout body. In other words, the connection between the closure cap and the spout body does not get broken, at least not entirely, so that the closure cap is still connected to the spout body in the opened state of the pouring element if normal forces are applied. However, the closure cap can get torn off in case the applied forces are excessive. The closure cap can easily be connected to the pouring spout in an undetachable and unbreakable fashion by way of a hinge element, which allows for the closure cap to be swiveled about the hinge element in order to adjust the closure cap from a closing position closing the pouring opening into a pouring position releasing the pouring opening for pouring product from the package and back again.

[0008] The hinge element defines a hinge axis about which the closure cap can be swiveled, whereby the hinge axis intersects the hinge element. In case the hinge element comprises several separate hinge members, the hinge members together define an effective hinge axis, which may be different to a hinge axis which would be defined by at least some of the hinge members alone. However, the effective hinge axis defined in this case intersects each hinge member of the hinge element.

[0009] The pouring tube can be closed by a closure element, for example in the form of a flip cap or a screw cap. The closure cap can be indirectly connected to the spout body via an anchor ring or directly to the spout body. Closure caps in form of screw caps are usually screwed on the pouring tube. Closure caps in the form of flip caps that are produced in a single process with the spout body, e.g. both as one piece or as two pieces from a multi-component injection molding, can be opened by breaking a fluid tight connection portion between the closure cap and the spout body. Subsequently as with any other flip cap the closure cap can be swiveled about a hinge element into a pouring position for pouring out product from the package. Closure caps in the form of screw caps need to be unscrewed from the spout body before the screw caps can be swiveled about a hinge element into a pouring position. Both types of closure caps can usually be reclosed by swiveling the closure cap about the hinge element in the opposite direction. In case of screw caps these are screwed onto the spout bodies thereafter to close the pouring elements whereas flip caps can be positively and / or forcibly connected to the spout bodies by pressing the closure caps onto the openings provided by the spout bodies. Since the pouring elements described are recloseable, the customer or user of the package oftentimes wants to know whether a package has been opened before and is simply reclosed or whether the package in question is still in its original sealed state. Therefore, tamper evidence devices have been proposed which get forcibly manipulated when the pouring element is opened for the first time. Typically said tamper evidence devices are provided in the connection between the closure cap and the spout body such that the tamper evidence devices get broken when initially opening the pouring element. However, in some cases respective manipulation of the tamper evidence devices is difficult to detect with the naked eye. The breaking of aforementioned tamper evidence devices is often accompanied by an element like an anchor ring visibly moving between the original state and the reclosed state and thus creating a gap. Unfortunately, such a translatory movement is not always possible to achieve. Traditionally in these cases tamper evidence was only possible through audible and tactile means during the breaking of the tamper evidence device. There was however only little visible evidence on a reclosed package.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention is based on the object of designing and further developing the pouring element of the type mentioned at the beginning and further described above in such a way that it is easily detectable with the naked eye in the reclosed position whether the pouring element has been initially opened and that the pouring element is nevertheless easy to manufacture.

[0011] Said object is achieved by a pouring element according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the closure cap is also directly or indirectly connected to the spout body in an unbreakable fashion by means of a tamper evidence device which is arranged at a distance from the hinge axis such that the tamper evidence device gets plastically deformed when the closure cap is moved from the closing position to the pouring position for the first time in such a way that in the closing position of the closure cap the deformation can be detected, in particular with the naked eye, indicating that an initial opening of the pouring element has occurred. According to the invention the closure cap is directly or indirectly connected to the spout body in an unbreakable manner by means of a tamper evidence device. This means that the tamper evidence device is either directly connected to the spout body or directly connected to a separate element of the pouring element, which itself is connected to and retained at the spout body. This additional connection can also be either direct or indirect. Thus, it is not of essential importance on which part of the pouring element the tamper evidence device is connected to other than the closure cap, as long as this other part is connected to the spout body. It is more relevant that the tamper evidence device is connected with one end to a part of the pouring element, which is not adjusted in the same way as the closure cap when opening the pouring element, so that the closure cap is relatively adjusted to the respective part of the pouring element.

[0012] In other words, the end of the tamper evidence device not connected to the closure cap can stay at least essentially immobile relative to the moving closure cap and the end of the tamper evidence device connected to the closure cap. Further, the tamper evidence device is arranged at a distance from the hinge axis. Thus, the tamper evidence device does not serve as a hinge element or hinge member respectively but is designed and arranged to indicate to the consumer, whether the pouring element has been opened before. Due to the arrangement and design of the tamper evidence device, the tamper evidence device gets plastically deformed due to a relative displacement of two opposing ends of the tamper evidence device, when the closure cap is moved from the closing position to the pouring position for the first time. In addition, said plastic deformation is such that in the closing position of the closure cap the deformation can be detected, in particular with the naked eye, which indicates to the consumer or user that the initial opening of the pouring element has already occurred. Deformation is preferably detectable with the naked eye in particular when the user does not need any special aids, with the exception of glasses, for example, to recognize the deformation. Further, the tamper evidence device is connected to the closure cap and the spout body in an unbreakable fashion. Therefore, the tamper evidence device gets visibly deformed but not to such an extent that the tamper evidence device or the connections to the closure cap and the other part of the pouring element gets broken. This means that no broken edges, fragments or parts sticking outwards are formed when opening the pouring element and deforming the tamper evidence device. As such, the user is neither impaired by the tamper evidence device when opening the package nor is there increased risk of injury. However, the tamper evidence device is deformed to such an extent that said deformation is easily visible when the pouring element is resealed. In the closing position of the closure cap the deformed tamper evidence device can stick out radially to the side with respect to the closure cap, for example between 1 and 2 mm, and / or be deformed in an axial direction by up to 2 mm. The tamper evidence device keeps securely fastened to the closure cap and the outer part of the pouring element at all times as long as no excessive force is applied to the closure cap or the tamper evidence device itself.

[0013] In case the pouring element is applied to a package containing foodstuffs or other products which can be contaminated in a way that impairs the intended use of the product the customer can consider buying or using a different package with a tamper evidence device which is not deformed. Opening of the pouring element is a particular problem when foodstuffs or other products shall be sterile in order to achieve the intended shelf live or to be used properly. The present invention ensures that nonsterile or contaminated products are not used accidently.

[0014] Further, in most cases it will be sufficient and, therefore, preferred that only one tamper evidence device is provided. However, a pouring element with more than one tamper evidence device may also be suitable. In this respect a pouring element with two tamper evidence devices can be preferred, in particular in case the tamper evidence devices are arranged on opposite sides of the hinge element. If arranged thus, they can either be mirrored with regards to the hinge or be arranged at different distances from the hinge. As such, it is also possible that more than one hinge element is provided which connect the closure cap directly or indirectly to the pouring spout in an unbreakable fashion.

[0015] In this respect it is to note that one hinge element can comprise more than one hinge member, in particular two hinge members. The hinge members of one hinge element can be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction. To ensure that the pouring element can be easily opened and closed again the hinge members of the at least one hinge element should be distributed over a circumferential angle of less than 70°, preferably less than 60°, in particular less than 50°, measured from the outer ends of each hinge member. It is advisable that such hinge elements extend across at least 35° to ensure a stable hinge axis. The same is true if the hinge element only comprises a single hinge member. Said circumferential angle is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0016] The hinge element defines a hinge axis about which the closure cap can be swiveled, whereby the hinge axis intersects the hinge element. In case the hinge element comprises several separate hinge members, the hinge members together define an effective hinge axis, which may be different to a hinge axis which would be defined by at least some of the hinge members alone. However, the effective hinge axis defined in this case intersects each hinge member of the hinge element.

[0017] In order to ensure sufficient plastic deformation of the tamper evidence in an easy way due to initial opening of the pouring element it can be advantageous if the distance between the tamper evidence device and the hinge axis of the hinge element is such that a circumferential angle of at least 5° is provided between the tamper evidence device and the hinge axis and / or between the tamper evidence device and the hinge element. However, said angle can also be larger, for example at least 8° or at least 10°, whereby the preferred angle can be dependent on different parameters such as the shape and size of the tamper evidence device, the closure cap and / or the spout body. Said angel could even be less than 5°. A very small distance of certain parts of the tamper evidence device could be sufficient as long as other parts of the tamper evidence device, in particular an end of the tamper evidence device connected to the spout body, are arranged in a larger distance to the hinge element and / or hinge axis, in order to ensure plastic deformation by initial opening of the pouring element.

[0018] In a first particularly preferred embodiment, the tamper evidence device is designed to get plastically deformed when the closure cap is moved from the closing position to the pouring position for the first time in such a way that stress whitening occurs. The term stress whitening refers to an optical effect, that is caused by microscopic cracks in the material, when plastic is highly stressed during deformation, in particular during stretching of the plastic. Thus, the physical properties change at this point irreversibly and the plastic appears brighter, where in particular milky white or white-grey discoloration on the plastic's surface occurs. The polymer chains will straighten, slip and shear within the plastic’s microenvironment under stress, such that in some cases occlusions or holes are formed by the movement of fillers and the polymer chains forming microvoids. When microvoids cluster to a size greater than or equal to the wavelength of light (380-750nm), the transmitted light is scattered, and the object appears white. Thus, the microvoids change the refractive index of the plastic. For the sake of better visibility, it is in particular preferred, when stress whitening occurs in a non-white-colored part of the tamper evidence device. Stress whitening can for example occur at certain locations along the tamper evidence device and / or where the tamper evidence device is connected to the closure cap and / or to the other part of the pouring element, i.e. in particular at one or both ends of the tamper evidence device.

[0019] As an alternative or in addition, the tamper evidence device is designed to get plastically deformed when the cap is moved from the closing position to the pouring position for the first time in such a way that the tamper evidence device gets lengthened compared to the initial length of the tamper evidence device prior to first opening of the closure cap. For the sake of better visibility, the tamper evidence device can be lengthened by at least 10%, preferably by at least 15 %, in particular by at least 20 %, compared to the initial length of the tamper evidence device prior to first opening of the pouring element. The greater the lengthening of the tamper evidence device the better visible is the additional length of the tamper evidence device in the reclosed state of the pouring element.

[0020] The closure cap can be a flip cap which is designed to be opened and closed again by swiveling the closure cap about the hinge element. Flip caps can be more compact and cheaper to produce. As an alternative, the closure cap can be a screw cap which is designed to be opened by unscrewing from the spout body and by swiveling about the hinge element thereafter. Leakage is less likely in case screw caps are used, even if said screw caps are opened and reclosed multiple times.

[0021] The pouring element can have a rather simple design, since the tamper evidence device is plastically deformed while swiveling the closure cap about the hinge element into the pouring position. It is also possible that plastic deformation takes place only in part while the closure cap is swiveled about the hinge element. This is in particular the case when the closure cap is a screw cap, then at least part of the deformation can take place while unscrewing the closure cap from the spout body. Potentially all of the deformation can take place when unscrewing the closure up from the spout body for the first time.

[0022] In case of a closure cap in the form of a flip cap it is preferred when the closure cap at least after initial opening is held on the spout body in the closing position by way of a positive and / or frictional connection. It is then easily noticeable for the user that the pouring element is securely closed. In case of a closure cap in the form of a screw cap the closure cap can be designed to be adjusted from the pouring position to the closing position by firstly swiveling about the hinge element and secondly by screwing onto the spout body. Then a liquid tight seal can easily be achieved.

[0023] The pouring element is especially easy to produce and also very easy to use if the spout body comprises a pouring tube extending from the attachment portion, for example in the form of a fastening flange, and surrounding a longitudinal axis and in that the pouring tube comprises the pouring opening. Then the product can be reliably poured out of the package. Further, the closure cap in form of a screw cap can be easily and reliably screwed onto the pouring tube.

[0024] Manufacturing of the pouring element can be simplified when the hinge element connects the closure cap to an anchor ring which is securely retained in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis on the pouring tube or the attachment portion, which is for example in the form of a fastening flange. This way the pouring element can be made from multiple separate parts, which increases flexibility of manufacturing. Further, the anchor ring can be retained securely around the longitudinal axis on the pouring tube or the attachment portion, in particular the fastening flange. In some embodiments, the anchor ring is not only retained securely, but also held in a fixed position axially and / or rotationally, which allows for a well-defined opening direction of the closure cap. In other embodiments such as screw caps and certain flip caps, the anchor ring is still retained securely in an axial direction, but also freely rotatable around the longitudinal axis.

[0025] Fastening the anchor ring to the pouring tube or the attachment portion, which is for example in form of a fastening flange, can be easily and reliably achieved by an anchor ring that is positively held on the pouring tube or the attachment portion, which is for example in form of a fastening flange, in the direction of the longitudinal axis. For the same reason the anchor ring can be positively held on the pouring tube or the attachment portion and / or in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis as an alternative or in addition.

[0026] The tamper evidence device can be designed as an elongated element, which is many times longer than its width and thickness. This allows for connecting the tamper evidence device with one end to the closure cap and with the other end to either the anchor ring, the pouring tube or the attachment portion, which is for example in form of a fastening flange. Further, an elongated tamper evidence device does not need much space in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Thus, compact pouring elements can still be provided with an easily visible tamper evidence device.

[0027] The tamper evidence device can fulfill its predetermined function particularly easily and reliably if the end of the tamper evidence device which is connected to the closure cap is arranged closer to the hinge element in a circumferential direction than the end of the tamper evidence device which is connected to either the anchor ring, the pouring tube or the attachment portion. Therefore, the connection of the tamper evidence device connected to either the anchor ring, the pouring tube or the attachment portion is further apart from the hinge element than the connection of the tamper evidence device to the closure cap. In this case the design of the tamper evidence device is less constrained since the closer the attachment point on the closure cap side is to the hinge element, the smaller the arc of movement is that it describes during opening. A smaller arc of movement essentially means that the forces acting on the tamper evidence device are more well-defined and less prone to the individual user’s way of opening. Therefore, tamper evidence device is forcibly lengthened when swiveling the closure cap away from the spout body and the pouring tube respectively.

[0028] The elongated tamper evidence device can extend at least essentially in the direction in order to allow for compact pouring elements. In this respect it is especially preferable when the tamper evidence device extends at least essentially parallel to the anchor ring. In this case the tamper evidence device can be provided between the anchor ring and the closure cap, as seen in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the pouring element can have a rather small design.

[0029] The tamper evidence device can be connected at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the tamper evidence device and on opposite sides in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction on the closure cap and the anchor ring respectively. This also allows for a more compact design of the pouring element. In a preferred embodiment the tamper evidence device comprises a preferential deformation section which is thinner than the rest of the tamper evidence device. Because the deformation section is thinner than other parts of the tamper evidence device, in particular the deformation section gets deformed by initially opening the pouring element, which leads to an uneven plastic deformation across the tamper evidence device, which may be more easily detectable by the consumer.

[0030] To prevent accidental opening of the element, it may be advisable to provide at least one breakable bridge which connects the closure cap to either the anchor ring, the pouring tube or the attachment portion, for example in form of a circumferential fastening flange. This is especially useful in case the at least one breakable bridge is provided on the opposite side of the hinge element. Between the hinge element and the bridge, for example, a circumferential angle of at least 70° can be provided and ideally around 180°, especially if there is only a single breakable bridge. To give the user feedback that the pouring element is being opened for the first time, the at least one breakable bridge can be an audibly breakable bridge which creates a sound when breaking which is easily noticeable by the user.

[0031] However, it is not necessary that the material of the tamper evidence device is lengthened during initial opening of the pouring element. It may be sufficient if the tamper evidence device is bent in a way that plastic deformation occurs. This can be achieved, for example, by bending the tamper evidence device in a way that the ends of the tamper evidence device directly or indirectly connected to the closure cap and the spout body respectively travel further apart and in a way that plastic deformation of the tamper evidence device occurs in a connection section due to the relative displacement of the legs to each other.

[0032] With respect to the bending of the tamper evidence device described before, it may be preferable if the tamper evidence device is at least essentially V-shaped or U-shaped prior to initial opening of the pouring element. Additionally or as an alternative, the tamper evidence device can comprise outer legs, which are arranged at least essentially parallel to each other in order to allow for a compact design of the pouring element. The tamper evidence device can then be arranged in such a way that the tamper evidence device is bent with its outer legs about the middle part connecting the outer legs to each other and thereby is plastically deformed, in particular, in the middle part of the tamper evidence device formed between the outer legs. Additionally, such a tamper evidence device could also have an audibly breakable bridge connecting the outer legs for additional feedback during the initial opening.

[0033] In case one of the legs is at least 20% longer than the other leg, less vertical installation space is needed. Further, and uneven deformation can be achieved, leading to a more visible deformation after initial opening.

[0034] The connection section of the legs of the tamper evidence device can be circumferentially facing towards the hinge element. Thus at least part of the legs are arranged in a greater distance to the hinge element than the connection section. In this case it is less likely that the consumer gets injured when using the package.

[0035] However, the connection section of the legs of the tamper evidence device can be circumferentially facing away from the hinge element. Thus at least part of the legs are arranged closer to the hinge element than the connection section. In this case the tamper evidence device can be deformed in a way that is more easily visible since it is facing away from the hinge element.

[0036] Of course, any combination of the priorly mentioned visible effects is also possible. For example, a tamper evidence device in a wave-like shape between its ends directly or indirectly connected to the closure cap and to the spout body respectively may be lengthened by only 5% in total, while also showing both deformation and stress whitening in the bended parts of the wave-like shape. Lengthening can be achieved, for example, at least in part by straightening a wave-like or similar shape. Thus, lengthening in particular means that the tamper evidence device as such gets longer, between its end directly or indirectly connected to the closure cap and to the spout body respectively. Whether this is achieved by thinning of parts of the tamper evidence device and / or by straightening of the tamper evidence device is of secondary importance. On the other hand, a mostly elongated tamper evidence device could be slightly broadened in a middle part. This leads to a higher total lengthening, e.g. about 15% to 20%, but somewhat confined to the thinner parts closer to the ends directly or indirectly connected to the closure cap and to the spout body respectively. Additionally, due to the way that, during production, the polymer chains flowed and subsequently froze within the strengthened broadened middle part, it may show stress whitening more clearly.

[0037] To easily produce the pouring element, it is advisable if the pouring element is made of plastic, in particular thermoplastic, material. In the latter case the pouring element can be injection molded. Suitable physical properties are achieved in case a polyolefin, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), is used. Polypropylene is also advisable in case during initial opening stress whitening is to be achieved in the tamper evidence device. Polymer blends of polyolefins are also possible in these cases, such as a closure cap made of mainly PE, with 1 - 30 weight-% PP added in, preferably around 20 - 30 %.

[0038] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing showing exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows

[0039] Fig. 1A-B a first pouring element according to the invention in a perspective view and a side view,

[0040] Fig. 2 the pouring element of Fig. 1 in an opened state in a side view,

[0041] Fig. 3 the pouring element of Fig. 1 in a reclosed state in a side view, Fig. 4A-B a second pouring element according to the invention in a perspective view and a side view,

[0042] Fig. 5 the pouring element of Fig. 4 in an opened state in a side view and

[0043] Fig. 6 the pouring element of Fig. 4 in a reclosed state in a side view,

[0044] In Fig. 1A-B a pouring element 1 having a spout body 2 and a closure cap 3 in the form of a flip cap is shown. In the embodiment shown, the spout body 2 comprises a attachment portion 4, that is designed as fastening flange, for fastening the pouring element 1 to a cardboard / plastic composite package, for example by way of sealing. The spout body 2 further comprises a pouring tube 5 extending upwards from the attachment portion 4 in form of a fastening flange and surrounding a longitudinal axis L of the pouring element 1. The pouring tube 5 has an at least essentially circular inner cross section for pouring out product contained in the package or simply drinking directly from it. The pouring tube 5 further comprises a pouring opening 6 at its upper end through which the product of the package can be poured out through the pouring element 1 in an opened state.

[0045] In Fig. 1A-B the pouring element 1 is shown in a closed state, in which the closure cap 3 closes and seals the pouring opening 6. In the embodiment shown the closure cap 3 is preferentially, but not necessarily, circumferentially connected via a breakable connection portion 7 to the pouring tube 5 in a fluid tight fashion. The connection portion 7 gets broken when the pouring element 1 is opened for the first time, i.e. when the pouring element 1 is initially opened. The closure cap 3 is connected to the spout body 2 by way of a hinge element 8 as well as by way of a tamper evidence device 9. The hinge element 8 as well as the tamper evidence device 9 are connected in each case with one end 10,11 to the closure cap 3 and with an opposing end 12,13 to an anchor ring 14, which is securely retained in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L and directed towards the pouring opening 6 at the pouring tube 5. This creates an indirect connection between the closure cap 3 and the spout body 2. Thus, the anchor ring 14 together with the closure cap 3 cannot be fully removed from the pouring tube 5 by pulling the closure cap 3 upward for example. For this purpose, the anchor ring 14 surrounds the pouring tube 5 circumferentially and is connected to the pouring tube 5 by way of a positive connection. As an alternative or additionally, a frictional connection would also be possible. The anchor ring 14 according to the embodiment shown is in addition securely held to the pouring tube 5 in circumferential directions around the longitudinal axis L, e.g. by way of a positive connection, to impede or completely stop rotation. In this case a frictional connection would also be possible as an alternative or in addition. As an alternative, an anchor ring 14 that is retained axially with a positive connection can be freely rotatable around the longitudinal axis L.

[0046] The tamper evidence device 9 has an elongated shape and extends mainly perpendicular to and around the longitudinal axis L. As such, the tamper evidence device 9 extends mainly parallel to the anchor ring 14, the attachment portion in form of a fastening flange 4, and a gap 15 between the closure cap 3 and the anchor ring 14 respectively. However, the tamper evidence device 9 is connected on opposing sides 16,17 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L with one end 11 to the closure cap 3 and with the other end 13 to the anchor ring 14 respectively. The curvature of the tamper evidence device 9 in the circumferential direction corresponds at least in essence to the curvature of the anchor ring 14 in the circumferential direction.

[0047] The hinge element 8 comprises two separate hinge members 18 allowing the closure cap 3 to be swiveled from a closed state into an opened state. The hinge members 18 are designed as film hinge members. They are about 55° apart, measured circumferentially and between outer sides of the hinge members 18 facing away from each other. On the opposite side to the hinge element 8 a gripping element 19 is provided by the closure cap 3 which can be gripped by a user for facilitating opening of the pouring element 1. The user can open the pouring element 1 by pulling the closure cap 3 upwards and to the side, where the hinge element 8 is provided. The gripping element 19, however, is not essential. Further, a different number of hinge members could be present, in particular only one hinge member.

[0048] In Fig. 2 the pouring element 1 is shown in an opened state with the closure cap 3 in a pouring position for pouring product out of the package. During opening of the pouring element 1 for the first time, i.e. initial opening of the pouring element 1, and moving the closure cap 3 from the closing position into the pouring position the distance between the end 11 of the tamper evidence device 9 connected to the closure cap 3 and the end 13 of the tamper evidence device 9 connected to the anchor ring 14 gets significantly larger. The distance increases during opening of the pouring element 1 to such an extent that the tamper evidence device 9 gets at least partially plastically deformed. Therefore, the deformation is not, at least not totally, reversible. The deformation of the embodiment shown leads to significant lengthening of the tamper evidence device 9 as well as to stress whitening 20 for example next to the connection between the tamper evidence device 9 and the closure cap 3. However, stress whitening 20 could also in particular occur in parts of the tamper evidence device 9, which are extensively lengthened, for example the middle parts of the tamper evidence device 9. The lengthening exceeds 15% of the initial length of the tamper evidence device 9 prior to first opening of the closure cap 3. However, the additional length of the tamper evidence device 9 after initial opening of the pouring element 1 could be different. Further, lengthening or stress whitening 20 could also be dispensed with or occur in different parts of the tamper evidence device 9.

[0049] The pouring element 1 can be resealed by swiveling the closure cap 3 back down, as shown in Fig. 3. The closure cap 3 can be swiveled back into its initial position or into a position similar to the initial position of the closure cap 3. The closure cap 3 closes and seals the pouring opening 6 of the pouting tube 5. The breakable connection portion 7, between the pouring tube 5 and the closure cap 3, that has been broken during initial opening of the pouring element 1 stays, of course, broken. However, the closure cap 3 can be connected to the pouring tube 5 securely and in a liquid tight fashion by way of a positive and / or frictional connection. As a consequence, the resealed state of the pouring element 1 is similar to the initial state of the pouring element 1.

[0050] However, a main difference between the initial state and the resealed state of the pouring element 1 is the form and / or appearance of the tamper evidence device 9. In order to visually indicate to the user or customer that the pouring element 1 has already been opened, the tamper evidence device 9 is bent and extended to a greater length than in the initial state of the pouring element 1. The tamper evidence device 9 can, for example, partly stick out to the side in such a way that the customer or user readily understands that the pouring element 1 has been manipulated, most likely that it has been opened. The tamper evidence device can stick out to the side by about 1.5 mm. In case the initial opening of the closure cap 3 has led to stress whitening 20 of the tamper evidence device 9, as an alternative or in addition to the lengthening of the tamper evidence device 9, said stress whitening 20 can be visually detected by the customer or user of the cardboard / plastic composite packages. Stress whitening 20 then occurs in an area that is big enough that stress whitening 20 can be easily detected for example at an end of the tamper evidence device 9. Lengthening or stress whitening 20 of the tamper evidence device 9 should be readily detectable for the untrained costumer or user with the naked eye.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 3 only one tamper evidence device 9 is shown. However, it might be preferred if more than one tamper evidence device 9 are present, in particular on opposing sides of the hinge element 8. Further, there could be at least one breakable bridge connecting the closure cap 3 to the anchor ring 14, the attachment portion 4 in form of a fastening flange or the pouring tube 5. The breakable bridge gets broken, when the pouring element 1 is opened for the first time, i.e. when the closure cap 3 is swiveled about the hinge element 8 in the opened position. The breakable bridge may serve the purpose of reducing the likelihood that the pouring element 1 is accidently opened and can also indicate that the pouring element 1 has been opened before. However, the user would have to look much closer in order to tell, whether or not the pouring element 1 has actually been opened before. Thus, it would serve mostly as audible and tactile feedback at the start of the swivel movement.

[0052] In Fig. 4A-B another embodiment of the pouring element 21 is shown. Said pouring element 21 also has a spout body 22 and a closure cap 23, whereby the closure cap 23 is in the form of a screw cap and is screwed onto a pouring tube 24 of the spout body 22 extending from an attachment portion 25 upwards. The attachment portion of the embodiment shown is designed in the form of a fastening flange 25. The pouring element 21 has a cylindrical inner channel defining a longitudinal axis L for pouring out product through a pouring opening 26 of the pouring tube 24 from the package to which the attachment portion 25 in form of a fastening flange of the pouring element is sealed. The pouring element 21 is shown in a closed state, with the closure cap 23 securely fastened and in a liquid tight fashion screwed on the pouring tube 24.

[0053] The closure cap 23 is connected via a hinge element 1 comprising two hinge members 28 to an anchor ring 29 circumferentially surrounding the pouring tube 24 and being positively retained at the pouring tube 24 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, so that the anchor ring 29 cannot be pulled off from the pouring tube 24 in the direction of the pouring opening 26 and parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Further, the anchor ring 29 could also be held via a frictional connection at the pouring tube 24 at least in the direction of the longitudinal axis L or slightly in a circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis L.

[0054] The closure cap 23 is additionally connected to the anchor ring 29 by way of a tamper evidence device 30. One end 31 of the tamper evidence device 30 is securely connected to the closure cap 23 whereas the opposing end 32 of the tamper evidence device 30 is securely connected to the anchor ring 29. The tamper evidence device 30 has an elongated shape and extends mainly parallel to the anchor ring 29 and the gap 33 between the closure cap 23 and the anchor ring 29 and the attachment portion formed 25 as fastening flange, respectively. However, the tamper evidence device 30 is connected with opposing sides 34,35 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L to the closure cap 23 and the anchor ring 29 respectively. The curvature of the tamper evidence device 30 in the circumferential direction corresponds at least in essence to the curvature of the anchor ring 29 in the circumferential direction.

[0055] The closure cap 23 can be unscrewed from the pouring tube 24. During unscrewing of the closure cap 23 the tamper evidence device 30 gets deformed first due to the axial height difference gained when unscrewing the closure cap 23. This first deformation can but does not need to be irreversible. However, at least when the unscrewed closure cap 23 is swiveled about the hinge element 1 into the opened position, the tamper evidence device 30 gets plastically deformed. With the embodiment shown this is due to the fact that the distance between the opposing ends 31,32 of the tamper evidence device 30 in the opened state of the pouring element 21 with the closure cap in the pouring position shown in Fig. 5 is significantly larger than in the closed state of the pouring element 21 with the closure cap 23 in the closing position according to Fig. 4A-B. The deformation of the tamper evidence device 30 is irreversible so that the tamper evidence device 30 stays lengthened compared to its initial state even if the pouring element 21 is closed again. The lengthening of the tamper evidence device 30 of the shown embodiment exceeds 20% of the initial length of the tamper evidence device 30 prior to first opening of the closure cap 23.

[0056] In Fig. 6 the pouring element 21 is shown in a resealed state with the closure cap 23 screwed on the pouring tube 24, closing the pouring opening 26 in a fluid tight fashion. The tamper evidence device 30 is lengthened compared to the initial opening of the pouring device 21. The additional length of the tamper evidence device 30 protrudes outwards around the circumference further than either the closure cap 23 or the anchor ring 29, which is readily visible for the user. It is therefore immediately understandable that the pouring element 21 has been opened before and is, thus, not anymore originally sealed but resealed at best. In addition, deformation of the tamper evidence device 30 can lead to stress whitening 36 in certain areas of the tamper evidence device 30, which also indicates to the user that the pouring element 21 has been opened before. As shown in Fig. 6, stress whitening 36 can occur at the end of the tampering evidence device 30 connected to the closure cap 23. However, stress whitening 36 could also in particular occur in parts of the tamper evidence device 30, which are extensively lengthened, for example the middle parts of the tamper evidence device 30.

[0057] As an alternative to the elongated tamper evidence devices 9,30 shown in Fig. 1 to 6 different shapes of the tamper evidence devices would be possible. For example, it could also be preferred to provide a V-shaped or U-shaped tamper evidence device and / or a tamper evidence devices with outer legs arranged at least essentially parallel to each other. Said tamper evidence device could then for example be arranged in a gap between the closure cap and an anchor ring, in particular with the middle part of the tamper evidence device, where the outer lags of the tamper evidence device are connected to each other, directed towards the hinge element. Opening of the pouring element would then lead to an unfolding of the V-shaped or U-shaped tamper evidence device thereby increasing the angle between the outer legs, while the opposing ends of the tamper evidence device connected to the anchor ring and to the closure cap respectively move away from each other. Said unfolding of the tamper evidence device is at least in part irreversible leading to visible deformation of the tamper evidence device and / or to stress whitening in the middle part of the tamper evidence device between the outer legs of the tamper evidence device.

[0058] List of reference numerals

[0059] 1 pouring element

[0060] 2 spout body

[0061] 3 closure cap

[0062] 4 attachment portion (fastening flange)

[0063] 5 pouring tube

[0064] 6 pouring opening

[0065] 7 connection portion

[0066] 8 hinge element

[0067] 9 tamper evidence device 10-13 end 14 anchor ring

[0068] 15 gap

[0069] 16-17 side

[0070] 18 hinge member

[0071] 19 gripping element

[0072] 20 stress whitening

[0073] 21 pouring element

[0074] 22 spout body

[0075] 23 closure cap

[0076] 24 pouring tube

[0077] 25 attachment portion (fastening flange)

[0078] 26 pouring opening

[0079] 27 hinge element

[0080] 28 hinge member

[0081] 29 anchor ring

[0082] 30 tamper evidence device

[0083] 31-32 end

[0084] 33 gap

[0085] 34-35 side

[0086] 36 stress whitening

[0087] L longitudinal axis

Claims

Claims1. Pouring element (1,21) for cardboard / plastic composite packages or pouch packages comprising a spout body (2,22) and a closure cap (3,23) undetachably connected to the spout body (2,22), wherein the spout body (2,22) comprises an attachment portion (4,25) for fastening the spout body (2,22) to the package and a pouring opening (6,26), wherein the closure cap (3,23) is directly or indirectly connected to the spout body (2,22) in an unbreakable fashion by means of a hinge element (8,27), defining a hinge axis, in such a way that the closure cap (3,23) can be moved from a closing position closing the pouring opening (6,26) into a pouring position releasing the pouring opening (6,26) for pouring product from the package and back again, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the closure cap (3,23) is also directly or indirectly connected to the spout body (2,22) in an unbreakable fashion by means of a tamper evidence device (9,30) which is arranged at a distance from the hinge axis such that the tamper evidence device (9,30) gets plastically deformed when the closure cap (3,23) is moved from the closing position to the pouring position for the first time in such a way that in the closing position of the closure cap (3,23) the deformation can be detected indicating that an initial opening of the pouring element (1,21) has occurred.

2. Pouring element according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the tamper evidence device (9,30) is designed to get plastically deformed when the closure cap (3,23) is moved from the closing position to the pouring positionfor the first time in such a way that stress whitening (20,36) occurs, in particular in a non-white-colored part of the tamper evidence device (9,30).

3. Pouring element according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the tamper evidence device (9,30) is designed to get plastically deformed when the closure cap (3,23) is moved from the closing position to the pouring position for the first time in such a way that the tamper evidence device (9,30) gets lengthened by at least 10%, preferably by at least 15 %, in particular by at least 20 %, compared to the initial length of the tamper evidence device (9,30) prior to first opening of the closure cap (3,23).

4. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the closure cap (3) is a flip cap which is designed to be opened and closed again by swiveling the closure cap (3) about the hinge element (8) or in that the closure cap (23) is a screw cap which is designed to be opened by unscrewing from the spout body (22) and by swiveling about the hinge element (27) thereafter.

5. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the spout body (2,22) comprises a pouring tube (5,24) extending from the attachment portion (4,25) and surrounding a longitudinal axis (L) and in that the pouring tube (5,24) comprises the pouring opening (6,26).

6. Pouring element according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the hinge element (8,27) connects the closure cap (3,23) to an anchor ring (14,29) securely retained against displacement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) on the pouring tube (5,24) or the attachment portion (4,25).

7. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the tamper evidence device (9,30) is connected with one end (11,31) to the closure cap (3,23) and with the other end (13,32) to either the anchor ring(14.29), the pouring tube (5,24) or the attachment portion (4,25).

8. Pouring element according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the end (11,31) of the tamper evidence device (9,30) connected to the closure cap (3,23) is arranged closer to the hinge element (8,27) in a circumferential direction than the end (13,32) of the tamper evidence device (9,30) connected to either the anchor ring (14,29), the pouring tube (5,24) or the attachment portion (4,25).

9. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 or 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the tamper evidence device (9,30) extends at least essentially in a circumferential direction, preferably, at least essentially parallel to the anchor ring (14,29).

10. Pouring element according to any one of claims 6 to 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the tamper evidence device (9,30) is connected at opposite ends (11,13,31,32) in the longitudinal direction of the tamper evidence device (9,30) and on opposite sides (16,17,34,35) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tamper evidence device (9,30) on the closure cap (3,23) and the anchor ring(14.29) respectively.

11. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t ,the tamper evidence device (9,30) comprises a preferential deformation section which is thinner than the rest of the tamper evidence device (9,30).

12. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , at least one audibly breakable bridge is provided connecting the closure cap (3,23) to the either the anchor ring (14,29), the pouring tube (5,24) or the attachment portion (4,25) opposite the hinge element (8,27).

13. Pouring element according to any one of claims 1 to 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the tamper evidence device comprises two legs connected by a connection section and in that the tamper evidence device (9,30) is designed to be plastically deformed at least in the connection section due to a relative displacement of the legs.

14. Pouring element according to claim 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , one of the legs is at least 20% longer than the other leg.

15. Pouring element according to claim 14 or 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t , the connection section of the legs of the tamper evidence device is circumferentially facing away from the hinge element.

Images