Closure for a container and container with a closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure for integration into a container. The closure has a foldable tube and a foldable tube base. The foldable tube and the foldable tube base are produced as an integral component and are designed in such a way that the foldable tube projects from the foldable tube base in a natural position and can be held by the foldable tube base in a folded position with a blocked tube channel. The invention further relates to a container for fluids, which has a foldable tube closure.

Description

[0001] Closure for a container and container with closure

[0002] The present invention relates to a closure for a container and a container with such an integrated closure.

[0003] A fundamental goal for packaging manufacturers is profitability. However, an environmentally friendly market position is also becoming increasingly important. Current environmental requirements for packaging production consider, for example: CG2 reduction, material usage reduction, weight reduction, high recyclability, and the use of mono-materials. Furthermore, separate or separable small parts and components should be avoided wherever possible, as improper disposal can pollute the environment and, over time, break down into microplastics.

[0004] Beverage cartons, also known as composite cartons or simply composite cartons, are single-use packaging made of composite materials, primarily for beverages and liquid food products. Beverage cartons consist of plastic-laminated cardboard, which is coated on the inside depending on the intended use. This coating may consist of materials such as polyethylene, aluminum, and / or EVOH. The cardboard provides the composite material with shape and stability. The inner coating and, if present, the aluminum interlayer protect the contents. The outer coating protects the carton from external moisture penetration and enhances the barrier properties of the composite. Of course, other liquids besides beverages can also be packaged in a composite carton.

[0005] Another very economical and environmentally friendly container type is the foil pouch. These are also known as "pouches." Using foil pouches can save up to 90% of the materials compared to rigid containers. There are various types of foil pouches, such as gusseted bags, flat pouches, side-gusseted bags, and sachets. They can also be equipped with features such as a tear-off edge or a resealable spout, for example, with a threaded or flip-top closure.

[0006] So-called to-go drinks, meaning those with a volume of up to 350ml or 500ml, have a significantly higher product-to-packaging ratio than larger containers. The product-to-packaging ratio refers to the proportion of packaging material relative to the product weight. Depending on the product, the production costs of the packaging can therefore significantly, and sometimes even several times, exceed the production costs of the product itself.

[0007] Hard containers such as glass bottles, aluminum cans, and rigid plastic bottles are rather inefficient and comparatively expensive as small beverage containers up to about 400ml. Therefore, they are being used less and less for to-go drinks. Thin-walled plastic bottles, for example, are used as an alternative.

[0008] However, the most common packaging types for to-go drinks are the foil pouches or beverage cartons already mentioned.

[0009] Small foil pouches and cardboard containers can be equipped with an integrated spout and a screw cap, or with an included drinking straw. The spouts typically consist of two injection-molded plastic parts: a welded spout with a nozzle and a cap. The cap is often now permanently attached to the nozzle by a tab, known as a "tethered cap." These welded spouts and caps together usually weigh between 2.5g and 4g and are more expensive to manufacture and assemble than separate drinking straws, which require significantly less material and are easier to produce. For this reason, most containers for to-go drinks are still produced with separate, included drinking straws.

[0010] Despite their widespread use, loose drinking straws offer a rather negative user experience. Due to regulations in numerous countries, separate plastic parts are prohibited, meaning that drinking straws may only be made of paper and similar materials. Consumers are misled, as many paper straws contain a plastic layer, making this solution far less sustainable than it is led to believe. Furthermore, consumers frequently complain about the difficulty of piercing the opening of the drinking glass with the insufficiently rigid paper straw, which can bend and become unusable when pierced. Additionally, the paper straw must be held with the fingers while piercing, which is perceived as unhygienic.After a short time in the liquid product, the paper straw, being hygroscopic due to its material, softens, begins to dissolve, and even affects the taste of the product. Additionally, containers with a separate straw are not resealable, which further reduces user convenience.

[0011] A plastic drinking straw permanently integrated into the beverage container could solve all of these problems. Since the early 1990s, various approaches to integrating drinking straws into beverage containers have been known to improve hygiene and ease of use.

[0012] Several technical solutions exist in which a drinking straw or drinking tube is integrated into a beverage container in such a way that one section of the drinking tube lies within the container volume and another section of the drinking straw is fixed outside the container in order to suck the contents out of the container.

[0013] To close or seal the drinking straw, it is suggested, for example, to close the outer section of the drinking straw with a cap, a tear-off foil section or a flap.

[0014] However, the proposed solutions are not economical. They often involve two or even more components that need to be manufactured separately, require a relatively large amount of material, and are complex to assemble.

[0015] To this day, disposable containers with an integrated, non-separable drinking tube have therefore not been able to establish themselves on the market.

[0016] One of the problems to be solved by the invention is therefore to provide a closure, improved in particular in the points mentioned, for integration into a container for liquid and flowable products, which has low complexity, simple and efficient manufacturability with low material usage, robust functionality and good recyclability.

[0017] To solve the aforementioned problems, a closure with the features of claim 1 and a container with the features of claim 12 are proposed. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically sensible manner and may reveal further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures. Furthermore, the features described in connection with the closure according to the invention may be advantageous embodiments of the container according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0018] It should also be noted that the conjunction “and / or” used herein, which stands between two characteristics and links them together, is always to be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment only the first characteristic may be present, in a second embodiment only the second characteristic may be present, and in a third embodiment both the first and the second characteristic may be present.

[0019] As mentioned, the present disclosure relates to a closure for integration into a container such as a foil bag or a composite carton.

[0020] The closure comprises a bending tube and a bending tube base. A pipe channel extends coaxially through the bending tube and penetrates the bending tube base. The bending tube and the bending tube base are formed as a single, integral component.

[0021] The closure is designed such that the bent pipe, in its natural position with a continuous pipe channel, protrudes at an angle B from the base of the bent pipe. Liquid can therefore flow through the pipe channel in the natural position of the bent pipe.

[0022] Simultaneously, the closure is designed so that the bending pipe can be held in a bent, folded position by the base of the bending pipe. The bent bending pipe fluidically blocks the pipe channel at the bend point.

[0023] The proposed closure is, in principle, resealable. A suitable material must be selected for the closure that is sufficiently elastic to prevent mechanical failure of the bending tube at the bend point for at least a predetermined number of cycles from the natural position to the bent position and back. For closures on single-use containers, the predetermined number of cycles can be significantly lower than for closures on reusable containers. For single-use containers, 30 to 50 cycles may be more than sufficient, whereas for reusable containers, the cycle should be essentially wear-free, meaning the deformation of the bending tube must be purely elastic.

[0024] The described closure, when closed (i.e., folded shut) or in the bent position of the bending tube, ensures safe, gas-tight storage of liquid or flowable products in the container.

[0025] In the open position, i.e., when the bendy tube is in its natural position extending from the base, the closure allows for controlled dispensing of liquid or flowable products and also provides a comfortable drinking experience. The method of flow control, or blocking of the tube channel by changing the position of the bendy tube, enables an extremely simple and material-efficient, yet reliable, closure design.

[0026] A closure like the one described above can be manufactured particularly easily and efficiently in just a few steps, for example using injection molding. Material requirements are very low. This reduces not only the price but also energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and plastic waste compared to other packaging solutions with more complex dosing systems.

[0027] The proposed resealable closure enables the economical packaging of bulk liquids and fluids, thus expanding the application possibilities of thin-walled containers, especially film pouches. A container with such a closure can replace conventional bottles and cans in various fluid product industries, offering a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. The proposed closure also offers significant advantages from a hygienic perspective.

[0028] Further advantageous embodiments of closures according to the invention result from the features specified in the dependent claims and those described below.

[0029] According to one advantageous aspect, the angle B, defined by the deflection of the bending tube in the bent position relative to its natural position, is between 120° and 160°. This ensures the bending tube is securely closed in the bent state. Furthermore, the closure can be injection-molded particularly well within this angular range without creating undercuts that would otherwise be impossible to demold.

[0030] In some embodiments, the bending tube can have a bending section in which the tube is bent at the bending point in the bent position. The bending section has a reduced wall thickness compared to an adjacent section of the bending tube. Preferably, the bending section can connect on both sides to sections of the bending tube with thicker walls.

[0031] In this way, a well-predicted deformation of the kinked pipe can be ensured. An important aspect, for example, is that the free cross-section at the kink does not fall below a predetermined minimum cross-sectional area due to plastic deformation of the kinked pipe, as this can reduce the fluid flow through the pipe channel.

[0032] In advantageous embodiments, the bend pipe tapers slightly from its base towards a distal pipe opening. In other words, the outer diameter of the bend pipe decreases with increasing distance from its base.

[0033] Additionally, the pipe channel can widen from the distal opening of the kinked pipe towards the base of the kinked pipe. In other words, the inner diameter of the kinked pipe decreases with increasing distance from the base.

[0034] A closure designed in this way is particularly easy to manufacture as an injection-molded part. In addition, the closure is visually and tactilely appealing to the user.

[0035] According to a further advantageous aspect, the base of the bending pipe has a raised end saddle designed such that the pipe opening rests on the saddle all around when the pipe is bent. This provides an additional seal at the pipe opening. In the bent position, the pipe is sealed not only at the bend itself, but also at the pipe opening. This reliably prevents any residual amounts of liquid that might otherwise accumulate at the pipe opening near the bend.

[0036] In addition, the bending tube is clamped in the bent position by the bending tube base in this way.

[0037] In some versions, the base of the flexible pipe features a socket. This socket is designed to hold a distal section of the flexible pipe in the bent position. The socket protects the flexible pipe from contamination and unintentional deformation when bent.

[0038] Optionally, the hose barb receptacle can have opposing clamping areas. The distance between the clamping areas is less than the maximum cross-section of the hose barb lying between the clamping areas in its bent position. The hose barb can thus be clamped and held in the bent position by the clamping areas. Preferably, the hose barb receptacle can also include the muzzle saddle.

[0039] The base of the hinged tube can form an elastic snap-lock area between the hinged tube and the nozzle receptacle. In its unflexed state, this area is essentially concave. The snap-lock area comprises a centrally located ejection base and gripping points on both sides of the ejection base, allowing the user to hold the closure at both gripping points and bend it convexly in the area of ​​the ejection base. Preferably, the hinged tube base with the snap-lock area is designed such that the snap-lock area acts like a snap disc, i.e., it has an unflexed stable state and a deflected metastable state in which the ejection base pushes the hinged tube out of the nozzle receptacle, allowing it to return to its natural position and the tube channel in the hinged tube to become permeable.

[0040] The snap-lock coupling area can be essentially conical segment-shaped on both the bending tube and the nozzle receiving side. Optionally, a cylindrical segment-shaped area encompassing the ejection base can be formed between the conical segment-shaped areas. The external geometry of the snap-lock coupling area can also be described as essentially rhombus-shaped. This geometry has surprisingly proven to be particularly suitable for achieving the function of the snap-lock coupling area.

[0041] In some versions, the hinged tube base can have a circumferential joining profile. This joining profile consists of joining surfaces where the hinged tube base is attached to a container. For example, the hinged tube base can be welded or glued to the container wall at these joining surfaces. If the closure is integrated into a film bag, the film of the bag can preferably be welded to the joining surfaces of the hinged tube base. In composite cartons, the closure can be welded or glued in place, depending on the material of the carton.

[0042] In certain embodiments, a spacer spring can be arranged at the base of the angled tube next to an inlet opening of the tube channel. This is useful, for example, when the closure is to be integrated into a foil bag. The spacer spring prevents the foil from unintentionally closing the inlet opening.

[0043] If the closure is intended to be integrated into a rigid container, the bending pipe base can include a pipe extension to lengthen the pipe channel. The pipe extension can then be dimensioned such that it extends to the corners or the bottom of the container. Preferably, the bending pipe base also has a closable ventilation channel that penetrates the bending pipe base as well as the pipe channel to allow pressure equalization between the container interior and the ambient air. The ventilation channel can, for example, be formed by a second bending pipe at the bending pipe base, the second bending pipe preferably being smaller and shorter than the first bending pipe.

[0044] The present disclosure relates to a container in which a closure as described is integrated. The bendable tube is held in a bent position in the base of the bent tube before the closure is first opened. Preferably, the bent tube in the closure can be covered with a protective film. This prevents the bent tube from becoming contaminated.

[0045] If the closure is integrated into a foil bag, the cover film can be made from a section of the bag film. This variant is particularly resource-efficient, among other advantages.

[0046] The cover film can have a dividing line above the hinged tube. This dividing line can be formed by a perforation or a notch. For example, the cover film can be scored. This significantly simplifies the initial opening of the closure.

[0047] Preferably, the dividing line does not completely penetrate the cover film at any point, thus preserving the hygienic barrier function of the cover film. The dividing line can have Y-shaped ends on one or both sides. This shape makes opening particularly easy.

[0048] The cover film can have corresponding grip markings in the area of ​​the handles. This facilitates intuitive operation of the closure.

[0049] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are not to be understood as limiting the invention and are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. These drawings schematically show:

[0050] Fig. 1 shows a closure for foil bags in its natural position, viewed from the front;

[0051] Fig. 2 shows the closure for foil bags in its natural position, viewed from below;

[0052] Fig. 3 shows the closure for foil bags, in its natural position, in a sectional view;

[0053] Fig. 4 shows a foil bag with the closure in the sealed state, in a sectional view;

[0054] Fig. 5 of the foil bag in its opened state, in a sectional view;

[0055] Fig. 6 shows the foil bag with the closure in the sealed state, viewed from the front;

[0056] Fig. 7 of the foil bag during initial opening, in a front view;

[0057] Fig. 8 of the foil bag during initial opening, in a sectional view;

[0058] Fig. 9 shows a closure in its natural position, viewed from above;

[0059] Fig. 10 shows the closure in its natural position, viewed from below;

[0060] Fig. 11 shows the closure in the bent position; Fig. 12 shows the closure in the bent position, viewed from the front;

[0061] Fig. 13 shows a foil bag with a closure in the bent position;

[0062] Fig. 14 shows the foil bag with a closure during use;

[0063] Fig. 15 shows a closure with a tear-off collar, viewed from above;

[0064] Fig. 16 shows the closure with the tear-off collar in a sectional view;

[0065] Fig. 17 shows a closure with a contact collar, in a top view;

[0066] Fig. 18 shows the closure with the contact collar in a sectional view;

[0067] Fig. 19 shows a closure with a gripping recess, in a top view;

[0068] Fig. 20 shows a closure with a pull tab, in a sectional view;

[0069] Fig. 21 shows a bendable tube with a pull tab, in a sectional view;

[0070] Fig. 22 shows a closure for composite cartons in the closed state, viewed from the front;

[0071] Fig. 23 shows the closure for composite cartons in the open state, in a sectional view;

[0072] Fig. 24 shows the closure for composite cartons in a sectional view;

[0073] Fig. 25 shows a closure for rigid containers in the closed state, viewed from the front;

[0074] Fig. 26 shows the closure for rigid containers in the closed state, in a sectional view;

[0075] Fig. 27 shows a bent pipe in its natural position, in a sectional view;

[0076] Fig. 28 shows the kinked pipe in a slightly kinked position, in a sectional view.

[0077] The invention is described in more detail below in various embodiments by means of a detailed description of the technical features and the figures. To avoid unnecessary repetition, identical or equivalent parts – even across different embodiments – are provided with the same reference numerals and are described only once, unless their function and effect are already clearly evident from the preceding description in conjunction with the illustrations.

[0078] Fig. 1 shows a closure 1 for foil bags in its natural position, viewed from the front.

[0079] The closure 1 is a flexible, one-piece component with a thin-walled construction. Its operating principle is based on a flexible bending tube 2 and a bending tube base 6, 77, which holds the bending tube 2 in a bent position. The closure 1 is attached to or integrated into the container. When the closure 1 is open, i.e., when the bending tube 2 extends from the bending tube base 6, 77 in its natural position, liquid can flow out of the container volume or be drawn out through the free channel 9 in the bending tube 2. The bending tube 2 can then be used as a drinking straw, thus enabling comfortable drinking.

[0080] When the flexible pipe 2 is bent, the inner walls of the flexible pipe in the bend section 4 come into contact with each other at the bend point, thus hermetically blocking the pipe channel 9.

[0081] The pipe channel 9 can have an essentially round or, as shown here, oval or even angular cross-sectional area.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the closure 1 is injection-molded from PE (polyethylene) and weighs approximately 0.4 g to 1.3 g, with an inner bend tube diameter of 2 mm to 6 mm. Alternatively, the closure 1 can be made of PP (polypropylene) or another plastic. Innovative materials, such as plastic made from sugarcane or compostable plastics, may be particularly suitable. The closure 1 is manufactured as a single, integral component.

[0083] The kinked tube base 6 includes a snap-in dome area 77. The snap-in dome area 77 represents a thin-walled flexible dome whose external geometry resembles a rhombic shape with rounded corners.

[0084] At the frontal apex of the rhombic dome base, a kink chamber 19 is formed, in which the kink tube 2 transitions into the kink tube base 6. At the rear apex of the rhombic dome base, opposite the kink chamber, a socket receptacle 72 is formed.

[0085] The lateral (rounded) tips of the rhombic dome base represent wing-like grip points 71. These are held with the fingers when opening the closure 1.

[0086] In the middle of the rhombic dome base is an ejection base 70, which is bent upwards to open the closure 1 and ejects the folding tube 2 when it snaps shut.

[0087] A joining profile 78 surrounds the entire rhombic dome base, thus forming a closed contour. The closure 1 can be welded or glued to a container at the joining profile.

[0088] Fig. 2 shows the closure 1 from below. In front of the inlet opening 11 of the pipe channel 9, a spacer spring 73 is formed, which has the shape of an elongated flexible tongue.

[0089] Fig. 3 shows the closure in a sectional view.

[0090] The central part of the surface of the joining profile 78 projects beyond both ends of the joining profile 78 in the area of ​​the hinge chamber 19 and the nozzle receptacle 72 in the area of ​​the grip points 71. This creates a wedge-shaped lateral geometry of the closure 1 with an angle C.

[0091] This wedge-shaped geometry allows the closure 1 to be positioned closer to the upper seal of the foil pouch during the sealing process (distance d). Such a design is particularly advantageous for usability, as the upper seal of the foil pouch should not touch the user's nose when drinking.

[0092] The flatter the folded closure 1 is (distance e), the closer the closure 1 can be positioned to the upper weld seam of the foil bag.

[0093] The bending tube 2, the frontal wall of the bending chamber 19, and the spacer spring 73 have a comparable inclination. This enables manufacturing without non-demolishable undercuts. The muzzle saddle 22 is a so-called "demolishable undercut." The breechblock 1 remains demoldable despite the small undercut. The angle of inclination relative to the surface normal of the bending tube base 6 is preferably 30° to 70°.

[0094] Fig. 4 shows a foil bag with closure 1 in its sealed state, in a sectional view. Fig. 5 shows the foil bag in its opened state, in a sectional view.

[0095] The bend tube base 6 forms an elastic snap-lock coupling area 77 between the bend tube 2 and the nozzle receptacle 5, 72. In its undisplaced state, this coupling area is essentially concave. The snap-lock coupling area 77 comprises a centrally located ejection base 70 and grip points 71 on both sides of the ejection base, allowing the user to hold the closure 1 at both grip points 71 and bend it convexly in the area of ​​the ejection base 70. The snap-lock coupling area 77 acts like a snap disc, exhibiting an undisplaced stable state and a deflected metastable state. In the latter case, the ejection base 70 pushes the bend tube 2 out of the nozzle receptacle 72, causing it to return to its natural position and opening the pipe channel 9 in the bend tube 2.

[0096] The snap-lock coupling area 77 is essentially cone-segment shaped on the bending tube side and the nozzle receiving side. A cylindrical segment-shaped area is formed between the cone-segment-shaped areas, which encompasses the ejection base 70.

[0097] The flexible spacer spring 73 is bent downwards during the joining process, thereby reducing the height of the closure 1 (i.e., distance e).

[0098] Fig. 6 shows the foil bag with the closure in the sealed state, in a front view.

[0099] The dividing line 74 is formed on an outer side of the frontal film 27, preferably before the film bag forming, for example by means of a laser or a cutting knife.

[0100] The closure 1 is welded to the inner side of the frontal bag film 27. The welded surfaces form a closed contour, with the dividing line 74 extending along the bent bend tube 2. The dividing line 74 can terminate with a Y-cut on both sides. Alternatively, the dividing line 74 can bend sideways at one or both ends in an arc of approximately 45° to 90°.

[0101] Fig. 7 shows the foil bag during initial opening from a front view. Fig. 8 shows the foil bag during initial opening in a cross-sectional view.

[0102] To open the foil bag at the closure 1, the foil bag is held with two hands, with the thumbs placed on the grip points 71 on the front foil 27. The index fingers are placed on the rear foil of the foil bag above the ejection base 70.

[0103] By bending the closure 1 with the fingers, the entire rhombic dome base 77 is bent. This bending widens the distance between the grip points 71 and pulls the cover film 78 taut, causing it to tear at the dividing line. Simultaneously, the upwardly bent ejection base 70 pushes the bending tube 2 out of the spout receptacle 72. Thanks to the upwardly bent dome base 77, the bending tube 2 is unfolded by approximately 150° relative to its folded position, enabling comfortable drinking.

[0104] To close the closure 1 again, the user pushes the bending tube 2 towards the folded position, causing the dome base 77 to return to its original shape and the bending tube 2 to be clamped back into the nozzle receptacle 72.

[0105] Fig. 9 shows a closure in its natural position, viewed from above.

[0106] The closure 1 has a box-shaped recess comprising a nozzle receptacle 5 and a bending chamber 19, which is surrounded by a breakaway collar 18. The breakaway collar 18 has a thin-walled profile with a wall thickness in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm and is at the same level as, or slightly raised above, the upper surface of the bending tube base 6.

[0107] The bending pipe base 6 has a preferred wall thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. A box-shaped, elongated recess is formed in the center of the bending pipe base 6, which includes a nozzle receptacle 5 and a bending chamber 19. The bending chamber 19 is wider than the nozzle receptacle 5 because more space is required in the bending area for the sealing bend 37.

[0108] The recess with the nozzle receptacle 5 and the folding chamber 19 is enclosed by a thin-walled tear-off collar 18. The tear-off collar 18 has a wall thickness in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm and is equipped on one side with a film ramp 14. The upper surface of the film ramp 14 has a slope with a preferred angle of at least 8° to 15°.

[0109] The inner base and walls of the nozzle receptacle 5 replicate the geometry of the nozzle 3. Clamping areas 15 are formed at the top of the walls of the nozzle receptacle 5. The distance between the clamping areas 15 is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm smaller than the diameter of the nozzle 3, so that the clamping areas 15 hold the nozzle 3 in the closed position, but the clamping force can still be easily overcome. A muzzle saddle 22 is formed in the rear inner wall of the nozzle receptacle 5.

[0110] The upper edge of the tear-off collar 18 is positioned at least at the level of the joining profile and preferably up to 0.6 mm above the joining profile of the bending pipe base 6. A cutting channel 12 is thus formed between the tear-off collar 18 and the upper surface of the bending pipe base 6, which surrounds the tear-off collar 18. In one area of ​​the cutting channel 12, the cutting channel 12 is widened, forming a fingernail recess 13.

[0111] When the bending tube 2 is bent, the cross-section of the bending section 4 becomes increasingly oval and can widen by up to 50% along the bending axis. The width of the bending chamber 19 takes this deformation into account.

[0112] Fig. 10 shows the closure in its natural position, viewed from below.

[0113] A guide rib 20 is formed on the lower side of the closure 1 (Fig. 10), positioned on the lower outer side of the nozzle receptacle 5 and the bending chamber 19. The guide rib 20 forms an arc-shaped (U-shaped) border around the inlet opening 11. The two sections of the guide rib 20 then extend parallel along the outer side of the nozzle receptacle 5 and terminate at the rear side of the nozzle receptacle 5. Thus, a channel 21 is formed between the segments of the guide rib 20, which can direct fluid from the rear side of the nozzle receptacle 5 to the inlet opening 11.

[0114] Fig. 11 shows the closure in a bent position.

[0115] The bending tube comprises two segments with different wall thicknesses. The bending section 4 has a thinner wall thickness, preferably approximately 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. The ferrule 3, the segment furthest from the base of the bending tube (distal segment), has a greater wall thickness and is therefore stiffer than the bending section 4. This predetermines the position of the bend. In the illustrated embodiment, the preferred wall thickness of this segment is approximately 0.7 mm to 1.2 mm.

[0116] The open end of the spout 3 has an outlet opening 10 formed by a pipe mouth 16. On the outer side of the spout 3, near the bend section 4, a raised pipe weld rib 8 is formed. The distance between the pipe weld rib 8 and the edge of the outlet opening 10 is preferably between 13 mm and 16 mm. The outer area of ​​the spout 3 is enclosed by the lips when used as a drinking straw. The optimal overall length of the bent tube 2, from the bottom of the bend chamber 19 to the outlet opening 10, is between 30 mm and 45 mm for bent tubes 2 intended for use as drinking straws. Bend tubes intended solely for use as spouts can be correspondingly shorter.

[0117] The articulated tube 2, in its unfolded state in which it is also manufactured, has an angle of inclination A of 30° to 70° in a direction away from the socket receptacle 5. The angle A is defined in relation to the surface normal of the joining profile of the articulated tube base 6.

[0118] An optimal angle of inclination A of the bending pipe 2 in a direction opposite the nozzle receptacle 5 is approximately 35°. This corresponds to a deflection (angle B) of the bending pipe 2 from its natural position to the bent position of approximately 125° to a maximum of 160°, which enables effective sealing of the bending pipe 2. With a smaller angle A, the bend section 4 will not be sufficiently sealed in the area of ​​the sealing bend 37 when folded, which could lead to leakage of liquid. A larger angle of inclination A of the bending pipe 2 of more than 70° would necessitate an enlargement of the bending pipe base 6, which would also increase the material requirement.

[0119] The preferred optimal inclination angle of the bending tube 2 of approximately 35° (angle A) is defined for an outer diameter of the bending section 4 of 4 mm to 5 mm and a wall thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm. This assumes that the foil bag 32 is held vertically during drinking.

[0120] Elements such as the frontal folding chamber wall 26, the frontal and rear sections of the tear-off collar 18 and the rear part of the foil ramp 14 preferably have the same angle of inclination as the folding tube 2.

[0121] To close the closure 1, the bending pipe 2 is tilted towards the nozzle receptacle 5, causing the bending pipe 2 to bend in the area of ​​the pre-planned bend section 4. This creates a fluid-tight interruption or seal of the pipe channel 9 between the inlet opening 11 and the outlet opening 10. The sealing bend 37 also acts as a hinge between the base of the bending pipe and the nozzle 3, enabling controlled folding in and out of the bending pipe 2.

[0122] Since the distance between the sealing bend 37 and the pipe opening 16 is somewhat greater than the distance between the sealing bend 37 and the opening saddle 22, the nozzle 3 is also clamped in the nozzle receptacle 5 in its bent state. The flexibility of the sealing bend 37 constantly presses the pipe opening 16 against the opening saddle 22. The opening saddle 22 prevents product residues remaining in the pipe channel 9 from drying out, dripping, and spoiling.

[0123] Fig. 12 shows the closure in the bent position as seen from the front.

[0124] The pipe welding ribs 8 are directed outwards in the bent state of the bending tube 2 and are positioned along the bending tube axis. The pipe welding ribs 8 can have wedge-shaped or rounded ends. Thanks to their low height of approximately 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm and their wedge-shaped form, the bending tube 2 can be easily pulled out of its plastic injection mold by force. The inner walls and the base of the nozzle receptacle 5 preferentially accommodate the round profile of the nozzle 3 with a small gap of approximately 0.1 mm.

[0125] Fig. 13 shows a foil bag with a closure in the bent position. Fig. 14 shows the foil bag in use.

[0126] Within the container volume 30 of the foil bag 32, a folded closure 1 is attached to a front foil 27 of the foil bag 32. The foil flap 29, formed from a section of the front foil 27 welded to the thin-walled tear-off collar 18 and the pipe welding rib 8, covers the bent bending tube 2. The open end of the foil flap 29, which is positioned in the area of ​​the fingernail recess 13, is slightly raised by the foil ramp 14, thus facilitating gripping with two fingers.

[0127] To open the closure 1, the end of the foil tab 29 is pulled upwards with two fingers. This tears the foil tab 29 away from the tear-off collar 18. The lower segment of the tear-off collar 18 has a wedge shape, with the tip of this wedge shape ending at the foil ramp 14. This shape facilitates easier separation of the foil tab 29 from the tear-off collar 18 when opening the closure 1.

[0128] The foil tab 29 pulls the nozzle 3 out of the nozzle receptacle 5 and the folded section 4 returns to its original, straight shape. This opens the folded section 4 and allows the liquid product 31 to flow out of the foil bag 32 via the inlet opening 11 and the pipe channel 9.

[0129] When drinking through the bent tube 2, a vacuum is created in the container volume 30, and the walls of the foil bag 32 come together. The rear foil 28 comes into contact with the conduit rib 20, which keeps a conduit channel 21 open. Liquid 31 can then flow through the conduit channel 21 to the inlet opening 11.

[0130] The foil ramp 14 is arranged in the area of ​​the fingernail recess 13 on the tear-off collar 18. It has a slope with a preferred angle of at least 8° to 15° and is designed so that the open end of the foil flap 29 can be gripped with two fingers or with two fingernails.

[0131] Fig. 15 shows a fastener with a tear-off collar, viewed from above. Fig. 16 shows the fastener with the tear-off collar in a sectional view.

[0132] The welded connection contour 51, which is formed by welding the bending tube base 6 to the inner wall of the frontal foil 27 in the area of ​​the joining profile, represents a first closed contour. A second closed contour, formed by the welded tear-off collar 18, is created slightly spaced within this contour. The bending chamber 19 and the grommet receptacle 5 are arranged within this second contour.

[0133] A cutting line 24 is arranged between the welding surface of the connecting contour 51 and the welding surface of the tear-off collar 18. The cutting line 24 encircles the nozzle receptacle 5, the film ramp 14, and the folding chamber 19. The cutting line 24 forms an open contour that is interrupted in the upper region of the folding chamber 19. The cutting line 24 terminates on both sides with cutting line ends 54. These are round cutouts that prevent tear propagation in the film. The cutting line 24 forms a film flap 29, i.e., a film cutout, that is partially separated from the frontal film 27. When unopened, the film flap 29, which is welded to the tear-off collar 18, closes a hygienic space 7 in which the folding tube 2 is protected from dirt and contamination before its initial opening.

[0134] Fig. 17 shows a fastener with a contact collar, viewed from above. Fig. 18 shows the fastener with the contact collar in a sectional view.

[0135] The contact collar 17, like the tear-off collar 18, forms a closed contour in which the folding chamber 19 and the nozzle receptacle 5 are located.

[0136] Since the level of the upper edge of the contact collar 17 is higher than the upper surface of the bending tube base 6, when the bending tube base 6 is welded to the frontal film 27, a portion of the frontal film 27 spans the upper edges of the contact collar 17. This creates a hygienic space 55 within the closed contour. To allow the film flap 29 to be removed, a separation line 23 is formed in the frontal film 27 between the connecting contour 51 and the contact collar 17. The film can be perforated or notched in the area of ​​the separation line 23 to facilitate tearing. The film flap 29 has a limited cutting line 24 in the area of ​​the fingernail recess 13, in which the film 27 is cut.

[0137] Fig. 19 shows a closure with a gripping recess in a top view.

[0138] The gripping recess 47 is formed between the nozzle receptacle 5 and the folding chamber 19 on both sides of the folding tube 2. When opened, the foil flap 29 is pulled back to the end of the cutting line 54, and the folding tube 2 can be gripped in the gripping recess 47 and unfolded.

[0139] Fig. 20 shows a closure with a pull tab, in a sectional view. Fig. 21 shows the bendable tube in detail.

[0140] The closure 1 shown has a pull tab 48, which also serves as a folding aid. The pull tab 48 is integrally formed with the bending tube 2. The pull tab 48 is connected to the bending tube 2 near the bending section 4 and extends parallel to the nozzle 3 towards the outlet opening 10. The pull tab 48 and the nozzle 3 are shaped such that the pull tab 48 and the nozzle 3 have a narrower width than the bending section 4.

[0141] Fig. 22 shows a closed closure for composite cartons in a front view. Fig. 23 shows the open closure in a sectional view. Fig. 24 also shows the closure in a sectional view.

[0142] The closure 1 includes a pipe extension 36 that reaches to the bottom of the container.

[0143] Additionally, the closure features a ventilation tube 49, which is smaller and shorter than the angled tube 2, but otherwise has the same construction and functionality. A corresponding ventilation tube receptacle 50 is formed below it, analogous to the nozzle receptacle 5.

[0144] The ventilation pipe 49 does not interfere with drinking from the angled pipe 2.

[0145] The open ventilation tube 49 ensures pressure equalization and prevents liquid 31 from being expelled from the outlet opening 10 if the composite carton 34 is accidentally deformed or squeezed in the hands. Furthermore, without the ventilation tube, a negative pressure would occur when drinking or sucking the liquid 31 from the container volume 30, which would make further drinking difficult.

[0146] When the closure 1 is closed or when the bending tube 2 is folded in, the bending tube 2 presses the underlying ventilation tube 49 into the ventilation tube receptacle 50. This causes the ventilation tube 49 to bend, creating a sealing bend 37 in it. Additionally, the open end of the ventilation tube 49 is sealed by means of an associated muzzle saddle 22.

[0147] For assembly, the closure is inserted into a designated opening in the composite carton 34. The lower surface of the bending tube base 6 can then be welded or glued to the wall of the composite carton 34. The folded bending tube 2 and the ventilation tube 49 are covered together with a film section 39, which is additionally welded to a pipe welding rib 8 of the bending tube 2. Alternatively, the closure shown could also be equipped with a tear-off collar 18.

[0148] Fig. 25 shows a closure for rigid containers in the closed state, viewed from the front. Additionally, Fig. 26 shows the closure in the closed state in a sectional view.

[0149] The illustrated closure 1 is adapted for sealing plastic bottles 35. The plastic bottle 35 has a bottle neck groove 62, which is essentially oval in shape and corresponds to the outer contour of the closure 1. The bottle neck groove 62 has a circumferential joining profile 38.

[0150] For assembly, the closure 1 is inserted from above into the bottle groove 62 of the plastic bottle 35, so that the upper surface of the bending tube base 6 lies on the same plane as the joining profile 38 of the plastic bottle 35.

[0151] The joining profile 38 of the bottle and the upper surface of the bending tube base 6 are welded together using a foil section 39. This creates a hermetically sealed connection between the bottle neck 62 and the closure 1. In addition, the pipe welding rib 8 and the tear-off collar 18 are welded to the foil, and the cutting line 24 is created, resulting in a foil flap 29.

[0152] The illustrated closure 1 differs from the closure 1 shown for composite cartons in that this version does not have guide ribs 20. The plastic bottle 35 with the integrated closure 1 is sufficiently robust to also hold carbonated beverages. Thanks to its angled bend tube 2, the closure 1 can withstand high internal pressures. Since the bottle neck 62 and the joining profile 38 can be made thin-walled, the plastic bottle 35 can be manufactured using a pure blow-molding process without a pre-made injection-molded plastic part, which makes the manufacturing process significantly cheaper and faster.

[0153] Fig. 27 shows a kinked pipe in its natural position as a sectional view. The pipe channel 9 has a smaller internal diameter in the area of ​​the nozzle 3 than in the area of ​​the kinked section 4. This allows a pin forming the pipe channel 9 to be demolded from the mold through the inlet opening 11.

[0154] To better predict the location of the kink, the kink section 4 can be further shortened by means of a lower pipe wall stiffener 53 at the transition to the kink pipe base 6. The wall thickness of the lower pipe wall stiffener 53 can be, for example, 0.9 mm to 1.2 mm. Precise local predetermination of the kink point is necessary to guarantee a consistently reproducible relative position between the kink axis of the sealing kink 37 and the outlet saddle 22, and to ensure optimal sealing of the outlet opening 10.

[0155] In the variant shown, the kinked pipe 2 has different wall thicknesses in three segments.

[0156] The rigid segment furthest from the bending tube base 6 forms the nozzle 3 and may preferably have a wall thickness of 0.7mm to 1.2mm.

[0157] The lower segment of the bending tube 2, located at the bending tube base 6 and transitioning into the bending tube base 6, forms a lower tube wall stiffening 53, which preferably has a wall thickness of 0.7mm to 1.2mm.

[0158] The intermediate middle segment forms a thin-walled bend section 4 and preferably has a wall thickness of 0.4mm to 0.8mm.

[0159] Fig. 28 shows a sectional view of the kinked tube 2 in a slightly kinked position.

[0160] Once the bent tube 2 is initially placed in a bent position, plastic deformation occurs in the area of ​​the bend section 4. In this area, the free cross-section of the tube channel 9 is reduced. This constriction acts as a restrictor when drinking and surprisingly improves the drinking experience. The stiffer tube walls of the spout 3 and the lower tube wall stiffener 53 prevent the bend section 4 from collapsing beyond the desired degree.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Closure for integration into a container, wherein the closure comprises a bending tube and a bending tube base, wherein a pipe channel extends through the bending tube and penetrates the bending tube base, characterized in that the bending tube and the bending tube base are formed in one piece and such that a. the bending tube protrudes from the bending tube base in a natural position with a continuous pipe channel, and b. the bending tube can be held by the bending tube base in a bent position with a blocked pipe channel.

2. Closure according to claim 1, wherein an angle B, defined by a deflection of the bending tube in the bent position relative to the natural position, is between 120° and 160°.

3. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending tube has a bending section in which the bending tube is bent in the bent position, wherein the bending section has a reduced wall thickness compared with an adjacent section of the bending tube.

4. Closure according to claim 3, wherein the bending section connects on both sides to sections of the bending tube with respective greater wall thicknesses.

5. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending tube tapers from the bending tube base towards a tube opening.

6. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pipe channel widens from the pipe mouth towards the bend pipe base.

7. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending tube base has a mouth saddle which is designed such that the tube mouth in the bent position of the bending tube sits on the mouth saddle all around and is thereby sealed and the bending tube is clamped.

8. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending tube base has a grommet receptacle, wherein the grommet receptacle is designed to receive a section of the bending tube in the bent position, optionally wherein the grommet receptacle has opposing clamping areas, the distance between which is less than a maximum cross-section of the bending tube lying between them in the bent position.

9. Closure according to claim 8, wherein the bend tube base between the bend tube and the nozzle receptacle has a snap-lock dome area which is substantially concave in an un-deflected state, wherein the snap-lock dome area comprises a centrally located ejection base and gripping points on both sides of the ejection base, so that the closure can be held by a user at both gripping points and bent convexly in the area of ​​the ejection base, so that the bend tube is released from the nozzle receptacle and the tube channel becomes permeable.

10. Closure according to claim 9, wherein the snap-lock dome area is substantially conical segment-shaped on the bend tube side and the nozzle receiving side, optionally wherein between the In the cone-segment-shaped areas, a cylindrical segment-shaped area is formed which encompasses the ejection base.

11. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending tube base has a circumferential joining profile, optionally wherein a spacer spring is arranged next to an inlet opening of the pipe channel at the bending tube base.

12. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending pipe base comprises a pipe extension for extending the pipe channel, and wherein the bending pipe base has a closable ventilation channel that penetrates the bending pipe base.

13. Container comprising a closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending tube is held in a bent position in the bending tube base prior to the initial opening of the closure and the closure is covered with a cover film.

14. Container according to claim 13, wherein the cover film has a dividing line over the bending tube, optionally wherein the dividing line does not completely penetrate the cover film, optionally wherein the dividing line has Y-ends on one or both sides.

15. Container according to one of claims 13 or 14, insofar as dependent on claim 9, wherein the cover film has corresponding grip point markings in an area of ​​the grip points.

Images