_A n opening arrangement for a packaging container .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an opening arrangement for a packaging container, the opening arrangement comprising a pouring spout and a screw cap which interlocks with the pouring spout.

BACKGROUND ART

Many packaging containers of the single-use disposable type, intended for liquid contents such as dairy products or juices, are today provided with an opening arrangement of the type which consists of a pouring spout and a screw cap. This type of opening arrangement is popular among consumers, since it makes for the reclosure of the package in a simple and reliable manner.

The packaging container is preferably of the type which displays a parallelepipedic configuration, with a square or rectangular bottom surface. This type of package is manufactured from a packaging laminate with a core of paper or paperboard to which are laminated different layers, consisting of plastic and/or aluminium foil (Alifoil). The package may be manufactured from a running material web which is formed, filled and cut into individual packages which are thereafter finally formed. Alternatively, the package may be manufactured from a laminate sheet. The packaging laminate is provided with so-called crease lines, i.e. prepared fold lines which are used when the package is finally folded.

A feature common to parallelepipedic packaging containers is that there is obtained a transverse joint on the upper side of the package which runs approximately centrally across the top side of the package. This transverse joint constitutes a limitation for how large the opening arrangement with pouring spout and screw cap may be made.

Many consumers perceive the opening arrangements which are available on parallelepipedic packaging containers and consisting of a pouring spout and a screw cap as being difficult to pour from, since the pouring spout is narrow and does not permit air to enter into the package when its contents are being poured. Consumer

surveys have shown that consumers prefer larger opening arrangements in comparative studies.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE - OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to realise an opening arrangement which, on the one hand, is larger and which, above all, may be perceived as considerably larger without the reclosure function of the screw cap being jeopardised.

A further object of the present invention is to realise an opening arrangement which, as a result of its design and positioning, enjoys considerably improved pouring properties.

SOLUTION

These and other objects have been attained in that the opening arrangement of the type described by way of introduction has been given the characterising feature that the cross section of the pouring spout consists of two parallel chords and circle arcs contiguous therewith, and that the threads of the pouring spout are placed on those parts of the pouring spout which consist of the circle arcs.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have further been given the characterising features as set forth in the appended subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

One preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 shows the upper region of a packaging container with an opening arrangement according to the present invention, where the opening arrangement is unopened or has been reclosed;

Fig. 2 shows the upper region of a packaging container with an opening arrangement according to the present invention, where the opening arrangement is opened;

Fig. 3 is a cross section through the opening arrangement according to the invention; and

Fig. 4 shows one embodiment of the pouring spout according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An opening arrangement of the type to which the present invention relates is substantially intended for parallelepipedic packaging containers 1. The parallelepipedic packaging container 1 whose upper region is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 may have a square or rectangular bottom surface. The parallelepipedic packaging containers 1 are manufactured from a laminated packaging material with a core of paper or paperboard. To the core layer are laminated different layers of thermoplastics and possibly aluminium foil. The packaging material may consist of a running material web or alternatively consist of sheets. The packaging material is provided with so-called crease lines which constitute prepared folding lines according to which the packaging container 1 is finally formed.

The packaging material web is formed and filled with the intended contents, whereafter the material web is severed so that individual packaging cartons or blanks are formed. The packaging blanks are finally formed into packaging containers 1. A feature common to the parallelepipedic packaging containers 1 is that, on the upper side 2, they have a transverse joint fin 3 which divides the upper side 2 into two approximately equal parts 4, 5. In that the transverse joint fin 3 is folded to the side in the final forming, the parts 4, 5 will in practice be of different sizes.

In order to be able to place as large an opening arrangement as possible on the upper side 2 of the packaging container 1, it is naturally the larger panel or part 4 of the upper side 2 where the opening arrangement is placed. It is thus that surface which constitutes the part 4 of the upper side 2 on the packaging container 1 which limits the size of the opening arrangement.

Hitherto, opening arrangements consisting of a pouring spout 6 and a screw cap 7 have been designed so that both parts display a circular cross section and the pouring spout 6 then has a diameter which is limited by the available surface.

The pouring spout 6 according to the present invention has a cross section which is shown in Fig. 3. The cross section consists of two parallel chords 8 and the circle arcs 9 which interconnect the two chords 7. Thus, the pouring spout 6 will have two parallel, straight side pieces 10 and two rounded side pieces 11. Threads 12 are provided on the rounded side pieces of the pouring spout 6 and interlock in the threads of the screw cap 7. Thus, the threads 12 are designed as if they were to have an imaginary circular cross section, but there are no threads 12 on the interjacent straight side pieces 10.

The pouring spout 6 according to the present invention is positioned on the upper side 2 of the packaging container 1 as shown in Fig. 2. The one rounded side piece 11' is disposed close to the one defining line 13 of the upper side 2 and the straight side pieces 10 are disposed so that they are parallel with the transverse joint fin 3 and the defining lines 14 on the upper side 2 which make a right angle with the previously mentioned defining line 13. As a result of the design of the pouring spout 6 according to the present invention, there will be obtained a pouring spout 6 which has a considerably larger cross section than prior art, circular pouring spouts 6 and it will thereby have a larger pouring opening 15. As a result of the positioning of the pouring spout 6 on the upper side 2 of the packaging container 1, there will be obtained considerably improved pouring properties, in that air may more easily enter into the packaging container 1 when the contents are poured out.

The pouring spout 6 is protected on the unopened packaging container 1 by a screw cap as shown in Fig. 1. The screw cap 7 also entails that the opening arrangement is reclosable. By the screw cap 7 having a circular cross section, the opening arrangement appears to be much larger, which has proved to have considerable importance in consumer tests which have been conducted.

Fig. 4 shows one embodiment of the pouring spout 6. In this embodiment, the pouring spout 6 is injection moulded and has a membrane 16 which covers the pouring opening 15. The membrane is torn off in that the consumer grasps a pull tab 17. In this case, the pouring spout 6 is injection moulded together with the membrane 16, the pull tab 17 and a fixing edge 18. The fixing edge 18 is intended to fix against the packaging container 1 over an opening prepared in the packaging material.

The opening arrangement according to the present invention is suitable for use together with all types of pouring spouts 6. These may be injection moulded or alternatively thermoformed and may be pre-applied or alternatively applied on the finished packaging container 1. The pouring spout 6 may also be provided with different types of membranes 16 or alternatively the pouring opening 15 is protected by other means.

The unopened packaging container 1 is shown in Fig. 1. The packaging container 1 is opened in that the screw cap 7 is removed. Thereafter, a membrane 16 (if any) is removed so that the pouring opening 15 is exposed. For the type of pouring spout 6 shown in Fig. 4, the pull tab 17 is drawn upwards and backwards.

When the pouring opening 15 is exposed, as shown in Fig. 2, the contents of the package are available. As a result of the design and positioning of the pouring spout 6 on the upper side 2 of the packaging container 1, extremely good pouring properties will be obtained. The opening arrangement is reclosed in that the screw cap 7 is once again threaded in position over the pouring spout 6, which gives a simple and reliable reclosure of the packaging container 1, (see Fig. 1).

As will have been apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention realises an opening arrangement which makes it possible to apply a larger pouring spout on a parallelepipedic packaging container, and that the opening arrangement, as a result of its design and positioning on the packaging container, enjoys improved pouring properties.