MUTUAL COUPLING OF THE SPOUTS"

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thinwalled flexible packages provided with a spout, usually referred to as a "spouted bag." In particular, a spout for said flexible packages forms the subject of the present invention. Also forming the subject of the present invention is a transportable self-supporting assembly, a method for coupling and a method for disengaging spouts.

[0002] In particular, the aforesaid packages are widely used for containing fruit juices and purees, yogurts, energy drinks, and other beverages or foods.

[0003] It is well known how, for technological reasons, the containers, especially for food use, are produced by a first company, packaged, and then transported to a second company, such as the company producing the thick fluid, where they are filled and sealed.

[0004] In the state of the art, the containers produced are placed on tracks, i.e., rigid profiles, to be transported from the first to the second company in such a way that they may be neatly placed in transport boxes, and then, at the second company, they may be loaded into the filling machines. These tracks, once the containers are loaded into the filling machine , constitute either waste to be disposed of or must be shipped back to the manufacturing company, which, after properly saniti zing them, may reuse them .

[0005] Consequently, transporting these tracks involves an additional cost and a requisite logistical organi zation .

[0006] Moreover, the logistical costs of the containers greatly af fect the overall supply cost of the product .

[0007] Therefore , the need is felt to devise a spout solution in which the aforesaid issues are resolved . In other words , there is a strong need to minimi ze and eliminate the use of the known tracks .

[0008] The obj ect of the present invention is to devi se a spout , a transportable sel f-supporting assembly, a coupling method, and a disengagement method in which the aforesaid problems typical of the prior art are addressed and resolved . Speci fically, it is the obj ect of the present invention to provide a spout that may be arranged, transported, and loaded into the machine without creating material waste which must then be disposed of or organi zed and transported with the consequent costs incurred .

[0009] This obj ect is achieved by a spout according to claim 1 . This obj ect is , moreover, achieved by means of a transportable sel f-supporting assembly according to claim 17. Finally the object is achieved by a coupling method according to claim 21 and a disengagement method according to claims 22 and 24.

[0010] The features and the advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

- Fig. la and lb are two perspective views of the spout that is the subject of the present invention in a first embodiment;

- Fig. 1c is a side view of the spout in Fig. la and lb;

- Fig. 2a is a perspective view of a transportable self-supporting assembly that is the subject of the present invention in a first embodiment;

- Fig. 2b is a side view of the transportable self- supporting assembly in Fig. 2a;

- Fig. 3 is a cross-section of Fig. 2b according to the sectional plane A-A in Fig. 2b;

- Fig. 4a and 4b are two perspective views of the spout that is the subject of the present invention in a different configuration;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of Fig. 4a along the sectional plane B-B in Fig. 4a;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the spout in a second embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a transportable self-supporting assembly that is the subject of the present invention in a second embodiment;

Fig. 8a and 8b are two cross-sections of the transportable self-supporting assembly in Fig. 7;

- Fig. 9a and 9b are perspective views of the spout in a third embodiment;

- Fig. 9c is a side view of the spout in Fig. 9a;

- Fig. 10 is a cross-section of the spout in Fig . 9c;

- Fig. Ila is a perspective view of a transportable self-supporting assembly that is the subject of the present invention in a third embodiment;

- Fig. 11b is a side view of the transportable self- supporting assembly in Fig. Ila;

- Fig. 12 is a cross-section of Fig. 11b according to the sectional plane C-C in Fig. 11b.

[0011] According to the attached figures, a spout suitable for application to a bag of a thin-walled flexible package is indicated collectively with 1.

[0012] Specifically, the bag comprises at least one front wall and one rear wall, made of a thin film, joined together along peripheral edges by a weld. At the top, between the top edge of the front wall and the top edge of the rear wall, the spout 1 is applied for the outflow of the product contained in the package . The spout 1 is then closed with a lid .

[0013] According to the invention, the spout 1 comprises an inner duct 2 extending along a spout axis X-X, between an inner opening 21 , intended to remain inside the bag, and an opposite spout mouth 22 for the outflow of the product to be consumed .

[0014] Moreover, the spout 1 comprises a connecting portion 3 , generally referred to as a "welding boat , " provided with said inner opening 21 and sealingly applicable between the thin walls of the bag . Preferably, the connecting portion 3 is intended to be applied between the upper edges of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag .

[0015] The connecting portion 3 comprises a front element 30 and a rear element 31 coupled to the respective side ends 30 ' , 31 ' on an imaginary transverse plane containing the spout axis X-X .

[0016] The spout 1 also comprises a tube 4 , coaxial to the spout axis X-X, which extends from the connecting portion 3 to the spout mouth 21 .

[0017] Moreover, according to the invention, the spout 1 comprises a connection seat 5 and a connection element 6 . [0018] According to one embodiment , the tube 4 comprises an outer lateral surface 4 ' . Further, the tube 4 comprises externally, i.e., on the outer lateral surface 4' , a thread 40 for the engagement of the spout 1 with the lid. [0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the spout 1 is made in a single piece of plastic material, for example by means of injection molding.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the invention, the spout 1, in an engagement configuration in which the connection element 6 of said spout 1 is housed in a connection seat

5 of a further spout 1' , is held in a position proximal to the further spout 1' .

[0021] Specifically, the further spout 1' comprises the same features as the spout 1.

[0022] According to a first embodiment, the engagement between the connection seat 5 and the connection element

6 is a press-fit engagement.

[0023] According to a second embodiment, the engagement between the connection seat 5 and the connection element 6 is a snap-fit engagement.

[0024] According to a third embodiment, the engagement between the connection seat 5 and the connection element 6 is a shape-coupling engagement.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the connection seat 5 and the connection element 6 are diametrically opposite.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the connection seat 5 has a shape complementary to the connection element 6. [0027] According to the invention, the spout 1 comprises a lower plate 10 that delimits the connection portion 3 at the top. Preferably, the spout 1 comprises a lower flange 12 axially spaced from the lower plate 10.

[0028] Furthermore, the spout 1 comprises an upper flange 14, axially spaced from the lower flange 12.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the lower plate 10, the lower flange 12 and the upper flange 14 extend substantially transversely with respect to the tube 4, and in particular extend from the outer lateral surface 4' . Preferably, they are orthogonal to the spout axis X- X.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the lower plate 10 comprises an upper surface plate 10a and a lower surface plate 10b. Further, it has two straight plate edges 10' , opposed and joined by two leading plate edges 10", for example, arched.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the lower flange 12 comprises an upper flange surface 12a and a lower flange surface 12b. Further, it has two opposite straight flange edges 12' , which are joined by two leading flange edges 12", for example, arched.

[0032] Preferably, the straight plate edges 10' and straight flange edges 12' extend along a direction parallel to the transverse plane. [0033] According to a preferred embodiment , the connection seat 5 is between the lower plate 10 and the lower flange 12 .

[0034] According to one embodiment , the connection seat 5 and the connection element 6 extend along a coupling axis Y-Y intersecting the transverse plane , preferably it is orthogonal to the transverse plane .

[0035] According to one embodiment , in the engagement configuration, the coupling axis Y-Y of a spout 1 is aligned with the coupling axis Y-Y of the further spout 1 ' . In other words , the spouts 1 , 1 ' are engaged with each other and are arranged so that the coupling axes Y-Y of each spout 1 , 1 ' are aligned .

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment , the connection element 6 extends from the tube 4 , preferably, from the outer lateral surface 4 ' . In other words , the connection element 6 protrudes externally from said tube 4 .

[0037] According to one embodiment , the connection element 6 protrudes with respect to the lower plate 10 and the lower flange 12 , in particular it protrudes from the straight edges 10 ' , 12 ' .

[0038] According to the invention, the connection element 6 protrudes with respect the lower plate 10 along a direction that intersects the transverse plane . Preferably, the connection element 6 is positioned along a direction orthogonal to the transverse plane .

[0039] According to one embodiment , the spout 1 comprises a support structure 16 between the lower plate 10 and the lower flange 12 . Preferably, the connection element 6 is connected to and extends from said support structure 16 . Preferably, moreover, the support structure 16 is also connected to the tube 4 .

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment , the connection element 6 comprises at least one stick 60 extending along said coupling axis Y-Y .

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment , the connection element 6 comprises a pair of sticks 60 , substantially parallel to each other .

[0042] According to one embodiment , the at least one stick 60 has a longitudinal dimension L along the coupling axis Y-Y and a transverse dimension T along the spout axis X- X .

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment , the longitudinal dimension L is greater than the transverse dimension T , or vice versa ; or the longitudinal dimension L is approximately equal to the transverse dimension T .

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment , the longitudinal dimension L is less than the dimension of the lower plate 10 along the coupling axis Y-Y .

[0045] According to one embodiment , the transverse dimension T is equal to the axial distance between the lower plate 10 and the lower flange 12 , Preferably, between the upper surface plate 10a and the lower surface flange 12b .

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment , the at least one stick 60 comprises a weakened breakable portion 61 suitable for breaking so at to divide the stick 60 from the spout 1 .

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment , said weakened breakable portion 61 is proximal to said straight edges 10 ' , 12 ' .

[0048] According to one embodiment , said weakened breakable portion 61 is proximal to the support structure 16 .

[0049] According to one embodiment , the connection seat 5 comprises at least one channel 50 suitable to house said at least one stick 60 . This channel 50 preferably extends along the coupling axis Y-Y .

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment , the connection seat 5 comprises two channels 50 , preferably parallel to each other .

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment , the at least one channel 50 is between the lower plate 10 and the lower flange 12 .

[0052] According to one embodiment , the at least one channel 50 is delimited by the support structure 16 . [0053] According to a first embodiment, the at least one channel 50 is substantially tangent to the outer wall 4' of the tube 4.

[0054] According to a second embodiment, the at least one channel 50 instead creates a narrowing 20 in the inner duct 2.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the at least one channel 50 comprises an inlet channel 51 for the inlet of the at least one stick 60.

[0056] According to one embodiment (shown, for example, in Fig. 3) , the at least one stick 60 comprises a stick body 60' and a stick head 60", preferably distal from the tube 4. Further, the at least one channel 50 comprises an abutment element 50' , preferably opposite the inlet channel 51. Said abutment element 50' is suitable to be engaged by said stick head 60". Preferably, the stick head 60" projects transversely from the stick body 60' in such a way as to snap-fit with said abutment element 50' . [0057] According to a preferred embodiment (shown, for example, in Fig. 6) , the at least one stick 60 comprises an upper protrusion 61 and a lower protrusion 62, preferably arranged on an upper and a lower side of the stick 60, respectively. Preferably, said protrusions 61, 62 extend along the spout axis X-X. Preferably, said protrusions have an arcuate shape. [0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one channel 50 is counter-shaped so as to accommodate, in the engagement configuration, said protrusions 61, 62 by means of shape-coupling.

[0059] According to a first embodiment, following the rupture of the weakened breakable portion 61, the at least one stick 60 of the spout 1 lodges in the at least one channel 50 of the further spout 1' , i.e., the spout to which it was engaged in the engagement configuration.

[0060] According to a second embodiment, said at least one stick 60 is extracted from the at least one channel 50 of the further spout 1' , to which it was engaged, and is subsequently separated from said spout 1 by breaking the weakened breakable portion 61. In such a case, the at least one stick 60 must be properly disposed of; however, it constitutes limited waste material.

[0061] According to one embodiment (shown, for example, in Fig. 9a and 9b) , the connection element 6 comprises instead a pin 65 extending along the coupling axis Y-Y. Preferably, this pin 65 is a parallelepiped, preferably a rectangle .

[0062] According to one embodiment, the connection seat 5 comprises a pin housing 55 suitable to accommodate said pin 61. Preferably, this pin housing 55 has a box shape. [0063] According to one embodiment, the spout 1 comprises a plurality of pins 65 and a plurality of pin housings 55. [0064] According to one embodiment, the pin 65 comprises a pin body 65' and a crown 65" enlarged with respect to the pin body 65' in such a way that the pin 65 engages the pin housing 55 with an interlocking engagement.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the pin 65 is extracted from the pin housing 55 to separate the spout 1 from the further spout 1' , engaged with each other. Specifically, this pin 65 will remain fixed to the spout 1.

[0066] As mentioned, a transportable self-supporting assembly 100 comprising a plurality of spouts 1, 1' is also a subject of the present invention. These spouts 1, 1' are arranged side by side so that the coupling axes Y- Y of each spout 1, 1' are aligned and are configured in the engagement configuration.

[0067] In other words, the connection seat 5 of a spout 1 is engaged with the connection element 6 of an adjacent spout 1, and the connection element 6 of said spout 1 is engaged to the connection seat 5 of the further adjacent spout 1.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the straight edges 10' , 12' of two adjacent spouts 1 are arranged side by side, preferably in contact.

[0069] Moreover, the transportable self-supporting assembly 100 comprises a head spout la and a tail spout lb arranged at the ends of the transportable sel f-supporting ass e mb 1 y 100 .

[0070] In one embodiment , the connection seat 5 of the head spout la is empty and the connection element 6 of the tail spout lb is free .

[0071] According to one embodiment , the connection element 6 of the head spout la is free and the connection seat 5 of the tail spout lb is empty .

[0072] According to one embodiment , the transportable sel f- supporting assembly 100 comprises a head terminal 110 suitable for engaging the head spout la and a tail terminal 120 suitable for engaging the tail spout lb . This head terminal 110 and this tai l terminal 120 facilitate the loading of the transportable sel f- supporting assembly 100 into the fill ing machine .

[0073] According to a first embodiment , the head terminal 110 comprises a terminal connection element 116 , which is suitable to be housed in the connection seat 5 of the head spout la .

[0074] According to a second embodiment , the head terminal 110 comprises a terminal connection seat 115 . This terminal connection seat 115 is suitable to house the connection element 6 of the head spout la .

[0075] According to a first embodiment , the tail terminal 120 comprises a terminal connection seat 125 . This terminal connection seat 125 is suitable to accommodate the connection element 6 of the tail spout lb .

[0076] According to a second embodiment , the tail terminal 120 comprises a terminal connection element 126 , suitable to be housed in the connection seat 5 of the tail spout lb .

[0077] According to one embodiment , the terminal connection seat 115 , 125 has the same structure as the connection seat 5 of the spout 1 so that it may engage the connection element 6 .

[0078] According to one embodiment , the terminal connection element 116 , 126 has the same structure as the connection element 6 of the spout 1 so that it may engage the connection seat 5 .

[0079] Preferably, the head terminal 110 and the tail terminal 120 have the same structure so that they may be used as needed .

[0080] Finally, as mentioned, a method for coupling and a method for disengaging spouts 1 are also subj ect of the present invention .

[0081] According to a preferred embodiment , the method for coupling spouts 1 , 1 ' comprises the steps of : a ) providing a plurality of spouts 1 , 1 ' ; b ) housing the connection element 5 of a spout 1 in the connection seat 6 of a further adj acent spout 1 ' ; c) repeating step b) for each spout 1, 1' , so as to obtain the transportable self-supporting assembly 100.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises, subsequent to step c) , the step of: d) placing the head terminal 110 and the tail terminal 120 at the ends of the transportable self- supporting assembly 100, respectively.

[0082] According to a first embodiment, the method for disengaging spouts 1 comprises the steps of: a) providing a transportable self-supporting assembly 100; b) extracting the connection element 6 of a spout 1 from the connection seat 5 of the further adjacent spout 1' so as to divide it from the rest of the transportable self-supporting assembly 100; c) repeating step b) for each spout 1, 1' .

According to one embodiment, the method of disengaging spouts 1 comprises, subsequent to step c) , an additional step of: d) breaking the weakened breakable portion 61 so as to remove the sticks 60.

[0083] According to a second embodiment, the method of disengaging spouts 1 comprises the steps of: a) providing a transportable self-supporting assembly

100; b ) breaking the weakened breakable portion 61 of a spout 1 so as to divide it from the rest of the transportable sel f-supporting assembly 100 ; c ) repeating step b ) for each spout 1 .

[0084] According to one embodiment , the disengagement method also comprises an additional step aO ) preceding step a ) , which consists of disengaging the head terminal 110 and the tail terminal 120 from the head spout la and the tail spout lb, respectively .

[0085] Innovatively, the spout forming the subj ect of the present invention fully achieves the proposed obj ect whilst overcoming the drawbacks discussed above in reference to the prior art . Moreover, the transportable sel f-supporting assembly, the coupling method and the disengagement method which are the subj ect of the present invention also fully ful fill the intended obj ect .

[0086] Advantageously, the spout covered by the present invention is connectable to at least one further spout without using any third elements , such as the tracks used in the known solutions .

[0087] Advantageously, with respect to the solutions of the prior art , since tracks are no longer used, the costs of logistics and transportation of the tracks themselves are completely eliminated .

[0088] Advantageously, the spout thus makes it possible to decrease the consumption of materials , consequently reducing the environmental impact and the overall costs .

[0089] Advantageously, the connection seat and the connection element , being positioned between the lower plate and the lower flange , do not hinder the user in any way when using the package .

[0090] Advantageously, the transportable sel f-supporting assembly allows the spouts to be neatly transported and easily loaded into the filling machine .

[0091] Advantageously, the transportable sel f-supporting assembly may also comprise a large number of spouts , such as 30-50 spouts .

[0092] It is clear that a person skilled in the art , in order to meet contingent needs , could make variations to the spout , to the transportable sel f-supporting assembly, to the coupling method, and to the disengagement method described above , all of which are contained within the scope of protection as defined by the claims below . Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described .