DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an opening device for a package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product.

Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product, and comprising an opening device.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages, in particular sealed packages, made of sterilized packaging material.

A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding a laminated strip packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a carton and/or paper base layer, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.

Some of the known packages, in particular sealed main bodies of the packages formed from the packaging material, comprise a designated pour opening, which allows the outpouring of the pourable product from the packages.

It is known to provide for an opening device so as to seal the designated pour opening prior to the first use of the package.

A known type of opening device comprises a base frame arranged about the designated pour opening and a covering membrane rupturably coupled to the frame so as to cover and seal the designated pour opening prior to the first-time use of the package. In order to allow for the outpouring of the pourable product it is necessary for a user to remove the covering membrane and to throw the covering membrane into a trash bin.

However, it may occur that a user may dispose of the covering membrane in an incorrect manner.

Thus, a desire is felt in the sector to provide for an opening device and/or a package having an opening device, which do(es) not come along with such an inconvenience.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved opening device for a package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved opening device for a package, in particular a packaging having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product, which decreases the risk of an incorrect disposal of the opening device. It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product, and comprising an opening device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, in particular filled with a pourable food product, having an opening device, in particular the opening device being designed to decrease the risk of an incorrect disposal of the opening device itself.

According to the present invention, there is provided an opening device according to the independent claim.

Further advantageous embodiments of the opening device are specified in the respective dependent claims.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a package according to claim 15.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a package having an opening device according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective top view of a portion of the package of Figure 1 with the opening device being in a first configuration, with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 3 is a perspective top view of the portion of Figure 2 with the opening device being in a second configuration; and

Figures 4 and 5 are bottom views of the package with the opening device being, respectively, in the first configuration and in a third configuration, with parts removed for clarity.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 indicates as a whole a package for a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, even more particular a liquid food product, comprising:

- a (composite) main body 2, in particular a sealed (composite) main body 2, being filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, even more particular a liquid food product, and having a designated pour opening 3 configured to allow for an outflow of the pourable product from main body 2; and

- an opening device 4, in particular a plastic opening device 4, coupled to main body 2 and configured to seal the designated pour opening 3 prior to the first-time use of package 1.

In more detail, main body 2 may be obtained from a packaging material, in particular a composite packaging material, having a multilayer structure (not shown and known as such).

Furthermore, main body 2 may be obtained from a respective blank.

Preferentially, the packaging material may be provided in the form of a web.

Moreover, main body 2 may be obtained by forming a tube from the packaging material, longitudinally sealing the tube, filling the tube with the pourable product and by transversally sealing and cutting the tube.

In further detail, the packaging material may comprise at least one layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material defining the inner face of main body 2 contacting the pourable product.

Moreover, the packaging material may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferentially, the packaging material may also comprise a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, opening device 4 may be applied onto the packaging material and/or base package 2 prior, during and/or after the formation, filling and sealing of main body 2.

Alternatively, opening device 4 may be applied onto the packaging material prior to arranging the packaging material within or during advancement of the packaging material through a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing main bodies 2 from the packaging material.

In particular, opening device 4 may be fused and/or welded and/or bond and/or molded onto main body 2 and/or the packaging material and around the designated pour outlet.

With particular reference to Figure 1, main body 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis A, a first transversal axis B and a second transversal axis C. In particular, the extension of package 2 along longitudinal axis A may be larger than the extension of package 2 along first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C.

Preferentially, main body 2 may be parallelepiped shaped. Alternatively, main body 2 may have a tubular shape or any other shape.

In more detail, main body 2 may comprise a first wall portion 5, in particular being transversal, in particular perpendicular, to longitudinal axis A, and from which main body 2 extends along longitudinal axis A. Preferentially, first wall portion 5 may define a support surface of package 1, in particular main body 2, which is designed to be put in contact with a support, such as e.g. a shelf, in particular when, in use, being e.g. exposed within a sales point or when being stored. In particular, when being arranged on a support first wall portion 5 defines a bottom wall portion.

Furthermore, main body 2 may also comprise one or more lateral walls 6, in the specific case shown four, being (fixedly) connected to first wall portion 5 and extending, in particular substantially parallel to longitudinal axis A, from first wall portion 5.

Additionally, main body 2 may also comprise a second wall portion 7 opposite to first wall portion 5 and being (fixedly) connected to at least some of lateral walls 6. In particular, lateral walls 6 may be interposed between first wall portion 5 and second wall portion 7. In particular, when being arranged on a support, second wall portion 7 may define a top wall portion.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, first wall portion 5 and second wall portion 7 may be parallel to one another.

According to alternative non-limiting embodiments not shown, first wall portion 5 and second wall portion 7 may be inclined with respect to one another. According to some non-limiting embodiments, second wall portion 7 may carry and/or comprise designated pour opening

3.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, package 1, in particular main body 2, may comprise an inner space 8 configured to contain and/or containing the pourable product. In particular, first wall portion 5, lateral walls 8 and second wall portion 7 delimit inner space 8.

Furthermore, main body 2 may comprise a separation membrane (not shown and known as such) covering designated pour opening 3. In particular, the separation membrane may separate in the area of, in particular at, designated pour opening 3 inner space 8 from an outer environment. Preferentially, the separation membrane may comprise a gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film.

Moreover, and as will be disclosed in more detail further below, the separation membrane may be fused together with a portion of opening device 4.

With particular reference to Figures 1 to 5, opening device 4 comprises at least:

- a (plastic) base frame 10 for coupling opening device 4 to main body 2 and about designated pour opening 3; and

- a (plastic) covering membrane 11 rupturably connected to base frame 10 along a weakening line 12 (of opening device 4) and configured to cover designated pour opening 3.

Moreover, (plastic) weakening line 12 is configured such that, in use, upon exertion of an opening force on covering membrane 11, covering membrane 11 (irreversibly) separates from base frame 10 along weakening line 12. In other words, upon exertion of the opening force weakening line 12 (irreversibly) ruptures so as to separate covering membrane 11 from base frame 10 along weakening line 12.

Furthermore, prior to the first-time use (i.e. prior to exerting the opening force (for the first time)), covering membrane 11 is designed to cover and seal in cooperation with base frame 10 the designated pour opening.

Advantageously, weakening line 12 comprises a first end 13 and a second end 14 distinct and separated from one another. In other words, weakening line 12 does not have an annular configuration and/or a closed-loop configuration. In even other words, first end 13 and second end 14 are not in contact with one another.

In particular, weakening line 12 may be arc-shaped.

Furthermore, covering membrane 11 is further connected to base frame 10 along an (unrupturable) tethering portion 15 extending between first end 13 and second end 14. In particular, tethering portion 15 tethers covering membrane 11 to base frame 10 even after separation of covering membrane 11 from base frame 10 along weakening line 12. In this manner, one guarantees that covering membrane 11 remains connected to base frame 10 (and main body 2 and package 1 as a whole) avoiding the possibility of an incorrect disposal of covering membrane 11.

Furthermore, tethering portion 15 is configured such that, in use, upon exertion of the opening force on covering membrane 11, covering membrane 11 remains attached to base frame 10 along tethering portion 15.

It is to be noted that the term unrupturable indicates that upon a normal use by a user tethering portion 15 does not rupture. In other words, the opening force suited to allow for the rupturing of weakening line 12 does not allow to rupture tethering portion 15.

Moreover, weakening line 12 together with tethering portion 15 may define an annular shape and while, in use, upon exertion of the opening force the weakening line 12 ruptures, tethering portion 15 remains intact.

Additionally, tethering portion 15 may be in contact with first end 13 and second end 14.

Additionally, the thickness of weakening line 12 may be smaller than the thickness of tethering portion 15.

With particular reference to Figures 2 to 5, upon separation of covering membrane 11 from base frame 10 along weakening line 12, covering membrane 11 is angularly moveable around a hinge axis E defined by tethering portion 15.

In more detail, covering membrane 11 is angularly moveable from a closing position (see Figures 2 and 4) in which covering membrane 11 covers designated pour opening 3 to an opening position in which covering membrane 11 frees designated pour opening 3. In particular, covering membrane 11 is in the closing position, with covering membrane 11 being connected to base frame 10 along weakening line 12. Even more particular, covering membrane 11 is in the closing position, with weakening line 12 being intact.

Additionally, and with particular reference to Figures 3 and 5, once covering membrane 11 is separated from base frame 10 along weakening line 12, covering membrane 11 is angularly moveable between the opening position and a re closing position, in which covering membrane 11 covers designated pour opening 3.

With particular reference to Figures 2 and 4, covering membrane 11 may be configured such that prior to the first time use (i.e. prior to the rupturing of weakening line 12) covering membrane 11 is positioned in the closing position and is designed to cover designated pouring outlet 3 and to also seal designated pouring outlet 3 in cooperation with base frame 10. Additionally, and with particular reference to Figure 5, covering membrane 11 may be designed such that once covering membrane 11 is separated from base frame 10 along weakening line 12 (i.e. weakening line 12 is ruptured) covering membrane 11 may be in the re-closing position, in which covering membrane 11 covers designated pouring outlet 3, but does not seal designated pouring outlet 3 anymore.

Preferentially, covering membrane 11 may be biased into the re-closing position, i.e. in the absence of the application of an external force on covering membrane 11, covering membrane 11 returns back to the re-closing position.

Advantageously and with particular reference to Figure 3, opening device 4 may comprise a retaining element 16 (see further below for more details) configured to interact with covering membrane 11 so as to retain covering membrane 11 in the opening position, in particular so as to guarantee that covering membrane 11 does not disturb the outpouring of the pourable product from package 1, in particular main body 2.

With particular reference to Figures 2 to 5, covering membrane 11 may comprise a first portion 17 and a second portion 18 being rupturably connected to one another along an auxiliary weakening line 19. In particular, auxiliary weakening line 19 may be configured such that, in use, upon exertion of the opening force, and in particular (substantially) simultaneously to the separation of covering membrane 11 from base frame 10, first portion 17 and second portion 18 separate from one another along auxiliary weakening line 19.

Moreover, auxiliary weakening line 19 may extend from second end 14. In particular, auxiliary weakening line 19 and second end 14 are (integrally) connected to one another.

Furthermore, auxiliary weakening line 19 may extend from second end 14 towards, in particular to, a center 20 of covering membrane 11.

Additionally, auxiliary weakening line 19 may be transversal, in particular perpendicular, to weakening line 12.

Advantageously, first portion 17 and second portion 18 may be configured to interact with retaining element 16 for retaining covering membrane 11 in the opening position.

In particular, first portion 17 and second portion 18 may be configured to hook up with retaining element 16 for retaining covering membrane 11 in the opening position. In other words, first portion 17 and second portion 18 may be arrangeable such to interpose and/or clamp at least a portion of retaining element 16 between one another for retaining covering membrane 11 in the opening position.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, covering membrane 11 is (substantially) flush with main body 2, in particular second wall portion 7, in particular when being in the closed position.

Furthermore, covering membrane 11 may be fused with the separation membrane. In other words, separation membrane may be considered to be part of covering membrane 11.

With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, opening device 4 may further comprise an opening element 25 connected to covering membrane 11 and configured to allow for the exertion of the opening force on covering membrane 11. In particular, opening element 25 may be configured to be operated by a consumer so as to exert the opening force.

In more detail, opening element 25 may comprise a pull leg 26, in particular a single pull leg 26, connected to covering membrane 11, in particular to a peripheral portion of covering membrane 11. Additionally, opening element 25 may comprise a gripping element 27, for example a ring, connected to pull leg 26 and being designed to be gripped by the consumer.

Moreover, pull leg 26 may be arranged at a peripheral portion of covering membrane 11 being opposed to a portion of covering membrane 11 being integrally connected to tethering portion 15.

Advantageously, pull leg 26 may transversally, in particular (substantially) perpendicularly, extend from covering membrane 11.

Preferentially, opening element 25, in particular pull leg 26, may be connected to covering membrane 11 at a connecting point, in particular a single connecting point.

Moreover, pull leg 26 may be arranged adjacent to second end 14 and auxiliary weakening line 19.

In further detail and with particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, opening device 4 may further comprise a collar 28 extending from base frame 10 and having an outlet 29, in particular being aligned, even more particular being coaxial, with respect to designated pouring outlet 3. In particular, collar 28 being designed to allow for a controlled outpouring of the pourable product from package 1, in particular main body 2.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, collar 28 may define retaining element 16. In this manner, one avoids providing opening device 4 with further components. In this case, first portion 17 and second portion 18 may be arranged and/or arrangeable so as to contact collar 28 from opposite sides thereof for retaining covering membrane 11 in the opening position.

Preferentially, base frame 10, covering membrane 11, weakening line 12, tethering portion 15, and in particular collar 28, may be obtained, in particular by molding, as a single piece.

Preferentially, base frame 10, covering membrane 11, weakening line 12, tethering portion 15, and in particular collar 28, may be molded onto main body 2 and/or onto the packaging material from which main body 2 is formed.

With particular reference to Figure 1, opening device 4 may also comprise a lid 30 coupled and/or couplable to collar 28 and configured to selectively close and open outlet 29.

According to the specific embodiment shown, lid 30 is of the screw-lid type. Alternatively, lid 30 could be of any other type.

In further detail, opening device 4 may also comprise a coupling ring 31 coupled to and arranged around collar 28. In particular, lid 30 may be tethered to coupling ring 31.

Preferentially, lid 30 may be at least arrangeable in a closed position, in which lid 30 covers outlet 29, and an open position, in which lid 30 is removed from outlet 29.

In use, a consumer in order to allow for the outpouring of the pourable product from package 1 needs to manipulate covering membrane 11.

In more detail, a consumer needs to exert the opening force, in particular by relying on opening element 25, on covering membrane 11 so as to separate covering membrane 11 from base frame 10 along weakening line 12. Moreover, the exertion of the opening force also leads to the separation of first portion 17 and second portion 18 along auxiliary weakening line 19.

Moreover, prior to being able to manipulate covering membrane 11 the user needs to arrange lid 30 in the open position. Additionally, during the outpouring of the pourable product, covering membrane 11 may be retained by retaining element 16, in particular collar 28, in the opening position.

After the outpouring the consumer can arrange covering membrane 11 in the re-closing position, and in particular also arrange lid 30 in the closed position.

The advantages of opening device 4 and/or of package 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description. In particular, by having tethering portion 15 or in other words by having a non-annular weakening line 12 one guarantees that covering membrane 11 does not need to be disposed separately from the other portions of package 1.

Another advantage resides in the presence of first portion 17 and second portion 18, which may be arranged and/or arrangeable so as to contact retaining element 16, in particular collar 28, from opposite sides thereof for maintaining covering membrane 11 in the opening position.

Clearly, changes may be made to opening device 4 and/or package 1 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.