TECHNICAL FIELD

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

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a mold for molding an opening device for a package, in particular a package having a 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 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, milk, milk-based drinks, drinking yoghurt, wine, tomato sauce, salt, sugar etc., are sold in packages, in particular sealed packages, made of a 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. layers of 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 .

Thus , such a type of package comprises a main body formed from a multilayer packaging material and has a designated pour opening, which allows the outpouring of the pourable product from the package . Additionally, the package can comprise an opening device coupled to the main body and arranged about the designated pour opening . The opening device is designed to seal the package prior to a first opening of the opening device and to allow for a controlled outpouring .

A typical opening device comprises a base frame coupling the opening device to the main body and about the designated pour opening, a collar extending from the base frame and delimiting a flow channel and having a pouring outlet and a closure group configured to selectively open and close the pouring outlet .

It is furthermore known that the base frame comprises a first frame and a second frame spaced apart from one another and configured to contact the main body from respectively an outer face and an inner face .

According to one technological solution, the base frame and the collar are molded onto the packaging material forming the main body . In order to control the position of the packaging material , the mold relies on elements pressing on the packaging material . This leads to the presence of voids within the first frame . These voids define , in the base frame of the opening device , radially extending ridge elements , which are connected to one another by an outer peripheral and annular structure .

Furthermore , after the molding of the base frame and the collar, the closure group is coupled to the collar .

Even though the known opening devices work satis fyingly well , a desire is felt in the sector to improve the known opening devices , in particular so as to improve the aesthetical appearance of the opening device and/or to facilitate the coupling of the closure group onto the collar .

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is therefore an obj ect 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 main body formed from a multilayer packaging material , filled with a pourable product , even more particular filled with a pourable food product .

In particular, it is an obj ect 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 main body formed from a multilayer packaging material , filled with a pourable product , even more particular filled with a pourable food product , which comes along with an improved aesthetical appearance and/or which comes along with an improved coupling of the closure group onto the collar .

It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner a mold for molding an opening device .

It is a further obj ect of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner a package , in particular a package having a main body formed from a multilayer packaging material , filled with a pourable product , in particular filled with a pourable food product , having an opening device , in particular an opening device which comes along with an improved aesthetical appearance and/or which comes along with an improved coupling of the closure group onto the collar .

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

Further advantageous embodiments o f the opening device are speci fied in the claims directly or indirectly depending on claim 1 .

According to the present invention, there is also provided a mold according to claim 12 .

According to the present invention, there is also provided a package according to claim 13 , claim 14 or claim 15 .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Two non-limiting embodiments 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 portion of a package having an opening device according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the package of Figure 1 and focusing on a detail of the opening device of Figure 1 , with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the detail of the opening device of Figure 2 , with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 4 is a top view of the detail of the opening device of Figure 2 , with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 5 is a top view of a detail of an opening device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity .

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 indicates as a whole a package ( only partially shown to the extent necessary for the comprehension of the present invention) comprising :

- a main body 2 , in particular a main body 2 formed from a multilayer packaging material , being filled and/or being fillable with a pourable product , in particular a pourable food product , and in particular having a designated pour opening (not shown and known as such) configured to allow for an outflow of the pourable product from main body 2 ; and

- an opening device 3 , in particular formed from a polymer material , coupled to main body 2 about the designated pour opening and configured to seal the designated pour opening and to be controllable so as to open the designated pour opening and to allow for the outpouring of the pourable product .

The pourable product may be mil k, tomato sauce , milkbased drinks , drinking yoghurt , water, sugar, salt , j uices , emulsions , and the like .

According to some preferred non- limiting embodiments , the packaging material may comprise at least a layer of fibrous material , such as e . g . a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material , e . g . polyethylene layers , interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another . One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material may define the inner face of main body 2 contacting the pourable product .

Preferably, 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 heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material . Preferentially but not necessarily, 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 .

Preferentially, each package 1 , in particular the respective main body 2 , may be obtained from a respective blank of the multilayer packaging material . In particular, the blank may define a precursor of the respective package 1 , in particular the respective main body 2 .

In more detail , the respective blank may comprise the respective designated pour opening, which in particular may be covered by a separation membrane . The separation membrane may be formed from a gas-barrier material , in particular the separation membrane may be defined by a portion of the layer of the gas- and light-barrier material .

According to some preferred non- limiting embodiments , the multilayer packaging material may be provided in the form of a web, thereby the blanks may be successively arranged with respect to one another . During the formation of packages 1 , the web is formed into a tube , longitudinally sealed, filled with the pourable product and transversally sealed and cut in correspondence with the extensions of the blanks .

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment , each opening device 3 may be applied, in particular molded, to the respective main body 2 or onto the respective packaging blank . Preferentially, each opening device 3 may be molded onto the respective packaging blank and about the designated pour opening . In particular, and as will be explained further below, a first portion of opening device 3 may be molded onto the respective packaging blank and a second portion may be applied onto the first portion after molding of the first portion .

In particular, opening device 3 may be molded by means of a respective mold .

With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2 , main body 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis A, a first transversal axis B perpendicular to longitudinal axis A and a second transversal axis C perpendicular to first transversal axis B and longitudinal axis A. 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 parallelepipedshaped .

According to some preferred non- limiting embodiments , main body 2 may comprise a first wall (not shown and known as such) , in particular being transversal , even more particular perpendicular, to longitudinal axis A, from which main body 2 may extend along longitudinal axis A. Preferably, the first wall may define a support surface of package 1 , in particular main body 2 , which may be designed to be put in contact with a support , such as e . g . a shel f , when, in use , being e . g . exposed within a sales point or when being stored . In particular, when being arranged on the support the first wall may define a bottom wall .

Preferably, main body 2 may also comprise a side wall 4 being ( fixedly) connected to the first wall and extending, in particular substantially parallel , along longitudinal axis A, from the first wall .

Preferentially, main body 2 may also comprise a second wall 5 opposite to the first wall and being ( fixedly) connected to side wall 4 . In particular, side wall 4 may be interposed between the first wall and second wall 5 .

In particular, when package 1 is arranged on a support , second wall 5 may define a top wall . According to the shown non-limiting embodiment , the first wall and second wall 5 may be parallel to one another .

According to non-limiting alternative embodiments not shown, the first wall and second wall 5 may be inclined with respect to one another . In particular, second wall 5 may define a slanted top or may define a portion of a gable-top .

According to some non-limiting embodiments , second wall 5 may carry and/or comprise the designated pour opening .

According to some preferred non- limiting embodiments , package 1 , in particular main body 2 , may comprise an inner space configured to contain and/or containing the pourable product . In particular, the first wall , side wall 4 and second wall 5 may delimit the inner space .

Moreover, main body 2 , in particular the packaging material from which main body 2 is formed, comprises an outer face 6 and an inner face opposite to outer face 6 . In particular, while inner face faces and/or delimits the inner space , outer face 6 faces away from the inner face and/or is arranged in an external space 7 .

With particular reference to Figures 1 to 4 , opening device 3 may comprise :

- a base frame 8 configured to couple and/or coupling opening device 3 onto main body 2 , in particular to second wall 5 , and about the designated pour opening;

- a collar 9 extending from base frame 8 and delimiting a flow channel 10 ; and

- a closure group 11 coupled to collar 9 .

More speci fically, flow channel 10 may extend between a pouring outlet 12 ( of collar 9 ) configured to allow for the outpouring of the pourable product and an inlet ( of collar 9 ) configured to allow for the introduction of the pourable product into flow channel 10 , in particular from the inner space of package 1 , in particular main body 2 , into flow channel 10 .

In more detail , collar 9 may be integrally connected to base frame 8 . Preferentially, collar 9 and base frame 8 may be made in a single piece .

In further detail , collar 9 may extend along a central axis E and pouring outlet 12 and the inlet may be arranged at respective axial ends of collar 9 .

Moreover, collar 9 may comprise an inner wall 13 facing and/or delimiting flow channel 10 and an external surface 14 opposite to inner wall 13 .

Closure group 11 may be configured to selectively open and close pouring outlet 12 .

Preferentially, opening device 3 may also comprise a closing element 15 arranged and/or being arrangeable within flow channel 10 and configured to close and/or cover, and, in particular at least prior to a first movement of closing element 15 away from collar 9 and/or flow channel 10 , to seal , the designated pour opening .

Preferentially, closing element 15 may be coaxially positioned with respect to collar 9 . In other words , a central axis F of closing element 15 may be coaxial to central axis E .

Preferentially, base frame 8 , collar 9 and closing element 15 may be reali zed in a single piece .

In more detail , closure group 11 may comprise a coupling ring 20 arranged about collar 9 and a closure element 21 coupled to coupling ring 20 and configured to selectively open and close pouring outlet 12 .

According to some preferred non- limiting embodiments , closure element 21 may be movable between :

- a closing position, in which closure element 21 covers pouring outlet 12 , in particular for impeding an outflow of the pourable product out of pouring outlet 12 ; and

- an opening pos ition in which closure element 21 may be detached from pouring outlet 12 , in particular for allowing an outflow of the pourable product through pouring outlet 12 .

Preferentially, closure group 11 may be reversibly movable between the closing position and the opening position .

In more detail , closure element 21 may be hinged to coupling ring 20 . Moreover, closure element 21 may be angularly movable about a hinge axis and between the closing position and the opening position .

In further detai l , coupling ring 20 may comprise an inner surface facing collar 9 , in particular external surface 14 , and an outer surface 22 opposite to the inner surface . In particular, outer surface 22 may face away from external surface 14 .

With particular reference to Figures 2 to 4 , base frame 9 may comprise a first frame 23 configured to face and/or facing outer face 6 . In particular, at least some portions of first frame 23 may contact and/or be fused and/or bonded and/or welded and/or molded to outer face 6 .

Moreover, base frame 9 may also comprise a second frame 24 spaced apart from first frame 23 and configured to contact and/or contacting the inner face of main body 2 . In particular, second frame 24 may be fused and/or bonded and/or molded and/or welded to the inner face of main body 2 .

In further detail , first frame 23 may comprise a plurality of ridge elements 25 radially protruding away from collar 9 .

Advantageously, at least some of the ridge elements 25 define first ridge elements 30, which have a respective radial extension such that coupling ring 20 fully covers the first ridge elements 30 (see Figure 1) . In particular, first ridge elements 30 are not visible to a user as being fully covered by coupling ring 20. Even more particular, the radial extension of first ridge elements 30 is such that first ridge elements 30 may be fully covered by coupling ring 20.

According to the specific example shown in Figures 2 to 4, all ridge elements 25 are first ridge elements 30.

According to some alternative embodiments, the ridge elements can be divided into first ridge elements 30 and second ridge elements. While first ridge elements 30 may have a respective radial extension such that coupling ring 20 covers first ridge elements 30, the second ridge elements may have a larger radial extension such that the second ridge elements may not be covered by coupling ring 20.

Preferentially, a ratio between the number of first ridge elements 30 and the total number of ridge elements 25 is at least 0, 6, even more preferentially at least 0,7.

As mentioned above, according to the specific example of Figures 2 to 4, the ratio is 1; i.e. the number of first ridge elements 30 and the total number of ridge elements 25 equal one another. In even other words, all ridge elements 25 correspond to first ridge elements 30.

In more detail, each ridge element 25 may extend between a first (external) end 26 and a second (internal) end (not shown) .

In particular, each first end 26 may be spaced apart and/or distant from collar 9 and/or each second end may be adjacent to collar 9.

Even more particular, each second end may contact collar 9, in particular external surface 14. Preferentially, ridge elements 25 may be angularly arranged about central axis F .

According to the speci fic embodiment shown, each first end 26 is a free end . In other words , first ends 26 are not connected between one another by e . g . ribs extending between neighboring first ends 26 .

With particular reference to Figure 4 , an orthogonal proj ection of coupling ring 20 along a center axis G of coupling ring 20 , in particular coaxial to central axis E , onto first frame 23 may describe an imaginary contour 27 .

Advantageously, the radial extension of first ridge elements 30 is such that first ridge elements 30 lie within imaginary contour 27 . In other words , first ridge elements 30 do not radially extend beyond imaginary contour 27 .

In particular, each first end 26 of each first ridge element 30 is confined within a ( circular ) area delimited by imaginary contour 27 . A center of the ( circular ) area may correspond to a center of collar 9 .

In more detail , imaginary contour 27 may be described by an imaginary outer annular curve 28 and an imaginary inner annular curve 29 . In particular, imaginary outer annular curve 28 and an imaginary inner annular curve 29 , each have a respective circular shape and have respectively a first radius and a second radius , while the first radius is larger than the second radius .

In particular, imaginary outer annular curve 28 and imaginary inner annular curve 29 can be associated to respectively the radial extension of outer surface 22 and the inner surface .

Moreover, imaginary outer annular curve 28 and imaginary inner annular curve 29 can be associated to a cross-section profile of coupling ring 20 with respect to a cross-section plane being perpendicular to center axis G . Accordingly, the cross-section profile may comprise an outer annular curve originating from the intersection of the crosssection plane with outer surface 22 . Preferentially, the outer annular curve has a circular shape and is described by an outer radius , in particular being equal to the first radius .

Moreover, coupling ring 20 may also comprise an inner annular curve originating from the intersection of the crosssection plane with the inner surface . Preferentially, the inner annular curve has a circular shape and is described by an inner radius , in particular being equal to the second radius . In particular, the outer radius is larger than the inner radius .

Preferentially, the respective extension of each f irst ridge element 30 is equal or smaller than the outer radius and/or the first radius , even more preferentially equal or smaller than the inner radius and/or the second radius .

In particular, respective distances of the respective first ends 26 of first ridge elements 30 from the center of collar 9 are smal ler than or equal to the outer radius and/or the first radius , even more particular smaller than or equal to the inner radius and/or the second radius .

According to some preferred non- limiting embodiments , closing element 15 and closure group 11 may be connected, in particular fixed, to one another such that any movement of closure group 11 results in a concurrent movement of closing element 15 . In particular, closing element 15 and closure group 11 may be connected to one another by means of fusing and/or welding and/or bonding and/or molding .

In more detail , closing element 15 may comprise a main wall 35 being detachably and/or rupturably fixed to collar 9 along a contact portion ( of inner wall 13 ) of collar 9 . Main wall 35 may be configured to ( rupturably) detach from the contact portion so as to free and/or open the designated pour opening for allowing the outpouring of the pourable product .

Preferentially, prior to the first-time detachment of main wall 35 from the contact portion, main wall 35 may be configured to seal the designated pour opening and the inner space , in particular in cooperation with collar 9 . Afterwards , it may be possible to place main wal l 35 such that main wall 35 may close the designated pour opening, but may not seal the designated pour opening and the inner space anymore .

In more detail , main wall 35 may be controllable between an active position in which main wall 35 is conf igured to cover and/or close the designated pour opening and an inactive position in which main wall 35 frees and/or opens the designated pour opening .

Preferentially, main wall 35 may be arranged within flow channel 10 and/or may be interposed between pouring outlet 12 and base frame 8 when being in the active position .

In further detail closing element 15 may also comprise a coupling structure 36 extending from main wall 35 and configured to connect and/or connecting closing element 15 to closure group 11 , in particular closure element 21 .

More speci fically, coupling structure 36 may be connected, in particular welded and/or bonded and/or fused, to closure group 11 , in particular closure element 21 .

According to some preferred non- limiting embodiments , closing element 15 may be connected, in particular fused and/or welded and/or bonded, to closing element 21 , in particular by means of coupling structure 36 , such that movement of closing element 21 between the closing position and the opening position may result in movement of main wall 35 between respectively the active position and the inactive position .

According to some non-limiting embodiments , base frame 8 , collar 9 and closing element 15 may be integrally formed, in particular in a single piece . In particular, base frame 8 , collar 9 and closing element 15 may be formed during a molding process , in particular during molding of opening device 3 onto the respective packaging blank .

Furthermore , closure group 11 may be coupled to collar 9 after formation of base frame 8 , collar 9 and closing element 15 .

In other words , base frame 8 , collar 9 and closing element 15 may define the first portion of opening device 3 and closure group 11 may define the second portion of opening device 3 . Thus , closure group 11 i s applied to collar 9 after molding of base frame 8 , collar 9 and closing element 15 , in particular about the designated pour opening .

In particular, the molding of the first portion onto main body 2 or the blank defining the precursor of main body 2 relies on the use of a respective mold .

In use , a user receives package 1 with closure group 11 and closing element 15 being respectively in the closing position and the active position so as to respectively cover pouring outlet 12 and the designated pour opening .

Prior to the first control of closure element 21 from the closing position to the opening position and of closing element 15 from the active position to the inactive position, closing element 15 is fixed to the contact portion .

The user, in order to access the pourable product , needs to control closure element 21 from the closing position to the opening position leading to a movement of main wall 35 from the active position to the inactive position and a rupturing of main wall 35 from the contact portion . This then allows the pourable product to flow from the inner space through flow channel 10 and out of pouring outlet 12 .

Each time main wall 35 is arranged again in the active position by moving closure element 21 in the closing position, main wall 35 covers the designated pour opening .

With reference to Figure 5 , number 3 ' indicates an alternative embodiment of an opening device according to the present invention; as opening device 3 ' is similar to opening device 3 , the following description is limited to the di f ferences between them, and using the same references , where possible , for identical or corresponding parts .

In particular, opening device 3 ' di f fers from opening device 3 in that the respective first frame 23 comprises radially extending first ridge elements 30 and radially extending second ridge elements 37 . In other words , some of ridge elements 25 of opening device 3 ' define second ridge elements 37 .

In particular, second ridge elements 37 have respective radial extensions such that coupling ring 20 does not fully cover them . In other words , portions of second ridge elements 37 are visible to a user .

In other words , opening device 3 ' comprises at least two types of ridge elements .

Additionally, respective first ends 38 of second ridge elements 37 distanced from collar 9 , in particular external surface 14 , are connected to one another by means of connection ribs 39 transversal to second ridge elements 37 .

Preferentially, f irst ridge elements 30 may be arranged about central axis F within a first angular limit and a second angular limit and second ridge elements 37 may be arranged about central axis F within second angular limit and first angular limit .

The advantages of opening device 3 and/or opening device 3 ' and/or of package 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description .

In particular, opening device 3 and opening device 3 ' come along with excellent aesthetics .

Another advantage resides in that during the application of closure group 11 onto collar 9 it is possible to approach coupling ring 20 at least partially closer to first frame 23 . In more detail , during the application of closure group 11 onto collar 9 , closure group 11 is arranged on collar 9 and then a force is applied onto closure group 11 such that closure group 11 moves towards base frame 8 . The maximum stroke of the movement is limited by the uppermost parts of base frame 8 with which coupling ring 20 may interact . Due to the limited extension of first ridge elements 30 , coupling ring 20 can get closer to portions of base frame 8 , which lie on a lower plane compared to the plane defined by first ridge elements 30 , so improving engagement closure group 11 onto collar 9 .

Clearly, changes may be made to opening device 3 and/or opening device 3 ' and/or package 1 as described herein without , however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims .