DE102020106661A1 - Resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packs with an anchor ring for secure connection of a screw cap - Google Patents

Abstract

A resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packs (P), in particular beverage packs, is shown and described, with a base element (2, 2 ') having a circumferential fastening flange (1, 1', 1 ") and an external thread (10, 10 '). , 2 "), with opening means arranged at least in the unopened state of the pouring element inside the base element (2, 2 ', 2") and a screw cap (3, 3', 3 ") with an internal thread, the opening means being designed so that When the composite pack (P) is first opened when the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3 ") is unscrewed, a pouring opening is created within the pouring element by breaking open the composite material of the pack (P) or a barrier layer in the base element (2, 2', 2") will. In order to ensure a connection of the screw cap to the pouring element in such a reclosable pouring element even when it is unscrewed, it is provided that underneath the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3 ") an anchor ring (4, 4', 4") is non-rotatably connected to it. is arranged, which is radially freely rotatable around the base element (2, 2 ', 2 ") and is connected to the base element (2, 2', 2") with tensile strength in the axial direction and that for secure connection of the screw cap (3, 3 ') , 3 ") to the base element (2, 2 ', 2") even in the unscrewed state of the anchor ring (4, 4', 4 ") via a hinge element (5, 5 ') whose pivot axis is tangential to the outer circumference of the screw cap (3 , 3 ', 3 "), is hinged to the screw cap (3, 3', 3").

Description

The invention relates to a resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packs, in particular beverage packs, with a base element having a circumferential fastening flange and an external thread, with opening means arranged at least in the unopened state of the pouring element inside the base element and a screw cap with internal thread, the opening means so are designed so that when the composite pack is first opened when the screw cap is unscrewed, a pouring opening is created within the pouring element by breaking open the composite material of the pack or a barrier layer located in the base element.

A pouring element of the generic type is derived from that which goes back to the applicant DE 10 2006 016 113 B3 known. To assemble the pouring element, the screw cap is moved over the cutting element protruding from the pouring element and pressed (bounced) onto the base element together with it. As a tamper-evident seal, a plate is molded onto the screw cap in one piece and is connected to the screw cap via connecting bridges. For connection to the base element, the plate has pins on its underside which engage in corresponding recesses in the flange of the base element and are caulked from below after assembly. The connecting bridges break when the pouring element is opened for the first time, so that the screw cap is then only loosely attached to the pouring element and the composite pack.

In order to ensure that the screw lids of composite packs do not inadvertently get into the environment, it is desirable to securely attach screw lids to their respective composite packs so that loose plastic parts are reliably avoided even when the pack is opened.

Elements that ensure a secure connection of screw lids to their respective packs even when they are open have long been known from the prior art in the area of closures for commercially available PET bottles. The known PET bottles have in common that the cylindrical base body has a bottle neck that is significantly narrower than the base body, so that a screw cap provided with a connecting element can be pivoted away by well over 90 °.

From the EP 1124 734 B1 a closure device for a PET bottle with a ring arranged under the screw cap, which is connected to the screw cap via a film hinge and prevents the screw cap from being pulled off, even when it is open, is known.

the U.S. 5,215,204 A shows a closure cap for a bottle with a ring arranged under the screw cap, which is connected to the screw cap with a material fit via two connecting bridges. The ring and the bottle are designed in such a way that the ring cannot be pulled off the bottle.

Furthermore, from the WO 2009/048273 A2 a screw cap for a conventional bottle is known. The screw cap consists of a screw cap and a ring attached via a film hinge. Here, too, the ring ensures that the screw cap is connected to the bottle with tensile strength in the axial direction.

Proceeding from this, the present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a reclosable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packs of the type mentioned at the beginning so that the screw cap is attached to the pouring element even when it is unscrewed. For this purpose, a tensile connection between the screw cap and the pouring element is provided, in which the screw cap cannot be detached from the pouring element in the axial direction with a force of at least 10 to 30 N, which is usually necessary for opening a commercially available screw cap for the first time.

Furthermore, it is desirable that a reliable locking of the screw cap in an open position with respect to the pivoting is ensured in order to enable pouring out of the composite package without undesired pivoting of the screw cap. A radial adjustment of the screw cap in the locked open position is particularly advantageous in order to enable pouring from any direction of the pouring element, since composite packs are not essentially rotationally symmetrical like commercially available PET bottles or have an essentially square cross-section and from each side can be poured out equally well. It is also desirable that, in the locked open position, there is as much free space as possible in front of the pouring opening in spite of the opening means often present in the screw cap in cardboard / plastic composite packs, which are necessary for making a pouring opening.

In a reclosable pouring element with the features of the preamble of claim 1, this object is achieved in that below the screw cap there is a non-rotatably connected anchor ring is arranged, which is freely rotatable radially around the base element and is connected to the base element with tensile strength in the axial direction and that for secure connection of the screw cap to the base element, even in the unscrewed state, the anchor ring via a hinge element whose pivot axis is tangential to the outer circumference of the screw cap is aligned, is hinged to the screw cap.

The connection of the screw cap to the base element with tensile strength in the axial direction ensures that the screw cap is not a loose plastic part even when the pouring element is open and that it cannot get into the environment as a loose plastic part. The invention thus makes a valuable contribution to reducing environmental pollution.

The film hinges usually used to connect a screw cap to a base element often tear off after only a small number of opening processes and therefore cannot guarantee a secure connection of a screw cap to its base element. The special design of the hinge element ensures that the screw cap does not become detached from the rest of the base element even after the pouring element has been opened several times.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the anchor ring has a circumferentially extending slot which separates the anchor ring in one section into upper parts and a lower part, the upper parts and the lower part being arranged at a distance from one another in the axial direction. It is advantageous if the slot is arranged in the circumferential direction in the area of the hinge element. The hinge element can thus be connected to the upper parts of the anchor ring in such a way that the end of the upper parts facing the hinge element is twisted after the screw cap has been pivoted open.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge element is arranged in the circumferential direction in the center of the slot. This ensures that the two sides of the upper parts of the anchor ring are evenly loaded when the screw cap is swung open.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the lower end of the hinge element protrudes in the unopened state of the pouring element over the lower end of the upper parts of the anchor ring downward in the direction of the fastening flange. If the screw cap is pivoted open after it has been unscrewed, the lower end of the hinge element folds over in the direction of the slot, so that at an opening angle of 120 ° to 150 ° the screw cap is locked in its open position with respect to its pivoting open. In this state, the screw cap can no longer pivot back without applying a force from the outside. This has the great advantage that the screw cap does not automatically pivot back when pouring and does not come into contact with the product during the pouring process.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the screw cap can be freely rotated radially in its locked open position. This has the great advantage that the screw cap can be turned into a position desired by the user. In the locked position, however, a slight external force must be applied in order to enable rotation, since the fixing of the screw cap with respect to its pivoting open creates an increased frictional resistance between the hinge element and the base element. However, the increased frictional resistance is also desirable so that the screw cap does not move easily in the direction of the pouring jet during pouring, caused by the force of gravity.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the hinge element is arranged with respect to its pivot axis in the unopened state above the lower third of the base element. The arrangement of the hinge element above the lower third ensures that the screw cap can realize an open position with an opening angle of 120 ° to 150 ° before the screw cap hits the composite package. Since composite packs typically do not have a bottle neck as is the case with PET bottles, the pivoting movement of the screw cap is much more limited than with PET bottles. However, in order to achieve a sufficiently large opening angle for a pleasant pouring process, it is desirable to arrange the hinge element as high up as possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the base element has an outwardly protruding and essentially circumferential collar on its outside. By providing a substantially circumferential web directed towards the base element at the lower end of the anchor ring, which is arranged below the collar, the anchor ring is reliably prevented from being pulled off over the collar. Also, at least either the collar or the web can be interrupted at one or more points, provided that it is ensured that the anchor ring with its web facing the base element cannot slip over the collar provided on the base element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the collar is arranged in the unopened state in the axial direction in the upper area of the anchor ring, so that when the screw cap is unscrewed, the hinge element can move in the axial direction until the web comes into contact with the collar. With the greatest possible distance in the axial direction between the web and the collar in the unopened state of the pouring element, the anchor ring including the hinge element can cover the greatest possible distance upwards when the screw cap is screwed on and pivoted open, so that the pivot axis of the hinge element is offset upwards. A pivot axis arranged as high up as possible is desirable in order to allow the screw cap to have the largest possible opening angle for easy pouring, despite the bottle neck not being present on composite packs.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, when the screw cap is pivoted away, the pivot axis of the hinge element is arranged in the axial direction in the upper half of the base element, particularly preferably in the upper third of the base element.

According to a preferred development of the invention it is provided that ribs protruding outward in the direction of the anchor ring and extending perpendicular to the fastening flange are provided on the base element below the collar. These ribs ensure that the anchor ring always has a certain distance from the base element in the radial direction. As a result, the anchor ring is centered with respect to the base element in every condition.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening means comprise a cutting element arranged inside the base element and at least one driving web arranged inside the screw cap and connected to it in a form-fitting or material-locking manner, which is preferably attached as close as possible to the hinge element in the circumferential direction. The hinge element can be locked in the external thread of the flange in order to keep the screw cap open.

However, it is also possible to arrange the driver web as far away as possible from the hinge element in the circumferential direction. This is useful if the hinge elements should not be in the way when the screw cap is opened / tilted away. This enables a clean opening / tipping away without the hinge element and the upper edge of the pouring spout getting caught.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of driver webs distributed evenly over the circumference is provided.

In the pivoted-open state, this driver web can at least partially protrude from the interior of the screw cap. It is therefore particularly important that a sufficiently large opening angle of the screw cap can be achieved.

The pouring element according to the invention preferably has at least one tamper-evident seal between the fastening flange and the anchor ring or the screw cap. This can consist of a band, one end of which is firmly connected to the anchor ring and in which the other end is connected to the anchor ring by means of a predetermined breaking point in such a way that the predetermined breaking point is broken by at least one mandrel element arranged on the fastening flange when the screw cap is screwed on and so informs the consumer of an initial opening that has already taken place.

According to an alternative embodiment of the pouring element according to the invention, a further ring is arranged below the anchor ring, which is connected to the anchor ring via a plurality of material bridges and serves as a tamper-evident seal. Here, the screw cap, the anchor ring and the further ring serving as a tamper-evident seal are manufactured in one piece.

Preferably, the ring can only be rotated to a limited extent by blocking webs protruding inward from the ring with locking elements arranged over the circumference of the base element, so that when the screw cap is unscrewed for the first time it is released from the anchor ring by tearing off the material bridges and remains in its position on the base element.

To ensure that the ring cannot be removed from the base element even when the screw cap is open, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the base element has an outwardly protruding and essentially circumferential collar on its outside, the clear inside diameter of the collar being smaller as the clear distance between the opposing webs of the ring.

Another advantageous teaching of the invention provides that the fastening flange of the pouring element is connected to the inside of the composite pack. A corresponding composite pack has a material cutout at the location of the later pouring opening. For assembly, the pouring element is guided through the interior of the composite pack, in the area of the Material recess positioned and then connected to the inside of the composite packing. In this embodiment of the invention, the interior of the base element is closed on the pack side in the unopened state, so that the product located in the composite pack cannot flow into the pouring element in the unopened state. In this embodiment of the invention, the opening means comprise an opening element arranged in the unopened state in the interior of the base element and cohesively connected to it, and at least one force transmission element which is arranged in the interior of the screw cap and is materially connected to it. The opening element is positively connected to the at least one force transmission element and is separated from the base element at predetermined breaking points when the pouring element is opened for the first time, triggered by the rotation of the at least one force transmission element, so that there is no longer a material connection between the base element and the opening element. From this point on, the opening element is only positively connected to the at least one force transmission element, so that it cannot get into the composite pack present under the pouring element. In the pivoted-open state, the opening element can at least partially protrude from the interior of the screw cap. Appropriate opening means are already from the JP 5857668 B2 known.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing showing only preferred exemplary embodiments.

• 1 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Ausgießelements in ungeöffnetem Zustand (ohne Karton/Kunststoff-Verbundpackung) in perspektivischer Darstellung,
• 2 das Ausgießelement aus 1 in einer Seitenansicht,
• 3 ein Basiselement des Ausgießelements aus 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung,
• 4 das Ausgießelement aus 1 im Vertikalschnitt entlang der Linie IV-IV,
• 5 das Ausgießelement aus 1 zu Beginn des Aufschraubvorgangs des Schraubdeckels in perspektivischer Ansicht,
• 6 das Ausgießelement aus 1 mit bereits aufgeschraubtem aber noch zugeklapptem Schraubdeckel in einer Seitenansicht im Halbschnitt
• 7 das Ausgießelement aus 1 mit abgeschraubtem und weggeschwenkten Schraubdeckel in einer Seitenansicht,
• 8 das Ausgießelement aus 1 mit abgeschraubtem, weggeschwenkten und arretiertem Schraubdeckel in einer Seitenansicht,
• 9 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Ausgießelements in ungeöffnetem Zustand (ohne Karton/Kunststoff-Verbundpackung) in perspektivischer Darstellung,
• 10 das Ausgießelement aus 9 im Vertikalschnitt entlang der Linie X-X,
• 11 das Ausgießelement aus 9 in einem Horizontalschnitt entlang der Linie XI-XI aus 10,
• 12 das Ausgießelement aus 9 mit bereits aufgeschraubtem aber noch zugeklapptem Schraubdeckel in einer Seitenansicht im Halbschnitt entlang der Linie XII-XII aus 11 und
• 13 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Ausgießelements im Vertikalschnitt.

Show in the drawing

• 1 a first embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in the unopened state (without cardboard / plastic composite pack) in a perspective view,
• 2 the pouring element 1 in a side view,
• 3 a base element of the pouring element 1 in perspective view,
• 4th the pouring element 1 in vertical section along the line IV-IV,
• 5 the pouring element 1 at the beginning of the screwing process of the screw cap in perspective view,
• 6th the pouring element 1 with the screw cap already screwed on but still closed in a side view in half section
• 7th the pouring element 1 with unscrewed and swiveled screw cap in a side view,
• 8th the pouring element 1 with unscrewed, swiveled away and locked screw cap in a side view,
• 9 a second embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in the unopened state (without cardboard / plastic composite pack) in a perspective view,
• 10 the pouring element 9 in vertical section along the line XX,
• 11 the pouring element 9 in a horizontal section along the line XI-XI 10 ,
• 12th the pouring element 9 with the screw cap already screwed on but still closed in a side view in half section along the line XII-XII 11 and
• 13th a further embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in vertical section.

In the drawing, a preferred embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention is shown in order to make its mode of operation clear when a composite pack is opened. In 1 a pouring element according to the invention without composite packing shown in a perspective view. The pouring element has a circumferential fastening flange 1 having base element 2 (which in 1 is not visible) and a screw cap 3 , which is used for the initial opening and for reclosing a composite pack, not shown, on.

Below the screw cap 3 is a non-rotatably connected anchor ring 4th arranged to remove the screw cap 3 from the base element 2 or a composite packing provided with it. This includes the screw cap 3 and the anchor ring 4th articulated via a hinge element 5 , whose pivot axis is tangential to the outer circumference of the screw cap 3 aligned, connected to each other. The anchor ring 4th has a slot running in the circumferential direction 6th on who the anchor ring 4th in one section in upper parts 4A and a lower part 4B separates, with the upper parts 4A and the lower part 4B are arranged spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. The hinge element 5 can compared to the rest of the screw cap 2 be designed with a larger, the same or smaller wall thickness.

In 2 can clearly be seen that the slot 6th in the circumferential direction centrally to the hinge element 5 is arranged. The hinge element 5 is with the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4th connected and with respect to its pivot axis in the unopened state above the lower third of the Base element 2 arranged. Also goes out 2 shows that the lower end of the hinge element 5 in the unopened state of the pouring element over the lower end of the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4th down towards the mounting flange 1 protrudes. In addition, there are at the bottom of the base element 2 towards the anchor ring 4th protruding outwards and perpendicular to the mounting flange 1 extending ribs 7th intended. These center the anchor ring 4th with respect to the base element 2 and ensure even friction when twisting the anchor ring 4th .

3 shows the basic element 2 of the in 1 shown pouring element. It can be seen that the basic element 2 an external thread 8th has, by means of which the in 3 screw cap not shown 3 on the base element 2 can be screwed on. The basic element 2 also has on its outside above the ribs 7th an outwardly protruding and radially circumferential collar 9 on.

Furthermore is inside the base element 2 a cutting element 10 This can be seen when the composite pack is opened for the first time by unscrewing the screw cap 3 creates a pouring opening within the pouring element.

In 4th the pouring element is now shown in vertical section in the unopened state. In 4th can be seen that the collar 9 with its outer peripheral surface in the upper area of the anchor ring 4th the inner surface of the anchor ring 4th touched. According to the invention, the anchor ring 4th at its lower end a radially circumferential to the base element 2 directed bridge 11 on, the one below the on the base element 2 provided collar 9 is arranged. Pulling off the anchor ring 4th over the collar 9 addition is prevented thereby. The collar 9 is in the unopened state of the pouring element in the upper area of the anchor ring 4th arranged so that with the screw cap screwed on 3 the movement of the anchor ring 4th and thus also that of the hinge element 5 in the axial direction upwards is made possible until the web 11 with the collar 9 comes into contact.

In the in 4th The preferred embodiment shown is an opening means consisting of that in the interior of the base element 2 arranged cutting element 10 and inside the screw cap 3 arranged driving webs 12th , which are firmly connected to this, recognizable. When the composite packing is opened for the first time, this becomes an external thread 13th having cutting element 10 by means of the carrier bars 12th and one on the base element 2 trained internal thread 14th by unscrewing the screw cap 3 conveyed in the direction of the composite pack, so that a pouring opening is created within the pouring element. It can be clearly seen that the driver bars 12th compared to the outer peripheral surface of the screw cap 3 protrude downwards, so that they come out of the inside of the screw cap when swiveled open 3 stick out.

the 5 until 8th finally illustrate the function of the pouring element according to the invention during the opening process of the screw cap 3 .

In 5 is the pouring element at the beginning of the screw cap screwing process 3 shown. It can be seen here that the anchor ring 4th freely rotatable radially with the base element 2 is connected so that the anchor ring 4th with the turning movement of the screw cap 3 moved along.

In 6th is the pouring element with the screw cap already screwed on but still closed 3 shown. On the left of the 6th the pouring element is shown in a side view, while the right side of the 6th represents a vertical section. The anchor ring 4th and consequently the hinge element 5 have moved through the movement of the screw cap 3 upwards also moved upwards. In this state, the touch on the base element 2 provided collar 9 and the web arranged on the anchor ring 11 . The slot 6th has gotten through the carriage of the screw cap 3 enlarged upwards at least in the middle in the axial direction, so that the pivot axis of the hinge element 5 has moved further up in the axial direction.

In 7th the pouring element is in an open state and with a swiveled-away screw cap 3 shown with a composite packing. As in 6th can also be seen here that the anchor ring 4th not over the collar 9 can slip out, so that this despite its rotatability with respect to the base element 2 tensile strength in the axial direction with the base element 2 connected is.

As a result, the anchor ring will be pulled off 4th and thus also the screw cap 3 reliably prevented.

Also goes out 7th shows that by swinging open the screw cap 3 the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4th at one end that connects to the hinge element 5 manufacture, twist, but not tear off. The hinge element 5 rotates when the screw cap is swung open 3 towards the slot 6th until this like in 8th shown folded so that it is in its open position at an opening angle of 120 ° to 150 ° with respect to its pivoting open is locked. The screw cap 3 can nevertheless be freely rotated radially in its locked open position, even if a certain external force has to be applied due to increased frictional resistance in order to enable rotation.

In the 7th and 8th it can be clearly seen that driving bars 12th of the opening means in the pivoted-open state from the interior of the screw cap 3 stick out.

In addition, the 7th and 8th infer that on the anchor ring 4th a ribbon serving as a seal of originality 15th is attached, one end of which is fixed to the anchor ring 4th is connected and in which the other end is connected to the anchor ring by means of a predetermined breaking point 4th is connected in such a way that the predetermined breaking point of one on the mounting flange 1 arranged mandrel element 16 when unscrewing the screw cap for the first time 3 is broken up.

9 shows a further embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention without composite packing in a perspective view. This pouring element has, as in the first embodiment according to 1 , a circumferential mounting flange 1' and a screw cap 3 ' on. Below the screw cap 3 ' As in the first exemplary embodiment, there is an armature ring connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner 4 ' for connecting the screw cap 3 ' on (in 9 unrecognizable) basic element. The execution of screw cap 3 ' and the anchor ring below 4 ' correspond exactly to the first embodiment 1 .

Below the anchor ring 4 ' however, there is another ring in this embodiment 17th , which with a plurality of material bridges 18th with the anchor ring 4 ' is integrally connected.

10 initially corresponds essentially to the vertical section according to FIG 4th so that on the description of the screw cap 3 ' , the anchor ring 4 ' and the cutting element 10 ' can be referenced. Below the anchor ring 4 ' however, it is clearly the (further) ring 17th to recognize which is designed as a seal of authenticity. This is what the ring points to 17th a plurality of webs distributed over the circumference and protruding inwards 19th which is the first time the screw cap is unscrewed 3 ' with corresponding from the base element 2 ' outgoing blocking elements 20th come in contact and further rotation of the ring 17th block, as described in more detail below.

In 11 the pouring element is off 9 in horizontal section along the line XI-XI 10 shown. Here you can clearly see the surrounding ring 17th , from which a plurality of inwardly protruding webs 19th , 19A and 19B go out. To make sure the ring 17th when unscrewing the screw cap 3 ' not with the anchor ring 4 ' rotates with the base element 2 ' a plurality of outwardly protruding locking elements 20th , 20A and 20B on which with the aforementioned webs 19th , 19A and 19B cooperate in such a way that the ring 17th blocked when unscrewing, so that the material bridges arranged above it 18th tear off and further rotation of the anchor ring 4 ' no longer hinder.

From the 11 and 12th clearly shows that the basic element 2 ' on its outside an outwardly protruding and essentially circumferential collar 21 having, the clear inner diameter of the collar 21 is smaller than the clear distance between the respective oppositely arranged webs 19th of the ring 17th . This reliably prevents the ring from moving 17th even when the screw cap is screwed on from its lower position 17th on the base element 2 ' can move. This ensures that the ring 17th as a "loose plastic part" cannot get into the environment.

In 13th a further embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention is shown, in which the fastening flange 1" of the pouring element is connected with its upper side to the inside of a composite pack P. A corresponding composite pack P has a material cutout at the location of the later pouring opening. For assembly, the pouring element is guided through the interior of the composite pack P, positioned in the area of the material recess and then connected to the inside of the composite pack P, for example by means of ultrasound. The basic element 2 " In this embodiment of the invention, its interior is closed on the pack side in the unopened state, so that the product located in the composite pack P cannot flow into the pouring element in the unopened state.

The opening means of this pouring element comprise an in the unopened state inside the base element 2 " arranged and with this materially connected opening element 22nd and two power transmission elements 23 that is inside the screw cap 3 " are arranged and firmly connected to this. The power transmission elements 23 each include a radially inwardly protruding hook at their downwardly directed end 24 . On the opening element 22nd are recesses in the appropriate places 25th provided in which the hook 24 the power transmission elements 23 in the assembled Grip state so that a form-fitting connection is created. A radially circumferential predetermined breaking point 26th is in the section where the base element 2 " and the opening element 22nd are cohesively connected to one another, provided so that the cohesive connection when the screw cap is screwed on 3 " can easily be severed. It can be clearly seen that the opening element 22nd compared to the outer peripheral surface of the screw cap 3 " protrudes downwards, so that this in the pivoted state from the interior of the screw cap 3 " protrudes.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102006016113 B3 [0002]
• EP 1124734 B1 [0005]
• US 5215204 A [0006]
• WO 2009/048273 A2 [0007]
• JP 5857668 B2 [0030]

Claims (26)

Reclosable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packs (P), in particular beverage packs, with a base element (2, 2 ', 2 ") having a circumferential fastening flange (1, 1', 1") and an external thread (10) opening means arranged at least in the unopened state of the pouring element in the interior of the base element (2, 2 ', 2 ") and a screw cap (3, 3', 3") with an internal thread, the opening means being designed so that when the composite pack is first opened (P) during the screwing of the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3 ") by breaking of the composite material of the pack (P) or (2, 2 in the base element''', 2) barrier layer located a pouring opening is provided inside the pouring element, characterized characterized in that underneath the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3'') there is an anchor ring (4, 4', 4 '') connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner, which is radially free around the base element (2, 2 ', 2'') ) rotatable and with tensile strength in the axial direction with the base selement (2, 2 ', 2'') is connected and that the anchor ring ( 4,4 ', 4'') via a hinge element (5, 5'), the pivot axis of which is aligned tangentially to the outer circumference of the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3''), with the screw cap (3,3', 3 " ) is articulated. Pouring element after Claim 1 , characterized in that the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4'') has a slot (6, 6') running in the circumferential direction which divides the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4'') in one section into upper parts ( 4A, 4A ') and a lower part (4B, 4B') separates, the upper parts (4A, 4A ') and the lower part (4B, 4B') being arranged at a distance from one another in the axial direction. Pouring element after Claim 2 , characterized in that the slot (6,6 ') is arranged in the circumferential direction in the region of the hinge element (5, 5'), the hinge element (5, 5 ') in such a way with the upper parts (4A, 4A') of the anchor ring (4,4 ', 4 ") is connected so that the end of the upper parts (4A, 4A') facing the hinge element (5, 5 ') is twisted after the screw cap (3, 3', 3 '') has been pivoted open is. Pouring element after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the hinge element (5, 5 ') is arranged in the circumferential direction centrally to the slot (6, 6'). Pouring element according to one of the Claims 2 until 4th , characterized in that the lower end of the hinge element (5, 5 ') in the unopened state of the pouring element over the lower end of the upper parts (4A, 4A') of the anchor ring (4,4 ', 4 ") downwards in the direction of the Mounting flange (1, 1 ', 1'') protrudes. Pouring element according to one of the Claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3'') is locked in the pivoted-open state at an opening angle of 120 ° to 150 ° by the hinge element (5, 5') in its open position with respect to its pivoting open. Pouring element after Claim 6 , characterized in that the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3'') can be freely rotated radially in its locked open position. Pouring element according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized in that the hinge element (5, 5 ') is arranged with respect to its pivot axis in the unopened state above the lower third of the base element (2, 2', 2 "). Pouring element according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the base element (2, 2 ', 2 ") has an outwardly protruding and essentially circumferential collar (9, 9', 9") on its outside. Pouring element after Claim 9 , characterized in that the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4 ") has at its lower end a substantially circumferential web (11, 11', 11") which is directed towards the base element and which extends below the collar (9, 9 ', 9'') is arranged in order to prevent the anchor ring (4,4', 4 '') from being pulled off over the collar (9, 9 ', 9''). Pouring element after Claim 10 , characterized in that the collar (9, 9 ', 9 ") is arranged in the unopened state in the axial direction in the upper region of the anchor ring (4, 4', 4"), so that when the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3'') a movement of the hinge element (5, 5') is possible in the axial direction until the web (11, 11 ', 11'') is in contact with the collar (9, 9', 9 '') occurs. Pouring element after Claim 11 , characterized in that the pivot axis of the hinge element (5, 5 ') is arranged in the axial direction in the upper half of the base element (2, 2', 2 ") when the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3") is pivoted away. Pouring element after Claim 12 , characterized in that the pivot axis of the hinge element (5, 5 ') is arranged in the axial direction in the upper third of the base element (2, 2', 2 ") when the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3") is pivoted away. Pouring element according to one of the Claims 9 until 13th , characterized in that on Base element (2, 2 ', 2 ") below the collar (9, 9', 9") in the direction of the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4 ") protruding outwards and perpendicular to the fastening flange (1, 1 ', 1 ") extending ribs (7, 7', 7") are provided which center the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4 ") with respect to the base element (2, 2', 2") . Pouring element according to one of the Claims 1 until 14th , characterized in that the opening means a cutting element (10,10 ') arranged in the interior of the base element (2, 2', 2 ") and at least one in the interior of the screw cap (3, 3 ', 3") arranged and with this form-fitting or materially connected driver web (12, 12 ') include. Pouring element after Claim 15 , characterized in that the at least one driver web (12, 12 ') protrudes at least partially from the interior of the screw cap (3, 3', 3 '') in the pivoted-open state. Pouring element after Claim 15 or 16 , characterized in that the at least one driver web (12, 12 ') is attached as close as possible to the hinge element (5, 5') in the circumferential direction. Pouring element after Claim 15 or 16 , characterized in that the at least one driver web (12, 12 ') is arranged as far away as possible from the hinge element (5, 5') in the circumferential direction. Pouring element according to one of the Claims 15 until 18th , characterized in that a plurality of driver webs (12, 12 ') arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference is provided. Pouring element according to one of the Claims 1 until 19th , characterized in that at least one tamper-evident seal (15) is arranged between the fastening flange (1) and the anchor ring (4) or the screw cap (3). Pouring element according to one of the Claims 1 until 19th , characterized in that a further ring (17) is arranged below the anchor ring (4 '), which is connected to the anchor ring (4') via a plurality of material bridges (18) and serves as a tamper-evident seal. Pouring element after Claim 21 , characterized in that the ring (17) can only be rotated to a limited extent by blocking webs (19) protruding inwards from the ring (17) with locking elements (20) arranged over the circumference of the base element (2 '), so that it can only be rotated to a limited extent first unscrewing the screw cap (3 ') by tearing off the material bridges (18) from the anchor ring (4') and remains in its position on the base element (2 '). Pouring element after Claim 21 or 22nd , characterized in that the base element (2 ') has an outwardly protruding and essentially circumferential collar (21) on its outside, the clear inner diameter of the collar (21) being smaller than the clear distance between the respective oppositely arranged webs ( 19) of the ring (17). Pouring element according to one of the Claims 1 until 14th or 21 until 23 , characterized in that the fastening flange (1 ") is connected to the inside of the composite pack (P), the base element (2") being closed in its interior in the unopened state on the package side, the opening means in the unopened state inside of the base element (2 ″) arranged and cohesively connected to it, and at least one force transmission element (23) which is arranged in the interior of the screw cap (3 ″) and is materially connected to it, and wherein the opening element (22 ) is positively connected to the at least one force transmission element (23). Pouring element after Claim 24 , characterized in that the opening element (22) is no longer cohesively connected to the base element (2 ″) after the pouring element has been opened for the first time. Pouring element after Claim 24 , characterized in that the opening element (22) protrudes at least partially from the interior of the screw cap (3 ″) in the pivoted-open state.

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