POURING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract: A pouring device for a carton comprises a ring (9) sealed round a carton wall part (26) almost encircled by a loop of weakness (7), a tubular pouring spout (12) encircled by the ring (9) and connected thereto by frangible bridges (13), and a closure cap (33) spaced from the ring (9) by spacing strips (37) connected by frangible bridges (36) to the cap (33) and received in straight grooves (38) in the ring (9). Turning of the cap (33) about its own axis breaks the bridges (36), to cause the strips (37) to fall away. Then the cap (33) can be pushed inwards linearly axially relative to the ring (9) to break the bridges (13) and cause the spout (12) to break open the part (26), screwthreading (31) on the cap (33) riding over screwthreading (30) on the spout (12) into a co-operating condition, and an annular land (41) on the spout (12) riding past an annular flange (11) on the ring (9). In an alternative version, the cap is a flip cap hinged to the outer end of the pouring spout and the spacing strips are attached by frangible bridges to the spout.

Description: POURING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER This invention relates to a pouring device for a container and a method of opening the container. Pouring devices suitable for mounting upon gable-topped and flat-topped paperboard cartons are known from, for example, EP-A-0328652; EP-A-0385603; GB-A-2210359; US-A- 5141133; WO-A-92/15496 and WO-A-93/15970. In EP-A-0328652; EP-A-0385603; GB-A-2210359 and US-A- 5141133, the pouring devices include tubular members which are encircled by rings sealed to the cartons and are driven axially inwards by the opener, i.e. the person opening the carton, relative to the rings to force pouring holes through the walls of the cartons. In EP-A-0385603, the opener can push the tubular member linearly inwards, but must first unscrew a closure cap, internally threaded to co-operate with external threading on the ring, to be able to apply a finger or thumb directly to the outer end of the tubular member, which outer end defines internally the pouring mouth of the device. This has the disadvantage that, especially if the opener is not the consumer of the contents, e.g. is a barman, the consumer may consider that this device in unhygienic in its manner of opening. This disadvantage is overcome in EP-A-0328652; GB-A- 2210359 and US-A-5141133 by arranging for turning of the closure cap to produce an inwardly camming action on the tubular member, through reaction on the ring. However, this has the disadvantage of risking tearing of the ring relative to the plastics-coated paperboard of the carton, which can result not only in leakage of contents from the carton if reclosed, but also in reduction of the barrier effect of any barrier layer, for example an 0 2 barrier layer. In W092/15496 and WO93/15970, tamper-evident bands encircling the caps and connected thereto by frangible bridges are provided with pawls to engage in ratchets on rings attached to the containers to prevent turning of the caps about their own axes until the bands have been broken away. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pouring device for a container, comprising a ring, a tubular member encircled by said ring and through which contents of said container are to be poured, and a closure cap by way of which an opener can apply force to said tubular member to displace said tubular member relative to said ring, characterised in that said tubular member is linearly slidable axially of said ring by the application of force to said cap axially of said ring. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of opening a container, including applying force to a tubular member by way of a closure cap to displace said tubular member relative to a ring encircling said tubular member, characterised in. that said tubular member is slid linearly axially of said ring by the application of force to said cap axially of said ring. Owing to these two aspects of the invention, not only does the tubular member not need to be touched by an opener, which can be unhygienic, to displace it through the ring, but also there is no need for the opener to apply to the ring a force which could lessen fluid-tightness at the connection between the ring and the container. The pouring device may include tamper-evident spacing means extending from the ring along the tubular member to a portion of the tubular member or the closure. In this way, tampering with the pouring device is made evident, and the risk of unintentional opening of the container by an accidental, axially inward push on the cap is reduced. Advantageously, the tamper-evident spacing means is fixedly connected to the tubular member or to the cap by way of frangible portions. If the container when filled and closed has a head space therein above the contents, with an upwardly extending wall bounding the head space and including a part closing a pouring opening through said wall, the tubular member advantageously opens that wall part by turning the same inwardly about a hinge portion thereof, with the hinge portion being at an upper edge zone of the part. It is thus possible to reduce any tendency for the contents being poured from the container to turn the opened part back towards the pouring opening. The wall part may be bounded by a loop of weakness extending over a surface of the wall. The loop of weakness may be a closed loop, but is preferably an open loop so as to leave such hinge portion about which the wall part may be inwardly turned. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device comprising a closure cap, a tubular pouring spout and a ring arranged co-axially in a row, and frangible bridging portions between said spout and said ring, characterised in that said cap, said spout and said ring are moulded in one piece and relatively weak bridging portions interconnect said cap and said spout. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a pouring device on a container, comprising providing a closure cap, a tubular pouring spout and a ring, and attaching said ring to said container, characterised by displacing said spout and said cap together linearly axially inwardly of said ring relative to said ring to break bridging portions between said spout and said cap or said ring. Owing to these aspects of the invention, the device can be simply and inexpensively produced and mounted upon the container. In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic vertical section through a container in the form of a gable-topped carton and with a pouring fitment thereof in a. condition ready for pouring, Figure 2 is a view, half in elevation and half in axial section, of the pouring fitment immediately after production thereof by moulding, Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the fitment sealed to the carton and in the condition in which it is supplied to the consumer, Figure 4 is a plan view of the fitment in its condition of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the fitment in a condition almost ready for pouring. Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the fitment in a condition ready for pouring, the axial section being taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 1, and Figures 7 to 10 are the same views as Figures 2 , 3, 5 and 6, respectively, but of a modified version of the pouring fitment. Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the gable-topped carton 1 has top closure roof panels 2 and 3 and a top closure sealing fin 4. The liquid contents 5, for example milk or orange juice, of the container 1 almost fill the container, leaving a head space 6 bounded by the roof panels 2 and 3. The container 1 consists of a laminate comprised of the following layers at least, progressing outwards:- an inner thermoplastics layer, for example low density polyethylene (LDPE) , constituting a barrier to the liquid contents 5, a layer, for example aluminium foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) , constituting a barrier to gaseous substance, for example oxygen, a stiffening layer, for example of paperboard, and an outer thermoplastics layer, for example LDPE, constituting a barrier to water. In the panel 2, there is laser-cut through the outer thermoplastics layer and the stiffening layer, but not through the gaseous substance barrier layer or the inner thermoplastics layer, and thus in the form of a partial-depth cut, a circular, but open, loop of weakness 7, which thus extends over the outside surface of the panel 2. Heat-and pressure-sealed to the outer thermoplastics layer around the loop 7 is an annular, outwardly directed flange 8 of a ring 9. The ring 9 includes an externally threaded intermediate annular part 10 and an inwardly directed, annular, upper flange 11. The ring 9 encircles co-axially a tubular spout 12 and is connected thereto by frangible, thin, bridging portions 13. The lower edge 14 of the tubular spout 12 is of a diameter almost as great as that of the loop of weakness 7. In the pouring mouth of the spout 12 is formed internal threading 30 which is to co-operate with, and is forcible axially over, external threading 31 part-way up a skirt 32 of a screw cap 33. Immediately above the threading 31, the skirt 32 is formed with an external radial flange 34. The cap 33 also includes radiating vanes 35 which, at their radially innermost edges, are integral with the skirt 32 and, at their lowermost edges, are integral with the flange 34. Fixed by bridging portions 36 to certain of the vanes 35 are vertical, diametrically oppositely arranged, horizontally curved, strip-form, tamper-evident spacers 37 extending longitudinally with respect to the spout 12. Formed in the outer surface of an upper flange 11 of the ring 9 are two parallel slots 38 which extend perpendicularly to the axis A of the pouring fitment and which are arranged to receive the inner ends of the respective spacers 37. The external peripheral surface of the spout 12 is formed co-axially with a shallow, rectangular-section, annular groove 39, and immediately thereabove with a deeper, narrow, rectangular-section, annular groove 40, while immediately below the groove 39 is an annular land 41 followed by a frusto-conical surface 42 co-axial with the spout 12 and narrowing downwardly towards the bridging portions 13. The flange 11 has its peripherally inner surface of circular cylindrical form and of the height of the groove 39, the annular base surface of the groove 39 being slightly larger in diameter than the inner peripheral surface of the flange 11. The ring 9, the spout 12, the cap 33 and the two spacers 37 are injection-moulded in one piece from polyethylene, with the frangible, thin, bridging portions 13 and 36 and frangible, thin, bridging portions 43 between the spout 12 and the cap 33 fixedly interconnecting the items 9, 12, 33 and 37, as illustrated in Figure 2. Rectangular holes 44 radiate through the wall of the spout 12 at its lower end. After moulding, the cap 33, carrying the spacers 37, is mechanically pressed downwards relative to the spout 12, to break the bridging portions 43 and to bring the cap 33 and the spacers 37 to the positions shown in Figure 3, in which the threading 31 interengages with the threading 30, the flange 34 comes to bear on the upper end of the spout 12, and the lower ends of the spacers 37 are simply received in the respective slots 38. It is in this condition that the pouring fitment is heat-and pressure-sealed to the panel 2 by way of the flange 8 (see Figure 3) and that the carton is stored and transported on the way to the consumer and in which the consumer receives the carton. Having received the filled carton and to open the pouring fitment, the consumer first turns the cap 33 about its own axis relative to the ring 9, so breaking the bridging portions 13 and 36, whereupon the spacers 37 fall away. Then he applies a thumb or finger to the top of the cap 33 to press it inwards, so that the inner periphery of the flange 11 is encountered by the frusto-conical surface 42 and is caused to squeeze over the land 41 and come to engage grippingly in the groove 39, with the bridging portions 13 entering the groove 40. Meanwhile, the part 26 of the panel 2 bounded by the loop of weakness 7 is pressed inwards, so breaking the gaseous substance barrier layer and the inner thermoplastics layer at the loop of weakness 7, so that the part 26 hinges about the bridging portion 27 between the part 26 and the remainder of the panel 2. The condition shown in Figure 5 is thus attained, in which the spout 12 fits sealingly in the ring 9. Thereupon, the consumer can turn the cap 33 relative to the spout 12 (because the spout 12 is tightly gripped by the flange 11) to unscrew the cap from the spout, so that the condition shown in Figure 6 is thus reached. The fitment and the part 26 are now in a condition ready for pouring, whereupon the carton 1 is tilted in the sense of the arrow A in Figure 1. Owing to the location of the opened part 26 at the upper rather than the lower side of the spout 12, the liquid 5 being poured tends, if anything, to push the part 26 further away from the entry to the spout 12, rather than pushing it towards that entry. The contents can be poured out even to substantially the last vestiges thereof, owing to the provision of the holes 44. For re-closing of the carton, the cap 33 is simply screwed back into the spout 12, its skirt 32 fitting sealingly in the spout. The version shown in Fugures 7 to 10 differs from that shown in Figures 2 to 6 in a number of respects. Firstly, the screw cap 33 is dispensed with and instead a cap 50 is hinged, by means of thin hinge portions 53, to adjacent the outer end of the spout 12, which is elongated. Secondly, the spacers 37 are connected to the spout 12 by way of bridging portions 51. Furthermore, between the frusto-conical surface 42 and the bridging portions 13, the external peripheral surface of the spout 12 is provided co-axially with a right-triangular-section rib 52 of which the frusto-conical surface converges downwardly. Again, the pouring fitment can be moulded in one piece, with the items, 12, 37 and 50 being fixedly interconnected by way of the bridging portions 13 and 51 and the hinging portions 53, as seen in Figure 7. Subsequently, the spout 12, carrying the cap 50, is mechanically pushed downwards relative to the ring 9, so breaking the bridging portions 13 and causing the rib 52 to snap into position below the bridging portions 13 to prevent the spout 12 from later becoming detached from the ring 9. At the same time, the lower ends of the spacers 37 enter the grooves 38. The cap 50 is then turned about the hinging portions 53 and snapped into a closing position over the mouth of the spout 12. Subsequently, the flange 8 is heat-and pressure-sealed to the panel 2, so that the condition shown in Figure 8 is attained. It is in this condition of the pouring fitment that the carton is stored and transported on the way to the consumer and in which the consumer receives the carton. In this condition, the consumer first turns the spout 12 about its own axis relative to the ring 9, to break the bridging portions 51, so that the spacers 37 fall away, and he then presses downwards with a thumb or finger on the cap 50 to cause the land 41 to ride past the flange 11 and the flange 11 to engage tightly against the base surface of the groove 39, with the bridging portions 13 entering the groove 40. Meanwhile, the spout 12 forces open the part 26, so that the condition shown in Figure 9 is reached. Then the consumer can snap open the cap 50 and hinge it back, so that the condition shown in Figure 10 is reached. In this latter condition, the fitment is ready for pouring of the contents of the carton. For re-closing of the carton, the cap 50 is simply snapped back onto the top of the spout 12. The versions shown in Figures 2 to 10 have a number of advantages. Firstly, the caps 33 and 50 prevent direct contact between the user and the mouth of the spout 12, until the pouring condition of Figure 6 or 10 is reached. Moreover, the spacers 37 are tamper-evident in relation to turning or inward movement of the cap 33 relative to the ring 9 in the version of Figures 3 to 6 and in relation to turning or inward movement of the spout 12 relative to the ring 9 in the version of Figures 7 to 10. Moreover, the spacers 37 help to support the spout 12 against accidental pushing-in relative to the ring 9. An advantage of the version of Figures 7 to 10 is that, with its elongated spout 12, it is better suited to drinking from, i.e. pouring the contents directly into the mouth of the consumer. It is possible to attach the fitment to the carton after the carton has been filled and top-closed and -sealed. The fitment is particularly usable in aseptic packaging, because the barrier layers remain intact.

Claims: . CLAIMS 1. A pouring device for a container, comprising a ring (9), a tubular member (12) encircled by said ring (9) and through which contents (5) of said container (1) are to be poured, and a closure cap (33;50) by way of which an opener can apply force to said tubular member (12) to displace said tubular member (12) relative to said ring (9) , characterised in that said tubular member (12) is linearly slidable axially of said ring (9) by the application of force to said cap (33;50) axially of said ring (9) . 2. A device according to claim 1 and further comprising tamper-evident spacing means (37) extending from said ring (9) along said tubular member (12) to a portion of said tubular member (12) or said cap (33) . 3. A device according to claim 2 , wherein said spacing means (37) is located relative to said ring (9) by means of tongue-and-groove locating means (37,38) between said spacing means (37) and said ring (9) . 4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said spacing means (37) comprises strips (37) extending parallelly to a longitudinal axis of said tubular member (12) . 5. A device according to claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein said spacing means (37) is connected to said portion of said tubular member (12) or said cap (33) by way of frangible bridges (36;51) . 6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said ring (9) is formed substantially co-axially with a substantially radially inwardly directed flange (11) . 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said tubular member (12) is formed substantially co-axially with an external groove (39,40) in which said flange (11) engages during the linear sliding of said tubular member (12) relative to said ring (9), said groove (39,40) being bounded axially inwardly by a land (41) which is substantially co- axial with said tubular member (12) and which is forcible axially past said flange (11) . 8. A device according to claim 6 or 7, and further comprising a rib (52) formed externally on said tubular member (12) and engaging behind the axially inner side of said flange (11) . 9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said cap (50) is a flip cap (50) . 10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said tubular member (12) is formed with screw threading (30) and said cap (33) is formed with screwthreading (31) which co¬ operates with the screwthreading (30) on the tubular member (12) and which has been forced axially to ride over the screwthreading (30) on the tubular member (12) . 11. A method of opening a container, including applying force to a tubular member (12) by way of a closure cap (33;50) to displace said tubular member (12) relative to a ring (9) encircling said tubular member (12), characterised in that said tubular member (12) is slid linearly axially of said ring (9) by the application of force to said cap (33;50) axially of said ring (9) . 12. A method according to claim 11, and further comprising breaking bridging portions (36;51) between , on the one hand, tamper-evident spacing means (37)which extends from said ring (9) to a portion of said tubular member (12) or of said cap (33), and, on the other hand, said ring (9) or said portion. 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said breaking of said bridging portions (36) is produced by turning of said tubular member (12) or said closure cap (33) about the axis of said ring (9) . 14. A device comprising a closure cap (33;50), a tubular pouring spout (12) and a ring (9) arranged co-axially in a row, and frangible bridging portions (13) between said spout (12) and said ring (9), characterised in that said cap (33;50), said spout (12) and said ring (9) are moulded in one piece and relatively weak bridging portions (43;53) interconnect said cap (33;50) and said spout (12) . 15. A device according to claim 14, wherein said cap (33) comprises a screw cap (33) and said relatively weak bridging portions (43) comprise frangible bridging portions (43) . 16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said spout (12) is formed substantially co-axially with screwthreading (30) and said cap (33) is formed with complementary screwthreading (31) forcible linearly axially over the screwthreading (30) on said spout (12) into a condition co-operating with the same (30) . 17. A device according to claim 14, wherein said cap (50) is a flip cap (50) and said relatively weak bridging portions (53) comprise hinge portions (53) . 18. A device according to any one of claims 14 to 17 and further comprising tamper-evident spacing means (37) moulded integrally with said cap (33) or said spout (12) and extending towards said ring (9) , and other frangible bridging portions (36;51) connecting said spacing means (37) to said cap (33) or said spout (12), as the case may be. 19. A device according to claim 18, wherein said spacing means (37) comprises strips (37) extending towards said ring (9) . 20. A device according to claim 18 or 19, and further comprising groove means (38) in said ring for receiving said spacing means (37) . 21. A device according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein said ring (9) includes a substantially radially inwardly directed flange (11) and said spout (12) includes externally a rib (52) disposed axially outwardly of said flange (11) and forcible linearly axially past said flange (11) to engage behind the same (11) . 22. A method of providing a pouring device on a container, comprising providing a closure cap (33;50) , a tubular pouring spout (12) and a ring (9), and attaching said ring (9) to said container (1), characterised by displacing said spout (12) and said cap (33;50) together linearly axially inwardly of said ring (9) relative to said ring (9) to break bridging portions (43;13) between said spout (12) and said cap (33) or said ring (9) . 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the displacement of said spout (12) and said cap (33) together linearly axially inwardly of said ring (9) causes screwthreading (31) on said cap (33) to ride linearly axially over screwthreading (30) on said spout (12) into a condition co-operating therewith. 24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the displacement of said spout (12) and said cap (33;50) together linearly axially of said ring (9) causes spacing means (37) detachably connected to said cap (33) or said spout (12) to enter groove means (38) in said ring (9) .

Inventors: STAMPE OEYVIND, STAMPE, OEYVIND
Applicants: ELOPAK SYSTEMS, STAMPE OEYVIND, ELOPAK SYSTEMS AG, STAMPE, OEYVIND
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65D5
IPC codes: B65D5