Openable pouring device for food containers

Abstract: An openable pouring device for food containers comprising a lower portion (13) positioned on the outer surface (14) of a container (12) so as to form a pouring orifice (16) capable of being lined-up with an opening (17) provided in the outer surface of the underlying container, and an upper lid-type portion (20) connected to the lower portion (20) by an interposed hinged area (19), a device in which the interposed hinged area (19) is positioned next to an edge (27) of the container (12) and the upper lid-type portion (20) is profiled to function as a pouring element (at 21).

Description: This invention refers to an openable pouring device for food containers according to the preamble of claim 1. Food containers are known for liquids such as milk, juices, drinks etc., comprising containers equipped with appropriate pouring devices. These containers are generally made of laminated paper-type food-grade material, appropriately plastic-coated and profiled to favor their storage and transport. An outer, generally upper surface of the container is provided with such devices by gluing them onto openings provided in the container body. These devices, which are preferably also made of a molded food-grade plastic material, are constituted of two box-type sections capable of being closed down one on top of the other and hinged along their sides. One of these portions is centrally perforated so as to form an annular opening element, while the other is substantially profiled in the form of a lid closing down on the first portion, to which it is hinged along a side functioning as a hinge. The centrally perforated portion is normally further equipped with a membrane or similar sealing element which seals off the opening of the container, once it is positioned on top of the same. Such sealing devices are generally placed on one side of the container next to an edge, so that when opening the lid is flipped over the side functioning as a hinge, up to a point of being above the container. In such a position the device essentially functions as an opening device, while the edge of the lower portion of the device, hooked up above the container, acts as a pouring device. A number of problems may consequently arise during the pouring process, as the food product being poured may drip or at any rate prove to be difficult to direct toward the container meant to receive and contain it. The pouring is in fact to be solely entrusted to the skill and precision of the user pointing the emerging stream directly from the lower portion of the device placed next to the container's edge. EP-A-778 214 refers to a pouring stopper according to the preamble of claim 1. The purpose of this invention is therefore to produce a device applicable to food containers, capable of functioning simultaneously as an opening and/or closing device and as a pouring device. Another purpose is to produce a device for food containers of a particularly simple and sealable form, capable of directing the pouring fluid in a precise manner and so as to prevent it from dripping during the operation. These purposes according to the invention are attained by producing an openable pouring device for food containers according to claim 1. The structural and functional characteristics and considerable advantages of an openable pouring device for food containers produced according to this invention will become better evident from the following description supplied for exemplifying and non-limiting purposes, referred to the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a pouring device according to this invention, placed opposite an edge of a food container as partially shown, and provided with a partially rotated and opened device, Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an elevated enlarged section of the device shown in Figure 1, in a fully opened position. Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the device in an open position on a container, as partially shown. The figures show an openable pouring device for food containers indicated in the overall by 11, placed on a container 12 for liquid food products, for instance of a parallelepiped shape made of laminated food-grade material. A pouring device 11 according to this invention essentially comprises a lower portion 13 capable of being positioned on an outer surface 14 of the container 12. This lower portion 13 comprises an annular base plate 15 forming a pouring opening 16 capable of being lined-up with an opening 17 of the container 12 provided in the underlying outer surface 14. The base plate 15 carries an upwardly extended wall-type element 18 surrounding the opening 16 on three sides. The fourth side carries an extension 19 turned toward the outside of the base plate 15, so as to produce a hinged element. This extension 19, which forms the hinged element, defines the connection of the lower portion 13 with the upper lid-type portion 20. The extension 19 generates a hinged connecting area interposed between the lower portion 13 and the upper portion 20. It is also noted that the extension 19 is placed next to an edge 27 of the container 12. The upper lid-type portion is shaped like a pouring spout, with a hollow 21 which fits below the surface of the base plate 15 once the upper lid-type portion 20 is flipped over by 180° with respect to the lower portion 13 and lined-up with the same, as shown in the Figures 2 and 4. This hollow 21 is provided with an opening 22 in a free terminal area opposite to the one holding the extension 19. It can be seen from the figures that further elements are provided to engage between the lower portion 13 and the upper portion 20 of the pouring device. The base plate 15 is in fact fitted on one of its sides opposite the extension 19 with a tooth-like projecting element 23 capable of receiving the opening 22 of the upper portion 20. The projecting element 23 and the opening 22 also produce a snap-like engaging element capable of locking-up the two parts of the pouring device of this invention in a closed position. The embodiment shown here, in particular in Figure 4, reveals that the projecting element 23 and the opening 22 are equipped with breakable elements 24 capable of keeping the two portions of the device tied-up to each other when the device is fastened for the first time, for instance by gluing, on the container 12. As known, the pouring outlet 16 with its intact device placed on the container further provides a membrane (not shown), which effects a hermetic seal. This membrane, for instance produced by an aluminum foil, is in turn breakable once the user has broken the breakable elements 24 and caused the upper portion 20 of the device to rotate with respect to the lower portion 13. The upper portion 20 may further provide some grasping flaps 25 on the sides opposite to the opening 22. These grasping flaps 25 allow the upper portion 20 to be more readily turned with respect to the lower portion 13. As can be seen in Figure 2, once the pouring device 11 of the invention has been opened by rotating the upper portion as mentioned above, the latter aligns itself with the lower portion. The liquid food product in the container 12 is therefore, once the membrane (non-shown) sealing the opening 16 is lifted, passed over the extension 19 to reach the hollow 21 in the upper portion 20. This achieves a proper channeling of the liquid food product toward the terminal opening 21 of the device. The shaping of this outlet 22 with a straight-cut edge 26 favors the cutting-off of the pouring fluid. The device according to this invention may for example be made of a plastic material by moulding, and attached to the container by a glue or similar material. In accordance with the invention, this achieves an openable pouring device for liquid food containers of a particularly simple shape, capable of being sealed up again after each use. The device according to the invention is also capable of directing the flow of the pouring fluid with precision, and of preventing any dripping during this operation.

Claims: An openable pouring device for food containers comprising a lower portion (13) capable of being positioned on an outer surface (14) of a container (12) to form a pouring outlet (16) capable of being lined-up with an opening (17) provided in said outer surface of the underlying container, and an upper lid-type portion (20) connected to said lower portion (13) by an interposed hinged area (19), said interposed hinged area (19) is intended to be positioned next to an edge (27) of said container (12) and said upper lid-type portion (20) being shaped into a pouring element (at 21), characterized in that some breakable closing elements (24) are provided between said lower portion (13) and said upper portion (20) closed one on top of the other. An openable pouring device according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower portion (13) comprises an annular base plate (15) surrounded on at least three sides by an upward turned wall-type element (18). An openable pouring device according to claim 2, characterized in that said hinged area (18) is placed opposite the fourth side of said base plate (15). An openable pouring device according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper portion (20) of said device provides a hollow (21) ending at one of its free extremities with a straight cut edge (26). An openable pouring device according to claim 1, characterized in that said hollow (21) comes to be beneath the plane of said lower portion, once the said upper portion (20) is flipped over by 180° with respect to said lower portion (13). An openable pouring device according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper portion (20) is equipped with grasping flaps (25). An openable pouring device according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower portion (13) and said upper portion (20) closed one on top of the other engage with each other with a snap action. Container comprising an openable pouring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the operable pouring device is fastened to said container (12) by gluing. An openable pouring device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of a plastic material by molding.

Inventors: FERRARI GUGLIELMO, FERRARI SILVIA, FERRARI, GUGLIELMO, FERRARI, SILVIA
Applicants: FERRARI GUGLIELMO, FERRARI SILVIA, FERRARI, GUGLIELMO, FERRARI, SILVIA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B65D5
IPC codes: B65D5