Abstract:
A pouring package for a fluid and a pouring element therefor, including a container provided with a pouring opening which is closed by a seal in an unopened condition of the container. The pouring package is provided with a pouring element at the location of the pouring opening, the pouring element including a breaking element configured to act on and break the seal when a pressure is exerted thereon so as to thus effect an opened condition of the container. The pouring element is provided with two pivot arms extending on either side of the breaking element. Each pivot arm is pivotally connected to the breaking element with a first end and to the pouring element with the opposite, second end. The pouring element is provided with a flexible wall portion on a side remote from the pouring opening, wherein the flexible wall portion covers only part of the pouring opening.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a pouring package for a fluid according to the preamble of claim  1 . 
     The invention further relates to a pouring element for such a pouring package. 
     Such a pouring package and pouring element are known from EP 1 786 687. In said pouring package, a breaking element is provided between a wall of the pouring element and the seal of the pouring package, which breaking element is able and designed to act on and break the seal when an external pressure is exerted on the wall. 
     In practice the known pouring package and the known pouring element make it possible to break the seal in an efficient and reliable manner from the outside, i.e. without the user having to come into contact with the flow path of the contents of the package. 
     It has been found, however, that in some cases breaking the seal does not take place optimally, because the breaking element does not break the seal to a sufficient degree. A part of the seal will impede the flow path in that case, so that an optimum outflow of the fluid is not possible. 
     French patent document FR 2 753 174 discloses a pouring element which is provided with a breaking element, which is provided above an opening of the pouring package through the use of flexible arms. The placement of the arms enables the breaking element to make a relatively large stroke, so that the seal is broken in a more reliable manner. 
     A drawback of the pouring element described in said patent document, however, is the fact that a relatively large force is required for opening the outflow opening of the pouring package. In addition, the pouring package that is known therefrom is not hygienic, because the user needs to press on parts of the pouring package which at a later stage will form part of the flow path of the fluid present in the pouring package. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pouring package and pouring element of the kind mentioned in the introduction. It is in particular an object to provide a pouring package and a pouring element in which the seal can be broken in an efficient, reliable and hygienic manner. 
     In order to achieve that object, the invention provides a pouring package of the kind mentioned in the introduction. The pouring element is provided with two pivot arms that extend on either side of the breaking element, wherein each of the pivot arms is pivotally connected to the breaking element with a first end and to the pouring element with the opposite, second end. In the pouring element, the breaking element is connected to the base member of the pouring element via at least two pivot arms that extend on either side of the breaking element, wherein each of the pivot arms is pivotally connected to the breaking element with a first end and to the base member with the opposite, second end. The breaking element is thus connected to the pouring element by means of the two pivot arms, such that the pouring element can undergo a substantially translational movement in the direction of the opening of the pouring element, and even past said opening, relative to the base member of the pouring element. The pivot arms provide a certain spring force, i.e. upon exertion of an external pressure of the breaking element, the pivot arms will assist from a certain point in pressing the breaking element in the direction of the seal and enable the breaking element to move past the opening. The pivot arms are preferably designed so that in the broken condition of the seal the end connected to the breaking element will be located further away from the base member than in the sealed condition. The arms are preferably flexible, so that they may take up a slightly curved position in the sealed condition and be substantially straight in the broken condition of the seal. This provides a large translational movement of the breaking element through the seal and past the opening. As a result of the relatively large stroke, the seal is thus broken in an efficient and reliable manner. An outflow opening is thus created between the breaking element and the base member of the pouring element in that situation, so that a good outflow of the fluid is ensured. 
     The pouring package according to the present invention is characterised in that it is provided with a flexible wall portion, for example a film, on a side of the pouring element remote from the pouring opening, which flexible wall portion covers only part of the pouring opening. The flexible wall portion extends at least between two opposite sides of the plate-shaped base member of the pouring element and thus covers a relatively large part of the pouring opening. Part of the pouring opening is not covered, however, so that the fluid can flow from the pouring package in a normal manner. When the flexible wall portion is used, a user cannot come into direct contact with the fluid or with the inside of the container of the pouring package upon depressing the breaking element. Contamination of the fluid is thus prevented, so that the fluid may keep longer. 
     The pouring package according to the present invention is thus a reliable and hygienic package. The object of the present invention is thus achieved. 
     An additional advantage of the pouring package according to the present invention is the fact that the use of said further wall portion obviates the need to provide a relatively thick “pull-off” aluminium film under the closure, so that a much thinner material, such as a membrane, will suffice. 
     In a special embodiment, the flexible wall portion can be produced in a simple manner by making use of so-called in-mould labelling technology. The pouring element is in that case produced by injection-moulding, in which case the flexible wall portion is already present in the mould in the form of a film. By making use of the same materials, an indissoluble bond between the breaking element, the base member and the flexible wall portion in the form of a film is obtained in that case. 
     In one embodiment, the flexible wall portion is attached or connected to the breaking element, and in particular also to the pivot arms. The wall portion is thus connected to the pouring element in an efficient manner. It is furthermore conceivable that the flexible wall portion is also connected to at least three sides of the plate-shaped base member of the pouring element. The pouring element may in that case be provided, on one side thereof, with an edge element that extends arcuately above said side, to which edge element the flexible wall portion is attached. Thus, an outflow opening for the fluid is formed between that side of the plate-shaped base member and the edge element. A compact and hygienic pouring element is thus provided in an efficient manner. 
     In order to effect a relatively large translational movement of the breaking element, the pivot arms exhibit a substantially L-shaped curvature in one embodiment. 
     In one embodiment, the pouring element is provided with a pivotable cover which, in a closed position thereof, covers the pouring opening and the breaking element and which, in an open position thereof, releases the pouring opening such that the fluid can be poured from the container in an opened condition of the container. 
     In one embodiment, in which the breaking element is stabilised during its movement, the pouring package comprises a further pivot arm extending transversely to the pivot arms, which further pivot arm is pivotally connected to the breaking element with a first end and to the pouring element with the opposite end. 
     In a possible embodiment, the pouring package comprises two further pivot arms extending on either side of the breaking element, which further pivot arms extend substantially transversely to the pivot arms, wherein the further pivot arms are each pivotally connected to the breaking element with a first end and to the pouring element with the opposite end. In this way the movement of the breaking element is further restricted, such that breaking element essentially undergoes a translational movement, substantially in a direction transversely to the plane formed by the plate-shaped body of the pouring element. The further pivot arms provide an additional pushing force upon opening of the pouring package. 
     In one embodiment, the pivot arms are designed so that they are located substantially entirely in the interior of the container in an opened condition of the pouring package. 
     In order to improve the breaking of the seal, the breaking element in one embodiment comprises a plate-shaped cutting element, which extends substantially transversely to the plane formed by the seal. The plate-shaped cutting element thus extends transversely to the plane formed by the plate-shaped base member, so that an edge of the plate-shaped cutting element will first reach the seal and can subsequently pierce the seal and/or cut therethrough. 
     In one embodiment, an edge of the plate-shaped cutting element forms a cutting face in that case, wherein at least part of the cutting face extends at an angle relative to the plane formed by the seal in an unopened condition of the package. By this is meant that the linear cutting face extends at an angle relative to the plane formed by the seal and is not disposed parallel thereto, therefore. When the breaking element is pushed down, the cutting face will therefore come into contact with the seal in a point. In this way a very large pressure is built up at the location of the point contact, as a result of which the seal is broken in a simple and reliable manner. It is, incidentally, conceivable that the cutting face is provided with parts that in turn extend at an angle relative to each other, such that the breaking element does not come into contact with the seal in one point but in two or even more points. Preferably, the pouring element comprises two parts extending at an angle relative to each other, so that only two spaced-apart parts of the cutting element will come into contact with the seal. 
     In one embodiment, at least the two ends of the cutting face extend at an angle relative to the seal. The breaking element is preferably designed so that the two ends of the cutting face will first come into contact with the seal upon downward movement of the breaking element. The part of the cutting face that is located between the two ends is disposed relatively further away, i.e. the cutting face has a concave configuration, so that this further-away part will come into contact with the seal later than said ends. 
     It is conceivable in that regard that at least a part of the cutting face that is located between the ends of the cutting face extends substantially parallel to the seal. Said part will in that case form a line contact with the seal after the seal has already been partially broken, so that the seal will be pushed through and be pushed aside slightly when the breaking element is pushed further so as to thus create a flow path for the fluid. 
     In one embodiment, the pivot arms are configured so that the breaking element will make a large stroke upon being pushed downward, such that the seal will be broken and be pushed aside so as to release a tunnel-shaped outflow opening. An edge of the seal thus forms an outflow opening, the shape and the size of which is determined by the pivot arms. The breaking element can thus be of simple design, without additional means for providing a tunnel-shaped outflow opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be explained in more detail by way of illustration with reference to a few embodiments shown in the appended figures, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    are, respectively, a perspective view of a pouring package provided with a pouring element according to the present invention and a partially sectional side view of the pouring element of  FIG. 1 a   , in a closed position of the pouring element; 
         FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    are a perspective view of the pouring package of  FIG. 1 a    and a partially sectional side view of the pouring element of  FIG. 1 b   , respectively, in which a cover of the pouring element is in the open position thereof; 
         FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    are a perspective view of the pouring package of  FIG. 1 a    and a partially sectional side view of the pouring element of  FIG. 1 b   , respectively, in which a cover of the pouring element is in the open position and the seal has been broken by a breaking element of the pouring element; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective bottom view of the pouring element according to the invention as shown in  FIGS. 2 a    and  2   b;    
         FIG. 5  is a perspective bottom view of the pouring element according to the invention as shown in  FIGS. 3 a    and  3   b.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a pouring package  1  for a fluid, comprising a container  1  substantially impermeable to the fluid, which container is formed by a number of walls  2 ,  3 ,  4 . The upper wall  3  of the container  1  is provided with a pouring opening  5  (not shown in this figure) which is covered by a pouring element  6 . The pouring package  1  is for example a carton for a fluid such as milk, yoghurt, apple juice or other liquid or semi-liquid products. Such packages and contents are known per se to the skilled person, and consequently the invention is not restricted to the type of fluid that is present in the package  1 . It is noted in this regard that also non-consumable products can be contained therein. 
       FIG. 1 a    shows the pouring element  6  in an unopened condition of the container  1 , in which a pouring element  6  provided with a cover  6  covers a pouring opening  5  (not shown). The cover  11  comprises an engaging lip  16 . 
       FIG. 1 b    is a partially sectional side view of the pouring element  6 , in the condition shown in  FIG. 1 a   . The pouring element  6  comprises a substantially rectangular base member  12 , in which an opening is formed. The base member  12  of the pouring element  6  is attached to the pouring opening  5  in the upper wall  3 , which is covered by the seal  9 , in a manner which is known to the skilled person, such that the opening of the base member  12  is substantially in line with the pouring opening  5  to be formed in the pouring package  1 . Provided at the location of the opening of the base member  12 , and in line with said opening, is a breaking element  21 . The breaking element  21  is provided with two sharp points  22 ,  24  on an underside thereof, at least the side that faces the seal  9 , which can be used for breaking the seal. The breaking element  21  comprises a few pivotable arms  26 ,  27  (only a rear arm  26  is shown in  FIG. 1 b   ), which arms  26 ,  27  connect the breaking element  21  to the base member  12  of the pouring element  6 . Using film hinges, the arms  26 ,  27  are configured so that they can pivot at the location of the transition between the base member  12  and the arms  26 ,  27  on the one hand and at the location of the transition between the arms  26 ,  27  and the breaking element  21  on the other hand. In the situation shown in  FIG. 1 b   , the breaking element  21  is located at an upper side of the base member  12 , and that in such a manner that the breaking element  21  is positioned above the seal  9  of the pouring opening  5 , preferably some distance above said seal  9 . Located at the front side of the pouring element  6  is an outflow channel  31 , via which fluid can flow out in a broken condition of the seal  9 . 
     The cover  11 , which is slightly rigid, prevents a user from moving the breaking element  21  downward via said cover  11 , however, such that unintentional opening of the package  1  is not possible. The cover  11 , which is clamped in the base member  12  by means of a locking element  18 , can be moved to an open position by a user when the user engages the lip  16  of the cover  11  that is provided at the front side. 
     When the cover  11  is pivoted upward by the user, the situation shown in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    is obtained. The cover  11  of the pouring element  6  has been moved up, as a result of which the breaking element  21 , which is covered by a flexible wall portion  15  that is provided on a side of the pouring element  6  remote from the pouring opening  5 , is accessible to a user. The wall portion  15  covers only part of the pouring opening  5 , because an outflow opening  31  of the pouring element  6  is not covered by the wall portion  15  at the front side and fluid can thus flow freely therethrough—providing that the seal  9  is broken. 
     In the situation shown in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , the breaking element  21  can be moved downward by a user so as to thus break the seal  9  in the wall portion  3  and release the outflow opening. The double pivoted attachment of the arms  26 ,  27  enables the breaking element  21  to break the seal  9  that is present on the pouring opening  5 , as will be explained below with reference to  FIGS. 3 a    and  3   b.    
       FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    shows the situation in which the breaking element  21  has been pressed down, past the base member  12 , and through the seal  9 . In that situation, the outflow opening  5  (see  FIG. 1 b   ) is released, because the seal  9  has been pushed aside (shown schematically in  FIG. 3 b   ), and a flow path F extends from the inside of the container  1 , via the outflow channel  31 , to outside the container  1 , such that the fluid can flow from the container  1 . If the user wishes not to use of the pouring package  1  temporarily, the user can return the cover  11  to the position shown in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   , in which the cover  11  firmly engages the base member  12  by means of the locking element  18 , and the flow path F is interrupted at the location of the outflow opening  31 . Undesired outflow of fluid from the container  11  is not possible in this situation. 
     The pouring element  6  and the breaking element  21  thereof will be explained in more detail with reference to  FIG. 4  and five, which show the pouring element  6  in a deactivated position and in an activated position, respectively. As  FIGS. 4 and 5  show, the breaking element  21  is a substantially plate-shaped element  21 , which is provided with a breaking profile on an underside thereof. As is more clearly shown in  FIG. 3 b   , said breaking profile comprises a point  22  provided at a first end, as well as a further point  24  located at the opposite end. Between the pointed ends, the breaking element is concave or hollow, i.e. the points  22 ,  24  are provided closest to the seal  9  in a non-activated position of the breaking element  21 . The edge formed by the underside of the breaking element  21  is configured as a cutting edge in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , i.e. the edge is relatively sharp, so that it can easily cut through the seal  9 . 
     The pivot arms  26 ,  27  or spring arms  26 ,  27  attach the breaking element  21  to the rectangular base member  12  of the pouring element  6 . The spring arms  26 ,  27  are configured so that the breaking element can make a relatively large stroke upon being pushed down, so that the seal  9  is broken and pushed aside so as to release the tunnel-shaped outflow opening  31 , via the flow path F. In spite of this, the pouring element  6  only has a small height in an unopened condition. 
     Because two arms  27  are provided on either side of the breaking element  21 , which arms are L-shaped or C-shaped, said arms provide a pushing or assisting force when the breaking element  21  is being pushed down. When the breaking element  21  is moved past a particular point, the arms  27  will push the breaking element  21  further downward. The arms  27  thus assist in the breaking of the seal  9 . The seal  9  can thus be broken in a simple manner by the user, without exerting a large force. The further arm  26 , which extends transversely to the previously described arms  27 , provides stability, such that the breaking element  21  cannot swing aside. 
     The pouring element  6  can be efficiently produced, substantially in its entirety (at least with the exception of the flexible wall portion  15 ) by means of an injection-moulding technique. To that end a film, which will form the flexible wall portion  15  at a later stage and which in that capacity closes the pouring opening  5  at the upper side and ensures that only the flow path F via the outflow opening will be free when the seal  9  is broken, is laid in a mould that is suitable for that purpose. The film comes from a roll, for example, which enters the mould on one side and exits the mould again on another side. Upon closing of the mould, the film already undergoes a thermoforming treatment: from a flat shape it is pressed into a cup shape. During the injection-moulding process, the pouring element  6  with the flexible wall portion is thus formed. This end product is present on the long roll of film that forms the flexible wall portion  15 . The roll can be moved a little further, whereupon the injection-moulding process is repeated. The end product is then a roll of film comprising a large number of pouring elements  6 . The individual pouring elements  6  can be removed to size from the roll, whereupon they can be placed directly on the container  1  of the pouring package  1 , in a manner that is known per se to the skilled person. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pouring element  6  is made of polypropylene (PP). The flexible wall portion  15  may also be made of PP in that case, which has the advantage that the two materials bond together, so that they are inextricably bound together during the production process. Alternatively, polyethylene may be used. 
     In the embodiment described above, the pouring element  6  has a weight of about 1.7 g, which constitutes a major saving in comparison with the about 2.7 g of current closures that are known to the applicant. 
     The skilled person will appreciate that the invention has been described in the foregoing with reference to a few possible embodiments, which are preferred will stop the invention is not limited to these embodiments, however. Many modifications are conceivable within the framework of the invention. The protection being sought is defined by the appended claims.