Patent Description:
Said packages are primarily used to contain fruit juices, yoghurt, fruit puree, energy drinks, and similar products for children. These packages have become very popular, due to their compact size, great practicality of use, and playful aspect linked to the use of the spout, which attracts the attention of children. Several hundred million units are produced and sold every year.

Typically, spout closures, made of plastic, comprise a cap and a guarantee seal, which comprises a guarantee ring joined to the cap by a plurality of breakable bridges. When the cap is unscrewed for the first time, the bridges break, separating the cap from the guarantee ring and making the first opening apparent. <CIT> discloses a closure assembly according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Recently, research and development efforts of manufacturing companies have focused on constructing a closure with a guarantee seal in which, even after the first opening, the cap remains attached to the guarantee ring to prevent it from being lost in the environment.

It is the object of the present invention to make a closure for a spout of a thin-walled package that meets the aforesaid requirements and is particularly comfortable to use.

This object is achieved by a closure according to claim <NUM>. The claims dependent thereon identify additional advantageous embodiments.

The features and advantages of the closure according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of nonlimiting example according to the figures in the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

In reference to the figures in the attached drawings, <NUM> has been used to indicate a thin-walled package, usually referred to as a "pouch". The package <NUM> comprises a pouch <NUM> for containing the product, comprising a front wall <NUM> and a rear wall <NUM>, facing each other, made of a flexible, single-layer or multi-layer film. Along the side edges, the walls <NUM>, <NUM> are welded together or, in a variant embodiment, sides are provided made of flexible film and welded to the walls <NUM>, <NUM>.

The package <NUM> further comprises a spout assembly <NUM>, typically made in one piece of plastic material by injection molding. The spout assembly <NUM> has an internal spout duct <NUM> extending from a lower end 14a, intended to be contained in the pouch <NUM>, to an upper end 14b in which is found a mouth <NUM> for dispensing product along a spout axis X.

The spout assembly <NUM> comprises a connection portion <NUM>, referred to as a "weld boat," intended to be hermetically applied to the pouch <NUM>, between the top edges of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, for example, by welding. The connection portion <NUM> is axially delimited by a first plate <NUM> orthogonal to the spout axis X.

A second plate <NUM> of the spout assembly <NUM>, also orthogonal to the spout axis X, is spaced axially from the first plate <NUM>. The second plate <NUM> has two opposing straight edges <NUM>', <NUM>", connected by two leading edges <NUM>', <NUM>", which are, for example, arched.

The spout assembly <NUM> further comprises a spout <NUM> extending axially from the second plate <NUM> and ending with the mouth <NUM>.

The spout assembly <NUM> further comprises an engagement plate 26a - 26e, which is orthogonal to the spout axis X and projecting radially outward from the outer side surface of the spout <NUM>. The projection of the engagement plate template 26a - 26e along the spout axis X onto the second plate <NUM> is entirely contained within said second plate <NUM>, so as not to interfere with the movement of the packages along the filling lines.

In an imaginary plane orthogonal to the spout axis X, said engagement plate 26a - 26e has a cross section having various shapes (<FIG>): cylindrical circular crown shape; cylindrical circular crown chamfered by straight portions at the straight edges <NUM>', <NUM>" of the second plate <NUM>; grooved with arched edges; grooved with straight edges; cylindrical circular crown chamfered by mixed straight and arched segments.

Between the engagement plate 26a - 26e and the second plate <NUM>, a ring seat <NUM> is obtained, which is discussed below.

The package <NUM> further comprises a closure <NUM> applicable to the spout assembly <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the closure <NUM> comprises a cap assembly <NUM> and an over-cap <NUM>, which are made separately and joined together.

The cap assembly <NUM> comprises a cap <NUM>, having a central cap axis Y and comprising an annular, internally threaded cap wall <NUM>, a cap base <NUM> which closes the cap wall <NUM> at one end, and a cap flange <NUM>, radially projecting externally from the cap wall <NUM>, on the other end.

The cap assembly <NUM> further comprises a guarantee seal <NUM> comprising a guarantee ring <NUM>, a guarantee band <NUM>, and a plurality of breakable bridges <NUM> joining the guarantee ring <NUM> to the guarantee band <NUM> and the guarantee band <NUM> to the cap flange <NUM>.

The guarantee band <NUM>, which extends between an initial portion 58a and an end portion 58b, is wound about the cap axis Y in a circumferential pattern, whereby, in an unbroken seal configuration, the initial portion 58a is circumferentially opposite the end portion 58b and spaced apart therefrom.

The guarantee band <NUM> is also superimposed on the guarantee ring <NUM>, from which it is axially separated by a first separation line <NUM>, along which some bridges <NUM> are arranged; the cap flange <NUM> is in turn axially superimposed on the guarantee band <NUM>, from which it is axially separated by a second separation line <NUM>, along which some bridges <NUM> are arranged.

The guarantee seal <NUM> further comprises a first attachment portion <NUM>, which is more resistant than the bridges <NUM> and joins the guarantee band <NUM>, and in particular the initial portion 58a thereof, to the guarantee ring <NUM>. The guarantee seal <NUM> further comprises a second attachment portion <NUM>, which is more resistant than the bridges <NUM> and joins the guarantee band <NUM>, and in particular the end portion 58b thereof, to the cap flange <NUM>.

Moreover, the guarantee seal <NUM> comprises a predominantly circumferentially extending breakable segment <NUM>, which joins the initial portion 58a of the band <NUM> with the end portion 58b.

Preferably, the breakable segment <NUM> is configured to encounter a preferential breakage at the initial portion 58a, whereby the part remaining after the first opening remains attached to the end portion 58b (<FIG>). To this end, the breakable segment <NUM> has a cross section with decreasing resistance from the end portion 58b to the initial portion 58a.

Preferably, moreover, the bridges <NUM> are configured to preferentially break at the guarantee band <NUM>, whereby any residual protrusions remaining after the first opening remain attached to the guarantee ring <NUM> or cap flange <NUM>, leaving the guarantee band <NUM> free of protrusions (<FIG>).

For this purpose, the bridges <NUM> have a cross section with decreasing resistance from the guarantee band <NUM> toward the guarantee ring <NUM> or toward the cap flange <NUM>, whereby, at the guarantee ring <NUM> or the cap flange <NUM>, the cross section is small and particularly weak.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first separation line <NUM> has a fret (<FIG>) or wavy circumferential pattern (<FIG>), whereby the guarantee band <NUM> and the guarantee ring <NUM> interpenetrate axially, forming reliefs and respective indents.

For example, the guarantee band <NUM> has at least one axial relief <NUM>, which corresponds to the respective axial indent <NUM> of the guarantee ring <NUM>; according to a further example, the guarantee ring <NUM> has at least one axial relief <NUM> which corresponds to the respective axial indent <NUM> of the guarantee band <NUM>.

Advantageously, when the closure <NUM> is first screwed to the spout assembly <NUM>, the reliefs <NUM> of the guarantee band <NUM> thrust on the reliefs <NUM> of the guarantee ring <NUM>, which act as circumferential abutments, dragging the guarantee ring <NUM> in rotation, thus avoiding the breakage of the bridges <NUM> between the guarantee band <NUM> and the guarantee ring <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the over-cap <NUM>, preferably made of plastic material in one piece, for example by injection molding, comprises a shell <NUM> integral with the cap <NUM>, for example so that it covers, at least partially, the outer surface of the cap wall <NUM>.

The over-cap <NUM> further comprises an annular handle <NUM>, radially spaced externally from the shell <NUM>, and spokes <NUM> that make the handle <NUM> integral with the shell <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> has a handle opening <NUM> at the top, i.e., on the side of the cap base <NUM>, delimited by an opening edge <NUM> that surmounts the cap base <NUM> and is arranged axially spaced therefrom. On the other hand, the handle <NUM> has a lower perimeter edge <NUM> substantially coplanar with the lower edge of the cap wall <NUM>, below which the cap flange <NUM> is located.

According to a variant embodiment, the closure <NUM> is made of plastic material in a single piece, for example by injection molding. In said variant, the shell is integrated with the cap.

Having applied the closure <NUM> to the spout assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) by screwing the cap <NUM> to the spout <NUM>, the guarantee ring <NUM> is at least partially received in the ring seat <NUM>, which is impossible to be pulled out axially without damaging it. The guarantee band <NUM>, on the other hand, is located outside of the ring seat <NUM>, above the engagement plate 26a - 26e.

In one embodiment, the guarantee ring <NUM> is freely rotatable in the ring seat <NUM>; according to a further embodiment, locking means are provided to prevent or limit the free rotation of the guarantee ring <NUM> in the ring seat <NUM>.

Upon unscrewing the closure <NUM> from the spout <NUM>, the breakable segment <NUM> breaks, as do the bridges <NUM>, so that after unscrewing, the guarantee band <NUM> takes the form of a strap <NUM>', connected to the guarantee ring <NUM> by the first attachment portion <NUM> and to the cap <NUM>, and in particular to the cap flange <NUM>, by the second attachment portion <NUM> (<FIG>). The closure <NUM>, although unscrewed from the spout <NUM>, thus remains connected to the spout assembly <NUM> (open configuration).

The guarantee band <NUM> is configured whereby in the open configuration, the handle <NUM> may be sufficiently far from the spout <NUM> so as to be able to place a user's fingers on the extended guarantee band <NUM>, between the spout <NUM> and the handle <NUM>, whereby the handle <NUM> is not in the way when using the spout (<FIG>).

In particular, the guarantee band <NUM>, when the package is in a use configuration in which it is substantially taut and straight, has a length such that the end portion 58b, to which the cap <NUM>, and in particular the cap flange <NUM>, is attached, is below the connection portion <NUM> of the spout assembly <NUM> (<FIG>). Because the end portion 58b is deformable, the handle <NUM> may be easily rotated and positioned out of the way.

Moreover, the attachment of the guarantee band <NUM> to the guarantee ring <NUM> and the cap <NUM> is configured whereby if the cap is pulled so that it causes a breakage and separation from the spout assembly, such breakage preferably occurs at the attachment between the guarantee band <NUM> and the guarantee ring <NUM>.

To this end, the resistant cross section of the first attachment portion <NUM> is smaller than the resistant cross section of the second attachment portion <NUM> and the resistant cross section of the guarantee band <NUM> so as to cause preferential breakage in said region (<FIG>).

Innovatively, the closure according to the present invention achieves the aforementioned object, in that it meets the industry requirement of being provided with a guarantee seal, while at the same time allowing the cap and handle to remain fastened to the spout assembly even after the package has been opened and allowing the spout to be used without the cap or handle being in the way.

The closure assembly is equipped with a guarantee seal, the broken condition of which is particularly apparent.

Advantageously, the guarantee seal of the present invention allows the user to evaluate the condition of the closure assembly. In particular, the breakable segment allows the user to easily determine whether the closure assembly has been even partially opened.

Advantageously, the breakable segment is another visible sign that determines whether the guarantee seal has been breached.

The breakable segment increases the resistance of the guarantee seal, avoiding the accidental breakage of said seal and the resulting opening of the closure assembly, compromising its conformity.

Claim 1:
A closure assembly for a package (<NUM>) with flexible thin-walled pouch (<NUM>) for the containment of fruit juices and puree, yoghurt, energy drinks and the like, comprising:
- a spout assembly (<NUM>) comprising a connection portion (<NUM>), suitable for being hermetically applied to the pouch, and a threaded spout (<NUM>), externally provided with a ring seat (<NUM>);
- a closure (<NUM>) comprising a cap assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a) a cap (<NUM>) screwable to the spout (<NUM>);
b) a guarantee seal (<NUM>) to highlight the first opening of the closure (<NUM>), comprising:
i) a guarantee ring (<NUM>) at least partially received in the ring seat (<NUM>) of the spout (<NUM>);
ii) an annular guarantee band (<NUM>) which, in an unbroken seal configuration, axially overlaps the guarantee ring (<NUM>), separated from the guarantee ring (<NUM>) by a first separation line (<NUM>) and from the cap (<NUM>) by a second separation line (<NUM>);
iii) a plurality of breakable bridges (<NUM>) which, in the unbroken seal configuration, join the guarantee ring (<NUM>) to the guarantee band (<NUM>) and the guarantee band (<NUM>) to the cap (<NUM>);
iv) a first attachment portion (<NUM>), more resistant than the bridges (<NUM>), which joins the guarantee band (<NUM>) to the guarantee ring (<NUM>) and a second attachment portion (<NUM>), more resistant than the bridges (<NUM>), which joins the guarantee band (<NUM>) to the cap (<NUM>);
- wherein, in an open configuration of the closure (<NUM>) in which the cap (<NUM>) is unscrewed and the bridges (<NUM>) are broken, the guarantee band (<NUM>) forms a strap (<NUM>') which keeps the cap fastened (<NUM>) to the guarantee ring (<NUM>) ;
- said guarantee band (<NUM>) having a length such that, in a use configuration in which the guarantee band (<NUM>) is stretched, the second attachment portion (<NUM>) is axially arranged below the connection portion (<NUM>) of the spout assembly (<NUM>);
wherein the guarantee band (<NUM>) extends between an initial portion (58a) and an end portion (58b), and, in the unbroken seal configuration, the initial portion (58a) is circumferentially adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the end portion (58b);
characterised in that the guarantee seal (<NUM>) comprises a predominantly circumferentially extending breakable segment (<NUM>) joining the initial portion (58a) of the guarantee band (<NUM>) with the end portion (58b), wherein, in the open configuration, the breakable segment (<NUM>) is broken.