Patent Description:
As is known, such packages are very widely used for containing products such as fruit juices and purees, yogurt, energy drinks and the like. These are appreciated especially for their great ease of use, because the straw makes it possible to deliver the product directly into the mouth and, as far as the products for children are concerned, for the playful element inherent in the use of the straw.

Usually, the packaging comprises a closure made up of a cap sealed to a straw and removed therefrom either by tearing it off or by unscrewing it. Once the cap is separated from the straw, the cap stays in the hand of the user, usually in the hand other than the one used to drink, or, in the case of children, it is handed over to the adult. Since it is inconvenient to keep the cap in hand and because of the small dimensions, the risk is that the cap will be thrown away at the first opportunity or get lost without taking into account the proper disposal thereof and without the possibility of reclosing the straw. <CIT> discloses a closure according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Moreover, in the particular case of reclosable caps, it is often necessary to utilize both hands to put the cap in the correct position over the straw and then push it or screw it onto the closure itself. This makes it so the product cannot be used with just one hand.

The object of the present invention is to provide a closure for a flexible thin-walled packaging which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above and meets the needs of the sector.

This aim is achieved by a closure according to claim <NUM>; the dependent claims describe further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

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

According to the present invention, a flexible thin-walled packaging (not shown) comprises a flexible pouch having at least one front wall and one rear wall, both made of a thin film, joined to each other along peripheral edges by a fused seal. At the top between the upper edge of the front wall and the upper edge of the rear wall, a straw is applied for discharging the product contained within the packaging; the straw is closed by a cap.

According to an exemplary implementation of this closure that is not part of the claims, a pouch comprises a first lateral wall, fused between first lateral edges of the front wall and the rear wall, for example on a first sidewall; the pouch comprises a second lateral wall, fused between second lateral edges of the front wall and the rear wall, for example on a second sidewall.

The pouch comprises a bottom wall, fused between the lower edges of the front wall and the rear wall, in order to create a bottom of the packaging.

The thin film is single-layer or multi-layer; permeable to oxygen or impermeable to oxygen.

In accordance with the figures of the attached tables, <NUM> indicates overall a closure for a "pouch" comprising a mouth <NUM>, a cap <NUM> which may engage with the mouth <NUM> and a connecting device <NUM> for the permanent connection between the cap <NUM> and the mouth <NUM>. The mouth <NUM>, the cap <NUM> and the connecting device <NUM> are manufactured as a single piece in a plastic material, for example by means of injection molding, to form the closure <NUM>.

The mouth <NUM> comprises a tube <NUM> protruding axially from an upper flange <NUM> and terminating with a tube edge <NUM> that peripherally delimits an outlet opening <NUM> for the discharge of the product from the packaging. The tube <NUM> extends along a main axis X, which corresponds to the vertical axis.

The mouth <NUM> comprises a lower portion <NUM>, which extends below the upper flange <NUM>.

In one example, the mouth <NUM> is a straw comprising, below the lower portion <NUM>, a connecting portion generally designated as "fusion vessel," which is intended to be applied between the upper edges of the front wall and the rear wall of the pouch.

In a further example, the mouth <NUM> is an over-straw to be inserted over the existing straw, for example like the one previously described. In this embodiment, the lower portion <NUM> is internally threaded in order to screw onto the tube of the existing straw.

The mouth <NUM> also has an internal conduit, coaxial to the main axis X, which extends from the outlet opening <NUM> down to the lower portion <NUM> or to below it.

The cap <NUM> comprises a gripping portion <NUM>, which extends between a cap upper edge <NUM> and a cap lower edge <NUM> and between a pair of counterposed cap lateral walls <NUM>. Preferably, the gripping portion <NUM> is substantially flat and forms a blade. The gripping portion <NUM> could also be cylindrical or have a polygonal cross section.

Preferably, the cap upper edge <NUM> is provided with a thrust wall <NUM>, clearly visible for example in <FIG>, transverse to the main axis X, and by means of which the user may easily push the cap <NUM> along the axial direction.

The cap <NUM> comprises, below the gripping portion <NUM>, a closing portion <NUM> designed to close the outlet opening <NUM> of the mouth <NUM> by frictional engagement. In an initial configuration, before the cap <NUM> is opened for the first time, the closing portion <NUM> seals the outlet opening <NUM> of the mouth <NUM> by means of a tearable membrane.

The connecting device <NUM> comprises a pair of connecting elements <NUM> positioned on opposite sides of the cap <NUM>.

The connecting element <NUM> is a band extending predominantly along a dimension which constitutes the length. Therefore, the connecting element <NUM> is not a wire, having a circular cross section and therefore without preferential folding directions, but a band having a preferential folding direction. The connecting element <NUM> is a band, for example, having a substantially rectangular cross section.

Defined as longitudinal plane L, the plane on which the main axis X of the closure <NUM> lies, the connecting element <NUM> has an extension predominantly along said longitudinal plane L. The longitudinal plane L coincides with the central plane of the cap <NUM>, i.e., that of the closure <NUM>. As is evident in the figures, the connecting element <NUM> extends at least partially parallel to the main axis X.

The connecting element <NUM> comprises at least one spring portion <NUM>, which extends transversally to the main axis X, that is to say, it protrudes from the longitudinal plane L, as shown in <FIG>. Therefore, the connecting element <NUM> lies on said longitudinal plane L except at the spring portion <NUM>, which protrudes transversally from the longitudinal plane L.

Preferably, the spring portion <NUM> has a uniform transversal section.

The spring portion <NUM> comprises at least one central curvature <NUM>.

Preferably, the central curvature <NUM> is substantially U-shaped.

Preferably, the central curvature <NUM> defines a curve of <NUM>°.

The spring portion <NUM> comprises two connecting curvatures <NUM>, each one arranged at an end of the central curvature <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, straight sections are interposed between the central curvature <NUM> and the connecting curvatures <NUM>.

Preferably, the connecting curvatures <NUM> each define a curve ranging between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

In the example of <FIG>, the spring portion <NUM> comprises a central curvature <NUM> of <NUM>° and two connecting curvatures <NUM> of <NUM>°. In this example, the spring portion <NUM> extends outside of the longitudinal plane L from just one side.

In the example of <FIG>, the spring portion <NUM> comprises two central curvatures <NUM> of <NUM>°, the one opposing the other, and two connecting curvatures <NUM> of <NUM>°. In this example, one central curvature <NUM> extends from one side out of the longitudinal plane L, and another central curvature <NUM> extends from the opposite side out of the longitudinal plane L.

In the example of <FIG>, the spring portion <NUM> comprises two central curvatures <NUM> of <NUM>°, the one opposing the other, and two connecting curvatures <NUM> of <NUM>°. Also in this example, one central curvature <NUM> extends from one side out of the longitudinal plane L, and another central curvature <NUM> extends from the opposite side out of the longitudinal plane L. Moreover, in this example also the two connecting curvatures <NUM> of <NUM>° extend outside of the longitudinal plane L, on opposite sides.

The connecting element <NUM> comprises a lower arm <NUM> suitable for connecting the spring portion <NUM> to the lower portion <NUM>. The lower arm <NUM> lies in the longitudinal plane L. The lower arm <NUM> is joined to the connecting curvature <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the lower arm <NUM> has an axial extension and lies on the longitudinal plane L. The lower arm <NUM> is directly connected, axially, to the lower portion <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the lower arm <NUM> has an axial extension and is provided with a folded end <NUM>, which creates a radial connection to the lower portion <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the lower arm <NUM> lies partially outside of the longitudinal plane L and comprises a folded end <NUM>, which lies in the longitudinal plane L and creates a radial connection to the lower portion <NUM>.

The connecting element <NUM> comprises an upper arm <NUM> suitable for connecting the spring portion <NUM> to the gripping portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. The upper arm <NUM> also lies in the longitudinal plane L. The upper arm <NUM> is joined to the connecting curvature <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the upper arm <NUM> has an axial extension and lies on the longitudinal plane L. The upper arm <NUM> is directly connected, axially, below the gripping portion <NUM>, at the cap lower edge <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the upper arm <NUM> has an axial extension and is provided with a folded end <NUM>, which creates a radial connection to the gripping portion <NUM> at the cap side wall <NUM> thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the upper arm <NUM> lies partially outside of the longitudinal plane L and comprises a folded end <NUM>, which lies in the longitudinal plane L and creates a radial connection to the gripping portion <NUM> at a cap lateral wall <NUM> thereof.

In an initial configuration with sealed cap (indicated with figure number n(a)), the cap <NUM> is sealed on the tube <NUM> of the mouth <NUM> by means of a tearable membrane (not shown). Leveraging against the gripping portion <NUM>, the membrane is torn and the closing portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> separates from the tube <NUM>, thereby leaving the outlet opening <NUM> of the mouth <NUM> free.

In a configuration of use with cap open (indicated with figure number n(b)), the internal conduit of the mouth <NUM> is accessible by means of the outlet opening <NUM> and the cap <NUM> is bound to the mouth <NUM> thanks to the connecting device <NUM>.

Moreover, the connecting device <NUM> is such as to impede the cap <NUM> from flipping over from a part of the tube <NUM>. In other words, the closing portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is kept in axial alignment with the outlet opening <NUM> of the mouth <NUM>. In order to be able to freely access the outlet opening <NUM>, it is necessary to push the gripping portion <NUM> transversally in order to obtain the flipping of the cap <NUM> from a part of the tube <NUM>, for example in such a way that the main axis of the cap <NUM> is incident to a plane passing through the main axis X of the tube <NUM>.

Thanks to the presence of the spring element <NUM> and its elastic behavior, once the gripping portion <NUM> is released, it autonomously returns from the flipped position to the axial position in which the closing portion <NUM> is in axial alignment over the outlet opening <NUM>. This greatly facilitates the reclosure of the cap <NUM> by the user.

At this point, in fact, it is sufficient to push the gripping portion <NUM> axially in order to reclose the cap <NUM> on the mouth <NUM>, thereby obtaining a final configuration of cap reclosed (indicated with the figure number n(c)), in which the closing portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> closes the outlet opening <NUM> of the mouth <NUM> by friction. In this configuration, the spring portion <NUM> is compressed compared to the initial configuration with cap sealed, facilitating the reopening of the cap <NUM> when necessary.

The spring portion <NUM> is therefore elastically deformable, as seen in the figures, in order to allow the cap <NUM> to move, when pushed by the user, from the axial position (a) to the flipped position (b).

The spring portion <NUM> is adapted to elastically move the cap <NUM>, once released by the user, from the flipped position (b) to the axial position (C).

Advantageously, just one hand is sufficient to open the cap <NUM>, access the content of the flexible packaging, and reclose the cap <NUM>.

Innovatively, the closure according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks mentioned in reference to the prior art, in that, it not only makes it possible to keep the cap bound to the straw even after opening, but it can be opened and reclosed using just one hand.

Claim 1:
A closure (<NUM>) for a flexible thin-walled packaging, comprising:
- a mouth (<NUM>) which extends along a main axis (X) and is provided with an outlet opening (<NUM>);
- a cap (<NUM>) provided with a gripping portion (<NUM>) and, below it, with a closing portion (<NUM>) to close the outlet opening (<NUM>) of the mouth (<NUM>);
- a connecting device (<NUM>) characterized in that the connecting device comprises a pair of connecting elements (<NUM>) positioned on opposite sides of the cap (<NUM>), each connecting element (<NUM>) being bound on one side to the mouth (<NUM>) and on the opposite side to the cap (<NUM>); wherein each connecting element (<NUM>) is a band and is provided with a spring portion (<NUM>) comprising at least one central curvature (<NUM>) arranged between two connecting curvatures (<NUM>), for moving the cap (<NUM>) into an axial position in which the closing portion (<NUM>) is in axial alignment with the outlet opening (<NUM>) of the mouth (<NUM>),
wherein each connecting element of the pair of connecting elements (<NUM>) has a preferential folding direction,
defined as longitudinal plane (L) the plane on which the main axis (X) lies, each connecting element of the pair of connecting elements (<NUM>) predominantly lies on said longitudinal plane (L) and the spring portion (<NUM>) protrudes transversely from the longitudinal plane (L).