Patent Description:
Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product, and comprising a lid-spout assembly.

As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages, in particular sealed packages, made of sterilized packaging material.

Some of the known packages are designed for the consumption on-the-go, i.e. the package is provided with means which allow a consumer to consume the pourable product without the need to pour the pourable product into another container such as a drinking glass or a drinking cup prior to its consumption.

One of the known means may be a straw, which is to be introduced into a main body of the package, the main body containing the pourable product. Prior to its use, the straw is wrapped within an envelope, which typically is attached together with the straw to the main body. Thus, prior to a first-time use, the straw has to be extracted from the envelope. A drawback of such packages is seen in that the presence of a straw and its envelope may lead to an unwanted or undesired littering of the envelope and/or the straw.

Alternative solutions are described in the European patent applications <CIT> and <CIT> by the same Applicant. Both European patent applications describe respective packages resolving the inconveniences related to the packages being provided with straws and their envelopes. Each one of the packages disclosed in the above-mentioned European patent applications comprises a sealed main body having a designated pour opening and a lid-spout assembly arranged on the main body about the designated pour opening and configured to allow for a controlled outpouring of the pourable product so that the consumer can consume the pourable product directly from the package.

Each lid-spout assembly comprises a spout having a pouring outlet and a lid removably coupled to the spout so as to selectively close and open the pouring outlet.

The spout comprises a base frame for coupling the spout to the main body about the designated pour opening and a collar carrying the pouring outlet and protruding from the base frame.

In order to avoid any unwanted littering of the lid, the lid-spout assembly also comprises a tethering element connecting the lid and the spout with one another. In particular, the tethering element is fixed to the lid and the base frame.

The tethering element adopts different shapes in dependence of whether the lid closes or opens the pouring outlet, i.e. whether the lid is a closed position or in an open position.

The lid-spout assembly also comprises a retaining group so as to allow to define a precise and stable position when the lid opens the pouring outlet, i.e. when the lid is in the open position.

Even though such lid-spout assemblies work satisfyingly well, a desire is felt in the sector to further improve such lid-spout assemblies, in particular so as to ensure that the lid remains coupled to the spout by means of the tethering element, even in the case of significant separation forces acting on the tethering element and/or to reduce the stress on the tethering element when the lid is arranged in the open position, in particular when interacting with the retaining group.

<CIT> discloses a liquid or powder-containing carton that has a discharge spout and a membrane which initially prevents the contents from escaping but is relatively readily removed by the end-user without the end-user having to penetrate the carton wall by means of a pulltab. A cap is provided for re-closing the spout.

<CIT> discloses an opening and a stopper that are partitioned by a cutting line. A connecting portion is formed which connects the opening and the stopper at a predetermined distance when the opening and the stopper are separated from each other by breaking the cutting line. An exhaust port has a blocking projection so that the stopper spaced and separated from the opening at a predetermined distance by the connecting portion cannot interfere the content exhausted through an exhaust hole of the opening.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved lid-spout assembly for a package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved lid-spout assembly for a package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, even more particular filled with a pourable food product, which ensures the permanent coupling of the lid of the lid-spout assembly to the spout of the lid spout assembly and/or such that the tethering elements is subjected to reduced stresses when the lid opens the pouring outlet, i.e. when the lid is in the open position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner a package, in particular a package having a sealed main body, filled with a pourable product, in particular filled with a pourable food product, having a lid-spout assembly, in particular the lid-spout assembly being designed to ensure the permanent coupling of the lid of the lid-spout assembly to the spout of the lid-spout assembly and/or such that the tethering elements is subjected to reduced stresses when the lid opens the pouring outlet, i.e. when the lid is in the open position.

According to the present invention, there is provided a lid-spout assembly according to the independent claim.

Further advantageous embodiments of the lid-spout assembly are specified in the respective dependent claims.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a package according to any one of claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

Number <NUM> indicates as a whole a package comprising:.

Preferentially, package <NUM> is designed for the consumption on-the-go, i.e. the consumer can consume the pourable product directly from package <NUM> without the need of any intermediate means such as drinking glasses, drinking cups or similar.

Preferentially, lid-spout assembly <NUM> is designed for the consumption on-the-go, i.e. the consumer can consume the pourable product directly through lid-spout assembly <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, main body <NUM> is obtained from a packaging material, in particular a composite packaging material, having a multilayer structure (not shown and known as such).

Preferentially, the packaging material is provided in the form of a web.

Preferentially, main body <NUM> is obtained by forming a tube from the packaging material, longitudinally sealing the tube, filling the tube with the pourable product and by transversally sealing and cutting the tube.

Preferentially, the packaging material comprises at least one layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. paper or cardboard, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material defining the inner face of main body <NUM> contacting the pourable product.

Preferably, the packaging material also comprises a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferentially, the packaging material also comprises a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, lid-spout assembly(ies) <NUM> is/are applied to the packaging material prior to arranging the packaging material within or during advancement of the packaging material through a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing main bodies <NUM> from the packaging material carrying lid-spout assembly(ies) <NUM>.

In particular, application of lid-spout assembly(ies) <NUM> to the packaging material occurs by means of a molding process and/or adhesive bonding and/or ultrasonic bonding.

With particular reference to <FIG>, main body <NUM> extends along a longitudinal axis A, a first transversal axis B and a second transversal axis C. In particular, the extension of package <NUM> along longitudinal axis A is larger than the extension of package <NUM> along first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C.

Preferentially, main body <NUM> is parallelepiped-shaped.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, main body <NUM> comprises a first wall portion <NUM>, in particular being transversal, even more particular perpendicular, to longitudinal axis A, from which main body <NUM> extends along longitudinal axis A. Preferably, first wall portion <NUM> defines a support surface of package <NUM>, in particular of main body <NUM>, which is designed to be put in contact with a support, such as e.g. a shelf, when, in use, being e.g. exposed within a sales point or when being stored. In particular, when being arranged on a support first wall portion <NUM> defines a bottom wall portion.

Preferably, main body <NUM> also comprises a plurality of lateral walls <NUM> being (fixedly) connected to first wall portion <NUM> and extending, in particular substantially parallel to longitudinal axis A, from first wall portion <NUM>.

Preferably, main body <NUM> also comprises a second wall portion <NUM> opposite to first wall portion <NUM> and being (fixedly) connected to at least some of lateral walls <NUM>. In particular, lateral walls <NUM> are interposed between first wall portion <NUM> and second wall portion <NUM>. In particular, when main body <NUM> is arranged on a support, second wall portion <NUM> defines a top wall portion.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, first wall portion <NUM> and second wall portion <NUM> may be parallel to one another.

According to a non-limiting alternative embodiment not shown, first wall portion <NUM> and second wall portion <NUM> could be inclined with respect to one another.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, second wall portion <NUM> carries and/or comprises the designated pour opening.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, package <NUM>, in particular main body <NUM>, comprises an inner space <NUM> configured to contain and/or containing the pourable product. In particular, at least first wall portion <NUM>, lateral walls <NUM> and second wall portion <NUM> delimit inner space <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, lid-spout assembly <NUM> comprises at least:.

In more detail and with particular reference to <FIG>, spout <NUM> comprises at least:.

Preferentially, collar <NUM> extends along a longitudinal axis E, in particular transversal, even more particular perpendicular to second wall portion <NUM>, and carries (comprises) pouring outlet <NUM> at a first axial end of collar <NUM> itself, and in particular an inlet opening <NUM> for the pourable product at a second axial end of collar <NUM> itself opposite to the first axial end.

Preferentially, collar <NUM> delimits (and/or comprises) a flow channel <NUM> for the pourable product, in particular extending between inlet opening <NUM> and pouring outlet <NUM>. In use, collar <NUM> is configured such to receive the pourable product from inner space <NUM> through inlet opening <NUM> and such that the pourable product flows out of pouring outlet <NUM>.

Preferentially, collar <NUM> comprises an inner surface <NUM> delimiting flow channel <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM> opposite to inner surface <NUM>.

Preferentially, collar <NUM> has a tubular configuration.

Preferentially, collar <NUM> has an annular cross-sectional profile with respect to a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis E. In particular, the cross-sectional profile has an oval shape. Alternatively, the cross-sectional profile could have a circular or square or elliptical or rectangular shape.

Preferentially, collar <NUM> comprises a first rim <NUM> delimiting pouring outlet <NUM>, and in particular a second rim opposite to first rim <NUM> and delimiting inlet opening <NUM>. In particular, first rim <NUM> is arranged at the first axial end of collar <NUM> and the second rim is arranged at the second axial end of collar <NUM>.

In particular, first rim <NUM>, even more particular also the second rim, has/have a respective oval shape. Alternatively, first rim <NUM> and/or the second rim could have a square and/or a rectangular and/or an elliptical and/or circular shape.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, collar <NUM>, in particular first rim <NUM>, is designed such to allow a consumer to drink from spout <NUM>, in particular collar <NUM>.

Preferentially, collar <NUM> is shaped such to facilitate the outflow of the pourable product from collar <NUM> itself.

With particular reference to <FIG>, base frame <NUM> comprises a first annular portion <NUM> and a second annular portion <NUM> axially displaced from one another with respect to longitudinal axis E and configured to interpose and/or interposing a portion of main body <NUM>, in particular second wall portion <NUM>, between one another. In particular, the portion of main body <NUM>, in particular second wall portion <NUM>, is at the designated pour opening.

Preferentially, first annular portion <NUM> comprises a first engagement surface configured to contact an outer surface of main body <NUM> and second annular portion <NUM> comprises a second engagement surface configured to contact an inner surface of main body <NUM>, the inner surface facing inner space <NUM>. In particular, the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface face one another.

According to the invention, lid <NUM> is controllable between at least:.

In particular, lid <NUM> is configured to close and open the pouring outlet <NUM> when being respectively in the closed position and the open position.

Preferentially, lid <NUM> is in a first angular position and in a second angular position with respect to a hinge axis F when being controlled in respectively the closed position and the open position.

It should be noted that package <NUM> is immediately after its formation in an initial configuration in which lid <NUM> is in the closed position. Package <NUM> is distributed and/or sold to a consumer while being in the initial configuration.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, lid <NUM> comprises at least a main portion <NUM> configured to at least partially protrude and/or at least partially protruding into flow channel <NUM>, and in particular to seal pouring outlet <NUM>, in particular when being arranged in the closed position.

Preferentially, main portion <NUM> is shaped like a hat or is hat-like shaped.

Preferentially, lid <NUM> also comprises a gripping element <NUM> protruding, in particular laterally protruding, from main portion <NUM>, and in particular being configured to allow the consumer to grip gripping element <NUM> itself so that the consumer can control lid <NUM> between the closed position and the open position. In particular, gripping element <NUM> comprises ribs <NUM> improving the gripping properties of gripping element <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, main portion <NUM> comprises at least:.

Preferentially, central section <NUM> comprises at least:.

In particular, lateral wall <NUM> is fixed to central wall <NUM> at a first end of lateral wall <NUM> itself and to peripheral section <NUM> at a second end of lateral wall <NUM> itself.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, central wall <NUM> is arranged within flow channel <NUM>, in particular between pouring outlet <NUM> and inlet opening <NUM>, with lid <NUM> being arranged in the closed configuration.

According to the invention, lid <NUM> is rupturably fixed to collar <NUM>, in particular first rim <NUM>, in particular prior to the first time lid <NUM> is controlled from the closed position to the open position. In particular, lid <NUM>, preferentially main portion <NUM>, even more particular central section <NUM> and/or peripheral section <NUM>, is rupturably fixed in an irreversible manner to collar <NUM>, in particular first rim <NUM>. Thus, after the first-time control of lid <NUM> from the closed position to the open position, it is again possible to control lid <NUM> in the closed position and to establish contact between lid <NUM> and collar <NUM>, but lid <NUM> is not fixed to collar <NUM> anymore.

Preferentially, lid-spout assembly <NUM> also comprises a coupling membrane, in particular an annular coupling membrane, rupturably connecting lid <NUM> and collar <NUM> to one another, in particular prior to the first time lid <NUM> is controlled from the closed position to the open position.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, lid <NUM> comprises the coupling membrane.

According to alternative non-limiting embodiments, collar <NUM> comprises the coupling membrane.

According to alternative non-limiting embodiments, lid <NUM> and collar <NUM> each comprises a respective portion of the coupling membrane.

In particular, lid <NUM> is rupturably fixed to collar <NUM>, in particular by means of the coupling membrane, so as to seal flow channel <NUM> (and as a consequence inner space <NUM>) from an outer environment.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, lid <NUM> is bonded and/or welded and/or molded to collar <NUM> so as to rupturably fix lid <NUM> to collar <NUM>.

According to the invention, lid spout-assembly <NUM> further comprises a retaining group <NUM> configured to interact with tethering element <NUM> and/or lid <NUM> for (at least) temporarily retaining lid <NUM> in the open position. In particular, "temporarily retaining" means that the interaction is such that tethering element <NUM> and/or lid <NUM> can be disengaged from retaining group <NUM> again.

In particular, tethering element <NUM> is designed to be (temporarily) coupled to retaining group <NUM> for retaining lid <NUM> in the open position.

Preferentially, lid spout-assembly <NUM> further comprises a connection base <NUM> fixed to and protruding, in particular laterally protruding away, from base frame <NUM> and carrying retaining group <NUM>. In particular, connection base <NUM> is substantially parallel to base frame <NUM>.

In particular, connection base <NUM> is connected to second annular portion <NUM>, even more particular laterally protrudes from second annular portion <NUM>.

Preferentially, retaining group <NUM> comprises a hook element <NUM> configured to interact with tethering element <NUM> for retaining lid <NUM> in the open position.

Preferentially, hook element <NUM> transversally, in particular perpendicularly, extends from connection base <NUM>.

In particular, hook element <NUM> comprises a support bar <NUM> being fixed to and transversally, in particular perpendicularly, protruding from connection base <NUM> and a hook <NUM> transversally protruding from support bar <NUM>.

According to the specific embodiment disclosed, hook <NUM> extends (substantially) parallel to hinge axis F and/or base frame <NUM> and/or outer surface <NUM>.

Alternatively, or in addition, hook <NUM> could extend away and/or towards outer surface <NUM> and/or base frame <NUM>.

According to the invention, lid-spout assembly <NUM>, in particular spout <NUM>, lid <NUM> and tethering element <NUM>, also retaining group <NUM>, is/are formed in a single piece.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, lid-spout assembly <NUM>, in particular spout <NUM>, lid <NUM> and tethering element <NUM>, even more particular also retaining group <NUM>, is/are formed and/or molded, in particular simultaneously molded, from a polymer and preferentially in a single piece. In particular, lid-spout assembly <NUM> is directly molded on the packaging material about the designated pour opening.

The tethering element <NUM> comprises a first end <NUM> fixed to lid <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, in particular opposite to first end <NUM>, fixed to collar <NUM>.

Preferentially, tethering element <NUM> is fixed to outer surface <NUM>.

Even more preferentially, tethering element <NUM> is fixed to a central portion <NUM> of collar <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, first end <NUM> is connected to main portion <NUM>, in particular peripheral section <NUM>. In particular, first end <NUM> is connected to a first zone of main portion <NUM>, in particular peripheral section <NUM>, and gripping element <NUM> is connected to a second zone of main portion <NUM>, in particular peripheral section <NUM>. Preferentially, the first zone is opposite to the second zone.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, tethering element <NUM> presents a (substantially) twodimensional shape, in particular such that when being nonstressed tethering element <NUM> extends along a respective longitudinal axis and a second axis transversal to the longitudinal axis. In particular, an extension of tethering element <NUM> along the longitudinal axis is larger than an extension of tethering element <NUM> along the second axis. Even more particular, an extension along a third axis transversal to the longitudinal axis and the second axis is negligible and/or smaller with respect to the corresponding extensions along the longitudinal axis and the second axis.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, tethering element <NUM> is bendable and/or flexible and/or deflectable.

Preferentially, tethering element <NUM> is configured to modify its shape in dependence of the position of lid <NUM>.

Preferentially, tethering element <NUM> is controllable between at least a first configuration with lid <NUM> being in the closed position and a second configuration (distinct from the first configuration) with lid <NUM> being in the open configuration.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, tethering element <NUM> comprises a bendable portion <NUM> configured to modify its shape in dependence of the position of lid <NUM>. In particular, bendable portion <NUM> is configured to modify its shape during control of lid <NUM> between the closed position and the open position (and accordingly of tethering element <NUM> between the first configuration and the second configuration).

Preferentially, tethering element <NUM> also comprises a first straight portion <NUM> having second end <NUM>, and in particular being fixed in shape. In particular, first straight portion <NUM> is connected to bendable portion <NUM> and transversally protrudes from outer surface <NUM>. Even more preferentially, straight portion <NUM> is perpendicular to longitudinal axis E.

Even more preferentially, first straight portion <NUM> defines hinge axis F.

Preferably, first straight portion <NUM> transversally (and laterally), in particular perpendicularly (and laterally) protrudes, from collar <NUM>.

Preferably, first straight portion <NUM> extends (substantially) parallel to base frame <NUM> and/or second wall portion <NUM>, in particular irrespective of whether lid <NUM> is in the closed position or the open position.

Preferentially, tethering element <NUM> also comprises a second straight portion <NUM> having first end <NUM>, and in particular being fixed in shape. In particular, second straight portion <NUM> is connected to bendable portion <NUM> and transversally, in particular perpendicularly, protrudes from lid <NUM>, in particular main portion <NUM>, even more particular peripheral section <NUM>.

Preferentially, second straight portion <NUM> is (substantially) parallel to base frame <NUM> and/or second wall portion <NUM> with lid <NUM> being in the open configuration (and in particular with lid <NUM> and/or tethering element <NUM> interacting with retaining group <NUM>).

In the present context, substantially parallel means that second straight portion <NUM> may deviate from a perfect parallel alignment. However, the angle between second straight portion <NUM> and base frame <NUM> and/or second wall portion <NUM> (considering appropriate imaginary extensions) is negligible.

Preferentially, bendable portion <NUM> is interposed between first straight portion <NUM> and second straight portion <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, tethering element <NUM>, in particular bendable portion <NUM>, presents a curved shape, in particular a curved U-shape, when being in the first configuration and/or with lid <NUM> being in the closed configuration.

Preferentially, tethering element <NUM>, in particular bendable portion <NUM> presents a S-shape with lid <NUM> being in the open configuration (and in particular with lid <NUM> and/or tethering element <NUM> interacting with retaining group <NUM>).

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, tethering element <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM> configured to engage retaining group <NUM>, in particular hook element <NUM>, so as to (at least) temporarily fix lid <NUM> in the open position.

In particular, recess <NUM> is designed such that tethering element <NUM> engages a portion of support bar <NUM> and a portion of hook <NUM> for retaining lid <NUM> in the open configuration.

Preferentially, recess <NUM> is delimited by a main surface and two auxiliary surfaces spaced apart from one another and being transversal, in particular perpendicular, to main surface. In particular, auxiliary surfaces are designed such to interpose a portion of support bar <NUM> between one another with tethering element <NUM> being coupled to retaining group <NUM>.

Preferentially, hook element <NUM>, in particular hook <NUM>, comprises an abutment surface, in particular facing main body <NUM>, in particular second wall portion <NUM>, and tethering element <NUM> is configured to abut against the abutment surface when being coupled to retaining group <NUM>.

In use, the outpouring of the pourable product from package <NUM> requires controlling lid <NUM> from the closed position to the open position so as to open pouring outlet <NUM>.

The first time lid <NUM> is controlled from the closed position to the open position, lid <NUM> is detached from collar <NUM> so that the next time lid <NUM> is again arranged in the closed position, lid <NUM> is only connected to collar <NUM>, but not fixed thereto.

When lid <NUM> is controlled in the open position, tethering element <NUM> is coupled to retaining group <NUM> so that lid <NUM> remains in the open position.

After the termination of the outpouring, lid <NUM> is positioned again in the closed position.

Tethering element <NUM> guarantees that lid <NUM> remains coupled to spout <NUM>, in particular collar <NUM>, in particular even in the case an unusual force is executed on tethering element <NUM>.

The advantages of lid-spout assembly <NUM> and/or of package <NUM> according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, by fixing tethering element <NUM> on collar <NUM> it is possible to improve the resistance of tethering element <NUM> to any forces acting on tethering element <NUM>. In other words, any unwanted or wanted detachment of tethering element <NUM> from spout <NUM>, in particular collar <NUM>, is rendered even more unlikely.

A further advantage resides in that the molding process is facilitated due to tethering element <NUM> being fixed to collar <NUM>.

Another advantage is seen in that tethering element <NUM> is less stressed when moving lid <NUM> from the closed position to the open position in comparison with the known solutions.

Furthermore, retaining lid <NUM> in the open position is easier due to the fact that tethering element <NUM> is less stressed.

An even other advantage is that the movement of lid <NUM> from the closed position to the open position is facilitated.

Another advantage resides in providing for retaining group <NUM> so as to ensure that lid <NUM> does not interfere with the outflow of the pourable product when being in the open configuration. Retaining group <NUM> allows to fix lid <NUM> in position during the outpouring action.

An even other advantage can be seen in providing for recess <NUM> further improving the retaining of lid <NUM> in the open configuration.

Claim 1:
Lid-spout assembly (<NUM>) for a package (<NUM>) having a main body (<NUM>) comprising a designated pour opening and being filled with a pourable product;
the lid-spout assembly (<NUM>) comprises at least:
- a spout (<NUM>) having a pouring outlet (<NUM>);
- a lid (<NUM>) configured to selectively close and open the pouring outlet (<NUM>); and
- a tethering element (<NUM>) tethering the lid (<NUM>) to the spout (<NUM>);
wherein the spout (<NUM>) comprises at least:
- a base frame configured to couple the spout (<NUM>) to the main body (<NUM>) about the designated pour opening; and
- a collar (<NUM>) carrying the pouring outlet (<NUM>) and protruding from the base frame (<NUM>);
wherein the lid (<NUM>) is rupturably fixed to the collar (<NUM>) ;
wherein the lid (<NUM>) is controllable between at least:
- a closed position in which the lid (<NUM>) covers the pouring outlet (<NUM>); and
- an open position in which the lid (<NUM>) is configured to open the pouring outlet (<NUM>);
wherein the lid-spout assembly further comprises a retaining group (<NUM>) configured to interact with the tethering element (<NUM>) for at least temporarily retaining the lid (<NUM>) in the open position;
wherein the spout (<NUM>), the lid (<NUM>), the tethering element (<NUM>) and the retaining group (<NUM>) are formed in a single piece;
characterized in that the tethering element (<NUM>) comprises a first end (<NUM>) fixed to the lid (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) fixed to the collar (<NUM>).