Patent Description:
The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a package and a hinge closure device. In particular, the present invention relates to such an assembly wherein the package comprises a paper or paper-based package. A paper-based package is sometimes referred to as a "carton" and is commonly used to distribute pourable products, e.g. liquid consumable products, e.g. dairy products, such as milk, or fruit juices.

A package or carton is typically produced from a laminate packaging material, which typically comprises a multi-ply paper or paperboard sheet on which is laminated one or a plurality of barrier layers for holding the pourable product, e.g. a liquid, and/or prevent migration of air and flavour degrading substances through the paper or paperboard sheet. A barrier layer may typically comprise a polyethylene or an aluminium layer.

Using a hinge closure device on a package prevents users from misplacing and losing the lid portion when operating the package, e.g. when pouring liquid from the package.

Within the art, different types of hinge closure devices are known.

<CIT> discloses a stopper/hinge closure device for a packaging container having a long neck portion. The stopper includes bridges for checking whether a screw-coupling type stopper is opened or not and a hinge portion where an inner concave groove is formed, thereby enabling the stable connection of a stopper body/lid and a fixing ring for maintaining a set opening angle of the stopper body in case of opening, to thus prevent the stopper body from drooping and being shaken, and thereby elastically carrying out opening and closing operations.

<CIT> discloses a closure device comprising a cap which includes a ring held axially on that part of the container which delimits the opening of this container, and two arms in the form of an arc of a circle, each of which is connected to the cap on the one hand, by means of a film hinge and parts that are able to fold, and to the ring on the other hand. These arms allow the cap to be tilted outwards with respect to the container so as to be released from the opening of the container, however the arms being thin and easily damaged or deformed. The complex structure of the closure device makes the manufacturing comprehensive.

<CIT> discloses a spout and cap for use with a paper container.

<CIT> discloses a spout and cap according to the preamble of appended claim <NUM>.

An object of the invention is to provide a liquid tight closure device which is easy to open and close being less susceptible to damage and/or deformation than known closure devices.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a closure device which is simple and economical to manufacture.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a closure device which when in an open position, does not interfere with a dispensing operation, e.g. a pouring operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a closure device which is easy to use by having an improved opening and closing functionality compared to prior art.

The present invention provides a hinged closure device for a paper or paperboard-based package which is possible to rotate and flip open making it consumer friendly. A hinge is provided between a lid portion and a retainment portion to ensure that these two parts are kept together even when the cap is flipped and pivoting away from the spout. The hinged closure device may be liquid tight.

The present invention provides a closure device comprising:.

Also described herein is a closure device comprising:.

The lid portion is operable between a first position in which the lid portion sealingly covers said dispensing opening, a second position in which the lid portion non-sealingly covers the dispensing opening and a third position in which the lid portion is located at least partly at a side of the dispensing opening.

Further, the pivot axis AP of the hinge portion is located between the first plane P<NUM> and the second axial end of the neck portion.

In an embodiment, the pivot axis AP of the hinge portion may be located level with the second plane P<NUM> or between the first and second planes P<NUM>, P<NUM>.

The annular longitudinal neck portion may define a through-going dispensing channel. The first end of the neck portion may define an inlet opening of the dispensing channel and the second end of the neck portion may define an outlet opening of the dispensing channel forming said dispensing opening, allowing content to be dispensed through the closure device during a dispensing operation.

The inlet opening may define an inlet opening plane of the neck portion and the outlet opening may define an outlet opening plane of the neck portion. Said pivot axis AP may be located between the first plane P<NUM> and the outlet opening plane.

The pivot axis AP may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis AL.

The pivot axis AP may be arranged in a third plane PP and the third plane PP may be parallel with the first plane P<NUM> and/or the second plane P<NUM> and/or the outlet plane and/or the inlet plane.

The third plane PP may be the same during all three positions of the lid portion, i.e. the first position in which the lid portion sealingly covers said dispensing opening of the pour spout, the second position in which the lid portion non-sealingly covers the dispensing opening and the third position in which the lid portion is located at least partly at a side of the dispensing opening. In other words, the pivot axis AP may be located in the same plane when in the first, second and third positions.

When the lid portion is arranged in the first position sealingly/liquid tight covering the opening of the pour spout, the internal threads are interacting with the external threads such that the lid portion can only be moved to the second position by rotating the cap in a first direction about the longitudinal centre axis AL, e.g. counter-clockwise. In the second position the internal threads are not interacting with the external threads, hence, once the lid portion has reached the second position, the lid portion can be flipped around the pivot axis AP of the hinge portion to the third position. In a preferred embodiment the lid portion is flipped at least <NUM>° from the second position to the third position about the pivot axis AP.

When the lid portion is arranged in the third/open position it may be flipped back to the second position about the pivot axis AP and thereafter rotated in a second direction about the longitudinal centre axis AL opposite said first direction, e.g. clockwise, until it is in the first/closed position.

The external threads are running helically along the outer surface of the pour spout. Further the external threads may be discretely and evenly distributed within the region located between the first plane P<NUM> and the second plane P<NUM>. The pour spout may comprise from <NUM> to <NUM> external threads, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> external threads or more preferably <NUM> external threads.

The external threads may have a circumferential extent about or around an outer surface of the pour spout where the circumferential extent of each external thread may be any one of: within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; and <NUM>°.

In the circumferential direction of the pour spout, neighbouring external threads may partially overlap.

The external and internal threads may be helically arranged. The helix angle of the internal and external threads may be any one of: within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; and <NUM>°.

The internal threads may have a circumferential extent about or around an inner surface of the annular longitudinal skirt of the lid portion, where the circumferential extent of each internal thread may be any one of: within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>° to °<NUM>; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; and <NUM>°.

The internal threads may advantageously have a shorter circumferential extent than the external threads.

The annular skirt may comprise exactly two internal threads; i. e a first internal thread and a second internal thread. The first internal thread may have a tangential centre point CF located at a circumferential distance from a tangential centre point Cs of the second internal thread. The circumferential distance may be any one of; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; and <NUM>°.

The hinge portion may be arranged at the periphery of the annular longitudinal skirt of the lid portion. The hinge portion may have a tangential centre point CH arranged at a circumferential distance from the tangential centre point CF of the first internal thread. The circumferential distance may be any one of: within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°; and <NUM>°.

The hinge portion may have a butterfly configuration comprising a pair of spaced trapezoidal ends spaced by a centre portion. The centre portion may have any shape such as e.g. a rectangular structure or a dumbbell structure.

The hinge portion may define a position of equilibrium of the lid portion located between said second position and said third position, wherein the hinge portion, when the lid portion is located between the second position and the position of equilibrium, may be configured to bias the lid portion to rotate towards the second position, and wherein the hinge portion, when the lid portion is located between the position of equilibrium and the third position, may be configured to bias the lid portion to rotate towards the third position. Consequently, depending on the position of the lid portion, the hinge portion may be configured to bias the lid portion to rotate either towards the second position or towards the third position, thus ensuring that the lid portion does not become stationary or fixed between the second and third positions.

The pour spout may comprise an annular sealing tongue arranged at the second axial end. The sealing tongue may extend towards the longitudinal centre axis AL of the pour spout in the radial direction r.

The sealing tongue may be oblique in the direction towards the first axial end of the pour spout.

The radial extent of the sealing tongue may be less than or equal the radial distance between inner surface of the annular longitudinal skirt and the bore seal of the lid portion.

The lid portion of the cap may comprise an annular longitudinal bore seal having a common centre axis, AC, with the annular longitudinal skirt; the bore seal and the skirt both extending in a same longitudinal direction and being arranged such that the second axial end of the pour spout is arranged between the skirt and the bore seal when the lid portion is in the first position. In other words, the bore seal and the skirt define between themselves an annular space configured to receive the second axial end of the pour spout when the lid portion is in the first/closed position. The longitudinal direction of the annular longitudinal skirt is parallel to the axial direction z of the pour spout when the lid portion is in the first/closed position.

The bore seal may have a gradually increasing longitudinal extent from a first point of the bore seal being proximate the hinge portion towards a second point of the bore seal being distal the hinge portion. The bore seal contributes to guide and align the lid portion onto the pour spout when bringing the lid portion from the open/third position to the second position.

The first point of the bore seal which is proximate the hinge portion may have a longitudinal extent extending between the second axial end of the pour spout and the third plane PP of the pivot axis AP of the hinge portion when the lid portion is in the first position.

The radial extent of the sealing tongue of the pour spout may be less than or equal the radial distance between inner surface of the annular longitudinal skirt and the bore seal of the lid portion providing a leak tight closure device.

The closure device may further comprise a separation line extending circumferentially around the cap between a first endpoint and a second end point defining between the hinge potion. The separation line may be configured to separate the lid portion from the retainment portion when the lid portion is brought from the first position to the second position.

The pour spout may further comprise an annular, radially extending lip configured to deny the retainment portion axial movement along the pour spout towards the dispensing opening of the pour spout. The separation line, when the closure device is in the closed position, may advantageously be arranged at an axial distance from the dispensing opening that is larger than the axial distance between the lip and the dispensing opening.

The lid portion and the retainment portion are both rotationally arranged making it is possible to close/flip back and close the lid portion of the closure device from all positions around the pour spout.

According to another example aspect the present invention provides an assembly comprising a paper or paperboard-based package and a closure device as disclosed above.

The disclosed embodiments of the closure device may be configured to be used in a liquid packaging carton or package comprising a multi-ply paper or paperboard sheet on which may be laminated one or a plurality of barrier layers for holding liquid and/or prevent migration of air and flavour degrading substances through the paperboard. Such liquid packaging containers are commonly used for distributing dairy products, e.g. milk, or juices. Typically, closure devices for such applications are made from polyethylene and it is preferable that the disclosed closure device of the invention is made from this material.

Above-discussed preferred and/or optional features of each aspect may be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects of the invention.

Following drawings are appended to facilitate the understanding of the invention:.

In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts, elements or features unless otherwise explicitly stated or implicitly understood from the context.

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, it is specifically intended that the invention is not limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein but includes modified forms of the embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which, for clarity, have been described above in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which, for brevity, have been described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. In particular, it will be appreciated that features described in relation to one particular embodiment may be interchangeable with features described in relation to other embodiments.

In the following an embodiment of a closure device <NUM> according to the invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an example embodiment of the closure device <NUM> of the invention. The closure device <NUM> generally comprises a pour spout <NUM> and a cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> comprises a retainment portion <NUM> circumferentially arranged around the pour spout <NUM>, a lid portion <NUM> and a hinge portion <NUM> permanently connecting the lid portion <NUM> to the retainment portion <NUM>.

The illustrated closure device <NUM> of <FIG> is in an open position such that the content within a package (not shown), which the closure device <NUM> is attached to, can be poured out through a dispensing opening <NUM> of the closure device <NUM>.

The pour spout <NUM> is having an annular longitudinal neck portion <NUM> comprising an inner surface <NUM> forming a dispensing channel <NUM> having a central axis AL. The annular longitudinal neck portion <NUM> is having the shape of a tubular cylinder. A plurality of external threads <NUM> are arranged on the outer surface <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>.

The lid portion comprises an annular longitudinal skirt <NUM> having two internal threads <NUM>.

The retainment portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is circumferentially arranged around the neck portion <NUM> in a position not overlapping with the external threads <NUM>.

The hinge portion <NUM> is permanently connecting the lid portion <NUM> to the retainment portion <NUM> and allowing the lid portion <NUM> pivoting around pivot axis AP of the hinge portion <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment the lid portion <NUM> is pivoting away from the dispensing opening <NUM> of the closure device <NUM> such that the cap <NUM> is located at the side of the dispensing opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>. Hence, the lid portion <NUM>, in this open position of the closure device <NUM>, is moved away from the central axis AL of the pour spout <NUM> around the pivot axis AP sufficiently far to allow nearly unrestricted disposal of content through the dispensing opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side-view of the pour spout <NUM> of <FIG>, while <FIG> shows a cross-sectional side-view of the same pour spout <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the pour spout <NUM> comprises a neck portion <NUM> defining an axial, through-going channel <NUM> (see <FIG>) and comprises a first, bottom axial end <NUM>, where the neck portion <NUM> displays a first bottom, inlet opening <NUM> of the channel and a second, top axial end <NUM>, where the neck portion <NUM> displays a second top, outlet opening <NUM> of the channel, which second opening <NUM> is defined by a sealing tongue <NUM> and forms said dispensing opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>.

The pour spout <NUM> further comprises an annular, radially and outwardly extending flange portion <NUM> configured to be attached to a container in the form of a paper or paperboard-based package/carton (see <FIG>). The flange portion <NUM> extends from the bottom end <NUM> of the neck portion <NUM>.

For reasons of convenience, the description below considers that the term "upwards" corresponds to an axial longitudinal direction (z) that is generally parallel to the central axis AL of the pour spout <NUM> and that goes from the first opening <NUM> towards the second opening <NUM>, whereas the term "downwards" corresponds to the opposite direction. The terms "top"-"bottom" and "upper"-"lower", correspond to relative positions with reference to this direction and the terms "inner"-"outer" correspond to relative positions with reference to a direction which is perpendicular to this direction.

The neck portion <NUM> displays an inner surface <NUM> (see <FIG>) and an outer surface <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> (see <FIG>) is generally rotational-symmetric about the longitudinal central axis AL of the pour spout <NUM> and defines an inner side wall of the channel <NUM>. At the lower part of the neck portion <NUM>, the outer surface <NUM> is provided with an annular, radially extending blocking tongue/ridge <NUM>, sometimes referred to as a "bead ring". The blocking tongue <NUM> displays an annular, downwardly facing surface which is generally planar and perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis AL of the pour spout <NUM>. Together with the flange portion <NUM>, this surface defines an annular recess <NUM> configured for receiving and rotationally retaining the retainment portion of the cap which will be discussed in more detail below in relation to <FIG>.

The outer surface <NUM> is also provided with external threads <NUM> starting adjacent and below the sealing tongue <NUM> at a second plane P<NUM> and running helically along the outer surface <NUM> towards the blocking tongue <NUM> until a first plane P<NUM>. Consequently, in the longitudinal direction of the pour spout, the external threads <NUM> occupy a region <NUM> between the first and second planes, P<NUM> and P<NUM>. The first and second planes, P<NUM> and P<NUM>, are orthogonal to the longitudinal central axis AL.

In this shown embodiment, the neck portion <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM> comprises a total of six identical external threads <NUM> discretely and evenly distributed in the circumferential direction c of region <NUM>. Each external thread <NUM> comprises a centre portion 108a and a first and second end portion 108b,108c. The first end portion 108b is arranged in proximity with the second plane P<NUM>, while the second end portion 108c is arranged in proximity with first plane P<NUM>. The first end portion 108b of an external thread <NUM> is overlappingly arranged in the circumferential direction c with the second end portion 108c of the adjacent external thread <NUM>, while not overlappingly arranged in the axial direction z. The centre portion 108a of each thread <NUM> is arranged in a non-overlapping arrangement with another external thread <NUM> in both the circumferential direction c and the axial direction z. Consequently, in regions where neighbouring threads <NUM> overlap, a cross-sectional side-view of the side wall of the neck portion <NUM> will reveal two threads - one positioned above the other, whereas in regions between overlapping threads, a cross-sectional side-view of the side wall will reveal only one thread <NUM>, as is shown in <FIG>.

The centre portion 108a of the external thread <NUM> may have a circumferential extent of about <NUM>% to <NUM>% or <NUM>% to <NUM>% or <NUM>% of the total length of the external thread <NUM>. The first end portion 108b may have the same circumferential extent as the second end portion 108c.

Fig. 2C is a geometric illustration of the annular longitudinal neck portion <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM> of <FIG> indicating the circumferential direction c, the radial direction r and the axial direction z of the neck portion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side-view of the cap <NUM> of <FIG>, while <FIG> shows a cross-sectional side-view of the same cap <NUM>.

The cap <NUM> comprises a lid portion <NUM>, a hinge portion <NUM> and a retainment portion <NUM> (see also <FIG>). The hinge portion <NUM> is configured to permanently hinge the lid portion <NUM> to the retainment portion <NUM>. The retainment portion <NUM> is rotationally retained around the pour spout <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The lid portion <NUM> is open at its bottom end and closed at its top end by an end-wall <NUM>, at the outer periphery of which an annular longitudinal/tubular skirt <NUM> extends axially downwards, which annular longitudinal skirt <NUM> is centred on a central axis AC and has a circular base.

In the disclosed embodiment, the lid portion <NUM> is provided with an annular longitudinal bore seal <NUM> that extends axially downwards from the end-wall <NUM> in such a manner as to be centred on the central axis AC inside the longitudinal skirt <NUM>. Hence, the annular longitudinal bore seal <NUM> shares a common centre axis with the annular longitudinal skirt <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> the bore seal <NUM> has a gradually increasing longitudinal extent from a first position <NUM> being proximate the hinge portion <NUM> towards a second position <NUM> being distal the hinge portion <NUM>. The longitudinal extent of the bore seal is adapted to avoid any collision between the bore seal <NUM> and the sealing tongue of the pour spout when operating the lid portion <NUM> from the third/open position towards the second position as further described below with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> the hinge portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is permanently connecting the lid portion <NUM> to the retainment portion <NUM> and allowing the lid portion <NUM> pivoting around pivot axis AP of the hinge portion <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG> the pivot axis AP is arranged at a third plane PP which can be level with or between the first and second planes P<NUM>, P<NUM> shown in <FIG>. In <FIG> it is shown that the third plane PP is arranged between the first and second planes P<NUM>, P<NUM>.

The annular skirt potion <NUM> has an outer surface <NUM> which comprises a plurality of parallel spines <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM> comprising a plurality of internal threads <NUM>. The spines <NUM> are arranged for improving the grip of a user making it easier to rotate the lid portion <NUM>. The internal threads <NUM> are running helically along the inside wall <NUM> in a manner which allows the internal threads <NUM> to interact with the external threads <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In <FIG> the lid portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is arranged in the third/closed position. A separation line <NUM> extends circumferentially between the annular longitudinal skirt portion <NUM> of the lid portion <NUM> and the retainment portion <NUM>.

The retainment portion <NUM> comprises a first, outer section <NUM> and a second, inner section/lip <NUM> which is connected to the outer section <NUM> at a lower end thereof. The configuration is further discussed with regard to <FIG>.

A plurality of bridge portions <NUM> are arranged circumferentially along the separation line <NUM> connecting the retainment portion <NUM> to the lid portion <NUM> before the closure device is opened for the very first time. Each of the bridge portions <NUM> may typically have a width that is within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. Between two bridge portions <NUM> the cap <NUM> may typically display through-going slits <NUM>, thus allowing the first opening to be effectuated by a user unscrewing the cap <NUM> until the bridge portions <NUM> are deformed beyond the point of breakage.

Hence, the separation line <NUM> provides, during the first opening, a clean break between the retainment portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM>. Once broken, the separation line <NUM> provides evidence that the closure device <NUM> has been opened, thus providing so called "tamper evidence".

<FIG> shows the hinge portion <NUM> having a butterfly hinge system comprising a pair of spaced trapezoidal ends <NUM>, <NUM> spaced by a centre portion <NUM>, the centre portion <NUM> having a dumbbell shape. The hinge portion <NUM> is configured to define a position of equilibrium of the lid portion <NUM> located between said second position and said third position, wherein the hinge portion <NUM>, when the lid portion <NUM> is located between the second position and the position of equilibrium, is configured to bias the lid portion <NUM> to rotate about the pivot axis AP towards the second position, and wherein the hinge portion <NUM>, when the lid portion <NUM> is located between the position of equilibrium and the third position, is configured to bias the lid portion <NUM> to rotate about the pivot axis AP towards the third position. Consequently, depending on the position of the lid portion <NUM>, the hinge portion <NUM> is configured to bias the lid portion <NUM> to rotate either towards the second position or towards the third position, thus ensuring that the lid portion <NUM> does not become stationary or fixed in a position between the second and third positions.

<FIG> further illustrates end points <NUM>,<NUM> of the separation line <NUM> which are separated by the hinge portion <NUM>. The separation line <NUM> comprises a section tracing a circle and extending clockwise from a position indicated as S in <FIG> to a corresponding position - not visible in <FIG> - on the other side of the hinge portion <NUM>. The separation line <NUM> further comprises sections running from end points <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, to the hinge portion <NUM>.

The hinge portion <NUM> is connected to the lid portion <NUM> at the periphery of the annular longitudinal skirt portion <NUM> and may have a circumferential extent within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°, thus implying that the circumferential extent of the separation line <NUM> may be within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°.

The retainment portion <NUM> comprises a first section 400a extending clockwise from the position indicated as S in <FIG> to a corresponding position - not visible in <FIG> - on the other side of the hinge portion <NUM>. The retainment portion <NUM> further comprises a second section 400b extending counter-clockwise from the position indicated as S in <FIG> to the corresponding, non-visible position on the other side of the hinge portion <NUM>. The first section 400a of the retainment portion <NUM> has a height, i.e. an extent in the direction of the longitudinal central axis AL (e.g. see <FIG>), that is constant. However, in the second section 400b the height of the retainment portion <NUM> increases and at its highest region R the retainment portion <NUM> connects to the hinge portion <NUM>. The retainment portion <NUM> may however have other shapes enabling the pivot axis AP to be positioned above the first plane P<NUM> or between the first and second planes P<NUM>,P<NUM> as shown in e.g. <FIG>.

The embodiment of the closure shown in <FIG> has only two internal threads. <FIG> is a cross-sectional top-view along line A-A of <FIG> showing the lid portion comprising the two internal threads, i.e. a first and second internal thread <NUM>',<NUM>''. The first internal thread <NUM>' has a first tangential centre position CF and the second internal thread <NUM>" has a second tangential centre position CF and the circumferential distance between the first and second tangential centre positions CF,CS is substantially <NUM>°. Further, it is shown that the hinge portion <NUM> comprises a third tangential centre position CH arranged substantially <NUM>° from the first tangential centre point CF of the first internal thread <NUM>'.

Each of the internal threads <NUM>' and <NUM>" may have a circumferential extent that is less than the circumferential extent of each of the external threads <NUM>. The circumferential extent of each of the internal threads <NUM>' and <NUM>" may be any one of: within the range of <NUM>°-<NUM>°; within the range of <NUM>°-°<NUM>; and within the range of <NUM>°-<NUM>°.

<FIG> also shows the end positions <NUM>,<NUM> of the separation line <NUM> which are separated by the hinge portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Further, the bore seal <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is also disclosed in <FIG>.

<FIG> are cross-sectional side-views of the closure device <NUM> and <FIG> are perspective views of the closure device <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> shows the closure device in its first position where the lid portion <NUM> sealingly covers the dispersing opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> shows the closure device in its second position where the lid portion <NUM> non-sealingly covers the dispersing opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> shows the closure device in its first position as also shown in <FIG> where the lid portion <NUM> is arranged at the side of the dispersing opening <NUM> of the pour spout.

When the lid portion <NUM> is arranged in the first/closed position, the longitudinal central axis AL of the pour spout is equal the central axis AC of the annular longitudinal skirt <NUM>. In this position the end-wall <NUM> of the lid portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) extends above and across the dispensing opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM> while the longitudinal annular skirt <NUM> surrounds the neck portion <NUM> externally and the sealing tongue <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM> extends in the radial direction towards the central axis AL of the pour spout <NUM> (see <FIG>) between the annular longitudinal skirt <NUM> and the bore seal <NUM> providing a leak tight closure device <NUM>.

The lid portion <NUM> is re-sealably arranged on the pour spout <NUM>. The internal threads <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the lid portion <NUM> are configured to interact with the external threads <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>, allowing the lid portion <NUM> to be rotated/twisted about the central axis AL of the pour spout <NUM> and to be screwed off the pour spout <NUM> bringing the closure device <NUM> from a first/closed position to a second position which lid portion <NUM> non-sealingly covers the dispensing opening <NUM>, and screwed on to the pour spout <NUM> bringing the closure device <NUM> from said second position to the first/closed position. In the second position the central axis AC of the annular longitudinal skirt <NUM> of the lid portion <NUM> is different from the longitudinal centre axis AL of the pour spout <NUM>.

When the closure device <NUM> is moved from the first/closed position to second position, the lid portion <NUM> is rotated until the internal threads <NUM> are released into a non-interacting position with the external threads <NUM> such that the lid portion <NUM> can be moved away from the pour spout <NUM> into the third position by flipping/pivoting the lid portion <NUM> around pivot axis AP of the hinge portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) allowing content, e.g. a liquid, to be dispensed through the dispensing opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>.

The inner section <NUM> of the retainment portion extends upwardly from the lower end of the outer section <NUM> terminating at a free, upper end <NUM> displaying an annular, upwardly facing surface facing the blocking tongue <NUM>, which annular surface is generally planar and perpendicular to the central axis AL of the pour spout. Consequently, the inner section <NUM> extends upwardly from the outer section <NUM> into the annular recess <NUM> (see <FIG>), and the upwardly facing surface of the free end <NUM> of the inner section <NUM> is configured to interact with the downwardly facing surface of the blocking tongue <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM> to prevent the retainment portion <NUM> from moving axially towards the dispensing opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> of the pour spout prevents the retainment portion <NUM> from moving axially towards the bottom opening <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM> (see also <FIG>).

However, the inner section <NUM> is configured not to interact tightly with the inner side wall of the annular recess <NUM>, thus allowing the retainment portion <NUM> to rotate about the centre axis AL of the pour spout <NUM>. Consequently, the retainment portion <NUM> extends circumferentially around the pour spout <NUM> and the annular recess <NUM> defined by the blocking tongue <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> forms retaining means preventing the retainment portion <NUM> from moving vis-à-vis the pour spout <NUM> in the axial direction z (see <FIG>) but allowing the retainment portion <NUM> to be rotated about the central axis AL of the pour spout <NUM>. Hence, the retainment portion <NUM> is rotatably retained about the pour spout <NUM> when the lid portion <NUM> is twisted between the first and second position.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a of a paperboard-based package <NUM> comprising the closure device <NUM> as discussed above wherein the lid portion <NUM> is in the third/open position.

The flange portion of the pour spout is not visible in <FIG> as it is fixed to an inside, annular wall section of the package <NUM> encircling a through-opening <NUM> in the package <NUM>.

When the closure device is in the first, closed position, the external threads <NUM> of the neck portion <NUM> and the internal threads <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> interact to provide a tight seal between the second axial end <NUM> of the pour spout <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM>, as is disclosed in <FIG>.

Opening the closure device, i.e. bring the closure device from the first, closed position to the third, open position, as is disclosed in <FIG>, generally involves the steps of:.

During a first opening of the closure device, opening the closure device may also involve bringing the lid portion <NUM> to separate from the retainment portion <NUM> along the separation line <NUM>. This may be effectuated during the said step of bringing the cap <NUM> to rotate in the first rotational direction by utilising reaction forces originating from the interaction between the internal and external threads to break the bridges <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Closing the closure device, i.e. bringing the closure devices from the third, open position to the first, closed position, generally involves the steps of:.

Claim 1:
A closure device (<NUM>) for a paper or paperboard-based package (<NUM>),
the closure device (<NUM>) comprising a pour spout (<NUM>) and a cap (<NUM>),
the pour spout (<NUM>) having a longitudinal centre axis (AL) defining an axial direction (z), a circumferential direction (c) and a radial direction (r) of the pour spout (<NUM>), the pour spout (<NUM>) comprising:
- an annular longitudinal neck portion (<NUM>) extending along the axial direction (z) from a first axial end (<NUM>) to a second axial end (<NUM>) in a dispensing opening (<NUM>), the neck portion (<NUM>) further comprising a plurality of external threads (<NUM>), occupying, in the axial direction (z) a region (<NUM>) extending between a first plane (P<NUM>) and a second plane (P<NUM>), wherein the second plane (P<NUM>) is arranged between the first plane (P<NUM>) and the second axial end (<NUM>),
- an annular flange portion (<NUM>) for attaching the closure device (<NUM>) to the package (<NUM>), the annular flange portion (<NUM>) extending in the radial direction (r) outwardly from the first axial end (<NUM>) of the neck portion (<NUM>);
the cap (<NUM>) comprising:
- a lid portion (<NUM>) comprising an annular longitudinal skirt (<NUM>) having a plurality of internal threads (<NUM>) configured to releasably interact with said external threads (<NUM>);
- a retainment portion (<NUM>) being rotatably retained around said neck portion (<NUM>);
- a hinge portion (<NUM>) permanently connecting the lid portion (<NUM>) to the retainment portion (<NUM>), the hinge portion (<NUM>) having a pivot axis (AP) about which the lid portion (<NUM>) is pivotally movable,
the lid portion (<NUM>) being operable between a first position in which the lid portion (<NUM>) sealingly covers said opening (<NUM>) of the pour spout (<NUM>), a second position in which the lid portion (<NUM>) non-sealingly covers the opening (<NUM>), and a third position in which the lid portion (<NUM>) is located at least partly at a side of the opening (<NUM>),
characterized by
the pivot axis (AP) being located between the first plane (P<NUM>) and the second axial end (<NUM>) of the neck portion (<NUM>).