Patent ID: 12234068

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

FIG.1shows an example embodiment of the closure device1of the invention. The closure device1has three parts: a pour spout100, a cap200and a barrier breaking element700.

A first example embodiment of the pour spout100is shown inFIGS.1,3A and8and a second example embodiment of the pour spout is shown inFIGS.13and14.FIGS.4and7show the cap200in detail andFIG.5shows the barrier breaking element700in detail.

With reference toFIGS.1and3A, the pour spout100has an annular longitudinal neck portion102displaying an inner surface124and an outer surface122. The neck portion102is extending in an axial direction z, seeFIG.3B, and the inner surface124forms a through-going channel120having a central axis ALarranged parallel with the axial direction z. The inner surface124is generally rotational-symmetric about the longitudinal central axis ALand defines a wall of the channel120. The channel120forms a first base axial end104at a base of the pour spout100to a second top axial end106at a top of the pour spout100. The first axial end104defines a first base opening116of the channel and the second top axial end displays a second top opening118forming a dispensing opening118of the pour spout100.

For reasons of convenience, the description below considers that the terms “upwards” correspond to a axial longitudinal direction z that is generally parallel to the central axis ALof the pour spout100and that goes from the first opening116towards the second opening118, whereas the terms and “downwards” correspond to the opposite direction. The terms “above”-“below”, “top”-“base” and “upper”-“lower”, correspond to relative positions with reference to these directions and the terms “inner”-“outer” correspond to relative positions with reference to a direction which is perpendicular to this direction.

At the first base end104, the pour spout100displays an annular, radially and outwardly extending flange portion110configured to be fixed to a container which may be in the form of a paper or paperboard-based container/carton. The flange portion may for example be welded on to an outer surface of a carton at a location of the carton where a barrier of the carton can be readily broken by the barrier breaking element700.

Both the inner surface124and the outer surface122of the pour spout100comprises a thread, i.e. an internal first thread107and an external second thread108, respectively. The first thread107interacts with a third thread708arranged on the outer surface712of the barrier breaking element700, see alsoFIG.5. The second thread108of the pour spout100is interacting with the internal ramp322of the lid portion300of the cap200when opening and closing the closure device1, seeFIG.7.

The second thread108displays a first section108aand a second section108b. The first section108aextends about 300° in the circumferential direction c, seeFIG.3B, and has a helix angle of 0°. The second section108bextends about 60° in the circumferential direction c and has a helix angle of 15°.

Further, the second thread108occupies, in the axial direction z, a region109located between a first plane P1and a second plane P2. The first plane P1is arranged level with a second bead ring115. The second plane P2is arranged between the first plane P1and the second axial end106.

As shown inFIG.2the hinge portion500of the cap200has as a pivot axis APallowing the lid portion300to pivoted about said pivot axis AP. The pivot axis APis arranged at a third level P3which inFIG.2is level with the second level P2. P3is illustrated inFIG.4.

The pour spout100may have a sealing tongue112arranged at the second axial end106, shown inFIG.8A. The sealing tongue112may extend towards the longitudinal centre axis ALof the pour spout100in the radial direction r enhancing the sealing properties of the closure1.

The sealing tongue112may further be oblique in the direction towards the first axial end of the pour spout.

The radial extent of the sealing tongue112may be less than or equal the radial distance between inner surface of the annular longitudinal skirt and a bore seal of a lid portion of the cap200which is described in further detail with regard toFIG.7.

The first thread107has a helix angle of about 7°, even if the helix angle can be chosen to from 5° to 15°, and occupies in the axial direction the entire inner surface of the pour spout100.

The outer surface122of the pour spout is provided with two axially displaced bead rings114,115referred to as the first bead ring114and the second bead ring115. The first and second bead rings114,115are both annular and radially extending from the pour spout100.

The first bead ring114is arranged between the second bead ring115and the flange portion110of the pour spout100and arranged at an axial distance, i.e. a distance in the axial direction z from both the second bead ring115and the flange portion110.

The axial distance between the first bead ring114and the flange portion110defines a first annular recess126of the neck portion102for receiving and retaining a first tamper-evident band450of the cap200. The annular recess126has a plurality of ribs129shown as axially arranged shoulders extending between the flange portion110and the first bead ring114. Their function is discussed in more detail with regard toFIG.8A.

Further, the axial distance between the first bead ring114and the second bead ring115defines a second annular recess127of the neck portion102for receiving and retaining a second tamper-evident band/retainment portion400of the cap.

Referring now toFIG.1andFIG.4, the cap200of the closure device1comprises the first tamper-evident band450and the retainment portion400, the lid portion300and a hinge portion500permanently connecting the lid portion300to the retainment portion400.

The lid portion300is configured to seal the pour spout100when in closed position preventing fluid from passing therethrough. The lid portion300comprises an end wall321and an annular longitudinal skirt320extending from the circumference of the end wall321. The longitudinal skirt320has one internal thread/ramp322which is configured to interact with the external thread108movably connecting the lid portion300of the cap200to the pour spout100.

The annular skirt portion320has an outer surface324which comprises a plurality of parallel spines328for enhancing the grip of the consumer.

The retainment portion400of the cap200is circumferentially arranged around the neck portion102between the first tamper-evident band450and the lid portion300when the lid portion300is in a closed position.

The first tamper-evident band450is circumferentially retained between the first bead ring114and the flange portion110of the pour spout100. Prior to opening the closure device1for the first time, the first tamper-evident band450is connected to the retainment portion400by a first rupturable section650arranged therebetween.

The first rupturable section650comprises a plurality of connecting bridges651, which when opening the closure1for the first time will break such that first tamper-evident band450and the retainment portion400are physically separated.

The retainment portion400is connected to the lid portion300via a hinge portion500and a second rupturable section600via connecting bridges601before opening the closure device1for the first time. The hinge portion500is permanently connecting the lid portion300to the retainment portion400while the connecting bridges601of second rupturable section600will break during the first opening of the closure device1after the first rupturable section650has been broken. However, the hinge portion500is not broken during opening of the closure device1allowing the lid portion300to pivot around pivot axis APof the hinge portion500after the second rupturable section600has been broken as shown inFIGS.1and2.

When the closure device1is open and the liquid within the carton can be poured out, the lid portion300is pivoting away from the dispensing opening118such that the lid portion300is located at the side of the dispensing opening118of the pour spout100. Hence, the lid portion300is moved away/flipped from the central axis ALof the pour spout100around the pivot axis APsufficiently far to allow nearly unrestricted disposal of content through the dispensing opening118of the pour spout100, as shown inFIG.2.

The cap200is rotatable around the pour spout100due to the retainment portion400freely moving in the circumferential direction and hence allowing the consumer to move the lid portion300in the circumferential direction c such that it is not in the way during pouring.

FIG.5shows a detailed view of the barrier breaking element700which is configured to break a barrier of the carton onto which the closure device1is fixedly arranged. The element700generally has an open-ended cylindrical geometry to be arranged coaxially within the pour spout100as shown inFIG.6. A barrier breaking portion702having a plurality of teeth709each having a tip711is arranged at a first axial end704of the element700. The tips711interact and break the barrier of the carton when opening the closure device1for the first time.

As shown inFIG.5the element700has a third thread708arranged on the outer surface712which interacts with the first thread107of the pour spout100when opening the closure device1for the first time. The third thread708is arranged above the barrier breaking portion702, occupying an area extending from a second axial end706to the barrier breaking portion702. When the closure device1is assembled, hence prior to being opened for the first time, the second axial end706of the element700is arranged at or approximate the second axial end106of the pour spout100, preferably abutting the sealing tongue of the pour spout100, as shown inFIG.8A. The element700is hence completely enclosed by the neck portion102of the pour spout100when assembled.

The first and third threads107,708have an helix angle such that when twisting the cap, hence when opening the closure for the first time, the element700is displaced/turned in the axial direction z and in the circumferential direction c towards the carton, i.e. away from the lid portion of the cap. The element700is turned due to an interaction with the cap that will be explained in further detail with reference toFIGS.8C and9Cbelow. The turning of the element700about the central axils ALcauses the tips711to move through the barrier of the carton by breaking/cutting off a segment of the barrier.

The tips711are preferably having a shape that does not dig into the barrier of the carton which can lead to torn off portions entering into the content of the carton, but instead cleanly cuts through a major segment the barrier by pushing a weakened area of the barrier.

Similar barrier breaking elements are known in the art from inter alia WO 2010/128302 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,576 which are both incorporated herein by reference.

The weakened area of the barrier may for example include a partial-depth cut, i.e. a partially cut area that maintains the barrier properties until broken. The partial-depth cut may be a circular half-cut which the tips711of the tooth shaped barrier breaking portion702can interact with when turning the cap for the first time. Hence the tips711can ride on and push the circular half-cut portion of the barrier causing it to break. The tips711may travel a total of less than 360°, preferably around 300°, when interacting with the circular half-cut portion thereby making a through cut in the form of an open loop. Thereafter the barrier breaking portion702enters into the carton and pushes the barrier aside inwardly as shown in FIG. 5 of WO 2010/128302 A1 and FIG. 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,576.

To ensure that the tips704do not travel up to 360° in the circumferential direction ensuring that the barrier does not fall off and into the content of the carton, a segment/tooth711of the barrier breaking portion may not comprise a tip704. The barrier breaking element700may further be arranged within the pour spout100such that said segment711pushes the barrier aside inwardly such that the barrier does not disrupt or block the liquid during pouring of liquid from the carton.

As shown inFIG.5the teeth709are separated by slits710. The slits710are arranged between the teeth709to allow liquid within the carton to pass through the slits710and into the pour spout100after the barrier of the carton has been broken and hence when the barrier breaking portion702is arranged inside the carton. Hence, the slits710ensures that the liquid is not blocked by the barrier breaking portion702during pouring of liquid from the carton.

FIG.7is a cross sectional side-view of the cap200before being assembled to the pour spout100. The lid portion300is open at its bottom end and closed at its top end by an end-wall321which at the outer periphery displays an annular longitudinal/tubular skirt320extending axially downwards, which annular longitudinal skirt320is centred on a central axis ACand has a circular base.

The inner surface326of the annular skirt320has the internal ramp322having a first tangential centre point which is about 170-180° from a tangential centre point of the hinge portion500. The internal ramp further has an extent in the circumferential direction c of about 30°.

In the shown embodiment, the lid portion300is provided with an annular longitudinal bore seal310that extends axially downwards from the end-wall321in such a manner as to be centred on the central axis ACinside the longitudinal skirt320. Hence, the annular longitudinal bore seal310is having a common centre axis with the annular longitudinal skirt320.

Even if not shown, the bore seal310can have a gradually increasing longitudinal extent from a first point being proximate the hinge portion500towards a second point being distal the hinge portion500. The longitudinal extent of the bore seal can be adapted to avoid any collision between the bore seal310and the sealing tongue of the pour spout when operating the lid portion300from third/open position towards the second position as further described below with regard toFIGS.10,11and12A to12C.

It can be seen inFIG.7that the retainment portion400comprises an annular flexible band405extending downwardly, about 45°, at an inner surface404of the retainment portion400facing the pour spout100when assembled. The flexible band405is bended in the other direction to extend upwardly, about 45°, when assembling the closure device as shown inFIG.8A.

As shown inFIG.8A, the flexible band405abuts the second bead ring115of the pour spout100such that the retainment portion400is retained between the first and second bead rings114,115. The retainment portion400may instead of the flexible band405have a plurality of flaps annularly arranged similar to the arrangement of the flexible band thereby having the same function.

The first tamper-evident band450has a plurality of bead sections455extending radially towards the pour spout when the closure device is assembled. The bead sections455are separated by grooves456shown inFIG.7.

When the closure device1is assembled as shown inFIG.8A, the grooves456of the first tamper-evident band450abut the ribs129of the pour spout100restricting the first tamper-evident band450to move in the circumferential direction c when twisting the cap200during opening the closure device1for the first time. Hence the connecting bridges651of the first rupturable section600are broken when twisting the cap200for the first time, see alsoFIG.8Bshowing the closure device1when assembled. The configuration of the grooves456of tamper-evident band450and the ribs129of the pour spout100allow the cap200to be twisted about 10 to 60° before first tamper-evident band450is restricted from moving, and hence before the connecting bridges651of the first rupturable section650are broken.

FIG.8Cshows a bottom view of the assembled closure device1, hence viewing the closure device1from the base opening116towards the top opening118being covered by the lid portion300. The lid portion has two cams, referred to as a first cam340and a second cam342, also shown inFIGS.1,2,7and8A. The first and second cams340,342are configured to interact with the barrier breaking element700when opening the closure device1for the first time. The barrier breaking element displays a first and second protrusion740,742arranged to interact with the first and second cam340,342when opening the closure device1for the first time.

The first and second cam340,342arranged between the central axis AC, seeFIG.8Bof the lid portion300and the bore seal of the lid portion, and separated by about 180° in the circumferential direction c.

As seen inFIG.8Cthe first cam340is arranged to abut the first protrusion740and the second cam342is arranged to abut the second protrusion742such that the teeth709of the barrier breaking element700can be moved out of the base opening116.

However, when the closure device1is assembled there is no interaction between the first cam340and the first protrusion740or the second cam342and the second protrusion742.

The interaction between the ribs129of the pour spout and the grooves456of the first tamper-evident band450, discussed above, cause the connecting bridges651of the first rupturable section650to break before the first and second cams340,342interact with the first and second protrusions740,742. This is to ensure any consumer that the closure device1has not been opened if the connecting bridges651of the first rupturable section650are not broken.

FIG.9Ashows the closure device1after the connecting bridges651of the first rupturable section650have been broken. Hence, the rupturable section650provides, during the first opening, a clean break between the first tamper-evident band450and retainment portion400. Once broken, the first rupturable section650provides evidence that the closure device1has been at least partly opened, thus providing so called “tamper evidence”.

After the connecting bridges651of the first rupturable section650have been broken, the first and second cam340,342of the lid portion300engage with the first and second protrusions740,742of the element700, respectively. This is shown inFIG.9Bshowing the closure device1from the same view asFIG.8C. By continuing twisting of the cap to open the closure device, the first and second cams340,342push the first and second protrusion740,742such that the element700is displaced in the axial direction z and in the circumferential direction c towards the carton. Due to the axial length of the first and second cam340,342, and due to the configuration of the second threads108of the pour spout100interacting with the ramp322of the lid portion300, the element700will be pushed in the circumferential direction c a length corresponding to the length of the first section108aof the second thread108, hence approximately 300°.

FIG.10illustrates the closure device1after twisting the cap200for approximately 300° after the first and second cam340,342have engaged with the first and second protrusions740,742, hence showing that the barrier breaking portion702protrudes out of the first base opening of the pour spout100, hence the barrier of the carton has been broken and the barrier breaking portion702has entered into the carton. Further, it is shown that the connecting bridges651of the first rupturable section650have been broken, while the connecting bridges601of the second rupturable section600are still intact. When the lid portion300is still connected to the retainment portion400in this position, the lid portion300is referred to as being in the first position PF.

FIG.11illustrates the closure device1after continuing twisting the cap200for opening the lid portion300of the closure device1. Due to the configuration of the second threads108of the pour spout100interacting with the ramp322of the lid portion300, the lid portion300of the cap has been pushed in the circumferential direction c and upwards in the axial direction z a length corresponding to the length of the second section108bof the second thread108, being approximately 60°. Hence, the connecting bridges601of the second rupturable section600are broken since the retainment portion400is retained by the second bead ring. The lid portion300is now ready to be flipped about the pivot axis APshown disclosed inFIGS.1,2,12B and12Cdue to the hinge portion500fixing the lid portion300to the retainment portion400. In this position, the lid portion300is referred to as being in a second position PS.

The second rupturable section600provides, during the first opening, a clean break between the retainment portion400and the part of the lid portion300that is not hinged to the retainment portion400. Once broken, the rupturable section600provides evidence that the closure device1has been fully opened, thus providing tamper evidence.

FIGS.12A to12Cillustrate the flipping operation of the lid portion300all showing cross-sectional side views of the same closure device1.

InFIG.12Athe cap200has already been twisted along the first section108aof the second thread108, and hence the barrier breaking portion702of the barrier breaking element700has been moved into the carton. The connecting bridges of the second rupturable section600are hence ready to be broken, thus the configuration of the closure device is the same as disclosed inFIG.10. Hence the lid portion300is arranged in the first position PF.

InFIG.12Bthe lid portion300has been separated from the retainment portion400along the second rupturable section but is fixed to retainment portion400by a hinge portion500. The lid portion300has further been partly flipped to an intermediate position between the second position PSand a third position/dispensing position PTshown inFIG.12C. HenceFIG.12Billustrates the same position of lid portion as shownFIG.1.

FIG.12Cshows the lid portion arranged at the third position PTallowing the content of the carton the be readily poured out through the dispensing opening of the pour spout100, as also illustrated inFIG.2.

As shown inFIGS.12A to12C, the retainment portion400has a longer axial extent where the hinge portion500is fixed to the retainment portion400, compared to the other side of the retainment portion400from which the content of the container can be poured out from the closure device1. This way the hinge portion500is heightened, which is also illustrated inFIG.15. The axial extend of the retainment portion is about 120% longer than the length axial extent of the retainment portion400arranged opposite the hinge portion500.

FIG.13shows a pour spout100according to a second example embodiment of the invention andFIG.14shows the pour spout100arranged within a closure device1. The only difference between the first and second example embodiments of the pour spout100is the configuration of the threads, hence the remaining parts of the pour spout are as disclosed for the first example embodiment and will hence not be repeated for the second example embodiment.

The second thread108displays a first section108a, a second section108b, a third section108cand a fourth section108d. The first section108aextends about 330° in the circumferential direction c and has a helix angle of 0°. The second section108bextends about 60° in the circumferential direction c and has a helix angle of about 15°. The third section108cextends about 300° in the circumferential direction c and has a helix angle of 0° and the fourth section108dextends about 60° in the circumferential direction c and has a helix angle of about 15°.

The first and third sections108a,108care arranged parallelly next to each other being displaced in the axial direction z for allowing the ramp of the lid portion to interact with the first and/or third sections108a,108cof the second thread108when twisting the cap.

The second section108band the fourth section108dare arranged parallelly and next to each other being displaced in the axial direction z also for allowing the ramp of the lid portion to interact with the second and/or fourth section108b,108dwhen twisting the cap.

The second thread108occupies in the axial direction z, a region109located between a first plane P1and a second plane P2. The first plane P1is arranged adjacent and above the second bead ring115. The second plane P2is arranged between the first plane P1and the second axial end106.

As seen inFIG.14the assembling of the closure device is the same as shown for the first example embodiment of the pour spout inFIG.1.

FIG.15shows an example embodiment of the hinge portion500having a butterfly hinge system comprising a pair of spaced trapezoidal ends502,504spaced by a centre portion506, the centre portion506having a rectangular shape which may have bended longitudinal edges. The butterfly hinge system is adapted to bias the lid portion300away from the circumferentially arranged retainment portion400when the closure device1is in the open position as shown inFIG.2.

FIG.15further illustrate end points602,604of the rupturable section600which are separated by the hinge portion500. It can be seen that the circumferential extent of the retainment portion400below the hinge portion500displays a curved shape extending upwards towards the hinge portion500, such that the retainment portion400is dome shaped below the hinge portion500. The dome shaped area of the retainment portion400can have a circumferential extent in the circumferential direction c from about 30° to 100° of the total circumference of the retainment portion400.

The retainment portion400may however have other shapes than the shown dome shaped structure below the hinge portion enabling the pivot axis APto be arranged at the third plane P3being between the first level P1and the second axial end of the pour spout100.

Generally, with respect toFIGS.1to15the lid portion300is re-sealably arranged on the pour spout100. The ramp322, seeFIG.7, of the lid portion300is configured to interact with the external thread108of the pour spout100, allowing the lid portion300to be rotated/twisted about the central axis ALof the pour spout100and to be twisted/screwed off the pour spout100bringing the closure device1from a first/closed position, seeFIG.10, to a second position which lid portion300non-sealingly covers the dispensing opening118, seeFIG.11, and twisted on to the pour spout100bringing the closure device1from said second position to the first/closed position.

In the second position the central axis ACof the annular longitudinal skirt320of the lid portion300is different from the longitudinal centre axis ALof the pour spout100.

When the closure device1is moved from the first/closed position to second position, the lid portion300is rotated until the ramp322is released into a non-interacting position with the external thread108such that the lid portion300can be moved away from the pour spout100into the third position by flipping/pivoting the lid portion300about pivot axis APof the hinge portion500allowing content, e.g. a liquid, to be dispensed through the dispersing opening118of the pour spout100, seeFIGS.2and12C.

FIG.16shows an example of a carton50comprising the closure device1where the lid portion300is in an open third position. As can be seen the flange portion110of the pour spout100has been fixed the outer surface of the carton50, which can be done by e.g. hot air or ultrasonic welding.

With reference to all the drawings, the following sequential steps allow a user to open the closure device1from the assembled position to the third/open position:a) providing the closure device1in a closed assembled position,b) rotating/twisting the lid portion300of the cap200about 45° in an anti-clockwise direction having a helix angle of 0° until the connecting bridges651of the first tamper-evident band650are broken.c) rotating the lid portion300further about 300° at a helix angle of 0° until the barrier breaking element700has broken the barrier of the carton50and the barrier breaking portion702has been permanently arranged inside the carton50, hence arranging the lid portion300in a first position PF.d) continue rotating the lid portion towards the second position PSabout 60° such that the second section108bof the external thread108and the internal ramp322force the lid portion300to be separated from the retainment portion400along the second rupturable section600, hence breaking the connecting bridges601, and thenc) flipping the lid portion300about pivot axis APinto the third position PTsuch that the dispensing opening118of the pour spout100is open for dispensing liquid from the carton50.

Further, the following steps allow the user to close the closure device1from when starting from the third/open position.d) flipping the lid portion300back onto the pour spout100into the second position PS,e) rotating the cap200in the clockwise direction until making the closure device1liquid tight.