DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING A CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH A SEALING ELEMENT

Abstract

 The present invention refers to an automatic opening device for a container provided with a spout having a rim with a sealing element firmly attached thereto, said automatic opening device for a container being provided with means that obviate the need to unscrew the cap of the container and next remove the sealing element from the rim of the spout in order to enable pouring of the product stored in the container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic opening device for containers that has a spout provided with a sealing element firmly attached to its rim, said automatic opening device for containers being provided with means that eliminates the need to remove the cap of the container and performs multiple operations to remove the sealing element from the edge of the spout to release the ministering of the stored product.

RELATED ART

[0002] It is well known the use of sealing elements in containers designed to store products such as condiments for food, soups, liquid or paste products, medicines, cosmetics and other products. Normally the sealing element is firmly attached to the rim of the opening through which the product can be removed from the container, for example at the rim of a pouring spout.

[0003] Usually, a closing element is provided in the pouring spout, usually a cap, which is often provided with an internal screw thread which engages to an external screw thread provided in the pouring spout. The cap will only operate to seal the container after a user removes the sealing element from the rim of the spout.

[0004] Several types of sealing elements are known to adhere to the rim of the spouts of these containers, the characteristics of which vary according to the type of product contained in the container. Usually the sealing elements comprise a multilayer material, which can comprise plastic materials, paper, aluminum films, etc. Patents US6277478, US6461714, US7648764 and US8080118 disclose some types of sealing elements.

[0005] There are several reasons to seal the container by means of sealing elements applied to the rim of the spout, for example, the need to provide barriers against light, odors, scents, humidity, oxygen, etc., which can jeopardise the quality and the integrity of the product stored in the container. For this reason, the sealing elements can usually be made in layers of different materials, each of them meeting specific needs.

[0006] The sealing elements can also serve to extend the shelf life of the products stored in the containers, since the sale to the final user can take place long after the date of manufacture, in some cases in periods longer than one year after manufacture.

[0007] The sealing elements also serve as an indication to the user that the contents of the container have not been tampered with. If the sealing element shows any sign of tampering when opening the cap, it will signal to the user that the container has been tampered with and the product may have suffered some type of contamination and therefore should not be used.

[0008] For this reason, containers caps with spouts with sealing elements in the rim are often not provided with tamper evidence devices, since the sealing element itself serves this purpose. In this case, when purchasing the product, users have just to remove the caps from the containers to check if the sealing element is intact.

[0009] In such situations, users may inadvertently damage the sealing element, which would make the product contained in the container unsuitable for sale. To avoid this possibility, it is common for the sealing elements to be manufactured with layers of thicker materials than would be necessary to serve as a barrier element, aiming to increase its resistance. However, this greatly increases manufacturing costs.

[0010] Whatever is the reason for providing thicker sealing elements, this option usually creates difficulties for users, causing them difficulties to remove the sealing element when it is necessary to open the container for the first time to pour product contained therein.

[0011] If the product is a condiment or a cream, for example, it is common for the cap to be provided with a pouring spout that makes it possible to pour the product without the need to disengage the cap from the spout. In these cases, after removing the sealing element, the cap must be re-engaged to the spout, to close the container and allow the product to be served normally through the pouring spout.

[0012] When it is necessary to remove the product stored in the container for the first time, it will be necessary to unscrew the cap from the spout and remove the sealing element attached to the rim of the spout. Then, the cap must be screwed back on to the spout to keep the container closed, in case all the product stored in the container has not been used.

[0013] In some cases, the sealing elements are provided with at least one side lug that extends downwards the rim of the spout, facing the outer portion of the spout. This side lug aims to facilitate the task of removing the sealing element, and for this aim the user must handle the side lug and make an upward movement. However, even with the provision of these side lugs, the task of removing the sealing element is still difficult, and frequently users are unable to release the sealing element because it is firmly adhered to the rim of the spout.

[0014] It is common that the sealing element tears during the attempt to release it from the rim of the spout, being them partially removed, thereby causing users to try to find a means to remove the rest of the sealing element still attached to the rim of the spout. This operation is not always easy to be performed, being even very difficult for users to handle the remaining parts of the sealing element still adhered to the rim of the spout, in order to remove them. Users often use a sharp instrument, such as the tip of a knife or scissors, to assist removal of said remaining parts of the sealing element, which can cause accidents as well as creating the possibility of product contamination.

[0015] It is not uncommon that users instead of trying to remove the sealing element as a whole, choose to simply cut it, usually with a sharp instrument, such as the tip of a knife or scissors. As one of the layers of the sealing element comprises a resilient plastic material, usually this may cause some resistance for users to be able to puncture the sealing element.

[0016] The difficulty to release the sealing element may be even greater if it is quite thick, notably in containers in that the cap is not provided with a tamper evidence element, wherein the sealing element also serves to hinder tampering with the container, as previously mentioned.

[0017] In the situations mentioned above, in which users use some sharp instrument to assist in the removal of the sealing element, accidents may occur and cause injury to users, which is unfortunately not uncommon.

[0018] As can be seen from the foregoing, the need to provide a sealing element at the rim of the container spout, for the preservation of the product, usually causes difficulties for users. Besides being necessary the users perform a sequence of operations to open the container (unscrew the cap of the spout, remove the sealing element from the rim of the spout and then screw the cap back on the spout), the operation of releasing the sealing element from the rim of the spout can even cause accidents.

[0019] It is known the use of caps for container which also serve as sealing element for the containers. These caps are usually provided with a protruding element at the top, usually in the form of a cone trunk, which will later be used for pouring the product stored in the container.

[0020] Said protruding element has its upper end closed, and therefore it will be necessary for users to use a cutting instrument, a knife, for example, to cut the upper portion of the protruding element, thereby opening a pouring orifice for the product into the container. It is then highly possible that accidents occur during this operation, especially if performed by children or older people.

[0021] These caps can be provided in one piece or in two pieces joined by a pivoting element, one of the pieces being the part that is applied to the spout and the other serves as a closing element.

[0022] In view of the problems previously reported, it becomes evident the need to provide sealed containers in which it is possible for users to easily perform the operation of opening the container without causing accidents.

[0023] The present invention provides an automatic opening device for containers provided with sealing elements fixed to the rim of the pouring spout, thereby allowing the operation for tearing the sealing element to be made in a single operation, whereby eliminating the need for the userto perform multiple tasks in order to tear the sealing element to open the containers.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention allows the sealing elements to be manufactured without the need to be thicker than necessary, thereby serving only as a barrier element. Consequently, it eliminates the need for the sealing elements to be more resistant to avoid accidental ruptures, as currently observed. These and other advantages will be immediately realised from the detailed description of the invention that will be made hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will be better understood from the detailed description made hereafter with respect to the attached drawings, in which:

• Figures 1A, 1B and 1C respectively depict an upper perspective view, an upper perspective view in partial cut and a lower perspective view, in partial cut, of a first embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 depicts an upper perspective view of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, in a situation where the closing element of the device is in the open position;
• Figure 3 depicts an upper perspective view of a threaded spout provided in a container, with a sealing element being provided at the rim of the spout;
• Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D depict frontal views of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2, in partial cut, showing a sequence for the application of the device in the spout depicted in Figure 3;
• Figure 5 depicts a front cutting view of a Detail X shown in Figure 4D;
• Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D depict upper perspective views of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2, in partial cut, showing a sequence of operations for opening the container using the device for cutting the sealing element provided at the rim of the spout shown in Figure 3;
• Figure 7 depicts a front cutting view of the Detail Y depicted in figure 6D;
• Figures 8A and 8B depict front views of a first variation of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2;
• Figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D depict front views of a second variation of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2;
• Figures 10 and 11 depict, respectively, a front view of a third variation of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2, and an upper perspective view for a spout to which this variation of the automatic opening device for containers must be applied;
• Figures 12A, 12B and 12C depict front views in partial cut of a fourth variation of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2;
• Figures 13A and 13B depicts respectively, an upper perspective view, and an upper cutting view of a fifth variation of the automatic opening device for containers;
• Figures 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D depict, respectively, an exploded front view, an exploded upper perspective view in partial cut, a lower perspective view and an upper perspective view, showing a spout adapter device intended to serve as an interface for the application of an automatic opening device for containers in a spout of a container provided with an external screw thread different from the internal screw thread of the automatic opening device for containers;
• Figure 15 depicts an upper perspective view, in cut, in which the assembly of the automatic opening device for containers in the spout adapter device depicted in Figures 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D can be seen;
• Figure 16 depicts a front view of a variation of the spout adapter device of Figures 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D;
• Figures 17 and 18 depict top perspective views, in cut, showing the assembly formed by the automatic opening device for containers applied to the spout adapter device before and after being applied to a container, respectively;
• Figures 19A, 19B and 19C depict, respectively, an exploded front view, in partial cut, and an upper perspective view, in partial cut, and a front view, in which an alternative embodiment of the spout adapter device is shown;
• Figure 20 shows an upper cutting perspective view of the spout adapter device of Figures 19A and 19B applied to the automatic opening device for containers;
• Figures 21 and 22 show upper perspective views, in cut, of the assembly depicted in Figure 20, before and after the assembly is applied to a spout, respectively;
• Figures 23A, 23B and 23C depict, respectively, a perspective view, a partial cutting perspective view and a lower perspective view, in partial cut, of a further embodiment of the invention according to the teachings of the present invention, showing an automatic opening device for containers to be applied to the spout of a container by means of a bayonet type connection;
• Figure 24 shows an upper perspective view of the automatic opening device for containers of Figures 23A, 23B and 23C, in which the closing element is open;
• Figures 25A and 25B depict a front view and a partial cutting front view showing the automatic opening device for containers of Figures 23A, 23B and 23C in a position immediately prior to the beginning of its application to a spout;
• Figure 26A depicts a front view of the automatic opening device for containers of Figures 23A, 23B and 23C applied to the spout of a container, and Figure 26B depicts a front view of the automatic opening device for containers after a user has started the operation for opening the container;
• Figure 27 depicts an exploded perspective view of a variation of the automatic opening device for containers of Figures 23A, 23B and 23C in which the lower portion of a guiding and locking device of the automatic opening device for containers is provided with an internal screw thread;
• Figures 28A and 28B depict upper perspective views showing alternative embodiments for the guiding and locking device for the automatic opening device for containers of Figures 23A, 23B, 23C and 27;
• Figures 29A, 29B, 30A and 30B depict partial cutting front views showing variations in the application of different types of screw threads to the guiding and locking device and to the automatic opening device for containers of Figures 23A, 23B, 23C, 27, 28A and 28B;
• Figures 31A and 31B depict, respectively, a front partial cutting view and a front perspective cutting view, in which an additional embodiment of an automatic opening device for containers according to the teachings of the present invention is shown, in which said device is shown disconnected from a spout;
• Figures 31C and 31D depict frontal partial views of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 31A and 31B, showing different stages of application of the device in a spout;
• Figure 31E depicts a front partial view of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 31A and 31B after being activated to open a container;
• Figures 32A and 32B depict respectively an upper perspective view and an upper partial cutting perspective view of an automatic opening device for containers whose base element is provided with a pouring device;
• Figure 33 depicts an automatic opening device for containers whose base element is provided with a protruding plugging element whose upper portion is sealed;
• Figures 34A and 34B depict perspective views showing a rotational locking system of the external screw thread flanks of the automatic opening device for containers of the invention;
• Figure 35 shows an upper perspective view of a further embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers in a situation where the closing element of the device is in the open position;
• Figure 36 depicts an upper perspective cutting view of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in Figure 35, in a situation where the device is applied to a spout of a container and the closing element of the device is in the open position;
• Figure 37 depicts a lower perspective cutting view of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in Figure 35, in a situation where the device is applied to a spout of a container and the closing element of the device is in the open position;
• Figure 38 depicts an upper perspective view of a variation of the throughout orifice of the fourth embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in Figure 35, in a situation where the closing element of the device is in the open position;
• Figure 39 depicts a perspective view, in partial cut, of an additional embodiment of an automatic opening device for containers object of the present invention;
• Figures 40 and 41 depict frontal views, in partial cut, showing phases of operation of the application of the automatic opening device for containers of Figure 39 being applied to a container;
• Figure 42 depicts a perspective view, in partial cut, of the automatic opening device for containers of Figure 39 at the end of its application to the container;
• Figure 43 depicts a front view, in partial section, of the automatic opening device for containers of Figure 39, in a situation where the device was activated by a user to tear the sealing element of the spout of the container; and
• Figures 44 and 45 depict perspective views, in partial cut, in which the closing element of the device is in the open and closed positions, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In the following specification regarding embodiments of the invention, similar components will always be mentioned and indicated in the Figures by the same indicative numerals. Terms like "upper", "lower", "vertical" and "horizontal" used in this description refer specifically to the position in which elements, parts, portions, regions, etc. are depicted in the Figures. Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2 depict a first embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers 1 according to the present invention. As can be seen in the Figures, the automatic opening device for containers 1 comprises a closing element 1a, a base element 1b and a locking device 6. The terms "container" and "packaging" may be used in this specification in a interchangeable manner.

[0027] In the embodiment depicted in these Figures, the closing element 1a, in the closed position, engages into the base element 1b, as depicted in Figure 1A, and both are connected to each other by means of a pivoting connection element 7, as shown in more detail in Figure 2.

[0028] There are variations of this type of pivoting connection, which can be used interchangeably in conjunction with the present invention. In addition, any other type of connection means can be used to connect the closing element 1a to the base element 1b, and there may not even be any connection means between them, and the connection between these two parts could be made by pressure or screwing, for example.

[0029] The base element 1b comprises a first sidewall 11, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and a top element 10, circular in shape and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall 11. A central protruding ring 2 is provided in the upper central portion of the top element 10, which encircles a throughout orifice 2a. The closing element 1a comprises a second sidewall 9 in the form of an elongated cylindrical body and an upper element 8, circular in shape and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall 9.

[0030] A protruding sealing element 4 is provided in the inner central portion of the upper element 8 of the closing element 1a. The sealing protruding element 4 is designed to house into the protruding ring 2 and to close the throughout orifice 2a of the base element 1b when the closing element 1a and the base element 1b are closed.

[0031] Preferably the automatic opening device for containers 1 is designed so that the second sidewall 9 of the closing element 1a and the first sidewall 11 of the base element 1b have substantially equal outside diameters when closed, as shown in Figure 1A. In order for this to occur, the top element 10 of the base element 1b must be provided with a recess in the region of its edge at which it connects to the first sidewall 11, to form a engaging annular ring region 10a. Thus, when the closing element 1a is in the closed position, the lower region of the second sidewall 12 will fit into that engaging annular ring region 10a, as can be seen in Figure 1B.

[0032] This feature is only intended to facilitate the manipulation of the automatic opening device for containers 1 by users, but it is not essential for the functionality of the device. The embodiments of the closing element 1a and the base element 1b can be different from those depicted in the Figures, without, however, changing the functionality of these components for the adequate operation of the automatic opening device for containers 1. The automatic opening device for containers 1 can even be provided without a closing element 1a as shown in the Figures, as the automatic opening device for containers 1 will operate normally even being not provided with this component, as will be seen hereafter.

[0033] An internal screw thread 5 is provided in the inner portion of the first sidewall 11 of the base element 1b. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the internal screw thread 5 comprises an internal orientation screw thread to the right of three entries, depicted in the Figure by means of three internal screw thread flanks 5. The internal screw thread 5 may comprise a screw thread with any number of entries and consequently, and so the invention is not limited to the use of an internal screw thread 5 with three entries.

[0034] In the present description, a three entries screw thread was chosen only as an exemplary embodiment of the invention, although the use of a multiple entry screw thread is more suitable for the purposes of the invention, as will be seen hereafter. The internal screw thread 5 can be indistinctly oriented to the right, as shown in the Figures, or oriented to the left. Hereinafter the expressions "internal screw thread 5" and "internal screw thread flanks 5" will be used as a common reference for this internal screw thread.

[0035] A cutting device 3 is provided in the inner portion of the top element 10, which comprises a hollow protruding body whose upper portion is connected to the lower portion of the top element 10, in the region where the throughout orifice 2a is located, the latter being a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device 3. The lower portion of the cutting device 3 is provided with a plurality of cutting elements 3a. In Figure 1B, this cutting device 3 does not appear in cut so as to enable it to be totally seen.

[0036] The locking device 6 comprises an elongated substantially cylindrical body provided at its upper edge with a plurality of upper rupture elements 6a, which are connected to the lower edge of the base element 1b, as can be seen in more detail in Figure 1C. A plurality of lower locking elements 6b is provided in the lower internal portion of the locking device 6. The lower locking elements 6b comprise tabs distributed circularly and spaced apart, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the locking device 6 and the body of each lug being tilted towards the geometric axis of the locking device 6. The lower locking elements 6b are designed so that they can undergo small radial bends towards the inner wall of the locking device 6.

[0037] Other embodiments of lower locking elements 6b can be used and, therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiment depicted in Figures 1B and 1C. The function of the upper rupture elements 6a and the lower locking elements 6b will also be seen hereafter in the description that will be made of the operation of applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 to a spout.

[0038] Figure 3 depicts a container 20 provided with a spout 12, depicted in the Figure only by its upper part. The spout 12 comprises an elongated cylindrical body 13 provided with an external screw thread 14, in the present case, a right hand screw thread with three entries, which comprises a lower flank 14a and an upper flank 14b, with a root 15 formed between these two flanks. It can be seen in Figure 3 that the upper flank 14b of the external screw thread 14 has an upper end 21 which extends over the upper ring 16, while the lower flank 14a has its upper end even with the lower portion of the upper ring 16, to facilitate the screwing of the internal screw thread flanks 5 on the root 15, as will be seen hereafter.

[0039] The choice of an external right oriented screw thread, with three entries, is exclusively due to the fact that this is the embodiment used in the internal screw thread flanks 5 of the base element 1b. The same above comments are valid here, in which the use of a right hand screw thread with three entries is only a possibility to carry out the invention, which evidently is not limited to the use of a screw thread of three entries, as well as the screw thread may be right or left hand oriented. Thus, the external screw thread 14 can be a screw thread with any number of entries, and its orientation can be indistinctly to the right, as shown in Figure 3, or to the left, as long as it is compatible with the screw thread used in the internal screw thread 5.

[0040] A sealing element 19 is affixed to the rim of the spout 12. The elongated cylindrical body 13 of the spout 12 is also provided in its outer portion with an upper ring 16, an intermediate ring 18 and a lower ring 17, located in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, respectively. The diameter of the upper ring 16 is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring 18, and the diameter of the intermediate ring 18 is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring 17, as can be seen in Figure 3.

[0041] Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show a sequence of a process for applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 of the container 20 provided with a sealing element 19. In order to facilitate the description of the steps of the process for applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12 the internal screw thread flanks 5 of the base element 1b located in the front portion of the device for the automatic opening device for containers 1 were not cut.

[0042] For the sake of simplification of the Figures, in the description of the process for the application of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 the tools used for this operation will not be represented, whichever are the tools used in this operation. The arrows W depicted in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D indicate the direction of the operation to apply the automatic opening device for containers in the spout 12 of the container 20.

[0043] The application of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 is made by means of making the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to exert a downward longitudinal movement against the upper part of the spout 12, as shown in the Figures. In this process a slight interference may occur between some component parts of the automatic opening device for containers 1 and component parts of the spout 12 at the time of assembly.

[0044] Consequently, the automatic opening device for containers 1 must be made of a relatively resilient material, a thermoplastic, for example, and so, elements of the automatic opening device for containers 1 located in regions where occur interference with elements of the spout 12 undergo temporary elastic deformations, thereby allowing the continuity of the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12.

[0045] An automatic opening device for containers 1 can be seen in Figure 4A, whose geometric axis is aligned with the geometric axis of the spout 12, in a position to start the operation to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the nozzle 12. In Figure 4B the automatic opening device for containers 1 is depicted in a position immediately before the beginning of its engagement to the spout 12. In Figure 4C the automatic opening device for containers 1 is almost completely engaged in the spout 12. It is important to observe in this Figure that the lower regions of the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 initiate contact with the upper face of the intermediate ring 18.

[0046] With the continuity of the longitudinal downward movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in relation to the spout 12, the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 will be outwardly pressed by the edge of the intermediate ring 18, and consequently will tend to incline outwardly towards the internal wall of the locking device 6, which will allow the continuity of the downward longitudinal movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1.

[0047] After the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 move past the intermediate ring 18 they will return to the regular position, in that they are projected towards the geometric axis of the locking device 6, as depicted in Figure 4D, and shown in more detail in Figure 5, which depicts a Detail X indicated in Figure 4D. As a result, the lower locking elements 6b will prevent longitudinal upward movements of the automatic opening device for containers 1, which will then be kept in that position.

[0048] The downward longitudinal movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1 ceases when the lower edge of the locking device 6 touches the upper surface of the lower ring 17, as shown in Figure 4D, whereby the process of applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 is completed. Observe in Figure 4D that at the end of this downward longitudinal movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1, the internal screw thread flanks 5 are in a position in which they can be screwed to the screw thread 14 of the spout 12, as will be seen hereafter. The container 20 will then be ready for sale.

[0049] Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D depict upper perspective views, in partial cut, showing a sequence of the process for opening the container 20 by means of the automatic opening device for containers 1. In order to facilitate the description of the process, and likewise what occurred in the description of the process for applying the device to the spout 12 shown in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, the internal screw thread flanks 5 of the base element 1b had not been cut in Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. The cutting device 3 also does not appear in cut, thereby making possible to see it in its entirety.

[0050] In Figure 6A the automatic opening device for containers 1 is depicted in the final position after being applied to container 20, an operation carried out in a factory. In order to start the process to open the container 20 a user must apply a clockwise rotary movement to the upper portion of the automatic opening device for containers 1, formed by the closing element 1a and the base element 1b, as indicated by the circle T in the Figures.

[0051] This clockwise rotary movement will cause the upper rupture elements 6a of the locking device 6 to rupture, as indicated by the circles R in Figure 6B, and consequently, the assembly formed by the closing element 1a and the base element 1b will begin to rotate clockwise. In the continuity of this clockwise rotary movement, the entry tips 5a of the internal screw thread flanks 5 will run along the upper face of the upper ring 16, until they meet the upper end 21 of the upper flank 14b of the screw thread 14, as can be seen in Figure 6B.

[0052] Next, with the continuity of the rotational movement, the entry tip 5a of each internal screw thread 5 will begin to enter the root 15 of the external screw thread 14, as can be seen in Figure 6B. Following this rotary movement, the internal screw thread flanks 5 will displace along the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14. This rotary movement will cause a downward axial displacement of the automatic opening device for containers 1, as indicated by the arrows Z in Figures 6B, 6C and 6D. The combination of the two movements, rotation and downward axial displacement, will cause the cutting elements 3a of the cutting device 3 to cut the sealing element 19 affixed to the upper edge of the spout 12, as can be seen in Figure 6C.

[0053] The rotational movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in a clockwise direction will cease when the edge of the spout 12, to which the sealing element 19 is attached, touches the lower region of the top element 10 of the base element 1b. This will cause a compression between the top element 10 of the base element 1b and the edge of the spout 12, thereby contributing to cause a sealing in this area of compression, as can be seen in Figure 6D.

[0054] Figure 7 depicts an upper rupture element 6a which was torn at the beginning of the rotary movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1, part of the rupture element 6a being attached to the inner portion of the upper edge of the locking element 6, as shown in the upper part of the drawing, and the remaining part keeping attached to the inner portion of the lower edge of the base element 1b, as shown in the lower part of Figure 7, indicated by the ellipses S.

[0055] At the end of the rotary movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in a clockwise direction, causing it to make a downward axial movement, the cutting elements 3a of the cutting device 3 had already made the tearing of the sealing element 19. Consequently, the product into the container 20 can be poured through the protruding hollow body of the cutting device 3 and the throughout orifice 2a, pivoting first the closing element 1a to enable the product stored in the container 20 to pass through the throughout orifice 2a.

[0056] Preferably both the outer face of the second sidewall 9 of the closing element 1a and the outer face of the first sidewall 11 of the base element 1b of the automatic opening device for containers 1 are provided with means that increase the friction coefficient thereof, consequently facilitating the handling of the automatic opening device for containers 1 by users.

[0057] The process of opening the container 20 described hereinbefore requires the users to turn clockwise the automatic opening device to open the container 1. This may cause some confusion to the users, as clockwise is usually the direction of rotation for closing caps of containers, which mostly use threaded spouts with screw threads right hand oriented.

[0058] In order to prevent users from rotating the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the wrong direction, it is necessary to place instructions on the top face of the closing element 1a so that the initial rotation is made in a clockwise direction, in order to ensure the perfect functioning of the automatic opening device for containers 1. For example, a circular arrow with the tip indicating the correct direction of rotation can be used to open the container. In addition, it can be included some written instructions that explain the correct direction of rotation.

[0059] However, it may still occur situations in that careless users do not observe the instructions on the upper face of the closing element 1a and, being used to turning caps counterclockwise to open containers, then perform a rotation on the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the counterclockwise direction. In order to avoid this problem, variations of the first embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers 1 will be described hereafter in order to prevent this improper handling from occurring.

[0060] Figure 8A depicts a first variation of the automatic opening device for containers 1, in which the internal screw thread flanks 5 are bipartite, and comprise an upper section 5s and a lower section 5i. The intermediate portion of each internal screw thread 5 was removed, as can be seen in Figure 8A.

[0061] It can be seen in Figure 8A that a guiding element 22 is provided in the external portion of the elongated cylindrical body 13 of the spout 12 and extends parallel to the upper edge of the spout 12. In this variation, the upper end 21 of the upper flank 14b of the external screw thread 14 extends up to the guiding element 22, as can be seen in Figure 8A. As a result, a limiter of rotation 23 is formed between the upper end 21 of the upper flank 14b and the guiding element 22.

[0062] If a user inadvertently applies a counterclockwise rotation to the upper portion of the automatic opening device for containers 1, formed by the closing element 1a and the base element 1b, then the lower sections 5i of the internal screw thread flanks 5 will move over the upper face of the upper ring 16 until they engage the limiter of rotation 23, as shown in Figure 8B. Consequently, the user will no longer be able to turn the automatic opening device for containers 1 counterclockwise.

[0063] This will then cause the user to direct his attention to the automatic opening device for containers 1, and consequently the user will notice the instructions for the correct direction of rotation, making him/her rotate the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the correct direction (clockwise), to open the container.

[0064] Figure 9A depicts a front partial cutting view of a second variation of the automatic opening device for containers 1, in which the upper end 21 of the internal screw thread flanks 5 extend beyond the upper ring 16 to a shorter extent than the length observed in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, and the lower flank 14a has its upper end facing with the lower portion of the upper ring 16, as can be seen in Figure 9A. In this variation, the locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 are designed in such a way that their upper ends maintain a gap in relation to the lower face of the intermediate ring 18, as indicated by the circles P in Figure 9A.

[0065] If a user inadvertently applies a counterclockwise rotation to the upper portion of the automatic opening device for containers 1, formed by the closing element 1a and the base element 1b, then the entry tips 5a of the internal screw thread flanks 5 will approach the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b of the external screw thread 14.

[0066] When the entry tips 5a contacts the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b, as shown in Figure 9A, the user will feel a resistance to the continuity of the rotation. If the user still persists in turning counterclockwise, the gap between the upper ends of the locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 in relation to the lower face of the intermediate ring 18 will then enable the entry tips 5a of the internal screw thread flanks 5 to move past the upper end 21 of the upper flanks 14b, as shown in Figure 9B.

[0067] With the continuation of the undue rotary movement in a counterclockwise direction, the entry tips 5a of the internal screw thread flanks 5 will then move past the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b, and consequently the entry tips 5a will return to displace on the upper face of the upper ring 16, as shown in Figure 9C.

[0068] The passage of the entry tips 5a over the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b will produce a noise, which should alert the user that something has not been done correctly. This should compel the user to direct his attention to the automatic opening device for containers 1. Consequently, the user will then notice the instructions regarding the correct direction of rotation, and will then be able to rotate the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the correct clockwise direction to open the container.

[0069] Note that the clearance between the upper ends of the locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 in relation to the lowerface of the intermediate ring 18 must be designed so that it is sufficient to allow the internal screw thread flanks 5 to move past the upper end 21 of the upper flanks 14b.

[0070] For this aim, it is necessary that the gap has an extension greater than the vertical extension H that the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b raise beyond the upper ring 16, as shown in Figure 9B. Therefore, in the event that the user applies an anti-clockwise rotation to the upper portion of the automatic opening device for containers 1, the gap between the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b in relation to the lower face of the intermediate ring 18 will always allow that the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b may extend beyond the upper ring 16, as can be seen by the circles T shown in Figure 9B.

[0071] If the noise from the passage of the entry tips 5a over the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b was not sufficient to show the user that something was not done correctly, the continuation of the counterclockwise rotation will cause the automatic opening device for containers 1 to keep rotating without any linear or vertical displacement, as it will not occur engagement of the internal screw thread flanks 5 in the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14, which will certainly indicate to the user that something is not being made correctly, and will lead him/her to finally observe the instructions on the upper face of the closing element 1a in that the rotation must be made in a clockwise direction in order to cause the opening of the container.

[0072] Figure 9D depicts another variation of the automatic opening device for containers 1, similar to the variation depicted in Figures 9A, 9B and 9C, in which the only difference is that the locking device 6 is provided with a circular wing 6e at its lower portion, the latter extending from the end of the locking device 6, completely encircling the lower ring 17, as can be seen in Figure 9D.

[0073] In this variation of the invention there is a gap between the upper ends of the locking elements 6b of the locking device and the lower face of the intermediate ring 18, thereby allowing some clearance for longitudinal movements of between the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout 12. The circular wing 6e is intended to prevent anyone from inserting any object between the locking device 6 and the upper face of the lower ring 17 in order to unduly disconnect the automatic opening device for containers 1 from the spout 12.

[0074] Figure 10 depicts a third variation of the first embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers 1. In this variation, the internal screw thread flanks 5 comprise a left hand oriented screw thread, this being the only difference between the first embodiment and this variation.

[0075] Consequently, it will be necessary in this variation of the first embodiment of the invention that the spout 12 be provided with an external screw thread 14 with left hand orientation, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 11 depicts in more detail this spout with left angle orientation.

[0076] The process for applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 having internal screw thread flanks 5 with left angle orientation to the spout 12 will be exactly the same as previously described in relation to Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, and the only difference in the process of opening the container 20 in relation to what was previously described in relation to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D is that in this variation users must rotate counterclockwise the automatic opening device for containers 1 to open the container 20.

[0077] This is the great advantage in using this variation of the first embodiment of the invention, because in this case, users will have to rotate the device in a counterclockwise direction of rotation, which is what they are used to do for opening containers with screw-threaded caps, because most of the containers are provided with right hand orientated screw threads.

[0078] This means that, although a left hand orientated screw thread is used in this variation of the invention, users will hardly notice any difference from the regular right hand oriented threaded caps and threaded spouts. In other words, as usually the action for opening a cap is associated with a counterclockwise rotation, users will not be surprised with the need to apply a counterclockwise rotation to the automatic opening device for containers 1 to open container 20.

[0079] Notice that in the present specification the expression "open the container" means to tear the sealing element that is applied to the rim of the spout of a container to protect its contents, thereby allowing the product into the container to be removed. Notice that, according to the teachings of the invention, once the user has opened the container, there is no need to execute any further action, and the product stored in the container can be served immediately.

[0080] In other words, it is a one-step procedure, differently from what is observed nowadays, in that users need to execute some more steps, usually three, in order to start using the product stored in the container, namely, the steps to unscrew and remove the cap from the spout, then manually remove the sealing element, and next screw back the cap on the spout.

[0081] It is also important to mention that this third variation can be combined with any of the previous variations of the first embodiment of the invention described hereinbefore, being only necessary to make some modifications due to the use of a left hand oriented screw thread.

[0082] Figures 12A, 12B and 12C depict front views, in partial cut, of a fourth variation of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2. The difference observed in this variation is the provision of a locking device 6' of lesser longitudinal extension, as can be seen in the Figures, due to a partial screwing of the internal screw thread flanks 5 in the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14, as will be noted from the following description made in the next paragraphs.

[0083] The locking device 6' comprises an elongated and substantially cylindrical body provided at its upper edge with a plurality of upper rupture elements 6a', as can be seen in more detail in Figure 12A, the upper rupture elements 6a' being connected to the lower edge of the base element 1b. A plurality of lower locking elements 6b' is provided in the lower inner portion of the locking device 6'.

[0084] An automatic opening device for containers 1 with the same characteristics described above in relation to the device shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2 is depicted in the Figures 12A, 12B and 12C, as well as it is depicted the same spout 12 previously described in relation to said Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2. Consequently, there is no need to repeat here the description of the constituent parts of both the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout 12.

[0085] The same comments regarding the characteristics of the internal screw thread 5 and the external screw thread 14 apply to the fourth variation of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in Figures 12A, 12B and 12C. In these Figures the internal screw thread 5 and the external screw thread 14 comprise screw threads of multiple entries of right hand orientation. However, single or multiple screw threads having right or left hand orientation can be used.

[0086] The application of this fourth variation of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 is made at a factory, by means of an equipment not shown in the Figures, which executes a sequential pressing and rotating process. Initially, a downward longitudinal movement is applied to the automatic opening device for containers 1, as indicated by the arrow M in Figure 12A, whereby the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 1 is pressed against the upper part of the spout 12 until the lower regions of the lower locking elements 6b' touch the upper region of the intermediate ring 18.

[0087] Next, a rotational movement is applied to the automatic opening device for containers 1, as indicated by the circle N in Figure 12B, whereby the inner screw thread flanks 5 of the base element 1b engage the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14 of the spout 12. With the continuation of this rotational movement, the lower locking elements 6b' will be forced against the edge of the intermediate ring 18, and consequently the lower locking elements 6b' will retract outwardly towards the inner wall of the locking device 6', until they move pasttotally the lower edge of the intermediate ring 18. From this moment on, the lower locking elements 6b' will hamper the application of rotational movements to the automatic opening device for containers 1, thereby preventing it from being unscrewed from the spout 12.

[0088] The rotary movement for screwing the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12 will cease when the lower region of the locking device 6' touches the upper region of the lower ring 17, as can be seen in Figure 12C. With that, the container will be ready for sale. Note in Figure 12C the partial engagement of the internal screw thread flanks 5 in the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14.

[0089] When a user starts to open the container 20, he/she must apply a rotational movement to the automatic opening device for containers 1, applying a torque enough to break the upper rupture elements 6a', thereby allowing the internal screw thread flanks 5 to displace along the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14. This screwing movement will cause the cutting elements 3a of the cutting device 3 to tear the sealing element 19 of the spout 12, thereby opening the container and allowing the product stored inside the container to be served.

[0090] The reduction of the longitudinal extension of the locking device 6', if compared with the longitudinal extension of the locking device 6, occurs due to the characteristic of the partial engagement of the internal screw thread flanks 5 in the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14 in the fourth variation of the automatic opening device for containers.

[0091] The lower locking elements 6b' must be designed to make them strong enough to preclude any attempt to unscrew the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12, especially if right hand oriented screw threads are used in the internal screw thread flanks 5 and in the external screw thread 14. In this case, as the normal habit of users is to apply a counterclockwise movement in a cap to open a container, the difficulty users would face to apply a counterclockwise rotary movement to the automatic opening device for containers 1 would serve to draw their attention to the remarks in the upper region of the closing element 1a, which indicate that the correct rotational movement must be in a clockwise direction to open the container.

[0092] In case a spout 12 as shown in Figure 11 was used, having an external left hand orientated screw thread, in this case it will suffice for a user to, to open the container the user to apply a counterclockwise rotational movement to the automatic opening device for containers 1 to open the container 20. As counterclockwise rotational movement is what users are used to applying to a cap for unscrewing it from a threaded spout that are provided with right hand oriented screw threads, consequently users would easily apply the rotary movement correctly, and probably would not even realise that the threaded spout of the container is provided with a left hand oriented screw thread.

[0093] Figures 13A and 13B depict, respectively, an upper perspective view and an upper cutting perspective view of a fifth variation of the automatic opening device for containers 1, in which the base element 1b is provided with a suction spout 24, which comprises a hollow body which extends above the base element 1b and encircles the throughout orifice 2a. In this variation, the suction spout 24 is provided at its upper end with a mouth ring 24a, and the protruding sealing element 4 of the upper element 8 of the sealing element 1a is designed to house in the mouth ring 24a and to close the throughout orifice 2a of the base element 1b when the closing element 1a and the base element 1b are closed.

[0094] Containers provided with suction spouts are normally used to store liquids that are usually consumed by users when they are on the move, cases of cyclists, long-distance runners or even people who prefer to consume the product stored in the container while on the move

[0095] In this fifth variation of the first embodiment of the invention, the assembling of the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the opening of the container 20 are carried out exactly in the same manner as described hereinbefore, since all the other components of this variation are the same as previously described.

[0096] Note that this fifth variation can be combined with any of the variations of the first embodiment of the invention described hereinbefore. If it is made a combination of the third variation with the fifth variation, it will only be necessary to make the necessary to make some modifications due to the use of a left hand oriented screw thread.

[0097] Figures 14A and 14B respectively depict a front view, in partial cut, and a upper perspective view, in partial cut, which show details of a spout adapter device intended to serve as an interface for the application of an automatic opening device for containers 1 in a spout provided with an external screw thread which is different from the internal screw thread of the automatic opening device for containers 1. A sealing element 19 is affixed to the rim of the spout 26. External upper end of the spout 26 is provided with an external screw thread 30, a retaining ring being located below the external screw thread 30.

[0098] The automatic opening device for containers 1 depicted in Figures 14A and 14B is substantially similar to the one that has been described regarding Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, and therefore it is not necessary to repeat the description herein. Any of the previous variations of the automatic opening device for containers 1 described hereinbefore could have been depicted in Figures 14A and 14B, which would normally operate in conjunction with the spout adapter device 25, meaning that there are no limitations for the use of any type of automatic opening device for containers 1 in conjunction with the spout adapter device 25.

[0099] The lower external region of the spout 26 is provided with a base ring 28, larger in diameter than the retaining ring 33. The external screw thread 30 depicted in Figures 14A and 14B has a shape different from the internal screw thread 5 of the automatic opening device for containers 1. In the Figures is depicted a screw thread of a single entry, having a right hand orientation, although other types of screw threads could be used, such as, for example, a multiple entry screw thread and/or a left hand oriented screw thread.

[0100] As can be seen in Figures 14A, 14B and 14C, the spout adapter device 25 comprises an upper portion 25s rigidly connected to a lower portion 25i, of larger diameter, both being substantially cylindrical portions. The upper outer region of the upper portion 25s is provided with a protruding ring 25c, located near to the upper edge of the spout adapter device 25, and an external screw thread 27, the latter comprising a lowerflank 27a and an upperflank 27b. A root 27c is formed between the lower flank 27a and the upper flank 27b. A three entries right hand oriented screw thread is shown in the Figures 14A, 14B and 14C, merely for exemplification. However, a screw thread with any number of entries could be used.

[0101] As shown in Figure 14A, the upper flank 27b of the external screw thread 27 has an upper end 31 that extends beyond the protruding ring 25c, in order to facilitate the screwing of the external screw thread flanks 5 of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the root 27c, as will be seen hereafter. Conversely, the lower flank 27a has the upper end leveled with the lower portion of the protruding ring 25c.

[0102] An internal screw thread 29 is provided in the inner region of the upper portion 25s of the spout adapter device 25, as can be seen in Figures 14B, 14C and 14D. This internal screw thread 29 is sized to engage the external screw thread 30 of the spout 26, as will be seen hereafter. For the sake of facilitating visualization, an internal screw thread 29 of one entry is depicted in the Figures, although a multiple entry screw thread could be depicted.

[0103] The inner lower region of the lower portion 25i is provided with a plurality of lower locking elements 25a, each of them located in front of openings 25b formed in the lower portion 25i, as can be seen in the Figures. The lower locking elements 25a are similar to the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6, and comprise circularly distributed and spaced apart lugs, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion 25i of the spout adapter device 25, and the body of each lug being tilted towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device 25.

[0104] The lower locking elements 25a are designed to be able to undergo small radial bends towards the inner wall of the spout adapter device 25 when it is connected to the spout 26, as will be seen hereafter. Other locking means can be used to replace the lower locking elements 25a, provided that they are able to lock the spout adapter device 25 into the spout 26.

[0105] The automatic opening device for containers 1 must be applied to the spout adapter device 25 by means of a pressing process, a downward longitudinal movement wherein the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 1 is pressed against the top of the spout adapter device 25, thereby causing a strong assembly between them. This application will be made in a factory.

[0106] Likewise what occurred in the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12, in relation to Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, in the pressing process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 against the upper part of the spout adapter device 25 there will be a slight interference between some component parts of the automatic opening device for containers 1 and component parts of the spout adapter device 25. Therefore, the same observations made hereinbefore regarding Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are valid herein.

[0107] In this process of applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 on the spout adapter device 25, the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 will be pressed by the lower portion 25i of the spout adapter device 25, and consequently will tend to incline towards the internal wall of the locking device 6, which will allow the continuity of the downward longitudinal movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1. Figure 15 shows an upper perspective cutting view in which the automatic opening device for containers 1 can be seen in the spout adapter device 25.

[0108] Preferably, the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 should fit into the openings 25b formed in the lower portion 25i of the spout adapter device 25, which are in front of the lower locking elements 25a. Thereby the lower locking elements 6b and the lower locking elements 25a will be facing each other, as shown in Figure 15.

[0109] Figure 16 depicts a front view of the spout adapter device 25 showing an alternative embodiment for the lower portion 25i of the spout adapter device 25, the latter in this embodiment being not provided with openings 25b. In this embodiment the upper region of the lower portion 25i is provided with a ring that protrudes in relation to the lower region of the lower portion 25i, thereby forming a retaining edge 25r, which will serve to retain the lower locking elements 25a soon after they move past the retention edge 25r, as shown in Figure 16, and especially in the circles K.

[0110] Figure 17 depicts an assembly formed by the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 25 both already assembled each other in a position immediately prior to the beginning of the application of the assembly to the spout 26. This application is made in a factory by means of a rotating applicator, not shown in Figure 17, which applies a clockwise rotation to the assembly, as indicated by circle G in the Figure.

[0111] Similarly to what occurred in the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout adapter device 25, or in the spout 12 depicted in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, a slight interference will occur between some component parts of the spout adapter device 25 and component parts of the spout 26 during the process for applying the assembly comprising the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 25 against the spout 26. Therefore, the same observations made hereinafter are valid here.

[0112] Consequently, in this process the lower locking elements 25a of the spout adapter device 25 will be pressed by the edge of the retaining ring 33 and will tend to incline towards the inner wall of the spout adapter device 25, thereby allowing the continuity of the downward longitudinal movement of the assembly formed by the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 25, until the process is finished.

[0113] Figure 18 depicts the assembly formed by the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 25 duly applied to the spout 26. Notice that the lower locking elements 25a of the spout adapter device 25 had already passed over the retaining ring 33 of the spout 26 at the end of the process to apply said assembly to the spout 26. Consequently, the container 20 will be ready to for sale, to be opened later by a user.

[0114] The operation to open the container 20 will be carried out in the same way as described previously regarding Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, and for that reason the description of this process will not be repeated herein. Therefore, the same observations made hereinafter with regard to the process to open the container 20 by means of the automatic opening device for containers 1 applied to the spout 12 are valid herein.

[0115] Figures 19A, 19B and 19C depict an exploded front view, in partial cut, an upper perspective view, in partial cut, and a front view, respectively, showing an alternative embodiment of a spout adapter device 35 to be used in conjunction with the automatic opening device for containers 1. The spout adapter device 35 comprises an upper portion 35s, a medial portion 35m and a lower portion 35i.

[0116] A protruding ring 35c is provided, located on the upper part of the outer portion of the upper portion 35s. An external screw thread 37 is also provided, which is similar to the external screw thread 27 of the spout adapter device 25 of the previous embodiment. The external screw thread 37 comprises a lower flank 37a and an upper flank 37b, a root 37c being formed between the flanks 37a and 37b. A three entry screw thread is shown in the Figures, merely for illustrative effect. It is important to mention that a screw thread with any number of entries can be used, according to the design needs.

[0117] The upper flank 37b of the external screw thread 37 has an upper end 32 extending beyond the protruding ring 35c, intended to facilitate the screwing of the external screw thread flanks 5 of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the roots 37c, as will be seen hereafter, while the lower flank 37a has its upper end facing with the lower portion of the protruding ring 35c.

[0118] As shown in Figures 19A, 19B and 19C, a rim 34 is provided in the lower region of the upper portion 35s of the spout adapter device 35. The medial portion 35m is shaped like a trunk-cone and its upper portion is connected to the lower region of the rim 34, while its lower region is connected to the upper region of the lower portion 35i. There is a radial gap in the region that connects the medial portion 35m to the lower region of the rim 34, the radial gap intended to engage to the lower locking elements 6b of the automatic opening device for containers 1 when it is applied to the spout adapter device 35, as will be seen hereafter.

[0119] The medial portion 35m is provided with a plurality of spaced apart and circumferentially distributed radial openings 35a. A internal screw thread 36 having one entry is provided in the inner portion of the lower portion 35i of the spout adapter device 35. This internal screw thread 36 is sized to screw to the outer screw thread 30 of the spout 26, as will be seen hereafter.

[0120] A plurality of lower locking elements 35b is provided in the lower inner region of the lower portion 35i, similar to the lower locking elements 25a of the spout adapter device 25, the lower locking elements 35b comprising a plurality of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion 35i of the spout adapter device 35, and the body of each lug being tilted towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device 35. The lower locking elements 35b are able to bend slightly towards the inner wall of the spout adapter device 35 when it is connected to the spout 26, as will be seen hereafter.

[0121] Due to the increase of the height of the assembly formed by the spout adapter device 35 and the automatic opening device for containers 1, when such assembly is applied to the spout 26, it is then necessary to lengthen the cutting devices 3 of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to offset such increase of the height of the assembly, as will be seen hereafter. Therefore, the cutting device 3 of such assembly is lengthy than the cutting devices 3 of the variations of the invention described hereinbefore.

[0122] The automatic opening device for containers 1 must be applied to the spout adapter device 35 by means of a pressing process, a downward longitudinal movement in which the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 1 is pressed against the top of the spout adapter device 35, which causes a forced assembly between them. This application will be made in a factory.

[0123] Likewise what occurred in the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12 (Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D), by pressing the automatic opening device for containers 1 against the upper part of the spout adapter device 35 it will occur a slight interference between some component parts of the automatic opening device for containers 1 and component parts of the spout adapter device 35.

[0124] During the process of applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout adapter device 35, the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 will be pressed by the rim 34 of the spout adapter device 35, and consequently will tend to incline towards the internal wall of the locking device 6, thereby allowing the automatic opening device for containers 1 to make a downward longitudinal movement.

[0125] At the end of this downward longitudinal movement to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout adapter device 35, the lower locking elements 6b had been totally passed over the rim 34, thereby causing the retention of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout adapter device 35. Figure 20 depicts a perspective view in cut wherein the automatic opening device for containers 1 is totally applied to the spout adapter device 35.

[0126] The previous observations made regarding the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout adapter device 25 or in the spout 12 (Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D) are valid here. Preferably the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 should fit into the radial openings 35a of the medial portion 35m of the spout adapter device 35, as shown in Figure 20.

[0127] Figure 21 shows the assembly formed by the automatic opening device for containers 1 already applied to the spout adapter device 35, in a position immediately before starting the application of said assembly to the spout 26. This application will be made in a factory by means of a rotating applicator, not shown in Figure 21. Said applicator applies a rotation to the assembly, in this case, a clockwise rotation, as indicated by circle J in the Figure.

[0128] Likewise what occurred in the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12 (Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D), by pressing the assembly comprising the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 35 against the spout 26, it will occur a slight interference between some component parts of the automatic opening device for containers 1 and component parts of the spout 26. Therefore, the same observations made hereinbefore are valid here.

[0129] Consequently, during the process the lower locking elements 35b of the spout adapter device 35 will be pressed by the edge of the retaining ring 33 and will tend to incline towards the inner wall of the spout adapter device 35, thereby allowing the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 35 to make a downward longitudinal movement until the process is finished.

[0130] Figure 22 is an upper perspective cutting view showing the assembly formed by the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 35 duly applied to the spout 26. The lower locking elements 35b of the device spout adapter 35 had passed the retaining ring 33 of spout 26 at the end of the process to apply said assembly to the spout 26. Therefore, the container 20 will be ready for sale and to be subsequently opened by a user.

[0131] The operation to open the container 20 will be carried out in the same way as previously described regarding Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. Consequently, the description of this operation will not be repeated herein. The same observations made regarding the process to open the container 20 by means of the automatic opening device for containers 1 applied to the spout 12 are valid here.[

[0132] The external screw thread 27 of the spout adapter device 25, shown in Figures 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D, and the external screw thread 37 of the spout adapter device 35, shown in Figures 19A and 19B, can both be left hand oriented screw threads if an automatic opening device for containers 1 is used in case the internal screw thread 5 is a left hand oriented screw thread.

[0133] Figures 23A, 23B, 23C and 24 depict views of a further embodiment of the invention, showing an automatic opening device for containers 41 to be applied to a spout 47 of a container 51. The spout 47 comprises an elongated cylindrical body 48, a first upper ring 49 and a second lower ring 50, larger in diameter than the first upper ring 49. A sealing element 19 adheres to the upper rim of the spout 47. The connection between the spout 47 and the automatic opening device for containers 41 is a bayonet connection, as will be seen hereafter.

[0134] The automatic opening device for containers 41 comprises a closing element 41a, a base element 41b and a guiding and locking device 46. In Figure 24 the closing element 41a is in the open position, and the connection between the base element 41b and the closing element 41a is made by a pivoting connecting element, not shown in the Figure, a connection similar to that used between the closing element 1a and the base element 1b previously described in relation to Figures 1A, 1B and 1C and 2.

[0135] The base element 41b comprises a first sidewall element 54 and an upper member 55 whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall element 54. A central protruding ring 39 is provided in the upper central portion of the upper member 55, which encircles a throughout orifice 39a. An external screw thread 45 is provided in the lower external portion of the first sidewall element 54 of the base element 41b. In the Figures, an external screw thread with three entries is shown, for a exemplification only, as other types of screw threads may be used. It can be seen in the Figures the external screw thread flanks 45. Henceforth the expressions "external screw thread 45" and "external screw thread flanks 45" will be used to refer to the same screw thread.

[0136] The closing element 41a comprises a second sidewall element 56, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and an upper member 57, circularly shaped, whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall element 56. A protruding sealing element 40 is provided in the inner central portion of the upper member 55 of the sealing element 41a. The sealing protruding element 40 is designed to house the protruding ring 39 and to close the throughout orifice 39a of the base element 41b when the closing element 41a and the base element 41b are closed.

[0137] The guiding and locking device 46, shown in partial cut in Figures 23A, 23B, 23C and 24, comprises an elongated cylindrical body whose upper inner portion is provided with an internal screw thread 44, in the Figure a three entries screw thread comprising a lower flank 44a and an upper flank 44b, with a root 44c formed between these two flanks. In order to facilitate the description of the automatic opening device for containers 41 and its use for the opening of container 51, the flanks of the internal screw thread 44 of the guiding and locking device 46 are shown in the Figures, which would not appear in a cutting view.

[0138] The upper ends 44d of the upper flanks 44b extend above the upper ends of the lower flanks 44a to facilitate the screwing of the external screw thread flanks 45 in the roots 44c. Reinforcement lugs 46d are provided on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device 46, located in the regions where the upper ends 44d of the upper flanks 44b are extended, thereby providing support for the upper ends 44d at the moment when the entries 45a of the external screw thread flanks 45 touch the upper ends 44d, as will be seen hereafter.

[0139] As can be seen in Figure 23C, a plurality of lower locking elements 46b are provided in the lower region of the inner portion of the guiding and locking device 46, which comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the inner portion of the guiding and locking device 46, and the body of each lug being pivoted towards the geometric axis of the guiding and locking device 46.

[0140] A plurality of upper rupture elements 46a connects the upper region of the guiding and locking device 46 to the lower edge of the base element 41b, as outlined by circle F in Figure 23C. A plurality of guiding fins 46c can also be seen in the Figure, provided in the lower inner portion of the guiding and locking device 46. These guide fins 46c are optional and serve to facilitate the insertion of the guiding and locking device 46 in the spout 47, thereby positioning it correctly.

[0141] In the Figures the screw thread 45 provided on the lower external portion of the first sidewall element 54 of the base element 41b, and the internal screw thread 44 provided on the upper internal portion of the guiding and locking device 46 comprise a screw thread with three entries. However, this is for exemplification only, and evidently the invention is not limited to the use of a screw thread with three entries.

[0142] A cutting device 43 is provided in the lower central portion of the upper member 55 of the base member 41b, the cutting device 43 comprising a hollow protruding body whose upper portion is connected to the lower central portion of the upper member 55 in the region where it is located the throughout orifice 39a, the latter being a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device 43. The lower portion of the cutting device 43 is provided with a plurality of cutting elements 43a.

[0143] In Figures 25A and 25B, the automatic opening device for containers 41 is in a position immediately prior to the beginning of its application to the spout 47, which is made by pressing the lower portion of the automatic opening device for containers 41 against the upper portion of the spout 47, an operation performed in a factory by means of an applicator not shown in Figures 25A and 25B.

[0144] Figure 26A is a partial front view showing the automatic opening device for containers 41 duly applied to the spout 47. Notice that the lower locking elements 46b of the guiding and locking device 46 had passed the first upper ring 49 at the end of the process of applying the automatic opening device for containers 41 to the spout 47. Consequently, the container 51 will be ready for sale and to be subsequently opened by a user.

[0145] To open the container 51 a user must apply a clockwise rotation to the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b. This will cause the upper rupture elements 46a to rupture, and consequently, the entries 45a of the outer screw thread flanks 45 will be guided by the upper ends 44d of the upper flanks of the inner screw thread 44 to start screwing in the roots 44c. in Figure 26B the external screw thread flanks 45 are already screwed on the roots 44c of the internal screw thread 44.

[0146] With the continuation of the clockwise rotary movement, the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b, besides rotating, will also execute a concomitant linear downward movement, and consequently the cutting elements 43a of the cutting device 43 will tear the sealing element 19, to open the container 51.

[0147] The rotational movement of the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b in a clockwise direction will end when the inner portion of the upper member 55 of the base element 41b touches the rim of the spout 47, where it the sealing element 19 is adhered to. This will cause a compression between the upper member 55 of the base element 41b and the edge of the spout 47, thereby contributing to create a sealing in this area of compression.

[0148] Figure 27 is a partial perspective cutting view depicting a variation of the automatic opening device for containers 41, in which the only difference regarding the automatic opening device for containers 41 depicted in Figures 23A, 23B, 23C and 24 is that the lower region of the guiding and locking device 46 is provided with an internal screw thread 52. This variation of the device for the automatic opening device for containers 41 can be used in containers provided with threaded spouts.

[0149] For exemplification only, the spout 26 of the container 20 shown in Figure 27 is provided with a single entry screw thread with right angle orientation. However, screw threads having more than one entry can be provided to the spout 26, as well as left hand oriented screw threads can be used. The internal screw thread 52 of the automatic opening device for containers 41 must be screwed onto the screw thread 30 of the screwed spout 26 by means of a rotating applicator, an operation executed in factory.

[0150] The operation to open the container 20 is to be executed by users in the same manner as described hereinbefore. Users are unlikely to even notice the differences between the modalities of the automatic opening device for containers 41 used in a container, whether the one depicted in Figure 27 or the one depicted in Figures 23A, 23B, 23C and 24.

[0151] Figures 28A and 28B are perspective views depicting alternative embodiments for the guiding and locking device 46 of the automatic opening device for containers 41. In Figure 28A the guiding and locking device 46 is not provided with reinforcement wings 46d (shown in the embodiment of Figures 25A and 25B). In this case, the upper ends 44d of the upper flanks 44b must be designed to withstand the stress to which they will be subjected at the moment of starting the operation to open the container, when they will come in contact with the entries 45a of the external screw thread flanks 45.

[0152] In Figure 28B the elongated cylindrical body of the guiding and locking device 46 is extended to provide support for the upper ends 44d of the upper flanks 44b. Although this alternative shape of the guiding and locking device 46 is more complex to manufacture, it has the advantage of also providing protection for the external screw thread flanks 45, which become less exposed. This precludes the external screw thread flanks 45 from being damaged in case of possible impacts caused by falls, notably in market shelves, where products are displayed for sale.

[0153] It is possible to make different combinations of internal screw threads 44 and external screw thread flanks 45 regarding those depicted in the previous Figures of the automatic opening device for containers 41. For example, it is possible to invert the location of the internal screw threads 44 and the external screw threads flanks 45 without changing the operating manner of the embodiments of the invention regarding the automatic opening device for containers 41.

[0154] Figure 29A depicts a front partial cutting view of the automatic opening device for containers 41 in which the lower flank 44a and the upper flank 44b of the spout 44 are applied to the upper region of the inner portion of the guiding and locking device 46, as described previously, however it is possible to invert this configuration.

[0155] Figure 29B shows a front partial cutting view of the automatic opening device for containers 41 in which an automatic opening device for containers 41 is depicted, the outer portion of the lower region of the base element 41b of the containers 41 being provided with an external screw thread 144, which comprises a lower flank 144a and an upper flank 144b. A root 144c is formed between these two flanks, wherein the lower ends 144d of the lower flanks 144a extend below the lower ends of the upper flanks 144b. An internal screw thread 145 is provided in the upper region of the internal portion of the guiding and locking device 46.

[0156] In Figures 29A and 29B, for exemplification only, use is made of a three entries screw thread. The screw threads 144 and 145 can be of single or multiple entries, and, in this case, the internal screw thread 145 will then comprise a plurality of internal screw thread flanks.

[0157] If the embodiment shown in Figure 29B is used in the automatic opening device for containers 41, the reinforcement lugs 46d on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device 46 will be located in the regions where the ends of the internal screw thread flanks 145 are extended above the upper edge of the guiding and locking device 46.

[0158] Another difference regarding the embodiment depicted in Figure 29A will be notice at the moment of opening the container. In that, when a rotary movement is applied to the automatic opening device for containers 41, the lower ends 144d of the lower flanks 144a of the external screw thread 144 will touch the upper ends of the internal thread flanks of the screw thread 145, which, in the continuity of the rotary movement, will cause the screwing of these internal screw thread flanks 145 on the roots 144c of the external screw thread 144.

[0159] The operation to open the container will be the same regardless of which embodiment be used among the two described in the previous paragraphs. A user probably would not notice the difference between these two embodiments. The choice of the screw thread configuration to be used will be a design option, being only necessary to make the due adaptations in the embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers 41 being used.

[0160] Although right hand oriented screw threads were depicted in the Figures of the previously described embodiments of the automatic opening device for containers 41, left hand oriented screw threads can be used instead, as mentioned regarding the embodiments of the invention described hereinbefore.

[0161] Therefore, the same observations previously made are valid here, emphasizing that if a left angle oriented screw thread is used, it will only be necessary to make the necessary adaptations for the automatic opening device for containers 41 can be used without any difficulty, whichever is the embodiment used. Figures 30A and 30B are front cutting views showing an automatic opening device for containers 41 provided with left hand oriented screw threads, similar to those depicted in Figures 29A and 29B.

[0162] Figures 31A and 31B depict a front partial cutting view and a partial front perspective cutting view depicting an additional embodiment of an automatic opening device for containers 61 according to the teachings of the present invention. As can be seen in the Figures, the automatic opening device for containers 61 comprises a closing element 61a, a base element 61b and a locking device 62.

[0163] As depicted in the Figures, the closing element 61a is in a closed position, engaged to the base element 61b. Preferably, both are connected to each other by means of a pivoting connection element, not shown in the Figures. This type of pivoting connection between base elements and closing elements is well known in the art, variations thereof being known, and can be used interchangeably in conjunction with the present invention. Any other connection means can be used to connect the closing element 61a to the base element 61b, and there may even be no connection means between them, and the connection between these two parts could be made by pressure, or by screwing, for example.

[0164] Likewise the automatic opening device for containers 1 and 41 described he hereinbefore, the base element 61b comprises a first sidewall 72, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and a top element 73, circularly shaped and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall 72. The closing element 61a is also similar to the closing elements 1a and 41a described hereinbefore and comprises a second sidewall 71,in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and an upper element 75 shaped and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall 71.

[0165] A cutting device 63 is provided in the inner region of the top element 73, the cutting device 63 comprising a protruding hollow body which projects downwardly, as shown in Figure 31A, its lower portion being provided with a plurality of cutting elements 63a. In Figures 31A and 31B the cutting device 63 does not appear in cut so as to allow to view it in its entirety.

[0166] The top element 73 is provided in its upper region with a protruding ring 74, which encircles a throughout orifice 74a. The upper region of the cutting device 63 is connected to the lower portion of the top element 73, in the region where the throughout orifice 74a is located, the latter being a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device 63. As the cutting device 63 has not been cut in the Figure, consequently the throughout orifice is not viewed in the Figure, the throughout orifice 74a being shown in the Figure in dashed lines, to indicate its location in the top element 73 in alignment with the hollow portion of the cutting device 63.

[0167] A protruding sealing member 76 is provided in the inner portion of the upper member 75 of the closing member 61a. The protruding sealing member 76 is designed to house the protruding ring 74 when the closing element 61a and the base element 61b are closed, wherein the protruding sealing member 76 closes the throughout orifice 74a of the base element 61b, as shown in Figures 31A and 31B.

[0168] Preferably the second sidewall 71 of the closing element 61a and the first sidewall 72 of the base element 61b of the automatic opening device for containers 61 have substantially equal outside diameters when closed, as shown in Figure 31A. Therefore, the top element 73 of the base element 61b must be provided with a recess in the region of its edge at which it connects to the first sidewall 72, to form an annular ring region 73a. Thus, when the closing element 61a is in the closed position, the lower region of the second sidewall 71 will engage to the annular ring region 73a, as can be seen in Figure 31A.

[0169] This feature is only intended to facilitate the manipulation of the automatic opening device for containers 61 by users, serving only to facilitate the use of the device. The configurations of the closing element 61a and the base element 61b can be different from those depicted in the Figures, provided that these different components do not cause difficulties for the operation of the automatic opening device for containers 61.

[0170] The automatic opening device for containers 61 can even be provided without a closing element 61a such as the one shown in the Figures, and yet the automatic opening device for containers 61 will operate normally, as will be seen hereafter.

[0171] An internal screw thread 64 is provided in the inner portion of the first sidewall 72 of the base element 61b. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the internal screw thread 64 comprises a right hand oriented screw thread of single entry. However, the internal screw thread 64 may comprise a screw thread with any number of entries and, consequently, the invention is not limited to the use of an internal screw thread 64 having a simple entry. Further, the orientation of the internal screw thread 64 may also be to the left.

[0172] The locking device 62 comprises an elongated substantially cylindrical body provided at its upper edge having a plurality of upper rupture elements 62a connected to the lower edge of the base element 61b, as can be seen in the Figures. A plurality of lower locking elements 62b is provided in the lower inner portion of the locking device 62.

[0173] The lower locking elements 62b comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the locking device 62 and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device 62. The lower locking elements 62b can undergo small radial bends towards the inner wall of the locking device 62. Other embodiments of lower locking elements 62b may be used and, therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiment depicted in Figures 31A and 31B.

[0174] The upper rupture elements 62a operate basically the same way as the upper rupture elements 6a and 46a described hereinafter, as well as the lower locking elements 62b have basically the same functions as the lower locking elements 6b and 46b described hereinafter. Therefore, it is not necessary to make herein a detailed description of these component parts.

[0175] Other embodiments of rupture elements may be used on the upper rupture elements 62a, provided that they are able to cause the same effects obtained by the rupture elements depicted in the Figure.

[0176] The automatic opening device for containers 61 should be screwed onto a spout 65 provided in a container 70. The spout 65 comprises an elongated cylindrical body 66 provided in its outer region with an external screw thread 67. The internal screw thread 64 of the base element 61b will screw onto the external screw thread 67 of the spout 65, as will be seen hereafter. A retaining ring 68 is provided in the outer region of the elongated cylindrical body 66, below the outer screw thread 67, and a lower ring 69 is provided in the lower outer region of the elongated cylindrical body 66, as can be seen in the Figures. Likewise the spouts 12 and 47 described hereinbefore, the spout 65 is provided in its rim with a sealing element 77, as shown in Figure 31B.

[0177] In Figures 31A and 31B, the automatic opening device for containers 61 is in a position immediately prior to starting its application to the spout 65. The application starts by inserting the lower portion of the automatic opening device for containers 61 against the upper portion of the spout 65, by making a linear downward movement as indicated by the arrow N in Figure 31B. This operation will cease when the automatic opening device for containers 61 is in a position where a rotational movement can be initiated, to cause the internal screw thread 64 of the base element 61b to screw in the external screw thread 67 of the spout 65. This operation is executed in a factory, using an applicator not shown in Figures 31A and 32B.

[0178] Figure 31C depicts the automatic opening device for containers 61 partially screwed onto the spout 65, after the rotational screwing movement has started, as indicated by circle B. More particularly, the Figure depicts the moment of starting the rotational screwing movement, when the lower locking elements 62b touches the edge of the retaining ring 68. Consequently, the lower locking elements 62b incline towards the internal region of the locking device 62. When said rotational screwing movement is applied to the automatic opening device for containers 61, it also undergoes a concomitant downward linear movement, as indicated by the arrow N in Figure 31C.

[0179] With the continuation of the rotational screwing movement, all the lower locking elements 62b moved past the edge of the retaining ring 68, as shown in Figure 31D, and will return to their original position, thereby serving as a locking means, intended to prevent unscrewing of the automatic opening device for containers 61.

[0180] The rotational screwing movement will cease when the lower edge of the locking device 62 touches the upper region of the lower ring 69, as shown in Figure 31D. From that moment on, container 70 will be ready for sale.

[0181] A particular feature of this embodiment of the invention is that is partial the screwing of the internal screw thread 64 of the base element 61b of the automatic opening device for containers 61 on the external screw thread 67 of the spout 65, as depicted in Figure 31D. This means that said rotational screwing movement of the automatic opening device for containers 61 onto the spout 65 would still be possible if it were not prevented by the touch of the lower edge of the locking device 62 in the upper region of the lower ring 69, as previously described.

[0182] The use of the lower locking elements 62b is optional, although recommended, as it prevents inadvertent unscrewing of the automatic opening device for containers 61, as described hereinbefore. However, the automatic opening device for containers 61 would operate normally if it were not provided with the lower locking elements 62b.

[0183] As a result of this partial screwing of the lower locking elements 62b, the lower ends of the cutting elements 63a of the cutting device 63 will be positioned close to the sealing element 77 adhered to the rim of the spout 65, as shown in Figure 31D.

[0184] This partial screwing is fundamental to facilitate the opening of the container 70 by a user, who will only need to rotate the automatic opening device for containers 61 in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the tearing of the upper rupture elements 62a. Consequently, the screwing of the internal screw thread 64 of the base element 1b of the automatic opening device for containers 61 on the external screw thread 67 of the spout 65 will go on.

[0185] Concomitantly with this rotational screwing movement, a linear downward movement of the automatic opening device for containers 61 will also occur, and the combination of these two movements, clockwise rotational screwing and linear downward, will cause the cutting elements 63a of the cutting device 63 to progressively pierce the sealing element 77 adhered to the rim of the spout 65.

[0186] These clockwise rotational and linear downward movements of the automatic opening device for containers 61 will cease when the rim of the spout 65 touches the lower region of the top element 73, and when this occurs the cutting elements of the cutting device 63 will have already torn the sealing element, and the product stored in the container 70 can then be served, passing through the hollow interior of the cutting device 63 and the throughout orifice of the base element 61b.

[0187] Some aspects are relevant for designing the automatic opening device for containers 61, to enable it to operate correctly to open container 70. One of these relevant aspects is to design the lower locking elements 62b in such a way that, after they had move past the edge of the locking ring 68, they must resist any attempts to unscrew the automatic opening device for containers 61.

[0188] This is important because users are used to executing a counterclockwise rotational movement to unscrew a cap from a spout, due to the massive use of right-oriented screw threads on caps and spouts, and situations may occur where users inadvertently attempt to unscrew the automatic opening device for containers 61 from spout 65, without first realizing the need to continue to perform a screwing operation of the automatic opening device for containers 61 in spout 65 to open of the container 70.

[0189] In such situations it is desirable that the resistance opposed by the lower locking elements 62b to this attempt to unscrew the automatic opening device for containers 61 of the spout 65 is such that it makes it extremely difficult to occur. The user must then pay attention to the instructions to correctly open the container 70, executing then a clockwise rotary operation to keep screwing. As mentioned hereinbefore, these instructions may appear in the upper region of the upper element 75 of the closing element 61a.

[0190] An aspect of fundamental importance for the correct operation of the automatic opening device for containers 61 to open container 70 is the correct sizing of some components of the automatic opening device for containers 61 object of this embodiment of the invention, particularly the base element 61b and the locking device 62, as will be seen hereafter.

[0191] In Figure 31A it can be seen that the spout 65 has a linear extension L₁ between its rim and the edge of the retaining ring 68, and a linear extension C₁ between said edge of the retaining ring 68 and the portion of the upper region of the lower ring 69 where the edge bottom of the locking device 62 will touch, at the end of the assembly of the automatic opening device for containers 61 on the container 70, as shown in Figure 31D.

[0192] It can also be seen from Figure 31A that the base element 61b has a linear extension L₂ between the lower part of the ring-shaped engagement region 74a and its lower edge, and a linear extension C₂ between that lower edge of the base element 61b and an imaginary plane that contains the upper region of the lower locking elements 62b.

[0193] In Figure 31D the linear extension L₃ represents the displacement of the linear extension of the spout 65 between its edge and the edge of the retaining ring 68 inside the automatic opening device for containers 61, after the device is in the final position of its application to the spout 65. The linear extension C₃ represents the spacing between the edge of the spout 65 and the bottom of the ring-shaped engagement region 73a of the upper member 73.

[0194] In order for the automatic opening device for containers 61 object of this embodiment of the invention to operate in the manner previously described, it is necessary that the linear extensions L₁, L₂ e L₃ described above are substantially identical, allowing small variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances that do not harm the perfect engagement of the components related to these linear extensions. Likewise, the linear extensions C₁, C₂ e C₃ must also be substantially identical, the same comments regarding manufacturing tolerances applying here. These are geometric relationships that must be considered for the design of the automatic opening device for containers 61.

[0195] Figures 32A and 32B are upper perspective views showing an automatic opening device for containers 41 whose base element 41b is provided with a pouring device 53. In Figure 32A the closing element 41a is in the open position, and in Figure 32B is in the closed position, in a partial cut. The pouring device 53 comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion 53a and a second portion 53b.

[0196] The first curved portion 53a has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device 43 (not shown in the Figures), and its other end is connected to one end of the second horizontal portion 53b, the latter extending over the face of the base element 41b towards the edge, as shown in Figure 32A. The other end of the second horizontal portion 53b is beveled and forms a rim 53c, which defines a throughout orifice 53d.

[0197] The closing element 41a is provided with a sealing element 54, which is designed to rest on the rim 53c of the second horizontal portion 53b when the closing element 41a is in the closed position, as can be seen in Figure 32B. Consequently, the sealing element 54 blocks the undesirable passage of product through the throughout orifice 53d if, for example, the container is placed in an inclined position with the closing element 41a in the closed position, or even in an inverted position, supported on the upper face of the closing element 41a.

[0198] The sealing element 54 prevents the possibility for the product to flow through the throughout orifice 53d and accumulate inside the empty space formed between the closing element 41a and the base element 41b. In case the sealing element 54 were not provided, when a user would open the closing element 41a, an undesirable product spill would occur.

[0199] This embodiment of the pouring device 53 enables a user to pour the product stored in the container without having to place the container upside-down, in a position where the throughout orifice is substantially downwards, which can cause the product to overflow, in special thixotropic products.

[0200] For a user to pour the product into the container it suffices to slightly incline the container to initiate a flow of product. The control of such flow is easily made by varying the angle of inclination of the container, in conjunction with making a slight pressure in the container, in case that it is made of flexible material. The pouring device 53 may be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments and variations of the invention described hereinbefore. Therefore, mutatis mutandis, the automatic opening device for containers 1 shown in Figures 1A to 12 and Figures 14A to 22 may also be provided with a pouring device 53.

[0201] In the description of the embodiments of the invention made hereinbefore it has always been shown that the automatic opening device for containers is provided with a closing element and a base element, joined by a pivoting connecting element. However, it is possible to use other configurations other than those described hereinbefore. For example, the closing element can be attached to the base element by means of a screw thread, or by means of a pressure coupling, as previously mentioned.

[0202] Alternatively, it is possible that the embodiments of the automatic opening device for containers disclosed hereinbefore be provided with only the base elements 1b, 41b or 61b. In this case the throughout orifice for the administration of the product would be permanently open, without a seal.

[0203] Some solutions can be used in order to avoid this problem. For example, as shown in Figure 33, regarding the embodiments depicted in Figures 1A to 12C, merely for example, the upper member 10 of the base element 1b may be provided with a protruding plugging element 58 formed by an elongated hollow body whose upper portion is closed, and the bottom portion is open and firmly connected to the base element 1b, with the hollow portion of the protruding plugging element 58 being aligned and in communication with the throughout orifice 2a and, consequently, with the hollow portion of the cutting device 3.

[0204] Therefore, after a user has opened the container, it will suffice to use a cutting element, such as a knife, to make a transverse cut across section the body of the protruding plugging element 58 to provide a throughout orifice, in order to allow the product stored in the container to pass through hollow portion of the protruding plugging element 58.

[0205] A cap 59 can be provided to close this throughout orifice in the hollow portion of the protruding plugging element 58, in order to prevent that passage from being permanently open. Preferably the cap 59 is connected to the base element 1b by means of a flexible connecting element 60, to prevent the cap 59 from being inadvertently discarded by the user.

[0206] Evidently, mutatis mutandis, this solution could also be used in the embodiments depicted in Figures 23A to 31B. Notice that the cap 59 and the closing element 1a, or the closing element 41a, execute the same function of sealing the passage of the product stored in the container through the throughout orifices 2a or 39a, respectively. The only difference is that the cap 59 is sized to engage the body of the protruding plugging element 58, thereby resulting in a smaller component and saving material.

[0207] Figures 34A and 34B depict perspective views showing an exemplary rotational locking system that can be used in conjunction with any of the automatic opening devices for containers described hereinbefore. For exemplification only, said rotational locking system is described in conjunction with the embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers 41 shown in Figures 23A, 23B, 23C and 24. It is important to mention that, mutatis mutandis, this rotational locking system can also be used in the automatic opening devices for containers 1 and 61 described hereinbefore.

[0208] Figures 34A and 34B depict an external screw thread flank 45 being screwed onto the internal screw thread 44. Each of the external screw thread flanks 45 is provided with a locking recess 45b to preclude rotational movements, which is designed to latch into a locking protrusion 44e provided in one of the flanks of the screw thread 44, thereby preventing rotational movements.

[0209] The location of each rotational locking recess 45b and each rotational locking shoulder 44e must be determined in such a way that the latch between them occurs at the same time as the inner portion of the upper member 55 of the base member 41b touches the edge of the spout 47. Therefore, when a user opens the container, by means of a clockwise rotation of the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b, at the moment when the rotational locking recesses 45b latches into the locking shoulder 44 of the screw thread 44, the user will hear a snap. From that moment on no rotation will occur, in any direction, as the whole assembly is locked in that position.

[0210] The rotational locking system depicted in Figures 34A and 34B prevents the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b from rotating to unscrew the screw thread 44 in an anti-clockwise direction. It therefore serves as a tamper resistant means that precludes removal of that assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b, thereby preventing the container from being refilled after the product originally stored in the container has been fully poured.

[0211] If a container is provided with an automatic opening device for containers according to the invention in which there is no connecting element to hold the closing element 1a or 41a, or the cap 59, connected to the base element 1b, or 41b, it is recommended that an tamper evidence device is used to cover the automatic opening device for containers, thereby preventing the closing elements 1a, 41a, 61a or the cap 59 from being improperly removed when the container is in market shelves.

[0212] Figure 35 shows an automatic opening device for containers 81 according to a further embodiment of the invention. As can be seen in the Figure, the automatic opening device for containers 81 comprises a closing element 81a, a base element 81b and a locking device 6. The automatic opening device for containers 81 is quite similar to the automatic opening device for containers 1 shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C.

[0213] The closing element 81a, when is in the closed position, engage with the base element 81b, and both are connected to each other by means of a pivoting connection element 86, as shown in Figure 35. There are variations of this type of pivoting connection, which can be used interchangeably in conjunction with the present invention. In addition, any other type of connection means can be used to connect the closing element 81a to the base element 81b, and there may even be no connection means between them, in which case the connection between these two parts could be made by pressure or screwing, for example.

[0214] The base element 81b comprises a first sidewall 78, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and a circularly shaped top element 79 whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall 78. The upper region of the top element 79 is provided with a protruding element 84, located in a region close to the edge of the top element 79, preferably located 180° from the region where the connecting pivoting element 86 connects the base element 81b with the closing element 81a, although other locations can be chosen. The protruding element 84 encircles a throughout orifice 83.

[0215] The closing element 81a comprises a second sidewall 80 in the form of an elongated cylindrical body and an upper element 82, circular in shape and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall 80. A protruding sealing element 85 is provided in the lower region of the upper element 82, intended to close the throughout orifice 83 of the base element 81b when the closing element 81a and the base element 81b are closed. The protruding sealing element 85 can be designed to encircle the protruding element 84, or, alternatively, engage with the throughout orifice 83 to create a sealing.

[0216] Consequently, the location of the protruding sealing element 85 in the lower region of the upper element 82 will be a function of the location of the protruding element 84, and in the present case it will be located in a region close to the edge of the upper portion of the upper element 82, preferably located at 180° from the region in which the connecting pivoting element 86 connects the base element 81b to the closing element 81a, although other locations can be chosen.

[0217] Preferably the automatic opening device for containers 81 is designed so that the second sidewall 80 of the closing element 81a and the first sidewall 78 of the base element 81b have substantially equal outside diameters when closed. To this aim, the top element 79 of the base element 81b must be provided with a recess in the region of its edge where it connects to the first sidewall 78, to form a ring-shaped engagement region 79a. Thus, when the closing element 81a is in the closed position, the lower region of the second sidewall 80 will engage into said ring-shaped engagement region.

[0218] This feature intends to facilitate the manipulation of the automatic opening device for containers 81 by users. It is possible to use different configurations of the closing element 81a and the base element 81b than those depicted in the Figures, without, however, changing the functionality of these components for the operation of the automatic opening device for containers 81. The automatic opening device for containers 81 may even be provided without a closing element 81a as shown in Figure 35, and yet the automatic opening device for containers 81 will operate normally, according to the teachings of the invention.

[0219] As can be seen in Figure 36, an internal screw thread 87 is provided in the inner portion of the first sidewall 78 of the base element 81b. The configuration of the internal screw thread 87 may comprise, for example, a right-oriented screw thread with three entries, although the internal screw thread 87 may comprise a screw thread with any number of entries.

[0220] Therefore, this embodiment of the invention is not limited to the use of an internal screw thread with three entries, and such screw thread was only chosen for exemplification only, although the use of a screw thread with multiple entries is more suitable for the purposes of the invention. The internal screw thread 87 may be indistinctly oriented to the right, as shown in the Figures, or to the left.

[0221] The inner portion of the top element 79 is provided with a cutting device 88, which comprises a hollow protruding body whose upper portion is connected to the lower portion of the top element 79 in the region where the throughout orifice 83 is located. The latter is a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device 88, thereby forming a direct connection substantially between the throughout orifice 83 and the hollow portion of the cutting device 88, through which the product contained in the container will pass. The lower portion of the cutting device 88 is provided with a plurality of cutting elements 88a.

[0222] The locking device 6 shown in Figures 35, 36 and 37 is identical to the locking device that has been described in relation to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 2, and comprises an elongated substantially cylindrical body provided in its upper edge of a plurality of upper rupture elements 6a which are connected to the lower edge of the base element 1b, as can be seen in more detail in Figure 1C.

[0223] A plurality of lower locking elements 6b is provided in the lower internal portion of the locking device 6. The lower locking elements 6b comprise spaced apart lugs circularly distributed, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the locking device 6 and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device 6. The lower locking elements 6b are designed so that they can slightly incline radially towards the inner wall of the locking device 6.

[0224] Other configurations of lower locking elements 6b can be used and, therefore, the invention is not limited to the configuration depicted in Figures 36 and 37. The function of the upper rupture elements 6a and the lower locking elements 6b will be understood hereafter, in the description of the operation to apply the automatic opening device for containers 81 to a spout. The container 20 shown in Figures 36 and 37 is the same shown in Figure 3, which is provided with a spout 12 which comprises an elongated cylindrical body provided with an external screw thread 14, in the Figure a three-entry, right-oriented screw thread, which comprises a lower flank 14a and an upper flank 14b, with a root 15 formed between these two flanks. The characteristics of the external screw thread 14 have been described hereinbefore, and for this reason, it will not be repeated here.

[0225] The choice of an external right-oriented screw thread, with three entries, is because this is the configuration used in the internal screw thread 5 of the base element 81b. The same comments presented hereinbefore with this regard are valid here, in that the use of a right-oriented thread with three entries is for exemplification only. Therefore, is evidently that the invention is not limited to use only a three-entries screw thread, be it right or left hand oriented. Therefore, the external screw thread 14 may be a screw thread with any number of entries, and its orientation can be indistinctly to the right, as shown in Figures 36 and 37, or to the left, as long as it is compatible with the screw thread used in the internal screw thread 87.

[0226] A sealing element 19 is affixed to the rim of the spout 12. The spout 12 is also provided in its outer portion with an upper ring 16, an intermediate ring 18 and a lower ring 17, located in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, respectively. The diameter of the upper ring 16 is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring 18, and the diameter of the intermediate ring 18 is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring 17, as can be seen in Figures 36 and 37.

[0227] The application of the automatic opening device for containers 81 to the spout 12 is made by means of a pressing process, a downward longitudinal movement, by means of which the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 81 is pressed against the upper part of the spout 12. The process for applying the automatic opening device for containers 81 to the spout 12 of the container 20 is the same as previously described regarding the application of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 of the container 20, and shown in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D. For this reason, the description of this process will not be repeated here. Consequently, the same observations made hereinbefore regarding the embodiment of the invention referring to Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are valid here.

[0228] In Figure 36 depicts the automatic opening device for containers 81 in the position it remains after being applied to the spout 12 of the container 20, an operation executed in factory. In that position, container 20 is ready for sale. When a user needs to open the container 20, to pour the product contained therein, suffices to rotate the automatic opening device for containers 81 in order to make the cutting elements 88a of the cutting device 88 tear the sealing element 19, thereby releasing the passage of the product through the hollow portion of the cutting device 88 and through the throughout orifice 83.

[0229] The process of opening container 20 by means of the automatic opening device for containers 81 is exactly the same as that was described with regard to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, referring to the process tor open the container 20 by means of the automatic opening device for containers 1. For this reason, the description of this process will not be repeated herein. Consequently, the same observations made hereinbefore regarding the embodiment of the invention referring to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are valid here.

[0230] In Figure 37 the automatic opening device for containers 81 is depicted in a position after a user has made a rotation that has made the cutting elements 88a of the cutting device 88 cut the sealing element 19, thereby enabling the product to pass through the hollow portion of the cutter 88 and through the throughout orifice 83.

[0231] Figure 38 depicts a top perspective view of a variation of the throughout orifice of the fourth embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in Figures 35, 36 and 37. As can be seen in Figure 38, the protruding element 84 depicted in the Figure is has an annular shape, which encircles a circular throughout orifice 83. All the remaining components of the automatic opening device for containers 81 shown in Figure 38 are identical to those described in relation to Figures 35, 36 and 37, and for that reason, the description of these components will not be repeated here.

[0232] The characteristic of that embodiment of the invention depicted in Figures 35 to 38 can also be used in any of the embodiments and variations of the invention disclosed in this specification, that is, the provision of a protruding element 84 that encircles a throughout orifice 83, both provided in a region close to the edge of the upper portion of the top element 79 of the base element 81b, with a cutting device 88 duly positioned in the region where the throughout orifice 83 is located. In this case, mutatis mutandis, the necessary adaptations must be made so that it can be done.

[0233] Figures 39 to 45 depict a further embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11. The differences between the embodiment of Figures 39 to 45 and the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11 is the use of a cap comprising an upper sealing element and a base element and the manner these components are locked to form the automatic opening device for containers object of the present embodiment.

[0234] The use in the present embodiment of a cutting device having larger diameter is only an operational choice, since the dimensions of the cutting device used in the variation of the embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 10 and 11 can be changed without being characterized as a new type of cutting device.

[0235] Thus, in the following description of the automatic opening device for containers 140 depicted in Figures 39 to 45, mention will only be made regarding an upper sealing element 141a and a base element 141b that form part of the automatic opening device for containers 140. The remaining components which are common to the embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers shown in Figures 10 and 11 will not be described here, and in Figures 39 to 45 the same indicative numerals will be used to refer to them.

[0236] In Figures 39 to 45 the upper sealing element 141a, the base element 141b and the locking device 6 are shown in the cut. As can be seen, the upper sealing element 141a comprises a disk-shaped body and substantially flat whose lower region is provided with a sealing projection 141a' having the shape of a trunk of a cylinder, the upper edge of the sealing projection 141a' being rigidly affixed to the lower region of the upper sealing element 141a, as can be seen in the Figures.

[0237] The base element 141b comprises a hollow cylindrical body whose internal region is provided with at least one segment of internal screw thread 5, in Figures 39 to 45 three segment of internal screw threads 5 being shown as a not limiting example. Each segment of internal screw thread 5 is designed to engage on a respective segment of external screw thread 14 of the spout 12. Evidently, the number of segment of internal screw threads 5 used in the base element 141b must be the same number of segment of external screw threads 14 of the spout 12.

[0238] The base element 141b is also provided with a cutting device 143, which comprises a hollow cylindrical body whose upper edge is affixed to the upper inner region of the base element 141b by means of a connecting ring 145. The lower region of the device cutting element 143 is provided with at least one cutting element 143a.

[0239] The edge of the lower inner region of the base element 141b is provided with a plurality of upper locking elements 141b', each of them comprising in this embodiment a body projecting obliquely and upwardly towards the imaginary geometric axis of the element base 141b. The upper locking elements 141b' are designed to be able to slightly incline in opposition to the geometric axis of the base element 141b. A connecting link element 144 connects the upper sealing element 141a to the base element 141b.

[0240] The locking device 6 comprises a hollow body in a substantially cylindrical shape, whose top edge is provided with a plurality of rupture elements 6a, which are also connected to the bottom edge of the base element 141b, thereby forming a breakable interconnection between the locking device lock 6 and the base element 141b. The function of the rupture elements 6a will be understood from the description that will be made hereinafter regarding the mode to use the automatic opening device for containers 140.

[0241] The edge of the lower internal region of the locking device 6 is provided with a plurality of lower locking elements 6b, each of them comprising in the present embodiment a body projecting obliquely and upwardly towards the imaginary geometric axis of the locking device 6. The lower locking elements 6b are designed in such a way as to be able to slightly incline in opposition to the geometric axis of the locking device 6.

[0242] Figures 39 and 40 depict the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a, the base element 141b and the locking device 6 before the assembly is inserted into the spout 12. Figures 41 and 42 depict the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a, the base element 141b and the locking device 6 after the assembly is inserted into the spout 12. As shown in Figures 41 and 42 the lower locking elements 6a of the locking device 6 have already move past the upper ring 16. When the lower locking elements 6b touches the upper edge of the lower ring 17 they incline in opposition to the geometric axis of the locking device 6, thereby allowing the lower locking elements 6b to move past the lower ring 17.

[0243] Consequently, the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a, the base element 141b and the locking device 6 is locked in the position depicted in Figures 41 and 42, and can no longer be removed by means of upward longitudinal movements. That is the mounting position in that the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a, the base element 141b and the locking device 6 and the spout 12 must remain to form the automatic opening device for containers 140 so that the latter can be applied to a container, an operation performed at a factory using a tool specially dedicated for this purpose. After being duly assembled, an automatic opening device for containers 140 should be applied, for example, to an aseptic carton package or to a plastic pouch.

[0244] When it is necessary to open the container, be it an aseptic carton package or a plastic pouch, it will be necessary to apply a counterclockwise rotary movement to the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b. When this counterclockwise rotary movement is applied, initially each segment of internal screw thread 5 of the base element 141b is screwed into its respective segment of external screw thread 14 of the spout 12. Next, with the continuity of the rotary movement in the counterclockwise direction, the rupture elements 6a will be broken, thereby allowing the rotary movement to continue in the counterclockwise direction of the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b.

[0245] Note that the upper portion 21 of each upper flank of the segment of external screw threads 5, which extends beyond the upper ring 16 of the spout 12, guarantees that each segment of internal screw thread 5 of the base element 141b can screw in its respective segment of external screw thread 14, because when each segment of internal screw thread 5 touches the upper portion 21 of the respective upper flank, the only possibility for the continuation of the rotary movement in the counterclockwise direction will be the screwing of each segment of internal screw thread 5 in the respective segment of external screw thread 14.

[0246] As the cutting device 143 is rigidly attached to the base element 141b, evidently the cutting device 143 will execute the same movements made by the base element 141b. Therefore, with the continuation of the counterclockwise rotary movement of the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b, the cutting device 143 will execute the same counterclockwise rotary movement executed by the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b.

[0247] Concomitantly with this movement, the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b will also make an axial downward movement, resulting from the screwing of the segment of internal screw threads 5 of the base element 141b in their respective segment of external screw threads 14 of the spout 12, as indicated by the arrow W in Figure 41. Consequently, the a cutting device 143 will perform the same downward axial movement indicated by the arrow W in Figure 41.

[0248] The composition of the counterclockwise and downward axial rotational movements made by the cutting device 143 will cause the cutting elements 143a of the cutting device 143 to cut the sealing element 19 of the container, adhered to the rim of the spout 12.

[0249] In Figure 43 the cutting device 143 is depicted in the final position, after the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b has reached the lowest position in the previously described screwing operation, when the upper edge of the spout 12 touches the lower region of the connection ring 145, as can be seen in more detail in Figure 43. Note in Figure 43 that the upper locking elements 141b' moved past the intermediate ring 18 of the spout 12. When the upper locking elements 141b' touched the upper edge of the intermediate ring 18 they inclined in opposition to the geometric axis of the base element 141b, which allowed the upper locking elements 141b' to move past the intermediate ring 18

[0250] Detail X in Figure 43 shown the upper locking elements 141b' having already moved past the intermediate ring 18. Consequently, the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b was locked in that position shown in Figure 43, and can no longer be released. The use of the upper locking elements 141b' is optional, and is only intended to prevent the removal of the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a, the base element 141b. Optionally, said locking of the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b can be achieved between the segment of internal screw threads 5 and the segment of external screw threads 14, at the end of their screwing.

[0251] After the container is open, as described above, it suffices to incline the upper sealing element 141a to pour the product contained within the container through the spout 12. Figures 44 and 45 depict in cut the automatic opening device for containers 140 with the upper sealing element 141a shown in the open and closed positions, respectively.

[0252] It is important to note that in Figures 39 to 45 the segment of internal screw threads 5 of the base element 141b and the segment of external screw thread 14 of the spout 12 comprise a left-oriented screw thread. The choice of this type of orientation is due to the fact that users are accustomed to manipulating threaded caps and spouts provided with right hand oriented screw threads, wherein unscrewing is made by counterclockwise rotating movements to cause upward axial movements.

[0253] As in the present embodiment of the invention it is necessary that the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b make first an axial downward movement to cause the sealing element to be torn, when a user is opening the container, it is then preferably to use a left hand oriented screw thread, wherein counterclockwise rotary movements cause axial downward movements. The use of right-hand oriented screw threads certainly would cause difficulties for most users to rotate said assembly correctly.

[0254] After this first rotation of the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b, there will no longer be any need to apply rotational movement to any of the components of the automatic opening device for containers 140. As seen from the description of the present embodiment of the invention, to pour the product contained in the container, it suffices to incline the container to pour the product through the spout 12.

[0255] It is important to note that the segment of internal screw threads 5 of the base element 141b and the segment of external screw thread 14 of the spout 12 may comprise a right-hand oriented screw thread. In this case, users would have to be instructed to initially rotate the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b in a clockwise direction to cause a downward axial movement said assembly in order to tear the sealing element 19.

[0256] As it was noticed from the descriptions of the different embodiments and variations of the automatic opening device for containers object of the invention, the fundamental characteristic of all of them is the provision of a cutting device that, in addition to serving as a cap for the container, is provided with a means for executing a cutting operation of the sealing elements which are usually affixed to the rims of the spouts of the containers, thereby creating a passage to enable the product contained in the container to be poured. This eliminates the need to execute the operations of unscrewing and removing the cap, manually removing the sealing element and screwing back the cap on the spout of the container, as occurs nowadays. Therefore, the present invention obviates the need for users to even remove the cap from the threaded spouts of the containers in order to remove the sealing elements that are applied to the rim of the spouts.

[0257] With the use of the embodiments of the automatic opening device for containers of the invention, it is no longer necessary to use thick sealing elements adhered to the rim of the spouts, and so the thickness of the sealing element may be reduce to simply seal the container. Therefore, it is no longer needed to use thick sealing elements solely to prevent users from inadvertently damaging or puncturing them at market shelves when they are checking if the container is duly sealed.

[0258] The use of a screw thread with multiple entries in the embodiments of the automatic opening device for containers previously described provides a much greater lead than it would be obtained by using a single entry screw thread, thereby allowing the operation of opening the containers to be rapidly executed. The faster the container is opened, the easier and faster is the tearing of the sealing element by the cutting elements of the cutting device, due to the fact that the sealing element is still well tensioned as a consequence of its strong adhesion to the rim of the spout.

[0259] The shapes of the cutting elements used in the cutting devices of the invention must be determined according to the cutting speed provided by the type of screw thread used in the automatic opening device for containers and the characteristics of the material used in the sealing element.

[0260] Tamper resistant devices may be used in conjunction with the various embodiments and variations of the invention described herein, in order to guarantee the user that the container has not been tampered with. For example, thermal wrappers around the spout and devices can be used, which are provided with tear lines that facilitate their removal, as is well known in the art.

[0261] The present invention has been described regarding its various embodiments and variations. Modifications or substitutions may be made in the invention without, however, departing from the inventive concept described and disclosed herein. Consequently, the invention is not limited only to the embodiments and variations described herein, being only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims to this specification.

Claims

1. An automatic opening device for containers (1,61,140) provided with a sealing element (19,77) in a spout (12,65), an external screw thread (14,67) of at least one entry being provided in the said spout (12,65), the automatic opening device for containers (1,61,140) comprising a base element (1b, 61b, 141b) and a locking device (6,62), in that:

the base element (1b, 61b, 141b) comprises a first sidewall (11,72) and an upper element (10.73) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall (11,72);

the upper element (10,73) is provided with a throughout hole (2a,74a);

a screw thread (5,64) of at least one entry is provided in the internal region of the first sidewall (11,72) of the base element (1b,61b);

the locking device (6,62) comprises an elongated body provided at its upper edge with a plurality of upper rupture elements (6a,62a), which are connected to the lower edge of the base element (1b,61b); and

the locking device (6,62) is provided in its lower region with a means for locking the automatic opening device for containers (1,61) in the spout (12,65);

the automatic opening device for containers (1,61) characterized in that:

the upper element (10,73) is provided with a cutting device (3,63), which comprises a protruding hollow body extending downwardly, whose upper region is connected to the lower region of the upper element (10,73) where the throughout hole (2a,74a) is located, being a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device (3,63), the lower region of the cutting device (3,63) being provided with a plurality of cutting elements (3a,63a); and

the external screw thread (14,67) of the spout (12,65) and the internal screw thread (5,64) in the internal region of the first sidewall (11,72) of the base element (1b, 61b) have the same number of entries and comprise screw threads of the same orientation, chosen from the group comprising right-hand orientation and left-hand orientation.

2. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

it is additionally provided with a closing element (1a) which is connected to the base element (1b) by means of a connection chosen from the group comprising a connecting pivoting element (7), a screwed-threaded connection and a pressure connection;

the closing element (1a) comprises a second sidewall (9) and an upper element (8) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall (9), the upper element (8) being provided in its internal lower region with a protruding sealing element (4);

a central protruding ring (2) encircles the throughout hole (2a) in the central region of the upper element (10); and

said means for locking the automatic opening device for containers (1) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (6b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (6), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (6).

3. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that:

the internal screw thread (5) provided in the internal region of the first sidewall (11) comprises a screw thread of multiple entries, each screw thread (5) comprising flanks of internal screw thread;

an upper ring (16), an intermediate ring (18) and a lower ring (17) are provided in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, of the external region of the spout (12), respectively;

the diameter of the upper ring (16) is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring (18), and the diameter of the intermediate ring (18) is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring (17); and

the external screw thread (14) of the spout (12) comprises a multiple entries screw thread, each entry comprising a lower flank (14a) and an upper flank (14b), with a root (15) formed between the lower flank (14a) and the upper flank (14b), in that the upper flank (14b) has an extended upper end (21), which extends beyond the upper ring (16), and the lower flank (14a) has its upper end even with lower region of the upper ring (16).

4. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that:

the internal screw thread (5) provided in the internal region of the first sidewall (11) comprises a multiple entries screw thread, each comprising bipartite internal screw thread flanks, which comprise an upper section (5s) and a lower section (5i);

an upper ring (16), an intermediate ring (18) and a lower ring (17) are provided in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, respectively, of the external region of the spout (12);

the diameter of the upper ring (16) is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring (18), and the diameter of the intermediate ring (18) is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring (17);
a guiding element (22) is provided in the external region of the first sidewall (11), which extends parallel to the upper edge of the spout (12);

the external screw thread (14) of the spout (12) comprises a multiple entry screw thread, each entry comprising a lower flank (14a) and an upper flank (14b), with a root (15) formed between the lower flank (14a) and the upper flank (14b), where the upper flank (14b) has an upper end (21) that extends to the guiding element (22) and the lower flank (14a) has its upper end facing the lower region of the upper ring (16); and

a limiter of rotation (23) is formed between the upper end (21) of the upper flank (14b) and the guiding element (22).

5. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that:

the locking device (6) is provided in its lower portion with a circular wing (6e), which extends from the lower end of the locking device (6) and completely encircles the lower ring (17); and

a spacing (H) is provided between the upper ends of the locking elements (6b) of the locking device (6) regarding the lower face of the intermediate ring (18).

6. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each external screw thread flanks (5) is provided with a rotational locking recess and each internal screw thread flanks (14) is provided with a rotational locking projection, said locking recess and projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) at the end of the rotation operation for opening said container.

7. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

8. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

the base element (1b) be provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (1b) towards the edge, where the first curved portion (53) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (3), and the other end of the first curved portion (53) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is chamfered and forms an edge (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); and

a closing element (1a) is additionally provided, which is connected to the base element (1b) by means of a pivoting connecting element, the closing element (1a) being provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (1a) is in the closed position.

9. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

10. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

be provided with a closing element (1a), which comprises a second sidewall (9) and an upper element (8) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall (9), the upper element (8) being provided in its internal central region with a protruding sealing element (4);

a suction spout (24) is provided in the upper region of the base element (1b), the suction spout (24) comprising a hollow body that extends above the base element (1b) and encircles the throughout hole (2a), a mouth ring (24a) being provided at the upper end of the suction spout (24);

the internal screw thread (5) provided in the internal region of the first sidewall (11) comprises a screw thread of multiple entries, each comprising internal screw threads flanks;

an upper ring (16), an intermediate ring (18) and a lower ring (17) are provided in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, respectively, of the external region of the spout (12);

the diameter of the upper ring (16) is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring (18), and the diameter of the intermediate ring (18) is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring (17);

the external screw thread (14) of the spout (12) comprises a multiple entries screw thread, each comprising a lower flank (14a) and an upper flank (14b), with a root (15) formed between the lower flank (14a) and the upper flank (14b), where the upper flank (14b) has an extended upper end (21), which extends beyond the upper ring (16), and the lower flank (14a) has its upper end even with the lower region the upper ring (16); and

said locking means comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (6b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (6), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (6).

11. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that:

said internal screw thread flanks (5) are bipartite, and comprise an upper section (5s) and a lower section (5i);

a guiding element (22) is provided in the outer region of the first sidewall (11), which extends parallel to the upper edge of the spout (12); and

a limiter of rotation (23) is formed between the upper end (21) of the upper flank (14b) and the guiding element (22).

12. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that a spacing (H) is provided between the upper ends of the locking elements (6b) of the locking device (6) regarding the lower face of the intermediate ring (18).

13. Automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

14. Automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

15. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

the base element (1b) is additionally provided with a protruding plugging element (58) formed by an elongated hollow body whose upper portion is closed, and the lower portion is open and firmly connected to the upper element (10) of the base element (1b), the hollow portion of the protruding plugging element (58) being aligned and in communication with the throughout hole (2a); and

a cap (59) is connected to the base element (1b) by means of a flexible connecting element (60).

16. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

17. An automatic opening device for containers (61) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

It is additionally be provided with a closing element (61a), which is connected to the base element (61b) by means of a connection chosen from the group comprising a pivoting connection, a screwed-threaded connection and a pressure connection;

the closing element (61a) comprises a second sidewall (71) and an upper element (75) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall (71), the upper element (75) being provided in its internal lower region with a protruding sealing element (76);

a central protruding ring (74) encircles the throughout hole (74a) in the upper member (73);

said means for the locking of the automatic opening device for containers (61) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (62b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (62), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (62);

the spout (65) is provided with a retaining ring (68), located below the external screw thread (67), and a lower ring (69) located in its lower region;

the spout (65) has a linear extension (Li) between its edge and the edge of the retaining ring (68), and a linear extension (C₁) between the edge of the retaining ring (68) and the upper portion of the lower ring (69) where the lower edge of the locking device (62) will touch, at the end of the assembly of the automatic opening device for containers 61 in the container (70);

the base element (61b) has a linear extension (L₂) between the lower part of the ring-shaped engagement region (74a) of the element and its lower edge, and a linear extension (C₂) between that lower edge of the base element (61b) and an imaginary plane formed by the upper region of the lower locking elements (62b); and

said linear extensions (Li) and (L₂) are substantially identical, and the linear extensions (C₁) and (C₂) are also substantially identical.

18. An automatic opening device for containers (61) according to claim 17, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (67) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (64) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (61) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

19. An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

the base element (61b) is additionally provided with a protruding plugging element (58) formed by an elongated hollow body whose upper portion is closed, and the lower portion is open and firmly connected to the upper element (73) of the base element (61b), the hollow portion of the protruding plugging element (58) being aligned and in communication with the throughout hole (74a);

a cap (59) is connected to the base element (1b) by means of a flexible connecting element (60);

said means for locking the automatic opening device for containers (61) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (62b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (62), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (62);
the spout (65) is provided with a retaining ring (68), located below the external screw thread (67), and a lower ring (69) located in its lower region;

the spout (65) has a linear extension (Li) between its edge and the edge of the retaining ring (68), and a linear extension (C₁) between the edge of the retaining ring (68) and the upper portion of the lower ring (69) where the lower edge of the locking device (62) will touch, at the end of the assembly of the automatic opening device for containers 61 in the container (70);

the base element (61b) has a linear extension (L₂) between the lower part of the ring-shaped engagement region (74a) of the element and its lower edge, and a linear extension (C₂) between that lower edge of the base element (61b) and an imaginary plane formed by the upper region of the lower locking elements (62b); and

said linear extensions (Li) and (L₂) are substantially identical, and the linear extensions (C₁) and (C₂) are also substantially identical.

20. An automatic opening device for containers (61) according to claim 17, characterized in that:

the base element (61b) is provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53a) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (1b) towards the edge, where the first curved portion (53) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (3), and the other end of the first curved portion (53) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is chamfered and forms an edge (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); the

the closing element (61a) is provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (61a) is in the closed position;

said means for locking the automatic opening device for containers (61) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (62b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (62), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (62);

the spout (65) is provided with a retaining ring (68), located below the external screw thread (67), and a lower ring (69) located in its lower region;

the spout (65) has a linear extension (Li) between its edge and the edge of the retaining ring (68), and a linear extension (C₁) between the edge of the retaining ring (68) and the upper portion of the lower ring (69) where the bottom edge of the locking device (62) will touch, at the end of the assembly of the automatic opening device for containers (61) in the container (70);

the base element (61b) has a linear extension (L₂) between the lower part of the ring-shaped engagement region (74a) of the element and its lower edge, and a linear extension (C₂) between that lower edge of the base element (61b) and an imaginary plane formed by the upper region of the lower locking elements (62b); and

said linear extensions (Li) and (L₂) are substantially identical, and the linear extensions (C₁) and (C₂) are also substantially identical.

21. An automatic opening device for containers (61) according to claim 20, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (67) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (64) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (61) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

22. An automatic opening device (41) for containers (51) provided with a sealing element (19) in a spout (47), the automatic opening device (41) comprising a base element (41b) and a guiding and locking device (46), where:

the spout (47) comprises an elongated cylindrical body (48), a first upper ring (49) and a second lower ring (50), larger in diameter than the first upper ring (49), the connection between the spout (47) and the automatic opening device for containers (41), one from the group comprising screwed-thread and bayonet;

the base element (41b) comprises a first sidewall element (54) and an upper member (55) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall element (54);

the central region of the upper member (55) is provided with a throughout hole (39a);

the guiding and locking device (46) comprises an elongated body provided at the upper edge with a plurality of upper rupture elements (46a), which are connected to the lower edge of the base element (41b); and

the internal lower region of the guiding and locking device (46) is provided with a locking means;

the automatic opening device for containers (41) characterized in that:

the lower central region of the upper member (55) of the base member (41b) is provided with a cutting device (43), which comprises a hollow protruding body whose upper region is connected to the lower region of the upper member (55) where the throughout hole (39a) is located, which is a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device (43), the lower region of the cutting device (43) being provided with a plurality of cutting elements (43a);

a screw thread (45,145) of at least one entry is provided in the lower external region of the first sidewall element (54) of the base element (41b);

the upper internal region of the guiding and locking device (46) is provided with an internal screw thread (44,144) of at least one entry; and

the screw thread (45,145) provided in the external lower region of the first sidewall element (54) of the base element (41b) and the internal screw thread (44,144) provided in the upper internal region of the guiding and locking device (46) comprise screw threads of equal orientation, defined between right and left

23. An automatic opening device for containers (41), according to claim 22, characterized in that:

additionally be provided with a closing element (41a) which is connected to the base element (41b) by means of a connection chosen from the group comprising a pivoting connection element, a screw-threaded connection, and a pressure connection element, the closing element (41a) comprising a second sidewall element (56) and an upper member (57) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall element (56), the upper member (57) being provided in its internal center region of a protruding sealing element (40);

a central protruding ring (39) encircling the throughout hole (39a) in the central region of the upper member (55);

the screw thread (44,144) comprises a screw thread of multiple entries, each comprising a lower flank (44a, 144a) and an upper flank (44b, 144b), with a root (44c, 144c) formed between these two flanks, wherein the upper ends (44d, 144d) of the upper flanks (44b, 144b) extend above the upper ends of the lower flanks (44b, 144b); and

said locking means comprise a plurality of lower locking elements (46b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the guiding and locking device (46), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the guiding and locking device (46).

24. An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 23, characterized in that:

the base element (41b) is provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises a hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53a) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (41b) towards its edge, where the first curved portion (53a) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (43), and the other end of the first curved portion (53a) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is beveled and forms a rim (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); and

the closing element (41a) is provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (41a) is in the closed position.

25. An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 24, characterized in that reinforcement wings (46d) are provided on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device (46), located in the regions where the upper ends (44d, 144d) of the upper flanks (44b, 144b) are extended.

26. An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 25, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (45,145) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (44,144) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (41) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

27. An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 23, characterized in that:

a plurality of guiding fins (46c) is provided in the internal lower region of the guiding and locking device (46);

the base element (41b) is provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53a) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (41b) towards the edge, where the first curved portion (53a) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (43), and the other end of the first curved portion (53a) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is chamfered and forms an edge (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); and

the closing element (41a) is provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (41a) is in the closed position.

28. An automatic opening device for containers (41), according to claim 27, characterized in that reinforcement wings (46d) are provided on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device (46), located in the regions where the upper ends (44d, 144d) of the upper flanks (44b, 144b) are extended.

29. An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 28, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (45,145) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (44,144) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (41) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

30. An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 23, characterized in that:

an internal screw thread (52) is provided in the lower internal region of the guiding and locking device (46);

the base element (41b) is provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53a) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (41b) towards the edge, where the first curved portion (53a) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (43), and the other end of the first curved portion (53a) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is beveled and forms an rim (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); and

the closing element (41a) is provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (41a) is in the closed position.

31. An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 30, characterized in that reinforcement wings (46d) are provided on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device (46), located in the regions where the upper ends (44d, 144d) of the upper flanks (44b, 144b) are extended.

32. An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 31, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (45,145) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (44,144) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (41) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.

33. A spout adapter device (25,35) for application to a spout (26) of a container (20), where:

a sealing element (19) is firmly adhered to the rim of the spout (26);

the external upper region of the spout (26) is provided with an external screw thread (30) with at least one entry, with an orientation chosen from the group comprising right-hand and left-hand;

a retaining ring (33) is located immediately below the external screw thread (30); and

the external lower region of the spout (26) is provided with a base ring (28), larger in diameter than the retaining ring (33);

the spout adapter device (25,35) characterized in that it comprises an upper portion (25s, 35s) connected to a lower portion (25i, 35i), of larger diameter, in which:

the external upper region of the upper portion (25s, 35s) is provided with a protruding ring (25c, 35c), located near the upper edge of the spout adapter device (25,35);

an external screw thread (27,37) of at least one entry, having orientation chosen from the group comprising right-hand and left-hand, is provided in the external region of the upper portion (25s,35s), which comprises a lower flank (27a,37a) and an upper flank (27b,37b), with a root (27c,37c) formed between the lower flank (27a, 37a) and the upper flank (27b,37b), the upper flank (27b,37b) of the external screw thread (27,37) is provided with an upper end (31,32) that extends beyond the protruding ring (25c,35c), while the upper end of the lower flank (27a,37a) faces the lower portion of the protruding ring (25c,35c);

an internal screw thread (29.36) is provided in the internal region of the upper portion (25s, 35s) of the spout adapter device (25.35); and

a locking means is provided in the internal lower region of the lower portion (25i, 35i).

34. A spout adapter device (25) according to claim 33, characterized in that the locking means provided in the internal lower region of the lower portion (25i) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (35b) which comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion (35i) of the spout adapter device (35), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device (35).

35. A spout adapter device (25) according to claim 33, characterized in that:

the locking means provided in the internal lower region of the lower portion (25i) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (35b) which comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion (35i) of the spout adapter device (35), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device (35); and

a retaining edge (25r) is provided in the upper region of the lower portion (25i).

36. A spout adapter device (35) according to claim 33, characterized in that:

it is additionally provided with a medial portion (35m), the upper region of which is connected to the lower region of an edge (34) provided in the lower region of the upper portion (35s), while the lower region of the medial portion (35m) is connected the upper region of the lower portion (35i);

the medial portion (35m) is provided with a plurality of spaced apart radial openings (35a) distributed circumferentially; and

the locking means provided in the internal lower region of the lower portion (35i) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (35b) which comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion (35i) of the spout adapter device (35), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device (35).

Drawing