CLOSURE FOR A SPOUT OF A THIN-WALLED PACKAGE

Abstract

 A closure assembly (1) for a package with a flexible thin-walled bag for containing fruit juices and puree, yogurt, energy drinks and the like, comprises a spout unit (2) having a spout cam portion (25) and a closure (3) having a cap cam portion (35). The cap cam portion (35) is at least partially complementary to the spout cam portion (25). In a disengagement configuration, the interaction between the cap cam portion (35) and the spout cam portion (25) causes an axial lifting of the cap with respect to the spout (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention is in the field of thin-walled flexible packages fitted with a spout, said packages usually being referred to as a "pouch". In particular, the present invention refers to a closure assembly for a spout of said package.

[0002] Said packages are primarily used to contain fruit juices, yogurt, fruit puree, energy drinks, and similar products for children. These packages have become very popular due to their compact size, great practicality of use, and playful aspect linked to the use of the spout, which attracts the attention of children. Several hundred million units are produced and sold every year.

[0003] Typically, spout closures, made of plastics, consist of a cap and a spout, which are respectively threaded. The cap screws onto the spout to close the package, preventing the liquid from escaping. Moreover, the closures comprise a guarantee seal comprising a guarantee ring joined to the cap by a plurality of breakable bridges. When the cap is unscrewed for the first time, the bridges break, thus separating the cap from the guarantee ring and making the first opening apparent.

[0004] Recently, the research and development efforts of manufacturing companies have focused on making lightweight closure assemblies, the production of which requires less plastics material.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to make a closure assembly for a spout of a thin-walled package that meets the aforesaid requirements, i.e., a closure assembly that is lightweight and is produced using less plastics material, while still ensuring a high degree of convenience and significant comfort for the user.

[0006] This object is achieved by a closure assembly according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred variant embodiments having further advantageous aspects.

[0007] The features and advantages of the closure assembly according to this invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example according to the figures in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

• Fig. 1 and 2 are two perspective views of a package in a preferred embodiment, in different configurations;
• Fig. 3 and 4 are two front views of a closure assembly that is the subject of the present invention in a preferred embodiment, in various configurations;
• Fig. 5 is a front view of a spout unit of the closure assembly, according to a preferred embodiment;
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the spout unit in Fig. 5;
• Fig. 7 is a front view of a closure of the closure assembly, according to a first embodiment;
• Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the closure in Fig. 7;
• Fig. 9a and 9b are two perspective views of the closure, according to a second embodiment;
• Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the closure, according to a third embodiment.

[0008] In reference to the figures in the attached drawings, a closure assembly of a thin-walled package, usually referred to as a "pouch", has been denoted as a whole with 1. Said package comprises a bag for containing the product.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the packaging comprises a front wall and a back wall, facing each other, formed of a flexible, single-layer, or multilayer film. The walls are welded together along the side edges or, in a variant embodiment, sides are provided which are made of flexible film and welded to the walls.

[0010] The closure assembly 1 comprises a spout unit 2 which extends along a spout axis X-X and is preferably made of plastics material in a single piece by means of injection molding.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the spout unit assembly 2 has an internal spout duct 12 that extends along the spout axis X-X from a lower end 14a, intended to be contained in the bag, to an upper end 14b, in which there is a mouth 16 for the product to exit.

[0012] The spout unit 2 comprises a connection portion 20, referred to as a "weld boat", which is suitable for being hermetically applied to the bag, preferably between the top edges of the walls, for example by welding.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the spout unit 2 comprises a lower plate 22 orthogonal to the spout axis X-X.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the connection portion 20 is delimited axially on the top by this lower plate 22.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the spout unit 2 further comprises an upper plate 24, also orthogonal to the spout axis X-X, preferably spaced axially from the lower plate 22.

[0016] Preferably, the upper plate 24 has two opposite straight edges 23', 23'' joined by two leading edges 27', 27", which are, for example, arch-shaped. Preferably, the plate 22 also comprises said straight edges 23', 23'' and said leading edges 27', 27".

[0017] The spout unit 2 comprises a spout 10. Preferably, the spout 10 extends axially from the upper plate 24 and ends with the mouth 16.

[0018] The spout unit 2 further comprises at least one spout cam portion 25. Preferably, said spout cam portion 25 defines an upper cam surface 250, inclined with respect to the spout axis X-X.

[0019] Preferably, said spout cam portion 25 extends from the upper plate 24.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, said spout cam portion 25 is made on a straight edge 23', 23".

[0021] Preferably, said spout cam portion 25 is close to the spout 10.

[0022] According to a first embodiment, the upper cam surface 250 of the spout cam portion 25 is arch-shaped with a raised center so as to define two opposite slopes. Preferably, the center is raised with respect to an upper face 24' of the upper flange 24, and a first and second end are in close proximity to the upper face 24' of the upper flange 24.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the upper cam surface 250 has a flattened center and/or the arch does not necessarily have a constant radius.

[0024] According to a second embodiment (not shown), the upper cam surface 250 has a single inclined surface and a substantially vertical surface.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the spout unit 2 comprises a plurality of spout cam portions 25 and preferably comprises two spout cam portions 25 arranged symmetrically with respect to the spout axis X-X.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the spout unit 2 comprises a spout locking element 28. Preferably, said spout locking element 28 extends from said upper plate 24.

[0027] Moreover, preferably, the spout locking element 28 is obtained on a leading edge 27', 27".

[0028] Preferably, the spout locking element 28 comprises a stem 281 and a tooth 282.

[0029] Preferably, the stem 281 extends from the upper plate 24.

[0030] Preferably, the tooth 282 is positioned at the axial end of the stem 281, distal from the upper plate 24.

[0031] Preferably, the tooth 282 protrudes radially from the stem 281 defining a housing 285 therewith.

[0032] Preferably, the tooth 282 is inclined with respect to the upper plate 24. In other words, the stem 281 and the housing 285 have a tapered pattern.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the spout unit 2 comprises two spout locking elements 28, arranged symmetrically with respect to the spout axis X-X.

[0034] Preferably, the two spout locking elements 28 are positioned so that the tapering pattern of the stems 281 is opposite to the spout axis X-X.

[0035] According to the invention, the closure assembly 1 further comprises a closure 3 applicable which may be applied to the spout unit 2.

[0036] The closure 3 comprises a cap 30, engageable to the spout 10, which extends along a cap axis Y-Y.

[0037] The cap 30 comprises an annular cap wall 31, comprising a lower edge 33.

[0038] Preferably, the cap 30 comprises a cap base 32, which closes the cap wall 31 at an upper end.

[0039] Preferably, the lower edge 33 is positioned at the end of the cap wall 31 opposite to that of the cap base 32.

[0040] At least one cap cam portion 35 is obtained in the lower edge 33. This cap cam portion 35 is at least partly complementary to the spout cam portion 25.

[0041] Preferably, the lower edge 33 is composed of a cap cam portion 35 and a low segment 36. Preferably, the low segment 36 is tangent at the bottom to an imaginary plane P orthogonal to the cap axis Y-Y, which determines the maximum lower extension of the cap wall 31. Preferably, the low segment 36 is flat, so that it lies entirely on the imaginary plane P.

[0042] Preferably, said cap cam portion 35 defines a lower cam surface 350, inclined with respect to the cap axis Y-Y and having an arched shape with a raised center so as to define two opposite slopes. Preferably, the center is raised with respect to the imaginary plane P, and a first and second end are in close proximity to the imaginary plane P.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, the lower cam surface 350 has a flattened center and/or the arch does not necessarily have a constant radius.

[0044] In another variant embodiment (not shown), the lower cam surface 350 comprises a single inclined surface and a substantially vertical surface.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of cap cam portions 35 are obtained in the lower edge 33, and preferably two diametrically opposite cap cam portions 35 are obtained. In other words, the lower edge 33 is composed of a succession of cap cam portions 35 and low segments 36.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the closure 3 comprises an engagement element 38, preferably arranged in proximity to the lower edge 33, preferably in proximity to a low segment 36.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, in a locked configuration, the engagement element 38 is suitable for engaging the spout locking element 28 in such a way that the spout unit 2 and the closure 3 are integrally engaged with each other.

[0048] Preferably, said engagement element 38 comprises an engagement ramp 380.

[0049] Preferably, the engagement ramp 380 is close to the cap wall 31 and has a circumferential pattern.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the engagement ramp 380 extends, inclined with respect to the cap axis Y-Y, from a lower end 381 to an upper end 382.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the engagement ramp 380 is suitable for being housed in the housing 285.

[0052] Preferably, the closure 3 comprises a plurality of engagement elements 38, preferably two diametrically opposite engagement elements 38.

[0053] Preferably, the two engagement ramps 380 are arranged so that their pattern is opposite to the cap axis Y-Y.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the engagement element 38 comprises a striker 39 to indicate the correct engagement between the engagement element 38 and the locking element 28.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the striker 39 is positioned at the lower end 381 of the engagement ramp 380 in such a way that, in a properly closed configuration, must the engagement ramp 380 is fully inserted into the housing 285, the striker 39 protrudes relative to the housing 285 on the side opposite the entry side.

[0056] In the closure configuration (Fig. 1), the cap 30 is positioned on the spout 10, the at least one cap cam portion 35 engages the at least one spout cam portion 25, and preferably the upper cam surface 250 is at least partially in contact with the lower cam surface 350. Preferably, the engagement element 38 is engaged to the locking element 28.

[0057] In a disengagement configuration, rotating the cap 3 with respect to the spout 10 about the cap axis Y-Y, preferably by at least a quarter turn, the interaction between the at least one cap cam portion 35 and the at least one spout cam portion 25, preferably the contact engagement between the upper cam surface 250 and the lower cam surface 350, causes the cap 3 to lift axially with respect to the spout 10. Preferably, the engagement element 38 disengages from the locking element 28.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the cam portions 25, 35 are such as to allow the rotation of the cap 3 in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. This embodiment is characterized by the presence of cam portions 25, 35, the cam surfaces 250, 350 of which are arch-shaped comprising two opposite slopes, as described above.

[0059] According to a first embodiment, the closure 3 comprises a handle 40, preferably made in one piece with the cap 30.

[0060] According to a second embodiment, the closure 3 comprises an over-cap 50, preferably made separately from the cap 30 and subsequently joined thereto.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the handle 40 comprises two wing portions 41 which extend, from the cap wall 31, substantially on an imaginary plane containing the cap axis Y-Y, in two opposite directions.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one cap cam portion 35 is positioned in an imaginary plane substantially transverse with respect to the imaginary plane containing the wing portions 41.

[0063] Preferably, said wing portions 41 comprise a panel portion 42 and a reinforcement rib 43 integral with said panel portion 42.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the panel portion 42 has a helix shape, and the reinforcement rib 43 is positioned along the midsection of said panel portion 42.

[0065] According to a further embodiment (not shown), the panel portion 42 is planar and is positioned vertically, i.e., it is entirely contained in the imaginary plane containing the cap axis Y-Y, and the reinforcement rib 43 is positioned at the top of said panel portion 42.

[0066] Advantageously, the reinforcement rib allows the panel portion to be made relatively thin, using less plastics material, while maintaining good structural strength of the handle.

[0067] According to a second embodiment, the handle 40 comprises a gripping blade 45, for example projecting axially from the cap base 32 and/or projecting radially from the cap wall 31, and is further provided with a peripheral edge 46 enlarged with respect to the gripping blade 45.

[0068] Preferably, the gripping blade 45 has a flat shape, lying substantially on the imaginary plane containing the cap axis Y-Y.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the over-cap 50, preferably made of plastics material in a single piece, for example by injection molding, comprises an annular grip 51. The grip 51 is spaced radially outward from the cap 30, preferably from the cap wall 31.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, the over-cap 50 further comprises wings 52 which make the grip 51 integral with the cap 30.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the grip 51 has, at the top, i.e., on the side of the cap base 32, a grip opening 55, delimited by an opening edge 550 that overlaps the cap base 32 and is arranged axially spaced therefrom.

[0072] According to a variant embodiment, the closure 3 is made of plastics material in a single piece, for example by injection molding.

[0073] Innovatively, the closure assembly forming the subject of the present invention fully achieves the proposed object whilst overcoming the drawbacks discussed above in reference to the prior art.

[0074] In particular, the closure assembly is lighter due to the use of less plastics material with respect to the known closure assembly solutions.

[0075] It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to meet specific needs, may make variants or substitutions of elements with other functionally equivalent ones. Such variants are also included within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims. Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described.

Claims

1. A closure assembly (1) for a package with a flexible thin-walled bag for containing fruit juices and puree, yogurt, energy drinks and the like, comprising:

- a spout unit (2) extending along a spout axis (X-X), comprising a connection portion (20), suitable for being hermetically applied to the bag, a spout (10) and at least one spout cam portion (25);

- a closure (3) which is applicable to the spout unit (2), comprising a cap (30) which is engageable with the spout (10) extending along a cap axis (Y-Y), wherein the cap (30) comprises a cap wall (31) comprising a lower edge (33) in which at least one cap cam portion (35) is obtained;

wherein the at least one cap cam portion (35) is at least partially complementary to the at least one spout cam portion (25);

wherein, in a disengagement configuration, by rotating the cap (30) about the cap axis (Y-Y) with respect to the spout (10), the interaction between the at least one cap cam portion (35) and the at least one spout cam portion (25) causes an axial lifting of the cap (30) with respect to the spout (10);

wherein the spout unit is made in a single piece of plastics material by means of injection molding and the closure (3) is made in a single piece of plastics material by injection molding,

wherein the spout unit comprises an upper plate (24) orthogonal to the spout axis (X-X), and wherein said spout cam portion (25) is close to the spout 10.

2. Closure assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said spout cam portion (25) defines an upper cam surface (250) inclined with respect to the spout axis (X-X).

3. Closure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spout unit (2) comprises two spout cam portions (25) arranged symmetrically with respect to the spout axis (X-X) and two diametrically opposite cap cam portions (35) are obtained in the lower edge (33).

4. Closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spout unit (2) comprises a spout locking element (28) and the closure (3) comprises an engagement element (38) arranged in proximity to the lower edge (33), wherein, in a locked configuration, the engagement element (38) engages the spout locking element (28) in such a way that the spout unit (2) and the closure (3) are integrally engaged with each other.

5. Closure assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the spout unit (2) comprises two spout locking elements (28), arranged symmetrically with respect to the spout axis (X-X) and the closure (3) comprises two diametrically opposite engagement elements (38).

6. Closure assembly (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, in a disengagement configuration, rotating the cap (3) with respect to the spout (10) about the cap axis (Y-Y), the interaction between the at least one cap cam portion (35) and the at least one spout cam portion (25), causes the cap (3) to lift axially with respect to the spout (10) and the engagement element (38) disengages from the locking element (28).

7. Closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (3) comprises a handle (40) made in one piece with the cap (30), wherein the handle (40) comprises two wing portions (41) which extend, from the cap wall (31), substantially on an imaginary plane containing the cap axis (Y-Y), in two opposite directions, wherein said wing portions (41) comprise a panel portion (42) and a reinforcement rib (43) integral with said panel portion (42), and wherein the panel portion (42) is planar and is entirely contained in the imaginary plane containing the cap axis (Y-Y) and the reinforcement rib (43) is positioned at the top of said panel portion (42).

8. Closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper plate (24) has two opposite straight edges (23',23'') joined by two leading edges (27',27'') [paragraph 16] and the spout cam portion (25) is made on a straight edge (23',23'').

9. A package comprising:

- a flexible thin-walled bag; and

- a closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims;

wherein the connection portion (20) of the spout unit (2) is hermetically applied to the bag.

Drawing