MXPA99008010A - Reclosable opening device for packages for pourable food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The reclosable opening device (1) has a frame (2) integratable with a package to be opened, a pouring opening (6) defined by the frame member, and a reclosable cap (4) releasably connected by screw threads (5) to the frame (2) for sealing the pouring opening (6). An indicator member (7) is rotatably associated with the frame (2) and releasably connected to the reclosable cap (4) by rupturable connection bridges (12a-12f) for indicating a sealed condition of the opening device in a first position. A ratchet mechanism (13, 15-17) is interposed between the frame (2) and the indicator member (7) for retaining the indicator member (7) in a second position, which is spaced from the first position, for indicating an opened condition of the reclosable cap (4).

Description

OPENING DEVICE THAT CAN BE RE-CLOSED, FOR PACKAGING FOR FOOD PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE SEEN TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an opening device for containers containing or intended to contain a pourable food product. The opening device is particularly suitable for use on aseptic containers containing food product treated with sterile solution such as fruit juice, heat-treated milk which is subject to the so-called UHT (ultra-high temperature) treatment, etc. and it can also be used for packages containing pasteurized food products such as pasteurized milk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many commercially available food products, including sterilely treated fruit juice, wine, UHT milk, tomato puree, etc., are packaged in containers that are manufactured from a previously sterilized packaging material or REF .: 30875 treated in sterile form. A typical example of this type of container is the container for parallelepiped packaging for liquid or food products that can be poured, which is known by the name of Tetra Bri Aseptic (Trade Mark Registered), which is manufactured by folding and sealing a laminated packaging material, in the form of a network. The packaging material, laminate, comprises layers of fibrous material such as paper, which are coated on both sides with a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. On the side of the laminated packaging material which is predestined to be in contact with the food contents of the package, there is also a layer of barrier material, such as for example aluminum foil, which is also coated with a thermoplastic layer. In order to manufacture such parallelepiped packaging containers, the filling or packaging machines are fed with laminated packaging material in the form of a network. The network of packaging material is sterilized in a packaging machine by the application of a chemical sterilizing agent such as, for example, hydrogen peroxide solution. After the termination of sterilization, the sterilizing agent is removed from the surfaces of the packaging material, for example, it can be vaporized by heating. The network of the packaging material sterilized in this way is retained in a closed sterile space and is folded and longitudinally sealed to form a tube. The tube is filled with food product sterilely treated and transversely sealed and cut into pillow-shaped containers, filled and sealed, which are then mechanically folded to form a parallelepiped container. An example of this type of packaging machine is the aseptic filling machine TBA19, manufactured by Tetra Brik Packaging Systems, Via Delfini 1, Modena, Italy. In order to open this type of packaging, several solutions have been proposed. One solution consisted in the provision of a line of perforations, which partially penetrate the outer layers of the laminated packaging material, but leaving the inner barrier layer or layers intact, and extending through the corner area of a flap of the package. By lifting the flap and cutting or tearing along the perforations, the container opened, and the contents could be emptied from the container. Such solutions are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,655,387 and U.S. Patent No. 4,410,128. However, since the containers of this type could not be closed again, they had to be handled in a careful way to avoid the spill, until all the contents were used. In order to overcome this drawback, various types of re-opening devices have been proposed. One such solution consisted in the provision of an outlet opening formed in the laminate of the packaging material and a pull tab applied over the opening in the filling or packaging machine., with a frame-shaped emptying device having a reclosable lid, connected to the outside of the filled and formed container, on the pull tab. In order to have access to the contents of the container, a user must first open the lid, and then remove the pull tab. Once the desired amount of the contents has been removed from the container, the lid can be closed again.

While this solution is extremely advantageous from many points of view, it has been found to be susceptible to improvement. Specifically, it may be desirable to have an opening device which allows a user to open the type of package described above, in a simple operation, and thereafter provide the possibility of reclosing the package with improved liquid tightness. The containers of the so-called "inverted V-shaped" upper part are also known, which are usually formed from a blank of packaging material on a mandrel, and are particularly suitable for pasteurized food products. By pulling the ends of a pair of opposite inclined walls of an inverted V-shaped upper container, a portion of the upper sealed rim or fin of the container is broken, and a spout-shaped portion can be opened outwardly. to make it possible for the content to be emptied from the container. However, this opening arrangement also has the disadvantage that it can not be closed securely again, and therefore the containers with inverted V-shaped upper part provided with this type of opening arrangement have to be handled from a careful way to avoid spilling, until all the contents are used. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-149818 discloses an opening device used for containers of the inverted V-shaped upper part, which are usually formed from a blank of packaging material on a mandrel, and are particularly suitable for pasteurized food products. The opening device has a structure or frame fixed to one of the two inclined walls of the container with an inverted V-shaped upper part and carrying two vertical semicircular walls. A lever having a semicircular coupling configuration is hinged between the walls for rotation about an axis which passes substantially through the centers of the flat bases of the semicircular walls, parallel and adjacent to the surface of the container. The lower portion facing the container has teeth to break the packaging material, and a holding tab, whereby a user can open the container by rotating the lever in one direction, and closing the container again by rotating the container. the lever in the opposite direction. However, this type of opening device requires the application of significant force in order to drive the teeth through the packaging material. This can lead to inadvertent spillage of the contents of the container. In addition, the excessive force exerted on the points where the lever is articulated to the walls, can cause damage or even break the device. In addition, although the device can be closed again "after opening, the successive closure is not liquid-tight, whereby spillage can occur in the event that a closed container is accidentally hit in the upper part. threaded provides a better degree of liquid tightness when closed again, but when using a screw cap in an aseptic package of the type described above, some provision has to be made to break the barrier layer of the container at the time of opening, to maintain the aseptic quality of the container, vertical to the movement when the container is opened for consumption of the product contained therein Known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-156928 is a three-piece opening device consisting of of a structure or frame having an externally threaded portion, a threaded cap which can be screwed the frame, and a sleeve or sleeve located in a tubular portion of the frame and having a lower serrated edge whichWhen it is actuated by screwing the lid onto the frame, it perforates the laminated container material of a container. A breakable collar is fixed to the periphery of the threaded cap, in a known manner, as evidence of inadequate handling. If the collar of a container on a storage shelf is broken or divided from the screw cap, this indicates to a consumer that the container has been previously opened and should not be purchased, so that the contents of the container will no longer be in the container. aseptic state. However, this device is structurally complicated, and if a lid has been unscrewed and repositioned, evidence of improper use can easily be perceived by a user with a quick glance or with less than a close observation, as portions of Plastic breakaways that connect the collar to the threaded cap are only approximately one millimeter in length. Japanese Patent Application Open to the Public No. 64-2727 discloses an opening device for the above-mentioned inverted V-shaped compact and upper package type. This latter device has a frame defining a tubular portion, a sleeve or sleeve slidably accommodated within the tubular portion and connected to the frame by "a collapsible bellows, and a lid hinged to the frame, and which overlaps the open upper end of the sleeve in A closed position A user has to apply pressure on the cap, which is transferred to the sleeve, thereby collapsing the bellows The lower end of the sleeve or puncture punctures the packaging material of the container and the lid that can be The closure can be opened to empty the contents, however, the lid can be hit during handling and transportation, which inadvertently collapses the bellows and causes the sleeve to puncture the underlying packaging material, and thus, Container content will not be in an aseptic state, however, if the collapsed bellows is extended to its original position, a consumer will not whole that a previous opening has occurred and could inadvertently acquire such a container and consume its contents, with the inherent risks to health. Also known from the Japanese Utility Model Patent No. JP-62-90320 is an opening device having a threaded cap which engages the screw threads of a spout. The spout is fixed to a container, and a cutter member is provided in the spout. The cutting member can be directly pushed, by pressing on it with the finger, through the packaging material constituting the package. A mechanism is provided for securing the cutting member in an open position within the spout, thereby preventing interference during emptying of the contents of the package. However, the fact that the cutting member is pushed with the finger is a source of possible contamination of the contents during the opening operation. In addition, there is no evidence of effective misuse to encourage a consumer when a package on the shelf of a store has been opened and the lid placed again, and thus, the contents of the package will no longer be in an aseptic state. Therefore, a consumer may not be aware that a previous opening has occurred and could inadvertently acquire such a container and consume its contents, with the inherent risks to health. In addition, such a type of opening device is inconvenient to use, since it requires a first operation to access the cutting member, and then a second operation to force the cutting member through the packaging material constituting the package. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-202653 discloses a collar attachable to a package and having a cutting member hingedly connected thereto for cutting the packaging material of a package to be opened. A spout having a cover or press fit hinged to it, is rotatably mounted on the collar. A cam is supported on the spout and acts on the cutting member when it rotates the spout with respect to the collar, whereby the cutting member is forced into the packaging material, causing the sleeve or sleeve to puncture the packaging material underlying. However, if the spout is rotated with respect to the collar before the container is sold, the contents of the container will no longer be in the aseptic state, and a consumer may inadvertently acquire such a container and consume its contents. This obviously presents a health risk.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION There is thus a general need in the art to provide a reclosable opening device for pourable food product packages, which provides a clear and unambiguous signal to the consumer when a package has been tampered with., and in this way it should not be acquired. An object of the invention is to provide a resealable opening device, for containers and flowable or volatile food products, wherein the signal indicating inadequate use can not be returned to its original state not handled improperly. An object of the present invention is to provide an opening device for containers containing a pourable or flowable product, which can be opened in a simple operation. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an opening device for containers containing a pourable or flowable food product, which provides a new liquid-tight seal of the container after opening. A further objective of the present invention is to provide an opening device for containers containing a pourable food product, which can easily be opened by a user without requiring significant force to be applied, thereby preventing spillage of the contents of a container during opening Another yet further object of the invention is to provide an opening device having means for automatically breaking the barrier layer of an aseptic package at the time of opening the package, without requiring that a The user further handles any part of the opening device that will pierce the packaging material A further objective of the invention is to provide an opening device wherein the means for breaking a barrier layer of an aseptic package at the time of opening can not be Inadvertently operated during handling and transportation, which maintains the aseptic quality of The container just until the moment when the container is opened for the consumption of the contained product -in this one.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing aims, as well as other objectives of the invention which will become apparent after this, an opening device for packages for pourable food products is provided, comprising a member in the form of a frame or integrable structure. with a container to be opened, a drainage opening defined by the structural member, a reclosable cover, releasably connected to the frame-like member, for sealing said drainage opening and removable thereof to allow the access to the emptying opening, an indicator member associated with the frame-shaped member and releasably connected to the reclosable lid, by breakable connecting means to indicate a sealed condition of the opening device in a first position, characterized in that it comprises the indicator securing means interposed between the structural member and the indicator member, to retain the indicator member in a second position, which is separated from the first position, to indicate an open condition of the lid that can be closed again. The additional embodiments of the opening device for containers for food products that can be poured according to the invention are defined in the sub-claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the opening device for containers for food products that can be poured according to the invention, in a closed condition; Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of a structural member of the opening device according to the invention; Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the structural member of the opening device according to the invention; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective top view of the opening device according to the invention, showing the structural member, a reclosable cover, and an indicator member interposed between the structural member and the cap that it can be closed again; Figure 5 is "a perspective, bottom, exploded view of the opening device according to the invention showing a cutter accommodated within the member, structural, and an indicator member interposed between the structural member and the lid that can be returned to close; Figure 6 is a perspective, lower, exploded view of the opening device similar to Figure 5, showing a cutter extending below the structural member and secured to the structural member in an activated condition, and an indicator member interposed between the structural member and the lid that can be closed again; Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the opening device according to the invention, shown in a closed condition and fixed to a container to be opened; Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the opening device according to the invention, affixed to a container, showing the opening device in an open condition, for opening the container; Y Figure 9 is a perspective view of the opening device attached to a package shown in Figure 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY With reference to the above-described figures, reference number 1 generally indicates the reclosable opening device (which can be reclosed) for containers for food products that can be poured according to the invention. The opening device has a frame-like member or structure or frame 2, integrable with a container to be opened, and is preferably fixed thereto, by means such as the application of hot melt adhesive, or techniques such as as microflama welding. The structural member 2 is particularly suitable for application on a package 50 made of known laminated cardboard, which consists of layers of fibrous material such as paper, which are coated on both sides with a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. On the side of the laminated packaging material, which is intended to be in contact with the food content of the package, there is also a layer of barrier material such as, for example, aluminum foil, which is also coated with a thermoplastic plate. . In the figures of the drawings 7-9 the laminated structure of the known packaging material constituting the package 50, has been shown schematically, but in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention, the portion of the barrier layer 51 which is cut after opening the package has been illustrated and indicated with the reference number 51. The structural member advantageously circumscribes a portion of reduced thickness of the package, for example, a portion of the package in which a hole 52 is formed through some of the the layers of material, and one or more barrier layers 51 of aluminum and / or polyethylene extend over the orifice 52. Such configurations are known in the art and are used for the formation for example of perforated straw or straw holes, in containers The device also has screw threads 3 formed on the structural member 2, and a reclosable cover 4, provided with. threads 5 formed for the coupling, for the screw-tight coupling, liquid-tight, with the threads 3 of the structural member 2, to close a drainage opening 6 defined by the frame 2. A indicating member 7 has formed therein an opening 8 having a diameter that is slightly larger than the external diameter of the screw threads 3, as shown in Figure 1, the indicator member 7 is located on the structure or frame 2, between the threaded cover 4, which can be returned to close, and a bottom flange 9 defined by the structure or frame 2.

The indicator member 7 defines an annular groove 10 in sliding rotational engagement with an annular rib 11 formed integrally with the structure 2 below the screw threads 3. The breakable connection bridges 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f interconnect the lid 4 and the indicator element -7, and indicate a sealed condition of the opening device. In practice, the opening device according to the invention can be assembled by press fitting the indicator member 7, with the lid 4 connected to it by means of the bridges "12a-12 f, on the frame 2. This causes the elastic deformation of the annular rib 11, which is snapped into engagement within the annular groove 10, in sliding stop coupling relationship with it .. Similarly, an elastic deformation of the formed screw threads 3 also occurs. on the structural member 2, and the threads 5 shaped for the coupling of the reclosable cover 4. This allows the opening device according to the invention to be assembled using conventional press fit means, before being fixed to a container.

The frame and indicator element each define an outer peripheral configuration comprising a curved peripheral portion and a linear peripheral portion. With the opening device 1 in an assembled and unopened condition, as shown in Figure 1, the linear peripheral portion 7a of the indicating element 7 is parallel to the linear peripheral portion 2a of the frame 2 with the breakable connection bridges 12a- 12f intact. In this first position the indicator member 7 completely covers the bottom flange 9 of the frame 2 (see figure 1). The opening device also has indicator securing means interposed between the frame 2 and the indicator member 7, for retaining the indicator member in a second position, which is separated from the first position, to indicate an open position of the cover that is it may reseal, for example, a position in which the linear peripheral position 7a of the indicating element 7 is angularly offset with respect to the linear peripheral portion 2a of the frame 2 with the breakable connecting bridges 12a-12f in a broken condition ( see figure 6).

The indicator securing means comprise the non-reversible ratchet means including a tang 13 connected to the frame 2, which is housed in a recess 14 formed in the indicator member 7, when the device is in an unopened condition, as shown in FIG. shown in Figures 1 and 5. The non-reversible ratchet means also include a serrated ratchet 15 connected to the indicator member 7. The pin 13 is not reversibly slidable on the serrated ratchet 15 in an opening direction, for example, in one direction rotational counter-clockwise, defined by lid 4 that can be closed again. The end stop means constituted by an internal wall 7b of the indicator member 7 (see Figure 5), delimit the excursion of the indicator member 7 with respect to the tang 13 in the opening direction. The pin 13 projects from the frame 2 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the emptying opening 6, when it is located in a normal non-flexed position. The toothed ratchet 15 has at least one tooth, and preferably at least two teeth 16, 17 each having an inclined surface 16a, 17a, and a boundary wall 16b, 17b. The pin 13 is elastically displaced axially from the normal non-flexed position, when sliding on the inclined surfaces 16a, 17a of each of the teeth 16, 17, and returns elastically to its normal, non-flexed position, when placed adjacent to the limit wall or stop 16b, 17b of each of the teeth 16, 17. A cutter 18 is movably connected to the frame 2, and is movable with respect to the frame 2 from a first position (see FIGS. 2 and 5), wherein the cutter 18 is accommodated within the emptying opening 6 of the frame 2, to a second position (see FIG. 6), in FIG. where the cutter 18 projects below the frame 2, to perforate a portion of a container. The cutter 18 is preferably integrally formed with an elastic hinge 19 which, in turn, is preferably formed integrally with the frame 2. The driving means are integrally formed with the lid which can be closed again, to move the cutter 18 from the first position to the second position, after opening the reclosable lid 4. The actuating means comprise a cam 20 integrally formed with the reclosable lid 4, and an inclined surface 21 provided on the cutter 18. The cam 20 projects from a rib 21 provided on the inner top surface of the lid 4. The cam 20 and the rib 21 are radially inwardly spaced from the inner annular wall 25 of the lid 4, by a distance that is slightly greater than the threaded portion of the frame 2, thereby allowing the rotation of the cover 4 and the cam 20 with respect to the frame 2 and the slant cam surface 21 of the cutter 18. This allows the cam 18 to act on the inclined cam surface 21 when the lid 18 is moved with respect to the frame 2 in an opening direction, for example, in a direction against the clock hands. The cutter securing means is also integrally formed with the frame 2 for securing the cutter 18 in the second position, for example, in the fully lowered position shown in Figure 6. More precisely, the cutter 18 comprises an arm 22, an arcuate member 23 formed integrally with the arm 22, and a plurality of cutting teeth 24 integrally formed with the arcuate member 23.

The securing means comprise at least one, and preferably a pair of mutually opposite, hook-shaped elements 24a, 24b, integrally formed with the frame or structure 2. The hook-shaped elements 24a, 24b are flexed elastically in a separate manner during the passage of the arm 22 of the cutter 18, between the first raised position and the second lowered position, and the non-releasable coupling of the cutter arm 22 in the lowered position, as shown in figure 6. In this way, the cutter perforates the packaging material and creates an opening in the wall of a container where the opening device is fixed. The cutter securing means prevents any return movement of the cutter, and thereby prevents any interference with the emptying opening 6 once the package has been opened. The operation of the reclosable opening device according to the invention is as follows: The opening device is fixed to a container in a condition shown in Figure 1. A user wishing to open the container holds the lid 4 and rotate it in a counter-clockwise direction. Initially, the indicator member 7 rotates together with the cover 4, and the tang 13 of the frame 2 travels irreversibly on the teeth 16, 17 of the ratchet mechanism 15. At the same time, the annular rib 11 of the frame slides into the notch annular 10 of the indicator element. When the pin 13 limits against the end stop means constituted by the internal wall 7b of the indicator member 7, the continuous rotation of the cover 4 causes the breaking of the connection bridges 12a-12f. At this point, the pin 13 is not reversibly secured in a second position between the wall 7b of the indicator member 7 and the boundary wall 17b of the second tooth 17. In this position, the linear peripheral portion 7b of the indicator member 7a is misaligned with with respect to the linear peripheral portion 2a of the frame 2, whereby the portions of the bottom flange 9 defined by the frame 2 are exposed (see figures 6 and 9). In this way, immediately visible evidence is provided that the package has been opened. It will be appreciated that the bottom flange 9 may be colored differently with respect to the indicator member 7, whereby evidence of inadequate handling is accentuated. Thus, a consumer who observes a container in this condition in a warehouse immediately learns that the container has been improperly handled and should not be acquired. As the lid 4 continues to rotate with respect to the frame 2, since the indicating element 7 is secured to the frame 2, the internal threads 5 of the lid 4 begin to unscrew from the threads 3 of the frame 2, and the cam 20 acts on the inclined cam surface 21, whereby the cutter 18 is rotated around the elastic hinge 19, and the cutter 18 is lowered. This descent of the cutter 18 cuts through the layer of the barrier material 51 extending to through the hole 52 formed in the remaining layers of the packaging material, laminate, which constitutes the package 50. When the cutter 18 reaches the fully lowered position shown in figures 6 and 9, the hooked members 24a, 24b are coupled to the arm 22 of the cutter 18. This prevents the cutter from returning and obstructing the emptying opening 6 during the use of the open container 50. It is also prevented that the divided portion of the barrier material 51 obstructs the and to the orifice 52 and the emptying opening 6 during use of the open container 50.

The opening device is closed again after use simply by repositioning the screw cap 4. It should be noted that the adhesion occurring between the barrier material 51 on the inner side of the container 50 and the plastic layer provided on the part The exterior of the package effectively seals any fibers from the fibrous layers of the packaging material which could otherwise be exposed in the orifice 52, whereby an edge sealing effect is achieved and any so-called "edge soaking" or wicking of the product inside the packaging material is prevented.The cutter is advantageously dimensionally adjusted with respect to the hole 52, such that it cuts the layer barrier at a point located at a small distance from the edge of the hole 52, thereby maintaining this sealing of the edge of the packaging material around the periphery of the hole 52, even after the package 50 has been opened. The present invention can be modified without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A reclosable opening device, for containers for pourable food products, comprising a member in the form of a structure or frame integrable with a container to be opened, a discharge opening defined by said member frame, a releasably resealable lid connected to the member in the form of a structure or frame, for sealing the draining opening, and removable therefrom to allow access to the draining opening, an indicator member associated with the member in frame or structure form and releasably connected to the reclosable cover, by means of breakable connection to indicate a sealed condition of the opening device in a first position, characterized in that it comprises indicators securing means interposed between the member in the form of frame and the indicator member, to retain the indicator member in a second position, which is separated from the e the first position, to indicate an open condition of the lid that can be closed again.

2. A reclosable opening device for containers for food products that can be poured according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicator securing means comprise non-reversible ratchet means.

3. A reclosable opening device for containers for food products that can be poured according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicator securing means comprise a toothed ratchet connected to the indicator member, at least one pin connected to the member in the form of a frame and not reversibly slidable on the toothed ratchet in an opening direction defined by the reclosable cover, and end stop means delimiting the excursion of at least one pin in the opening direction.

4. A reclosable opening device for containers for food products that can be poured according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure-shaped member has screw threads formed thereon and an annular rib, the lid that can be re-closed has a threaded portion for coupling with the screw threads, and the indicator element defines an annular groove in sliding rotational engagement with the ring rib.

5. A reclosable opening device for containers for pourable food products according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one cutter removably connected to the member in the form of structure or frame, said cutter being movable with with respect to the frame-shaped member from a first position, wherein the cutter is accommodated within the frame-like member, towards a second position, wherein the cutter projects below the frame-like member, to pierce a portion of a container.

6. A reclosable opening device for containers for food products that can be poured according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises the actuating means integrally formed with the reclosable cover for moving the cutter from the first position towards the second position, after opening the lid that can be closed again.

7. A reclosable opening device for containers for food products that can be poured according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises the cutter securing means integrally formed with the structure-shaped member to secure the cutter in the second position.

8. A container for pourable food products, characterized in that it comprises a reclosable opening device, according to one or more of the preceding claims.

9. A container of conformity. with claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a portion of reduced thickness, the frame or structure being connected to the container and circumscribing the portion of reduced thickness.

10. A package according to claim 9, characterized in that the portion of reduced thickness circumscribed by the frame or structure constitutes an aseptic barrier layer of the package.