ES2660266T3 - Pouring element for a container, as well as a composite container with such a spill element - Google Patents

Abstract

Pouring element for a container, in particular a composite container for liquid foods, with a cover area in the form of polyhedron (6) and folded container lining tabs (7), with a base body (1), a flange in the form of polyhedron (4), intended for joining with a container liner, whose joining surfaces (9) converge in surface joints (10), characterized in that there are configured in the area of surface joints (10) accommodation areas (14) for the folding lines (8) of the container lining tabs (7), to create space for the folding lines (8) by means of the accommodation areas (14), so that the corresponding Container lining tab (7) to be folded has in the area of the folding line (8) sufficient space for folding.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Pouring element for a container, as well as a composite container with such a spill element

The invention relates to a pouring element for a package, in particular a composite container for liquid foods, with a polyhedron shaped cover area and folded container liner tabs, with a base body, a flange in the form of polyhedron, intended for joining with a container liner, whose flange joint surfaces converge on surface joints, as well as a composite container for liquid foods with a polyhedron shaped cover area and folded container liner tabs.

In the field of packaging technique, composite containers have long been part of the state of the art. In this way, the beverage cartons consist, for example, of different packaging materials, such as paper and plastic materials, which, together in whole surface and printed, form a packaging sheet. The layer structure may vary depending on the requirements, thus, for example, an aluminum layer is additionally provided for aseptic filling products to achieve a good barrier effect with respect to gases and light. Often, however, not always, the laminate is cut even during its production to the size of the package and so-called container coatings are formed in this way. Alternatively, the packaging side is often also supplied as a roll product and is cut later.

The formation and filling of the container itself and the closing giving rise to a container normally occur in a packaging machine, which is often referred to in relation to its main functions also as a forming / filling / sealing machine (Form- / Fill- / Seal-). As filling products, liquid foods such as beverages, soups, yogurts or the like are preferably considered.

These containers are often also provided with pouring elements. These allow the consumer, in addition to a controlled discharge, in most cases also a possibility of closing again. Frequently and preferably in case of aseptic use, a first opening function is also provided for the package. In this case, the previously closed container is separated for the first time in a gas-tight manner. This can occur, for example, by means of a traction ring ("Ring-Pulí") or traction tongue or also by means of a drilling and / or cutting device. These types of drilling and / or cutting devices are often configured as cutting rings, which are often coupled through actuating means with for example the threaded cover, such that by turning the threaded cover by rotation. The container is opened at the same time by cutting.

A pouring element of the aforementioned type is shown for example by the document WO 2012/048935 A1 of the applicant. This consists essentially of a closed base body with a threaded lid, which also has, in addition to the actual pouring tube, also a flange for joining with the rest of the pieces of the container. The pouring elements are incorporated during the process of formation of the container and before the actual filling, in the container, and also form a part of it. Depending on the shape and type of the container, the pouring element is disposed from the inside through a previously punched hole in the flat cover of the container. The flange of the spout then extends in parallel with respect to the plane of the flat cover of the container, as disclosed in the first embodiment shown there. However, it is also possible for the pouring element to form itself the head area of the container, as shown in another embodiment shown. In this case, the connecting flange protrudes in a bent manner from the pouring element itself and forms a polyhedron shaped flange, which corresponds in the embodiment shown essentially with a pyramid trunk. The polyhedron shaped flange then joins with the container liner.

Incorporation and bonding occur routinely in packaging machines such as those mentioned initially. One of these types is disclosed in the applicant's WO 2012/062565 A1 document, in which case a special packaging form is produced. It has a polyhedron shaped roof area, which consists of several roof surfaces and a pouring element. The cover area narrows in the direction of the pouring element such that the cross-sectional area of the container is reduced in the pouring direction. In the embodiment shown, this cover area is essentially in the shape of a pyramid trunk. The folding of the cover results in "excess" double layer container lining sections (also called "tabs"). The production of such a special container form demands special requirements from the packaging machine.

In the embodiment shown, a possible configuration of such a packaging machine can be seen. In the left area you can see a wheel of spikes with nine working spikes (abbreviated: spikes) distributed around its perimeter. In the right section, the filling installation is arranged, which in this case is of no interest.

The pin wheel rotates during operation in a cyclic manner, so that the pins rotate between individual work positions (I to IX) and are held therein for the work steps to be carried out, to join the pouring element with the coating and to essentially form the head area of the container. In the

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Working positions I and II occupy the spike with a pouring element and with a container liner. These are then thermally activated in the joining areas (pos. III and IV), that is, the plastic material is melted locally on the flange and in the container liner section.

In position V the cover area is treated by a press covered. This forms the roof surfaces giving rise to the pyramid-shaped roof area and presses among others the activated areas of the roof surfaces on the activated flange of the pouring element and thus establishes a lasting bond between them.

In the following working position IV, the resulting tabs are thermally activated in the corresponding area and are thus prepared for joining with the corresponding cover surfaces of the packaging liner in pos. VII. For this purpose, the tabs are folded (that is, they are folded by machine) and changed position so that they can be pressed on the corresponding cover surface so as to dispose them in this way in a lasting manner.

In position VIII, the finished container is then moved from one side with a cover area to a cell chain of the filling plant, where it is filled through the base area still open, then the area of closure is closed and terminated. base. Position IX has no assigned work step.

Process steps V to VII are particularly critical: the cover press has to achieve a secure connection between the pouring element and the container lining on the one hand, at the same time, however, simultaneously sealing the resulting tabs in the direction upwards, that is, the container must be closed tightly to liquids and also as tightly as possible to gases (step V). The sealed tabs in the upward direction are thermally reactivated again (in this case by their outer sides) and then folded mechanically and folded at a rate of 90 ° by the folding line.

Thermal and mechanical loads in combination and interaction require high requirements to the material. Particularly in the corner areas, that is to say, in the areas of the surface joints of the pyramid-shaped flange and the upper end zone of the folding line, some stresses occur due to deformation (folding) so high that the material often fails locally and as a result there is a lack of tightness in the containers.

EP 1503940 B1 also shows a container container, which consists of a pouring element and a container liner, the upper part of which forms a pyramid trunk. In contrast to the package achieved in WO 2012/062565 A, the excess container liner sections, resulting from the folding of the narrowed container cover, do not fold outwardly, but inwardly. Therefore, tabs are not. Inwardly directed container lining sections have several layers during the joining process with the pouring element. The union is achieved by ultrasound.

In addition to high frequency vibrations a static bonding force is applied on the joint parts. In order to compensate for the positional jumps between single arrangement and multiple arrangement and in this way to distribute the static bonding force as evenly as possible throughout the entire perimeter, protruding relief portions are formed in the area of the single arrangement. Exterior. In addition, a local recess in a relief portion of this type is incorporated for the housing of the longitudinal sealing seam of the container liner (in this case double layer).

Although the corner areas of the joint are exposed in comparison to WO 2012/062565 A1 at lower stresses (the folding of the double layer only occurs at a rate of 45 ° in an unsealed state), a presence of several layers per Sections of this type and the resulting position breaks are disadvantageous in different ways for sealing. On the one hand, the compensation elements in the pouring element have to coincide exactly with the position breaks, on the other hand, a uniform introduction of energy throughout the entire perimeter is thus impossible. Joints formed in this way often have areas with a lack of tightness.

Other bonding methods, such as bonding, or the like, are known from the prior art. In this case, the joining and / or forming processes are always critical process steps, which require high resistance requirements to the joining pieces, which do not always comply with them.

It is therefore the task of the present invention to configure and refine a pouring element and a composite container of the type mentioned initially and which have been described above in greater detail, such that the described disadvantages are overcome. In particular, the joint and the tightness between the pouring element and the composite container must be improved and defects in these are avoided.

This task is solved in the case of a pouring element according to the preamble of claim 1 because housing areas are formed in the area of the surface joints for the folding line of the container lining tabs. The housing areas thus give rise to space for the folding line, so that the folded tongue has sufficient space in the folding area for its conformation. This has

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the advantage that the material is clearly less requested in terms of crushing (on the inner side of the tongue) and deformation (cover edge), since it can deform and move in the direction of the housing area.

The task on which the invention is based is solved in the same way by a composite container for liquid foods with a polyhedron shaped cover area and folded container lining tabs, in which case the cover is correspondingly connected with the Polyhedron shaped flange of such a pouring element.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the housing areas are configured as rounded areas of the surface joints. These give rise to sufficient space between the flange and the container liner, for the resulting folds during shaping. In addition, rounded steps are more resistant in terms of mechanical structure. In the case of thermal activation, a more uniform introduction of energy is possible and the risk of a “fire” in the area of surface joints is excluded to a greater extent.

According to another configuration of the invention, the housing areas are configured as a beveled edge of the surface joints. The beveled surface therefore results in its outer side with sufficient space between the flange and the container liner to accommodate the resulting folding zones. Bevelled areas are also relatively easy to perform in terms of production technique.

In another advantageous configuration, the housing areas are configured as bags of the surface joints. The bags, that is, inwardly negative conformations, can be reasonable in particular when the space created, for example, as a consequence of thick packaging material, has to be particularly large.

According to another teaching of the invention, extensions of wing type material are formed in the area of the surface joints. These additionally make available material in the area of the container lining tabs. In this way the tightness can continue to be improved especially in these critical areas.

Another teaching of the invention provides that at least one rib of material has been configured on the joint surfaces of the flange. These ribs of material make available for their part binding material at a desired point. In addition, they reinforce the flange in terms of structure mechanics.

Another configuration of the invention provides that the flange of the base body is configured in the form of a pyramid trunk. The four surface joints resulting in this way from the joint surfaces of the flange form in this way as regards the folding process of the container lining tabs, advantageous folding angles.

Another type of embodiment according to the invention provides that the base body has a rectangular base plate, the base plate can be especially squarely shaped. In this way, the development of improved lines of force in the base body is achieved, without damage to the pouring element.

Another convenient configuration of the invention provides that the base plate forms a projection locally with respect to the flange. This protects the edge of the open container liner against damage of any kind and thus guarantees the lasting bond between the pouring element and the container liner. It also forms an alignment stop for the container liner.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the base body has a pouring tube, which is first closed with a screwed lid. This is a particularly convenient alternative to the pouring element.

According to another configuration of the invention, the base body is closed below the pouring tube by means of a support wall and has a surrounding weakening zone. A support wall of this type fixes the pouring element in particular in the area of the base plate and the pouring pipe additionally.

Other convenient configurations provide that a barrier sheet is in contact with the support wall, optionally also that a handling area has been formed in the support wall so that it can be removed by a manual pull or that a cutting element has been arranged in the pouring tube, to at least partially cut the support wall in the area of the weakening zone. These are particularly convenient alternatives to the pouring element.

The invention is explained in greater detail below by means of drawings that represent only one preferred embodiment.

The drawings show in:

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Fig. 1 a pouring element according to the invention in perspective view diagonally from above,

Fig. 2 a composite container according to the invention in perspective view,

Fig. 3 the pouring element of Fig. 1 in perspective view without screw cap,

Fig. 4 a partially finished composite container of Fig. 2 without tabs arranged, and in Fig. 5 an operation scheme of the folding process.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a pouring element according to the invention in perspective view from above diagonally. In the preferred embodiment, the pouring element has a base body 1 and a screw cap 2. In this preferred direction, the screw cap 2 is arranged on a pouring tube 3 (it can be seen well in Fig. 3 ), which forms a base body part 1.

The base body 1 has a surrounding flange 4, in the form of a polyhedron, as a pyramid trunk. The flange 4 and the pouring tube 3 protrude in opposite directions from a square base plate 5 of the base body 1 and together form the base body 1 itself.

Fig. 2 shows a composite container finished producing, according to the invention, with a cover area in the form of polyhedron 6, in this case in the form of a pyramid trunk. In the formation of the head area the pouring element is joined with the container liner and the cover area 6 is formed by corresponding folds. The container liner tabs 7 resulting from the configuration of the narrowed cover area 6, consisting of "excess" container liner material, are folded along a fold line 8 to such an extent that they come into contact with the cover surfaces of the cover area 6 and thus can be permanently attached.

In the representation of Fig. 3, the screw cover 2 has been hidden, but essentially corresponds to that of Fig. 1. The polyhedron shaped flange 4 and in particular its joining surfaces 9 correspond to the surfaces of cover of the zone of cover in the form of polyhedron 6 of the composite container, in form and position. The connecting pieces are therefore parallel to each other. The joining surfaces 9 converge in surface joints 10; these correspond in this case with lateral sides of the pyramid trunk (imaginary). The joining surfaces 9 have ribs of material 11, which mechanically reinforce the flange 4 and also make available sufficient material for the joining process.

There are similarly shaped, to make available enough material in the desired place for the joining process, extensions of wing-like material 12 on the surface joints 10. The additional material improves among others the sealing of the upper section of the tongue container liner 7.

It can also be seen that the lower side of the pouring tube 3 is closed in the original state by means of a support wall 15. It is connected through a weakening zone 16 with the base body 1. A cutting element ( not shown) cut the weakening zone 16 during the first turn of the screw cap 2 and thus release the passage for pouring through the pouring tube 3. To ensure sufficient durability and protection of the aroma of the filled product , a barrier sheet (in this case covered) is arranged on the inner side of the base plate 5 and the support wall 15.

Fig. 4 shows a partially finished composite container, in which case the pouring element is already joined with the container liner, but in the cover area 6 the container liner tabs 7 are not yet folded by the folding lines 8. The resulting folding line 8 is represented here as a groove prepared in the container liner.

Fig. 5 shows an operation diagram of the folding process that can be seen in a detail view horizontally sectioned through the flange 4 and container lining tabs 7 in the area of the surface joints 10 of the joining surfaces 9 The surface joints 10 are configured in the exemplary embodiment shown, and therefore preferred, as positive rounded areas 13 of the flange 4 and form a housing area 14 for the folding line 8 between its perimeter and the container liner. of the container lining tongue 7. The folding movements of the fold due to the folding line 8 are symbolized by the movement arrows. The possibility of diverting and housing of packaging lining material in the area of the folding line 8 in the housing area 14 leads to minor mechanical loads and thus prevents damage.

Claims (17)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 1. Pouring element for a package, in particular a composite container for liquid foods, with a polyhedron shaped cover area (6) and folded container lining tabs (7), with a base body (1), a polyhedron shaped flange (4), intended for joining with a container liner, whose joining surfaces (9) converge on surface joints (10), characterized in that in the area of surface joints (10) housing areas (14) are configured for the folding lines (8) of the container lining tabs (7), to create space for the folding lines (8) by means of the housing areas (14), so that The corresponding container lining tab (7) to be folded has in the area of the folding line (8) sufficient space for folding. 2. Pouring element according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing areas (14) are made as rounded areas (13) of the surface joints (10). 3. Pouring element according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing areas (14) are made as a beveled edge of the surface joints (10). 4. Pouring element according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing areas (14) are made as bags of the surface joints (10). 5. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that extensions of wing type material (12) are formed in the area of the surface joints (10). 6. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one rib of material is formed on the joining surfaces (9) of the flange (4). 7. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flange (4) of the base body (1) is shaped as a pyramid trunk. 8. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the base body (1) has a rectangular base plate (5). 9. Pouring element according to claim 8, characterized in that the base plate (5) is made square. 10. Pouring element according to claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the base plate (5) locally forms a projection facing the flange (4). 11. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the base body (1) has a pouring tube (3). 12. Pouring element according to claim 11, characterized in that the pouring tube (3) is initially closed with a screw cap (2). 13. Pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the base body (1) is closed below the pouring tube (3) by means of a support wall (15), and has a weakening zone surrounding. 14. Pouring element according to claim 13, characterized in that there is a barrier sheet in contact with the support wall (15). 15. Pouring element according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that a handling area is formed in the support wall (15), so that it can be removed by manual traction. 16. Pouring element according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that a cutting element is arranged in the pouring tube (3) for cutting, at least partially, the support wall (15) in the area of the weakening zone (16). 17. Composite container for liquid foods with a cover area in the form of polyhedron (6) and folded container lining tabs (7), characterized in that this cover area (6) is connected correspondingly to the flange in the form of polyhedron (4) of a pouring element according to one of claims 1 to 16.