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EP-4737347-A2 - CLOSURE FOR A SPOUT OF A FLEXIBLE THIN-WALLED PACKAGING

EP4737347A2EP 4737347 A2EP4737347 A2EP 4737347A2EP-4737347-A2

Abstract

A closure (1) for a spout of a flexible thin-walled packaging comprising a cap (2) and a tamper evident seal (20) with a tamper evident ring (30). The tamper evident ring (30) has an upper ring face (34d) that delimits it at the top and the tamper evident portion (40) comprises a lower portion face (44d) that delimits it at the bottom. Said faces (34d, 44d) each consist of a wavy sinusoidal surface. Bridges (50) are also provided joining the bottom ring surface (38') and the portion ridge surface (46').

Inventors

  • ZAMMORI, Riccardo

Assignees

  • Guala Pack S.p.A.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220907

Claims (15)

  1. A closure (1) for a spout of a flexible thin-walled packaging, comprising: - a cap (2) comprising an annular cap wall (4) having a central cap axis (Y-Y); - a tamper evident seal (20) comprising a tamper evident ring (30) suitable for being applied to the spout, a tamper evident portion (40) which is integral with the cap (2) and at least one breakable bridge (50) which, when the seal is unbroken, joins the tamper evident ring (30) to the tamper evident portion (40); wherein the tamper evident ring (30) comprises an upper ring face (34d) which delimits it at the top, consisting of a wavy sinusoidal surface comprising ring ridges (36) and ring depressions (38) which follow each other circumferentially, wherein each ring depression (38) has a bottom ring surface (38'); - wherein the tamper evident portion (40) comprises a lower portion face (44d) which delimits it at the bottom, consisting of a wavy sinusoidal surface comprising portion ridges (46) and portion depressions (48) which follow each other circumferentially, wherein each portion ridge (46) has a portion ridge surface (46'); wherein a ring ridge (36) is contained in a respective portion depression (48) and a portion ridge (46) is contained in a respective ring depression (38); and wherein said at least one bridge (50) joins the ring bottom surface (38') and the portion ridge surface (46') and is contained in said ring depression (38).
  2. Closure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper ring face (34d) and the lower portion face (44d) are complementary.
  3. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom surfaces (38', 48') and the ridge surfaces (36', 46') are curved surfaces.
  4. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (2) comprises a cap flange (12), preferably radially externally projecting, from the cap wall (4) and wherein the tamper evident portion (40) projects, preferably axially, from the cap flange (12).
  5. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one bridge (50) is axially tapered.
  6. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one bridge (50) is thicker near the attachment to the ring bottom surface (38') and thinner near the portion ridge surface (46').
  7. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one bridge (50) has a truncated tetrahedron shape.
  8. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one bridge (50) is configured to break by traction in the vicinity of the tamper evident portion (40).
  9. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tamper evident seal comprises a plurality of bridges (50), preferably a number of bridges (50) equal to the number of ring depressions (38).
  10. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (2) comprises a drip-catcher device (15) suitable for sealingly engaging the spout, so that the product contained in the packaging does not escape.
  11. Closure (1) according to claim 10, wherein the drip-catcher device (15) comprises a drip-catcher ring (16) which is integrated into the cap base (10) inside the cap (2), so that, between the cap wall (4) and the drip-catcher ring (16) an annular housing (17) is comprised, suitable for accommodating a portion of the spout.
  12. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a strap (60) suitable for keeping the cap (2) connected to the tamper evident ring (30) even when the tamper evident seal is broken.
  13. Closure (1) according to claim 12, wherein the strap (60) extends from a region (60a) of an outer side surface (34b) of the tamper evident ring (30) to a region (60b) of the outer side surface of the cap wall (4).
  14. Closure (1) according to claim 13, wherein the strap (60) comprises a first portion (60') protruding from the tamper evident ring (30), a second portion (60") protruding from the cap (2), and an arched connecting section (60‴), which connects the first section (60') and the second section (60"), wherein the first section (60') and the second section (60") are connected to the tamper evident ring (30) and to the cap (2), respectively.
  15. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, made in a single piece, of plastic material, for example, by means of injection molding.

Description

This invention is in the field of thin-walled flexible packaging, customarily referred to as "pouches," and particularly in the field of pouches provided with a spout for dispensing the product, customarily referred to as "spouted pouches." These packages are now widely used and appreciated for their great convenience of use and versatility, especially among children, for whom the use of the spout also has a playful component. Currently, they are mainly used for containing products such as juices and fruit purees, yoghurt, energy drinks, and the like. Currently, several hundred million pieces are sold annually. One of the needs of the industry is to ensure a comfortable use of the flexible packaging, especially when users hold the spout between the lips. At the same time, the closures must have a tamper evident seal that makes it clear to the user if the package has already been opened, especially in the case of food products, for which correct preservation is essential, without, of course, compromising the convenience of use. Moreover, given the numbers involved, the correct disposal of the packaging and the closure of the spout after use is one of the most important requirements in the sector; in this regard, many companies are concentrating their research and development efforts on defining closures for which, after unscrewing the cap from the spout, the cap remains attached to said spout, so that it cannot be dispersed into the environment. It is the object of this invention to provide a closure for a spout of a thin-walled flexible packaging that satisfies the requirements of the sector, and in particular that is comfortable and convenient for the user to use. This object is achieved by a closure according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe additional advantageous embodiments of the invention. The features and advantages of the closure 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: Figures 1a and 1b depict a package comprising a closure according to the present invention, respectively in a closing configuration and in an opening configuration;Figures 2a and 2b depict two front views of a closure according to one embodiment of the present invention;Figure 3 is a side view of the closure according to one embodiment of the present invention;Figure 3a is a cross-section of the closure shown in Figure 3,Figures 4a e 4b are two front views of a tamper evident seal of the closure, according to one embodiment of the invention, in a configuration of an unbroken or intact seal, and in a configuration of a broken seal;Figure 5 is a perspective view of a closure according to one embodiment of the present invention in an intact condition;Figure 5' is an enlargement of the box VI in Figure 5;Figure 6 is a front view of the closure applied to a spout;Figure 6a is a cross-sectional view of Figure 6;Figures 7a and 7b show a closure according to one embodiment of this invention in a usage configuration. In reference to the figures in the attached drawings, the numeral 1 has been used to indicate as a whole a spout for a thin-walled package, usually referred to as a "pouch." In particular, the spout is suitable for pouring the product contained in the packaging and is closed by said closure 1. According to the invention, the closure 1 comprises a cap 2 that may be screwed to the spout, the cap comprising an annular cap wall 4 having a central cap axis Y, extending between a lower end 6 and an upper end 8, closed by a cap base 10. For example, the cap wall 4 is cylindrical or tapered from the lower end 6 toward the upper end 8, e.g., substantially frustoconical. According to one embodiment, the cap 2 comprises a cap flange 12, at the lower end 6, projecting radially toward the outside from the cap wall 4. According to the invention, the closure 1 further comprises a tamper evident seal 20 that is suitable for indicating the first opening of the closure. The tamper evident seal 20 comprises a tamper evident ring 30 suitable for being applied to the spout, whereby it is connected thereto at least axially, and, for example, is free to rotate thereupon. The tamper evident ring 30 comprises an annular upper ring face 34d that delimits the tamper evident ring at the top. According to one embodiment, the tamper evident ring comprises an annular ring wall 34 comprising the upper ring face 34d, which delimits the upper ring wall 34 at the top. According to one embodiment, the ring wall 34 also comprises a lower ring face 34a, for example in the form of a circular crown lying on an imaginary plane orthogonal to the cap axis Y-Y, a cylindrical outer side surface 34b and an inner side surface 34c. In accordance with one embodiment, on the inner side surface 34c there is an annular protuberance 34' which is continuous or in parts and which, when the ring is applied to the spout, implements an ax