U.S. patent application number 14/434305 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for resealable spout for a packaging, and a mandrel of a rotating mandrel wheel of a packaging machine to mount said spout, and a combination of a spout and a mandrel.
The applicant listed for this patent is SIG TECHNOLOGY AG. Invention is credited to Sven Himmelsbach, Thomas Vetten.
Application Number | 20150259109 14/434305 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49034077 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150259109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vetten; Thomas ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
Resealable Spout for a Packaging, and a Mandrel of a Rotating
Mandrel Wheel of a Packaging Machine to Mount said Spout, and a
Combination of a Spout and a Mandrel
Abstract
The invention relates to a reclosable pour-out element for
packaging, particularly composite packaging for liquid foodstuffs,
with a main body having a pour-out tube closed off by a screw cap
and a flange with polyhedral surfaces for connection to the outer
side of packaging. The invention further relates to a corresponding
mandrel of a rotatable mandrel wheel in a packaging machine. To
enable reliable connection of the reclosable pour-out element on a
mandrel and subsequently easy removal from the mandrel and also to
achieve good possibilities for cleaning, according to the invention
the pour-out element has a circumferential retaining element inside
the main body or formfitting operative connection to a mandrel in a
packaging machine. A corresponding mandrel has a polyhedral shape
in the receiving region of the pour-out element and has a
circumferential retaining element for form-fitting operative
connection to the pour-out element.
Inventors: |
Vetten; Thomas; (Dusseldorf,
DE) ; Himmelsbach; Sven; (Stein am Rhein,
CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SIG TECHNOLOGY AG |
Neuhausen am Rheinfall |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
49034077 |
Appl. No.: |
14/434305 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
August 12, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/066808 |
371 Date: |
April 8, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/548 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/122 20130101;
B65D 2547/066 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; B65D 5/748
20130101; B65B 3/027 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/12 20060101
B65D047/12; B65B 3/02 20060101 B65B003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 19, 2012 |
DE |
10 2012 020 529.5 |
Claims
1.-17. (canceled)
18. A resealable spout for a packaging, particularly for a
composite packaging for liquid foodstuffs, comprising a base body
that has a pouring tube that is closed by a screw cap and a flange
with polyhedral surfaces to connect to a packaging sleeve, wherein
the spout has a circumferential retaining element on the inside of
the base body to enable a positive-locking connection with a
mandrel of a packaging machine and wherein the circumferential
retaining element runs along the area of the lower edge of the
inside of the flange.
19. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the
circumferential retaining element of the flange is in the form of a
projection.
20. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the
circumferential retaining element is in the form of a groove.
21. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the base
body has a square base plate.
22. The resealable spout according to claim 21, wherein the flange
of the base body is shaped like a truncated pyramid.
23. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the base
body is closed below the pouring tube by means of a supporting
wall, and has a circumferential weakened area.
24. The resealable spout according to claim 18, wherein the base
body has an opening concentric to the pouring tube.
25. The resealable spout according to claim 22, wherein the flange
has a barrier foil below the supporting wall, or the opening.
26. A mandrel on a rotating mandrel wheel of a packing machine with
a free end to mount a corresponding resealable spout, wherein the
mandrel is polyhedral in mounting area of the spout, and has a
circumferential retaining element to ensure a positive-locking
connection with the spout.
27. The mandrel according to claim 26, wherein the circumferential
retaining element is in the form of a groove.
28. The mandrel according to claim 26, wherein the circumferential
retaining element is in the form of a projection.
29. The mandrel according to claim 26, wherein the mandrel is
shaped like a truncated pyramid in the mounting area of the
spout.
30. The mandrel according to claim 26, wherein the upper side of
the mandrel has a recess to hold the barrier foil.
31. A combination of a resealable spout for packaging and a mandrel
of a rotating mandrel wheel of a packaging machine that is used
during the production process of the packaging to make a
positive-locking connection with the spout, wherein the spout and
the mandrel have circumferential retaining elements that match each
other to provide a positive-locking connection.
32. The combination according to claim 31, wherein the
circumferential retaining elements are polygonal.
33. The combination according to claim 31, wherein the
circumferential retaining elements are circular.
34. The resealable spout according to claim 23, wherein the flange
has a barrier foil below the supporting wall, or the opening.
35. The resealable spout according to claim 24, wherein the flange
has a barrier foil below the supporting wall, or the opening.
Description
[0001] The invention relates initially to a resealable spout for a
packaging, particularly for a composite packaging for liquid
foodstuffs, with a base body that has a pouring tube that is closed
by a screw cap and a flange with polyhedral surfaces to connect to
a packaging sleeve, together with a mandrel on a rotating mandrel
wheel of a packaging machine with a free end to mount a matching
spout. In addition the invention includes a combination of a
resealable spout for packaging and a mandrel of a rotating mandrel
wheel of a packaging machine that is used during the production
process of the packaging to make a positive-locking connection with
the spout.
[0002] Where the following text refers simply to a resealable
"spout", then this is normally referring to a combined `opening and
pouring element` that is attached to a composite packaging for
drinks in order to open them, to make pouring easier and to reseal
them, to protect the product and the flavourings etc. that it
contains from oxidation.
[0003] Resealable spouts for packaging, particularly composite
packaging for liquid foodstuffs, are common in a large number of
variants. Composite packaging refers to packaging that is made from
a single packaging material consisting of multiple layered
materials bound together, such as cardboard and plastic. Liquid
foodstuffs might be, for example, drinks, soups, yoghurt or
similar.
[0004] A suitable resealable spout is known from DE 10 2010 048415
A1 of the applicant. There, a spout according to the preamble of
claim 1 is mounted on the correspondingly shaped upper end of a
mandrel on a mandrel wheel of a sealing machine in order to connect
it to a matching packaging sleeve, before the packaging sleeve is
put onto the mandrel and the two elements are sealed together. In
order to fit it onto the mandrel, the said spout has several
projections that fit into corresponding grooves in the mandrel. To
make sure there is a firm grip, the projections on the inside of
the flange of the spout are fairly long and the corresponding
grooves in the mandrel are relatively deep.
[0005] This is a disadvantage, as the relatively deep recesses of
the mandrel can cause problems when the spouts sealed with the
packaging sleeve are released by removal from the mandrel. But
reducing the depth of the recesses proved not to provide a
satisfactory solution, as the spout did not always have a firm
enough grip on the mandrel. In addition, thorough cleaning of these
hollows can only be ensured at a relatively great effort. Perfect
cleaning is, however, absolutely essential here, as the projections
of the spout come into contact with the inside of the packaging
which is then filled with product, and any dirt, bacteria etc.
located there would cause contamination of the contents of the
packaging.
[0006] DE 10 2010 050 502 A1 from the applicant describes a process
for the production of a composite packaging with a standard form of
a spout using a mandrel wheel to seal it with the packaging sleeve.
Therein, it is shown how the spout is mounted on the mandrel.
[0007] From JP 2009-039980 (A), it is also known to
positively/frictionally connect spouts with a circular
cross-section temporarily with a mandrel during the production of
the packaging, with the round retaining element on the mandrel
having a number of recesses arranged regularly on its circumference
to reduce the force required when connecting or separating the
spout with the mandrel.
[0008] In addition, it is known from WO 2010/106327 A1 to
temporarily fix a spout on a mandrel before it is sealed together
with the packaging. Therefore, the mandrel has a circumferential
rib, which approximately corresponds to the internal diameter of
the spout, that in turn interacts with a number of projections in
the shape of a bar and arranged around the inside of the spout,
such that axial pushing of the spout onto the mandrel creates a
positive catch mechanism. This solution is extensive, as each spout
has to be shaped with the necessary projections.
[0009] The present invention, therefore, addresses the problem of
designing and developing the resealable spout as mentioned
initially and described above, and a corresponding mandrel in such
a way that a reliable connection of the resealable spout is
achieved when sealed with the packaging sleeve on a mandrel of a
mandrel wheel also when moving the mandrel to actually create the
seal, and that subsequently an easy removal from the mandrel is
possible. In addition, it is desirable to be able to clean the
mandrel thoroughly.
[0010] A solution to this problem is using a spout as described in
preamble of claim 1, characterised in that the spout has a
circumferential retaining element on the inside of the base body to
enable a positive-locking connection with a mandrel of a packaging
machine.
[0011] The corresponding mandrel as described in preamble of claim
10 is polyhedral in mounting area of the spout, and has a
circumferential retaining element to ensure a positive-locking
connection with the spout.
[0012] The combination of a resealable spout for packaging as
defined in the preamble of claim 15 and the corresponding mandrel
of a mandrel wheel solves the problem in such a way that the spout
and the mandrel have circumferential retaining elements that match
each other to provide a positive-locking connection.
[0013] In this way, when producing the composite packaging from a
spout and a packaging sleeve, the spout can be connected positively
to the mandrel in a way that is adequately firm, to allow the
mandrel to be moved into the fixing position in the packaging
sleeve.
[0014] It has been shown surprisingly that also a circumferential
retaining element enables a secure and defined temporary retaining
and smooth removal of the mandrel. Due to the considerable
extension of the area of contact between the spout and the mandrel,
the retaining element only requires a minimal depth, which means
that the effort of cleaning the mandrel is reduced as well.
[0015] According to a further teaching of the invention, the
circumferential retaining element runs along the area of the lower
edge of the inside of the flange. This is of benefit both for the
manufacture of the spout in an injection mould and for the
processing of the mandrel.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
circumferential retaining element of the flange is in the form of a
projection. Alternatively, the circumferential retaining element
might be in the form of a groove.
[0017] According to a further embodiment, the base body of the
spout has a square base plate, with the flange shaped like a
truncated pyramid. This allows a particularly even distribution of
the forces between the packaging sleeve and the spout.
[0018] According to a further teaching of the invention, the base
body is closed below the pouring tube by means of a supporting
wall, and has a circumferential weakened area. This means that the
opening can take place by means of an opening element (such as a
pull ring or cutting element, both of which are known per se)
without requiring much force.
[0019] Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible that
the base body has an opening concentric to the pouring tube.
[0020] In any case according to a further teaching of the
invention, it is of benefit if the base body has a barrier foil
below the supporting wall or the opening. This means that a barrier
to the entry of oxygen of the packaging is achieved also in the
area of the spout.
[0021] According to further useful embodiments of the invention,
the circumferential retaining element of the mandrel is also in the
shape of a groove--or alternatively in the shape of a
projection.
[0022] According to another teaching of the invention, the mandrel
is shaped like a truncated pyramid in the mounting area of the
spout. The exact geometric shape here preferably matches to the
shape of the flange on the spouts to be processed.
[0023] If the spout includes a barrier foil below the supporting
wall of the base body, then it is useful if the mandrel has a large
enough recess to hold the barrier foil. This means that during the
sealing process of the packaging sleeve, there is adequate
protection for the barrier foil from thermal or mechanical
damage.
[0024] With regard to a combination of a resealable spout and a
corresponding mandrel in line with this invention, the
circumferential retaining elements are preferably polygonal, but it
is also possible that the circumferential retaining elements are
circular. The exact form of the retaining elements here also
depends on the geometrical shape of the spouts to be processed.
[0025] The invention is explained in more details below based on
drawings showing just one preferred embodiment. In the
drawings,
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a resealable spout according to the invention
in a perspective view from above,
[0027] FIG. 2 shows the resealable spout from FIG. 1 in a
perspective view from below,
[0028] FIG. 3 shows the upper part of a mandrel of a rotating
mandrel wheel to mount the resealable spout, in perspective view
from above,
[0029] FIG. 4 shows the resealable spout from FIG. 1 in a vertical
cross-section (without a cutting element) and
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the mandrel from FIG. 3 in a vertical
cross-section.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a spout according to
the invention in a perspective view seen diagonally from above. In
the shown and in this respect preferred embodiment, the spout has a
base body 1 and a screw cap 2. The screw cap 2 sits on a pouring
tube 3 (only visible in FIGS. 2 and 4). The base body 1 has a
circumferential flange 4 shaped like a truncated pyramid. The shape
of the flange 4 is preferably adapted to suit the shape and
particularly the angle of inclination of the gabled area of the
packaging sleeve to be sealed to the spout.
[0032] The bent surfaces of the flange 4 have ribs 5 that on the
one hand serve to reinforce the flange and on the other hand are
intended to provide a better connection to the gabled surfaces of
the packaging sleeve during the sealing with the flange 4. In each
corner, there is a wing-shaped piece 6 attached to the flange 4.
These attachments 6 also help to improve the connection between the
gabled area of the packaging sleeve and flange 4 of the spout.
[0033] According to the spout shown in FIG. 1, an original seal 7
with a (not further described) material link designed as
predetermined breaking-point connects the base body 1 with the
screw cap 2. When first opened, the material link is destroyed, so
that a consumer can easily detect whether a packaging with this
type of spout has been opened already.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a spout according to the invention in a
perspective view seen diagonally from below. It can be seen that
the area of the lower edge of the inside of the flange 4 is
surrounded by a retaining element 8. This serves to ensure a
positive-locking connection during the production of the packaging
with the free end of a mandrel on a mandrel wheel. It can also be
seen that the lower side of the pouring tube 3 is closed by a
supporting wall 9 that forms one piece with the base body 1.
[0035] In the shown and preferred embodiment, the base body 1 also
has a weakened area 10 surrounding the pouring tube 3
concentrically that makes the pressing in and cutting out of a (not
visible) cutting element in the inside of the pouring tube 3
substantially easier by making the material weaker at this point.
The exact form of the weakened area 10 can be seen particularly
clearly in the vertical cross-section of the spout in FIG. 4.
[0036] A barrier foil 11 below the base body 1 in what will be the
opening area provides adequate shelf-life and flavour protection
for the filled product.
[0037] In FIGS. 3 and 5, the upper part of a mandrel 12 is shown
that matches the previously described spout. The circumferential
groove 13 can clearly be seen as a complement to the
circumferential projection 8 of the spout. As explained above,
although not shown, the invention's teaching also includes a
mandrel where the retaining element is shaped as a circumferential
projection that matches a spout that has a circumferential
retaining element in the form of a groove.
[0038] Finally, it can also be seen from FIGS. 3 and 5 that the
flattened upper side of the mandrel 12 includes a recess 14 to hold
the barrier foil 11 that protects it from damage during the sealing
process.
* * * * *