Dispensing – With cutter and/or punch – To form dispensing opening in container
Patent
1998-07-23
2000-03-28
Huson, Gregory L.
Dispensing
With cutter and/or punch
To form dispensing opening in container
222545, 22912515, B67D 500
Patent
active
060419687
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a device for the opening and re-closing of containers, and more particularly, to flat, gabled, composite containers. The device of the present invention has a pouring aperture with a pouring nozzle formed thereon. There is a base having a flange enclosing the pouring aperture, for the attachment of the device to the surface of the container. A cover is hinged to the base, and an opening element is connected to the cover. The opening element is disposed to move in a guide in the cover, and is adapted to pierce the subjacent container material underlying the base during the opening operation. The invention also relates to the use of such a device with a flat, gabled, composite container and to flat, gabled, composite containers prepared for the application of said device.
Many constructions of parallelipipedic flat, gabled, composite containers are known. They are mainly used in the field of liquid packaging in connection with cold, cold-sterile, hot, and aseptic fillings. As a general rule, the packages cannot be re-closed once opened. In the case of flat, gabled, composite containers of the kind specified, it has already been suggested to place on the container gable, a pouring element which is provided with a corresponding cover (EP 0 577 865 A1). In order to weaken the gable material, a peripherally extending parting line is provided in the zone of the cardboard layer and the outer PE layer of the composite material. An opening element, connected to the cover and corresponding to the shape of the peripherally extending parting line, is forced through this weakened area of the container. After the container has been pierced, the pouring opening is accessed by hinging the cover open. The opening element and the piece of container composite disposed thereon will remain jointly hinged open, allowing the contents of the container to pass through the pouring opening. This prior art device is disadvantageous, as droplets of the contents of the container may remain on the piece of container composite hinged open together with the cover and then drip down onto the table or floor during the pouring operation, thereby reducing the efficient operation of the known device. This is particularly problematic in the case of fruit juices containing sugar, as the PE foil utilized in such packages tends to tear irregularly at the edges. Moreover, the re-closing of the device may lead to leakage, since the irregular tearing edge of the PE foil may result in jamming in the pouring aperture when the cover is closed. In addition to functional problems, the piece of container composite removed with the open cover makes for an unattractive appearance.
Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved device for the opening and re-closing of containers of the type described above, wherein the clean opening and re-closing of the device is ensured and high sealing tightness is achieved in the container. In addition, consumers require a device that is simple to operate, fully functional during the opening operation and attractive in appearance. This problem is solved by the device of the present invention, wherein the opening is constructed in two parts; mainly a pressure plate and a piercing ring, and wherein after opening the container, the piercing ring remains in the base.
The device according to the present invention can be put into effect with any kind of flat, gabled, composite container. However, it is particularly convenient if the flat, gabled, composite container to which the device is applied, has a peripherally extending weakening line, corresponding to the contour of the desired pouring opening and disposed in the zone of the subsequent pouring aperture. A flat, gabled, composite container can also have a supporting layer formed with a recess, which is disposed in the zone of the subsequent pouring aperture, corresponds to the contour of the desired pouring opening, and is sealed over with at least one PE layer.
According
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Huson Gregory L.
SIG Combibloc GmbH
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