Opening arrangement for a container package

• US 5,255,813 A
• Filed: 09/01/1992
• Issued: 10/26/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tetra Alfa Holdings, S.A.
• Original Assignee: Tetra Alfa Holdings, S.A.
• Inventors: Berggren, Goran, Nedstedt, Ulf
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US07/937,678
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 215/250, 215/254, 215/202, 215/209, 215/249, 215/252, 215/257, 220/278, 229/125.14, 229/125.15, 229/123.2
• US Class Current: 220/278
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/84 Forming or attaching means for filling or dispensing contents, e.g. valves or spouts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0015 of the 41-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0093 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/746 Spouts formed separately from the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/228 a major part of the inner closure being removed from the container after the opening

Abstract

An opening arrangement for laminated container packages or cartons of the single-use disposable type is disclosed. The opening arrangement includes an inner pouring spout, which is formed as a closed part continuous with the container package, and an outer, screw stopper-like sealing portion. The outer sealing portion consists of an outer, left-hand threaded part, an inner, right-hand threaded portion, and a pull-off ring disposed therebetween. Penetration devices are provided in the inner part of the outer sealing portion for cutting off a portion of the inner pouring spout when the container package is opened.

Claims

1. An opening arrangement for a container package comprising:

an inner sealing portion formed with an interior, right-hand threaded configuration, enclosed at the top, and a left-hand threaded exterior;

an outer sealing portion formed with a left-hand threaded interior conforming with the left-hand threaded exterior of the inner sealing portion, the outer sealing portion being disposed on the inner sealing portion, prior to opening the opening arrangement, such that an upper region of the outer sealing portion is formed between the outer sealing portion and the inner sealing portion;

a pouring spout, a first end of the pouring spout being attachable to a container package, a second end of the pouring spout forming a continuous, liquid-tight part, the pouring spout being formed with a right-hand threaded exterior conforming with the right-hand threaded configuration of the inner sealing portion, the pouring spout being inflexibly engaged with and at least partially surrounded by the inner sealing portion;

at least two penetration devices extending inwardly from the upper region of the outer sealing portion toward the pouring spout.

2. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the penetration devices are obliquely inclined so that tips of the penetration devices point in toward the pouring spout.

3. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the penetration devices are four in number.

4. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a ring formed with the inner and outer sealing portions and disposed between the inner and outer sealing portions, the ring being secured against the outer sealing portion such that it is necessary to remove the ring before opening of the opening arrangement.

5. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer sealing portion is a screw stopper.

6. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pouring spout of the opening arrangement is made of a material which includes thermoplastic.

7. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a packaging container, and wherein the thermoplastic material forms a part of an upper end wall of the container package.

8. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein the thermoplastic includes polyethylene.

9. An opening arrangement for a container package, comprising:

a tubular pouring spout having an inlet end adapted to be attached to a container package, and having a helical exterior screw thread;

a tubular inner sealing element portion formed with a helical interior screw thread on an interior side of the inner sealing element that corresponds with said pouring spout exterior screw thread, and formed with a helical exterior screw thread of the opposite direction from the interior screw thread;

a cap having a tubular outer sealing element formed with an interior screw thread which corresponds with the exterior screw thread of the tubular inner sealing element, the tubular outer sealing element being assembled on the inner sealing element, the cap having a top portion;

a disc covering an end of the tubular inner sealing element adjacent the top portion of the cap;

penetration means on the cap for penetrating the disc upon turning the cap in a first direction, the cap being separated from the tubular inner sealing element upon turning the cap in the direction opposite to the first direction.

10. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein the penetration means extends from the top portion of the cap.

11. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 10, wherein the penetration means includes two or more penetration devices, each penetration device forming an oblique angle to the interior side of the tubular inner sealing element, such that the penetration devices retain the disc upon turning the cap in the first direction.

12. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a ring, disposed between the tubular outer sealing element and the tubular inner sealing element such that it is necessary to remove the ring before opening the opening arrangement.

13. The opening arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein the pouring spout is formed by vacuum molding material in a mold formed at least in part by the interior side of the inner sealing element.