DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING A CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH A SEALING ELEMENT
The present invention refers to an automatic opening device for a container provided with a spout having a rim with a sealing element firmly attached thereto, said automatic opening device for a container being provided with means that obviate the need to unscrew the cap of the container and next remove the sealing element from the rim of the spout in order to enable pouring of the product stored in the container.
The present invention relates to an automatic opening device for containers that has a spout provided with a sealing element firmly attached to its rim, said automatic opening device for containers being provided with means that eliminates the need to remove the cap of the container and performs multiple operations to remove the sealing element from the edge of the spout to release the ministering of the stored product.
RELATED ARTIt is well known the use of sealing elements in containers designed to store products such as condiments for food, soups, liquid or paste products, medicines, cosmetics and other products. Normally the sealing element is firmly attached to the rim of the opening through which the product can be removed from the container, for example at the rim of a pouring spout.
Usually, a closing element is provided in the pouring spout, usually a cap, which is often provided with an internal screw thread which engages to an external screw thread provided in the pouring spout. The cap will only operate to seal the container after a user removes the sealing element from the rim of the spout.
Several types of sealing elements are known to adhere to the rim of the spouts of these containers, the characteristics of which vary according to the type of product contained in the container. Usually the sealing elements comprise a multilayer material, which can comprise plastic materials, paper, aluminum films, etc. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,277,478, 6,461,714, 7,648,764 and 8,080,118 disclose some types of sealing elements.
There are several reasons to seal the container by means of sealing elements applied to the rim of the spout, for example, the need to provide barriers against light, odors, scents, humidity, oxygen, etc., which can jeopardise the quality and the integrity of the product stored in the container. For this reason, the sealing elements can usually be made in layers of different materials, each of them meeting specific needs.
The sealing elements can also serve to extend the shelf life of the products stored in the containers, since the sale to the final user can take place long after the date of manufacture, in some cases in periods longer than one year after manufacture.
The sealing elements also serve as an indication to the user that the contents of the container have not been tampered with. If the sealing element shows any sign of tampering when opening the cap, it will signal to the user that the container has been tampered with and the product may have suffered some type of contamination and therefore should not be used.
For this reason, containers caps with spouts with sealing elements in the rim are often not provided with tamper evidence devices, since the sealing element itself serves this purpose. In this case, when purchasing the product, users have just to remove the caps from the containers to check if the sealing element is intact.
In such situations, users may inadvertently damage the sealing element, which would make the product contained in the container unsuitable for sale. To avoid this possibility, it is common for the sealing elements to be manufactured with layers of thicker materials than would be necessary to serve as a barrier element, aiming to increase its resistance. However, this greatly increases manufacturing costs.
Whatever is the reason for providing thicker sealing elements, this option usually creates difficulties for users, causing them difficulties to remove the sealing element when it is necessary to open the container for the first time to pour product contained therein.
If the product is a condiment or a cream, for example, it is common for the cap to be provided with a pouring spout that makes it possible to pour the product without the need to disengage the cap from the spout. In these cases, after removing the sealing element, the cap must be re-engaged to the spout, to close the container and allow the product to be served normally through the pouring spout.
When it is necessary to remove the product stored in the container for the first time, it will be necessary to unscrew the cap from the spout and remove the sealing element attached to the rim of the spout. Then, the cap must be screwed back on to the spout to keep the container closed, in case all the product stored in the container has not been used.
In some cases, the sealing elements are provided with at least one side lug that extends downwards the rim of the spout, facing the outer portion of the spout. This side lug aims to facilitate the task of removing the sealing element, and for this aim the user must handle the side lug and make an upward movement. However, even with the provision of these side lugs, the task of removing the sealing element is still difficult, and frequently users are unable to release the sealing element because it is firmly adhered to the rim of the spout.
It is common that the sealing element tears during the attempt to release it from the rim of the spout, being them partially removed, thereby causing users to try to find a means to remove the rest of the sealing element still attached to the rim of the spout. This operation is not always easy to be performed, being even very difficult for users to handle the remaining parts of the sealing element still adhered to the rim of the spout, in order to remove them. Users often use a sharp instrument, such as the tip of a knife or scissors, to assist removal of said remaining parts of the sealing element, which can cause accidents as well as creating the possibility of product contamination.
It is not uncommon that users instead of trying to remove the sealing element as a whole, choose to simply cut it, usually with a sharp instrument, such as the tip of a knife or scissors. As one of the layers of the sealing element comprises a resilient plastic material, usually this may cause some resistance for users to be able to puncture the sealing element.
The difficulty to release the sealing element may be even greater if it is quite thick, notably in containers in that the cap is not provided with a tamper evidence element, wherein the sealing element also serves to hinder tampering with the container, as previously mentioned.
In the situations mentioned above, in which users use some sharp instrument to assist in the removal of the sealing element, accidents may occur and cause injury to users, which is unfortunately not uncommon.
As can be seen from the foregoing, the need to provide a sealing element at the rim of the container spout, for the preservation of the product, usually causes difficulties for users. Besides being necessary the users perform a sequence of operations to open the container (unscrew the cap of the spout, remove the sealing element from the rim of the spout and then screw the cap back on the spout), the operation of releasing the sealing element from the rim of the spout can even cause accidents.
It is known the use of caps for container which also serve as sealing element for the containers. These caps are usually provided with a protruding element at the top, usually in the form of a cone trunk, which will later be used for pouring the product stored in the container.
Said protruding element has its upper end closed, and therefore it will be necessary for users to use a cutting instrument, a knife, for example, to cut the upper portion of the protruding element, thereby opening a pouring orifice for the product into the container. It is then highly possible that accidents occur during this operation, especially if performed by children or older people.
These caps can be provided in one piece or in two pieces joined by a pivoting element, one of the pieces being the part that is applied to the spout and the other serves as a closing element.
In view of the problems previously reported, it becomes evident the need to provide sealed containers in which it is possible for users to easily perform the operation of opening the container without causing accidents.
The present invention provides an automatic opening device for containers provided with sealing elements fixed to the rim of the pouring spout, thereby allowing the operation for tearing the sealing element to be made in a single operation, whereby eliminating the need for the user to perform multiple tasks in order to tear the sealing element to open the containers.
Furthermore, the present invention allows the sealing elements to be manufactured without the need to be thicker than necessary, thereby serving only as a barrier element. Consequently, it eliminates the need for the sealing elements to be more resistant to avoid accidental ruptures, as currently observed. These and other advantages will be immediately realised from the detailed description of the invention that will be made hereafter.
The invention will be better understood from the detailed description made hereafter with respect to the attached drawings, in which:
In the following specification regarding embodiments of the invention, similar components will always be mentioned and indicated in the Figures by the same indicative numerals. Terms like “upper”, “lower”, “vertical” and “horizontal” used in this description refer specifically to the position in which elements, parts, portions, regions, etc. are depicted in the Figures.
In the embodiment depicted in these Figures, the closing element 1a, in the closed position, engages into the base element 1b, as depicted in
There are variations of this type of pivoting connection, which can be used interchangeably in conjunction with the present invention. In addition, any other type of connection means can be used to connect the closing element 1a to the base element 1b, and there may not even be any connection means between them, and the connection between these two parts could be made by pressure or screwing, for example.
The base element 1b comprises a first sidewall 11, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and a top element 10, circular in shape and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall 11. A central protruding ring 2 is provided in the upper central portion of the top element 10, which encircles a throughout orifice 2a. The closing element 1a comprises a second sidewall 9 in the form of an elongated cylindrical body and an upper element 8, circular in shape and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall 9.
A protruding sealing element 4 is provided in the inner central portion of the upper element 8 of the closing element 1a. The sealing protruding element 4 is designed to house into the protruding ring 2 and to close the throughout orifice 2a of the base element 1b when the closing element 1a and the base element 1b are closed.
Preferably the automatic opening device for containers 1 is designed so that the second sidewall 9 of the closing element 1a and the first sidewall 11 of the base element 1b have substantially equal outside diameters when closed, as shown in
This feature is only intended to facilitate the manipulation of the automatic opening device for containers 1 by users, but it is not essential for the functionality of the device. The embodiments of the closing element 1a and the base element 1b can be different from those depicted in the Figures, without, however, changing the functionality of these components for the adequate operation of the automatic opening device for containers 1. The automatic opening device for containers 1 can even be provided without a closing element 1a as shown in the Figures, as the automatic opening device for containers 1 will operate normally even being not provided with this component, as will be seen hereafter.
An internal screw thread 5 is provided in the inner portion of the first sidewall 11 of the base element 1b. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the internal screw thread 5 comprises an internal orientation screw thread to the right of three entries, depicted in the Figure by means of three internal screw thread flanks 5. The internal screw thread 5 may comprise a screw thread with any number of entries and consequently, and so the invention is not limited to the use of an internal screw thread 5 with three entries.
In the present description, a three entries screw thread was chosen only as an exemplary embodiment of the invention, although the use of a multiple entry screw thread is more suitable for the purposes of the invention, as will be seen hereafter. The internal screw thread 5 can be indistinctly oriented to the right, as shown in the Figures, or oriented to the left. Hereinafter the expressions “internal screw thread 5” and “internal screw thread flanks 5” will be used as a common reference for this internal screw thread.
A cutting device 3 is provided in the inner portion of the top element 10, which comprises a hollow protruding body whose upper portion is connected to the lower portion of the top element 10, in the region where the throughout orifice 2a is located, the latter being a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device 3. The lower portion of the cutting device 3 is provided with a plurality of cutting elements 3a. In
The locking device 6 comprises an elongated substantially cylindrical body provided at its upper edge with a plurality of upper rupture elements 6a, which are connected to the lower edge of the base element 1b, as can be seen in more detail in
Other embodiments of lower locking elements 6b can be used and, therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiment depicted in
The choice of an external right oriented screw thread, with three entries, is exclusively due to the fact that this is the embodiment used in the internal screw thread flanks 5 of the base element 1b. The same above comments are valid here, in which the use of a right hand screw thread with three entries is only a possibility to carry out the invention, which evidently is not limited to the use of a screw thread of three entries, as well as the screw thread may be right or left hand oriented. Thus, the external screw thread 14 can be a screw thread with any number of entries, and its orientation can be indistinctly to the right, as shown in
A sealing element 19 is affixed to the rim of the spout 12. The elongated cylindrical body 13 of the spout 12 is also provided in its outer portion with an upper ring 16, an intermediate ring 18 and a lower ring 17, located in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, respectively. The diameter of the upper ring 16 is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring 18, and the diameter of the intermediate ring 18 is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring 17, as can be seen in
For the sake of simplification of the Figures, in the description of the process for the application of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 the tools used for this operation will not be represented, whichever are the tools used in this operation. The arrows W depicted in
The application of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 is made by means of making the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to exert a downward longitudinal movement against the upper part of the spout 12, as shown in the Figures. In this process a slight interference may occur between some component parts of the automatic opening device for containers 1 and component parts of the spout 12 at the time of assembly.
Consequently, the automatic opening device for containers 1 must be made of a relatively resilient material, a thermoplastic, for example, and so, elements of the automatic opening device for containers 1 located in regions where occur interference with elements of the spout 12 undergo temporary elastic deformations, thereby allowing the continuity of the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12.
An automatic opening device for containers 1 can be seen in
With the continuity of the longitudinal downward movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in relation to the spout 12, the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 will be outwardly pressed by the edge of the intermediate ring 18, and consequently will tend to incline outwardly towards the internal wall of the locking device 6, which will allow the continuity of the downward longitudinal movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1.
After the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 move past the intermediate ring 18 they will return to the regular position, in that they are projected towards the geometric axis of the locking device 6, as depicted in
The downward longitudinal movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1 ceases when the lower edge of the locking device 6 touches the upper surface of the lower ring 17, as shown in
In
This clockwise rotary movement will cause the upper rupture elements 6a of the locking device 6 to rupture, as indicated by the circles R in
Next, with the continuity of the rotational movement, the entry tip 5a of each internal screw thread 5 will begin to enter the root 15 of the external screw thread 14, as can be seen in
The rotational movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in a clockwise direction will cease when the edge of the spout 12, to which the sealing element 19 is attached, touches the lower region of the top element 10 of the base element 1b. This will cause a compression between the top element 10 of the base element 1b and the edge of the spout 12, thereby contributing to cause a sealing in this area of compression, as can be seen in
At the end of the rotary movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in a clockwise direction, causing it to make a downward axial movement, the cutting elements 3a of the cutting device 3 had already made the tearing of the sealing element 19. Consequently, the product into the container 20 can be poured through the protruding hollow body of the cutting device 3 and the throughout orifice 2a, pivoting first the closing element 1a to enable the product stored in the container 20 to pass through the throughout orifice 2a.
Preferably both the outer face of the second sidewall 9 of the closing element 1a and the outer face of the first sidewall 11 of the base element 1b of the automatic opening device for containers 1 are provided with means that increase the friction coefficient thereof, consequently facilitating the handling of the automatic opening device for containers 1 by users.
The process of opening the container 20 described hereinbefore requires the users to turn clockwise the automatic opening device to open the container 1. This may cause some confusion to the users, as clockwise is usually the direction of rotation for closing caps of containers, which mostly use threaded spouts with screw threads right hand oriented.
In order to prevent users from rotating the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the wrong direction, it is necessary to place instructions on the top face of the closing element 1a so that the initial rotation is made in a clockwise direction, in order to ensure the perfect functioning of the automatic opening device for containers 1. For example, a circular arrow with the tip indicating the correct direction of rotation can be used to open the container. In addition, it can be included some written instructions that explain the correct direction of rotation.
However, it may still occur situations in that careless users do not observe the instructions on the upper face of the closing element 1a and, being used to turning caps counterclockwise to open containers, then perform a rotation on the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the counterclockwise direction. In order to avoid this problem, variations of the first embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers 1 will be described hereafter in order to prevent this improper handling from occurring.
It can be seen in
If a user inadvertently applies a counterclockwise rotation to the upper portion of the automatic opening device for containers 1, formed by the closing element 1a and the base element 1b, then the lower sections 5i of the internal screw thread flanks 5 will move over the upper face of the upper ring 16 until they engage the limiter of rotation 23, as shown in
This will then cause the user to direct his attention to the automatic opening device for containers 1, and consequently the user will notice the instructions for the correct direction of rotation, making him/her rotate the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the correct direction (clockwise), to open the container.
If a user inadvertently applies a counterclockwise rotation to the upper portion of the automatic opening device for containers 1, formed by the closing element 1a and the base element 1b, then the entry tips 5a of the internal screw thread flanks 5 will approach the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b of the external screw thread 14.
When the entry tips 5a contacts the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b, as shown in
With the continuation of the undue rotary movement in a counterclockwise direction, the entry tips 5a of the internal screw thread flanks 5 will then move past the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b, and consequently the entry tips 5a will return to displace on the upper face of the upper ring 16, as shown in
The passage of the entry tips 5a over the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b will produce a noise, which should alert the user that something has not been done correctly. This should compel the user to direct his attention to the automatic opening device for containers 1. Consequently, the user will then notice the instructions regarding the correct direction of rotation, and will then be able to rotate the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the correct clockwise direction to open the container.
Note that the clearance between the upper ends of the locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 in relation to the lower face of the intermediate ring 18 must be designed so that it is sufficient to allow the internal screw thread flanks 5 to move past the upper end 21 of the upper flanks 14b.
For this aim, it is necessary that the gap has an extension greater than the vertical extension H that the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b raise beyond the upper ring 16, as shown in
If the noise from the passage of the entry tips 5a over the upper ends 21 of the upper flanks 14b was not sufficient to show the user that something was not done correctly, the continuation of the counterclockwise rotation will cause the automatic opening device for containers 1 to keep rotating without any linear or vertical displacement, as it will not occur engagement of the internal screw thread flanks 5 in the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14, which will certainly indicate to the user that something is not being made correctly, and will lead him/her to finally observe the instructions on the upper face of the closing element 1a in that the rotation must be made in a clockwise direction in order to cause the opening of the container.
In this variation of the invention there is a gap between the upper ends of the locking elements 6b of the locking device and the lower face of the intermediate ring 18, thereby allowing some clearance for longitudinal movements of between the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout 12. The circular wing 6e is intended to prevent anyone from inserting any object between the locking device 6 and the upper face of the lower ring 17 in order to unduly disconnect the automatic opening device for containers 1 from the spout 12.
Consequently, it will be necessary in this variation of the first embodiment of the invention that the spout 12 be provided with an external screw thread 14 with left hand orientation, as shown in
The process for applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 having internal screw thread flanks 5 with left angle orientation to the spout 12 will be exactly the same as previously described in relation to
This is the great advantage in using this variation of the first embodiment of the invention, because in this case, users will have to rotate the device in a counterclockwise direction of rotation, which is what they are used to do for opening containers with screw-threaded caps, because most of the containers are provided with right hand orientated screw threads.
This means that, although a left hand orientated screw thread is used in this variation of the invention, users will hardly notice any difference from the regular right hand oriented threaded caps and threaded spouts. In other words, as usually the action for opening a cap is associated with a counterclockwise rotation, users will not be surprised with the need to apply a counterclockwise rotation to the automatic opening device for containers 1 to open container 20.
Notice that in the present specification the expression “open the container” means to tear the sealing element that is applied to the rim of the spout of a container to protect its contents, thereby allowing the product into the container to be removed. Notice that, according to the teachings of the invention, once the user has opened the container, there is no need to execute any further action, and the product stored in the container can be served immediately.
In other words, it is a one-step procedure, differently from what is observed nowadays, in that users need to execute some more steps, usually three, in order to start using the product stored in the container, namely, the steps to unscrew and remove the cap from the spout, then manually remove the sealing element, and next screw back the cap on the spout.
It is also important to mention that this third variation can be combined with any of the previous variations of the first embodiment of the invention described hereinbefore, being only necessary to make some modifications due to the use of a left hand oriented screw thread.
The locking device 6′ comprises an elongated and substantially cylindrical body provided at its upper edge with a plurality of upper rupture elements 6a′, as can be seen in more detail in
An automatic opening device for containers 1 with the same characteristics described above in relation to the device shown in
The same comments regarding the characteristics of the internal screw thread 5 and the external screw thread 14 apply to the fourth variation of the automatic opening device for containers depicted in
The application of this fourth variation of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 is made at a factory, by means of an equipment not shown in the Figures, which executes a sequential pressing and rotating process. Initially, a downward longitudinal movement is applied to the automatic opening device for containers 1, as indicated by the arrow M in
Next, a rotational movement is applied to the automatic opening device for containers 1, as indicated by the circle N in
The rotary movement for screwing the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12 will cease when the lower region of the locking device 6′ touches the upper region of the lower ring 17, as can be seen in
When a user starts to open the container 20, he/she must apply a rotational movement to the automatic opening device for containers 1, applying a torque enough to break the upper rupture elements 6a′, thereby allowing the internal screw thread flanks 5 to displace along the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14. This screwing movement will cause the cutting elements 3a of the cutting device 3 to tear the sealing element 19 of the spout 12, thereby opening the container and allowing the product stored inside the container to be served.
The reduction of the longitudinal extension of the locking device 6′, if compared with the longitudinal extension of the locking device 6, occurs due to the characteristic of the partial engagement of the internal screw thread flanks 5 in the roots 15 of the external screw thread 14 in the fourth variation of the automatic opening device for containers.
The lower locking elements 6b′ must be designed to make them strong enough to preclude any attempt to unscrew the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12, especially if right hand oriented screw threads are used in the internal screw thread flanks 5 and in the external screw thread 14. In this case, as the normal habit of users is to apply a counterclockwise movement in a cap to open a container, the difficulty users would face to apply a counterclockwise rotary movement to the automatic opening device for containers 1 would serve to draw their attention to the remarks in the upper region of the closing element 1a, which indicate that the correct rotational movement must be in a clockwise direction to open the container.
In case a spout 12 as shown in
Containers provided with suction spouts are normally used to store liquids that are usually consumed by users when they are on the move, cases of cyclists, long-distance runners or even people who prefer to consume the product stored in the container while on the move
In this fifth variation of the first embodiment of the invention, the assembling of the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the opening of the container 20 are carried out exactly in the same manner as described hereinbefore, since all the other components of this variation are the same as previously described.
Note that this fifth variation can be combined with any of the variations of the first embodiment of the invention described herein before. If it is made a combination of the third variation with the fifth variation, it will only be necessary to make the necessary to make some modifications due to the use of a left hand oriented screw thread.
The automatic opening device for containers 1 depicted in
The lower external region of the spout 26 is provided with a base ring 28, larger in diameter than the retaining ring 33. The external screw thread 30 depicted in
As can be seen in
As shown in
An internal screw thread 29 is provided in the inner region of the upper portion 25s of the spout adapter device 25, as can be seen in
The inner lower region of the lower portion 251 is provided with a plurality of lower locking elements 25a, each of them located in front of openings 25b formed in the lower portion 251, as can be seen in the Figures. The lower locking elements 25a are similar to the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6, and comprise circularly distributed and spaced apart lugs, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion 251 of the spout adapter device 25, and the body of each lug being tilted towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device 25.
The lower locking elements 25a are designed to be able to undergo small radial bends towards the inner wall of the spout adapter device 25 when it is connected to the spout 26, as will be seen hereafter. Other locking means can be used to replace the lower locking elements 25a, provided that they are able to lock the spout adapter device 25 into the spout 26.
The automatic opening device for containers 1 must be applied to the spout adapter device 25 by means of a pressing process, a downward longitudinal movement wherein the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 1 is pressed against the top of the spout adapter device 25, thereby causing a strong assembly between them. This application will be made in a factory.
Likewise what occurred in the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12, in relation to
In this process of applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 on the spout adapter device 25, the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 will be pressed by the lower portion 251 of the spout adapter device 25, and consequently will tend to incline towards the internal wall of the locking device 6, which will allow the continuity of the downward longitudinal movement of the automatic opening device for containers 1.
Preferably, the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 should fit into the openings 25b formed in the lower portion 251 of the spout adapter device 25, which are in front of the lower locking elements 25a. Thereby the lower locking elements 6b and the lower locking elements 25a will be facing each other, as shown in
Similarly to what occurred in the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout adapter device 25, or in the spout 12 depicted in
Consequently, in this process the lower locking elements 25a of the spout adapter device 25 will be pressed by the edge of the retaining ring 33 and will tend to incline towards the inner wall of the spout adapter device 25, thereby allowing the continuity of the downward longitudinal movement of the assembly formed by the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 25, until the process is finished.
The operation to open the container 20 will be carried out in the same way as described previously regarding
A protruding ring 35c is provided, located on the upper part of the outer portion of the upper portion 35s. An external screw thread 37 is also provided, which is similar to the external screw thread 27 of the spout adapter device 25 of the previous embodiment. The external screw thread 37 comprises a lower flank 37a and an upper flank 37b, a root 37c being formed between the flanks 37a and 37b. A three entry screw thread is shown in the Figures, merely for illustrative effect. It is important to mention that a screw thread with any number of entries can be used, according to the design needs.
The upper flank 37b of the external screw thread 37 has an upper end 32 extending beyond the protruding ring 35c, intended to facilitate the screwing of the external screw thread flanks 5 of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the roots 37c, as will be seen hereafter, while the lower flank 37a has its upper end facing with the lower portion of the protruding ring 35c.
As shown in
The medial portion 35m is provided with a plurality of spaced apart and circumferentially distributed radial openings 35a. A internal screw thread 36 having one entry is provided in the inner portion of the lower portion 35i of the spout adapter device 35. This internal screw thread 36 is sized to screw to the outer screw thread 30 of the spout 26, as will be seen hereafter.
A plurality of lower locking elements 35b is provided in the lower inner region of the lower portion 35i, similar to the lower locking elements 25a of the spout adapter device 25, the lower locking elements 35b comprising a plurality of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion 35i of the spout adapter device 35, and the body of each lug being tilted towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device 35. The lower locking elements 35b are able to bend slightly towards the inner wall of the spout adapter device 35 when it is connected to the spout 26, as will be seen hereafter.
Due to the increase of the height of the assembly formed by the spout adapter device 35 and the automatic opening device for containers 1, when such assembly is applied to the spout 26, it is then necessary to lengthen the cutting devices 3 of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to offset such increase of the height of the assembly, as will be seen hereafter. Therefore, the cutting device 3 of such assembly is lengthy than the cutting devices 3 of the variations of the invention described hereinbefore.
The automatic opening device for containers 1 must be applied to the spout adapter device 35 by means of a pressing process, a downward longitudinal movement in which the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 1 is pressed against the top of the spout adapter device 35, which causes a forced assembly between them. This application will be made in a factory.
Likewise what occurred in the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12 (
During the process of applying the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout adapter device 35, the lower locking elements 6b of the locking device 6 will be pressed by the rim 34 of the spout adapter device 35, and consequently will tend to incline towards the internal wall of the locking device 6, thereby allowing the automatic opening device for containers 1 to make a downward longitudinal movement.
At the end of this downward longitudinal movement to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout adapter device 35, the lower locking elements 6b had been totally passed over the rim 34, thereby causing the retention of the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout adapter device 35.
The previous observations made regarding the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout adapter device 25 or in the spout 12 (
Likewise what occurred in the process to apply the automatic opening device for containers 1 in the spout 12 (
Consequently, during the process the lower locking elements 35b of the spout adapter device 35 will be pressed by the edge of the retaining ring 33 and will tend to incline towards the inner wall of the spout adapter device 35, thereby allowing the automatic opening device for containers 1 and the spout adapter device 35 to make a downward longitudinal movement until the process is finished.
The operation to open the container 20 will be carried out in the same way as previously described regarding
The external screw thread 27 of the spout adapter device 25, shown in
The automatic opening device for containers 41 comprises a closing element 41a, a base element 41b and a guiding and locking device 46. In
The base element 41b comprises a first sidewall element 54 and an upper member 55 whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall element 54. A central protruding ring 39 is provided in the upper central portion of the upper member 55, which encircles a throughout orifice 39a. An external screw thread 45 is provided in the lower external portion of the first sidewall element 54 of the base element 41b. In the Figures, an external screw thread with three entries is shown, for a exemplification only, as other types of screw threads may be used. It can be seen in the Figures the external screw thread flanks 45. Henceforth the expressions “external screw thread 45” and “external screw thread flanks 45” will be used to refer to the same screw thread.
The closing element 41a comprises a second sidewall element 56, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and an upper member 57, circularly shaped, whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall element 56. A protruding sealing element 40 is provided in the inner central portion of the upper member 55 of the sealing element 41a. The sealing protruding element 40 is designed to house the protruding ring 39 and to close the throughout orifice 39a of the base element 41b when the closing element 41a and the base element 41b are closed.
The guiding and locking device 46, shown in partial cut in
The upper ends 44d of the upper flanks 44b extend above the upper ends of the lower flanks 44a to facilitate the screwing of the external screw thread flanks 45 in the roots 44c. Reinforcement lugs 46d are provided on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device 46, located in the regions where the upper ends 44d of the upper flanks 44b are extended, thereby providing support for the upper ends 44d at the moment when the entries 45a of the external screw thread flanks 45 touch the upper ends 44d, as will be seen hereafter.
As can be seen in
A plurality of upper rupture elements 46a connects the upper region of the guiding and locking device 46 to the lower edge of the base element 41b, as outlined by circle F in
In the Figures the screw thread 45 provided on the lower external portion of the first sidewall element 54 of the base element 41b, and the internal screw thread 44 provided on the upper internal portion of the guiding and locking device 46 comprise a screw thread with three entries. However, this is for exemplification only, and evidently the invention is not limited to the use of a screw thread with three entries.
A cutting device 43 is provided in the lower central portion of the upper member 55 of the base member 41b, the cutting device 43 comprising a hollow protruding body whose upper portion is connected to the lower central portion of the upper member 55 in the region where it is located the throughout orifice 39a, the latter being a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device 43. The lower portion of the cutting device 43 is provided with a plurality of cutting elements 43a.
In
To open the container 51a user must apply a clockwise rotation to the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b. This will cause the upper rupture elements 46a to rupture, and consequently, the entries 45a of the outer screw thread flanks 45 will be guided by the upper ends 44d of the upper flanks of the inner screw thread 44 to start screwing in the roots 44c. in
With the continuation of the clockwise rotary movement, the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b, besides rotating, will also execute a concomitant linear downward movement, and consequently the cutting elements 43a of the cutting device 43 will tear the sealing element 19, to open the container 51.
The rotational movement of the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b in a clockwise direction will end when the inner portion of the upper member 55 of the base element 41b touches the rim of the spout 47, where it the sealing element 19 is adhered to. This will cause a compression between the upper member 55 of the base element 41b and the edge of the spout 47, thereby contributing to create a sealing in this area of compression.
For exemplification only, the spout 26 of the container 20 shown in
The operation to open the container 20 is to be executed by users in the same manner as described hereinbefore. Users are unlikely to even notice the differences between the modalities of the automatic opening device for containers 41 used in a container, whether the one depicted in
In
It is possible to make different combinations of internal screw threads 44 and external screw thread flanks 45 regarding those depicted in the previous Figures of the automatic opening device for containers 41. For example, it is possible to invert the location of the internal screw threads 44 and the external screw threads flanks 45 without changing the operating manner of the embodiments of the invention regarding the automatic opening device for containers 41.
In
If the embodiment shown in
Another difference regarding the embodiment depicted in
The operation to open the container will be the same regardless of which embodiment be used among the two described in the previous paragraphs. A user probably would not notice the difference between these two embodiments. The choice of the screw thread configuration to be used will be a design option, being only necessary to make the due adaptations in the embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers 41 being used.
Although right hand oriented screw threads were depicted in the Figures of the previously described embodiments of the automatic opening device for containers 41, left hand oriented screw threads can be used instead, as mentioned regarding the embodiments of the invention described hereinbefore.
Therefore, the same observations previously made are valid here, emphasizing that if a left angle oriented screw thread is used, it will only be necessary to make the necessary adaptations for the automatic opening device for containers 41 can be used without any difficulty, whichever is the embodiment used.
As depicted in the Figures, the closing element 61a is in a closed position, engaged to the base element 61b. Preferably, both are connected to each other by means of a pivoting connection element, not shown in the Figures. This type of pivoting connection between base elements and closing elements is well known in the art, variations thereof being known, and can be used interchangeably in conjunction with the present invention. Any other connection means can be used to connect the closing element 61a to the base element 61b, and there may even be no connection means between them, and the connection between these two parts could be made by pressure, or by screwing, for example.
Likewise the automatic opening device for containers 1 and 41 described he hereinbefore, the base element 61b comprises a first sidewall 72, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and a top element 73, circularly shaped and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall 72. The closing element 61a is also similar to the closing elements 1a and 41a described hereinbefore and comprises a second sidewall 71, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and an upper element 75 shaped and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall 71.
A cutting device 63 is provided in the inner region of the top element 73, the cutting device 63 comprising a protruding hollow body which projects downwardly, as shown in
The top element 73 is provided in its upper region with a protruding ring 74, which encircles a throughout orifice 74a. The upper region of the cutting device 63 is connected to the lower portion of the top element 73, in the region where the throughout orifice 74a is located, the latter being a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device 63. As the cutting device 63 has not been cut in the Figure, consequently the throughout orifice is not viewed in the Figure, the throughout orifice 74a being shown in the Figure in dashed lines, to indicate its location in the top element 73 in alignment with the hollow portion of the cutting device 63.
A protruding sealing member 76 is provided in the inner portion of the upper member 75 of the closing member 61a. The protruding sealing member 76 is designed to house the protruding ring 74 when the closing element 61a and the base element 61b are closed, wherein the protruding sealing member 76 closes the throughout orifice 74a of the base element 61b, as shown in
Preferably the second sidewall 71 of the closing element 61a and the first sidewall 72 of the base element 61b of the automatic opening device for containers 61 have substantially equal outside diameters when closed, as shown in
This feature is only intended to facilitate the manipulation of the automatic opening device for containers 61 by users, serving only to facilitate the use of the device. The configurations of the closing element 61a and the base element 61b can be different from those depicted in the Figures, provided that these different components do not cause difficulties for the operation of the automatic opening device for containers 61.
The automatic opening device for containers 61 can even be provided without a closing element 61a such as the one shown in the Figures, and yet the automatic opening device for containers 61 will operate normally, as will be seen hereafter.
An internal screw thread 64 is provided in the inner portion of the first sidewall 72 of the base element 61b. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the internal screw thread 64 comprises a right hand oriented screw thread of single entry. However, the internal screw thread 64 may comprise a screw thread with any number of entries and, consequently, the invention is not limited to the use of an internal screw thread 64 having a simple entry. Further, the orientation of the internal screw thread 64 may also be to the left.
The locking device 62 comprises an elongated substantially cylindrical body provided at its upper edge having a plurality of upper rupture elements 62a connected to the lower edge of the base element 61b, as can be seen in the Figures. A plurality of lower locking elements 62b is provided in the lower inner portion of the locking device 62.
The lower locking elements 62b comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the locking device 62 and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device 62. The lower locking elements 62b can undergo small radial bends towards the inner wall of the locking device 62. Other embodiments of lower locking elements 62b may be used and, therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiment depicted in
The upper rupture elements 62a operate basically the same way as the upper rupture elements 6a and 46a described hereinafter, as well as the lower locking elements 62b have basically the same functions as the lower locking elements 6b and 46b described hereinafter. Therefore, it is not necessary to make herein a detailed description of these component parts.
Other embodiments of rupture elements may be used on the upper rupture elements 62a, provided that they are able to cause the same effects obtained by the rupture elements depicted in the Figure.
The automatic opening device for containers 61 should be screwed onto a spout 65 provided in a container 70. The spout 65 comprises an elongated cylindrical body 66 provided in its outer region with an external screw thread 67. The internal screw thread 64 of the base element 61b will screw onto the external screw thread 67 of the spout 65, as will be seen hereafter. A retaining ring 68 is provided in the outer region of the elongated cylindrical body 66, below the outer screw thread 67, and a lower ring 69 is provided in the lower outer region of the elongated cylindrical body 66, as can be seen in the Figures. Likewise the spouts 12 and 47 described hereinbefore, the spout 65 is provided in its rim with a sealing element 77, as shown in
In
With the continuation of the rotational screwing movement, all the lower locking elements 62b moved past the edge of the retaining ring 68, as shown in
The rotational screwing movement will cease when the lower edge of the locking device 62 touches the upper region of the lower ring 69, as shown in
A particular feature of this embodiment of the invention is that is partial the screwing of the internal screw thread 64 of the base element 61b of the automatic opening device for containers 61 on the external screw thread 67 of the spout 65, as depicted in
The use of the lower locking elements 62b is optional, although recommended, as it prevents inadvertent unscrewing of the automatic opening device for containers 61, as described hereinbefore. However, the automatic opening device for containers 61 would operate normally if it were not provided with the lower locking elements 62b.
As a result of this partial screwing of the lower locking elements 62b, the lower ends of the cutting elements 63a of the cutting device 63 will be positioned close to the sealing element 77 adhered to the rim of the spout 65, as shown in
This partial screwing is fundamental to facilitate the opening of the container 70 by a user, who will only need to rotate the automatic opening device for containers 61 in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the tearing of the upper rupture elements 62a. Consequently, the screwing of the internal screw thread 64 of the base element 1b of the automatic opening device for containers 61 on the external screw thread 67 of the spout 65 will go on.
Concomitantly with this rotational screwing movement, a linear downward movement of the automatic opening device for containers 61 will also occur, and the combination of these two movements, clockwise rotational screwing and linear downward, will cause the cutting elements 63a of the cutting device 63 to progressively pierce the sealing element 77 adhered to the rim of the spout 65.
These clockwise rotational and linear downward movements of the automatic opening device for containers 61 will cease when the rim of the spout 65 touches the lower region of the top element 73, and when this occurs the cutting elements of the cutting device 63 will have already torn the sealing element, and the product stored in the container 70 can then be served, passing through the hollow interior of the cutting device 63 and the throughout orifice of the base element 61b.
Some aspects are relevant for designing the automatic opening device for containers 61, to enable it to operate correctly to open container 70. One of these relevant aspects is to design the lower locking elements 62b in such a way that, after they had move past the edge of the locking ring 68, they must resist any attempts to unscrew the automatic opening device for containers 61.
This is important because users are used to executing a counterclockwise rotational movement to unscrew a cap from a spout, due to the massive use of right-oriented screw threads on caps and spouts, and situations may occur where users inadvertently attempt to unscrew the automatic opening device for containers 61 from spout 65, without first realizing the need to continue to perform a screwing operation of the automatic opening device for containers 61 in spout 65 to open of the container 70.
In such situations it is desirable that the resistance opposed by the lower locking elements 62b to this attempt to unscrew the automatic opening device for containers 61 of the spout 65 is such that it makes it extremely difficult to occur. The user must then pay attention to the instructions to correctly open the container 70, executing then a clockwise rotary operation to keep screwing. As mentioned hereinbefore, these instructions may appear in the upper region of the upper element 75 of the closing element 61a.
An aspect of fundamental importance for the correct operation of the automatic opening device for containers 61 to open container 70 is the correct sizing of some components of the automatic opening device for containers 61 object of this embodiment of the invention, particularly the base element 61b and the locking device 62, as will be seen hereafter.
In
It can also be seen from
In
In order for the automatic opening device for containers 61 object of this embodiment of the invention to operate in the manner previously described, it is necessary that the linear extensions L1, L2 e L3 described above are substantially identical, allowing small variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances that do not harm the perfect engagement of the components related to these linear extensions. Likewise, the linear extensions C1, C2 e C3 must also be substantially identical, the same comments regarding manufacturing tolerances applying here. These are geometric relationships that must be considered for the design of the automatic opening device for containers 61.
The first curved portion 53a has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device 43 (not shown in the Figures), and its other end is connected to one end of the second horizontal portion 53b, the latter extending over the face of the base element 41b towards the edge, as shown in
The closing element 41a is provided with a sealing element 54, which is designed to rest on the rim 53c of the second horizontal portion 53b when the closing element 41a is in the closed position, as can be seen in
The sealing element 54 prevents the possibility for the product to flow through the throughout orifice 53d and accumulate inside the empty space formed between the closing element 41a and the base element 41b. In case the sealing element 54 were not provided, when a user would open the closing element 41a, an undesirable product spill would occur.
This embodiment of the pouring device 53 enables a user to pour the product stored in the container without having to place the container upside-down, in a position where the throughout orifice is substantially downwards, which can cause the product to overflow, in special thixotropic products.
For a user to pour the product into the container it suffices to slightly incline the container to initiate a flow of product. The control of such flow is easily made by varying the angle of inclination of the container, in conjunction with making a slight pressure in the container, in case that it is made of flexible material. The pouring device 53 may be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments and variations of the invention described hereinbefore. Therefore, mutatis mutandis, the automatic opening device for containers 1 shown in
In the description of the embodiments of the invention made hereinbefore it has always been shown that the automatic opening device for containers is provided with a closing element and a base element, joined by a pivoting connecting element. However, it is possible to use other configurations other than those described hereinbefore. For example, the closing element can be attached to the base element by means of a screw thread, or by means of a pressure coupling, as previously mentioned.
Alternatively, it is possible that the embodiments of the automatic opening device for containers disclosed hereinbefore be provided with only the base elements 1b, 41b or 61b. In this case the throughout orifice for the administration of the product would be permanently open, without a seal.
Some solutions can be used in order to avoid this problem. For example, as shown in
Therefore, after a user has opened the container, it will suffice to use a cutting element, such as a knife, to make a transverse cut across section the body of the protruding plugging element 58 to provide a throughout orifice, in order to allow the product stored in the container to pass through hollow portion of the protruding plugging element 58.
A cap 59 can be provided to close this throughout orifice in the hollow portion of the protruding plugging element 58, in order to prevent that passage from being permanently open. Preferably the cap 59 is connected to the base element 1b by means of a flexible connecting element 60, to prevent the cap 59 from being inadvertently discarded by the user.
Evidently, mutatis mutandis, this solution could also be used in the embodiments depicted in
The location of each rotational locking recess 45b and each rotational locking shoulder 44e must be determined in such a way that the latch between them occurs at the same time as the inner portion of the upper member 55 of the base member 41b touches the edge of the spout 47. Therefore, when a user opens the container, by means of a clockwise rotation of the assembly formed by the closing element 41a and the base element 41b, at the moment when the rotational locking recesses 45b latches into the locking shoulder 44 of the screw thread 44, the user will hear a snap. From that moment on no rotation will occur, in any direction, as the whole assembly is locked in that position.
The rotational locking system depicted in
If a container is provided with an automatic opening device for containers according to the invention in which there is no connecting element to hold the closing element 1a or 41a, or the cap 59, connected to the base element 1b, or 41b, it is recommended that an tamper evidence device is used to cover the automatic opening device for containers, thereby preventing the closing elements 1a, 41a, 61a or the cap 59 from being improperly removed when the container is in market shelves.
The closing element 81a, when is in the closed position, engage with the base element 81b, and both are connected to each other by means of a pivoting connection element 86, as shown in
The base element 81b comprises a first sidewall 78, in the form of an elongated cylindrical body, and a circularly shaped top element 79 whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall 78. The upper region of the top element 79 is provided with a protruding element 84, located in a region close to the edge of the top element 79, preferably located 180° from the region where the connecting pivoting element 86 connects the base element 81b with the closing element 81a, although other locations can be chosen. The protruding element 84 encircles a throughout orifice 83.
The closing element 81a comprises a second sidewall 80 in the form of an elongated cylindrical body and an upper element 82, circular in shape and whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall 80. A protruding sealing element 85 is provided in the lower region of the upper element 82, intended to close the throughout orifice 83 of the base element 81b when the closing element 81a and the base element 81b are closed. The protruding sealing element 85 can be designed to encircle the protruding element 84, or, alternatively, engage with the throughout orifice 83 to create a sealing.
Consequently, the location of the protruding sealing element 85 in the lower region of the upper element 82 will be a function of the location of the protruding element 84, and in the present case it will be located in a region close to the edge of the upper portion of the upper element 82, preferably located at 180° from the region in which the connecting pivoting element 86 connects the base element 81b to the closing element 81a, although other locations can be chosen.
Preferably the automatic opening device for containers 81 is designed so that the second sidewall 80 of the closing element 81a and the first sidewall 78 of the base element 81b have substantially equal outside diameters when closed. To this aim, the top element 79 of the base element 81b must be provided with a recess in the region of its edge where it connects to the first sidewall 78, to form a ring-shaped engagement region 79a. Thus, when the closing element 81a is in the closed position, the lower region of the second sidewall 80 will engage into said ring-shaped engagement region.
This feature intends to facilitate the manipulation of the automatic opening device for containers 81 by users. It is possible to use different configurations of the closing element 81a and the base element 81b than those depicted in the Figures, without, however, changing the functionality of these components for the operation of the automatic opening device for containers 81. The automatic opening device for containers 81 may even be provided without a closing element 81a as shown in
As can be seen in
Therefore, this embodiment of the invention is not limited to the use of an internal screw thread with three entries, and such screw thread was only chosen for exemplification only, although the use of a screw thread with multiple entries is more suitable for the purposes of the invention. The internal screw thread 87 may be indistinctly oriented to the right, as shown in the Figures, or to the left.
The inner portion of the top element 79 is provided with a cutting device 88, which comprises a hollow protruding body whose upper portion is connected to the lower portion of the top element 79 in the region where the throughout orifice 83 is located. The latter is a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device 88, thereby forming a direct connection substantially between the throughout orifice 83 and the hollow portion of the cutting device 88, through which the product contained in the container will pass. The lower portion of the cutting device 88 is provided with a plurality of cutting elements 88a.
The locking device 6 shown in
A plurality of lower locking elements 6b is provided in the lower internal portion of the locking device 6. The lower locking elements 6b comprise spaced apart lugs circularly distributed, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the locking device 6 and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device 6. The lower locking elements 6b are designed so that they can slightly incline radially towards the inner wall of the locking device 6.
Other configurations of lower locking elements 6b can be used and, therefore, the invention is not limited to the configuration depicted in
The choice of an external right-oriented screw thread, with three entries, is because this is the configuration used in the internal screw thread 5 of the base element 81b. The same comments presented hereinbefore with this regard are valid here, in that the use of a right-oriented thread with three entries is for exemplification only. Therefore, is evidently that the invention is not limited to use only a three-entries screw thread, be it right or left hand oriented. Therefore, the external screw thread 14 may be a screw thread with any number of entries, and its orientation can be indistinctly to the right, as shown in
A sealing element 19 is affixed to the rim of the spout 12. The spout 12 is also provided in its outer portion with an upper ring 16, an intermediate ring 18 and a lower ring 17, located in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, respectively. The diameter of the upper ring 16 is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring 18, and the diameter of the intermediate ring 18 is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring 17, as can be seen in
The application of the automatic opening device for containers 81 to the spout 12 is made by means of a pressing process, a downward longitudinal movement, by means of which the lower part of the automatic opening device for containers 81 is pressed against the upper part of the spout 12.
The process for applying the automatic opening device for containers 81 to the spout 12 of the container 20 is the same as previously described regarding the application of the automatic opening device for containers 1 to the spout 12 of the container 20, and shown in
In
The process of opening container 20 by means of the automatic opening device for containers 81 is exactly the same as that was described with regard to
In
The characteristic of that embodiment of the invention depicted in
The use in the present embodiment of a cutting device having larger diameter is only an operational choice, since the dimensions of the cutting device used in the variation of the embodiment of the automatic opening device for containers shown in
Thus, in the following description of the automatic opening device for containers 140 depicted in
In
The base element 141b comprises a hollow cylindrical body whose internal region is provided with at least one segment of internal screw thread 5, in
The base element 141b is also provided with a cutting device 143, which comprises a hollow cylindrical body whose upper edge is affixed to the upper inner region of the base element 141b by means of a connecting ring 145. The lower region of the device cutting element 143 is provided with at least one cutting element 143a.
The edge of the lower inner region of the base element 141b is provided with a plurality of upper locking elements 141b′, each of them comprising in this embodiment a body projecting obliquely and upwardly towards the imaginary geometric axis of the element base 141b. The upper locking elements 141b′ are designed to be able to slightly incline in opposition to the geometric axis of the base element 141b. A connecting link element 144 connects the upper sealing element 141a to the base element 141b.
The locking device 6 comprises a hollow body in a substantially cylindrical shape, whose top edge is provided with a plurality of rupture elements 6a, which are also connected to the bottom edge of the base element 141b, thereby forming a breakable interconnection between the locking device lock 6 and the base element 141b. The function of the rupture elements 6a will be understood from the description that will be made hereinafter regarding the mode to use the automatic opening device for containers 140.
The edge of the lower internal region of the locking device 6 is provided with a plurality of lower locking elements 6b, each of them comprising in the present embodiment a body projecting obliquely and upwardly towards the imaginary geometric axis of the locking device 6. The lower locking elements 6b are designed in such a way as to be able to slightly incline in opposition to the geometric axis of the locking device 6.
Consequently, the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a, the base element 141b and the locking device 6 is locked in the position depicted in
When it is necessary to open the container, be it an aseptic carton package or a plastic pouch, it will be necessary to apply a counterclockwise rotary movement to the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b. When this counterclockwise rotary movement is applied, initially each segment of internal screw thread 5 of the base element 141b is screwed into its respective segment of external screw thread 14 of the spout 12. Next, with the continuity of the rotary movement in the counterclockwise direction, the rupture elements 6a will be broken, thereby allowing the rotary movement to continue in the counterclockwise direction of the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b.
Note that the upper portion 21 of each upper flank of the segment of external screw threads 5, which extends beyond the upper ring 16 of the spout 12, guarantees that each segment of internal screw thread 5 of the base element 141b can screw in its respective segment of external screw thread 14, because when each segment of internal screw thread 5 touches the upper portion 21 of the respective upper flank, the only possibility for the continuation of the rotary movement in the counterclockwise direction will be the screwing of each segment of internal screw thread 5 in the respective segment of external screw thread 14.
As the cutting device 143 is rigidly attached to the base element 141b, evidently the cutting device 143 will execute the same movements made by the base element 141b. Therefore, with the continuation of the counterclockwise rotary movement of the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b, the cutting device 143 will execute the same counterclockwise rotary movement executed by the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b.
Concomitantly with this movement, the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b will also make an axial downward movement, resulting from the screwing of the segment of internal screw threads 5 of the base element 141b in their respective segment of external screw threads 14 of the spout 12, as indicated by the arrow W in
The composition of the counterclockwise and downward axial rotational movements made by the cutting device 143 will cause the cutting elements 143a of the cutting device 143 to cut the sealing element 19 of the container, adhered to the rim of the spout 12.
In
Detail X in
After the container is open, as described above, it suffices to incline the upper sealing element 141a to pour the product contained within the container through the spout 12.
It is important to note that in
As in the present embodiment of the invention it is necessary that the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b make first an axial downward movement to cause the sealing element to be torn, when a user is opening the container, it is then preferably to use a left hand oriented screw thread, wherein counterclockwise rotary movements cause axial downward movements. The use of right-hand oriented screw threads certainly would cause difficulties for most users to rotate said assembly correctly.
After this first rotation of the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b, there will no longer be any need to apply rotational movement to any of the components of the automatic opening device for containers 140. As seen from the description of the present embodiment of the invention, to pour the product contained in the container, it suffices to incline the container to pour the product through the spout 12.
It is important to note that the segment of internal screw threads 5 of the base element 141b and the segment of external screw thread 14 of the spout 12 may comprise a right-hand oriented screw thread. In this case, users would have to be instructed to initially rotate the assembly formed by the upper sealing element 141a and the base element 141b in a clockwise direction to cause a downward axial movement said assembly in order to tear the sealing element 19.
As it was noticed from the descriptions of the different embodiments and variations of the automatic opening device for containers object of the invention, the fundamental characteristic of all of them is the provision of a cutting device that, in addition to serving as a cap for the container, is provided with a means for executing a cutting operation of the sealing elements which are usually affixed to the rims of the spouts of the containers, thereby creating a passage to enable the product contained in the container to be poured. This eliminates the need to execute the operations of unscrewing and removing the cap, manually removing the sealing element and screwing back the cap on the spout of the container, as occurs nowadays. Therefore, the present invention obviates the need for users to even remove the cap from the threaded spouts of the containers in order to remove the sealing elements that are applied to the rim of the spouts.
With the use of the embodiments of the automatic opening device for containers of the invention, it is no longer necessary to use thick sealing elements adhered to the rim of the spouts, and so the thickness of the sealing element may be reduce to simply seal the container. Therefore, it is no longer needed to use thick sealing elements solely to prevent users from inadvertently damaging or puncturing them at market shelves when they are checking if the container is duly sealed.
The use of a screw thread with multiple entries in the embodiments of the automatic opening device for containers previously described provides a much greater lead than it would be obtained by using a single entry screw thread, thereby allowing the operation of opening the containers to be rapidly executed. The faster the container is opened, the easier and faster is the tearing of the sealing element by the cutting elements of the cutting device, due to the fact that the sealing element is still well tensioned as a consequence of its strong adhesion to the rim of the spout.
The shapes of the cutting elements used in the cutting devices of the invention must be determined according to the cutting speed provided by the type of screw thread used in the automatic opening device for containers and the characteristics of the material used in the sealing element.
Tamper resistant devices may be used in conjunction with the various embodiments and variations of the invention described herein, in order to guarantee the user that the container has not been tampered with. For example, thermal wrappers around the spout and devices can be used, which are provided with tear lines that facilitate their removal, as is well known in the art.
The present invention has been described regarding its various embodiments and variations. Modifications or substitutions may be made in the invention without, however, departing from the inventive concept described and disclosed herein. Consequently, the invention is not limited only to the embodiments and variations described herein, being only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims to this specification.
Claims
1. An automatic opening device for containers (1,61,140) provided with a sealing element (19,77) in a spout (12,65), an external screw thread (14,67) of at least one entry being provided in the said spout (12,65), the automatic opening device for containers (1,61,140) comprising a base element (1b, 61b, 141b) and a locking device (6,62), in that:
- the base element (1b, 61b, 141b) comprises a first sidewall (11,72) and an upper element (10.73) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall (11,72);
- the upper element (10,73) is provided with a throughout hole (2a,74a);
- a screw thread (5,64) of at least one entry is provided in the internal region of the first sidewall (11,72) of the base element (1b,61b);
- the locking device (6,62) comprises an elongated body provided at its upper edge with a plurality of upper rupture elements (6a,62a), which are connected to the lower edge of the base element (1b,61b); and
- the locking device (6,62) is provided in its lower region with a means for locking the automatic opening device for containers (1,61) in the spout (12,65);
- the automatic opening device for containers (1,61) characterized in that:
- the upper element (10,73) is provided with a cutting device (3,63), which comprises a protruding hollow body extending downwardly, whose upper region is connected to the lower region of the upper element (10,73) where the throughout hole (2a,74a) is located, being a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device (3,63), the lower region of the cutting device (3,63) being provided with a plurality of cutting elements (3a,63a); and
- the external screw thread (14,67) of the spout (12,65) and the internal screw thread (5,64) in the internal region of the first sidewall (11,72) of the base element (1b, 61b) have the same number of entries and comprise screw threads of the same orientation, chosen from the group comprising right-hand orientation and left-hand orientation.
2- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:
- it is additionally provided with a closing element (1a) which is connected to the base element (1b) by means of a connection chosen from the group comprising a connecting pivoting element (7), a screwed-threaded connection and a pressure connection;
- the closing element (1a) comprises a second sidewall (9) and an upper element (8) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall (9), the upper element (8) being provided in its internal lower region with a protruding sealing element (4);
- a central protruding ring (2) encircles the throughout hole (2a) in the central region of the upper element (10); and
- said means for locking the automatic opening device for containers (1) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (6b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (6), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (6).
3- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that:
- the internal screw thread (5) provided in the internal region of the first sidewall (11) comprises a screw thread of multiple entries, each screw thread (5) comprising flanks of internal screw thread;
- an upper ring (16), an intermediate ring (18) and a lower ring (17) are provided in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, of the external region of the spout (12), respectively;
- the diameter of the upper ring (16) is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring (18), and the diameter of the intermediate ring (18) is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring (17); and
- the external screw thread (14) of the spout (12) comprises a multiple entries screw thread, each entry comprising a lower flank (14a) and an upper flank (14b), with a root (15) formed between the lower flank (14a) and the upper flank (14b), in that the upper flank (14b) has an extended upper end (21), which extends beyond the upper ring (16), and the lower flank (14a) has its upper end even with lower region of the upper ring (16).
4- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that:
- the internal screw thread (5) provided in the internal region of the first sidewall (11) comprises a multiple entries screw thread, each comprising bipartite internal screw thread flanks, which comprise an upper section (5s) and a lower section (5i);
- an upper ring (16), an intermediate ring (18) and a lower ring (17) are provided in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, respectively, of the external region of the spout (12);
- the diameter of the upper ring (16) is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring (18), and the diameter of the intermediate ring (18) is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring (17); a guiding element (22) is provided in the external region of the first sidewall (11), which extends parallel to the upper edge of the spout (12);
- the external screw thread (14) of the spout (12) comprises a multiple entry screw thread, each entry comprising a lower flank (14a) and an upper flank (14b), with a root (15) formed between the lower flank (14a) and the upper flank (14b), where the upper flank (14b) has an upper end (21) that extends to the guiding element (22) and the lower flank (14a) has its upper end facing the lower region of the upper ring (16); and
- a limiter of rotation (23) is formed between the upper end (21) of the upper flank (14b) and the guiding element (22).
5- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that:
- the locking device (6) is provided in its lower portion with a circular wing (6e), which extends from the lower end of the locking device (6) and completely encircles the lower ring (17); and
- a spacing (H) is provided between the upper ends of the locking elements (6b) of the locking device (6) regarding the lower face of the intermediate ring (18).
6- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each external screw thread flanks (5) is provided with a rotational locking recess and each internal screw thread flanks (14) is provided with a rotational locking projection, said locking recess and projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) at the end of the rotation operation for opening said container.
7- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
8- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:
- the base element (1b) be provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (1b) towards the edge, where the first curved portion (53) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (3), and the other end of the first curved portion (53) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is chamfered and forms an edge (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); and
- a closing element (1a) is additionally provided, which is connected to the base element (1b) by means of a pivoting connecting element, the closing element (1a) being provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (1a) is in the closed position.
9- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
10- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:
- be provided with a closing element (1a), which comprises a second sidewall (9) and an upper element (8) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall (9), the upper element (8) being provided in its internal central region with a protruding sealing element (4);
- a suction spout (24) is provided in the upper region of the base element (1b), the suction spout (24) comprising a hollow body that extends above the base element (1b) and encircles the throughout hole (2a), a mouth ring (24a) being provided at the upper end of the suction spout (24);
- the internal screw thread (5) provided in the internal region of the first sidewall (11) comprises a screw thread of multiple entries, each comprising internal screw threads flanks;
- an upper ring (16), an intermediate ring (18) and a lower ring (17) are provided in the upper, intermediate and lower regions, respectively, of the external region of the spout (12);
- the diameter of the upper ring (16) is smaller than the diameter of the intermediate ring (18), and the diameter of the intermediate ring (18) is smaller than the diameter of the lower ring (17);
- the external screw thread (14) of the spout (12) comprises a multiple entries screw thread, each comprising a lower flank (14a) and an upper flank (14b), with a root (15) formed between the lower flank (14a) and the upper flank (14b), where the upper flank (14b) has an extended upper end (21), which extends beyond the upper ring (16), and the lower flank (14a) has its upper end even with the lower region the upper ring (16); and
- said locking means comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (6b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (6), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (6).
11- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that:
- said internal screw thread flanks (5) are bipartite, and comprise an upper section (5s) and a lower section (5i);
- a guiding element (22) is provided in the outer region of the first sidewall (11), which extends parallel to the upper edge of the spout (12); and
- a limiter of rotation (23) is formed between the upper end (21) of the upper flank (14b) and the guiding element (22).
12- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that a spacing (H) is provided between the upper ends of the locking elements (6b) of the locking device (6) regarding the lower face of the intermediate ring (18).
13- Automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
14- Automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
15- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:
- the base element (1b) is additionally provided with a protruding plugging element (58) formed by an elongated hollow body whose upper portion is closed, and the lower portion is open and firmly connected to the upper element (10) of the base element (1b), the hollow portion of the protruding plugging element (58) being aligned and in communication with the throughout hole (2a); and
- a cap (59) is connected to the base element (1b) by means of a flexible connecting element (60).
16- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (5) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (14) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (1) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
17- An automatic opening device for containers (61) according to claim 1, characterized in that:
- It is additionally be provided with a closing element (61a), which is connected to the base element (61b) by means of a connection chosen from the group comprising a pivoting connection, a screwed-threaded connection and a pressure connection;
- the closing element (61a) comprises a second sidewall (71) and an upper element (75) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall (71), the upper element (75) being provided in its internal lower region with a protruding sealing element (76);
- a central protruding ring (74) encircles the throughout hole (74a) in the upper member (73);
- said means for the locking of the automatic opening device for containers (61) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (62b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (62), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (62);
- the spout (65) is provided with a retaining ring (68), located below the external screw thread (67), and a lower ring (69) located in its lower region;
- the spout (65) has a linear extension (L1) between its edge and the edge of the retaining ring (68), and a linear extension (C1) between the edge of the retaining ring (68) and the upper portion of the lower ring (69) where the lower edge of the locking device (62) will touch, at the end of the assembly of the automatic opening device for containers 61 in the container (70);
- the base element (61b) has a linear extension (L2) between the lower part of the ring-shaped engagement region (74a) of the element and its lower edge, and a linear extension (C2) between that lower edge of the base element (61b) and an imaginary plane formed by the upper region of the lower locking elements (62b); and
- said linear extensions (L1) and (L2) are substantially identical, and the linear extensions (C1) and (C2) are also substantially identical.
18- An automatic opening device for containers (61) according to claim 17, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (67) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (64) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (61) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
19- An automatic opening device for containers (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:
- the base element (61b) is additionally provided with a protruding plugging element (58) formed by an elongated hollow body whose upper portion is closed, and the lower portion is open and firmly connected to the upper element (73) of the base element (61b), the hollow portion of the protruding plugging element (58) being aligned and in communication with the throughout hole (74a);
- a cap (59) is connected to the base element (1b) by means of a flexible connecting element (60);
- said means for locking the automatic opening device for containers (61) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (62b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (62), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (62); the spout (65) is provided with a retaining ring (68), located below the external screw thread (67), and a lower ring (69) located in its lower region;
- the spout (65) has a linear extension (L1) between its edge and the edge of the retaining ring (68), and a linear extension (C1) between the edge of the retaining ring (68) and the upper portion of the lower ring (69) where the lower edge of the locking device (62) will touch, at the end of the assembly of the automatic opening device for containers 61 in the container (70);
- the base element (61b) has a linear extension (L2) between the lower part of the ring-shaped engagement region (74a) of the element and its lower edge, and a linear extension (C2) between that lower edge of the base element (61b) and an imaginary plane formed by the upper region of the lower locking elements (62b); and
- said linear extensions (L1) and (L2) are substantially identical, and the linear extensions (C1) and (C2) are also substantially identical.
20- An automatic opening device for containers (61) according to claim 17, characterized in that:
- the base element (61b) is provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53a) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (1b) towards the edge, where the first curved portion (53) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (3), and the other end of the first curved portion (53) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is chamfered and forms an edge (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); the
- the closing element (61a) is provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (61a) is in the closed position;
- said means for locking the automatic opening device for containers (61) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (62b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the locking device (62), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the locking device (62);
- the spout (65) is provided with a retaining ring (68), located below the external screw thread (67), and a lower ring (69) located in its lower region;
- the spout (65) has a linear extension (L1) between its edge and the edge of the retaining ring (68), and a linear extension (C1) between the edge of the retaining ring (68) and the upper portion of the lower ring (69) where the bottom edge of the locking device (62) will touch, at the end of the assembly of the automatic opening device for containers (61) in the container (70);
- the base element (61b) has a linear extension (L2) between the lower part of the ring-shaped engagement region (74a) of the element and its lower edge, and a linear extension (C2) between that lower edge of the base element (61b) and an imaginary plane formed by the upper region of the lower locking elements (62b); and
- said linear extensions (L1) and (L2) are substantially identical, and the linear extensions (C1) and (C2) are also substantially identical.
21- An automatic opening device for containers (61) according to claim 20, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (67) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (64) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (61) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
22- An automatic opening device (41) for containers (51) provided with a sealing element (19) in a spout (47), the automatic opening device (41) comprising a base element (41b) and a guiding and locking device (46), where:
- the spout (47) comprises an elongated cylindrical body (48), a first upper ring (49) and a second lower ring (50), larger in diameter than the first upper ring (49), the connection between the spout (47) and the automatic opening device for containers (41), one from the group comprising screwed-thread and bayonet;
- the base element (41b) comprises a first sidewall element (54) and an upper member (55) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the first sidewall element (54);
- the central region of the upper member (55) is provided with a throughout hole (39a);
- the guiding and locking device (46) comprises an elongated body provided at the upper edge with a plurality of upper rupture elements (46a), which are connected to the lower edge of the base element (41b); and
- the internal lower region of the guiding and locking device (46) is provided with a locking means;
- the automatic opening device for containers (41) characterized in that:
- the lower central region of the upper member (55) of the base member (41b) is provided with a cutting device (43), which comprises a hollow protruding body whose upper region is connected to the lower region of the upper member (55) where the throughout hole (39a) is located, which is a continuation of the hollow portion of the cutting device (43), the lower region of the cutting device (43) being provided with a plurality of cutting elements (43a);
- a screw thread (45,145) of at least one entry is provided in the lower external region of the first sidewall element (54) of the base element (41b);
- the upper internal region of the guiding and locking device (46) is provided with an internal screw thread (44,144) of at least one entry; and
- the screw thread (45,145) provided in the external lower region of the first sidewall element (54) of the base element (41b) and the internal screw thread (44,144) provided in the upper internal region of the guiding and locking device (46) comprise screw threads of equal orientation, defined between right and left
23- An automatic opening device for containers (41), according to claim 22, characterized in that:
- additionally be provided with a closing element (41a) which is connected to the base element (41b) by means of a connection chosen from the group comprising a pivoting connection element, a screw-threaded connection, and a pressure connection element, the closing element (41a) comprising a second sidewall element (56) and an upper member (57) whose edges are joined to the upper edge of the second sidewall element (56), the upper member (57) being provided in its internal center region of a protruding sealing element (40);
- a central protruding ring (39) encircling the throughout hole (39a) in the central region of the upper member (55);
- the screw thread (44,144) comprises a screw thread of multiple entries, each comprising a lower flank (44a, 144a) and an upper flank (44b, 144b), with a root (44c, 144c) formed between these two flanks, wherein the upper ends (44d, 144d) of the upper flanks (44b, 144b) extend above the upper ends of the lower flanks (44b, 144b); and
- said locking means comprise a plurality of lower locking elements (46b) in the form of spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion of the guiding and locking device (46), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the guiding and locking device (46).
24- An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 23, characterized in that:
- the base element (41b) is provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises a hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53a) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (41b) towards its edge, where the first curved portion (53a) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (43), and the other end of the first curved portion (53a) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is beveled and forms a rim (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); and
- the closing element (41a) is provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (41a) is in the closed position.
25- An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 24, characterized in that reinforcement wings (46d) are provided on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device (46), located in the regions where the upper ends (44d, 144d) of the upper flanks (44b, 144b) are extended.
26- An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 25, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (45,145) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (44,144) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (41) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
27- An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 23, characterized in that:
- a plurality of guiding fins (46c) is provided in the internal lower region of the guiding and locking device (46);
- the base element (41b) is provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53a) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (41b) towards the edge, where the first curved portion (53a) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (43), and the other end of the first curved portion (53a) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is chamfered and forms an edge (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); and
- the closing element (41a) is provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (41a) is in the closed position.
28- An automatic opening device for containers (41), according to claim 27, characterized in that reinforcement wings (46d) are provided on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device (46), located in the regions where the upper ends (44d, 144d) of the upper flanks (44b, 144b) are extended.
29- An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 28, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (45,145) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (44,144) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (41) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
30- An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 23, characterized in that:
- an internal screw thread (52) is provided in the lower internal region of the guiding and locking device (46);
- the base element (41b) is provided with a pouring device (53) which comprises an integrally hollow body formed by a first curved portion (53a) and a second portion (53b), which extends over the upper face of the base element (41b) towards the edge, where the first curved portion (53a) has one end connected to the hollow body of the cutting device (43), and the other end of the first curved portion (53a) is connected to one end of the second portion (53b), whose other end is beveled and forms an rim (53c), which defines a throughout hole (53d); and
- the closing element (41a) is provided with a sealing element (54), which is designed to rest on the edge (53c) of the second horizontal portion (53b) when the closing element (41a) is in the closed position.
31- An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 30, characterized in that reinforcement wings (46d) are provided on the upper edge of the guiding and locking device (46), located in the regions where the upper ends (44d, 144d) of the upper flanks (44b, 144b) are extended.
32- An automatic opening device for containers (41) according to claim 31, characterized in that each external screw thread flank (45,145) is provided with a locking recess and each internal screw thread flank (44,144) is provided with a locking projection, said locking recess and locking projection being designed to fit and lock the automatic opening device for containers (41) to preclude rotational movements at the end of the operation to open said container.
33- A spout adapter device (25,35) for application to a spout (26) of a container (20), where:
- a sealing element (19) is firmly adhered to the rim of the spout (26);
- the external upper region of the spout (26) is provided with an external screw thread (30) with at least one entry, with an orientation chosen from the group comprising right-hand and left-hand;
- a retaining ring (33) is located immediately below the external screw thread (30); and
- the external lower region of the spout (26) is provided with a base ring (28), larger in diameter than the retaining ring (33);
- the spout adapter device (25,35) characterized in that it comprises an upper portion (25s, 35s) connected to a lower portion (25i, 35i), of larger diameter, in which:
- the external upper region of the upper portion (25s, 35s) is provided with a protruding ring (25c, 35c), located near the upper edge of the spout adapter device (25,35);
- an external screw thread (27,37) of at least one entry, having orientation chosen from the group comprising right-hand and left-hand, is provided in the external region of the upper portion (25s,35s), which comprises a lower flank (27a,37a) and an upper flank (27b,37b), with a root (27c,37c) formed between the lower flank (27a, 37a) and the upper flank (27b,37b), the upper flank (27b,37b) of the external screw thread (27,37) is provided with an upper end (31,32) that extends beyond the protruding ring (25c,35c), while the upper end of the lower flank (27a,37a) faces the lower portion of the protruding ring (25c,35c);
- an internal screw thread (29.36) is provided in the internal region of the upper portion (25s, 35s) of the spout adapter device (25.35); and
- a locking means is provided in the internal lower region of the lower portion (25i, 35i).
34- A spout adapter device (25) according to claim 33, characterized in that the locking means provided in the internal lower region of the lower portion (25i) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (35b) which comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion (35i) of the spout adapter device (35), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device (35).
35- A spout adapter device (25) according to claim 33, characterized in that:
- the locking means provided in the internal lower region of the lower portion (25i) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (35b) which comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion (35i) of the spout adapter device (35), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device (35); and
- a retaining edge (25r) is provided in the upper region of the lower portion (25i).
36- A spout adapter device (35) according to claim 33, characterized in that:
- it is additionally provided with a medial portion (35m), the upper region of which is connected to the lower region of an edge (34) provided in the lower region of the upper portion (35s), while the lower region of the medial portion (35m) is connected the upper region of the lower portion (35i);
- the medial portion (35m) is provided with a plurality of spaced apart radial openings (35a) distributed circumferentially; and
- the locking means provided in the internal lower region of the lower portion (35i) comprises a plurality of lower locking elements (35b) which comprise spaced apart lugs distributed circularly, the lower portion of each lug being joined to the lower region of the lower portion (35i) of the spout adapter device (35), and the body of each lug being inclined towards the geometric axis of the spout adapter device (35).
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 1, 2019
Publication Date: Jan 7, 2021
Inventors: Andrea Luciana Martins (Rio de Janeiro), Ivan Ferreira Da Costa (Rio de Janeiro), Mario Luiz Novaes Avila (Rio de Janeiro)
Application Number: 16/977,419