NZ733143B2 - Automatic opening device for carton packages - Google Patents
Automatic opening device for carton packages Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ733143B2 NZ733143B2 NZ733143A NZ73314314A NZ733143B2 NZ 733143 B2 NZ733143 B2 NZ 733143B2 NZ 733143 A NZ733143 A NZ 733143A NZ 73314314 A NZ73314314 A NZ 73314314A NZ 733143 B2 NZ733143 B2 NZ 733143B2
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- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- thread
- flank
- groove
- cap
- opening device
- Prior art date
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- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 4
- 101710034857 ATIC Proteins 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 239000002648 laminated material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000014509 gene expression Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene (PE) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000000614 Ribs Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000001138 Tears Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000001174 ascending Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011030 bottleneck Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013365 dairy product Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021393 food security Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 101700035133 yxdJ Proteins 0.000 description 1
Abstract
The caps of the known opening devices for carton packages, when unscrewed upwardly the first time, have to drive a cutting element which must make a downward movement, thereby making necessary the cap to be provided with heavy elongated cam followers to drive the cutting element. The inventive automatic opening device obviates the use of cam followers by providing a spout (3) with an external thread (2) comprising a first groove (2c) and a second groove (2f) of opposite orientations and connected each other, and a cap (26) having internal screw thread segments (19) which engage said first groove (2c) and second groove (2f), the cap (26) being integral with at least one protruding cutting element (30), thereby making it lighter than the automatic opening device for carton package known in the art. When the cap (26) is unscrewed the first time from the spout (3) it makes first a downward movement, thereby enabling the protruding cutting element (30) to cut the aluminium layer of the carton package. atic opening device obviates the use of cam followers by providing a spout (3) with an external thread (2) comprising a first groove (2c) and a second groove (2f) of opposite orientations and connected each other, and a cap (26) having internal screw thread segments (19) which engage said first groove (2c) and second groove (2f), the cap (26) being integral with at least one protruding cutting element (30), thereby making it lighter than the automatic opening device for carton package known in the art. When the cap (26) is unscrewed the first time from the spout (3) it makes first a downward movement, thereby enabling the protruding cutting element (30) to cut the aluminium layer of the carton package.
Description
(12) Granted patent specificaon (19) NZ (11) 733143 (13) B2
(47) Publicaon date: 2021.12.24
(54) AUTOMATIC OPENING DEVICE FOR CARTON PACKAGES
(51) Internaonal Patent Classificaon(s):
B65D 51/22
(22) Filing date: (73) Owner(s):
2014.11.24 ICMATECH INOVAÇÕES TECNOLÓGICAS LTD
(23) Complete specificaon filing date:
2014.11.24 (74) Contact:
PIPERS
(86) Internaonal Applicaon No.:
(72) Inventor(s):
COSTA, Ivan Ferreira da
(87) Internaonal Publicaon number:
WO/2016/082008
(57) Abstract:
The caps of the known opening devices for carton packages, when unscrewed upwardly the first
me, have to drive a cung element which must make a downward movement, thereby making
necessary the cap to be provided with heavy elongated cam followers to drive the cung element.
The invenve automac opening device obviates the use of cam followers by providing a spout
(3) with an external thread (2) comprising a first groove (2c) and a second groove (2f) of opposite
orientaons and connected each other, and a cap (26) having internal screw thread segments (19)
which engage said first groove (2c) and second groove (2f), the cap (26) being integral with at least
one protruding cung element (30), thereby making it lighter than the automac opening device
for carton package known in the art. When the cap (26) is unscrewed the first me from the spout
(3) it makes first a downward movement, thereby enabling the protruding cung element (30) to
cut the aluminium layer of the carton package.
NZ 733143 B2
AUTOMATIC OPENING DEVICE FOR CARTON PACKAGES
The present invention relates to an automatic opening device for carton packages
which comprises a spout provided with an outer thread comprising a first groove followed by a
second groove of opposite orientation and a cap screwed thereto, wherein the cap is provided with
means able to tear the material of the package when the cap is unscrewed the first time.
A screw thread is a helical structure that basically comprises a groove and an
elevation or ridge applied to the surface of a cylindrical or slightly conical body to form a helical
surface.
Screw threads can be applied to the external surface of a cylindrical or slightly
tapered body, in this case known by the terms "outer thread" or "male threads", or may be applied
on the inner surface of a cylindrical or conical cavity, in this case known by the expressions "inner
thread" or "female threads".
The cross section of a thread can have various shapes, e.g., square, triangular,
trapezoidal, and others.
Screw systems are those wherein an element provided with an inner thread engages
an element provided with an outer thread, through the action ofarotational movement that causes
the engagement of the ridge of the threads into the grooves of the other.
When this engagement occurs, and with the continuity of the rotational movement,
the helical surface of the thread causes, in addition to a rotational movement occurring between
these two elements, a longitudinal movement which also occurs between them.
In other words, screw threads can convert rotational force or movement to linear, or
vice versa.
A typical example of a threaded system is an internal screw thread lid which engages
the neck of a bottle, which is provided with an outer thread.
The rotational movement of driving a cap to engage it to a bottleneck is called a
screwing. The rotational movement of disengaging the cap relative to a neck is called unscrewing.
The invention of the screw thread is attributed to the Greek mathematician Architas
of Tarentum, which occurred in the fifth century before Christ. It is classified as one of the
fundamental machines created in the beginnings of mankind, which is present in most of the
apparatuses used today,
Screw threads have several uses, and may, for example, be used for:
• Fixing objects to each other (for example, bolts and nuts), in this case called
retaining threads;
• Transmitting movements (e.g., jacks and automotive gear boxes], in this case
called transmission threads;
• Serving as a sealing elements Ce.g., for pipes and caps of various packages].
As for the direction of the rotational movement for screwing, screw threads can be
classified into two basic types:
• Right-hand threads, wherein the screwing movement occurs in the clockwise
direction;
• Left-hand threads, wherein the screwing movement occurs in the
counterclockwise direction.
As for the typification, threads may be classified into two basic types:
• Single-ridged thread, or single thread, provided with only one entry;
• Multiple-ridged thread, or thread of multiple entries, provided with at least two
entries.
The pitch of a thread is defined as the linear distance between the crest of two
adjacent ridges of the screw thread, measured relative to a line parallel to the thread axis of
symmetry. A determining factor for the definition of the linear distance is the thread angle of
inclination in relation to its generatrix.
The lead or retreating movement of a threaded element, a bolt for example, is defined
as the longitudinal movement effected by this threaded element after performing a complete
rotation through 360°.
The magnitude of this lead or retreating movement of a threaded element is
determined by the pitch of this thread.
In case the threaded element is provided with a single thread, of single start, the pitch
and the magnitude of the longitudinal movement of lead or retreat have the same measure. If the
threaded element is provided with multiple thread starts, in this case the magnitude of the
longitudinal movement of advance or retreat is equivalent to the measure of the pitch multiplied by
the number of thread starts.
Thus, the movement of advance or retreat can be defined by the formula below:
L=NxP
Wherein:
L -> lead or retreat
N -> number of thread starts
P -> thread pitch
Whatever application is given to a thread, the magnitude of the movements of lead
and retreat will always be determined by the thread pitch. This is an immutable physical
relationship.
The immutability characteristic of the relationship between the longitudinal
movement (advance or retreat) and the pitch of a screw thread hinders, or even prevents them,
from being applied in situations where it would be necessary for the magnitude of these longitudinal
movements to be variable for a screwing or unscrewing process of two threaded members.
When such a need occurs, designers are forced to seek solutions, and these solutions
usually have a certain complexity in addition to causing undesirable manufacturing cost increases.
Among others, a segment in which this problem is clearly observed is in packages
used for the storage of liquids, especially disposable packages, wherein such packages are
manufactured with spouts provided with devices to open the package.
Disposable packages are now widely used in the packaging of different types of
liquids, especially in the dairy and fruit juice industry, or the like.
One type of well-known package is made of a fibrous, thin laminate material, usually
paper, to which is attached a second thin laminated material of high strength, usually aluminium. A
layer of impermeable thermoplastic material, usually polyethylene, is applied to this layered
composite.
This type of material has a very low manufacturing cost, and may easily be configured
to take several forms. This greatly facilitates the manufacturing process of a package with this kind
of material. These packages are referred to as carton packages.
It is desirable that packages made from this material are provided with a spout device
to open the package which enables its content to flow through this spout, when it is necessary to
use it. It is also desirable that the spout device to open the package is provided with a cover cap,
usually a threaded lid, which can be used as a sealing element in situations where only a part of the
package's content was removed and the remaining content must remain sealed within the package.
For reasons of hygiene and food security, the devices to open the spout of these
packages must necessarily be designed so that the package is hermetically and aseptically sealed in
the industrialization process, and shall remain so until the moment it is necessary to remove its
content.
In the case of packages manufactured with the above-mentioned laminate material, it
is common that the product be hermetically packaged inside the package and the spout device to
open the spout is designed so that by rotating the threaded cap, it is unscrewed from the spout. This
unscrewing movement provokes a movement in the internal components of the device to open the
spout, which causes the opening of a passageway in the portion of the laminated material upon
which the device to open the spout is affixed.
This action then opens an aperture located immediately below the device to open the
spout, enabling the content of the package to be removed from the interior thereof through said
device to open the spout. In case the entire content of the package is not removed, it will suffice to
engage the screw cap back onto the threaded spout of the spout device to open the spout so that the
package is closed again.
This type of device to open the spout is known by the term expression "automatic
opening device".
The Brazilian patent PI0213426-8, corresponding to international patent application
W003/035491 and incorporated herein by reference: discloses an automatic opening device which
can be used in packages manufactured in a similar laminated material as the material described
above.
This spout automatic opening device comprises a spout element 4 and a lid 2. The
spout element 4 includes a flat base 29 integral with a spout 24, the latter being provided with an
outer screw thread 42 and the liquid into the package being poured through the spout.
A tab 26 is connected to the lower end of the spout element 4 by means of a pivoting
element 28. An annular space 30 is provided between the flange of the tab 26 and the inner wall of
the spout 24 so that the tab 26 can tilt within the spout 24 together with the pivoting element 28.
A cam follower 32 is integral to the upper surface of the tab 26, and a cutting element
34 is integral to the lower surface of the tab 26.
The cap element 2 comprises a lid 5 integral with a cylindrical side wall 34, which is
provided with an inner thread 6. The inner bottom surface of the lid 5 is provided with a first cam
8, which can engage the cam follower 32 of the tab 26. A second cam 9 is provided on the inner
bottom surface of the lid 5 in an outer region in relation to the region where the first cam 8 is
situated.
When the cap 2 of the device to open the spout is unscrewed for the first time, this
rotational movement causes the first cam 8 to engage the cam follower 32. As the rotational
movement of the cap 2 progresses, the first cam 8 exerts a force on the cam follower 32, and
consequently on the tab 26.
As the tab 26 is connected to the pivoting element 28, consequently the tab 26 will
pivot towards the inside of the package. As a result, the cutting element 34 will be forced against the
portion of the laminate material of the package which is located immediately below, thereby
promoting a cut in this region. This will open a passage for the liquid packed inside the package to
flow through the spout element 4.
In certain circumstances the cam follower 32 maybe positioned in a manner that does
not contact the cam 8, whereby the automatic opening device will not operate in due manner. In this
case, when the cap element 2 is screwed in the threaded spout 4, at a certain instant the cam
follower 32 will contact the surface 14 of the second cam 10.
With the continued screwing movement, the cam follower 32 will be directed by the
second cam 10 to position at the initial portion 12 of the first cam 8. Thus, the cam follower 32 will
then be correctly positioned for future opening operations of the automatic opening device.
A disadvantage observed in the automatic opening device described in patent
document PI0213426-8 is that the actuation of the mechanism occurs in the unscrewing movement
of the cap 2 of the spout 24. As this rotational movement causes the cam 8 to move away from the
cap 2 relative to the cam follower 32 of the tab 26, it consequently becomes necessary to provide
these two parts with a vertical elongation to obtain the desired mechanical effect of piercing and
tearing the laminated material of the by the cutting member 34, as described above.
This vertical elongation of these two parts, and consequently the cap 2 and the spout
4 generates a device with relatively large dimensions. This makes it difficult to stack the packages
in transport packages which causes problems in transporting the same.
Further, this causes an undesirable increase in raw material consumption, and
consequently an increase in the injection time of the parts, thereby increasing manufacturing costs.
In the Brazilian patent PI0311973-4 it is described a solution for the problem caused
by movement away from the cover relative to the cutting element of the package, by means of a
third independent piece which makes an opening in the package.
Although this solution provides a smaller cap and spout assembly, which facilitates
the storage and transport of the packages, it has the disadvantage of requiring the manufacture of a
third part which causes a greater consumption of raw material, as well as the need for the use of
three injection moulding tools, one for each part, and, consequently, longer manufacturing times.
[004S] Moreover, there is also a need for three pieces to be assembled at the time of
manufacture instead of two, which makes the assembly more complex. This assembly is automated
without human manual contact, with the aim to prevent contamination.
In the Brazilian patents PI0518924-1, PI0702838-5, PI0702839-3 and PI0702842-3
there are descriptions of devices basically comprising a spout and a cap in which a third part is
assembled into the spout and is used to make an opening in the package. These have the same
drawbacks mentioned above in relation to the Brazilian patent document PI0311973-4.
A common problem observed in all the above-mentioned patent documents is that,
when the caps are unscrewed for the first time, the driving mechanisms at the cap must drive the
cutting element to make it cut an opening in the package, thereby allowing the content of the
package to then be removed from its interior.
This move away movement is unavoidable, as the movements of advance and move
away from a threaded element are solely dependent on the pitch of the thread and the number of
entries thereof, which is a fixed and unchanging relationship, as it was mentioned above
When these caps are unscrewed the first time the driving mechanisms in the inner
bottom surface of the cap must activate the said package opening mechanism. However, as the
driving mechanisms tend to move away from the package opening mechanism, it is then necessary
that the driving mechanism is designed to compensate for such moving away movement.
The solution used was to elongate the drive mechanisms toward the inside of the
spout to offset the said moving away movement, as verified in the object of PI0213426-8, As
previously mentioned, this elongation causes many problems, such as an increase in the dimensions
of the cap and the spout, greater material consumption and increased manufacturing time, as well
as it causes an increase in the dimensions of the automatic opening device, thereby causing
difficulties for the stacking of packages.
[OOS1] The present invention relates to an automatic opening device for carton packages
which enables such driving mechanisms to be designed without the need to provide an elongation
of components to offset the ascending longitudinal movement when unscrewing a cap from a spout
the first time, whereby obviating the need of a third part to make the package open.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent
through the detailed description of the invention that follows hereinafter, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention will be better appreciated from the detailed
description which follow, by way of example, associated with the attached drawings referenced
below which are an integral part of this specification.
Figure 1 is a front view of a spout provided with an outer thread which is part of the
automatic opening device for carton packages object of the present invention,
Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of a cap provided with inner thread segments
forming part of the automatic opening device for carton packages of the present
invention.
Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing the time when the inner thread
segments of the cap begin to be inserted into the inner thread of the spout.
Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing the moment when the inner threads
of the cap are in a first position, partially inserted in the grooves of the inner thread
of the spout.
Figure 5 is a front cross-sectional view showing the moment when the inner threads
of the cap are in a second position, partially inserted in the grooves of the inner thread
of the spout.
Figure 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing the moment when the inner threads
of the cap are fully inserted into the grooves of the inner thread of the spout in their
final mounting position.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Figures 1 to 6 depict an automatic opening device provided with a spout and a cap in
which is employed a mechanism to open a carton package which uses the automatic opening device^
object of the present invention, with the purpose of obtaining the longitudinal movements of
advance and retreat to cause the opening of the package.
[OOS5] In Figure 1, according to the present embodiment it can be observed an automatic
opening device 1 object of the present invention applied to an elongate cylindrical body 3. An outer
screw thread 2 is provided in the outer surface of an elongated cylindrical body 3, which in the
present case is a three-entries thread.
The elongated cylindrical body 3 may, for example, be a spout of a package to which
a cap 26, not shown in the Figure, may be screwed onto the upper face 9s of a base element 9, whose
lower face 9i shall be affixed to a package, as shown in Figures 1 to 6.
Hereafter, the term "spout" and the expression "elongate cylindrical body" will be
used interchangeably, i.e., to indicate the same component.
Each ridge of the outer thread 2 comprises a first upper thread 2a, provided with an
upper flank 10 and a lower flank 12, and a first lower thread 2b, provided with an upper flank 11
and a lower flank 13.
A first groove 2c is formed between the first upper thread 2a and the first lower
thread 2b, and is provided with an inlet 4a.
The outer thread 2 also comprises a second upper thread 2d, adjacent to the first
upper thread 2a, a second lower thread 2e, adjacent to the first lower thread 2b, and an end-stop
The second upper thread 2d is provided with an upper flank 14 and a lower flank 16,
and the second lower thread 2e is provided with an upper flank 15 and a lower flank 17. The end-
stop 18 is provided with a lower flank 18a.
A second groove 2fis formed between the second upper thread 2d, the second lower
thread 2e and the end-stop 18.
At a first junction point 6, there is a connection between each first upper thread 2a
and each second upper thread 2d, so that the transition from the lower flank 12 of the first upper
thread 2a to the lower flank 16 of the second upper thread 2d is such that one flank is a continuity
of the other and forms a concave angle there between.
At the first junction point 6 a transition occurs from the right-handed thread
configuration of the first upper thread 2a to a left-handed thread configuration of the second upper
thread 2 d.
Thus, the angle of inclination of the first upper thread 2a relative to the thread
generatrix and the inclination angle of the second upper thread 2d relative to the thread generatrix
are chosen to form a right-handed thread and a left-handed-thread, respectively.
At a second junction point 7 a union occurs between each first lower thread 2b and
each second lower thread 2e, so that the transition from the upper flank 11 of the first lower thread
2b to the upper flank 15 of the second lower thread 2e is such that one flank is as an extension of
the other and forms a convex angle between them.
At the second junction point 7 a transition occurs from a right-handed thread
configuration of the first lower thread 2b to a left-handed thread configuration for the second lower
thread 2e.
Thus, the inclination angle of the first lower thread 2b in relation to the thread
generatrix and the inclination angle of the second lower thread 2e in relation to the thread
generatrix are both chosen to form a right-handed thread and a left-handed thread, respectively.
The angle of inclination of the left-handed thread from the second lower thread 2e is
substantially equal to the angle of inclination of the left-handed thread of the second upper thread
The second upper thread 2d is attached to the end-stop 18 at a third junction point
32. The end-stop 18 has a right-handed thread configuration, having an angle of inclination
substantially identical to the angle of the first upper thread 2a and the first lower thread 2b.
As the second lower thread 2e is a left-handed thread, consequently the end-stop 18
will join the second lower thread 2e at a fourth junction point 33. The second groove 2fis formed
between the second upper thread 2d, the second lower thread 2e and the end-stop 18, as can be
seen in Figure 1.
The cap 26, shown in Figure 2, basically comprises a disc-shaped cap element 27
having an inner face 29 and an elongate side wall 28 in the shape of a straight cylinder trunk. Inner
thread segments 19 are provided inside the elongated side wall 28. In the present case three
segments are provided equidistant from each other and also equidistant of the inner face 29 of the
disc-shaped cap element 27.
The inner thread segments 19 are provided with a front end 20, and a rear end 21.
In the present embodiment the inner thread segments 19 are, in fact, segments of an
internal six-entries thread, which has the same characteristics as the thread 2 applied to the spout
3, wherein only three inner thread segments 19 were manufactured instead the six inner thread
segments 19 that could have been manufactured. In other words, segments were manufactured in
an alternate manner.
It should be mentioned that the provision in the present embodiment of only three
inner thread segments 19 is only a design option, and can in no way be considered a limitation of
the invention. There would be no impediment for the cap 26 to be provided with all possible inner
thread segments 19. In the case of the present embodiment there would be six inner thread
segments 19.
As can be seen in Figure 2, the inner face 29 of the top element 27 is provided with
multiple protruding cutting elements 30, distributed circumferentially and provided with sharp
ends 30a, which in this embodiment form a rotating cutting element, intended to cut the package,
as will be seen in the following.
When the cap 26 is screwed on the thread 2 of the spout 3 for the first time, a factory-
made operation, the front ends 20 of the inner thread segments 19 will pass through the entries 4a
of the thread 2, and will engage the first grooves 2c, as can be seen in Figure 3.
As the inner thread segments 19 are screwed onto the outer thread 2, they will effect
a concomitant downward axial movement, and consequently, the same will occur with the cap 26.
In other words, in addition to the rotational twisting movement, there will also occur a downward
axial movement.
With the continuity of the rotational screwing movement of the inner thread
segments 19 on the first groove 2c of the thread 2 of the spout 3, the front ends 20 of the internal
thread segments 19 will advance along the inside of the first grooves 2c, as shown in Figure 4.
At a determined moment, the rear ends 21 of each inner thread segment 19 will pass
by the first junction point 6 and the front ends 20 of the inner thread segments 19 will reach the
second junction point 7 at the lower end of the first lower thread 2b, as shown in Figure 5.
Thereafter, the inner thread segments 19 will leave the first groove 2c and will be
directed to the second groove 2f, and the front ends 20 of the inner thread segments 19 will be
forced against the upper flanks 15 of the second lower threads 2e.
Upon continuation of the screwing movement, the front ends 20 of the inner thread
segments 19 will slide through the upper flanks 15 of the second lower threads 2e,
As the second lower threads 2e have a left-handed thread configuration, this will
cause the inner thread segments 19 to undergo a reversal of direction in their axial movement,
which will then be an upward axial movement, as the inner thread segments 19 traverse the
extension of the upper flanks 15 of the second lower threads 2e, within the second groove 2f.
Consequently, the cap 26 will start making a linear upward movement, which ends at
the instant the entry ends 20 of the inner thread segments 19 reach the lower flank 18i of the end-
stops 18.
At this instant, the closure movement of the cap 26 on the spout 3 then ends.
It is important to mention that the inner thread segments 19 are designed in such a
way as to perfectly fit within the second grooves 2f, so that no problems occur during the closing
operation of the cap 26, and in particular at the moment the inner thread segments 19 undergo a
change of direction in their axial movement to start their entry into the second grooves 2f.
When it is necessary to remove the cap 26 from its engagement to the spout 3 for the
first time, a rotational movement ofunscrewing of the cap 26 relative to the outer thread 2 of the
spout 3 should be effected.
At the start of this unscrewing movement, the rear ends 21 of the inner thread
segments 19 will touch the lower flanks 16 of the second threads 2d, which will cause the inner
thread segments 19 to start a downward axial movement, in addition to effecting an unscrewing
rotating movement, to also start a downward axial movement as a result of the second upper
threads 2d having a left-handed thread configuration.
Concomitantly, the front ends 20 of the inner thread segments 19 will run through
the upper flanks 15 of the second lower threads 2e as the unscrewing movement of the cap 26 is
effected.
This downward axial movement of the inner thread segments 19 ends when the rear
ends 21 of the inner thread segments 19 fully passes by the first junction point 6 and the front ends
of the inner thread segments 19 reach the second junction point 7.
At this moment the inner thread segments 19 will start their entry into the lower
regions of the first grooves 2c defined between the first upper threads 2a and the first lower threads
From this moment on, and with the continued continuity of the unscrewing
movement of the cap 26, the inner thread segments 19 will travel the first grooves 2c towards the
entries 4a. After the inner thread segments 19 have passed entirely through the entries 4a the cap
26 is then completely unscrewed from the spout 3,
The combination of the initial circular unscrewing movement of the cap 26 and the
consequent axial movement described above will cause the sharp ends 30a of the protruding cutting
elements 30 to project onto the package from their initial mounting position, thereby opening the
package on which the cap 26 is mounted.
The magnitude of the downward axial movement of the cap 26 will be dependent on
the angles of inclination of the second upper thread 2d and the second lower thread 2e with respect
to their generatrixes, which are substantially the same.
Although the rotating cutting element shown in Figure 2 has protruding cutting
elements 30 nearly the entire perimeter thereof, to ensure that the package is cut by their sharp
ends 30a when the cap is open, a lesser number of protruding cutting elements 30 maybe provided
to save material, as long as they are provided in sufficient number to ensure the cutting of the
package during the initial downward unscrewing of the cap.
For reasons of safety and hygiene, the cap 26 may be provided with an unscrewing
prevention mechanism, not shown in the Figures. One of the functions of these cap screw
unscrewing mechanisms is to provide the end user with a guarantee that the cap 26 has remained
in the position in which it was assembled at the factory until the time when it will be unscrewed for
removal of the content from the package.
It is known in the art various types of tamper evident device to prevent unauthorised
unscrewing of the cap, which, for this reason, are not described herein. In addition, they are not part
of the present invention, and there is no impediment for them being used in conjunction therewith.
Thus, as has been shown, the automatic opening device 1 object of the present
invention provides an effective means of simple manufacture and use by providing components
which cause a change in the direction ofaxial movement of the cap 26 at the initial moment when it
is unscrewed from the spout 3.
Further, the present invention obviates the use of additional components, requires
less material and less manufacturing time, and simplifies the entire assembly operation in the
factory thereby reducing manufacturing costs and offers significant economic advantages.
While the present invention has been described with its application in threaded
package spouts and applied to mechanisms driven by the unscrewing movement of caps or closures
coupled to these spouts, it should be mentioned that the automatic opening device of the present
invention may be employed in any case in which it is necessary to use a cap provided with a rotating
cutting element which serves to cut the material located immediately below the cap when the cap
starts to be unscrewed from the spout to which it is engaged.
Thus, the present invention is not limited to the applications described in this
specification and is only limited to the content of the claims that follow.
Claims (12)
1. An automatic opening device (1) for packages, said automatic opening device (1) comprising: an elongated cylindrical body (3); a cap (26); a base element (9) provided with an upper face (9s) and a lower face (9i), the outer surface of the elongated cylindrical body (3) being provided with a thread (2), the lower face (9i) of the base element (9) being able to be affixed to a pierceable portion of a package; wherein the cap (26) comprises a disc-like cap element (27) provided with an inner face (29) and an elongate side wall (28) extending vertically, a thread being provided onto the inner surface of the elongate side wall (28) allowing the cap (26) to screw onto the external thread (2) of the elongated cylindrical body (3); wherein the thread (2) comprises at least one first groove (2c) and at least one second groove (2f) of opposite orientation with respect to said at least one first groove (2c), said at least one second groove (2f) being a continuation of said at least one first groove (2c); and wherein the cap (26) is provided with a cutting means to cut said pierceable portion of the package.
2. An automatic opening device according to claim 1, wherein: each of said at least one first groove (2c) is formed between a first upper thread (2a), provided with an upper flank (10) and a lower flank (12), and a first lower thread (2b) provided with an upper flank (11) and a lower flank (13); an inlet (4a) is provided in each of said at least one first groove (2c); each of said at least one second groove (2f) is formed between a second upper thread (2d), provided with an upper flank (14) and a lower flank (16), and a second lower thread (2e), provided with an upper flank (15) and a lower flank (17), the second upper thread (2d) being a continuation of the first upper thread (2a) and the second lower thread (2e) being a continuation of to the first lower thread (2b); an end-stop (18) is provided at an end portion of each of said second groove (2f), the end- stop being provided with a lower flank (18a); the inner end of said lower flank (12) of the first upper thread (2a) connects to a first end of said lower flank (16) of the second upper thread (2d) at a first junction point (6), forming a lower concave angle between them, a transition occurring from a right-handed thread configuration of the first upper thread (2a) to a left-handed thread configuration of the second upper thread (2d); the inner end of said upper flank (11) of the first lower thread (2b) connects to a first end of said upper flank (15) of the second lower thread (2e) at a second junction point (7), forming an upper convex angle between them, a transition occurring from a right-handed thread configuration of the first lower thread (2b) to a left-handed thread configuration for the second lower thread (2e); a first end of said lower flank (18a) of the end-stop (18) connects to a second opposite end of said lower flank (16) of the second upper thread (2d) at a third junction point (33), forming an upper convex angle between them; a second opposite end of said lower flank (18a) of the end-stop (18) connects to a second opposite end of said upper flank (15) of the second lower thread (2e) at a fourth junction point (33), forming a lower convex angle between them.
3. Automatic opening device according to claim 2, in that said cap (26) is provided with a thread onto the inner surface of the elongate side wall (28) of the cap (26) comprising a plurality of segments of internal thread (19) designed to engage said external thread (2).
4. Automatic opening device according to claim 3, in that the cap (26) is provided with at least one protruding cutting element (30), extending from the inner face (29) of the top element (27).
5. Automatic opening device according to claim 4, in that said at least one protruding cutting member (30) is provided with a sharp end (30a).
6. An automatic opening device according to claim 5, in that said at least one protruding cutting element (30) comprises a plurality of protruding cutting elements distributed circularly onto the inner face (29) of the top member (27) of the cap (26).
7. An automatic opening device according to claim 6, in that said first groove (2c) comprises a right-hand thread and said second groove (2f) comprises a left-hand thread.
8. An automatic opening device according to claim 2, in that said cutting means comprises at least one protruding cutting element (30).
9. An automatic opening device according to claim 8, in that said at least one protruding cutting element (30) comprises a plurality of protruding cutting elements distributed circularly onto the inner face (29) of the top member (27) of the cap (26).
10. An automatic opening device according to claim 9, in that said first groove (2c) comprises a right-hand thread and said second groove (2f) comprises a left-hand thread.
11. A thread (2) of variable orientation for use in packages comprising a first groove (2c) followed by a second groove (2f) of opposite orientation wherein the thread (2) comprises: the first groove (2c) is formed between a first upper thread (2a), provided with an upper flank (10) and a lower flank (12), and a first lower thread (2b) provided with an upper flank (11) and a lower flank (13); an inlet (4a) is provided in the first groove (2c); the second groove (2f) is formed between a second upper thread (2d), provided with an upper flank (14) and a lower flank (16), and a second lower thread (2e), provided with an upper flank (15) and a lower flank (17), the second upper thread (2d) being a continuation of the first upper thread (2a) and the second lower thread (2e) being a continuation of to the first lower thread (2b); the inner end of said lower flank (12) of the first upper thread (2a) connects to a first end of said lower flank (16) of the second upper thread (2d) at a first junction point (6), forming a lower concave angle between them, a transition occurring from a right-handed thread configuration of the first upper thread (2a) to a left-handed thread configuration of the second upper thread (2d); the inner end of said upper flank (11) of the first lower thread (2b) connects to a first end of said upper flank (15) of the second lower thread (2e) at a second junction point (7), forming an upper convex angle between them, a transition occurring from a right-handed thread configuration of the first lower thread (2b) to a left-handed thread configuration for the second lower thread (2e); a first end of said lower flank (18a) of the end-stop (18) connects to a second opposite end of said lower flank (16) of the second upper thread (2d) at a third junction point (32), forming an upper convex angle between them; a second opposite end of said lower flank (18a) of the end-stop (18) connects to a second opposite end of said upper flank (15) of the second lower thread (2e) at a fourth junction point (33), forming a lower convex angle between them.
12. A thread (2) according to claim 11, in that said first groove (2c) comprises a right- hand thread and said second groove (2f) comprises a left-hand thread.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/BR2014/000415 WO2016082008A1 (en) | 2014-11-24 | 2014-11-24 | Single-thread screw thread variator device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ733143A NZ733143A (en) | 2021-08-27 |
NZ733143B2 true NZ733143B2 (en) | 2021-11-30 |
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