Opening/closing device for a container pourable products

Abstract

An opening/closing device for a container for pourable products is disclosed. The device includes a collar combinable with the container at a perforable portion thereof, a moveable cap by a first guiding means, which are interposed between the cap and the collar, on the outer surface of the collar, and a cutting element constrainedly movable by second guiding means, which are interposed between the cutting element and the collar. Inside the collar, the device has pushing means for the cutting element, which are actuated by the cap during its first displacement on the outer surface of the collar, for promoting the displacement inside the collar of the cutting element in the direction of the perforable portion. The cap is also has a through hole for pouring product and a lid adapted to seal, or open, the passage of the through hole.

1 . Opening/closing device for a container for pourable products, having a perforable portion, said opening/closing device comprising a collar combinable with said container at said perforable portion, a cap constrainedly movable by first guiding means, which are interposed between said cap and said collar, on the outer surface of said collar, and a cutting element constrainedly movable by second guiding means ( 60 ), which are interposed between said cutting element and said collar, inside said collar for severing said perforable portion, said device further comprising pushing means for said cutting element, which are actuated by said cap during its first displacement on said outer surface of said collar, for promoting the displacement inside said collar of said cutting element in the direction of said perforable portion, wherein said cap is provided with a through hole ( 32 ) for pouring said pourable product and with at least one lid integrally constrained to said cap and adapted to seal, or open, the passage of said through hole, said first guiding means only rotatably constraining said cap to said collar, said opening/closing device further comprising means for limiting the rotation of said cap with respect to the outer surface of said collar between a first assembled position for said opening/closing device and a second locked position of said cap on said collar. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said limiting means comprise at least two parts, which can be reciprocally engaged and are respectively integral with said cap and said collar. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said limiting means comprise a locking tooth which can be engaged in a corresponding seat, at least when said cap is in said second position, said locking tooth protruding inside said cap and said seat being defined on said outer surface of said collar, or vice-versa. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the angular range between said first position and said second position is between 180 and 360°. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first guiding means comprise a first protruding radial portion and a second protruding radial portion, wherein said first protruding portion is integral with the outer surface of said collar and said second protruding portion is integral with the inner surface of said cap and adapted to brush against said first protruding portion during the rotation of said cap with respect to said collar, said first protruding portion and/or said second protruding portion being elastically deformable at least when said cap is combined with said collar during the assembly of said opening/closing device. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining ring integrally constrained at the lower end of said cap by a plurality of frangible bridges, said frangible bridges being severed at least when said cap is displaced from said first assembled position. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid is made in one piece with said cap. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said cap comprises a pouring spout, said through hole being made at the upper final end of said pouring spout. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid is hinged to said cap by a plastic hinge combined with the side surface of said cap. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said plastic hinge is arranged on said side surface in an angular position so that at least when said cap is in its second locked position, said lid, when open, is on the part of the container opposite the side(s) of the container closest to said collar. 
     
     
         11 . A method for the first opening of a container for pourable products provided with an opening/closing device according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 a) displacing said cap with respect to said collar;   b) causing, during said step a), the displacement of said cutting element in the direction of said perforable portion of said container for severing it;   
       said method further comprising subsequently to said step b), a step c) of raising said lid integral with said cap for pouring the product contained in said container, and step d) limiting the displacement of said cap between a first assembled position for said opening/closing device and a second locked position (P 2 ) of said cap to said collar. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , said step a) comprises the step a1) of rotating said cap with respect to the outer surface of said collar between said first position and said second position. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said step (c) comprises the step of turning the lid with respect to the cap.