Opening device for a package and package

Abstract

An opening device for a package having a designated pour opening covered with a separation membrane and filled with a pourable product. The opening device comprises at least a collar delimiting a flow channel extending between an inlet opening of the collar configured to allow for the inlet of the pourable product into the flow channel and a pouring outlet of the collar configured to allow for an outflow of the pourable product from the flow channel and a cutter configured to break the separation membrane and being at least partially arranged within the flow channel. The opening device comprises a retaining device having a retaining element protruding from an inner surface of the collar and an interaction element connected to the cutter. The retaining element and the interaction element are configured to interact with one another so as to block movement of the cutter out of the flow channel and through the pouring outlet.

1 . An opening device for a package, in particular a composite package, having a designated pour opening covered with a separation membrane and filled with a pourable product;
 the opening device comprises at least:   a collar delimiting a flow channel extending between an inlet opening of the collar configured to allow for the inlet of the pourable product into the flow channel and a pouring outlet of the collar configured to allow for an outflow of the pourable product from the flow channel; and   a cutter configured to break the separation membrane and being at least partially arranged within the flow channel;   wherein the collar comprises an inner surface facing the flow channel;   wherein the opening device further comprises a retaining device configured to block movement of the cutter out of the flow channel and through the pouring outlet;   wherein the retaining device comprises a retaining element protruding from the inner surface of the collar and an interaction element connected to the cutter;   wherein the retaining element and the interaction element are configured to interact with one another so as to block movement of the cutter out of the flow channel and through the pouring outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar extends along a central axis;
 wherein the interaction element and the retaining element are configured to interact with one another with the cutter-being positioned in and/or moved to a limit axial position with respect to the central axis.   
     
     
         3 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element comprises an abutment surface facing the inlet opening and the interaction element has an engagement surface; wherein the engagement surface is configured to abut against the abutment surface so as to block the movement of the cutter out of the flow channel and through the pouring outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutter comprises a main body carrying a cutting section of the cutter and having a cross-section with an annular shape;
 wherein the interaction element protrudes from an outer surface of the main portion facing the inner surface of the collar.   
     
     
         5 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element is integrally connected to the collar and/or the interaction element is integrally connected to the cutter. 
     
     
         6 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element comprises and/or is a continuous ring or is arc-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element comprises at least two ring portions, the ring portions being detached from one another. 
     
     
         8 . The opening device according to  claim 7 , wherein the retaining element comprises a plurality of ring portions angularly displaced from one another about a central axis of the collar. 
     
     
         9 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element comprises a transition surface facing the pouring outlet and being configured to allow for insertion of the cutter into the flow channel during assembly of the opening device. 
     
     
         10 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the interaction element is interposed between the retaining element and the inlet opening and/or the retaining element is interposed between the pouring outlet and the interaction element. 
     
     
         11 . The opening device according to  claim 1 ,  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the cutter is arrangeable in a rest position in which the cutter is detached from the separation membrane and an active position in which the cutter is configured to break the separation membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The opening device according to  claim 11 , and further comprising an actuation device configured to actuate movement of the cutter from the rest position to the active position. 
     
     
         13 . The opening device according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 a base frame configured to be fitted and/or being fitted on the main body and about the designated pour opening and carrying collar; and   a closure configured to selectively open and close the pouring outlet.   
     
     
         14 . A package comprising:
 a main body filled with a pourable product and having a designated pour opening covered with a separation membrane; and   an opening device according to  claim 1  fitted about the designated pour opening.   
     
     
         15 . A package according to  claim 14 , wherein the main body is formed from a multilayer packaging material.