Opening device for packaging containers

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening device for packaging containers that comprises at least one base element, which is placed on an opening of the container and which, in particular, completely surrounds the edge area of the opening on the outside and/or inside of the container. The opening device also comprises a covering element, which can be placed on the base element in order to cover the opening of the container. Said covering element has joining means for joining the covering element to the base element once the base element has been placed on the container, and has functional means for performing a predetermined function. The covering element advantageously comprises snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw joining means for joining to the base element and, as a functional means, can comprise, for example, a closure part for reclosing the opening, a protective part for protecting the base element or a safety seal, which is irreversibly changed the first time the packaging container is opened.

1 . An opening device for packaging comprising at least one base element ( 1 ) which is firmly joined to the packaging container in the area of an opening 
 ( 26 ) of the container ( 11 ) and    a covering element ( 2 ) which can be placed on the base element ( 1 ) for covering the opening ( 26 ) of the container,    characterized in 
 that the covering element ( 2 ) comprises joining means for joining the covering element ( 2 ) to the base element ( 1 ) once the base element ( 1 ) has been placed on the container ( 11 ) and functional means for performing a predeterminable function.  
   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , 
 characterized in that the covering element ( 2 ) comprises snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw joining means for joining to the base element ( 1 ).    
     
     
         3 . A device according to any of claims  1  or  2 , 
 characterized in 
 the covering element ( 2 ) comprises, as functional means, a closure part ( 3   a ) for reclosing the opening ( 26 ), a protective part for protecting the base element ( 1 ) or a safety seal which can be irreversibly changed the first time the packaging container is opened.  
 
 
     
     
         4 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the base element ( 1 ) completely surrounds the edge area ( 9 ) of the opening ( 26 ) on the outside and/or inside of the container.  
   
     
     
         5 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the base element ( 1 ) consists of an injectable plastic material which may be injected, in an injection process, around the edge area ( 9 ) of the opening ( 26 ) for sealing the edges of the container material.  
   
     
     
         6 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the base element ( 1 ) comprises an opening element ( 1   a ) which may be removed for opening the container ( 11 ) and which is joined to the base element ( 1 ) before the container ( 11 ) is opened.  
   
     
     
         7 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the base element ( 1 ) completely encircles the edge area ( 9 ) of the opening ( 26 ) with an outer edge ( 14   a ) and an inner edge ( 14   b ), that the outer edge ( 14   a ) and the inner edge ( 14   b ) are joined to each other by means of an edge ( 25 ) of the base element ( 1 ) being perpendicular thereto and protruding from the opening ( 26 ), and  
 that the opening element ( 1 ) is joined to the base element ( 1 ) on the side of the edge ( 25 ) facing away from the opening ( 26 ).  
   
     
     
         8 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the opening element ( 1   a ) comprises an opening section ( 4 ) which is joined to the opening element ( 1   a ), and  
 that the opening element ( 1   a ) is removable by means of the opening section ( 4 ) for opening the container ( 11 ), wherein the opening element ( 1   a ) is provided with weakenings or, respectively, predetermined breaking points on the edge ( 25 ) of the base element ( 1 ), in particular.  
   
     
     
         9 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the opening section ( 4 ) is joined, via a joining section ( 10 ), with the opening element ( 1   a ) for opening the container ( 11 ) and, with a joining web ( 21 ), with an aeration site ( 20 ) of the opening element ( 1   a ), wherein the joining web ( 21 ) opens the aeration site ( 20 ) when the opening section ( 4 ) is actuated and before the opening element ( 1   a ) is removed.  
   
     
     
         10 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the aeration site ( 20 ) is a material weakening or a thin membrane of the opening element ( 1   a ) in the area of the joining web ( 21 ) and is joined to the joining web ( 21 ).  
   
     
     
         11 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in 
 that the covering element ( 2 ) comprises, as a functional means, a closure part ( 3   a ) and, as a joining means, a base part ( 3   b ),    that the closure part ( 3   a ) and the base part ( 3   b ) are joined to a hinge-like section ( 8 ) and    that the base part ( 3   b ) may be joined to the base element ( 1 ) by means of a snap-connection, wherein the base part ( 3   b ) comprises a hook-shaped detent element ( 15 ) which grips under a web ( 18 ) laterally protruding from the edge ( 25 ) of the base element ( 1 ) and optionally comprises a shoulder ( 13 ) which is supported on the outer edge ( 14   a ) of the base element ( 1 ).    
     
     
         12 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in 
 that the covering element ( 2 ) comprises a sealing web ( 17 ) which comes to rest on edge  25  and/or the laterally protruding web ( 18 ) of the base element ( 1 ) in the area of a sealing surface ( 12 ) when the opening ( 26 ) is closed.    
     
     
         13 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in 
 that the covering element ( 2 ) comprises a sealing edge ( 23 ) which is optionally bent, which comes to rest on the side of the edge ( 25 ) opposite the opening ( 26 ) and/or of the laterally protruding web ( 18 ) of the base element ( 1 ) when the opening ( 26 ) is closed.    
     
     
         14 . A device according to any of claims  12  or  13 , 
 characterized in 
 that the sealing web ( 17 ) and/or the sealing edge ( 23 ) is provided with an additional sealing lip.  
 
 
     
     
         15 . A device according to any of  claims 11  to  14 , 
 characterized in 
 that the sealing web ( 17 ) is placed on the closure part ( 3   a ) and the sealing edge ( 23 ) is placed on the base part ( 3   b ) of the covering element ( 2 ).  
 
 
     
     
         16 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the closure part ( 3   a ) and the base part ( 2 ) of the covering element are tightly locked to each other by means of a collar area ( 7 ) being molded outwardly and optionally being provided with a sealing lip.  
   
     
     
         17 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the covering element ( 2 ) comprises, as further functional means, a pouring element ( 24 ) for pouring out pourable package contents and an extension ( 16 ) on the side of the covering element ( 2 ) opposite the hinge-like section ( 8 ), for opening the covering element ( 2 ).  
   
     
     
         18 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the covering element ( 2 ) or, respectively, the closure part ( 3   a ) and the base part ( 3   b ) consist of a harder plastic material like polypropylene, for example, and the base element ( 1 ) or, respectively, the opening element ( 1   a ) consists of a softer plastic material like polyethylene, for example.  
   
     
     
         19 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the covering element ( 2 ) or, respectively, the closure part ( 3   a ) is configured to be exchangeable, i.e. detachable from the base element ( 1 ), in particular, or, respectively, from the base part ( 3   b ).  
   
     
     
         20 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 characterized in 
 that the closure part ( 3   a ) is a lid, screw or bayonet closure.  
   
     
     
         21 . A covering element for a device according to any of the preceding claims, 
 wherein the covering element ( 2 ) can be placed on the base element ( 1 ) for covering the opening ( 26 ) of the container ( 11 ),    characterized in 
 that the covering element ( 2 ) comprises joining means for joining the covering element ( 2 ) to the base element ( 1 ) after the base element ( 1 ) has been placed on the container ( 11 ), and  
 functional means for performing a predeterminable function.