CN111746931A - Opening device, package and method of applying opening device to a package wall - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an opening device configured to be applied to a package containing a pourable product; the opening device comprising a cap configured to close a channel for the pourable product, the channel being able to obtained at an open area of the package; the cap is movable towards and away from the open area in use to close and open the channel, respectively; the opening means comprises a connecting element fitted to the cap and is configured to fit to the package, thereby tethering the cap to the package, and thereby defining a maximum distance that the cap can be removed from the open area in use. It also relates to a package comprising the opening device and a method of applying the opening device to the wall of the package.

Description

Opening device, package and method of applying opening device to a package wall

technical field

The present invention relates to an opening device, and more particularly, to a reclosable opening device configured to be applied to a package containing a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product.

The invention further relates to a method for applying an opening device to a package containing a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product.

Background technique

It is well known that many pourable food products, such as fruit juices, UHT (Ultra High Temperature Treated) milk, wine, ketchup, etc., are sold in packages made from aseptic packaging materials.

A typical example is a parallelepiped-shaped package for pourable food products, called Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing laminated packaging material.

In particular, the packaging material has a multi-layer structure consisting essentially of a base layer for stiffness and strength, which can be made of a fibrous material, such as paper or a mineral-filled polypropylene material, and a base layer covered on both sides of the base layer by Multiple laminated layers of heat-sealed plastic material such as polyethylene film.

In the case of aseptic packaging for long-term storage products such as UHT milk or juice, the packaging material also includes a layer of gas barrier material, such as aluminum foil or ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, which is layered on top of The heat-sealing plastic material layer is covered with another heat-sealing plastic material layer. This further layer of heat-sealable plastic material forms the inner surface of the package that ultimately contacts the pourable food product.

Such packages are usually produced on fully automatic packaging machines in which continuous tubes are formed from sheet packaging material.

In addition, the sheet-like packaging material is sterilized in a packaging machine by using a chemical sterilizing agent, and then the chemical sterilizing agent is removed after the sterilization is completed.

Subsequently, the sheet packaging material is maintained in a closed sterile environment and folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube.

To complete the forming operation, the tube is filled with pourable food products from above by means of pipes, and is formed, sealed and then cut along equally spaced cross-sections.

A pillow-shaped pack is thus obtained, having longitudinal sealing strips, a top transverse sealing strip and a bottom transverse sealing strip, which are then mechanically folded to form a corresponding substantially parallelepiped-shaped finished package.

Alternatively, the packaging material can be cut into blanks, the blanks are formed into packages on forming spindles, and the resulting packages are then filled with food and sealed. An example of such a package is the so-called "mountain-shaped" package known under the trade name Tetra Rex (registered trademark).

In order to open the above-mentioned packages, various solutions have been proposed, one of which involves the use of reclosable opening devices, which are made of plastic.

This type of opening device typically includes:

- a frame that defines an opening and fits over a hole or a pierceable or tear-off portion in the wall of the package; and

- a cap configured to be coupled to the frame so as to close the opening.

According to a known solution, the frame is assembled on a so-called pre-lamination hole, ie a hole formed only through the base layer, which hole is, by means of the lamination process, replaced by the other laminated layers of the packaging material (including the gas barrier material layer) cover.

In other words, the frame is assembled, usually glued, to the pierceable part of the pre-laminated hole made of this laminate.

According to an alternative solution, the pierceable portion may be defined by a patch attached to the packaging material to close the hole formed in this case through the entire thickness of the packaging material.

Threaded opening devices are known in which the frame generally comprises an externally threaded substantially cylindrical collar and the cap comprises an internal thread and is initially screwed onto the collar. Furthermore, the cap is usually injection moulded in one piece with an associated tamper-evidence ring, which is connected coaxially to the cap itself by means of a plurality of frangible bridges, and once the bridges are broken and the cap is unscrewed, The tamper ring is still destined to remain fitted to the collar.

It is known in the art that after unsealing the cap, i.e. after removing the cap from the tamper ring and unscrewing the cap from the frame by applying torque, the user must also remove (ie cut or tear apart the cap) ) covers the pierceable portion of the pre-laminated hole for access to the interior of the package.

To this end, according to known constructions, the opening means comprise a pull-off tongue, which is coupled to the pierceable portion and is configured to be torn apart by the user once the cap is unscrewed from the frame.

According to an alternative solution, the known opening device comprises a substantially tubular cutting member screwed into a collar and having an edge with a plurality of substantially triangular end teeth cooperating with the pierceable portion , and partially detach the pierceable part from the opposite wall, preferably with the exception of the small angled part, in order to avoid the torn pierceable part falling into the interior of the package after cutting.

More precisely, the cutting member is actuated by the cap by means of a one-way ratchet, which is operated during the disengagement of the cap from the collar of the frame. In detail, the cutting member is movable relative to the frame along a helical path from a raised rest position, in which the end teeth face the pierceable portion, to a successively lowered cutting position, in which the end teeth and the pierceable portion are The piercing portions interact to cut through the pierceable portion.

It is known in the art that there is a growing need to reduce the environmental impact that accompanies the packaging and bottling of food and non-food products. In particular, extreme care must be taken with the plastic parts of the packaging, as they may contaminate the aquatic and terrestrial environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an opening device for packages containing pourable products, which is designed to meet the above-mentioned needs in a simple and low-cost manner.

This object is solved by an opening device. The opening device is configured to be applied to a package containing a pourable product; the opening device includes a cap configured to close a channel for the pourable product, the channel being able to be at the open area of the package obtaining; said cap being movable towards and away from said opening area in use to respectively close and open said channel; wherein a connecting element is included, said connecting element being fitted to said cap and configured to be fitted to said package, The cap is thereby tethered to the package and thereby defines a maximum distance that the cap can be removed from the opening area in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for applying an opening device to a package containing a pourable product, which method is designed to meet the above-mentioned needs in a simple and low-cost manner.

This object is achieved by a method for applying an opening device to a package. In particular, the present invention provides a method of applying an opening device to a wall of a package containing a pourable product; said method comprising the steps of: i) forming a package from a tube of packaging material; ii) providing a cap , to close the channel for the pourable product available at the open area of the wall; in particular comprising the steps of: iii) fitting a connecting element to the cap; and iv) fitting the connecting element Fitted to the packaging thereby tethering the cap to the packaging and thereby defining the maximum distance the cap can be removed from the wall in use.

Description of drawings

Two non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the top of a sealed package containing a pourable product on which an opening device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is fitted;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the opening device and package of Figure 1, with some parts omitted for clarity;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of details of the opening device and package of Figure 2 (shown by the circle indicated by "D"), with portions omitted for clarity; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the top of a sealed package for containing a pourable product on which is fitted an opening device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Referring to Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 generally denotes a package made of a multi-layer sheet packaging material 2 suitable for containing pourable products and having walls, in particular a top wall 4, on which an opening device 3 is fitted , the opening device 3 is preferably made of plastic material.

In particular, the package 1 is suitable for containing pourable food products, such as milk, water, juice and the like.

In the example shown, the opening device 3 is assembled on the opening area of the package 1 by conventional fixing means, eg adhesive substances (eg glue), or by means of a welding system, eg laser welding or microflame welding.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the packaging material 2 comprises a base layer 5, which may be made of a fibrous material such as paper or a mineral filled polypropylene material, for providing stiffness and strength, and a cover layer arrangement 6.

In detail, the cover layer device 6 includes a first cover layer 6 a and a second cover layer 6 b, both of which are made of a heat-sealing plastic material (eg, polyethylene film), and cover both sides of the base layer 5 .

The packaging material 2 comprises a pierceable portion 7 at the top wall 4 of the package 1 which is externally covered in use by the opening device 3 and is configured to be at least partially detachable from the top wall 4 so as to allow the pierceable portion 7 to be removable. Pour product out of package 1.

In one embodiment, the pierceable portion 7 defines an open area in which the opening device 3 is fitted.

In another embodiment not shown, the open area may be a through hole formed in the packaging material 2 , in particular in the part of the packaging material 2 forming the top wall 4 .

In the present case, the package 1 is an aseptic package for long-term storage of food products; correspondingly, the cover layer device 6 also comprises a barrier layer 8 made of a gas-barrier material, such as aluminum foil or ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, This barrier layer 8 is superimposed on the second cover layer 6b, which in turn is covered with a third cover layer 6c of the cover layer arrangement 6 made of heat-sealing plastic.

In particular, the third cover layer 6c forms the inner surface of the package 1 ultimately containing the pourable food product.

In other words, when producing the packaging material 2 in the form of a continuous sheet, before it is cut and folded to form the package 1, the first cover layer 6a, the second cover layer 6b, the barrier layer 8 and the third cover layer 6c define a through layer A lamination process is applied to the base layer 5 .

The pierceable portion 7 is defined by a through hole formed only through the base layer 5 and covered by the first cover layer 6a, the second cover layer 6b, the barrier layer 8 and the third cover layer 6c.

In fact, the pierceable portion 7 is made of the above-mentioned laminated layers and closes the through holes formed in the base layer 5 .

Preferably, the pierceable part 7 is an integral part of the cover device 6 .

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the pierceable portion 7 may be made of only one or more of the first cover layer 6a, the second cover layer 6b, the barrier layer 8 and the third cover layer 6c. For example, the pierceable portion 7 may be made of the barrier layer 8 only.

In another alternative embodiment not shown, the pierceable portion 7 may be defined by a patch attached to the packaging material 2 so as to cover the hole formed through the entire thickness of the packaging material 2 in this case.

The pierceable portion 7 has an axis A, preferably orthogonal to the top wall 4, which is vertical especially when the package 1 stands on the bottom wall (not shown and is substantially parallel to the top wall 4) vertical).

According to the non-limiting example shown, the pierceable portion 7 has a substantially circular shape concentric with the axis A.

1 to 3, the opening device 3 includes:

- a frame 10 defining a channel 11 for the pourable product and fitted on the top wall 4 of the package 1 around the pierceable portion 7, the channel 11 ending with an opening 11a through which, in use, the pourable product passes 11a dumping; and

- a cap 12 configured to cooperate in contact with the frame 10 to close the channel 11 and the opening 11a.

In detail, the opening 11a is arranged coaxially with the axis A, and the cap 12 is configured to engage the frame 10 coaxially with the axis A to close the channel 11 .

More specifically, the frame 10 comprises: a base plate 13, preferably flat, configured to be attached to the package 1 substantially parallel to the top wall 4 and around the pierceable portion 7; and a cylindrical collar 14, which extends from the base plate 13 protrudes crosswise, in particular orthogonally, and in use has a longitudinal axis B coaxial with axis A. In particular, the collar 14 delimits the channel 11 coaxially and internally. Therefore, the opening 11a is also arranged coaxially with the axis B. As shown in FIG.

The cap 12 includes a substantially flat circular top wall 15 and a cylindrical wall portion 16 that protrudes from the top wall 15 along the longitudinal axis C of the cap 12 itself and is configured to coaxially engage the collar 14 so as to Channel 11 is closed.

To this end, the collar 14 is provided with an external thread 17 extending onto the outer side surface 18 of the collar 14 itself, and the cap 12 is provided with an inner thread 19 extending onto the inner side surface 20 of the cylindrical portion 16 .

In detail, the external thread 17 and the internal thread 19 are configured to engage with each other so as to determine, in use and under the action of the user, the loosening and tightening of the cap 12 relative to the frame 10 (and thus relative to the collar 14), thereby causing passage 11 opening and closing.

The opening device 3 further comprises tamper-evident means, in particular a tamper-evident ring 21, which is preferably formed integrally with the cap 12, for example injection moulded together with the cap 12, and is initially connected coaxially by means of a plurality of frangible connecting bridges to the edge 22 of the cap 12 .

In detail, the cap 12 is initially assembled to the frame 10 in the closed position, wherein the cap 12 is fully screwed onto the collar 14, wherein the rim 22 and the tamper ring 21 are still connected to each other.

In more detail, the tamper ring 21 is angularly fixed with respect to axis A and axis B, and once removed from the cap 12, the tamper ring 21 remains angularly fixed with respect to axis A and axis B.

To this end, the collar 14 includes a plurality of recesses 23 configured to engage with corresponding protrusions 23a of the tamper-evident ring 21 .

In particular, the recesses 23 are distributed circumferentially on the collar 14 with respect to the axis B, and the protrusions 23a are circumferentially distributed on the tamper-evident ring 21 .

During assembly of the cap 12 to the frame 10 , the tamper-evident ring 21 is assembled to the collar 14 such that the protrusions 23 a face the recesses 23 , thereby engaging the corresponding recesses 23 .

More precisely, each recess 23 acts as a rotational and axial stop for the corresponding protrusion 23a, preventing angular movement, ie rotation, of the tamper-evident ring 21 with respect to axis A and axis B.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the tamper-evident ring 21 is rotatably fitted to the collar 14 , ie it is free to rotate relative to the collar 14 .

Once unsealed, the cap 12 can be moved between:

- an open position in which the cap 12 is unscrewed from the collar 14 and removed from the frame 10; and

- a closed position, in which the cap 12 is screwed on the collar 14 again, closing the channel 11 and the opening 11a.

During the first disengagement of the cap 12 from the collar 14, ie during the first movement of the cap 12 from its closed position to its open position, the connecting bridge initially connecting the tamper ring 21 and the cap 12 breaks.

More specifically, after the cap 12 is disengaged from the collar 14 for the first time, each protrusion 23a of the tamper-evident ring 21 remains engaged into a corresponding groove 23, which, as described above, serves as the rotation of such protrusions 23a stopper.

Due to the resisting torque transmitted to the connecting bridges, these connecting bridges break, releasing the cap 12 from the tamper-evident ring 21 and allowing it to be unscrewed from the collar 14 .

In view of the above, the cap 12 is movable in use towards and away from the collar 14, ie towards and away from the open area of the package 1, in order to close and open the channel 11, respectively.

According to the non-limiting embodiment shown, the opening device 3 further comprises a known tubular cutting member 24 which axially engages the collar 14 in a moveable manner and is actuated by the cap 12 to cooperate with a movable The piercing parts 7 interact to open the package 1 .

In detail, the cutting member 24 is provided with cutting means (known per se and not described in detail) and is connected to the sleeve by means of guiding means such as threaded elements or cam elements (also known per se and not described in detail) ring 14 and is configured to move between a raised rest position and a lowered open position during the first disengagement of the cap 12 from the collar 14 .

In more detail, in the raised rest position, the cutting member 24 is fully housed within the collar 14, with the cutting means facing the pierceable portion 7; in the lowered position, the cutting member 24 protrudes axially from the collar 14 so as to The pierceable portion 7 is cut, pierced and torn off in a known manner, allowing a fluid connection between the interior of the package 1 and the channel 11 (and also the opening 11a).

The movement of the cutting member 24 is controlled in a manner known and not described in detail via a one-way angular drive 25 , which is carried by the cap 12 , in particular fitted on the top wall 15 .

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the opening device 3 comprises a pull tab which is coupled to the pierceable portion 7 and is configured to be pulled out by the user once the cap 12 is unscrewed from the collar 14 so as to be manually Tear off the pierceable part 7.

According to an important aspect of the invention, the opening device 3 comprises a connecting element, in particular a strip 26, made of a flexible material, in particular a flexible plastic material, fitted to the cap 12 and configured to be fitted to the frame 10 , in particular to the frame 10 after the completion of the assembly of the opening device 3 .

In this manner, the strap 26 tethers the cap 12 to the frame 10 and defines the maximum distance that the cap 12 can be removed from the collar 14 and open area of the package 1 in use.

In detail, this maximum distance is substantially equal to the longitudinal extension of the strip 26 .

The strap 26 is configured to allow the cap 12 to be unscrewed from the collar 14 and to prevent the cap 12 from being detached from the frame 10 (ie, from the package 1 ) (especially when disposed of separately).

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the strip 26 includes:

- the first end 27, which is fitted to the cap 12;

- a second end 28 configured to fit to the frame 10, in particular after the assembly of the opening device 3 is completed; and

- a connecting portion 29 connecting the first end portion 27 to the second end portion 28 .

In the example shown, the first end portion 27, the second end portion 28 and the connection portion 29 are integrally formed. In particular, the first end portion 27 , the second end portion 28 and the connecting portion 29 are obtained in one piece from a sheet-like flexible plastic material, not shown, which is preferably more flexible than the plastic material forming the opening device 3 .

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the strip 26 is made of multiple laminated layers of different flexible plastic materials.

According to this non-limiting preferred embodiment, the second end 28 is configured to be attached to the base plate 13 , in particular after the assembly of the opening device 3 has been completed.

Thus, the second end 28 is fixed at an angle relative to the axis B and also relative to the axis A.

Preferably, the second end portion 28 is attached to a peripheral portion of the base plate 13 relative to the collar 14 . In detail, this peripheral portion is the rear of the base plate 13 with respect to the pouring trajectory of the pourable product exiting the package 1 in use.

Due to this configuration, during pouring of the pourable product out of the package 1, movement of the cap 12 in front of the pouring trajectory of the pourable product exiting the package 1 is prevented, thereby avoiding the cap 12 and/or the strip 26 and Undesirable interference between pourable products exiting the package 1 .

In fact, the strips 26 define an area of radius equal to the aforementioned maximum distance of the cap 12 from the frame 10, within which the cap 12 can move away from and towards the frame 10 without interfering with the pourable exit from the channel 11 in use product.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first end 27 is attached to the top wall 15 of the cap 12 .

In detail, the first end portion 27 is attached to the top wall 15 in an eccentric position with respect to the axis C. In this manner, the straps 26 do not interfere with rotation of the cap 12 as the cap 12 is screwed to/unscrewed from the collar 14 .

In an alternative preferred embodiment not shown, the first end portion 27 is attached to the cylindrical portion 16 .

An opening device 3 of the type described above is configured to be attached to the package 1 after filling, sealing and folding the package 1 .

In detail, after the opening device 3 has been applied to the top wall 4 of the package 1 , a strip 26 can be applied to the opening device 3 .

In more detail, after assembling the opening device 3 with the package 1 , the first end 27 can be attached to the top wall 15 of the cap 12 and the second end 28 can be attached to the base plate 13 .

Alternatively, the strip 26 may be applied to the opening device 3 before the opening device 3 is assembled with the package 1 .

Furthermore, after assembling the opening device 3 with the package 1 , the second end 28 may be attached to the base plate 13 while the first end 27 may already be attached to the top wall 15 of the cap 12 .

The operation of the opening device 3 is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and starting from the state in which the cap 12 is still screwed on the frame 10 .

From this state, in order to open the package 1 , the user unscrews the cap 12 , causing the connecting bridge of the tamper ring 21 to break, and to actuation of the cutting member 24 , which determines the tearing of the pierceable portion 7 .

The unscrewing action moves the cap 12 from its closed position to its open position.

As described above, during movement of the cap 12 from the closed position to the open position, the cap 12 is tethered to the frame 10 by means of the straps 26 .

Once the desired amount of pourable product has been poured through the channel 11 , the user can close the channel 11 by screwing the cap 12 onto the collar 14 again.

Referring to Figure 4, the reference numeral 3' generally denotes the opening device assembled to the package 1 and manufactured according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Since the opening device 3' is similar to the opening device 3, the following description is limited to the differences between them and, where possible, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts and components.

In particular, the opening device 3' differs from the opening device 3 in that it comprises a strip 26' having a first end 27' and a second end 28', the first end 27' Similar to the first end 27 of the strap 26 , attached to the top wall 15 of the cap 12 , the second end 28 ′ is configured to fit directly on the top wall 4 of the package 1 , rather than on the frame 10 . on the substrate 13 .

In particular, after completing the assembly of the opening device 3', the second end 28' is assembled, preferably attached to the top wall 4.

Thus, the second end 28' can be attached to the top wall 4.

The first end portion 27' and the second end portion 28' are connected to each other by a connecting portion 29'.

In this second embodiment, the strip 26' may be applied after the opening device 3' has been applied to the top wall 4 of the package 1 .

In more detail, after assembling the opening device 3' with the package 1, the first end 27'

Alternatively, the strip 26' may be applied to the opening device 3' before the opening device 3' is assembled with the package 1 .

The advantages of the opening device 3, 3' according to the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description.

In particular, due to the presence of the straps 26, 26', the cap 12 is securely tethered to the frame 10, and the risk of the cap 12 being scattered in the environment after use of the package 1 is always reduced, thereby preventing the Plastic pollution of the environment for packaging 1 of the type described above.

In addition, since the first ends 27, 27' are attached eccentrically to the top wall 15 with respect to the axis C, the straps 26, 26' do not interfere with the normal operation and use of the opening devices 3, 3', at least in keeping with the state of the art The same versatility as the known opening device without the straps 26, 26', while being more environmentally friendly.

Furthermore, the straps 26, 26' can easily be fastened to known opening devices 3, 3' before or after assembly of the opening device 3, 3' with the associated package 1 .

Thus, the strips 26, 26' do not require substantial modifications to the known opening means 3, 3' in order to be implemented thereon.

Obviously, changes may be made to the opening means 3, 3' described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

In particular, the frame 10 of the opening device 3 can be moulded directly on the opening area of the package 1, eg by injection moulding. In this case, a predetermined amount of molten plastic is injected onto and through the pierceable portion 7 by means of a known molding device. During moulding, due to the injection pressure and geometry of the moulding means used to form the opening means 3 , the plastic material is pushed to pierce the pierceable part 7 from its first side and thus through the pierceable part 7 , and protrudes from a second side of the pierceable portion 7 opposite to the first side. The laminate forming the pierceable portion 7 and closing the holes of the base layer 5 is first pierced and then resealed by the frame 10 formed of plastic material.

In this case, the finished package 1 is defined by an assembly comprising a filled, folded and sealed package 1 and a frame 10 which has been injection moulded on the top wall 4 of the package 1, in particular at its open area. In other words, the frame 10 can be considered as part of the package 1 and the opening device 3 . Thus, in this case, since the frame 10 is part of the package 1, the straps 26, 26'

Furthermore, the second end 28 of the strip 26 may fit between the frame 10 and the top wall 4 below the base plate 13 and above the portion of the top wall 4 covered by the base plate 13 .

Claims (16)

Claims 1. An opening device (3, 3') configured to be applied to a package (1) containing a pourable product; the opening device (3, 3') comprising a cap (12), the cap (12) ) configured to close a channel (11) for said pourable product, said channel (11) being accessible at the open area of said package (1); said cap (12) is movable towards and away from said opening area in use to close and open said channel (11) respectively; characterized in that it comprises a connecting element (26, 26') which is fitted to the cap (12) and is configured to be fitted to the package (1), thereby attaching the cap (12) Tethered to the package (1) and thereby defining the maximum distance that the cap (12) can be removed from the open area in use. 2. The opening device of claim 1, wherein the connecting element (26, 26') comprises a first end (27, 27') fitted to the cap (12), configured to be fitted to the the second end (28, 28') of the package (1) and the connection (29) connecting the first end (27, 27') to the second end (28, 28') , 29'). 3. An opening device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion (29, 29'), the first end (27, 27') and the second end (pei 28, 28') are integrally formed. 4. The opening device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the channel (11) has a first longitudinal axis (A); and wherein the second end (28, 28') is configured relative to the Said first longitudinal axis (A) is angularly fixed. 5. The opening device (3) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, and comprising a frame (10) defining the channel (11) and fittable around the opening area; the cap (12) is configured to cooperate in contact with the frame (10) to close the channel (11); Wherein the connecting member (26) is configured to fit to the frame (10), thereby tethering the cap (12) to the frame (10). 6. The opening device according to claim 5, wherein the frame (10) comprises a base plate (13) which can be fitted to a wall (13) of the package (1) with the open area 4) on; The second end (28) is attachable to the base plate (13). 7. The opening device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cap (12) comprises a top wall (15) and a side wall (16), the side wall (16) extending from the top wall (15) protruding and configured to engage the frame (10) to close the channel (11); The first end (27) is attached to the top wall (15). 8. The opening device of claim 7, wherein the side wall defines a cylindrical portion (16) provided with a first thread (16) extending onto its inner side surface (20). 19); said frame (10) comprising a cylindrical collar (14) having a second longitudinal axis (B) and coaxially defining said channel (11); Said collar (14) is provided with a second thread (17) extending onto its outer surface (18) and is configured to engage said first thread (19) in order to determine the screwing of said cap (12) screw onto/unscrew from the collar (14); The second end (28) is relative to the second longitudinal axis at least during screwing/unscrewing of the cap (12) to/from the collar (14) (B) Fixed at an angle. 9. The opening device (3') according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second end (28') of the connecting element (26') is attachable to the packaging (1) on the wall (4) with said open area. 10. The opening device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (26, 26') is defined by a strip of flexible plastic material. 11. The opening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening area defines an opening portion (7) of the package (1); The opening device (3) comprises a cutting member (24) configured to movably engage the channel (11) and configured to cooperate in contact with the opening portion (7) to Open the package (1). 12. A package (1) containing a pourable product and obtained from a sheet packaging material (2) having an opening portion (7); The package (1) comprises an opening device (3, 3') according to any of the preceding claims and the opening device (3, 3') is fitted around the opening portion (7). 13. A method of applying an opening device (3, 3') to a wall (4) of a package (1) containing a pourable product; said method comprising the steps of: i) the packaging (1) is formed from a tube of packaging material (2); ii) providing a cap (12) to close the channel (11) for the pourable product accessible at the open area of the wall (4); It is characterized in that, comprises the following steps: iii) fitting the connecting element (26, 26') onto the cap (12); and iv) Fitting the connecting element (26, 26') to the packaging (1), thereby tethering the cap (12) to the packaging (1), and thereby defining the cap (12) The maximum distance that can be removed from the wall (4) in use. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the connecting element (26, 26') comprises a first end (27, 27'), a second end (28, 28') and a a connecting portion (29, 29') where one end portion (27, 27') and said second end portion (28, 28') are connected to each other; The method further includes the following steps: v) fitting the first end (27, 27') to the cap (12); and vi) Fitting the second end (28, 28') to the package (1). 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step vi) of assembling comprises the steps of: vii) Attaching the second end (28') of the connecting element (26') to the wall (4) of the package (1). 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the opening means (3) comprises a frame (10) defining the channel (11) and being fittable in the opening area around the opening area on the wall (4); the cap (12) is configured to cooperate in contact with the frame (10) to close the passage (11); And wherein, the step vi) of assembling comprises the following steps: viii) Attaching the second end (28) of the connecting element (26) to the frame (10).

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