Opening device for a packaging for pourable products, package therewith and methods for evaluating if an opening device has already been opened at least once

A method for evaluating if an opening device has already been opened at least once,

• wherein the opening device is applied to a package for pourable products, said opening device comprising:
• a pouring spout defining a pouring opening;
• said pouring spout extending about a longitudinal axis;
• a cap configured to engage and disengage said pouring spout to respectively close and open said pouring opening;
• a closing element closing and/or sealing said pouring opening, formed in one piece with said pouring spout and connected to said pouring spout by a breakable connecting portion configured to break during first opening of said opening device;
• said closing element comprising a protruding portion extending through said pouring opening and connected to said cap;
• and
• a tamper-evidence ring fitted to said pouring spout,
• wherein said cap is connected to said tamper-evidence ring thereby being permanently tethered to said pouring spout,
• wherein the cap comprises a lifting portion configured to be pulled by a user to open said pouring opening, wherein the lifting portion, before first opening, is in a first angular position with respect to the longitudinal axis,
• the method comprising the following steps:
• checking if the lifting portion is in the first angular position;
• if the lifting portion is not in the first position, concluding that the first opening of the opening device has already occurred;

A method for evaluating if an opening device has already been opened at least once,

• wherein the opening device is applied to a package for pourable products, said opening device comprising:
• a pouring spout defining a pouring opening said pouring spout extending about a longitudinal axis;
• a cap configured to engage and disengage said pouring spout to respectively close and open said pouring opening;
• a closing element closing and/or sealing said pouring opening, formed in one piece with said pouring spout and connected to said pouring spout by a breakable connecting portion configured to break during first opening of said opening device;
• said closing element comprising a protruding portion extending through said pouring opening and connected to said cap;
• and
• a tamper-evidence ring fitted to said pouring spout,
• wherein said cap is hinged to said tamper-evidence ring thereby being permanently tethered to said pouring spout,
• the method comprising the following steps:
• trying to rotate the cap about the longitudinal axis relative to the pouring spout;
• if the cap is prevented from rotating about the longitudinal axis relative to the pouring spout, concluding that the opening device has never been opened;
• if the cap is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to the pouring spout, for at least a portion of circumference, concluding that the first opening of the opening device has already occurred.