VORRICHTUNG ZUM ÖFFNEN UND SCHLIESSEN EINER VERPACKUNG

An opening and closing device for a package containing a pourable product. The device is affixed to the package at the top end of the package and includes a ring affixed to the surface of the package. The ring encompasses an intended pouring opening which is prescored. A combination of a rupture element and a lever arm are hingedly mounted within the ring in position for activation of the rupture element through the lever arm, to rotate the distal end of the rupture element against the prescored region and to partly tear away a tab of the package. Further rotation of the rupture element carries the tab into the interior of the package. Provision is made for retention of the rupture element and tab within the interior of the package out of the flow path of contents being poured from the package through the opening formed by removal of the tab. A plurality of ribs disposed on that surface of the rupture element facing the package combine with the tab to define at least one air vent leading from the exterior to the interior of the package to facilitate uniform flow of the contents from the package. A lid is hinged to the ring for rotation into overlying relationship to the ring for reversible sealing relationship between the lid and the ring. A method for opening and closing a package is disclosed.