The present invention is directed to a rotation cutter according to the preamble part of claim 1 . The invention also is directed to a method for opening a sealed opening with the rotation cutter.

A rotation cutter as mentioned above is adapted to be attached to a protruding outlet nozzle of a container, in particular the protruding outlet nozzle of an industrial-grade container, such as an external intermediate bulk container -IBC-. Intermediate bulk containers (also known as IBC tank, IBC, or pallet tank) are reusable, multi-use industrial-grade containers engineered for the mass handling, transport, and storage of liquids, semi-solids, pastes, or solids. Two main categories of IBC tanks are flexible IBCs and rigid IBCs. Industrial-grade containers are sometimes referred to as technical grade containers.

Such an outlet nozzle of an industrial-grade container, such as an external intermediate bulk container -IBC- has a nozzle outlet that is sealable or sealed by a sealing layer, and wherein the rotation cutter is adapted to open the sealing layer upon being attached to the outlet nozzle. In this regard the invention also regards a system of an intermediate bulk container and a rotation cutter. Reusable, portable multi-use industrial grade tanks, commonly referred to as intermediate bulk containers, are typically engineered for mass-handling, transport and storing of liquids, pastes or solids. They comprise one or more openings for filling and emptying the intermediate bulk container. Typically, the openings are sealed with a sealing layer that has to be removed prior to accessing the interior of the intermediate bulk container or providing access of the interior to the opening. Access to the interior is typically further controlled by a built-in tap, valve, faucet or spigot.

US 6,571 ,972 B1 describes a lid for use with an intermediate bulk container having a threaded collar defining a port opening or outlet nozzle. The lid includes a generally circular top wall and a generally cylindrical sidewall, or peripheral wall, connected to the top wall and having an inner threaded surface for threading to the threaded collar to close the port opening in use. Typically, a knife, a cutter or a similar tool is used to manually remove part of the sealing layer. The edges of the remaining part of the sealing layer are usually sharp and can injure the user. Further, the tool may damage the opening of the intermediate bulk container.

For user-grade small containers, such as tetra packs, an opening mechanism is provided, such as for example HeliCap TM 23 ( https ://www. youtube. com/watch?v=8MbzTsyXBj4 with date of 15 June 2021 ), or DreamCap26 (https ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRrCu8604pE with date of 15 June 2021 ), that includes a lid and a cutting mechanism for opening a sealed closure neck. However, these are one-use opening mechanisms where the cutting mechanism is a part of the closure neck and remains attached to it once the lid is removed. The lids typically include protruding elements for actuating the cutting element during the opening of the sealing layer. These protruding elements protrude from the inner volume of the lid.

EP 0 699 622 A1 describes a spout assembly with piercing means for providing a passage for liquid between a first member such as a container and a second member such as a liquid outlet. The assembly comprises a first connector that is adapted to be mounted on the second member and that comprises piercing means by means of which an opening can be provided in the first member.

US 4,074,426 describes a threaded blade holder -of the general kind like a rotation cutter as mentioned in the introduction- for cutting an opening in a flexible externally threaded closure element on a container of general kind, namely a pail. The threaded blade holder of US 4,074,426 comprises a hollow internally threaded tubular body. A pointed cutting blade having a single cutting edge extends downwardly from the top of the tubular body such that a rotation of the tubular body onto the externally threaded closure element causes the blade to engage the upper surface of the closure element to cut a circular hole therein.

KR 2013 0061273 A is related to a container unit for feeding liquid food and describes a nozzle cap that comprises a cutting tool for cutting a sheet in a fastening action with the main body of the container.

Thus, just like in US 4,074,426, generally a rotation cutter comprises a peripheral wall defining an inner volume of the rotation cutter and having a first opening and a second opening opposite to the first opening along a longitudinal direction and further comprises a cutting element arranged on a support structure.

It would be beneficial to increase the safety of the user, in particular when opening containers having a sealed opening on wall, namely in particular with regard to a container for liquids or solids such as an external intermediate bulk container. Preferably, a piercing element has a protrusion extension in the longitudinal direction such that the piercing element does not protrude from the inner volume. Insofar US 5,566,859 provides a preferred rotation cutter as mentioned in the introduction, wherein US 5,566,859 describes a foil piercing and clearing nozzle for piercing a frangible foil seal of a container and clearing the pierced seal from a flow path of the container. The device includes a cylindrical main body position able over a neck of a container. A piercing assembly is mounted centrally within the cylindrical main body and positioned to pierce a frangible foil seal extending across the neck of the container. A clearing assembly is concentrically mounted within the cylindrical main body and thus separates the centrally piercing assembly from the peripheral wall of cylindrical main body. It operates to clear the pierced frangible seal from a path of fluid exiting the container through the neck.

An object of the invention is thus to provide a beneficial rotation cutter and a respective method, respectively method of use of the rotation cutter, wherein the rotation cutter is adapted for opening a sealed opening or outlet of a protruding outlet nozzle of a container, in particular a container for liquids or solids, preferably an industrial-grade container, such as an intermediate bulk container or a technical grade container.

An object of the invention also is to provide a beneficial system of container and a rotation cutter. ln particular, the rotation cutter should be accompanied by increasing the safety of the user whilst having access to the interior of the container, namely in particular the container for liquids, or more particularly the intermediate bulk container, or providing access of the interior to the container. In particular, the object thereof is to provide a beneficial rotation cutter as mentioned in the introduction and for said use and said method.

The object with regard to the rotation cutter is achieved in a first aspect by the rotation cutter of claim 1 and the object as to the method is achieved in a second aspect by the method of claim 16.

According to the first aspect the present invention is based on a rotation cutter adapted to be attached to a protruding outlet nozzle of a container, in particular a container for liquids such as for instance an intermediate bulk container, also referred to as IBC. The outlet nozzle has a nozzle outlet that is sealable by a sealing layer. The rotation cutter is adapted to open the sealing layer, i.e. --in other words- preferably to pierce, puncture, open, cut off at least a part thereof, etc., upon being attached to the outlet nozzle.

The rotation cutter according to the first aspect of the present invention is based on a rotation cutter which is formed as cap-element; more particularly the rotation cutter is in the form of a cap-element. Said rotation cutter comprises a cap housing with a peripheral wall that defines a radial margin of an inner volume of the cap housing. The cap housing has an opening at an attachment side of the cap housing. The opening at the attachment side is such that the peripheral wall, at the attachment side, embraces the protruding outlet nozzle upon attaching the rotation cutter to the outlet nozzle of the container.

According to the invention a piercing element is arranged inside the cap housing on a support structure. The piercing element is configured to open the sealing layer that closes the protruding outlet nozzle of the container upon attaching the rotation cutter, via the opening, to the sealed outlet nozzle. Opening the sealing layer preferably refers to any one of piercing, puncturing, breaking, traversing, cutting or otherwise providing a path between the two opposite sides of the sealing layer, i.e. the one in facing the interior of the container and the one facing the exterior of the container.

Further according to the invention the piercing element has a protrusion extension in the longitudinal direction of the cap housing, from its base, which is attached to the support structure, to a distal free end thereof, such that the free end of the piercing element is directed towards the opening at the attachment side of the housing. Further according to the invention the protrusion extension and the support structure are configured such that the piercing element is arranged fully inside the cap housing. In other words, the protrusion extension and the support structure are configured such that the piercing element is fully encased by the cap housing; i.e. except for a transverse opening. This is meant to -so to say- a cap housing’s form circumscribed around the cap housing full encases the piercing element, and thus the piercing element does not protrude from the cap housing.

The rotation cutter is thus suitable for increasing the safety during handling of the rotation cutter as well as during opening of a sealed outlet of a container, in particular a container for liquid chemicals, such as an intermediate bulk container. Typically these types of containers comprise an inlet for filling the container with the liquid, which is commonly provided on a top side of the container, and an outlet, at a protruding outlet nozzle for discharging the liquid stored within the container. Commonly, the outlet nozzle is provided at a lateral wall of the container, close to the bottom, so that most of the liquid within the container can exit through an open outlet due to gravity, without the need of a pump or without having to tilt or otherwise move the container.

The encasement of the piercing element within the inner volume -or, in other words, the non-protrusion of the piercing element through the opening at the attachment side- is due to the fact that the protrusion extension of the piercing element is smaller than a height amount of peripheral wall from the support structure to the opening. This increases the safety of the rotation cutter since the piercing element is not directly accessible by the user and the risk of involuntary accidents while manipulating the rotation cutter is reduced.

When a sealed outlet nozzle of a container is to be opened, a user holds the rotation cutter with the attachment side facing the outlet nozzle and attaches the rotation cutter to the outlet nozzle such that the free end of the piercing element transverses the sealing layer, thereby piercing it.

In the following, developments of the inventive rotation cutter of the first aspect of the invention will be described with reference to the dependent claims thereby revealing further advantages to improve the rotation cutter in the meaning of the object of the invention.

In a preferred development, the cap housing also comprises a window arranged at a cover side of the cap housing. The cover side is arranged opposite to the attachment side so that the opening and the window are arranged transverse to a longitudinal direction of the housing. The longitudinal direction is parallel to a rotation axis of the rotation cutter.

This is particularly advantageous for containers where the outlet nozzle is located at a side, so that when the outlet nozzle is open, the material contained in the container may flow outside of the container, unlike Tetra Pak, where the container, once it is opened, has to be tilted in order to extract the content. The window allows optical inspection of the outlet nozzle when the rotation cutter is fitted to the outlet nozzle, such that the opening operation can be immediately halted, when the operator notices any potential hazard.

Additionally, in a particular development, a cross section of the inner volume is established transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cap housing. In this development of the rotation cutter in accordance with the invention, the support structure and the window establish or define a surface area that basically corresponds to or is smaller than the area of the cross section.

In a development, the support structure has a form selected form the group of forms consisting of a bar, an arc segment of a circle, a sector segment of the circle. The bar can for instance extend radially inwardly from the cap housing to a partly or fully radial extension or to a partly or fully diametric extension. In a particular development, the support structure evolves from a circumferential rim of the cap housing and thus forms a rim-like form of at least partly peripheral extension, in particular a circumferential rim at the cover side. Support structures having a substantially arc-segment form are in the form of a circular segment, i.e. , a region of a circle that is cut-off from the rest of the circle by a secant or a chord, and thus is a support structure bounded by an arc of less than 360°, typically less than 180°, and by the chord or secant that connects the endpoints of the arc. Support structures substantially having the form of a sector segment of a circle arc in a form of a circle sector, i.e., a portion of a disk or circle enclosed by two radii and an arc. These support structures include any form bounded by arc and two straight lines, which are not necessarily radii. Other suitable support structures are bounded by an arc and two curved lines or by two different arcs, one of which is formed by the peripheral wall.

The circumferential rim, in a development, is a ring-shaped covering rim. In another development, the rim is only an angular section of a ring that protrudes from the peripheral wall. In a development with a ring-shaped rim, the rim extends radially in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, from the inner side of the peripheral wall towards a rotation axis of the rotation cutter. An opening of the rim thus forms the window that has a corresponding inner diameter.

In particular, in a development comprising the rim as a support structure for the piercing element, the inner diameter of the window is at least 50% of an inner diameter of the peripheral wall, preferably 75% and more preferable 85 % thereof.

When no rim is provided, the support structure and the window establish or define a surface that basically corresponds to the area of the cross section of the inner volume in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rotation-cutter, i.e. the attachment direction. If the rim is provided and not considered part of the support structure, the support structure and the window establish or define a surface area that is smaller than the area of the cross section of the inner volume. Adding the area of the rim to that of the support structure and the window results in a surface area that corresponds to the area of the cross section.

In another development, the surface is a cover-side surface of the cap housing and, in particular, the support structure and the window (optionally also the circumferential rim) are arranged in a plane and together form the cross section of the inner volume that is transverse to the longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to the cover side surface of the cap housing.

In a preferred development the inner volume of the peripheral wall is substantially radially restricted to an outer diameter of the outlet nozzle.

In a preferred development, the window is configured to allow a view to the outlet and/or to the sealing layer upon attachment of the rotation cutter to the protruding outlet nozzle, in particular wherein the windows aperture amounts in magnitude to more than half of the surface, respectively in cross-section. The window, in a development, comprises a material transparent to at least a range of the visible light spectrum, such that an eye inspection of the sealing layer or the outlet is possible during attachment. This increases the safety of the opening-procedure since unexpected problems in the sealing layer or the container can be identified earlier. For instance, in containers wherein a flow of the liquid through the protruding outlet nozzle is controlled with a valve, tap, faucet, etc. opening of the sealing layer should be performed when the valve, tap, faucet, etc., is in a closed state, i.e., no liquid can exit the container through the outlet. If the rotation cutter is attached to the protruding outlet nozzle while the vale, tap, faucet, etc., is in an open state, liquid will exit the container as long as a sufficiently large opening is made in the sealing layer. Through the window, the user can easily and promptly identify that there is liquid flowing through the sealing layer and can close the valve, tap, faucet, etc., while the opening in the sealing layer is still small, thus increasing the safety of the user and of the process, and decreasing an amount of liquid wasted.

In another development, the window is built in the form of a second opening, in particular as a cover side opening. In another development, the window is an opening that is closable by means of a cover layer, preferably a cover layer that is transparent at least to a wavelength range on the visible spectrum.

In a development, which may include any of the technical features described above, the cap housing establishes an outer shape of the rotation cutter, preferably a substantially cylindrical outer shape.

In a preferred development, the cap housing has cylindrical outer shape and a ratio between height and inner diameter of the cap housing is between 1 :3 and 2:3. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of the cap housing is between 4 cm and 10 cm, more preferably between 5 cm and 6 cm, and thus advantageously designed for fitting outlet nozzles of common intermediate bulk containers.

Preferably, in a development, the outer side of the peripheral wall of the cap housing comprises one or more gripping structures, in particular a gripping profile. This facilitates the handling of the rotation cutter during the opening of the sealing layer. The gripping structures may have many forms, including grooves, notches, protrusions, etc., that facilitates a rotation of the rotation cutter by reducing the risk of slipping by a loss of grip between the hand and the rotation cutter.

In a development, the piercing element comprises a distal piercing end that is arranged and configured to pierce the sealing layer when attaching the rotation cutter to the outlet nozzle through the opening at the attachment side of the cap housing and a cutting edge arranged to face a first rotational direction, and configured to cut-out at least a portion of the sealing layer upon rotation of the attached rotation cutter in the first rotational direction by a predetermined angular amount. Once the rotation cutter is attached to the protruding outlet nozzle, and the sealing layer is pierced, rotating the rotation cutter results in a cutting- off of at least a portion of the sealing layer, which depends on the position of the cutting element with respect to the rotation axis and on the actual shape of the piercing element.

Preferably, the piercing element is arranged off-centre, i.e., at a non-vanishing distance from the rotation axis. The further the piercing element is arranged from the rotation axis, the larger the portion will be that is cut-off upon rotating.

In another development, however, the piercing element is arranged at the centre, i.e. substantially at the rotation axis. Preferably, in this development, the piercing element has a conical shape, so that the pierced area of the sealing layer increases with an attachment depth of the rotation cutter.

The rotation cutter of the invention comprises a piercing element arranged on the support structure and having a protrusion extension in the longitudinal direction such that the piercing element remains within the inner volume, or in other words, it does not protrude from the inner volume. A piercing element generally is considered as any kind of element capable of piercing a sealing layer and cutting-off a section thereof; such piercing element may comprise one or more blades, pins, needles, which however is not obligatory - in this sense the piercing element may comprise any other suitable cutting structure capable of piercing a sealing layer and cutting-off a section thereof.

In a preferred development, the piercing element comprises a distal piercing end that is arranged and configured to pierce the sealing layer upon attaching the rotation cutter to the outlet nozzle through the opening at the attachment side of the cap housing and a cutting edge arranged to face a first rotational direction, and configured to cut-out at least a portion of the sealing layer upon rotation of the fitted rotation cutter in the first rotational direction by a predetermined angular amount.

The piercing element is preferably arranged at a position away from the rotation axis of the rotation cutter. The further it is positioned from said rotation axis, i.e., the closer it is positioned to the peripheral wall, the larger the portion of the sealing layer that is cut-off by the rotation cutter.

Favourably, the preferred predetermined angular amount may depend, among other variables, on the geometry of the piercing element and a position of the sealing layer with respect to the outlet of the protruding outlet nozzle. ln a development, the piercing element is substantially a tetrahedron having a contact face in contact with the support structure, and wherein the distal piercing end is a vertex opposite to the contact face and the cutting edge is an edge of the tetrahedron that links the contact face with the distal piercing end. Preferably, an angle formed by those two edges that link the contact face with the distal piercing end and are not the cutting edge, has a value determined in a vicinity of the distal piercing end of at the most 30°, preferably no more than 20°.

In another development, the piercing element has a substantially trapezoidal cross section, such that a recess is formed between the cutting edge and the support structure which can act as a gripping structure for facilitating the extraction of the cut-off portion of the sealing layer.

Once the rotation cutter is rotated in the first rotational direction by a predetermined angular amount depending on the relative values of the protrusion extension and the height of the peripheral wall, the distal piercing end contacts the sealing layer. Further rotational movement in the first rotational direction causes the piercing of the sealing layer. Once the sealing layer is pierced, further rotational movement in the first rotational direction causes a broadening of a thickness of the pierced gap caused by the piercing element, for example due to a tetrahedral form of the piercing element which is inserted deeper into the outlet nozzle. It also increases a length of the pierced gap in the first rotational direction.

After piercing the sealing layer, rotating the rotation cutter by a second, in particular predetermined, amount results in a cut-off of at least a portion of the sealing layer. The size of this portion may depend on a radial distance from a centre of the rotation cutter at which the piercing element is arranged.

In a particular development, the piercing element comprises a distal piercing end having a closed shape, such as a closed ridge, particularly a circular closed ridge, configured to cutout a part of the sealing layer having a form corresponding to the closed shape of the distal piercing end, upon fitting the rotation cutter to the outlet nozzle.

In an alternative development, the piercing element comprises a pin, particularly a cylindrical pin, configured to pierce the sealing layer upon fitting the rotation cutter to the outlet nozzle and to cut-off at least a part of the sealing layer upon rotating the fitted cutting device in the first, in particular predetermined, rotational direction by the, in particular predetermined, angular amount, which depends on a size of the cylindrical pin. Once the rotation cutter is rotated in the first rotational direction by a predetermined angular amount depending on the relative values of the protrusion extension and the height of the peripheral wall, or otherwise attached to the outlet nozzle, the distal piercing end contacts the sealing layer. Further rotational movement in the first rotational direction causes the piercing of the sealing layer. Once the sealing layer is pierced, further rotational movement in the first rotational direction causes a broadening of a thickness of the pierced gap caused by the piercing element, for example due to a tetrahedral form of the piercing element which is inserted deeper into the outlet nozzle. It also increases a length of the pierced gap in the first rotational direction.

In another development, which can be combined with the technical features of the developments of the rotation cutter described above, the rotation cutter is suitable for fitting, in particular engaging and disengaging, a protruding threaded outlet nozzle of the external intermediate bulk container having the nozzle outlet and an outlet thread, wherein the nozzle outlet is sealable by the sealing layer. In this development, the peripheral wall comprises a thread adapted to fit the outlet thread of the threaded outlet nozzle of the container through the opening. The thread is preferably arranged on an inner side of the peripheral wall and matches an outer thread of the threaded outlet nozzle.

In a development, the thread starts at the opening, so that the attachment of the rotation cutter to the outlet nozzle is performed rotationally. In another embodiment, a first section of the peripheral wall closer to the opening does not comprise the thread, which starts at a distance from the opening.

In a development, the attachment is performed in two steps. In the first step, the rotation cutter may be fitted linearly, i.e., without a need to rotate, until a distal end of the outlet nozzle reaches the start of the thread. From this moment, i.e., in the second step, a further engaging occurs by rotating the rotation cutter. In this particular development it is preferred that, when the threads engage, the piercing element has already pierced the sealing layer.

Also, in a development, engaging the threaded outlet nozzle to the rotation cutter is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter in the first rotational direction and disengaging the threaded outlet nozzle from the rotation cutter is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. Still, it would be further beneficial to improve a handling of rotation cutters, especially in a non-cutting or non-piercing state as well as in an operational state in which the rotation cutter is being used for opening a sealed outlet of a container.

In a preferred development, a cover lid is releasably attachable to the peripheral wall, preferably to the inner side of the peripheral wall, in particular to the opening at the attachment side, preferably by means of a cooperating threading structure. The cover lid may further comprise a protruding grip or handle at a central position thereof for enabling the engaging and disengaging of the cooperating threading structure. Alternatively, the cover lid is releasably attachable to an outer side of the peripheral wall, by means, for instance of a corresponding threaded structure or any other suitable connecting structure. In a preferred development, the cover lid is releasably attachable to the end section of the peripheral wall to close the opening at the attachment side. In this manner, the presence of the cover lid covering the first inner volume further enhances the safety of the rotation cutter by blocking any access to the piercing element, while the cover lid is in place.

In yet another development of the rotation cutter of the first aspect of the invention the cap housing comprises an extension skirt that protrudes from the cover side in the longitudinal in a direction away from the attachment side, such that the window and the support structure are arranged on an intermediate section of an inner side of the peripheral wall, thereby defining a first inner volume between the opening and the support structure, the piercing element being encased therein, and a second inner volume having the extension skirt as a peripheral wall between the support structure and a skirt opening, and wherein the first and the second volume are adapted to fit the protruding outlet nozzle through the opening and through the skirt opening respectively.

In the meaning of the invention the intermediate section is a section that does not include the end sections of the rotation cutter along the longitudinal direction and may -preferably when the intermediate section is arranged as a middle section- but does not necessarily correspond, to the exact geometric centre of the rotation cutter along the longitudinal direction. Thus, the intermediate section is a section of the cap housing that is located at a respective predetermined non-vanishing distance from the opening at the attachment section and the skirt opening.

The encasement within the first volume -or, in other words, the non-protrusion of the piercing element through the opening- is due to the fact that the protrusion extension of the piercing element is smaller than a height amount of the inner side of the peripheral wall along the first inner volume. This increases the safety of the rotation cutter since the piercing element is not directly accessible by the user and the risk of involuntary accidents while manipulating the rotation cutter is reduced. Further, the outlet nozzle can advantageously be fitted to the second inner volume of the rotation cutter via the skirt opening, thereby improving the handling of the rotation cutter in a non-cutting state, i.e., while it is not being operated to pierce the sealing layer. This rotation cutter can then be fitted to the container, thereby minimizing the risk of losing the rotation cutter while the safety is increased because the piercing element is not easily accessible.

Thus, in a particular development, the support structure is a layer physically dividing the first and the second volume and including a window. In other developments, the support structure can be a ring that protrudes circumferentially from the inner part or the peripheral wall that has a central opening communicating the first and the second volumes or it can be a protrusion extending from the inner part of the peripheral wall only at a predetermined position, and thus not circumferentially, as explained above, e.g., in the form of a bar, a segment of a circle or a section of a circle and defining an inspection opening that physically connects the first and the second volumes.

In a development, the covering rim is framing an inspection-opening configured to enable eye inspection of the first inner volume from the skirt opening and of the second inner volume from the opening, in particular wherein the window is configured to allow a view to the outlet and/or to the sealing layer upon attachment of the rotation cutter to the protruding outlet nozzle, in particular wherein the windows aperture amounts in magnitude to more than half the surface, respectively cross-section.

Thus, in a development, the first and the second volume are connected to each other; this is the first and the second volume are separate volumes but without a structural border there between the first and the second volume are open to each other. A division between the first and the second volume is in this sense theoretical and thus corresponds to an imaginary division. In other words an imaginary division is not of real kind but referred to as a theoretical reference to the distinguishable rooms of the first and the second volume. Thus, a theoretical division means can be thought of being formed by a dividing plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at the position defined by the support structure.

In an alternative development, the first inner volume and the second inner volume are not connected to each other. In this development, the support structure arranged on the intermediate section of the inner side of the peripheral wall indeed in real completely divides the inner volume into separate volumes, namely into the first and the second volume truly divided by the support structure. This particular development is advantageously configured to act as a lid to the outlet nozzle of the container. The outlet nozzle can be engaged to the second inner volume, for instance during storage or transport of the container. When the material held within the container is needed, the rotation cutter is disengaged, turned and the outlet nozzle is engaged or fitted into the first inner volume to pierce the sealing layer. The rotation cutter is then turned in the first rotational direction to cut-out a portion of the sealing layer.

In another development, the rotation cutter further comprises a transparent window layer attached to the covering rim and arranged to cover the inspection opening. In a preferred development, the transparent window layer is attached releasable to the covering rim, such that, when in place, it separates the first inner volume from the second inner volume and when detached, a passage between the first and the second inner volume is formed. In an exemplary development, the window layer is can be inserted via a slit in the peripheral wall. Sealing means can be additionally provided to ensure that any fluid coming out of the container remains within the inner volume.

In another development the rotation cutter is in form of a lid adapter for engaging and disengaging the outlet of the container that is sealable by a sealing layer. In this particular development, an inner and/or an outer side of the peripheral wall comprises connecting means for connecting a predetermined external object, in particular a cover lid or a tube section. Preferably, the connecting means is a second thread arranged on the inner side of the extension skirt, the support structure being thus arranged between at the intermediate section of the rotation cutter. Alternatively, the connecting means is, in another development, arranged on an outer side of the peripheral wall. Also, alternatively, the connecting means is of a snap type or a twist lock type or a bayonet type, a peg or a slot of a cooperating peg-slot arrangement, cooperating lock tabs, or any other suitable connecting means.

In a preferred development, the cover lid is releasably attachable to the inner side of the peripheral wall at the opening at the attachment side, preferably by means of a cooperating threading structure. The cover lid may further comprise a protruding grip or handle at a central position thereof for enabling the engaging and disengaging of the cooperating threading structure. Alternatively, the cover lid is releasably attachable to an outer side of the peripheral wall, by means, for instance of a corresponding threaded structure or any other suitable connecting structure. In a preferred development, the cover lid is releasably attachable to the end sections of the peripheral wall and the extension skirt, i.e., to close the opening at the attachment side and to close the skirt opening of the extension skirt. In this manner, the presence of the cover lid covering the first inner volume further enhances the safety of the rotation cutter by blocking any access to the piercing element, while the cover lid is in place.

Correspondingly, and independently on which side of the rotation cutter the cover lid is attachable to, the cover lid is in a particular development releasably attachable to the inner side of the peripheral wall at a first end section, and to the outer side of the peripheral wall at a second end section.

In a preferred development, the cover lid comprises a transparent window section that is transparent for at least a predetermined spectral range in the visible spectral range. Thus, an optical inspection through the window of the rotation cutter is also enabled when the cover lid is fitted or attached or engaged.

In any of the developments of the rotation cutter that comprise a thread, the thread is a helical structure suitable for converting, when engaging with a matched thread of opposite gender, rotational movement around a longitudinal axis into a linear movement along said longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis runs in this case substantially parallel to the peripheral wall. The use of a threaded rotation cutter, having a thread matching the protruding threaded outlet nozzle of the intermediate bulk container reduces an amount of applied force necessary for piercing and cutting-off at least a part of the sealing layer, and thus facilitates its use.

In another development, which can be combined with the technical features of the developments of the rotation cutter described above, the rotation cutter is suitable for fitting, in particular engaging and disengaging, a protruding threaded outlet nozzle of the external container, particularly of the intermediate bulk container, having the outlet and an outlet thread, and wherein the outlet is sealable by the sealing layer. In this development, the peripheral wall, and in particular the inner side thereof, comprises a first thread adapted to fit the outlet thread of the threaded outlet nozzle of the container through the opening at the attachment side. Also, in this development, engaging the threaded outlet nozzle in the first inner volume is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter in the first rotational direction and disengaging the threaded outlet nozzle out of the first inner volume is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

Additionally, or alternatively, in a particular development an inner side of the extension skirt comprises a second thread adapted to fit the opening thread of the threaded outlet nozzle through the skirt opening. In this particular development, engaging the threaded outlet nozzle in the second inner volume is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter in the first rotational direction and disengaging the threaded outlet nozzle out of the second inner volume is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

Thus, preferably according to this development, when the threaded outlet nozzle is fitted into the second volume, the rotation cutter is in a so-called transport configuration in which it is attached to the container, optionally forming a threaded attachment when the extension skirt defining the second volume also includes a matching threaded structure. For opening a sealed outlet of a container, the rotation cutter, which is currently attached to the container is removed, turned so that the opening faces the sealed outlet of the container and the threaded outlet nozzle is fitted into the first volume though the opening at the attachment side. The piercing element pierces the sealing layer of the container and a further rotational movement causes a portion, e.g. a substantially circular portion of the sealing layer to be cut-off, thus providing access to the interior of the container.

The object with regard to the method is achieved in a second aspect of the invention by the method of use of claim 16 for opening a sealed outlet of a protruding outlet nozzle of a container, such as, for instance, an intermediate bulk container. The method comprises:

- providing a rotation cutter according to the first aspect of the invention;

- attaching the rotation cutter to the protruding outlet nozzle such that the peripheral wall at the attachment side embraces the protruding outlet nozzle; and

- opening the sealing layer with the piercing element.

The method optionally comprises cutting-out at least a portion of the sealing layer, in particular by a cutting edge of the piercing element arranged to face a first rotational direction, upon rotating the fitted rotation cutter in the first rotational direction by a predetermined angular amount.

Further, the method may optionally comprise removing the cut-off portion of the sealing layer by detaching the rotation cutter from the protruding outlet nozzle, in particular by pulling the rotation cutter or rotating the rotation cutter in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The method of the second aspect thus shares the advantages of the rotation cutter of the first aspect of the invention.

In a development of the method of the second aspect, a first step comprises providing a rotation cutter together with a cover lid covering the opening at the attachment side for increasing the safety of the rotation cutter. The method comprises removing the cover lid before performing the step of attaching the rotation cutter to the protruding opening nozzle. Preferably, the method also comprises attaching the cover lid to close the opening at the attachment side after removal of the cut-off portion of the sealing layer.

In a development of the method of the second aspect in which a rotation cutter having an extension skirt is provided, the method includes the steps of:

- fitting the protruding outlet nozzle to the second inner volume of the rotation cutter and optionally fitting a cover lid to close the opening at the attachment side of the peripheral wall of the rotation cutter;

- unfitting the protruding outlet nozzle from the second inner volume and, optionally, the cover lid from the opening at the attachment side;

- turning the rotation cutter so that the opening at the attachment side faces the outlet nozzle of the container;

- fitting the protruding outlet nozzle to the first inner volume of the rotation cutter or the cutting device thereby piercing the sealing layer, in particular, with the distal piercing end of the piercing element;

- cutting-out at least a portion of the sealing layer, in particular by a cutting edge of the piercing element arranged to face a first rotational direction, upon rotating the fitted rotation cutter in the first rotational direction by a predetermined angular amount.

In a development, the method may further comprise

- removing at least a portion of the sealing layer from the protruding outlet nozzle by rotating the rotation cutter in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; and - optionally fitting the cover lid to the skirt opening, for closing the outlet of the container.

In another development, the method additionally comprises the step of removing at least a portion of the sealing layer from the protruding outlet nozzle by rotating the rotation cutter of the first aspect of the invention in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. In a development, the piercing element is configured to engage the sealing layer such that the portion of the sealing layer, once it has been cut-off, remains attached to the piercing element, and thus can be removed from the outlet of the container.

In yet another development, the method additionally or alternatively comprises fitting the cover lid to the second opening for closing the opening of the intermediate bulk container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a system of an intermediate bulk container and a rotation cutter according to the first aspect is disclosed. The system of the third aspect thus shares the advantages of the rotation cutter of the first aspect or of any of its developments.

Preferably, the intermediate bulk container comprises a threaded outlet nozzle with an external thread and the rotation cutter comprises a matched thread arranged on the inner side of the peripheral wall. In an alternative intermediate bulk container, the thread of the container is an internal thread and the thread of the rotation cutter is an external thread.

In other embodiments, the intermediate bulk container and the rotation cutter have alternative types of cooperating connection elements.

It shall be understood that the rotation cutter of claim 1 , and the method of claim 16, have similar and/or identical preferred embodiments, in particular, as defined in the dependent claims.

It shall be understood that a preferred development of the present invention can also be any combination of the dependent claims or below embodiments with the respective independent claim.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. Fig. 1 A shows a typical intermediate bulk container having a protruding outlet nozzle with a built-in control valve covered with a lid;

Fig. 1 B shows an enlarged view of the protruding outlet nozzle of the intermediate bulk container of Fig. 1 A with the covering lid removed;

Fig. 2A shows a schematic diagram of a top view of a first embodiment of a rotation cutter;

Fig. 2B shows a schematic sectional view of the first embodiment of the rotation cutter of Fig. 2A along line A;

Fig. 2C shows a schematic diagram of a top view of a second embodiment of a rotation cutter, with an window arranged at a cover side of the cap housing;

Fig. 2D shows a schematic sectional view of the second embodiment of the rotation cutter of Fig. 2C along line A;

Fig. 3A shows a schematic top views of a third embodiment of a rotation cutter;

Fig. 3B shows a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of a rotation cutter with a gripping structure;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of a fifth embodiment of a rotation cutter without a rim;

Fig. 5A shows a schematic diagram of sixth embodiment of a rotation cutter in a planar view;

Fig. 5B shows a schematic sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the rotation cutter of Fig. 5A along the line B;

Fig. 5C shows a schematic sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the rotation cutter of Fig. 5A along the line C;

Fig. 5D shows a schematic sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the rotation cutter; Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of an eighth embodiment of a rotation cutter for fitting an outlet nozzle of an intermediate bulk container;

Fig. 7A shows a schematic diagram of a cross section of an embodiment of a cutting device, the cutting device comprising an embodiment of a in this embodiment threaded rotation cutter and a lid;

Fig. 7B shows a schematic diagram of the cross section of the cutting device of Fig. 7A with an outlet nozzle of an industrial-grade container fitted into the second volume of the rotation cutter thereof;

Fig. 7C shows a schematic diagram of the cross section of the cutting device of Fig. 7A with an outlet nozzle of an industrial-grade container fitted into the first volume of the rotation cutter thereof;

Fig. 8A shows a schematic representation of an exemplary piercing element for a preferred variation of an embodiment of a rotation cutter, the piercing element having a tetrahedral form;

Fig. 8B shows a schematic representation of another exemplary piercing element for a further preferred variation of an embodiment of a rotation cutter, the piercing element having a substantially tetrahedral form with curved edges and faces;

Fig. 8C shows a schematic representation of a cross sectional view of another exemplary piercing element for a still further preferred variation of an embodiment of a rotation cutter, the piercing element having a substantially trapezoidal form placed on a support structure;

Fig. 8D shows a schematic representation of a top view of the piercing element of Fig. 8C;

Fig. 9A shows a schematic diagram of a cross section of a second embodiment of a cutting device, the cutting device comprising an embodiment of a rotation cutter and a lid, namely, a first, proximal, cover lid and a second, distal, cover lid; Fig. 9B shows a schematic diagram of a cross section of a third embodiment of a cutting device, the cutting device comprising an embodiment of a rotation cutter and a lid, namely the rotation cutter with an outer thread and two inner threads and further a first, proximal, cover lid, a second, distal, cover lid;

Fig. 9C shows a schematic diagram of a cross section of a fourth embodiment of a cutting device, the cutting device comprising an embodiment of a rotation cutter and a lid, namely the rotation cutter with an inner thread and an outer thread and further a first, proximal, cover lid and a second, distal, cover lid;

Fig. 10 shows a schematic diagram of an intermediate bulk container including a rotation cutter of any of the embodiments described herewith as a preferred system comprising an intermediate bulk container including a rotation cutter;

Fig. 1 1 shows a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for opening a sealed opening of a protruding outlet nozzle of an intermediate bulk container with a rotation cutter of any of the embodiments described herewith;

Fig. 12A shows a perspective view of a ninth embodiment as particular preferred embodiment of a rotation cutter;

Fig. 12B shows a perspective view of a cover lid that is configured to be attached to the particular preferred embodiment of the rotation cutter of Fig. 12A; thus Fig. 12A and Fig.12B describe a particular preferred system or cutting device comprising a rotation cutter and a lid;

Fig. 13A shows a perspective view of a tenth embodiment as further particular preferred embodiment of a rotation cutter similar and further developed based on the embodiment as shown in Fig. 2A to Fig. 2B;

Fig. 13B shows another perspective view of the tenth embodiment of Fig. 13A.

Fig. 1 A shows a typical intermediate bulk container 100, also referred to as IBC. Intermediate bulk containers are reusable, portable multi-use industrial grade tanks, typically engineered for mass-handling, transport and storing of liquids, pastes or solids. They comprise one or more openings for filling and emptying the intermediate bulk container. For instance, IBC 100 comprises a first opening arranged on the top side which is suitable for filling the IBC and a second opening or outlet arranged on a side wall of the IBC, close to the bottom side thereof and suitable for emptying the IBC in a controlled manner. To this end, flow of material through the outlet is controlled by a built-in tap, valve, faucet or spigot 103, as depicted in Fig. 1 B. The outlet nozzle shown in Fig. 1 A is closed by a lid 104. The outlet has a nozzle 1 10 and is usually sealed before use by a sealing layer that prevents a flow of the material out of the container even if the tap, valve, faucet or spigot is open. Typically the first and second openings (i.e. the inlet and the outlet) are covered by a respective conventional lid as known in the art.

Fig. 1 B shows an enlarged view of a protruding outlet nozzle 1 10 of the intermediate bulk container of Fig. 1 A with the lid 104 removed. The protruding outlet nozzle 1 10 has an outlet 101 that is, as mentioned above, typically sealed by a sealing layer 102 as indicated in Fig.1 B.

Fig. 2A shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a rotation cutter 1000’ according to the invention and Fig. 2B shows a cross sectional view thereof along the section line A of Fig. 2A. The rotation cutter 1000’ is suitably adapted to be attached to a protruding outlet nozzle of a container, in particular the protruding outlet nozzle 1 10 of an external intermediate bulk container IBC 100, as indicated in Fig. 1 A and Fig. 1 B. The outlet nozzle 1 10 has a nozzle outlet 101 that is sealable or sealed by a sealing layer 102. The rotation cutter 1000’ is advantageously adapted to open the sealing layer 102 upon being attached to the outlet nozzle 1 10. The rotation cutter 1000’ is in form of a cap-element 1001 ’ and comprises a cap housing 1002 with a peripheral wall 1 1 defining a radial margin 1003 of an inner volume 13 of the cap housing , wherein the cap housing, has an opening 14 at an attachment side 1004 of the cap housing. The opening 14 is designed so that the peripheral wall 1 1 at the attachment side 1004 embraces the protruding outlet nozzle 1 10 upon attaching the rotation cutter 1000’ to the outlet nozzle 1 10.

The rotation cutter 1000’ comprises a piercing element 1 that is arranged inside the cap housing 1002 on a support structure 12 and configured to open the sealing layer 102 upon attaching the rotation cutter 1000’ to the sealed outlet nozzle 1 10. The piercing element 1 has a protrusion extension E (see for instance Fig. 5B and Fig. 8A) in the longitudinal direction L of the cap housing 1002 such that a free end 2 of the piercing element is directed towards the opening 14 at the attachment side 1004 of the cap housing 1002. The protrusion extension E and the support structure 12 are configured such that the piercing element 1 is fully encased by the cap housing 1002. Further, a cross section CS of the inner volume 13 is established transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the cap housing 1002. The rotation cutter 1000’ is particularly suitable for engaging and disengaging a protruding threaded outlet nozzle 1 10 of the container 100 having the nozzle-outlet 101 and an outlet thread, in particular an outer thread, wherein the nozzle-outlet is sealable by the sealing layer 102. In this exemplary rotation cutter, the peripheral wall 1 1 comprises an optional thread, in particular an inner thread 23, adapted to engage the outlet thread of the threaded outlet nozzle 1 10 of the container 100 through the opening 14 at the attachment side 1004.

Fig. 2C shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a rotation cutter 1000 according to the invention and Fig. 2D shows a cross sectional view thereof along the section line A of Fig. 2C. The rotation cutter 1000 is suitably adapted to be attached to a protruding outlet nozzle of a container, in particular the protruding outlet nozzle 1 10 of an external intermediate bulk container IBC 100, as indicated in Fig. 1 A and Fig. 1 B. The outlet nozzle 110 has a nozzle outlet 101 that is sealable or sealed by a sealing layer 102. The rotation cutter 1000 is advantageously adapted to open the sealing layer 102 upon being attached to the outlet nozzle 1 10. The rotation cutter 1000 is in form of a cap-element 1001 and comprises a cap housing 1002 with a peripheral wall 1 1 defining a radial margin 1003 of an inner volume 13 of the cap housing, wherein the cap housing, has an opening 14 at an attachment side 1004 of the cap housing. Contrary to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the peripheral wall 1 1 of the rotation cutter 1000 also includes a window 22 at a cover side 1005 of the cap housing 1002 that is arranged opposite to the attachment side 1004. The opening 14 and the window 22 are arranged transverse to a longitudinal direction L of the housing. The opening 14 is designed so that the peripheral wall 1 1 at the attachment side 1004 embraces the protruding outlet nozzle 1 10 upon attaching the rotation cutter 1000 to the outlet nozzle 1 10.

As it was discussed with reference to Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. the rotation cutter 1000 of Fig. 2C and Fig. 2D also comprises a piercing element 1 that is arranged inside the cap housing 1002 on a support structure 12 and configured to open the sealing layer 102 upon attaching the rotation cutter 1000 to the sealed outlet nozzle 1 10. The piercing element 1 has a protrusion extension E (see for instance Fig. 5B and Fig. 8A) in the longitudinal direction L of the cap housing 1002 such that a free end 2 of the piercing element is directed towards the opening 14 at the attachment side 1004 of the cap housing 1002. The protrusion extension E and the support structure 12 are configured such that the piercing element 1 is fully encased by the cap housing 1002.

Further, a cross section CS of the inner volume 13 is established transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the cap housing 1002. The support structure 12 and the window 16 establish a surface area SA, which surface area basically corresponds to or is smaller than an area CSA of the cross section CS.

The rotation cutter 1000 is particularly suitable for engaging and disengaging a protruding threaded outlet nozzle 1 10 of the container 100 having the nozzle-outlet 101 and an outlet thread, in particular an outer thread, wherein the nozzle-outlet is sealable by the sealing layer 102. In this exemplary rotation cutter, the peripheral wall 1 1 comprises an optional thread, in particular an inner thread 23, adapted to engage the outlet thread of the threaded outlet nozzle 1 10 of the container 100 through the opening 14 at the attachment side 1004.

Further, in the exemplary rotation cutter 1000 of Fig. 2C and Fig. 2D the support structure 12 has a form of an arc segment of a circle. Also, the support structure having the form of an arc segment evolves in this particular case form a rim-like form, such as covering ring 21 that is attached to the inner side 1003 of the peripheral wall at the cover end 1005. Thus, in this particular example, the surface area SA resulting from adding the areas of the support structure 12 and the window 22 is smaller than the cross section area CSA of the inner volume 13. The difference corresponds in this case to the area of the covering rim 21 .

Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B show top views of different embodiments of the rotation cutter where the support structure has different forms or shapes. Fig. 3A shows a rotation cutter 1000a wherein the support structure 12a is in the form of a sector segment of a circle and the sum of the areas of the support structure 12a, the window 22a and the covering rim 21 a basically corresponds to the area CSA of the cross section of the inner volume CS. The same applies to the rotation cutter 1000b of Fig.3B, wherein the support structure 12b is in the form of a bar of at least partly diameter extension. The length of the bar in the radial direction determines if the support structure 12b is a bar of partly radial extension (length < radius), of radial extension (length = radius), of partly diameter extension (radius < length < 2 * radius) or diameter extension (length = 2 * radius). As in the example shown in Fig. 3A, the sum of the areas of the support structure 12b, the window 22b and the covering rim 21 b basically corresponds to the area CSA of the cross section of the inner volume CS. Additionally, rotation cutter 1000b comprises a gripping structure 1006 on an outer side of the peripheral wall 1 1 . The exemplary gripping structure 1006 of rotation cutter 1000b comprises a plurality of protrusions for enhancing the safety of use by reducing the risk of losing grip between the hand and the rotation cutter 1000b during operation. It is clear for the skilled person that there are different configurations of gripping structures which lead to the same substantial enhancement of the safety and that include, but are not limited to protrusions, grooves, notches, a covering or partially covering layer of a material with better gripping properties, etc. The skilled person realizes that the any of the rotation cutters discussed so far may also comprise gripping structures independently of any other features or characteristics.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of another embodiment of a rotation cutter 1000c. In this particular example, the rotation cutter does not comprise a covering rim and the sum of the areas of the support structure 12c and of the window 22c basically corresponds to the area CSA of the cross section of the inner volume CS. In rotation cutter 1000c, the support structure is in the form of a bar of partly radial extension, however, any other of the forms discussed is also suitable.

For any of the embodiments discussed above, with respect to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the piercing element is arranged off-centre and configured to pierce the sealing layer upon attaching and then to cut-off a portion of the sealing layer upon rotating the rotation cutter along a rotation axis. In other embodiments (not shown), the piercing element is located at the centre of the rotation cutter and has preferably a conical shape or any other shape which is larger at its base, i.e., close to the support structure and thinner or smaller at the distal end, with which the sealing layer is pierced. In this manner, the deeper the rotation cutter is fitted with the outlet nozzle, the larger the cross section of the piercing element that is at a level with the sealing layer, and thus the larger the opening that the piercing element causes on the sealing layer.

In the rotation cutters 1000, 1000a, 1000b and 1000c, the respective support structures and the windows are arranged in a plane and together (optionally also with the covering rim) form the cross section of the inner volume that is transverse to the longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to the cover side surface of the cap housing.

Any of the rotation cutters 1000, 1000a, 1000b or 1000c may also include a releasable cover lid 27 (see Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B, Fig. 9C), 2500 (see Fig. 12B) that is releasably attachable to the peripheral wall, preferably to the inner side of the peripheral wall at the opening at the attachment side, preferably by means of a cooperating threading structure. The cover lid may further comprise a protruding grip or handle 2506 at a central position thereof for enabling the engaging and disengaging of the cooperating threading structure. Alternatively, a cover lid 28 is releasably attachable to an outer side of the peripheral wall, by means, for instance of a corresponding threaded structure or any other suitable connecting structure. In a preferred development, the cover lid is releasably attachable to the end section of the peripheral wall to close the opening at the attachment side. In this manner, the presence of the cover lid covering the first inner volume further enhances the safety of the rotation cutter by blocking any access to the piercing element, while the cover lid is in place

The window 22, 22a, 22b, 22c, has an area that is preferably larger than 50% of the area CSA of the cross section of the inner volume CS and adapted to be an inspection opening for allowing eye inspection of the outlet or of the sealing layer upon operation, which allows for a further enhancement of the safety during operation as discussed above. The window 22, 22a, 22b, 22c can be optionally either covered by a transparent layer i.e., a layer that is transparent to at least part of the visible spectrum such that an eye inspection through the window is possible, or a cover side opening, i.e., an opening physically connecting an outer vicinity of the cover side 1005 to an inner vicinity thereof. In this case, the area of the window is considered to be the minimum area of a layer that is needed to completely cover the opening.

The cap housing of the rotation cutters 1000a, 1000b and 1000c can be a cap housing 1002 as described with reference to rotation cutter 1000 and 1000’ of Fig. 2A to Fig. 2D or, alternatively, can be a cap housing 1002a, that includes an extension skirt 1007, as it will be explained with reference to Fig. 5B, to 5D

Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C show in detail different views of an embodiment of a rotation cutter 10 according to the invention.

Fig. 5A shows a planar view of the rotation cutter 10, whereas Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C show sectional views thereof along section lines B and C respectively.

The rotation cutter 10 is suitable for fitting the protruding outlet nozzle 1 10 of the intermediate bulk container 100 of Fig. 1 A and Fig. 1 B. The rotation cutter 10 comprises a peripheral wall 1 1 that defines an inner volume 13 of the rotation cutter. The cap housing 1002a further includes an extension skirt 1007 in the longitudinal direction L extending away from the attachment side 1004. Thus, the cap housings has a first opening 14 at the attachment side 1004 and a second opening or skirt opening 16 that is opposite to the first opening 14 along a longitudinal direction L of the rotation cutter 10. The cap housing 1002a thus defines an inner volume 13 of the rotation cutter 10 being substantially cylindrical. The peripheral wall is suitable for fitting a given outlet nozzle of an external intermediate bulk container and is substantially radially restricted to an outer diameter of the outlet nozzle. Accordingly, the extension skirt is also suitable for fitting the given outlet nozzle of the external intermediate bulk container and is also substantially radially restricted to an outer diameter of the outlet nozzle

The rotation cutter also comprises a support structure 12 that is arranged on an intermediate section 15 of an inner side 17 of the cap housing 1002a. The support structure, together with the peripheral wall, defines a first inner volume 18 and, together with the extension skirt 1007, a second inner volume 19. In the longitudinal direction L, the first volume 18 is defined between the first opening 14 at the attachment side 1005 and the support structure 12.D, as it is shown in Fig. 5D. Alternatively, in Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C, the first volume 18 corresponds to that volume which is delimited by the first opening 14, the peripheral wall 1 1 , and an imaginary dividing plane D that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L at the position of the support structure 12.

The second volume 19 is defined between the support structure 12, the extension skirt 1007 and the second opening or skirt opening 16 and by the support structure 12.D, as it is shown in Fig. 5D. Alternatively, in Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C, the second volume 19 corresponds to that volume which is delimited by the second opening 16, the extension skirt 1007, and the imaginary dividing plane D that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L at the position of the support structure 12.

Thus thereby, the first volume 18 and the second volume 19 add up to the inner volume 13 inside the cap housing 1002a of the rotation cutter 10. But in this embodiment the first volume and the second volumes 18, 19 are not of same volume because the support structure 12 is located somewhere in an intermediate section of peripheral wall (rather than in a middle section thereof).

The first volume and the second volumes 18, 19 can exhibit identical or different sizes and are adapted to fit or engage the protruding outlet nozzle through the first opening and through the second opening or skirt opening 16 respectively. The rotation cutter 10 also comprises a piercing element 1 that is arranged on the support structure 14 and which has a protrusion extension E in the longitudinal direction L, such that the piercing element 1 remains inside or is encased within the first inner volume 18 defined by the peripheral wall, the first opening 14 and the support structure 12. This advantageously increases the safety of the user by reducing the risk of accidentally touching the piercing element 1 .

Preferably, it is to be understood that the peripheral wall 1 1 of the rotation cutter 10 corresponds to that structure closest to the piercing element 1 in a radial dimension as can be best seen in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B; in particular the piercing element 1 is resided nearest to the peripheral wall 1 1 in radial dimension without separation or installation between peripheral wall and piercing element - this is, there is only a free gap between piercing element 1 and peripheral wall 1 1 in radial dimension. So to say, most preferred, the piercing element 1 enables cutting off at least a portion of the sealing layer 102 without further elements, in particular without any installation between piercing element 1 and peripheral wall 1 1 , as it is the case of the foil piercing and clearing nozzle described in document US 5, 566, 859. The piercing element 1 , in particular, comprises a distal piercing end 2 arranged and configured to pierce the sealing layer when fitting the outlet nozzle 1 10 into the first inner volume 18 of the rotation cutter 10 via the first opening 14, and a cutting edge 3 that is arranged to face a first rotational direction Ri , and configured to cut-out at least a portion of the sealing layer upon rotation of the fitted rotation cutter 10 in the first rotational direction Ri by a predetermined angular amount a. The predetermined angular amount a depends, among other variables, on the geometry of the piercing element and a position of the sealing layer with respect to the opening. The person skilled in the art realizes that this operation mode is applicable also to the rotation cutters without the extension skirt, such as those discussed with reference to Fig. 2A to Fig. 2D, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B and Fig. 4.

Fig. 5D shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a rotation cutter 10a with the cap housing 1002a. The rotation cutter 10a differs from the rotation cutter 10 of Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, Fig. 5C in that the support structure 12.D completely separates the first inner volume 18 from the second inner volume 19. Thus, the rotation cutter 10a can act as a lid for a container, such as an intermediate bulk container. While the opening is sealed by the sealing layer, the outlet nozzle can be fitted to the second volume of the rotation cutter through the skirt opening 16. For opening the container, the rotation cutter is unfitted, turned 180° and then fitted again to the outlet nozzle, this time through the first opening 14, i.e. the first volume. A window (not shown) is provided at the support structure.

On the other hand, the rotation cutter 10 of Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C can be advantageously used as an adapter, to which another container, hose or any other suitable device can be attached to for example for transporting the liquid that is stored in the container. For this particular application, the window is an opening that connects the first and the second volume.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a rotation cutter 20. In this exemplary rotation cutter 20, the support structure is configured as a covering rim 21 in the form of ring that frames a window 22 in the form of an inspection-opening that is advantageously configured to enable eye inspection through the rotation cutter in the longitudinal direction L, i.e. eye inspection of the first inner volume 18 from the skirt opening 16 and also of the second volume 19 from the first opening 14.

In the rotation cutter 20, the covering rim 21 is attached to the inner side of the peripheral wall either at the cover side or at an intermediate section, depending on whether the rotation cutter comprises an extension skirt. The covering rim 21 extends radially in a radial direction in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. An opening of said covering rim 21 forms the window 22 as an inspection-opening which has an inner diameter d. In particular, the inner diameter of the inspection-opening is at least 50% of an inner diameter Di of the peripheral wall 21 , preferably at least 75% thereof. The rotation cutter 20 is advantageously designed to fit a given outlet nozzle 1 10 of a container such as an intermediate bulk container. The peripheral wall 21 , in its inner side, is substantially radially restricted to an outer diameter D _o of the outlet nozzle 1 10.

Fig. 7A shows a schematic diagram of a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a cutting device 50 that comprises a threaded rotation cutter 30, and a cover lid 28, shown attached to threaded rotation cutter covering the first opening 14. The peripheral wall 1 1 of the cap housing 1002a of the rotation cutter 30 comprises a first thread 23 that is adapted to fit the opening thread of a threaded outlet nozzle 1 10 of a container such as an external intermediate bulk container 100 through the first opening 14. The rotation cutter also comprises a second thread 24 arranged at the extension skirt 1007 adapted to fit the opening thread of the threaded outlet nozzle through the skirt opening 16. In this particular exemplary rotation cutter 30, the first thread 23 and the second thread 24 are arranged on an inner side of the peripheral wall 1 1 and of the extension skirt 1007 respectively. The rotation cutter 30 is suitable for fitting, and in particular, for engaging and disengaging, a protruding threaded outlet nozzle of an external intermediate bulk container that has an opening thread matching the threads 23 and 24 of the rotation cutter 30. For this particular threaded rotation cutter 30, engaging the threaded outlet nozzle in the first inner volume 18 is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter 30 in the first rotational direction Ri and disengaging the threaded outlet nozzle in the first inner volume 18 is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter 30 in a second rotational direction R2 opposite to the first rotational direction R1. Upon operation, a view of the outlet nozzle, in particular of the sealing layer when present, is enabled through the window 22, which, for rotation cutters having an extension skirt 1007, is generally defined by the skirt opening 16 at the cover side 1005 and the support structure 12.

Similarly, engaging the threaded outlet nozzle in the second inner volume 19 is achievable by arranging the rotation cutter so that the skirt opening 16 faces the threaded outlet nozzle and then rotating the rotation cutter 30 in the first rotational direction Ri . Also, disengaging the threaded outlet nozzle in the second inner volume 19 is achievable upon rotating the rotation cutter 30 in a second rotational direction R2 opposite to the first rotational direction R1.

The first and the second rotational directions are defined with respect to the longitudinal axis L, which is also the axis of rotation for engaging and disengaging the rotation cutter.

The threads 23 and 24 of the rotation cutter 30 are both arranged on an inner side of the cap housing and, therefore, the rotation cutter 30 is suitable for engaging and disengaging a threaded outlet nozzle having an external thread matching the threads 23 and 24.

The rotation cutter 30 also comprises a piercing element 1 in the form substantially of a tetrahedron. Other embodiments of threaded rotation cutters comprise piercing elements in the form of a pin or blade or any other suitable form for piercing and cutting-off a sealing layer. The protrusion extension of the piercing element 1 of the rotation cutter 30 is shorter than a distance amount from the support structure 12 to the first opening 14.

Fig. 7B shows the cutting device 50 of Fig. 7A attached to a threaded outlet nozzle 1 10 of a container 100 that is sealed by a sealing layer 102. The threaded outlet nozzle is inserted in the second volume 19 of the rotation cutter 30 through its skirt opening and the cover lid 28 is placed so as to cover the first opening 14 at the attachment side. In this configuration, the cutting device 50 is suitable for being transported together with the container in one piece and the risk of losing the cutting device is reduced. Further, it serves as a closure to the container, in case the sealing layer is somehow damaged or has a leak. The cover lid 28 can also be a lid with an external thread arranged to cooperate with the internal threads 23, 24 of the rotation cutter 30.

In order to cut-off the sealing layer 102 of the container 100, the rotation cutter 30 needs to be removed from the outlet nozzle, and the cover lid 28 needs to be removed from the rotation cutter 30. Then, the rotation cutter is turned so that the first opening 14 and the piercing element 1 are facing the threaded outlet nozzle 1 10. Engaging the thread of the outlet nozzle with thread 23 of the rotation cutter results in an attachment of the rotation cutter 30 and the container.

Further rotation of the rotation cutter 30 causes the piercing element to pierce the sealing layer 102, and to progressively cut the sealing layer in a substantially circular manner, as can be seen in Fig. 7C. The cover lid 28 can optionally be attached to the rotation cutter 30 to provide a closure for the container.

Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B show respective schematic representations of two exemplary piercing elements having substantially a tetrahedral form. The piercing element 1 A of Fig. 8A is a tetrahedron having straight edges and flat faces wherein the piercing element 1 B of Fig. 8B is substantially a tetrahedron that includes straight and curved edges as well as flat and curved faces. 2A and 2B are the respective distal piercing ends of piercing elements 1 A and 1 B, and 3A and 3B indicate the respective cutting edges of said piercing elements 1 A and 1 B. Both piercing elements 1 A and 1 B have a respective contact face 4A, 4B that is configured to be arranged on the cover inner side of a rotation cutter. In both piercing elements 1 A and 1 B, and the distal piercing ends 2A, 2B are vertices opposite to the contact face, and the respective cutting edges 3A, 3B are edges of the tetrahedrons that link the contact faces with their respective distal piercing ends.

In Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, angles PA, B, formed between those two edges that link the contact faces 4A, 4B with the respective distal piercing ends 2A, 2B and are not the cutting edges 3A, 3B, have values, determined in a vicinity of the distal piercing end in the case of the curved edges of piercing element 1 B, of at the most 30°, preferably no more than 20°.

Fig. 8C and Fig. 8D show a cross sectional view and a top view respectively of another exemplary piercing element 1 C shown on a support structure 12. The support structure is not restricted to a support structure having the form of an arc segment, as it is shown in Fig. 8D. In its cross sectional view, as shown in Fig. 8C, the piercing element has a trapezoidal shape such that a recess 1008 is formed between the cutting edge 3C and the support structure 12. The piercing end 2C protrudes from the support structure by a protruding extension E”, that in this case is longer than an extension of the cutting edge 3C in the longitudinal direction L. Once it has been cut, the now loose portion of the sealing layer gets attached to the rotation cutter at the recess 1008, such that upon disengaging the rotation cutter from the outlet nozzle, for instance by pulling the rotation cutter, or, in the case of a threaded engagement in a given direction, by rotating the rotation cutter in the opposite direction, the portion of the sealing layer remains attached to the rotation cutter, thus facilitating its extraction.

Fig. 9A shows a schematic diagram of a cross section of an embodiment of a cutting device 50a. The cutting device 50a includes a rotation cutter 40a that comprises a first thread 23 that is arranged on the inner side of the peripheral wall 1 1 of the cap housing 1002a corresponding to the first volume 18, and is therefore suitable for engaging and disengaging a protruding threaded outlet nozzle of an intermediate bulk container having a cooperating thread on an outer side thereof. The cutting device also comprises a first, proximal, cover lid 27 being releasably attachable to a first end section of the peripheral wall 1 1 that is proximate the first opening 14 and a second, distal, cover lid 28 being releasably attachable via suitable connecting means to an end section of the extension skirt 1007 that is opposite to the first end section in the longitudinal direction L and proximate the skirt opening 16. In this particular embodiment, the proximal cover lid 27 is a threaded cover lid configured to engage a respective thread 23, 24 arranged on the inner side of the peripheral wall 1 1 and of the extension skirt 1007 at the first and second volume 18, 19 respectively. Cover lid 28, as an example, is not threaded and can be attached to any of the two ends of the rotation cutter 40a. Alternative cutting devices comprise different types of connecting means for releasably attaching the distal and the proximal cover lids to the rotation cutter, such as connecting means of a snap type, a twist-lock type, a bayonet type, a cooperating peg-slot or lock tab arrangement, etc.

Preferably, the distal cover lid and/or the proximal cover lid 27, 28, comprise a respective transparent window section 29, at least for a predetermined spectral range in the visible spectral range, the transparent window section being arranged and configured to enable eye inspection through the cutting device in the longitudinal direction L.

The window 22 is defined by the skirt opening 16 of the extension skirt 1007, which is arranged at the cover end 1005, and the support structure 12.

Fig. 9B shows a schematic cross section diagram of another embodiment of a cutting device 50b that includes a rotation cutter 40b and at least one of the cover lids 27, 28b. The technical features that are identical to those of Fig. 9A are referred to using the same reference numbers used in Fig. 9A. The rotation cutter 40b of Fig. 9B comprises an outer thread on the outer side 25 of the cap housing 1002b that corresponds to the second volume 19, i.e. to the extension skirt. The cap housing 1002b thus includes the outer thread 26 for attaching a correspondingly threaded cover lid 28b. Alternatively, or additionally (not shown) the rotation cutter can comprise an outer thread on the outer side 25 of the cap housing that corresponds to the first volume 18, i.e., to the peripheral wall. The cover lid 28 comprises an inner thread that is configured and arranged to cooperate with the outer thread 26 of the rotation cutter 40b.

Fig. 9C shows another embodiment of a cutting device 50c, that includes a rotation cutter 40c and at least one of the cover lids 27, 28b. The cap housing 1002b comprises the outer thread 26 for attaching a correspondingly threaded cover lid 28b. In this particular example, the inner side of the skirt extension 1007 corresponding to the second volume 19 is not threaded. Further the skirt extension 1007is dimensioned so that an outlet nozzle of a container can be fitted in the second volume 19, irrespectively of whether the outlet nozzle of the container is threaded or not. This means here in particular that, in the case of a threaded outlet nozzle, the cutting device is engaged by rotating it in the corresponding direction. In the case of a non-threaded outlet nozzle, the cutting device 50c can be fitted by linearly moving the cutting device in the direction of the outlet nozzle without the need to rotate it. Once the cutting device is fitted, and therefore, once the sealing device is pierced, a rotation of the cutting device 50c is in this particular case required for cutting off a portion of the sealing layer.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic diagram of an intermediate bulk container 100 with a protruding outlet nozzle 1 10 that is fitted by a rotation cutter, such as rotation cutter 10, 10a, 20, 30, 40a, 40b, 40c,. Alternatively, the intermediate bulk container can be fitted by a cutting device (not shown) that includes a rotation cutter and a cover lid.

Fig. 1 1 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 800 for opening a sealed opening of a protruding outlet nozzle of a container, such as an intermediate bulk container, the outlet being sealed by a sealing layer. The method comprises, in a step 801 providing a rotation cutter 1000, 10, 20, 30, 40 according to any one of claims 1 to 13. When the rotation cutter provided in step 801 includes a cover lid closing the opening at the attachment side, the method optionally comprises, in a step 801 .1 , removing the cover lid. The method also comprises, in a step 804, attaching the rotation cutter to the protruding outlet nozzle such that the peripheral wall at the attachment side embraces the protruding outlet nozzle. The method comprises, in a step 805, opening the sealing layer with the piercing element.

Optionally, the method 800 may also comprise, in a step 806, cutting-out at least a portion of the sealing layer 102, in particular by a cutting edge 3 of the piercing element 1 arranged to face a first rotational direction R1 , upon rotating the fitted rotation cutter in the first rotational direction by a pre-determined angular amount a.

For example, in cases where a rotation cutter is provided in step 801 , which includes an extension skirt 1007, a method for opening a sealed outlet of a container may comprise, in a step 802, fitting the protruding outlet nozzle to the second inner volume of the rotation cutter and optionally fitting a cover lid to close the opening at the attachment side of the peripheral wall of the rotation cutter. The method may comprise, in a step 803.1 , unfitting the protruding outlet nozzle from the second inner volume and, optionally, the cover lid from the opening at the attachment side, and, in a step 803.2, turning the rotation cutter so that the opening at the attachment side faces the outlet nozzle of the container. The method may further comprise, in a step 804, fitting the protruding outlet nozzle to the first inner volume of the rotation cutter or the cutting device thereby piercing, as described with respect to step 805 above, the sealing layer, in particular with the distal piercing end of the piercing element. The method comprises, in a step 806 cutting-out at least a portion of the sealing layer, in particular by a cutting edge of the piercing element arranged to face a first rotational direction, upon rotating the fitted rotation cutter in the first rotational direction by a predetermined angular amount; and optionally, in a step 808, removing at least a portion of the sealing layer from the protruding outlet nozzle by rotating the rotation cutter in a second rotational direction R2 opposite to the first rotational direction R1. Finally, the method may optionally comprise, in a step 801 , fitting the cover lid 27, 28 to the skirt opening, for closing the outlet of the container.

Fig. 12A shows a perspective view of a rotation cutter 2000 according to the invention. Fig. 12A (left) shows the rotation cutter from a perspective where the inner volume, the inner side of the support structure 12.1 and the piercing element 1 can be seen through an opening at the attachment side. Fig. 12A (right) shows the same rotation cutter 2000 from another perspective where the back or outer side of the support structure 12.2 is visible. Fig. 12A (left) thus side shows a view into the inner side of the rotation cutter 2000 and Fig. 12A (right) shows a top down view onto the outer side of the rotation cutter 2000. Only some of the features of the rotation cutter 2000 will be described in the following.

For a detailed description of the remaining features, the reader is referred to the description of the rotation cutter of Fig. 2C and Fig. 2D, whose features are present in the rotation cutter 2000 of Fig. 12A. The rotation cutter 2000 of Fig. 12A is particularly designed to be attached to protruding outlet nozzles of industrial-grade containers, such as intermediate bulk containers. However, its size can be adapted to fit protruding outlet nozzles of other types of industrial-grade containers, which are sometimes also referred technical- grade containers. In the rotation cutter 2000, the cap-housing 1002 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. A ratio between a height and an inner diameter of the cap housing is between 1 :3 and 2:3. Further, an outer side of the peripheral wall of the cap housing 1002 comprises a gripping profile 1006. The rotation cutter 2000 is configured for attaching, in particular engaging and disengaging, a protruding threaded outlet nozzle of an IBC that has the nozzle-outlet and an outlet thread, in particular an outer thread, wherein the nozzle-outlet is sealable by the sealing layer. Thus, the inner side of the peripheral wall of the cap housing 1002 comprises an inner thread 23, adapted to engage the outlet thread of the threaded outlet nozzle of the container through the opening at the attachment side. The rotation cutter 2000 comprises a window 22, designed as a see-through opening. The piercing element 1 , is similar to the piercing element described in Fig. 8C and Fig. 8D and is arranged on a support structure 12 in the form or an arc segment of a circle.

Fig. 12B shows a perspective view of a cover lid 2500, configured to be attached to the rotation cutter 2000, in particular to the opening at the attachment side of the rotation cutter. The cover lid 2500 comprises an outer thread 2502 arranged and configured to cooperate with the inner thread 23 of the rotation cutter 2000. The cover lid 2500 advantageously comprises a handle 2504 for facilitating the rotation of the cover lid 2500 during engagement and disengagement of the cover lid 2500 to the rotation cutter 2000 using the cooperating threads 23, 2502. The handle 2504 may also comprise a through opening 2506 for attaching a string or a chain (not show) that can be used to connect the cover lid to the rotation cutter or to the container to prevent losing the cover lid.

Figs. 13A und Fig. 13B show respective perspective views of a rotation cutter 3000 according to the invention. Fig. 13 A shows the rotation cutter from a perspective where the inner volume, the inner side of the support structure 12.1 that has no opening and the piercing element 1 can be seen through an opening at the attachment side. Fig. 13B shows the same rotation cutter 2000 from another perspective where the back or outer side of the support structure 12.2 is visible. Fig. 13A thus side shows a view into the inner side of the rotation cutter 3000 and Fig. 13B shows a top down view onto the outer side of the rotation cutter 2000. Only some of the features of the rotation cutter 3000 will be described in the following.

For a detailed description of the remaining features, the reader is referred to the description of the rotation cutter of Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, whose features are present in the rotation cutter 3000 of Figs. 13A and 13B. The rotation cutter 3000 of Figs. 13A and 13B is particularly designed to be attached to protruding outlet nozzles of industrial-grade containers, such as intermediate bulk containers. However, its size can be adapted to fit protruding outlet nozzles of other types of industrial-grade containers, which are sometimes referred to as technical -grade containers. In the rotation cutter 3000, the cap-housing 1002 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. A ratio between a height and an inner diameter of the cap housing is between 1 :3 and 2:3. Further, an outer side of the peripheral wall of the cap housing 1002 comprises a gripping profile 1006. The rotation cutter 3000 is configured for attaching, in particular engaging and disengaging, a protruding threaded outlet nozzle of an IBC that has the nozzle-outlet and an outlet thread, in particular an outer thread, wherein the nozzle-outlet is sealable by the sealing layer. Thus, the inner side of the peripheral wall of the cap housing 1002 comprises an inner thread 23, adapted to engage the outlet thread of the threaded outlet nozzle of the container through the opening at the attachment side.

The rotation cutter 3000 -in this embodiment- is closed; thus it does not comprise a window 22 as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 12A, designed as a see-through opening. Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B show respective perspective views of the rotation cutter 3000 where the support structure 12.1 , 12.2 forms an integrated cover lid. The support structure thus forms a top lid closing the rotation cutter 3000 opposite to the attachment side of the rotation cutter. Thereby the cap housing is easy to handle.

The piercing element 1 , is similar to the piercing element described in Fig. 8C and Fig. 8D and is arranged on the inner side of the support structure 12.1 .

In summary, the invention is directed to a rotation cutter for enhanced safety, adapted to be attached to a protruding outlet nozzle of a container, in particular the protruding outlet nozzle of an industrial-grade container, the outlet nozzle having a nozzle outlet that is sealable or sealed by a sealing layer, the rotation cutter being adapted to open the sealing layer upon being attached to the outlet nozzle, and the rotation cutter being in form of a cap-element and including a piercing element arranged fully inside a cap housing and configured to open the sealing layer upon attaching the rotation cutter to the sealed outlet nozzle.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

A single step or other units may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to ad-vantage.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS:

1 , 1 A, 1 B, 1 C Piercing element

2, 2A, 2B, 2C Free end, Distal piercing end

3, 3A, 3B, 3C Cutting edge

4A, 4B Contact face

10, 10a, 20, 30, 40a, 40b, 40c Rotation cutter

11 Peripheral wall

12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Support structure

12.1 Inner side of support structure

12.2 Outer side of support structure

13 Inner volume

14 Opening, First opening

15 Intermediate section of peripheral wall

16 Skirt opening, Second opening

17 Inner side of the peripheral wall

18 First inner volume

19 Second inner volume

21 Covering rim

22, 22a, 22b, 22c Window, Cover side opening

23 First thread

24 Second thread

25 Outer side of the cap housing

26 Connecting means

27, 28 Cover lid

29 Transparent window section

50, 50a, 50b, 50c Cutting device

100 Intermediate bulk container

100B Portion of the intermediate bulk container 101 Outlet of the intermediate bulk container

102 Sealing layer

103 Built-in tap

104 Lid

1 10 Protruding outlet nozzle

800 Method for opening a sealed opening with a rotation cutter

801 -806 Method steps of method 800

1000, 1000a, 1000b, 1000c, 1000d Rotation cutter

1000’ Rotation cutter

1001 Cap element

1001 ’ Cap element

1002, 1002a 1002b Cap housing

1003 Radial margin of inner volume

1004 Attachment side

1005 Cover side

1006 Gripping element

1007 Extension skirt

2000 Rotation cutter

2500 Cover lid

2502 Outer thread

2504 Handle

2506 Through opening

3000 Rotation cutter a Angular amount

PA, B Angle

A, B, C Section line

CS Cross section of the inner volume

CSA Area of the cross section D Division plane d Inner diameter of the inspection opening

Di Inner diameter of the peripheral wall

Do Outer diameter of the outlet nozzle E, E’ Protrusion extension of the piercing element

L Longitudinal direction I axis; rotational axis

Ri First rotational direction

R ₂ Second rotational direction.

SA Surface area