AT17809U1 - Twist lock with guarantee band - Google Patents

Abstract

A screw cap (1) with a guarantee band (6) is described, which has a closure cap (2) with a cover plate (3) and a substantially cylindrical jacket (4) projecting axially therefrom. The cylindrical jacket (4) has an inner wall (40) which is equipped with threaded sections (43) or similar positive engagement means for positive attachment to a neck (9) of a container provided with correspondingly designed engagement means (93). The closure cap (2) can be separated from the anti-tamper strip (6) when the twist lock (1) is opened for the first time. The closure cap (2) is captively connected to a retaining ring (5) which is connected to the anti-tamper strip (6) via separable connecting elements (61).

Description

Description

TWIST CLOSURE WITH GUARANTEE STRAP

The invention relates to a twist-lock fastener with a guarantee band according to the preamble of claim 1.

Container closures of the generic type are usually designed as screw caps. They are widespread and are used in glass and plastic bottles in particular, but also in cardboard containers for soft drinks. Such a rotary closure has a closure cap with a cover plate and a substantially cylindrical jacket protruding axially therefrom. The jacket has an inner wall which is equipped with threaded sections or similar connecting elements for positive attachment to a neck of a container provided with correspondingly designed elements. When you unscrew the cap for the first time, it is separated from the guarantee strip. Various solutions have been proposed from the prior art which are intended to prevent the closure cap from being accidentally lost and the container no longer being able to be closed in the intended manner, or to prevent the closure cap from being disposed of in an uncontrolled manner. What these solutions have in common is that the closure cap remains connected to the container neck via a band-like connecting element. However, the solutions known from the prior art are either relatively complex to manufacture, assemble and handle by the consumer, or the connection between the closure cap and the container neck is often not sufficiently strong.

The object of the present invention is therefore to remedy these disadvantages of the solutions of the prior art. A twist-lock closure with a tamper-proof band is to be created which, even after opening for the first time, ensures a secure connection of the closure cap to the container neck. The function of the guarantee band as a first opening guarantee should be retained. The twist lock should be easy and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.

[0004] The solution to these problems consists in a twist-lock fastener with a tamper-proof strip which has the features listed in claim 1. Further developments as well as advantageous and preferred embodiment variants of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

A twist-lock closure designed according to the invention with a tamper-proof band comprises a closure cap with a cover plate and a substantially cylindrical jacket projecting axially therefrom. The cylindrical shell has an inner wall which is equipped with engagement means, in particular threaded sections, for positive attachment to a neck of a container provided with correspondingly designed engagement means. The closure cap can be separated from the guarantee band when the screw cap is opened for the first time. The closure cap is captively connected to a retaining ring with a connecting element. The closure cap is connected to the retaining ring via first connecting elements that can be separated, and the retaining ring is connected to the anti-tamper strip via second connecting elements that can be separated.

So there is an indirect connection via the retaining ring and the separable connecting elements between the closure cap and the guarantee band.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the closure cap is connected directly to the guarantee band via separable connecting elements and the retaining ring is subsequently connected to the guarantee band via separable connecting elements. In this configuration, it is possible to form the retaining ring without separable connecting elements to the tamper-proof band and to form it loosely.

In the twist lock according to the invention, the function of the guarantee band is retained as a tamper-evident guarantee. At the same time, the retaining ring ensures that the

closing cap remains captively connected to the screw cap even after opening it for the first time.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring is arranged between the casing of the closure cap and the guarantee band. The retaining ring is connected to the anti-tamper strip on the one hand and to a free end of the casing of the closure cap on the other hand via first and second connecting elements that can be separated when it is opened for the first time. The resulting connections of the retaining ring between the jacket of the closure cap and the guarantee ring allow a compact construction of the screw cap and ensure easy mounting of the screw cap on a container neck, for example by snapping it on.

The separable first and second connecting elements are expediently first and second webs of material. Such connecting elements are easy to produce and do not require excessive forces to separate. This ensures that a beverage container provided with a rotary closure designed according to the invention can also be opened by older people. Alternatively, the first and second connecting elements can also be formed, for example, from thin material membranes. These too are easy to manufacture and easy to separate.

The connection between the closure cap and the retaining ring is preferably designed as a flexible and / or movable connecting strap. The connection can consist of one or more elements. For example, provision can be made to provide two connecting straps, which are preferably arranged next to one another.

It can also be provided to provide a stop element on the closure cap, so that the closure cap assumes a certain position after opening.

[0013] When the connecting element is formed from a plurality of connecting bands, the stop element can be arranged between the connecting bands.

It can be provided that an extended length of the connecting straps is shorter than a length of the stop element in the same direction. This allows the screw cap to be opened and unfolded and fixed. As soon as the stop and the connecting straps approach the same level, the connecting straps are overstretched and the closure cap is thus pressed over the stop element. It is thus held in this position and folding back over the mouth of the neck is prevented.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure cap is connected to the retaining ring via at least one articulated connection. The joint connection is, for example, a film hinge. Such joints, in particular film hinges, are relatively easy to produce and have a sufficiently proven strength, so that it is ensured that the closure cap and the retaining ring remain connected to one another even after the joint has been actuated several times.

A twist-lock closure, in which the retaining ring is located between the skirt of the closure cap and the tamper-proof band, is designed for use in connection with a specially shaped neck of a beverage container. The neck of the beverage container has an outer wall on which a first and a second stop are formed. The first and the second stop are axially spaced from each other. They extend along a circumference of the container neck and are at a greater axial distance from a neck opening than the engagement means arranged on the outer wall of the container neck and corresponding to the engagement means on the inner wall of the casing of the rotary closure. The first stop, which is further away from the mouth of the neck, is arranged in the area of the separable connection between the anti-tamper strip and the retaining strap when the screw cap is mounted. The second stop can be brought into engagement with the retaining strap or with separable connecting elements between the retaining strap and the shell of the rotary fastener when the rotary fastener is opened for the first time.

The guarantee band and the retaining ring are arranged freely rotatable together with the closure cap on the neck of the beverage container. When the screw cap is screwed on for the first time, ie when the container is opened, it moves axially away from the neck opening due to the incline of the form-fit engagement means, for example threaded sections. The first stop limits the lifting movement of the guarantee strip. The consequence of this is that the second connecting elements between the anti-tamper strip and the retaining ring are separated. This makes it clear to the consumer that the beverage container has already been opened for the first time. In order to be able to remove the closure cap, the screw cap is twisted further until the second stop impedes further lifting movement of the retaining ring and the first connecting elements between the closure cap and the retaining ring are separated. Thereafter, the closure cap can be folded away and the neck opening is released.

The first and/or the second stop can be arranged in segments along a circumference of the container neck. An embodiment variant of the invention provides that the first and second stops are each designed as a circumferential, radially projecting collar.

The specially designed for a screw cap, in which the retaining ring is arranged between the jacket of the cap and the tamper-proof neck neck can be part of a beverage container, such as a beverage bottle. The beverage container can be a plastic container, for example, which is produced in a blow molding process. In an alternative embodiment, the neck extends from a flat base plate that can be connected, for example glued, to a beverage container. In the latter case, the beverage container is, for example, cardboard packaging.

In a second embodiment of the screw cap, the anti-tamper strip is arranged between the retaining ring and the casing of the closure cap. This embodiment variant of the invention can also be used in particular in connection with conventional container necks which are designed for rotary closures with a guarantee strip. This can be a beverage container made of glass, plastic or cardboard packaging. In the latter case, the container neck can protrude, for example, from a base plate which can be connected, for example glued, to the cardboard packaging in a manner known per se.

In one embodiment of this second twist-lock variant, the guarantee strip is connected to a free end of the casing of the closure cap via first connecting elements that can be separated when it is opened for the first time. This corresponds to a direct connection between the sealing cap and the guarantee ring. Second connection elements to the retaining ring can also be provided on the guarantee ring. The first and second connections are, for example, first and second webs of material or thin skins of material. The closure cap is connected to the retaining ring via a connecting element. The connecting element can be designed as a connecting band.

The second embodiment of a screw cap with a guarantee ring is very compact. The guarantee band fixes the retaining ring to a certain extent, which leads to an overall more rigid connection.

When the twist lock is opened for the first time, the lifting movement of the anti-tamper strip is impeded by a peripheral stop formed on the container neck. As a result, the connecting elements between the jacket of the closure cap and the anti-tamper strip are separated in a manner known per se. If the screw cap is twisted off further, the second connecting elements, if present, can also be separated between the guarantee strip and the retaining ring; but this is not absolutely necessary. In any case, the guarantee band limits the play of the retaining ring on the container neck, which means that the screw cap has less play on the container neck and can wobble less even after it is opened for the first time.

[0024] In all embodiments, the closure cap, the retaining ring, the connection

Connection of the closure cap to the retaining ring and the anti-tamper strip preferably be formed in one piece with each other in an injection molding process. The injection molding process is well known and allows the screw caps to be manufactured in large numbers at low cost.

Polyolefins, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, or mixtures thereof, or PET, or PET-G, or PCT-G, or a bioplastic, or a polystyrene mixture come into consideration as materials for the screw cap with guarantee ring.

Further advantages and variants of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the schematic drawings. It shows in a representation that is not true to scale:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a twist-lock fastener with a guarantee strip in the closed state;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the twist lock according to FIG. 1 in the open state;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an axially sectioned representation of the twist lock according to FIG. 2;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a twist-lock fastener with a tamper-proof strip; and [0031] FIG. 5 shows the screw cap according to FIG. 4 in the open state.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the screw cap with guarantee band, which bears the reference numeral 1 as a whole. The screw cap 1 comprises a closure cap 2 with a cover plate 3 and a substantially cylindrical jacket 4 projecting axially therefrom. A free end 42 of the cylindrical jacket 4 is captively connected to a retaining ring 5 by means of a connecting element. The connecting element is formed from two connecting straps 7 . An unspecified stop element is arranged on the closure cap between the connecting straps 7 . When the rotary closure 1 is open (see FIG. 2), this stop element rests against the retaining ring 5 and limits movement of the closure cap 2 . The stop element is arranged on the casing 4 of the closure cap 2 . The guarantee band 6 connects to the retaining ring 5 . The free end 42 of the cylindrical casing 4 and the retaining ring 5 are connected to one another with first material webs 41 which can be separated. The retaining ring 5 and the anti-tamper strip 6 are connected to one another via detachable second webs of material 61 .

The screw cap 1 according to FIG. 1 is arranged on a cardboard container closure, not shown in detail in FIG. A carton container closure is characterized in that, in contrast to a bottle, the container shoulder is only designed as a flat base plate, for example to be glued on.

2 shows the screw cap 1 in the open state. The first webs of material 41 between the jacket 4 of the closure cap 2 and the retaining ring 5 and the second webs of material 61 between the anti-tamper strip 6 and the retaining ring 5 are severed.

The closure cap 2 is in the folded position. The figure shows an inner wall 40 of the casing 4 of the closure cap 2, on which threaded sections 43 are formed. The threaded sections 43 interact in a form-fitting manner with correspondingly designed threaded sections 93 on the outer wall 90 of a container neck 9 . A neck opening is provided with the reference number 94 .

FIG. 3 shows an axial section of the opened screw cap 1 according to FIG. 2. The container neck again bears the reference number 9; its outer wall is provided with the reference number 90 . A first and a second stop 91 , 92 are formed on the outer wall 90 of the container neck 9 below the threaded sections 93 . The two stops 91, 92 are designed, for example, as radially protruding collars that run around in the circumferential direction of the container neck 9. The first stop 91, which is further away from the neck opening 94, serves as a stroke limiter for the guarantee strip 6 when the screw cap 1 is opened for the first time. The second stop 92, which is arranged between the first 91 and the threaded sections 93, serves as a stroke limiter for the retaining ring 5.

The guarantee band 6 and the retaining ring 5 are freely rotatably arranged together with the cap 2 on the neck 9, for example, a beverage container. When the screw cap 1 is screwed on for the first time, it moves axially away from the neck opening 94 due to the pitch of the thread sections 43, 93 which interact in a form-fitting manner. The first stop 91 limits the lifting movement of the anti-tamper strip 6 . For example, a ring-shaped circumferential bead 62 protrudes from an inner wall 60 of the anti-tamper strip 6 and comes into contact with the first stop 91 . The consequence of this is that the webs of material 61 between the anti-tamper strip 6 and the retaining ring 5 are separated. This makes it clear to the consumer that the beverage container has already been opened for the first time. It goes without saying that the ring-shaped peripheral bead 2 does not have to be continuous, but can also consist of segments that are arranged along a circumference of the inner wall 60 of the anti-tamper strip.

In order to be able to remove the closure cap 2 , the screw cap 1 is turned further until the second stop 92 impedes the further lifting movement of the retaining ring 5 . For this purpose, a circumferential annular bead 52 protrudes, for example, from an inner wall 50 of the retaining ring 5 and comes into contact with the second stop 92 . As a result, the webs of material 41 between the jacket 4 of the closure cap 2 and the retaining ring 5 are separated. Thereafter, the closure cap 2 can be folded away and the neck opening 94 is released. It goes without saying that the annular bead 52 does not have to be continuous, but can also consist of segments which are arranged along a circumference of the inner wall 50 of the retaining ring 5 .

The neck 9 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be part of a beverage container, for example a beverage bottle. The beverage container can be a plastic container, for example, which is produced in a blow molding process. In an alternative embodiment variant, the neck 9 extends from a flat base plate 10 (FIG. 3) which can be connected to a beverage container, for example glued. In the latter case, the beverage container is, for example, cardboard packaging.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a second embodiment of a twist-lock fastener with a guarantee band, which is provided with the reference number 1'. Correspondingly, the same components as in the first exemplary embodiment explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3 also have “primed” reference symbols. FIG. 4 shows the rotary closure 1' in the closed state, while FIG. 5 shows the rotary closure 1' after it has been opened for the first time. The screw cap 1' comprises a closure cap 2' with a cover plate 3° and a substantially cylindrical casing 4' projecting axially therefrom. A free end 42' of the cylindrical shell 4' is connected to the guarantee band 6'. A retaining ring 5' connects to the guarantee strip 6'. The free end 42' of the cylindrical jacket 4 and the anti-tamper strip 6' are connected to one another with detachable first material webs 41. The anti-tamper strip 6' and the retaining ring 5' can be connected to one another via second webs of material; however, this is not mandatory. The closure cap 2' is captively connected to the retaining ring 5' via a connecting element, which is designed as a connecting band 8'.

In this second embodiment variant of the screw cap 1', the anti-tamper strip 6' is arranged between the retaining ring 5° and the casing 4' of the closure cap 2'. This embodiment variant of the invention can also be used in particular in connection with conventional container necks which are already designed for twist-lock closures with a tamper-proof strip. This can be a beverage container made of glass, plastic or cardboard packaging. In the latter case, the container neck 9', as indicated in FIG. 5, can protrude, for example, from a base plate 10', which can be connected, for example glued, to the cardboard packaging (not shown) in a manner known per se.

5 shows the screw cap 1' in the open state with a view of the neck opening 94'. The closure cap 2', which is captively connected to the retaining ring 5' via the connecting band 8', is shown in the folded-down state with a view of the inner wall 40' of the jacket 4'. The threaded sections 43 formed on the inner wall 40' are for the form-fitting

sigen engagement in the threaded sections 93 'on the outer wall 90' of the container neck 9 'is formed.

The second embodiment variant of a screw cap 1 with guarantee band 6' is very compact. The guarantee band 6' fixes the retaining ring 5' to a certain extent, which leads to an overall more rigid connection. When the rotary closure 1' is opened for the first time, the lifting movement of the guarantee band 6' is prevented by a circumferential stop 95' formed on the container neck 9'. As a result, the first webs of material 41° between the jacket 4' of the closure cap 2' and the guarantee band 6' are separated in a manner known per se. If the closure cap 2' is twisted off further, the second connecting elements between the guarantee strip 6' and the retaining ring 5' can also be separated; but this is not absolutely necessary. In any case, the guarantee strip 6' limits the play of the retaining ring 5' on the container neck 9', which means that the screw cap 1' has less play on the container neck 9' even after it is opened for the first time and can wobble less.

In both variants of the screw cap with guarantee band, the closure cap, the retaining ring, the connection of the closure cap to the retaining ring and the guarantee band are preferably formed in one piece with one another in an injection molding process. The injection molding process is well known and allows the screw caps to be manufactured in large numbers at low cost.

[0045] Polyolefins, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, or mixtures thereof, or PET, or PET-G, or PCT-G, or a bioplastic, or a polystyrene mixture come into consideration as materials for the screw cap with guarantee ring.

The invention has been described using specific exemplary embodiments. However, the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention and should not be taken as limiting. Rather, the invention is defined by the patent claims and the equivalents which become apparent to the person skilled in the art and are encompassed by the general idea of the invention.

Claims (17)

Expectations 1. Screw-on closure with a tamper-proof band comprising a closure cap with a cover plate and a substantially cylindrical casing protruding axially therefrom, which has an inner wall which is equipped with engagement means, in particular threaded sections, for positive attachment to a neck of a container provided with correspondingly designed engagement means , which closure cap can be separated from the guarantee strip when the twist-lock closure is opened for the first time, characterized in that the closure cap is captively connected to a retaining ring with a connecting element and the closure cap is connected to the retaining ring via separable connecting elements and the retaining ring is connected to the guarantee strip via a separable connection or the closure cap is connected to the guarantee band via separable connecting elements and the retaining ring is arranged below the guarantee band. 2. Screw cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining ring is arranged between the jacket of the closure cap and the guarantee band. 3. Screw cap according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining ring is connected to the guarantee strip on the one hand and to a free end of the casing of the closure cap on the other hand via first and second connections that can be separated when opening for the first time. 4. Screw cap according to claim 3, characterized in that the separable first and second connections comprise first and second webs of material. 5. Screw cap according to one of Claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the closure cap is connected to the retaining ring via at least one articulated connection. 6. Screw cap according to claim 5, characterized in that the joint connection is a film hinge. 7. Screw cap and neck of a beverage container, wherein the screw cap is designed according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a first and a second stop are formed on an outer wall of the container neck, which stops are spaced apart axially along a circumference of the container neck and are at a greater axial distance from a neck opening than the correspondingly designed engagement means on the outer wall of the container neck, with the first stop, which is further away from the neck opening, being arranged in the region of the separable connection between the guarantee band and the retaining ring, and the second Stop can be brought into engagement with the retaining ring or with separable connecting elements between the retaining ring and the jacket of the rotary fastener when the rotary fastener is first opened. 8. Screw cap and neck of a beverage container according to claim 7, characterized in that the first stop and/or the second stop are each designed as a circumferential, radially projecting collar. 9. Screw cap and neck of a beverage container according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the neck of the beverage container extends from a flat base plate which can be connected to a beverage container. 10. Screw cap and neck of a beverage container according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the beverage container is a cardboard packaging. 11. Screw cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the anti-tamper strip is arranged between the retaining ring and the casing of the closure cap. 12. Screw cap according to claim 11, characterized in that the anti-tamper strip is connected to a free end of the casing of the closure cap via first connecting elements which can be separated when it is opened for the first time. 13. Screw cap according to claim 12, characterized in that the anti-tamper strip is connected to the retaining ring via second connecting elements. 14. Screw cap according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the first and second connecting elements comprise first and second webs of material. 15. Screw cap according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the closure cap is connected to the retaining ring via a band-like connecting element. 16. Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap, the retaining ring, the connection of the closure cap to the retaining ring and the guarantee band are preferably formed in one piece with one another in an injection molding process. 17. Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of a polyolefin, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, or mixtures thereof, or PET, or PET-G, or PCT-G, or a bioplastic, or is made of a polystyrene mixture. 2 sheets of drawings