CH716103A1 - Twist lock with a guarantee band and a captive locking cap. - Google Patents

Abstract

A twist lock (1) with a tamper-evident band (6) is described which has a closure cap (2) with a cover plate and an essentially cylindrical jacket (4) protruding axially therefrom. The cylindrical jacket (4) has an inner wall (40) which is equipped with threaded sections (43) or similar form-fitting engagement means for form-fitting attachment to a neck (9) of a container provided with correspondingly designed engagement means (93). The closure cap (2) can be separated from the guarantee 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 guarantee band (6) via separable connecting elements (61).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a twist lock with a tamper-evident band according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Container closures of the generic type are generally designed as rotary closures. They are widespread and are used in particular for glass and plastic bottles, but also for cardboard containers for soft drinks. Such a twist lock has a closure cap with a cover plate and an essentially cylindrical jacket protruding axially therefrom. The jacket has an inner wall which is equipped with threaded sections or similar connecting elements for form-fitting attachment to a neck of a container provided with correspondingly designed elements. When the cap is unscrewed 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 expensive to manufacture, assemble and handle by the consumer or the connection between the closure cap and the container neck is often not sufficiently strong.

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to remedy these disadvantages of the solutions of the prior art. The aim is to create a screw cap with a tamper-evident band which ensures a secure connection of the closure cap to the container neck even after it is opened for the first time. The function of the guarantee band as a tamper-evident guarantee is to be retained. The twist lock should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.

The solution to these problems consists in a twist lock with a tamper-evident band, which has the features set out in claim 1. Developments as well as advantageous and preferred embodiment variants of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] A twist lock, designed according to the invention, with a tamper-evident band comprises a closure cap with a cover plate and an essentially cylindrical jacket protruding axially therefrom. The cylindrical jacket has an inner wall which is equipped with threaded sections or the like form-fitting engagement means for form-fitting attachment to a neck of a container provided with correspondingly designed engagement means. The sealing cap can be separated from the guarantee strip when the screw cap is opened for the first time. The closure cap is captively connected to a retaining ring, which is connected to the tamper-evident band via separable connecting elements.

In the case of the twist lock according to the invention, the function of the guarantee band as a tamper evident guarantee is retained. At the same time, the retaining ring ensures that the closure cap remains captively connected to the twist lock even after it has been opened for the first time.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring is arranged between the jacket of the closure cap and the tamper-evident band. The retaining ring is connected to the tamper-evident band 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 opening for the first time. The connections of the retaining ring between the jacket of the closure cap and the guarantee ring allow a compact design of the rotary closure and ensure that the rotary closure can be easily mounted on a container neck, for example by bouncing on.

The separable first and second connecting elements are expediently first and second material webs. Such connecting elements are easy to produce and do not require excessive forces to separate them. This ensures that a beverage container provided with a screw cap 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 skins. These are also easy to manufacture and easy to separate.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure cap is connected to the retaining ring via at least one articulated connection. The articulated connection is, for example, a film hinge. Such joints, in particular film hinges, are relatively easy to manufacture 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, in which the retaining ring is arranged between the jacket of the closure cap and the tamper-evident 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 one another. They extend along a circumference of the container neck and have a greater axial distance from a neck opening than the engaging means arranged on the outer wall of the container neck, corresponding to the engaging means formed on the inner wall of the casing of the rotary closure. The first stop, which is further away from the neck opening, is arranged in the area of the separable connection between the tamper-evident band and the retaining band when the twist lock is installed. When the rotary fastener is opened for the first time, the second stop can be brought into engagement with the retaining strap or with separable connecting elements between the retaining strap and the casing of the rotating fastener.

The tamper-evident band and the retaining ring are arranged freely rotatably together with the closure cap on the neck of the beverage container. When the rotary fastener is screwed on for the first time, it moves axially away from the neck opening due to the incline of the form-fitting engagement means, for example threaded sections. The first stop limits the lifting movement of the guarantee strip. This has the consequence that the connecting elements between the guarantee 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 twist lock is turned off further until the second stop hinders the further stroke movement of the retaining ring and the connecting elements between the closure cap and the retaining ring are separated. The closure cap can then 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. One embodiment variant of the invention provides that the first and second stops are each designed as a circumferential, radially protruding collar.

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

In a second variant embodiment of the twist lock, the tamper-evident band is arranged between the retaining ring and the jacket of the closure cap. This embodiment variant of the invention can also be used in particular in conjunction with conventional container necks which are designed for rotary closures with a tamper-evident band. This can be a beverage container made of glass, plastic or cardboard packaging. In the latter case, the container neck can project from a base plate, for example, 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 tamper-evident band is connected to a free end of the casing of the closure cap via first connecting elements which can be separated when opened for the first time. Second connecting elements can also be provided for the retaining ring. The first and second connections are, for example, first and second material webs or thin material skins. The closure cap is connected to the retaining ring via a band-like connecting element.

The second variant of a twist lock with 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 rotary closure is opened for the first time, the lifting movement of the guarantee strap is hindered by a circumferential stop formed on the container neck. This has the result that the connecting elements between the jacket of the closure cap and the guarantee strip are separated in a manner known per se. If the twist lock is turned off further, the second connecting elements, if any, can also be separated between the tamper-evident band and the retaining ring; but this is not absolutely necessary. In any case, the tamper-evident band limits the play of the retaining ring on the container neck, which means that the twist lock has less play on the container neck and can wobble less even after it has been opened for the first time.

[0018] 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 rotary fasteners to be manufactured inexpensively in large numbers.

Polyolefins, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, or their mixtures, 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 a guarantee ring.

Further advantages and design variants of the invention emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the schematic drawings. It shows, not to scale: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> a first exemplary embodiment of a twist lock with a tamper-evident band in the closed state; <tb> Fig. 2 <SEP> the twist lock according to FIG. 1 in the open state; <tb> Fig. 3 <SEP> shows an axially sectioned illustration of the rotary lock according to FIG. 2; <tb> Fig. 4 <SEP> a second exemplary embodiment of a twist lock with a tamper-evident band; and <tb> Fig. 5 <SEP> the twist lock according to FIG. 4 in the open state.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the twist lock with a tamper-evident band, which bears the reference number 1 as a whole. The rotary closure 1 comprises a closure cap 2 with a cover plate 3 and an essentially cylindrical casing 4 projecting axially therefrom. A free end 42 of the cylindrical casing 4 is connected to a retaining ring 5. 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 by separable first material webs 41. The retaining ring 5 and the guarantee strip 6 are connected to one another via separable second material webs 61. The closure cap 2 is captively connected to the retaining ring 5 via at least one hinge 7.

Fig. 2 shows the twist lock 1 in the open state. The first material webs 41 are separated between the jacket 4 of the closure cap 2 and the retaining ring 5 and the second material webs 61 between the guarantee strip 6 and the retaining ring 5. The closure cap 2 is in the folded-down position. The figure shows an inner wall 40 of the jacket 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.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an axial section of the opened twist lock 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 below the threaded sections 93 on the outer wall 90 of the container neck 9. The two stops 91, 92 are designed, for example, as radially protruding collars running around the circumference of the container neck 9. The first stop 91 further away from the neck opening 94 serves as a stroke limiter for the tamper-evident band 6 when the rotary fastener 1 is opened for the first time. The second stop 92 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 arranged together with the closure cap 2 freely rotatable on the neck 9, for example of a beverage container. When the rotary fastener 1 is screwed on for the first time, it moves axially away from the neck opening 94 due to the pitch of the positively interacting threaded sections 43, 93. The first stop 91 limits the stroke movement of the guarantee strip 6. For this purpose, for example, a ring-shaped circumferential bead 62 protrudes from an inner wall 60 of the guarantee strip 6 and comes into contact with the first stop 91. This has the consequence that the material webs 61 are separated between the guarantee strip 6 and the retaining ring 5. 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 circumferential bead 2 does not have to be formed continuously, but can also consist of segments that are arranged along a circumference of the inner wall 60 of the guarantee strip.

In order to be able to remove the closure cap 2, the rotary closure 1 is turned off further until the second stop 92 hinders the further stroke movement of the retaining ring 5. For this purpose, for example, a circumferential annular bead 52 protrudes from an inner wall 50 of the retaining ring 5 and comes into contact with the second stop 92. As a result, the material webs 41 are separated between the jacket 4 of the closure cap 2 and the retaining ring 5. Thereafter, the 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 that are arranged along a circumference of the inner wall 50 of the retaining ring 5.

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

[0027] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second exemplary embodiment of a twist lock with a tamper-evident band, which is provided with the reference symbol 1 '. Correspondingly, the same components as in the first exemplary embodiment explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 also have “deleted” reference symbols. FIG. 4 shows the twist lock 1 ′ in the closed state, while FIG. 5 shows the twist lock 1 ′ after it has been opened for the first time. The rotary closure 1 'comprises a closure cap 2' with a cover plate 3 'and a substantially cylindrical jacket 4' protruding axially therefrom. A free end 42 'of the cylindrical jacket 4' is connected to the guarantee strip 6 '. A retaining ring 5 'adjoins the guarantee strip 6'. The free end 42 'of the cylindrical jacket 4 and the guarantee strip 6' are connected to one another by separable first material webs 41. The guarantee band 6 'and the retaining ring 5' can be connected to one another via second material webs; however, this is not absolutely necessary. The closure cap 2 'is captively connected to the retaining ring 5' via a connecting band 8 '.

In this second variant of the twist lock 1 ', the guarantee strip 6' is arranged between the retaining ring 5 'and the jacket 4' of the cap 2 '. This embodiment variant of the invention can also be used in particular in conjunction with conventional container necks which are already designed for rotary closures with a tamper-evident band. 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 from a base plate 10', for example, which can be connected, for example glued, to the cardboard packaging (not shown) in a manner known per se.

5 shows the twist lock 1 'in the open state with a view of the neck opening 94'. The closure cap 2 'connected captively 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 casing 4 '. The threaded sections 43 formed on the inner wall 40 'are designed for the positive engagement in the threaded sections 93' on the outer wall 90 'of the container neck 9'.

The second variant of a rotary fastener 1 with tamper-evident 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 fastener 1 'is opened for the first time, the lifting movement of the guarantee strip 6' is hindered by a circumferential stop 95 'formed on the container neck 9'. This leads to the fact that the first material webs 41 'between the jacket 4' of the closure cap 2 'and the guarantee strip 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 tamper-evident band 6 'limits the play of the retaining ring 5' on the container neck 9 ', which means that the twist lock 1' has less play on the container neck 9 'even after it is opened for the first time and can wobble less.

In both design variants of the twist lock 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 rotary fasteners to be manufactured inexpensively in large numbers.

Polyolefins, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, or their mixtures, 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 the example of specific embodiments. However, the above description serves only to explain the invention and is not to be regarded as restrictive. Rather, the invention is defined by the patent claims and the equivalents which are evident to the person skilled in the art and encompassed by the general inventive concept.

Claims (17)

1. Rotary closure with a tamper-evident band comprising a closure cap with a cover plate and a substantially cylindrical jacket protruding axially therefrom, which has an inner wall which is equipped with threaded sections or similar engagement means for form-fitting attachment to a neck of a container provided with correspondingly designed engagement means, which closure cap can be separated from the tamper-evident band when the twist lock is opened for the first time, characterized in that the closure cap is captively connected to a retaining ring which is connected to the tamper-evident band via a separable connection. 2. Rotary fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining ring is arranged between the jacket of the closure cap and the tamper-evident band. 3. Rotary fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining ring is connected to the tamper-evident band 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 which can be separated when opening for the first time. 4. Rotary fastener according to claim 3, characterized in that the separable first and second connections comprise first and second material webs. 5. Rotary closure 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. Rotary fastener according to claim 5, characterized in that the joint connection is a film hinge. 7. Rotary closure and neck of a beverage container, the rotary closure being 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 axially spaced from one another, extending along a circumference of the container neck, and have a greater axial distance from a neck opening than the correspondingly designed engagement means on the outer wall of the container neck, the first stop further away from the neck opening being arranged in the area of the separable connection between the tamper-evident 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 twist lock when the rotary lock is opened for the first time. 8. Rotary closure 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 protruding collar. 9. Rotary closure 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. Rotary closure 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. Rotary fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that the tamper-evident band is arranged between the retaining ring and the jacket of the closure cap. 12. Rotary fastener according to claim 11, characterized in that the tamper-evident band is connected to a free end of the casing of the closure cap via first connecting elements which can be separated when opened for the first time. 13. Rotary fastener according to claim 12, characterized in that the tamper-evident band is connected to the retaining ring via second connecting elements. 14. Rotary fastener according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the first and second connecting elements comprise first and second material webs. 15. Rotary closure 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. Rotary fastener 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. Rotary closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a polyolefin, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, or mixtures thereof, or of PET, or of PET-G, or of PCT-G, or of a bioplastic, or of a polystyrene blend is made.