CH716103B1 - Twist-lock closure with a tamper-proof band and a captive cap. - 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

[0001] The invention relates to a twist-lock fastener with a tamper-proof strip according to the preamble of patent 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 twist-lock 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 rotary fastener designed according to the invention with a tamper-proof band comprises a closure cap with a cover plate and a substantially cylindrical jacket protruding axially therefrom. The cylindrical casing has an inner wall which is equipped with threaded sections or positive engagement means 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, which is connected to the anti-tamper strip via detachable connecting elements.

[0006] In the case of the twist-lock fastener according to the invention, the function of the tamper-proof strip is retained as a tamper-proof guarantee. At the same time, the retaining ring ensures that the cap remains captively connected to the screw cap even after it has been opened 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 strip. 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 connections of the retaining ring between the jacket of the closure cap and the guarantee ring allow a compact design of the screw cap and ensure that the screw cap can be easily mounted 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.

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 connecting elements 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, 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. As a result, 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 screw cap is turned further until the second stop impedes further lifting movement of the retaining ring and the 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 shell 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 band. 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 band 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. Second connection elements can also be provided for the retaining 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 band-like connecting element.

The second embodiment 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 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.

The closure cap, the retaining ring, the connection of the closure cap to the retaining ring and the guarantee strip 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.

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. In a representation that is not true to scale: FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a twist-lock fastener with a tamper-proof strip in the closed state; FIG. 2 shows the screw cap according to FIG. 1 in the open state; FIG. 3 shows an axially sectioned view of the twist-lock fastener according to FIG. 2; 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a twist-lock fastener with a tamper-proof strip; and 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 strip, 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 protruding axially therefrom. A free end 42 of the cylindrical jacket 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 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 closure cap 2 is captively connected to the retaining ring 5 via at least one hinge joint 7 .

Fig. 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-down 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 arranged freely rotatable 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 off 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 rotary fastener with guarantee band, which is provided with the reference numeral 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 casing 4' is connected to the guarantee band 6'. A retaining ring 5' adjoins 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 first material webs 41 which can be separated. 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 band 8'.

In this second embodiment of the screw cap 1', the anti-tamper strip 6' is arranged between the retaining ring 5' and the jacket 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.

Fig. 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 designed for positive engagement with the threaded sections 93' on the outer wall 90' of the container neck 9'.

The second embodiment of a screw cap 1 'with guarantee strip 6' is very compact. The anti-tamper strip 6' fixes the retaining ring 5' to a certain extent, which leads to a more rigid connection overall. When the rotary closure 1' is opened for the first time, the lifting movement of the anti-tamper strip 6' is impeded by a peripheral 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 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 anti-tamper strip 6' and the retaining ring 5' can also be severed; 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 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.

The invention has been described using the example of specific 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 that are apparent to a person skilled in the art and are encompassed by the general idea of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. Twist-lock fastener (1, 1') with a tamper-proof band (6, 6') comprising a closure cap (2, 2') with a cover plate (3, 3') and a substantially cylindrical jacket (4, 4 '), which has an inner wall (40, 40') which is equipped with threaded sections (43, 43') or engagement means for form-fitting attachment to a neck (9, 9') of a container provided with correspondingly designed engagement means, which closure cap ( 2, 2') can be separated from the guarantee band (6, 6') when the twist-lock fastener (1) is opened for the first time, characterized in that the closure cap (2, 2') is captively connected to a retaining ring (5, 5') which is connected to the guarantee band (6, 6') via separable connecting elements. 2. Screw cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining ring (5) is arranged between the jacket (4) of the closure cap (2) and the guarantee band (6). 3. Screw cap (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining ring (5) is connected to the anti-tamper strip (6) on the one hand and to a free end of the jacket (4) of the closure cap (2nd ) connected is. 4. Screw cap (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the separable first and second connecting elements comprise first and second material webs (41, 61). 5. Screw cap (1) according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the closure cap (2) is connected to the retaining ring (5) via at least one articulated connection. 6. Screw cap (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the articulated connection is a film hinge. 7. Screw cap (1') according to claim 1, characterized in that the anti-tamper strip (6') is arranged between the retaining ring (5') and the jacket (4') of the closure cap (2'). 8. Screw cap (1') according to claim 7, characterized in that the guarantee strip (6') is connected to a free end of the casing (4') of the closure cap (2') via first connecting elements which can be separated when opened for the first time. 9. Screw cap (1') according to claim 8, characterized in that the anti-tamper strip (6') is connected to the retaining ring via second connecting elements. 10. Screw cap (1') according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the first and second connecting elements comprise first webs of material (41') and second webs of material. 11. Screw cap (1') according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the closure cap (2') is connected to the retaining ring via a band-like connecting element (8'). 12. Screw cap (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (2, 2'), the retaining ring (5, 5'), the connection of the closure cap (2, 2') to the retaining ring (5, 5) and the anti-tamper strip (6, 6') are preferably formed in one piece with one another in an injection molding process. 13. Screw cap (1, 1 ') according to any 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 made from a bioplastic or from a polystyrene mixture. 14. Set of screw cap (1) and container neck (9), wherein the screw cap (1) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on an outer wall (90) of the container neck (9) a first and a second Stops (91, 92) are formed, which stops (91, 92) are spaced apart axially, extend along a circumference of the container neck (9), and have a greater axial distance from a neck opening (94) than the correspondingly formed engagement means the outer wall (90) of the container neck (9), the first stop (91) further away from the neck opening (94) being arranged in the area of the separable connection between the guarantee strip (6) and the retaining ring (5), and the second stop (92) can be brought into engagement with the retaining ring (5) or with separable connecting elements between the retaining ring (5) and the casing (4) of the rotary fastener (2) when the rotary fastener (1) is opened for the first time. 15. Set according to claim 14, characterized in that the first stop (91) and/or the second stop (92) are each designed as a circumferential, radially projecting collar. 16. Set according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the container neck (9) extends from a flat base plate (10) which can be connected to a beverage container.