CN111629975A

CN111629975A - Closure device for drinking containers

Info

Publication number: CN111629975A
Application number: CN201980009374.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿梅德·斯特克尔
Original assignee: A MeideSitekeer
Current assignee: Partnership Investment Co ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-30
Filing date: 2019-01-25
Publication date: 2020-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-25
Also published as: WO2019149627A1; EP3746372B1; US20210122534A1; AT16356U1; CN111629975B; EP3746372A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement and a closure device (1) for a drinking container (2), such as in particular a bottle, comprising an attachment member (3) for attaching the closure device (1) to the drinking container (2), a lid member (4) for closing a drinking opening (5) of the drinking container (2), and an operating mechanism (6) for moving the lid member (4) from a closed position to an open position and from the open position to the closed position, wherein the operating mechanism (6) comprises an operating element (19), in particular an operating lever, and wherein the operating element (19) is coupled to the closure member (4) by a transmission means (8), and wherein the operating element (19) is configured to operate a weight (7).

Description

Closure device for drinking containers

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a closure device for drinking containers according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Background

Drinking containers such as bottles or cans usually have a drinking opening through which the liquid can flow out. However, the drinking opening is usually open towards the top, thus allowing foreign substances such as dust, dirt or insects to enter the drinking container. Therefore, in order to prevent the ingress of foreign matter, it is known in the prior art to have closures for such drinking containers.

For example, simple caps are known which can be removed when the drinking container is used. Furthermore, closure devices with an operating mechanism are known.

However, all these closure devices for drinking containers have disadvantages: the drinking opening is not easily exposed and further hand movement is required. Furthermore, conventional closure devices often impede the flow of liquid from the drinking container, i.e., particularly when drinking.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a closure device for a drinking container which can be opened as easily as possible without any additional effort and which is not perceived by the user as hindering the flow of liquid from the drinking container, i.e. in particular when drinking.

The object of the invention is solved by the features of the independent claims.

In particular, the present invention relates to a closure device for a drinking container, in particular a bottle, comprising an attachment member for attaching the closure device to the drinking container, a cap member for closing a drinking opening of the drinking container, and an operating mechanism for moving the cap member from a closed position to an open position and vice versa.

The invention provides that the operating mechanism comprises an operating element, in particular an operating lever or an operating weight, and the operating mechanism comprises a transmission via which the operating element is coupled to the cover member.

Optionally, the operating element is configured to operate a weight.

It is optionally provided that the cover member is pivotably mounted about a first pivot axis, the operating element is pivotably mounted about a second pivot axis and the transmission has a transmission ratio greater than 1, resulting in the cover member pivoting about the first pivot axis by an angle α x when the operating element is pivoting about the second pivot axis by an angle α, wherein x is greater than 1, wherein the transmission ratio x is in particular between 1.5 and 4.5.

It is optionally provided that in the closed position the cover member has an opening angle of 0 ° relative to the attachment member, and in the open position the cover member has an opening angle of more than 80 ° or more than 90 °, in particular an opening angle of 80 ° to 120 °, preferably an opening angle of 100 °, relative to the attachment member.

Optionally, the attachment member comprises a clip or the attachment member is configured as a clip.

It is optionally provided that the attachment member has two holding feet for enclosing the drinking container and/or for clamping the attachment member to the drinking container and that a drinking space is provided between the two free ends of the two holding feet.

Optionally, it is provided that the cover member is configured to close the cover and/or to close the cover plate and to form a continuous liquid-tight cover, or that the cover member is configured to close the cover and/or to close the cover plate and to form a discontinuous cover, preferably provided with apertures for venting.

Optionally, the first gear section comprises an outer gear section and the second gear section comprises an inner gear section.

Optionally, a first gear section arranged pivotably about a first pivot axis, wherein the first gear section is coupled to the cover member in a rotationally fixed manner, a second gear section arranged pivotably about a second pivot axis, wherein the second gear section is coupled to the operating element in a rotationally fixed manner, the second gear section is in meshing engagement with the first gear section, and the second gear section has a larger effective diameter than the first gear section, so that the transmission has a transmission ratio of more than 1.

It is optionally provided that the center of gravity of the operational weight is arranged at a distance from the second pivot axis, and in particular that the operational weight is arranged in a suspended manner when used as intended, the center of gravity of the operational weight being at a distance from and below the second pivot axis.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the actuating element is configured as an actuating lever.

Optionally, at least one third gear section is provided for coupling the first gear section to the second gear section.

It is optionally provided that the operating lever is held in a rest position by a spring element, wherein the rest position of the operating lever corresponds to the closed position of the closure device.

It is optionally provided that a groove or an annular groove is provided on the attachment member, in particular on the holding foot, for centering the closure device on the drinking container.

In particular, the invention also relates to the arrangement of the closure device of the invention on a drinking container, in particular in the region of a drinking opening of the drinking container.

It is optionally provided that in the closed position a gap is provided between the drinking container and the operating element to allow the operating element to pivot in the direction of the drinking container, in the closed position of the closure device such that the operating element is spaced apart from the drinking container.

It is optionally provided that the attachment member only partially encloses the drinking container in the region of the drinking opening, so that a drinking space is freed up against which the lips can rest without hindrance.

When a person wishes to drink from a drinking container to which the closure of the present invention is attached, the lid member must be lifted from the drinking opening. To this end, the invention provides an actuating mechanism with an actuating element. According to a feature of the invention, the operating element is coupled to the cover member by means of a transmission so as to be able to open the cover as easily as possible, i.e. to move it into its open position. The transmission forms an efficient transmission of forces from the operating element to the cover member and allows easy and problem-free opening and closing of the closure.

In order to minimize the space required for the capping device according to the invention, the transmission ratio of the transmission may be set to be greater than 1. This causes the operating element to pivot at an angle α which causes the cover member to pivot at an angle greater than said angle α. Thus, even if the cover member is properly lifted from the drink opening, it is possible to achieve a saving in the size of the operating element or the movement space thereof. For this purpose, it may optionally be provided that the cover member and the operating element are mounted pivotably about two mutually independent pivot axes.

In order to be able to achieve a preferred transmission ratio of more than 1, transmission elements of any desired design, for example gear segments or gears, can be provided. For example, the gear sections or gears may have external and/or internal teeth. Furthermore, linear toothed sections, such as toothed bars, may be provided to achieve a desired transmission ratio.

In order to keep the construction costs of the closure according to the invention as low as possible, it can optionally be provided that only two gear segments or two toothed wheels are provided, which are in direct mesh with one another. Alternatively, the gear segments or gears may be connected or coupled to the cover member or the operating element, respectively, in a rotationally fixed manner. Here, a rotationally fixed connection, in particular a rotational coupling of two elements, wherein a rotation of one element causes a substantially identical rotation of the other element, wherein any elastic torsional deformation is neglected.

In order to achieve a transmission ratio of more than 1 without the use of further gears and/or gear segments, the gear segments or gears on the operating element may have a larger effective diameter than the gear segments or gears on the cover member.

The cover device can be brought from the closed position into the open position by operation of the operating element. In order to optimally protect the contents of the drinking container from external influences, it may be provided that, in the closed position, the angle between the attachment member and the lid member, also referred to as the opening angle, is about 0 °. In order to completely prevent foreign substances and liquids from entering the drinking container, a continuous fluid-tight lid member may optionally be provided, completely closing the drinking opening in the closed position.

However, the cover member may also be configured to be at least partially permeable to air or liquid, e.g. may have holes or other vents. Thus, it is possible to prevent large contaminants (e.g., insects) from entering the drinking container while ensuring sufficient air circulation.

When the closure is open to allow liquid to flow out, it is preferably provided that the opening angle is greater than 80 °. The large opening angle may prevent the cover member from contacting parts of the user's face, such as in particular the user's nose, in an uncomfortable manner during drinking.

In order to ensure unimpeded opening and closing, it can optionally be provided that, in the closed position, a gap exists between the operating element and the drinking container, which allows the operating element to pivot.

For example, the closing mechanism may be manually triggered by means of a lever when the drinking container is gripped, or may be automatically triggered by means of a weight when the drinking container is tilted.

If a lever is used for opening, a spring element may be provided which serves to keep the lever in a certain position when no force is applied. If the user wants to open the closure, he pushes the operating lever and triggers the opening of the cover member via the transmission. If the closure is to be closed again, the user releases the operating lever, which is moved back to its initial position by the spring element.

If a handling weight is used, no direct manual intervention is required to trigger the capping device. It may be provided that the operating weight is arranged in such a way that the cover means changes or moves to the open position when the drinking container is tilted during normal use of the drinking container. It is particularly advantageous for the operating weight to have a large mass in order to bring the closure device into its open position as quickly and reliably as possible. This prevents parts of the user's face of the closure device from coming into contact with the lid member when the user places the drinking container against his lips and drinks from the drinking container.

After the liquid has been dispensed, if the drinking container is returned to a position in which no liquid is dispensed in normal use, it may be provided that the transmission mechanism is triggered to return the closure device to the closed position. Preferably, the capping device is automatically moved to the closed position.

"Normal use" in this context refers to the usual and known use of drinking containers, such as bottles, cups or drinking glasses. For the purpose of pouring out liquid, the drinking container is tilted, for example, to the point where the liquid flows over the drinking edge.

In order to most simply attach or remove the closure device to or from the drinking opening area of the drinking container, the attachment means may optionally comprise a clip. Thus, the user can easily install the device of the invention and remove it when he no longer needs to cover the device.

In order to attach the closure to the drinking container, two retaining feet extending on both sides of the cover member may also be provided. If the device according to the invention comprises such a holding foot, a drinking space can be provided between the two free ends of the holding foot. Thus, when drinking, the lips do not have to be placed against the attachment member, but can access the drinking opening in an unimpeded manner.

In order to prevent the closure from moving during use, or to ensure that the position of the closure is centred relative to the drinking container, a groove, annular groove or other geometry may be provided on the attachment member, i.e. in particular on the clip or retaining foot. The groove, annular groove or geometry may be in operative contact with a structure (e.g., an annular flange or threads) present on the drinking container such that the position of the closure is defined and fixed relative to the drinking container.

The geometry provided on the inner side of the attachment member may be configured and/or adapted to connect to different drinking containers. In particular, the geometry may comprise different elements which allow the position of the closure device to be centred with respect to the drinking container or with respect to different drinking containers.

When the device according to the invention is used as intended, the attachment member is arranged substantially parallel to the drinking opening. When used as intended, the cover member is also arranged substantially parallel to the drinking opening in the closed position.

Further features according to the invention emerge from the exemplary embodiments, the figures and the claims.

Drawings

In the following, the invention is explained in detail with reference to the drawings,

wherein:

figure 1a is a schematic three-dimensional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a capping device of the present invention in a closed position,

figure 1b is a schematic side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the capping device of the present invention in a closed position,

figure 2a is a schematic three-dimensional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the capping device of the present invention in an open position,

figure 2b is a schematic side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the capping device of the present invention in an open position,

figure 3a is a schematic three-dimensional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the capping device of the present invention in a closed position,

figure 3b is a schematic side view of a second exemplary embodiment of the capping device of the present invention in a closed position,

figure 4a is a schematic three-dimensional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the capping device of the present invention in an open position,

figure 4b is a schematic side view of a second exemplary embodiment of the capping device of the present invention in an open position,

fig. 5a is a schematic three-dimensional view of the attachment member and the upper part of the drinking container, an

Fig. 5b is a schematic side view of the attachment member and the upper part of the drinking container.

Detailed Description

Unless otherwise indicated, the reference numerals correspond to the following components: the closure device 1, the drinking container 2, the attachment member 3, the cover member 4, the drinking opening 5, the operating mechanism 6, the operating weight 7, the transmission 8, the first pivot axis 9, the second pivot axis 10, the first gear section 11, the second gear section 12, the center of gravity 13 of the operating weight, the holding foot 14, the drinking space 15, the operating lever 16, the spring element 17, the third gear section 18, the operating element 19, the groove 20, the flange 21, the mounting direction 22.

Fig. 1a and 1b show a closure device 1 according to the invention in a closed position according to a first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1a shows the capping device 1 of the present invention in a three-dimensional view, while fig. 1b shows the capping device 1 in a side view. The closure device 1 is attached in the region of a drinking opening 5 of a drinking container 2, which in this embodiment is a bottle. For attaching the closure device 1, an attachment member 3 is provided, which comprises two holding feet 14, which partly enclose the drinking container 2 in the region of the drinking opening 5. Thus, the drinking space 15 remains free in the area against which the lips are placed for drinking. The attachment means 3 with the holding feet 14 have a groove 20 on its inner side to allow the cover device 1 to be centered and attached. In particular, the groove 20 is configured and/or adapted to receive a flange 21 of a bottle having a threaded cap. However, the recess 20 may alternatively be configured to receive other elements of a drinking container, such as the shoulder or flange 21 of a bottle having a crown cap.

The cover member 4 is continuous, made of a liquid-tight material, and completely covers the drinking opening 5 of the drinking container 2. In another embodiment, not shown, the cover member 4 may be provided with a plurality of openings to allow air circulation. A first gear section 11, which is pivotably mounted about the first pivot axis 9, is coupled to the cover member 4 in a rotationally fixed manner. The second gear section 12 meshes with the first gear section 11 and forms part of the transmission 8 therewith. In this first exemplary embodiment, the second gear wheel 12 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an operating element 19 configured to operate the weight 7 and can be pivoted about the second pivot axis 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the center of gravity 13 of the operational weight is located in the center of the operational weight 7, since it is designed as a sphere. The arrangement of the gear 8 and the operating element 19 forms an essential part of the operating mechanism 6 of one embodiment of the capping device 1 according to the invention.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show the same exemplary embodiment as FIGS. 1a and 1 b; however, the capping device 1 is in its open position.

By tilting the drinking container 2, the centre of gravity 13 of the operating weight is displaced relative to the attachment member and triggers the opening of the closure 1 via the transmission 8, which causes the lid member 4 to lift from the drinking opening 5 of the drinking container 2. When the device according to the invention is used as intended, the attachment member 3 with the two retaining feet 14 is held in a fixed position in the area of the drinking opening 5 of the drinking container 2. The fixing is enhanced by means of the groove 20, in particular in the case of bottles with a flange 21.

By moving the centre of gravity 13 of the operational weight in the direction of the drinking container 2, the second gear section 12 moves, resulting in the cover member 4 moving due to the engagement with the first gear section 11. Since the effective diameter of the second gear segment 12, which is designed as an internal gear in the exemplary embodiment, is greater than the first gear segment 11, which is designed as an external gear in the exemplary embodiment, a gear ratio of greater than 1 is achieved. According to this exemplary embodiment, this results in the cover member 4 pivoting about the first pivot axis 9 by about 100 ° when the operation weight 7 pivots about the second pivot axis 10 by about 45 °.

In this exemplary embodiment, a gap is provided between the drinking container 2 and the operating weight 7 to allow the operating weight 7 to pivot unimpeded.

In order to minimize the space required for the operating weight 7, the density of the operating weight is advantageously as high as possible. Therefore, a manipulation weight made of tungsten carbide is used in this exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, a handling weight 7 made of steel or brass may be used. However, the selection of the material is not limited to these exemplary embodiments, and any material may be used as long as the mass of the operation weight 7 is large enough to trigger the operation mechanism 6.

In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, the operating weight 7 of fig. 1 and 2 can be replaced by an operating lever 16 to allow the capping device 1 to be opened and closed manually, independently of the tilted state.

Fig. 3a and 3b show a second exemplary embodiment of the invention with the cover device 1 in the closed position. Fig. 3a is a three-dimensional view and fig. 3b is a side view.

The closure device 1 is attached above a holding foot 14, which holding foot 14 is arranged in the area of the drinking opening 5 of the drinking container 2, which is also a bottle in the present exemplary embodiment, on the attachment member 3. By providing the attachment member 3 with two holding feet 14, the drinking space 15 in the region of the drinking opening 5 remains free or is formed to allow a user of the closure device 1 to place the lips against it in an unimpeded manner. A first gear segment 11, which is pivotable about the first pivot axis 9, is coupled to the cover device 4 in a rotationally fixed manner. The second gear section 12 is coupled with the first gear section 11 by a third gear section 18, wherein the second gear section 12 is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to an operating element 19 configured as an operating lever 16 and can be pivoted about the second pivot axis 10. The first gear section 11, the second gear section 12 and the third gear section 18 are part of the transmission 8. The operating lever 16 is held in a fixed position corresponding to the closed position of the capping device 1 by a spring element 17. The above-mentioned parts together constitute the operating mechanism 6.

In this exemplary embodiment, the cover member 4 completely covers the drinking opening 5 of the drinking container 2.

Fig. 4a and 4b show the second exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 3a and 3b in an open position, fig. 4a being a three-dimensional view and fig. 4b being a side view. To lift the cover member 4, the user pushes the operating lever 16 towards the drinking container 2, causing a movement of the second gear section 12 coupled to the operating lever 16 in a rotationally fixed manner. The force is transmitted to the first gear section 11 by the third gear section 18, the first gear section 11 being coupled to the cover member 4 in a rotationally fixed manner. Since the effective diameter of the third gear section 18 is greater than the effective diameter of the first gear section 11, a transmission ratio of greater than 1 is achieved, wherein, in the exemplary embodiment, a pivoting of the operating lever 16 of about 30 ° results in a pivoting of the cover member 4 of about 120 °. When the user releases the operating lever 16, the lever is pushed back to its initial position by the spring element 17. This returns the cover member 4 to the closed position.

Fig. 5a and 5b show enlarged views of the area of the drinking opening 5 of the drinking container 2, which in this embodiment is in the shape of a crown bottle with a screw cap. Fig. 5a is a three-dimensional view and fig. 5b is a side view. The drinking container 2 has a flange 21 in the region of the drinking opening 5. On the inside of the cover 4, and in particular of the retaining feet 14, there is provided a groove 20 (which is shown without the rest of the closure device 1 for the sake of simplicity) designed to allow a flange 21 to engage with it. The attachment member 3 is mounted in a mounting direction 22. This allows to enhance the attachment engagement and centering of the attachment member 3 during use and may prevent the capping device 1 from moving. In the present embodiment, in addition to the groove 20, other shapes are provided on the inner side of the attachment member 3, allowing its position to be centered with respect to another drinking container 2, for example with respect to a bottle which is normally closed by means of a crown cap. Thus, the geometry provided on the inner side of the attachment member 3 comprises a plurality of elements adapted to engage and centre the cover device 1 in relation to different drinking containers 2.

Claims

1. A closure device (1) for a drinking container (2), such as in particular a bottle, comprising:

attachment means (3) for attaching the closure device (1) to the drinking container (2),

a cover member (4) for covering a drinking opening (5) of the drinking container (2),

and an operating mechanism (6) for moving the cover member (4) from a closed position to an open position and from the open position to the closed position,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the operating mechanism (6) comprises an operating element (19), in particular an operating lever (16) or an operating weight (7),

the operating mechanism (6) comprises a transmission (8), via which transmission (8) the operating element (19) is coupled to the cover member (4), and

the operating element (19) is configured as the operating weight (7).

2. The capping device of claim 1 wherein,

the cover member (4) is pivotably mounted about a first pivot axis (9),

the operating element is pivotably mounted about a second pivot axis (10),

and the transmission (8) has a transmission ratio greater than 1, when the operating element is pivoted about the second pivot axis (10) by an angle a, resulting in the cover member (4) being pivoted about the first pivot axis (9) by an angle a x, where x is greater than 1,

wherein the transmission ratio x is in particular between 1.5 and 4.5.

3. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein in the closed position the cover member (4) has an opening angle of 0 ° with respect to the attachment member (3), and in the open position the cover member (4) has an opening angle of more than 80 ° or more than 90 °, in particular an opening angle of 80 ° to 120 °, preferably an opening angle of 100 °, with respect to the attachment member (3).

4. The capping device according to any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein the attachment member (3) comprises a clip or is configured as a clip.

5. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the attachment means (3) having two holding feet (14), the two holding feet (14) being used for enclosing the drinking container (2) and/or for clamping the attachment means (3) to the drinking container (2),

and a drinking space (15) is provided between the two free ends of the two holding feet (14).

6. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the cover member (4) is configured as a closing cover and/or a closing flap and forms a continuous liquid-tight cover,

alternatively, the cover member (4) is configured as the closing cover and/or the closing cover plate and forms a discontinuous cover, preferably provided with holes for ventilation.

7. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first gear section (11) comprises an external gear section and the second gear section (12) comprises an internal gear section.

8. Capping device according to one of the claims 1 to 7,

providing the first gear section (11), the first gear section (11) being pivotably arranged about the first pivot axis (9), wherein the first gear section (11) is coupled to the cover member (4) in a rotationally fixed manner,

providing the second gear section (12), the second gear section (12) being pivotably arranged about the second pivot axis (10), wherein the second gear section (12) is coupled to the operating element in a rotationally fixed manner,

the second gear section (12) meshes with the first gear section (11),

and the second gear section (12) has a larger effective diameter than the first gear section (11), so that the transmission (8) has a transmission ratio greater than 1.

9. Capping device according to one of the claims 1 to 8,

the centre of gravity (13) of the operating weight is arranged at a distance from the second pivot axis (10),

and in particular that the operational weight (7) is arranged in a suspended manner when in intended use, the centre of gravity (13) of the operational weight being at a distance from the second pivot axis (10) and below the second pivot axis (10).

10. The closure device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a groove (20) or an annular groove is provided on the attachment means (3), in particular on the retaining foot (14), for centering the closure device on the drinking container (2).

11. An arrangement of a closure device (1) on a drinking container (2), in particular in the region of a drinking opening (5) of the drinking container (2),

characterized in that the capping device (1) is formed according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

12. The arrangement of claim 15,

in the closed position, a gap is provided between the drinking container (2) and the operating element to allow the operating element to pivot in the direction of the drinking container (2).

13. An arrangement according to any one of claims 15 or 16, characterised in that the attachment member (3) only partly encloses the drinking container (2) in the region of the drinking opening (5) and leaves free a drinking space (15) for placing the lips against it.