DE102014011539B4 - Tamper-evident closure for an access opening of a container, in particular a bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

A tamper-evident closure for an access opening of a container, particularly a bottle, has a closure member sealingly attachable to the access opening and a hood-like indicator cap surrounding the closure member having a sleeve portion and an upper lid portion. In the sleeve section two separate, circumferential perforation lines are arranged one above the other, where the sleeve part is severable. The perforation lines is associated with a tear tab. It is provided that the tear-open tab is arranged above the perforation lines and is delimited by two spaced-apart slots which extend up to the upper perforation line. One of the slots is assigned a predetermined breaking line in the region between the perforation lines, which extends as far as the lower perforation line.

Description

The invention relates to a tamper-evident closure according to the preamble of claim 1.

For some products, such as medicines or alcoholic beverages, it is desired that the user recognize whether the container, such as a bottle, has previously been opened before or is still in its closed original state. For this purpose, a so-called tamper-evident closure is known, which is at least partially destroyed when first opened and so irreversibly indicates that the closure has already been opened once.

The EP 2 088 091 B1 shows a tamper-evident closure for the access opening of a bottle having a hood-like indicator cap which is placed on the access opening of the bottle at the top of the bottle neck. The indicator cap is made of plastic and has a sleeve portion forming the lateral surface of the indicator cap and an upper lid portion. In the sleeve portion, two separate, circumferentially extending perforation lines are formed on top of each other, at which the wall of the indicator cap can be broken. In the area between the perforation lines, a recess is provided in the indicator cap, so that a tear-open tab is formed, which the user can grasp. The tear tab is aligned like the perforation lines in the circumferential direction of the indicator cap. The user grips the pull tab by pulling it in the circumferential direction of the indicator cap, thereby tearing open the perforation lines.

The WO 99/21773 A1 , which is based on the preamble of claim 1, also shows a tamper-evident closure for a container opening with an attachable closure member and an indicator cap surrounding the closure member having a sleeve portion with an upper lid portion. In the sleeve section two separate, circumferential perforation lines are arranged one above the other, on which the sleeve part is severable and which is associated with a pull tab. The tear tab is located above the perforation line and bounded by two spaced slots.

It has been found that, especially at the beginning of the tearing movement, when there are no dynamic forces resulting from the tearing movement, it is relatively difficult for inexperienced users to apply sufficient tearing and tearing force to the perforation lines via the tearing tab since the user is standing upright standing bottle must perform a self-directed movement.

The invention has for its object to provide a tamper-evident closure for an access opening of a container, in particular a bottle, which can be opened for a user in a simple and reliable manner.

This object is achieved by a tamper-evident closure with the features of claim 1. It is provided that the two spaced slots extend up to the upper perforation line and that one of the slots in the area between the perforation lines is associated with a predetermined breaking line, which extends to the lower perforation line.

According to the invention, the basic idea is to arrange the tear tab not in the area between the perforation lines, but above them. This causes the user to grab the pull tab and then pull down. This movement is easier and safer for the user to carry out, especially in the initial phase of the tearing movement, than a movement directed in the circumferential direction.

In the context of this application, it is assumed that directional information from a vertically upright bottle, wherein the filling opening is at the upper end. The term "axial" refers to the vertical longitudinal axis of the bottle, while the term "radial" refers to a direction perpendicular thereto. The terms "up" and "down" are based on the orientation of an upright bottle or a corresponding container.

When opening the tamper-evident closure, the user breaks through the vertically downwardly directed movement of the pull-tab formed between the perforation lines predetermined breaking line, which is associated with one of the pull-tab delimiting slots. The further tearing movement then takes place in the circumferential direction and preferably horizontally, as is the case with the known tamper-evident closure. However, since the vertical tearing movement according to the invention precedes the horizontal tearing movement in the circumferential direction, the transition to the horizontal tearing movement in the circumferential direction already has dynamic forces which make it easier for the user to carry out this tearing movement.

Preferably, the two separate, circumferential perforation lines extend at a distance parallel to each other and horizontally in the circumferential direction of the indicator cap.

The formed between the perforation lines, preferably vertically extending predetermined breaking line can from a cross-sectional weakening of Indicator cap may be formed in this area and / or a perforation of the wall of the indicator cap.

In order for the user in the first phase of the tearing movement to carry out a purely vertical movement extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottle, which can be carried out very simply, in particular in the case of a bottle standing on a firm base, the slits should preferably extend vertically in accordance with the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the tear tab is offset radially inwardly relative to the perforation lines or the outer wall of the sleeve portion of the indicator cap. On the one hand, this results in the tear-open tab not being likewise perforated during the formation or punching of the perforation lines, which is usually carried out by an outer, radially inwardly moved tool part. On the other hand, there is the advantage that the user pulls down the tear tab at its lower end near the perforation lines performs a radially outward jerky movement, whereby the tearing of the predetermined breaking line is facilitated in the region between the perforation lines.

In a possible embodiment of the invention can be provided that the trained on the wall of the sleeve portion of the indicator cap tear tab is taken and pulled down directly by the user. A functional improvement is given if it is provided in a further development of the invention that the pull tab is connected on its side facing away from the perforation lines upper side with an additional handle part. The handle portion is preferably larger than the tear tab, so that it can be grasped by the user in a simple manner. Preferably, the handle part is integrally formed on the pull tab and can be integrated in the initial state in the lid portion and fixed on breakable webs in this. To open the tamper-evident closure, the user breaks the grip part out of the cover section by destroying the webs, folds the handle part upwards and pulls the tear-open tab vertically downwards.

In order to release the grip part from the position held in the lid portion and fixed position, according to the invention in the lid portion a recessed grip can be formed, on which the user can grasp under the handle part and lift out of the lid portion with destruction of the webs.

The indicator cap, which is destroyed by rupturing the perforation lines, surrounds the actual closure part, which can be placed in a sealing manner on the access opening of the container or the bottle. It can be provided that the closure part is integrated into the indicator cap and formed integrally therewith. After rupturing the perforation lines, the indicator cap is subdivided into a lower portion remaining on the bottle neck and an upper cap portion, wherein the closure portion is integrated in the cap portion, so that it can be used in the usual way as a screw cap or screw cap.

Alternatively, it is possible that the closure part and the indicator cap are formed as separate components. In this case, the closure member sits on the access opening of the container or the bottle and is completely surrounded by the indicator cap, which preferably freely rotatably covers the closure member, but is secured against axial withdrawal movement from the bottle or container in a conventional manner. After the destruction of the indicator cap whose lower portion remains on the bottle neck, while the upper cap-like portion is removed. This gives the user access to the Barunterliegende closure part, which may be formed in a conventional manner as a screw cap.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the closure part has a further originality indicator. To open the container or the bottle, it is thus necessary not only to at least partially destroy the indicator cap in the aforementioned manner, but also to at least partially destroy the closure part. In this way, the user is given twice the opportunity to recognize the closure, whether it has already been opened or not.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the originality indicator of the closure part is formed by webs which inevitably break off or can be broken off when the closure part is first opened. This can be achieved, for example, in a constructive manner in that the closure part has an upper cap part and a lower tube part, which are connected to one another via the webs. When turning the closure member, the upper cap member is axially lifted from the container, for example by means of a positive guide by a thread, while the lower sleeve member is axially secured, so that the connecting the cap member and the sleeve member webs are subjected to a tensile force and tear.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1 a perspective sectional view of a tamper evident closure according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

2 a perspective view of a closure part of the tamper-evident closure according to 1 .

3 a perspective view of the indicator cap of the tamper-evident according to 1 .

4 the indicator cap according to 3 in another perspective view,

5 the detail V in 4 .

6 the section VI-VI in 5 .

7 a perspective sectional view of a tamper-evident closure according to the invention according to a second embodiment,

8th the tamper-evident closure according to 7 with removed indicator cap,

9 a side view of the closure part of the tamper-evident closure according to 7 .

10 the section XX according to 9 .

11 a perspective view of the tamper-evident closure before opening,

12 the tamper-evident closure according to 11 after destruction of the indicator cap,

13 the tamper-evident closure according to 12 after opening the closure part,

14 a perspective view of a third embodiment of the tamper-evident closure according to the invention and

15 a vertical section through the tamper evident according to 14 ,

1 shows a perspective sectional view through a tamper-evident closure 10 for a container 28 in the form of an upright bottle, at the top of a bottle neck 14 a common access opening 27 having. On the access opening 27 is a cap-like closure part 24 screwed in a sealed manner, the in 2 is shown in perspective view. The closure part 24 stands with the bottleneck 14 in the usual way via a threaded engagement 32 in connection.

The bottleneck 14 and the closure part 24 are from a hood-like indicator cap 11 covered in plastic. The indicator cap 11 has a lower, the bottleneck 14 surrounding sleeve section 12 and an upper lid section 13 , The indicator cap 11 has radially inwardly facing latch fingers 33 on the outside of the bottle neck 14 trained protrusions 34 under attack. This is the indicator cap 11 against one according to 1 secured upwards pulling peel, but it can on the bottleneck 14 and thus relative to the closure part 24 rotate freely.

As the 3 and 4 are in the sleeve section 12 the indicator cap 11 two over the circumference of the indicator cap 12 extending, circumferential perforation lines 15 and 16 formed one above the other at a distance. The perforation lines 15 and 16 are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other. In a relatively short area is the upper perforation line 15 interrupted and to the between the two perforation lines 15 and 16 extending strip of material is a vertically upwardly extending pull tab 19 formed on their sides by two parallel and vertical slots 20 and 21 is limited. The slots 20 and 21 continue to extend up to the lid section 13 and are there to form a ring slot 35 merged. Inside the ring slot 35 is a handle part 17 formed on the tear tab 19 is integrally formed. In the ring slot 35 are several spaced webs 22 formed the handle part 17 with the surrounding sections of the lid section 13 connect.

In the tear tab 19 diametrically opposite portion of the lid portion 13 is in this a depression or hollow 18 trained, which allows a user, with a tool or a fingernail, the handle part 17 to undercut.

As the 3 and 4 show, the vertical slots extend 20 and 21 vertically from the top to the area of the upper perforation line 15 , In extension of according to 4 left vertical slot 21 is in the area between the two perforation lines 15 and 16 a predetermined breaking line 23 formed, extending to the lower perforation line 16 extends. Like the sectional view in 6 shows, is the predetermined breaking line 23 by a cross-sectional weakening of the indicator cap 11 formed and runs according to 5 in alignment with the vertical slot 21 ,

The sleeve section 12 the indicator cap 11 has a substantially circular cylindrical shape with a continuous outer surface over wide areas, but the tear tab 19 opposite the outer surface of the remaining indicator cap 11 offset radially inward, as it is the 3 and 4 can be seen.

The 7 to 10 show a second embodiment of the tamper-evident closure according to the invention 10 , This differs from the first embodiment according to the 1 to 6 essentially by the design of the closure part 24 , While in the first embodiment, the closure part 24 is designed as a simple screw cap is in the second embodiment according to the 7 to 10 provided that in the closure part 24 another originality indicator 25 is integrated.

As the 8th . 9 and 10 show has the closure part 24 an upper cap part 30 according to the cap of the first embodiment, but now to the cap part 30 on the bottom a lower sleeve part 31 connects, via axial webs 29 with the cap part arranged above it 30 is integrally connected. The bridges 29 form the further originality indicator 25 ,

The sleeve part 31 has internal projections 36 on, the complementary protrusions of the bottle neck 14 grip so that the closure part 24 in the unused condition on the bottleneck 14 is axially secured.

On its outside has the sleeve part 31 projections 37 that of the latch fingers 33 the indicator cap 11 are under attack, leaving the indicator cap 11 relative to the closure part 24 is axially secured. Because the closure part 24 axially relative to the bottleneck 14 is secured, is also the indicator cap 11 relative to the bottleneck 14 axially secured.

On the inside of the cap part 30 is a thread 38 formed with a complementary thread of the bottle neck 14 engaged. If the closure part 24 relative to the bottleneck 14 is rotated forces the engagement of the thread 38 the cap part 30 an axial movement relative to the bottle neck 14 on, the lower sleeve part 31 due to the axial securing by the projections 36 can not follow. This causes the webs 29 demolish and thus clearly indicate that the closure part 24 was opened.

11 shows the tamper-evident closure according to the second embodiment in an unused state. To the indicator cap 11 To open, the user engages under the handle part 17 at the hollow 18 and lift this from the lid section 13 on, with the webs 22 abort. Then the user takes the handle part 17 and pulls the pull-tab with this 19 vertically down, causing the between the two perforation lines 15 and 16 arranged area of the indicator cap 11 due to the breaking of the predetermined breaking line 23 is severed. The user then changes the downward tearing movement into a circumferential tearing movement, thereby forming the two perforation lines 15 and 16 tear open and the indicator cap 11 in a lower, on the bottleneck 14 remaining part of the sleeve section 12 and an upper part is severed, wherein the upper part can be removed. This gives the user access to the underlying closure part 24 ,

This procedure is the same for the tamper-evident closure according to both embodiments. According to the first embodiment, the user can now open the bottle by turning down the cap.

In the second embodiment, the closure part is in turn still by the other originality indicator 25 secured. This condition is in 12 shown. By turning the upper cap part 30 break in a previously illustrated way, the webs 29 so the cap part 30 from the bottleneck 14 can be removed as it is in 13 is shown.

The 14 and 15 show a third embodiment of the tamper-evident closure according to the invention. This differs from the aforementioned embodiments substantially in that the user on the outer surface of the indicator cap 11 trained tear tab 19 directly grasps and pulls vertically downwards, because of the additional arrangement of an upper grip part 17 was waived.

Another difference from the aforementioned embodiments is that the closure part 24 integral part of the indicator cap 11 is like 15 shows. The closure part 24 has an engagement portion engaging in the bottle mouth 39 on, on the lid section 13 is formed. After cutting the indicator cap 11 by means of the tear tab 19 and the perforation lines 15 and 16 can the top of the indicator cap 11 unscrewed from the bottle in the manner of a conventional screw cap and screwed on this again to re-close the bottle.

Claims (13)

Tamper-evident closure ( 10 ) for an access opening ( 27 ) of a container ( 28 ), with one on the access opening ( 27 ) in a sealing manner attachable closure part ( 24 ) and one that Closure part ( 24 ) surrounding hood-type indicator cap ( 11 ) comprising a sleeve section ( 12 ) and an upper lid section ( 13 ), wherein in the sleeve section ( 12 ) two separate circumferential perforation lines ( 15 . 16 ) are arranged one above the other, where the sleeve part ( 12 ) is severable, and wherein the perforation lines ( 15 . 16 ) a pull-tab ( 19 ), which are above the perforation lines ( 15 . 16 ) and of two spaced slots (FIG. 20 . 21 ), characterized in that the slots ( 20 . 21 ) up to the upper perforation line ( 15 ) and that one of the slots ( 21 ) in the area between the perforation lines ( 15 . 16 ) a predetermined breaking line ( 23 ), which extends to the lower perforation line ( 16 ). Tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined breaking line ( 23 ) is formed by a cross-sectional weakening and / or perforation. Tamper-evident closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slots ( 20 . 21 ) run vertically. Tamper-evident closure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tear-open tab ( 19 ) relative to the perforation lines ( 15 . 16 ) is offset radially inwards. Tamper-evident closure according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tear-open tab ( 19 ) on their perforation lines ( 15 . 16 ) facing away with a handle part ( 17 ) connected is. Tamper-evident closure according to claim 5, characterized in that the handle part ( 17 ) in the lid section ( 13 ) and via breakable bars ( 22 ) is fixed in this. Tamper-evident closure according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that in the lid section ( 13 ) a recessed grip ( 18 ) for reaching under the handle part ( 17 ) is trained. Tamper-evident closure according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the closure part ( 24 ) in the indicator cap ( 11 ) is integrated and integrally formed with this. Tamper-evident closure according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the closure part ( 24 ) and the indicator cap ( 11 ) are formed as separate components. Tamper-evident closure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the closure part ( 24 ) is a screw cap. Tamper-evident closure according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the closure part ( 24 ) a tamper-evident indicator ( 25 ) having. Tamper-evident closure according to claim 11, characterized in that the originality indicator ( 25 ) of Stegen ( 29 ) is formed when first opening the closure part ( 24 ) are inevitably break off. Tamper-evident closure according to claim 12, characterized in that the closure part ( 24 ) an upper cap part ( 30 ) and a lower sleeve part ( 31 ), which over the webs ( 29 ) are interconnected.

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