DE102020215613A1 - Container closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure (11) made of plastic having a retaining ring (15) for fastening the closure (11) to a container (13) with an upper and lower edge (17, 19), which retaining ring (15) is attached to its inner surface ( 23) has formed an internal thread (25) for screwing onto the neck (26) of the container (13), and a cap (21) which is connected to the retaining ring (13) and which has an open edge (65 ) having. A hinge (27) connects the cap (21) to the retaining ring (15), around which the cap (21) can be pivoted relative to the retaining ring (15) from a first closed position into a first open position and vice versa. A sealing element (33) is formed on the inside (31) of the cap (15). In the first closed position, the sealing element (33) can seal a pouring opening (35) in the container neck (26). A locking lug is formed on the inner surface (23) of the retaining ring (15) and can interact with a first stop element (41) formed on the outer surface (39) of the container neck (26).

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to a container closure according to the preamble of claim 1, a container according to claim 8 and a combination of the container closure and the container.

State of the art

From the prior art in the field of plastic closures, snap closures with a hinged cap are known which close plastic bottles. Thanks to the cap, the bottle can be closed again very quickly and is therefore particularly suitable for use during exercise. The cap is attached to the top of a holding jacket by means of a hinge. The holding jacket can in turn be screwed onto the neck of a bottle. The holding jacket is connected on its underside with predetermined breaking webs with a guarantee ring, which is permanently held on the bottle neck.

However, this closure is designed in a complex manner. For example, a cross-shaped incised membrane is inserted into the holding jacket, which prevents an unintentional escape of liquid when the cap is open. In addition, the closure has a tear-off tab, which connects the cap to the holding jacket before the cap is opened for the first time. It is immediately evident that such a closure is very expensive to manufacture. In addition, the closure is unsuitable for carbonated drinks, as the overpressure can cause the cap to be pushed open in an uncontrolled and unintentional manner after it has been opened for the first time. In addition, the holding jacket together with the cap can be unscrewed from the bottle and is therefore not held captive on the bottle. However, according to the latest legislation in Europe, the inseparable connection between the flap cap and bottle is a must for a plastic cap that closes a plastic bottle.

Object of the invention

The disadvantages of the described prior art result in the object of creating a generic hinged closure which is suitable for carbonated beverages and which is held captive on a container.

Another object is to show a flip lock which is as inexpensive as possible to manufacture.

description

The object set is achieved in the case of a container closure through the features cited in the characterizing section of claim 1. Further developments and / or advantageous design variants are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is preferably characterized in that a latching lug is formed on the inner surface of the retaining ring which can interact with a first stop element formed on the outer surface of the container neck. This allows the angle of rotation of the container closure relative to the container neck to be precisely defined. This means that it can be determined from which angle of rotation the cap can be opened or up to which angle of rotation the opening of the cap is blocked.

It has proven to be advantageous if the locking lug is formed on the inner surface at the transition to the lower edge. At this position there is enough space for the locking lug and this is not in the way of the internal thread. In addition, the closure can be easily removed from the mold during injection molding due to this position of the latching lug.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one projection extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the inside of the cap, which projection can engage under a ring segment formed on the container neck. The interaction of the projection with the ring segment makes it possible that the cap is closed or can only be lifted slightly as long as the projection engages under the ring segment. The handle is continuously released by turning in the unscrewing direction.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the projection has a slope which defines an inclined position of the projection in relation to the axis of rotation of the closure. As a result, the cap can first be lifted slightly when the closure is unscrewed and the possible stroke of the cap increases continuously until the cap is completely released from the ring segment. The overpressure can be reduced in a controlled manner by unscrewing the closure and the cap cannot be uncontrolledly pushed on by the overpressure. The greater the slope, the greater the possible stroke of the cap per angle of rotation. It is conceivable that the projection essentially corresponds to the pitch of the internal thread.

It has proven to be useful if a plurality of projections on the Inside the cap is formed and first clearances are formed between adjacent projections. The cap is held symmetrically and stably on the container neck by a plurality of projections which interact with a plurality of ring segments, and even internal pressures of up to 10 bar cannot push the cap off the retaining ring.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper edge and the open edge are connected to at least one predetermined breaking web. This ensures that the cap has not been opened as long as the at least one predetermined breaking web has not broken.

The hinge expediently has a latching mechanism by which the cap is fixed in the first open position. This locking mechanism can be implemented by retaining straps or a film hinge, which are overstretched when the cap is pivoted and can be shortened again in the first open position.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a container with a container neck which corresponds to the container closure. The invention is characterized in that a first stop element is formed on the outer surface of the container neck, which stop element can interact with the locking lug. As a result, as already explained above, the area of rotation of the closure is defined and the cap can only be fully opened when the latching lug connects to the first stop element.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first stop element has the shape of a first ramp which has a first inclined surface and an adjoining first stop surface, the height of the first inclined surface increasing in the direction in which the retaining ring is screwed on. This allows the lock to be screwed onto the neck even though the first ramp is in the way of the locking lug. The first stop surface represents a defined point which indicates to the user that the cap can now be fully opened. In addition, the first stop surface is designed so high that the locking lug cannot overcome it when it is turned and the closure can no longer be unscrewed.

A second ramp is preferably formed on the outer surface of the container neck, which has a second inclined surface and an adjoining second stop surface, the height of the second inclined surface increasing in the direction in which the retaining ring is unscrewed. As a result, the closure cap can be transferred with little resistance into a defined open position in which the latching lug is positioned between the first and second stop surfaces.

It proves to be advantageous if a retaining groove for the locking lug is formed between the first and the second stop surface. As a result, the open position of the retaining ring, in which the cap can be opened, is precisely defined.

Because the height of the second ramp is preferably less than the height of the first ramp, the locking lug can be rotated several times over the second ramp and the closure can accordingly be opened and closed several times. However, due to the height of the first ramp, the closure can no longer be completely unscrewed from the container neck.

It has proven to be advantageous if a second stop element for the latching lug is formed on the outer surface at a distance from the first stop element defined by the thread pitch. This prevents the closure from being screwed too far onto the neck of the container and the cap from being undesirably pressed on by screwing it on too far.

The invention is also preferably characterized in that at least one ring segment extending in the circumferential direction is formed above the external thread on the outer surface of the container neck, which the projection formed on the cap can engage under. As a result, the cap can only be opened slightly as the retaining ring continues to rotate, in order to slowly reduce the overpressure in the container. The cap can only be opened when the locking lug hits the first stop surface.

The ring segment expediently has a slope which defines an inclined position of the ring segment in relation to the axis of rotation of the container neck. As a result, the stroke of the cap can be increased continuously when the closure is rotated into its open position. It is preferred if the projection on the retaining ring and the ring segment have the same slope. As a result, in the closed position of the retaining ring, the ring segment rests against the projection along its entire length.

It is also conceivable that the ring segment has the same pitch as the external thread.

It proves to be advantageous if a plurality of ring segments is formed on the inside of the cap and second free spaces are formed between adjacent ring segments. Because of the plurality of ring segments and projections which engage under the ring segments the cap is held stable in the closed position. Even when the internal pressure is released, several projections strike several ring segments, as a result of which the cap is held stable when it is raised slightly in order to reduce the internal pressure.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a combination of the container closure and the container, which have been described above. The invention is also characterized in that the at least one projection and the at least one ring segment bear against one another in the circumferential direction when the latching nose strikes the second stop element. As a result, the cap is firmly closed in the closed position and cannot be pushed open by overpressures of 8 bar or more.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the projections coincide with the second free spaces when the latching nose strikes the first stop element. This defines an open position of the container closure in which the projections are released and the cap can be pivoted from the first closure position into the first open position.

The latching lug and the second ramp are expediently dimensioned in terms of their heights such that the latching lug can be pressed over the second ramp non-destructively when it is screwed on and unscrewed. As a result, the closure can be rotated several times between the second open position and the second closure position, and the excess pressure cannot escape from the already partially emptied container after reclosing. The second open position and the second closed position are clearly defined for the user by the first stop element and the second stop element, respectively. The closure is therefore particularly intuitive and easy to use.

In a further preferred embodiment the latching lug and the first ramp are dimensioned in their heights such that when unscrewing the latching lug can only be pushed over the first ramp with destruction. It is therefore prevented that the container closure can be unscrewed from the container. As a result, the container closure is held captive on the container and the present closure-container combination fulfills the requirement that a container and its closure must be disposed of together. It is inevitable that the closure can be separated from the container with the use of force.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the container closure can be rotated on the container neck between a second closure position in which it strikes the second stop element and a second open position in which it strikes the first stop element. As a result, as already explained above, the closure can be operated particularly easily and intuitively. When the closure is opened, i.e. when it is rotated from the second closure position into the second open position, the internal pressure can be continuously reduced, since the cap can be raised slightly until the projections strike the ring segments. If the locking lug is locked in the second open position, the cap is completely released. The cap can then be pivoted from the first closed position into the first open position. There are therefore closed and open positions both for the container closure (turning the closure) and for the cap (pivoting around the hinge).

An anti-rotation device can be provided so that the container closure is prevented from rotating between the second closure position and the second open position before the container is used for the first time. For example, to ensure the first opening guarantee, a shrink film can be attached over the closure and the neck, which must be removed before the first opening.

Instead of a shrink film, the container closure according to the invention can also be equipped with an additional security ring, known per se, which engages behind a preferably ring-shaped retaining extension. The holding extension is formed on the container neck and can, for example, be the support ring. This guarantee ring can be connected to the lower edge of the retaining ring via second predetermined breaking webs. When the container closure is opened, these second predetermined breaking webs are broken open in a manner known per se. In this way it can be seen whether or not the closure has already been rotated from the second closure position into the second open position.

The locking lug can also be formed on the outer surface of the container neck and the first and second stop element can be formed on the inner surface of the retaining ring. This reverse arrangement of the functional elements has no effect on the function of the container closure.

• 1: eine perspektivische Ansicht eines auf einen Behälter aufgesetzten Behälterverschlusses mit einer Kappe welche verschwenkbar an einem Haltering befestigt ist, wobei der Verschluss geschlossen ist;
• 2: eine perspektivische Ansicht des Behälterverschlusses aus 1 , wobei der Verschluss geöffnet ist;
• 3: eine perspektivische Ansicht des Behälterhalses und eine aufgeschnittene Ansicht des Behälterverschlusses;
• 4: einen Längsschnitt durch den Behälterverschluss und den Behälterhals, wobei die Kappe in 3 unterschiedlichen Positionen gezeigt ist;
• 5: eine Schnittdarstellung durch Behälter und Behälterverschluss in einer Normalebene zur Rotationachse, wobei sich der Verschluss in einer Verschlussposition befindet und
• 6: eine Schnittdarstellung durch Behälter und Behälterverschluss in einer Normalebene zur Rotationsachse, wobei sich der Verschluss in einer Offenposition befindet.

Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. It shows in a representation that is not true to scale:

• 1 : a perspective view of a container closure placed on a container with a cap which is pivotably attached to a retaining ring, the closure being closed;
• 2 : a perspective view of the container closure from 1 with the shutter open;
• 3 : a perspective view of the container neck and a cutaway view of the container closure;
• 4th : a longitudinal section through the container closure and the container neck, the cap being shown in 3 different positions;
• 5 : a sectional view through the container and the container closure in a plane normal to the axis of rotation, the closure being in a closed position and
• 6th : a sectional view through the container and the container closure in a plane normal to the axis of rotation, the closure being in an open position.

In the 1 to 6th a container closure is shown, which is designated as a whole with the reference symbol 11 is designated. The closure 11 is on a container 13th , especially a bottle 13th unscrewed. The closure 11 is injection molded from a plastic and the bottle is preferably blown from a plastic. Of course, the bottle also covers a preform from which it is blown.

The closure 11 has a retaining ring 15th for attaching the clasp 11 on the container 13th with an upper and lower edge 17, 19 and a cap connected to the retaining ring 21 on. The retaining ring 15th has on its inner surface 23 an internal thread 25th to screw onto the neck 26th the bottle 13th shaped. This is on the neck 26th an external thread 28 shaped. The container 13th has a container body 30th for receiving the product to which the container neck 26th connects. At the transition from the container body 30th to the container neck 26th is a support ring 32 educated.

A hinge 27 connects the cap 21 with the retaining ring 15th around which the cap 21 relative to the retaining ring 15th can be pivoted from a first closed position into a first open position and vice versa. The hinge is preferred 27 by a first and second tether 29a , 29b realized. The hinge 27 is designed such that the cap 21 can lock in the first open position.

On the inside 31 the cap is a sealing element 33 formed, which in the closed position has a pouring opening 35 of the container neck 26th seals. The sealing element is designed as a conical sealing ring 33 formed, whereby this acts as a so-called "cone-sealer".

On the inner surface 23 of the retaining ring 15th is a latch 37 shaped, which with one on the outer surface 39 of the container neck 26th formed first stop element cooperates. The latch 37 is preferably below the internal thread 25th at the transition to the lower edge 19th intended. The first stop element is preferably used as a first ramp 41 realized. The first ramp 41 has a first inclined surface 43 and an adjoining first stop surface 45 on. The height of the first bevel 43 takes in the direction of screwing on the retaining ring 15th to.

Through a retaining groove 47 from the first ramp 41 spaced, is a second ramp 49 on the outer surface 39 educated. The second ramp 49 has a second inclined surface 51 and an adjoining second stop surface 53 on. The height of the second bevel 51 takes in the direction of unscrewing the retaining ring 15th to.

At a defined distance from the first ramp 41 is a second stop element 55 on the outer surface 39 shaped. The second stop element 55 prevents the retaining ring 15th too far on the neck 26th is screwed on and the cap 21 as a result, it gets too much pressure from below and it pops up.

On the inside 31 the cap 21 are four circumferentially extending projections 57 educated. The protrusions 57 reach under four on the outer surface 39 trained ring segments 59 when the retaining ring 15th on the neck 26th is screwed on. Expediently have the projections 57 and the ring segments 59 the same pitch as the internal thread 15th and the external thread 28 .

Between the protrusions 57 are first free spaces 61 provided and between the ring segments 59 are second free spaces 63 intended. As a first opening guarantee are between the upper edge 17th of the retaining ring 15th and the open edge 65 the cap 21 Predetermined breaking webs 67 provided which the retaining ring 15th and the cap 21 before opening the cap for the first time 21 connect with each other. The predetermined breaking bars 67 break when opening the cap for the first time 21 .

• Der Verschluss 11 wird nach dem Befüllen der Flasche 13 auf den Hals 26 aufgedreht Hierbei muss der Verschluss 11 solange im Uhrzeigersinn (also in Aufschraubrichtung) verdreht werden, bis die Rastnase 37 über die erste Rampe 41 gedrückt wird und so in eine zweite Offenposition in der Haltenut 47 gelangt. Der Drehvorgang wird fortgesetzt und die Rastnase 37 wird mit etwas Gewalt aus der zweiten Offenposition heraus über die zweite Anschlagfläche 53 der zweiten Rampe 49 gedrückt und bis zu einer zweiten Offenposition weiter verdreht. In der zweiten Offenposition schlägt die Rastnase 37 an dem zweiten Anschlagelement 55 an. Die zweite Rampe 49 ist bezüglich der Drehrichtung der ersten Rampe 41 entgegen gesetzt ausgerichtet und weniger hoch. Das heisst die zweite Anschlagfläche 53 ist niedriger als die erste Anschlagfläche 45.

The container closure works as follows:

• The closure 11 will after filling the bottle 13th on the neck 26th untwisted Here the lock must 11 can be turned clockwise (i.e. in the screwing direction) until the locking lug 37 about the first ramp 41 is pressed and so in a second open position in the holding groove 47 got. The turning process continues and the locking lug 37 is with a little force out of the second open position over the second stop surface 53 the second ramp 49 pressed and turned further to a second open position. In the second open position, the latch strikes 37 on the second stop element 55 at. The second ramp 49 is with respect to the direction of rotation of the first ramp 41 oriented in the opposite direction and less high. This is called the second stop surface 53 is lower than the first stop surface 45 .

When the clasp 11 is in the second locking position, the four inwardly directed projections reach under 57 on the cap 21 the four corresponding, ie correspondingly arranged ring segments 59 on the outer surface 39 . This ensures that the closed cap 21 the internal pressure in the bottle 13th can withstand. This is especially true if the bottle is filled with a carbonated drink. The closure must be used to open 11 can be rotated counterclockwise from the second locking position to the second open position. The lock is in the second open position 11 secured against unintentional twisting because the locking lug 37 in the holding groove 47 is locked. A further counterclockwise rotation from the detent position is not possible because the first ramp 41 higher than the second ramp 49 . The closure 11 therefore cannot completely recover from the neck 26th unscrewed once it's over the first ramp 41 was screwed. It can be turned back into the second locking position, thereby releasing the lock 11 can be closed again in a pressure-tight manner.

The effect of the twisting from the second locking position into the second open position is that this causes the projections 57 on the cap 21 into the second free spaces 63 between the ring segments 59 come to rest. The ring segments 59 come between the first free spaces 61 to lie. This is the cap 21 released as the protrusions 57 the ring segments 59 no longer reach under. The cap 21 can be folded up from the first locking position and pivoted into the first open position. By twisting the clasp 11 from the second closed position to the second open position counterclockwise and the subsequent pivoting of the cap 21 the bottle is from the first closing position to the second closing position 13th open. The lock is secured against unintentional twisting in the second open position, thus making the lock easier to handle 11 Also easy for the end consumer, because the cap cannot twist when drinking and almost fall into the face.

The projections are preferred 57 and the ring segments 59 not normal to the axis of rotation 69 oriented, but are slightly inclined. For example, the protrusions have 57 and the ring segments 59 a pitch, which is the pitch of the external thread 28 and the internal thread 25th corresponds to. This allows that when you open the cap 21 is only slightly lifted and so is the sealing ring 33 no longer seals completely. The result is that the internal pressure is slow or controlled by turning the cap 11 can be dismantled before the cap 21 is completely free and can be folded up completely.

The present container closure 11 is suitable for closing a bottle in which an increased internal pressure prevails or builds up. The closure 11 is therefore especially suitable for carbonated beverages, bottled in the bottle 13th , suitable, although he has a pivoting cap 21 having.

By slowly turning from the second closed position into the second open position, the internal pressure can be in the wrong position 13th be degraded in a controlled manner. Only in the second open position is the cap released for pivoting. The cap can then be pivoted from the first closed position into the first open position.

The closure is also resealable, which prevents the carbonated liquid from smoking after it has been opened for the first time. In addition, there is the cap 11 captive on the bottle 11 held.

List of reference symbols

11

Container closure

13th

Container, especially bottle

15th

Retaining ring

17th

Upper edge of the retaining ring

19th

Lower edge of the retaining ring

21

cap

23

Inner surface of the retaining ring

25th

inner thread

26th

Container neck

27

hinge

28

External thread

29a, 29b

First and second tether

30th

Container body

31

Inside of the cap

32

Support ring

33

Sealing element, sealing ring

35

Pouring opening

37

Locking lug

39

Outer surface of the container neck

41

First ramp, first stop element

43

First bevel

45

First stop surface

47

Holding groove

49

Second ramp

51

Second bevel

53

Second stop surface

55

Second stop element

57

Ledges

59

Ring segments

61

First freedom

63

Second freedom

65

Open edge of the cap

67

Predetermined breaking webs

69

Axis of rotation

Claims (21)

A container closure (11) made of plastic - a retaining ring (15) for fastening the closure (11) to a container (13) with an upper and lower edge (17, 19), which retaining ring (15) has on its inner surface (23) Has formed internal thread (25) for screwing onto the neck (26) of the container (13), - a cap (21) connected to the retaining ring (13) and having an open edge (65) facing the upper edge (17), - A hinge (27) which connects the cap (21) to the retaining ring (15) and around which the cap (21) can be pivoted relative to the retaining ring (15) from a first closed position into a first open position and vice versa, and - A sealing element (33) which is formed on the inside (31) of the cap (15) and can seal a pouring opening (35) of the container neck (26) in the first closed position, characterized in that on the inner surface (23) of the Retaining ring (15) has a locking lug (37) formed which with a on the outer surface (39) of the container neck (26) formed first stop element (41) can interact. Container closure after Claim 1 , characterized in that the locking lug (37) is formed on the inner surface (23) at the transition to the lower edge (19). Container closure after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least one circumferentially extending projection (57) is formed on the inside (31) of the cap (21) and can engage under a ring segment (59) formed on the container neck (26). Container closure after Claim 3 , characterized in that the projection (57) has a slope which defines an inclined position of the projection (57) to the axis of rotation (69) of the closure. Container closure after Claim 4 , characterized in that a plurality of projections (57) is formed on the inside of the cap (21) and first free spaces (61) are formed between adjacent projections (57). Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper edge (17) and the open edge (65) are connected with at least one predetermined breaking web (67). Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge (27) has a latching mechanism by which the cap (21) is fixed in the first open position. A container (13) made of plastic which can interact with a container closure (11) according to the preceding claims, comprising - a container body (30) for receiving a filling material, - a container neck (26) adjoining the container body (30) which has a pouring opening ( 35) and on the outer surface (39) of which an external thread (28) is formed, characterized in that a first stop element (41) is formed on the outer surface (39) of the container neck (26) and interacts with the locking lug (37) can. Container after Claim 8 , characterized in that the first stop element has the shape of a first ramp (41) which has a first inclined surface (43) and an adjoining first stop surface (45), the height of the first inclined surface (43) in the direction of screwing the Retaining ring (15) increases. Container after Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that on the outer surface (39) of the container neck (26) a second ramp (49) which has a second inclined surface (51) and an adjoining second stop surface (53), the height of the second inclined surface (51) increasing in the direction of unscrewing the retaining ring (15). Container after Claim 10 , characterized in that a retaining groove (47) for the locking lug (37) is formed between the first and the second stop surface (45, 53). Container according to one of the Claims 10 or 11 , characterized in that the height of the second ramp (49) is less than the height of the first ramp (41). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second stop element (55) for the latching lug (37) is formed on the outer surface (39) at a distance from the first stop element (41) defined by the thread pitch. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that above the external thread (28) on the outer surface (39) of the container neck (26) there is at least one ring segment (59) extending in the circumferential direction, which segment is different from the one on the cap (21). formed projection (57) can be gripped under. Container after Claim 14 , characterized in that the ring segment (59) has a slope which defines an inclined position of the ring segment (59) to the axis of rotation (69) of the container neck (26). Container according to one of the Claims 14 or 15th , characterized in that a plurality of ring segments (59) is formed on the inside of the cap (21) and second free spaces (63) are formed between adjacent ring segments (59). Combination of a container closure according to one of the preceding claims and a container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one projection (57) and the at least one ring segment (59) bear against one another in the circumferential direction when the latching lug (37) on the second stop element ( 55) strikes. Combination according to Claim 17 , characterized in that the projections (57) coincide with the second free spaces (63) when the locking lug (37) strikes the first stop element (41). Combination according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking lug (37) and the second ramp (49) are dimensioned in their heights such that the locking lug (37) is pressed non-destructively over the second ramp (49) when screwing on and unscrewing can be. Combination according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching lug (37) and the first ramp (41) are dimensioned in their heights such that when unscrewing the latching lug (37) is pressed over the first ramp (41) exclusively with destruction can. Combination according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container closure (11) can be rotated on the container neck (26) between a second closure position in which it strikes the second stop element (55) and a second open position in which it is rotatable on the first stop element (41) strikes.

Images