DE2142297A1 - Lock for containers secured against fraudulent opening - Google Patents

Description

PATENT Attorneys' 5697

O ₁ PL-PHVS. DK ^

BRAUNSCHWEIG MUNICH

Continental Can Company, Inc. J5 Third Avenue, 17 Lew York, If.Y./ ULi

More secure "against" fraudulent opening Closure for container "

The invention relates to a secured against "fraudulent opening Closure for containers, "consisting of a container neck with external threaded elements and one downwards pointing shoulder below the threaded section and one - in particular by axial pressing on and detachable by screwing - cap with an am Container neck in the area of the shoulder secured against turning edge section, which with the apron section of the cap over a line of weakness that can be broken by applying a torque connected is"

Counterfeit-proof sealing caps are very popular for beverage bottles such as those used for alcoholic or variously carbonated beverages. Furthermore, there is a need for closure caps with an indication of unauthorized operation of the closure for other I ¹ Ia-

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see or containers present, the contents of which are often the target of Theft is.

Unguarded "sales shelves, such as those in use in supermarkets are for goods and food, greatly increase the temptation for theft, the removal of liquids from easy open and reclosable containers is therefore often extremely difficult to determine. When the container is out If there is opaque material, neither the end user nor the seller can tell whether part or all of it Contents have been removed as there is no evidence of fraudulent opening of the container.

It is a series of drafts or proposals for fraud-free or caps indicating fraudulent opening. Some of these suggestions have met with great approval found in practice. One such proposal is an aluminum cap that is printed over a threaded neck can be used to seal the R: md of the container surrounding the opening. The threads are then rolled by a rolling process into the skirt portion of the cap with the aid of the threaded portions on the container neck to to make the cap removable by screwing. Furthermore, the closure cap is provided with a line of weakness separate V / and section in the area below the verse the wind section. The edge of the apron section below the weakening line is inside under one

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The shoulder of the container neck is flanged and engages the protrusions in this place of the keep rim Is he; on or is in other "./iise on the container lxaIs or on the shoulder of the bottle secured to prevent a co-rotation η. When on the cap :; Un unscrewing a torque is applied, the; ichürzenalu, chnit "fc breaks along the line of weakness - so that a There is an easily recognizable sign that the container is open has been or at least an attempt has been made

through ,.

Such a breaking off of the weakening line formed iijt particularly desirable where under or under pressure Vakuui-i sealed containers are provided, as is the case with the Case with carbonated beverages, containers for baby food or the like. is clear as the attempt at removal is, as soon as the cap has been turned only slightly, which leads to the interruption of the seal and thus leads to the corruption of the content.

While the roll-threaded and fraud-proof cap of the manner described above is generally satisfactory ₉ , this cap is much more expensive to apply than a crown cap. The rolling of the thread turns with the cap attached requires relatively complicated tools and can only be carried out at a relatively low production speed. Furthermore, the materials which have the desired rolling properties are generally sensitive to the formation of

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Cold flow or warping or peeling processes, so that the properties can be severely impaired in terms of sealing and resealability.

So far, no satisfactory results have been obtained in order to provide a cap which can be applied by pressing on alone and can be loosened again by screwing and the simultaneous reliable display of an unauthorized attempt, to open the container there. The additional cost of orienting the cap so that it can grip protrusions, rolling a lip under the bead of the container neck or the like. Operations far exceed the savings, which are achieved by pressing on the cap and forming the threads in the skirt portion of the cap.

It is the object of the invention to develop a lock of the type described in more detail above that is secured against fraudulent opening so that the closure cap can preferably be applied by a simple press-on process and released again by screwing , without there being a Jjiroll process for the production of the threads in the cap needs, whereby at the same time a very effective protection or display of fraudulent opening attempts is guaranteed. Not only should the usual rolling-on process be avoided, but also the need to orient the cap in a certain way with respect to the container neck

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"or a part of the zap under a shoulder of the container neck to be rolled on or flanged afterwards.

This object is achieved in that the Line of weakness in a bell-shaped widening Area of the apron section is provided in which an insert ring is received secured against axial and rotary movements is, which has a radially inwardly directed plunge for engaging under the container shoulder it has. Advantageously the arrangement is made so that the container neck maintains) the shoulder has projections or ribs which form a rotation lock with the flexible surface of the insert ring, the insert ring preferably being made of plastic consists. The shoulder can be arranged through an annular groove in a and below the threaded section of the container neck this bead of the container neck, which significantly exceeds its diameter, be formed, with the splash of the insert ring is snapped up in the annular groove when the closure cap is applied by a simple press-on process will.

The preferred form of the closure cap comprises a shell body with an upper mirror and an apron section protruding downward from it. The generally cylindrical one The upper portion of the apron area has a synthetic lining that is suitable for overlying the threads on the container neck to be shaped when the cap is pressed on, if

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the skirt section is pushed telescopically over the neck of the container will be on. The threads of the container neck are automatically formed in the lining and it becomes a lateral seal achieved, which the seal between the cap and the opening of the container surrounding king surface the end of the container supports which singing surface presses into the ^ .lining material, which also at least partially occupies the container bottom, as detailed in the US-PS. 3,270,940 shown iet.

The lower portion of the apron area is generally bell-shaped and is flared with respect to the upper area of the apron section. The Sehlirzenabohnitt ends differently lower edge of the bell-shaped area in an inwardly bent lip. Furthermore, a ring is made of resilient Plastic material in the bell-shaped part of the skirt section used. The Hing has an inwardly directed annular flange near its upper end, the The diameter of the shoulder is usually somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the shoulder-forming collar mentioned. The skirt section and the outer wall of the ring are each with closely interlocking flashes or the like. Protrusions v «r - see soft a relative rotation of the two parts against each other prevented. The ring is in the axial direction between the inwardly bent lip of the edge of the bell-shaped section and an opposite shoulder at the transition section between the apron section and

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held the bell-shaped extension so that axial movement of the insert ring is prevented. In the preparation of the insert ring is first inserted into the bell-shaped part of the cap and then the lip is folded over the ring, before the cap is applied to the container. In this way, the cap can be manufactured in a factory-standard manner from the outset and te is after the cap is placed on the container any further deformation due to axial pressing «operation not required ·

Below the downward-facing shoulder of the container is the container shark with a row of circumferentially distributed Embossings or protrusions or hips. Of the Ring is arranged in the cap that the inwardly protruding Flange Slides over the collar of the container when the The cap is pressed onto the container neck, whereupon the flange snaps under the shoulder pointing downwards, when the cap is calibrated in the end position in which it seals with the container shark and in which the wind paths of the container neck in the lining of the Sehlirzenab-Bchnixte are impressed. The projections are pressed against each other under the shoulder in the elastic flange of the insert ring that grips under the shoulder, eo that the insert ring is reliably secured against relative rotational movements with respect to the container neck.

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When torque is applied to unscrew the cap from the container neck, the annular flange prevents the engages under the collar, a rotational movement and an axial lifting with respect to the cap. A continued application of one Torque finally leads to the breaking of the bridges in the area of the weakening line. The one above the The area of the cap with its lining is a complete inspection cap, which is then easily unscrewed and can be unscrewed again to close the container again as required «

If, on the other hand, the material bridges in the area of the line of weakness are broken, the separated lowest part of the bell-shaped enlargement falls downwards, which is what causes it it is possible that the axial length of the radial projections or Corrugations of the insert ring is noticeably smaller than the axial length of the associated corrugations on the bell-shaped Section so that this section after cutting through the Line of weakness can slide down a good bit in the axial direction compared to the catering, which insert ring is secured in its axial position by the engagement of the flange in the groove of the container neck. This is after Falling down of the bell-shaped part of the cap exposes a large part of the insert ring for the view from the outside. The ring is expediently made of a brightly colored one Made of plastic material or provided with clearly visible signs that attract attention,

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and increase the visibility of the display indicating that the closure has been opened or at least one attempt has been made to open it, even if the upper part of the cap is not has been completely detached from the container.

The invention is explained below with reference to schematic drawings explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment.

Pig. 1 shows in side view the upper part of a glass container, in particular of the neck portion which, together with the screwed-on cap, has a closure gm Invention forms.

Pig. 2 shows on an enlarged scale in vertical section the structure of the cap of the closure,

Figure 3 is a section through the Pig cap. 2 along the Section line III-III.

Pig. 4 is a side view, on an enlarged scale, of FIG Container neck, which forms part of the closure.

Pig. Figure 5 is a cross-section along section line V-V of Figure 5 Pig. 4 while

Pig. 6 on a slightly smaller scale than Pig. 2 the shutter

according to the invention in the sealed and not yet. 209824/0555

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shows open position.

According to Fig. 1, the top of a container 10 can be seen, the forms a closure according to the invention with the screwed-on cap. The closure cap 11 comprises a shell body with an upper ceiling mirror 12 and a Schüraenabschnitt 13. The upper portion 14 of the skirt 13 is generally cylindrical. The lower portion 15 is enlarged and generally bell-shaped. The skirt portion 15 has a line of weakness 16 formed by easily breakable bridges of material, as in the US patent 3,484,082 is shown on.

From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the not yet attached Cap 11 has a liner before it is attached to the glass container 18 in the lid surface 12 and in the upper apron section 14 has, which forms an upper sealing portion 19 and a side seal 20, which at the same time to the Engages the threads of the container neck. The outer clothing 20 extends essentially over the full ylindric Height of the skirt portion 14. The liner 18 is preferably made of a plastomeric material, such as is essentially described in the aforementioned patent and serves the same purposes. While the shape shown is for Sealing of the container and the formation of G-thread passages for the present invention is the preferred embodiment,

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it should be noted that other embodiments for the sealing and the formation of threads Section of the cap can be used. The (rewind ganges can also be pressed in, flanged or rolled on using any suitable sealing ring or other sealing material as appropriate for the particular Intended use, provided that the cap is essentially suitable for a press-on process without relative rotational movement between cap and container is suitable.

The bell-shaped section 1? The section 14 unfftSt a generally horizontal transition section 21 ₉ which forms a shoulder 22 * You can see this in a swelled cylindrical section 23 which extends downwards, the weakening line 16 relatively serving under the transition section 21 in the contested cylindrical section Furthermore, a further horizontal outwardly directed transition section 24 is provided, from which a substantially vertical section 25 protrudes downward. This ends in a lip 26 which is bent inwards.

The bell-shaped section 15 forms a cage for receiving of a single length 27. As described below, the Hing 27 is used to rotate and move axially the cap opposite the container neck after securing the cap

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in the sealed position on the container to prevent. Accordingly, the ring 27 becomes in the bell-shaped portion 15 held in such a way that between the ring 27 and the bell-shaped portion 15 a rotary movement cannot take place as long as the line of weakness 16 is still intact. To prevent said relative rotational movement, is the ring 27 in the manner of a fut-3? eder connection in the Skirt section 15 added, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A plurality of corrugations 30 are provided for this purpose provided in the lower vertical portion 25 of the bell-shaped extension, which ribs alternate with each other and being substantially parallel to the axis of the cap Form course. The number of corrugations can vary according to the size and the material of the cap can be selected. Preferably the corrugations are made with such a number and such a groove depth that a general stiffening effect achieved at the lower part of the bell-shaped section becomes and a considerable resistance to deformation, so that the breaking of the material bridges in the area of Weakening line 16 required torques reliably can be recorded and transmitted from this section.

The outer diameter of the drum-shaped portion 33 of the Insert ring 27 is slightly smaller than the upper ünde Inner diameter of the surrounding portion of the bell-shaped part of the cap, so that a provided at the upper end

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and radially inwardly projecting flange 32 can expand radially in a manner to be "described below".

In order to be able to insert the insert ring 27, the bell-shaped Section 15 initially shaped so that the lip section 26 is in alignment with the bell-shaped section, the inner diameter being slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insert ring in the region of the fins 31 is. Then the Hing 27 is pushed into the bell-shaped part and its top 28 pressed against shoulder 29. Thereafter, the lip 26 can be bent or rolled over to lie firmly against the underside of the ring 27 so that there is no end game between the ring and the shell. In order to avoid play in the direction of rotation, it is desirable that the ribs 31 of the ring 27 engage with a tight fit in the l / ellungen 30 of the bell-shaped part.

Fif> 4 shows the neck portion of the vessel 10, while FIG. 6 shows the applied cap 11 and thus the sealed closure. The container neck comprises external threaded elements 34. -Uie threaded elements comprise about a two-thirds turn, v / whether it can be seen, however, that the type and dimension of the threaded elements or other bell-shaped elements of minor importance ia ±. In US Patent 3 "484 ₀₀₁₂ goeignete threaded elements for a container with further off are now; -; goKol ^ t. Such unscrewing arrangements should ideally have frilly opening and opening properties

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Closing and showing good holding forces.

A collar 35 is provided directly below the threaded section 34. The outer diameter of the collar 35 is approximately the same as the maximum diameter of the thread sections 34 or slightly larger. The collar 35 forms a downwardly directed shoulder 37 »Another collar 38, whose The diameter may be slightly larger than that of the collar 35 can, is arranged at a distance from the collar 35 and forms an upwardly projecting shoulder 39, which with the opposite Shoulder 37 bounded by a circumferential groove. Several in the circumferential direction Equally spaced ribs or projections 40 extend in the direction of the container axis across the bottom of anger between shoulders 37 and 39 and have relatively sharp ridges, as can be seen in particular from FIG.

The completed closure according to Pig. 6 is obtained by that the closure cap 11 over the threaded portion 34 in is pressed on in the axial direction, whereby the plastomeric material of the side lining is attached to the G-thread sections 34 adapts and forms corresponding negative thread portions in the liner. V / ie in the aforementioned US patents explained in more detail, the lining material has properties according to which this material solidifies, so that the negative thread elements a permanent supply over time

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stand that normally elapses between closing the container and using it by the end user ·

The above-mentioned "flange 32 of the insert ring 27 is arranged so that that it comes to rest against the Uut between the shoulders 37 and 39 when the cap 11 completely over the Container neck is pushed over, as far as is necessary for a reliable seal and to form the thread is required in the lining · When pressing the Cap on the container neck, the expandable flange 32 slides over the threaded elements and over the collar 35 and steps then achnappart under the shoulder 37 or in the groove between the shoulder 37 and 39 and serves at the same time as Stop to prevent the cap from being pressed too far onto the neck of the container. The stroke as well as the release of pressure in the case of the tool for pressing on the cap, in the manner apparent to a person skilled in the art, corresponding to those described Requirements set.

The diameter in the region of the apex of the ribs 40 is larger than the normal inner diameter of the flange 32, see above that the contraction formed in the resilient flange Skr äf te lead to the formation of corresponding grooves in the inner edge of the flange, in which the ribs 40 intervene so that a locking against relative rotational movement between the container neck and insert ring is obtained.

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As described above, the ring 27 is non-rotatable and in axial direction not displaceable in the bell-shaped Section 15 of the cap held as long as the material bridges in the area of the weakening line are intact. Accordingly If sufficient torque is applied to the cap section 14, the material bridges 41 are overloaded will and break. The upper part of the cap can then be easily unscrewed. In the formation of the line of weakness shown an elongation of the bridges 41 in the shear direction can be neglected, so that the break is essentially occurs without noticeable rotation of the cap relative to the container neck. It follows from this that the seal is negligible can be affected by torques on the cap, unless the material bridges are also affected by the torque break. The section of the bell-shaped extension Below the line of weakness it can slide down quite a bit because of the axial length of the radial projections at the lower edge of the insert ring 27 is smaller than the extent of the corrugations 25 in the direction of the container axis. Therefore, if the bell-shaped portion falls down a significant part of the insert ring 27 can be exposed. The insert ring can be made of brightly colored plastic material manufactured or provided with clearly visible signs entüaig its lower area, so that the Ring, in addition to the noticeable break in the material bridges, is another clearly visible sign for the opening

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looking at the container delivers. The preferred embodiment described in the drawings includes both a fuse against relative rotations as well as against relative axial movements. Even if there is a slight play in the direction of rotation or should there be a slight sliding movement, the cap shell will be separated from the rest of the part due to it the stresses applied to the bridge portions by preventing the canopy from rising. In general the ring 27 is more resistant to deformations caused by torques than to stresses caused by the aiiale restraint forces are exerted so that the main forces those for the initial breaking of the material bridges lead, are shear forces that act tangentially to the course of the line of weakness 16. This is the preferred severing operation for the type of line of weakness shown. It can be seen, however, that the hindrance to an axial Movement of the insert ring and cap alone are sufficient can, so that some changes are possible. Thus, the ribs 40 can be omitted and a little instead thicker anchoring flange 32 can be used. The drum body of the ring can be made of stiffer material, have a slightly thicker wall, or have both features to reduce the axial expansion, these measures either over the entire length of the ring or only over part of it can be applied. The> wrt of the weakening of the apron ; "Section can also be modified. So can a

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Breaking the line of weakness can be achieved at minimal axial expansion, for example through sharp notches or drawing in the material continuously around the entire skirt section hereabouts. Relatively hard material can also be used for the cap shell for the same purpose.

• “Aluminum is the preferred material for the shell of the cap 11 as shown and described. This material is preferred because it is easy to manufacture, easy to deform by bending, pulling, turning, rolling, etc. and has a high corrosion resistance and is particularly suitable for decorations. Since the threads are produced in the lining material without deforming the apron section, the creeping and warping phenomena that otherwise occur in threads in thin aluminum cannot interfere here. At this point, however, it is pointed out again that other shapes can be used to form the threads in the apron section, with or without a lateral lining, for example by rolling on, pressing or by techniques known from crown caps. Also , various types and styles of top seal can be used in place of the seal form shown.

While an aluminum shell is preferred for the reasons mentioned tinned sheet metal or other material can also be used, provided that it is suitable for the particular cap size

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and the intended use is suitable. For example, caps according to the invention for beverage bottles made of tin-plated sheet metal or other material as it is regularly in use for the use of crown caps. The upper shell, which corresponds to the skirt section 14 can be designed so that it passes through the threads of the container neck a flanging or crimping application can be applied. This can be achieved with a tool as similar to it the pressing tool for crown caps or for the application of full caps of the press-off type is known.

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Claims (9)

2U2297 - 20 claims [i.) Locks secured against fraudulent opening for Container consisting of a container neck with external threaded elements and a shoulder pointing downwards below the threaded section and one - can be applied in particular by axial pressing and by screwing detachable closure cap with an edge section secured against rotation on the container neck in the shoulder area, with the skirt section of the cap via a line of weakness that can be broken by applying a torque is connected, characterized by the fact that the weakening line (16) is provided in a bell-shaped widening area (15) of the apron section (14), in which a Insert ring (27) is received secured against axial and rotational movements, the one directed radially inward Has splash (32) for reaching under the container shoulder (37). 2. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that that the container neck has projections or ribs (40) below the shoulder (37), which form a rotation lock with the splash (32) of the insert ring (27), 209824/0555 2U2297 3. Closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shoulder (37) through an annular groove (37,39) in a section arranged under the thread and exceeding this bead in diameter (35,38) of the container neck is formed. 4. "Closure according to claim 1 to 3 _}, characterized in that the bell-shaped section (15) has a curved edge (26) which, with the transition point (21) between the skirt section and the bell-shaped section, forms an axial limit for the insert ring (27) . 5. Closure according to opposition 4, characterized in that that the insert ring (27) in the region of its lower end has radial projections for the plant having on the bent edge (26). 6. Closure according to claim 4 or 5 »characterized that the bell-shaped section has several corrugations in the circumferential direction with the container axis has parallel apices and the radial projections of the insert ring engage in the corrugations. 209824/0555 2H2297 7. Closure according to opposition 6, as indicated by that the length of the Y / ellungen in the direction of the container axis is noticeably greater than that of the radial projections is. 8. Closure according to claim 7 »characterized in that the insert ring from one easily conspicuously marked material, in particular colored plastic. 9. Closure according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the weakening line (16) immediately below the transition section (21) zv / ischen Schiirzenabschnitt (14) and bell-shaped section (15) is arranged. 2 09824/0555 Blank page