EP0137458B1 - Opening and discharging cap - Google Patents

Abstract

A cap for opening and extracting the contents of a vessel provided with a neck and an extraction end closed by a removable attachment connected to the vessel neck by a weakened zone, the cap having an open end for engagement over the vessel neck whereby rotation of the cap relative to the vessel neck causes the attachment to be separated from the vessel neck at the weakened zone so that the contents of the vessel may be removed through an extraction opening in the cap.

Description

The invention relates to an opening and removal cap for a bottle-like container, which is closed by means of an attachment connected to the bottle neck via a predetermined weak point.

The cap has an open end with which it can be slipped onto the bottle neck, also a removal opening on its opposite upper end, which is smaller than the neck, so that it is retained in the interior of the cap even after it has been detached from the bottle neck, and finally fasteners for releasably attaching the cap to the bottle neck. When the attached cap rotates relative to the bottle neck, the attachment is turned off at its weak point.

In another embodiment, the cap has an open end, with which it can be slipped onto the bottle neck, a removal opening on its opposite upper end, fastening elements for releasably fastening the cap to the bottle neck, and a coaxial inner cap insert, which with its Container-facing, open end can be placed on the bottle neck via a sealing connection, and which has a passage opening to the interior of the cap on its top.

A suction bottle is known from German laid-open specification 2219388, the storage vessel of which is made of plastic. A rubber suction cup designed as a rotating body is attached to the closed end of the storage vessel. At the top, the storage vessel has a slightly fragile constriction, which is connected to a button-like part. The rubber suction cup is held by a bead on the end of the storage container near it and, thanks to its elasticity, can slide thereon under friction. In order to connect the rubber suction cup to the storage container, the button part is rotated relative to the storage container until the constriction breaks. As a result, the button part is broken loose and an opening is exposed, through which the contents of the storage container can flow past the jacket of the turned-off button part up to the outlet opening of the rubber suction device.

From the German Offenlegungsschrift 31 04861 a cap is also known, which can be screwed onto the neck of a container. The upper end of the neck of the bottle-shaped container is closed with a one-piece and integrally molded, pierceable wall. The cap has a longitudinal guide part through which a longitudinal opening with a circular cross section extends centrally. This opening serves as a guide for a mandrel movably mounted in the axial direction. The longitudinal guide part and the mandrel guided therein are completely enclosed by a flexible suction cup. To open the container, pressure is exerted on the mandrel from above until it has penetrated the penetrable wall. With this known opening and removal cap, only bottle-like containers can be opened, the upper end of which is closed with the aforementioned penetrable wall.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved opening and removal cap with which bottle-like containers, which are closed by means of an attachment connected to the neck of the bottle via a target weak point, can be opened in a sterile manner and can be emptied in a liquid-tight manner, the cap being easy to handle simple and economical to manufacture.

In solving this problem, it is initially assumed that an opening and removal cap according to the preamble of claim 1. The object is achieved according to the characterizing part of this claim in that profile elements protrude into the upper region of the interior of the cap facing away from the container, between which the neck of the container is insertable. The opening and removal cap designed according to the invention is placed on the bottle neck; the neck of the container is inserted between the profile elements in the upper region of the interior of the cap. If the attached cap is then rotated relative to the bottle neck, the profile elements cause this attachment to be twisted off at its desired weak point, as a result of which the container is opened. The generally flowable contents of the container can escape through the removal opening provided at the upper end of the cap. Since this removal opening is smaller than the turned-off attachment, it remains in the interior of the cap even after it has been detached from the bottle neck. The opening and removal cap designed in this way allows the container to be opened and its contents to be removed while maintaining complete sterility. The cap is easy to manufacture in terms of production technology and is characterized by extremely simple handling.

In an alternative solution to the problem, an opening and removal cap according to the preamble of claim 2 is assumed; the object is achieved according to the characterizing part of this claim in that the cap insert is coaxially displaceable in that thread-like profiles are provided on the outside of this cap insert, by means of which the cap insert can be screwed into a corresponding thread-like profile on the inside of the cap, and further that fully screwed cap insert with its top facing away from the container strikes the inside of the upper front end of the cap, and that in the top facing away from the container Ren protrude area of the interior of the cap insert profile elements, between which the neck of the container can be inserted and the rotation of the attached cap and the forcefully connected, fully screwed cap insert relative to the bottle neck twist the neck at its target weak point, and finally, that this passage opening is smaller than the twisted approach, so that it is retained in the interior of the cap insert even after it has been detached from the bottle neck. When the inner cap insert is fully screwed into the opening and removal cap, the rotational movement of the attached cap is transferred to the cap insert which is then positively connected to it, so that the neck on the bottle neck is turned off in the area of its desired weak point. The contents of the container opened in this way can escape through the passage opening in the top of the cap insert. This passage opening is smaller than the turned neck, so that it is retained inside the fully inserted cap insert.

In advantageous embodiments of the opening and removal cap designed according to the invention, the profile elements are integrally formed on the cap or the cap insert. Preferably, four profile elements are arranged distributed over the entire circumference of the cap or the cap insert, which extend diametrically from the outside inwards. Even with relatively little twisting of the cap or the cap insert relative to the bottle neck, two opposing profile elements come into engagement with the turnable attachment.

The fastening elements for the detachable fastening of the cap to the bottle neck can advantageously be holding profile elements attached to the inside thereof, which engage in corresponding recesses on the bottle neck. With such a design of the fastening elements, the opening and removal cap is pushed in the simplest manner in the axial direction from above onto the neck of the bottle-like container to be opened, the profile elements not yet reaching the area of the extension to be twisted off. Only when a strong pressure is exerted on the cap is the resistance formed by the interlocking of the retaining profile elements with the corresponding recesses on the bottle neck being overcome, so that the cap is pressed completely onto the bottle neck. Only now do the profile elements come into engagement with the neck of the bottle. In the upper area of the interior of the cap, a circumferential stop can additionally be provided, which prevents the cap from being pressed down too far with respect to the bottle neck.

The fastening elements for the detachable fastening of the cap to the bottle neck are advantageously designed as thread-like profiles attached to its inside, which engage in corresponding thread-like profiles on the bottle neck. Such thread-like profiles ensure a reliable mechanical connection between the cap and the bottle neck.

The provision of an elastically compressible seal for sealing the slip-on cap against the bottle neck increases the sterility of the removal of the bottle contents.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the upper end of the cap is covered by a closure cover. This cap prevents dust and dirt from entering the inside of the opening and removal cap and also allows a container that has already been opened to be temporarily closed.

The advantages of the opening and removal cap according to the invention are particularly evident in connection with bottle-like containers which are filled with liquid or pulpy baby food, for example baby milk. According to a development of the invention, therefore, a removal device, in particular a baby teat or baby spoon, is provided at the upper end of the cap, which is in liquid-tight connection with the interior via the removal opening. The contents of the bottle can be administered directly to a baby via such a removal device. An embodiment is preferred in which a protective cap covering the removal device is provided at the upper end of the cap.

In an expedient embodiment of the cap provided with a removal device, a tubular extension, which extends around the passage opening and is formed on the upper side of the cap insert and projects with its conically tapering end into the interior of the removal device. This extension, in the form of a tubular extension, serves to support the removal device, which is usually made of soft material, so that it does not slip out during use.

• Fig. 1 einen noch verschlossenen, flaschenartigen Behälter, in einer Seitenansicht;
• Fig. 1b den Behälter von Fig. 1, in einer Draufsicht ;
• Fig. 2 eine erste Ausführungsform einer Öffnungs- und Entnahmekappe mit einem Babysauger, in einem" Vertikalschnitt ;
• Fig. 3 die Öffnungs- und Entnahmekappe von Fig. 2, auf den Behälter gemäß Fig. 1 aufgesetzt, in einem Vertikalschnitt ;
• Fig. 4 das Oberteil einer Öffnungs- und Entnahmekappe mit aufgesetztem Verschlußdeckel ;
• Fig. 5a eine zweite Ausführungsform der Öffnungs- und Entnahmekappe, aufgesetzt auf einen flaschenartigen Behälter, in einem Vertikalschnitt ;
• Fig. 5b die Öffnungs- und Entnahmekappe von Fig. 5a in vollständig auf den Behälter aufgedrückter Stellung, ebenfalls in einem Vertikalschnitt ;
• Fig. 5c die Öffnungs- und Entnahmekappe von Fig. 5a, in einer Draufsicht.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it :

• Figure 1 is a still closed, bottle-like container, in a side view.
• Figure 1b shows the container of Figure 1, in a plan view.
• Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of an opening and removal cap with a baby nipple, in a "vertical section;
• 3 shows the opening and removal cap from FIG. 2, placed on the container according to FIG. 1, in a vertical section;
• Figure 4 shows the upper part of an opening and removal cap with a closure lid.
• 5a shows a second embodiment of the opening and removal cap, placed on a bottle-like container, in a vertical section;
• 5b shows the opening and removal cap from FIG. 5a in the fully pressed position on the container, also in a vertical section;
• Fig. 5c, the opening and removal cap of Fig. 5a, in a plan view.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show a bottle-like container 2 which contains baby milk, for example. On the outside of the bottle neck 4, the container 2 has a thread-like profile 14a. The container 2 is closed by means of a gag-like attachment 6 connected to the bottle neck 4 via a target weak point 5. If the neck 6 is displaced relative to the bottle neck 4, then the desired weak point breaks open and the gag-like neck 6 is turned off with the release of an outflow opening for the bottle contents. The container 2 is molded from plastic; the liquid container contents are filled completely sterile.

2 and 3, a first embodiment of an opening and removal cap 1 is shown, which serves to open the container 2 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b and for the sterile removal of its contents.

The cap 1 is screwed onto the thread-like profile 14a of the bottle neck 4 of the container 2 so that the interior 8 of the cap 1 is closed sterile.

The cap 1 is provided with a coaxially displaceable inner cap insert 21. This cap insert 21, with its open end facing the container 2, can be placed on the bottle neck 4 via a sealing connection 12. Thread-like profiles 22 are provided on the outside of this cap insert 21, by means of which the cap insert 21 can be screwed into a corresponding thread-like profile 14 b on the inside of the cap 1. The fully screwed-in cap insert 21 strikes with its top 21 b facing away from the container 2 on the inside of the upper front end 10 of the cap 1 (cf. FIG. 3). Profile elements 9 protrude into the upper region of the interior of the cap insert 21 facing away from the container 2. In the fully screwed-in state, the cap insert 21 is non-positively connected to the cap 1 put on the bottle neck 4. If the cap 1 rotates beyond this, this twisting is thus transmitted to the cap insert 21, so that the attachment 6 is turned off at its desired weak point 5.

In the upper end 10 of the cap 1 there is a removal opening 11 which is in liquid-tight connection with a removal device 18. The removal device 18 is designed here as a baby teat 28.

At its lower open end, the baby nipple 28 is provided with a radially circumferential sealing flange 18a, which extends through the removal opening 11 and bears against the top of the cap 1 in a liquid-tight manner. The baby sucker has a lip 18b on its outside. A protective cap 18c, which is detachably attached to the top of the cap 1, protects the baby nipple 18 from dirt. Before the opening and removal cap 1 is used, it is sterilized with all of its individual parts before it is placed on the bottle neck 4 of the container 2. After opening the container 2 in the manner described above, its sterile contents pass through the passage opening 23 into the likewise sterile baby teat, so that it can now be handed to the baby in a sterile manner.

For the purpose of additional sealing, a seal 12 is arranged on the underside of the cylindrical cap insert 21, which is designed to be axially compressible.

The passage opening 23 at the top 21 b of the cap insert 21 to the interior 8 of the cap 1 is smaller than the turned neck 6 of the container 2, so that it is retained in the interior of the cap insert 21 even after it has been detached from the bottle neck 4. At the top of the cap insert 21, a tubular extension 25 is formed, which surrounds the passage opening 23. With its tapered end 26, this extension 25 projects into the interior of the removal device 18, whereby it supports it from the inside.

5a, 5b and 5c, a simplified embodiment of the opening and removal cap 1 is shown. With its open end, the cap 1 can be put on the bottle neck 4. A removal opening 11 is provided at its opposite upper end 10. Fastening elements 14b, 15 serve for the detachable fastening of the cap on the bottle neck 4 of the container 2. Profile elements 13 protrude into the upper region of the interior 8 of the cap 1 facing away from the container 2. 5a shows the opening and removal cap in a position in which the gag-like extension 6 is still outside the area of the profile elements 13. When an axial pressure is exerted in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5 b, the cap 1 is pushed completely onto the bottle neck 4. In the process, the shoulder 6 passes between the profile elements 13. If the cap 1 that is put on is now rotated relative to the bottle neck 4, the shoulder 6 rotates at its desired weak point (cf. FIG. 5a). The contents of the container 2 can now be removed through the removal opening 11. Inside the cap 1, a seal 17 is arranged, which bears against a stop 16 encircling the cap 1 and against which the edge of the top of the bottle neck 4 presses firmly.

The removal opening 11 provided at the upper end 10 of the cap 1 is smaller than the turned-off attachment 6, so that it is retained in the interior of the cap 1 even after it has been detached from the bottle neck 4.

The rotary movement required to turn off the extension 6 on the bottle neck 4 can be checked using markings A, B, which are provided on the bottle-like container 2 at a corresponding height on the outside.

Claims (13)

1. Opening and extraction cap (1) for a bottle- shaped container (2), which is closed by means of an attachment (6) connected with the neck of the bottle (4) via an intentional weak point (5), comprising

- an open front end (7) with which the cap (1) can be fitted on the neck of the bottle (4),

- an extraction opening (11) at its opposite upper front end (10), which is smaller than the attachment (6), so that this is retained in the interior (8) of the cap (1) even after its separation from the neck of the bottle (4), and

- fastening elements (14b, 15) for removable fastening of the cap (1) on the neck of the bottle (4),

- the attachment (6) being twisted off at its intentional weak point (5) with a twisting movement of the fitted cap (1) in relation to the neck of the bottle (4), characterised in that

- profile elements (13) project into the upper region of the interior (8) of the cap (1) facing away from the container (2), between which profiles the attachment (6) of the container (2) can be inserted.

2. Opening and extraction cap (1) for a bottle- shaped container (2), which is closed by means of an attachment (6) connected with the neck of the bottle (4) via an intentional weak spot (5), comprising

- an open front end (7), whith which the cap (1) can be fitted on the neck of the bottle (4),

- an extraction opening (11) at its opposite front end (10),

- fastening elements (14b, 15) for releasable fastening of the cap (1) on the neck of the bottle (4), and

- a co-axial inner cap insert (21), which can be placed on the neck of the bottle (4) with its open front end facing the container (2) via a seal connection (12) and which exhibits on its top side (21b) a passage opening (23) to the interior (8) of the cap (1), characterised in that

- the cap insert (21) is co-axially movable,

- on the outside of this cap insert (21) screw-like profiles (11) are provided, by means of which the cap insert (21) can be threaded into a corresponding screw-like profile (14b) on the inside of the cap (1),

- the fully tightened cap insert (21) abuts with its top side (21 b) facing away from the container (2) against the inside of the upper front end (10) of the cap (1),

- profile elements (9) project into the upper region of the interior of the cap insert (21) facing away from the container (2), between which profiles the attachment (6) of the container (2) can be inserted and which, with rotary movement in relation to the neck of the bottle (4) by the fitted cap (1) and the fully tightened cap insert which is connected by force locking with it, twist off the attachment (6) at its intentional weak point (5), and

- this passage opening (23) is smaller than the twisted off attachment (6), so that the latter is retained in the interior (8) of the cap insert (21) even after its separation from the neck of the bottle (4).

3. Cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the profile elements (9, 13) are formed in one piece on the cap (1) or cap insert (21).

4. Cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that four profile elements (9, 13) which extend diametrically from the outside inwards are distributed around the whole circumference of the cap (1).

5. Cap according to any claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the fastening elements for removable fastening of the cap (1) on the neck of the bottle (4), are holding profile elements (15) fitted to its inside which engage in corresponding cutouts on the neck of the bottle (4).

6. Cap according to claim 5, characterised in that the upper region of the interior (8) of the cap (1) a peripheral stop (16) is provided.

7. Cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the fastening elements for removable fastening of the cap (1) on the neck of the bottle (4) are screw-like profiles (14b) fitted on its inside which engage in corresponding screw-like profiles (14a) on the neck of the bottle (4).

8. Cap according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that an elastically compressible seal (12, 17) is provided for sealing the fittable cap (1) against the neck of the bottle (4).

9. Cap according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the upper front end (10) of the cap (1) is covered by a closure lid (20).

10. Cap according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at the upper front end (10) of the cap (1) an extraction device (18), in particular a baby teat (28) or baby spoon, is provided, which has a liquid-tight connection with the interior (8) via the extraction opening (11).

11. Cap according to claim 10, characterised in that at the upper front end (10) of the cap (1) a protective cap (18c) covering the extraction device (18) is provided.

12. Cap according to claim 2 and claim 10 or 11, characterised in that on the top of the cap insert (21) an extension (25) which surrounds the passage opening (23) is formed in the shape of a tubular attachment, which with its conically tapering end (26) projects into the interior of the extraction device (18) and thus produces a seal connection between cap insert (21) and extraction device (18).

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