EP0371920B1 - Screw cap with a tamper-evident band - Google Patents

Screw cap with a tamper-evident band Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0371920B1
EP0371920B1 EP89810883A EP89810883A EP0371920B1 EP 0371920 B1 EP0371920 B1 EP 0371920B1 EP 89810883 A EP89810883 A EP 89810883A EP 89810883 A EP89810883 A EP 89810883A EP 0371920 B1 EP0371920 B1 EP 0371920B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cap
tear
screw cap
guarantee strip
guarantee
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89810883A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0371920A3 (en
EP0371920A2 (en
Inventor
Werner R. F. Stibal
Franz Thomas Bartl
Hans-Werner Breuer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Crown Cork AG
Original Assignee
Crown Cork AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Crown Cork AG filed Critical Crown Cork AG
Priority to AT89810883T priority Critical patent/ATE91264T1/en
Publication of EP0371920A2 publication Critical patent/EP0371920A2/en
Publication of EP0371920A3 publication Critical patent/EP0371920A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0371920B1 publication Critical patent/EP0371920B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
    • B65D41/3423—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
    • B65D41/3442—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with rigid bead or projections formed on the tamper element and coacting with bead or projections on the container
    • B65D41/3447—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with rigid bead or projections formed on the tamper element and coacting with bead or projections on the container the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
    • B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
    • B65D2401/30—Tamper-ring remaining connected to closure after initial removal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
    • B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
    • B65D2401/35—Vertical or axial lines of weakness

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a screw cap made of plastic material for closing a container mouth according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such screw caps have a guarantee function in that a first removal of the cap is indicated by tearing off the guarantee band.
  • Screw caps with mechanically locking guarantee bands have been known and used for a long time.
  • the guarantee band is divided into two separate, semicircular parts, both of which have grown via reinforced webs at the lower edge of the cap.
  • this two-part design carries the risk that the two parts receive too great a circumferential elasticity, so that the cap can be unscrewed without tearing off the band.
  • the guarantee band is divided into two arcuate sections which are separated from one another by a vertical slot and by a vertical predetermined breaking point. There is also a tearing of the vertical predetermined breaking point is not guaranteed in every case, so that the user may have to manipulate by hand to bring the tape to a complete detachment.
  • the tear-off resistance between the cap and the band is increased to a fraction of the circumference and the band is weakened by an oblique predetermined tear line in the form of a notch.
  • An annular rib serves as a retaining element, which extends over the entire section that is not connected or can only be torn off.
  • the nominal tear line extends practically over the entire area of the section with increased tear resistance.
  • the guarantee tape can be integrally and firmly connected to the lower cap edge over a relatively large peripheral section, this section only having a support and retention function and the symmetrical placement of the cap allows on the bottle, but does not actually perform a guarantee function.
  • the guarantee function is exercised by the complementary section, which is only tearably connected to the lower edge of the cap. This section can be made relatively short, so that when the container mouth is subsequently closed again, there is no danger that the torn guarantee band will be pushed between the threads.
  • the guarantee band is continuously formed over its entire circumference, whereby the necessary circumferential tension is achieved when opening for the first time. This ensures that the predetermined breaking point tears on the guarantee tape.
  • the firmly connected section of the guarantee tape extends over an angle of 120 to 270 °.
  • the complementary section of the guarantee band which is not firmly connected to the cap, is connected to the lower edge of the cap via tear-off webs. However, two webs can be sufficient to hold the complementary section in place.
  • the retaining elements are mostly arranged on the separately formed complementary section of the guarantee band, but also extend at least partially over the firmly connected section.
  • the retaining elements can be designed as deformable tongues, e.g. according to the applicant's EP-A-281 514.
  • the retaining elements can also be designed as individual beads, as shown in US-A-4305516 or in US-A-4,744,479.
  • At least one inwardly directed support lug is arranged on the lower cap edge in the region of the detachable complementary section.
  • This support lug prevents the complementary section of the guarantee band, which is connected to the edge of the cap only by a few webs, from being pushed into the cap opening when it is first put on.
  • the upper edge of the guarantee band is rather supported on the nose, so that the tear Tear bars when putting on the cap is prevented.
  • Figure 1 shows a screw cap 1 made of plastic material with an internal thread 5, which is intended to close a container mouth 2 with an external thread 6.
  • Such screw caps are preferred for closing Bottles with soft drinks are used, which are usually reusable glass bottles with a standardized bottle mouth.
  • the guarantee band 3 consists of a circumferential section 9 firmly connected to the lower edge of the cap and of a complementary section 10 which can be torn off or not firmly connected.
  • the retaining elements which will be explained later, on the inside of the guarantee band snap under the bead 4 at the mouth of the container when the cap is first screwed on 2 and when unscrewing the cap for the first time, cause the necessary tensile force to tear the guarantee tape.
  • the cross section of the screw cap can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4.
  • the screw cap 1 itself can have an orifice seal 16 or another sealing system such as e.g. have an inserted sealing washer.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the screw cap and the guarantee strip is selected such that it can be manufactured in an axially opening injection molding tool.
  • FIG. 5 shows the length of the peripheral section 9 firmly connected to the lower edge 15. In the exemplary embodiment, this extends over an angle alpha of approximately 240 °.
  • This section as can be seen from FIG. 2 on the right side, is connected to the lower edge 15 practically in its entire wall thickness and therefore cannot be torn off.
  • the complementary section 10 which is not firmly connected to the lower edge of the cap, accordingly extends over an angle Beta of approximately 120 °.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the guarantee band in this section can be seen from FIG. 2, left side.
  • the guarantee band is approximately wedge-shaped at the top and connected to the lower edge of the cap at only two tear-off webs 12 and 12 '.
  • Inwardly directed tongues 7 serve as retaining elements, under each of which a support bead 8 is arranged.
  • the tongues 7 are bent upwards and thus slide over the bead 4 at the bottle mouth. Bending of the tongues 7 downward is prevented by the support beads 8, so that the retaining elements once engaged under the bead 4 can no longer be pushed over the bead without tearing the guarantee band 3.
  • a predetermined breaking point 11 is arranged on the guarantee band.
  • this consists of a horizontal web 17 which connects the fixed section 9 and the loose complementary section 10 to one another.
  • a material recess 13 in the form of a slot is provided directly next to the section 9. This slot extends only about half of the guarantee bandwidth, so that there is no complete interruption of the guarantee band. Instead of the slot, only one notch could be arranged, with which the wall thickness of the guarantee tape is greatly reduced. The material recess 13 relieves the predetermined breaking point 11 without significantly reducing the disproportionately large expansion forces when unscrewing for the first time.
  • FIG. 3 also shows the support lug 14, which is arranged on the inside of the cap in the region of the loose complementary section 10.
  • This support nose which is inclined slightly obliquely downward, prevents the loose complementary section 10 from being able to slide into the cap opening when the cap is screwed on for the first time.
  • the tear-off webs 12 and 12 ' are relieved.
  • FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the retaining elements 7, which extend over an angle delta of approximately 180 °.
  • Three of the retaining elements lie on the loose complementary section 10, while two of the retaining elements 7 'are already arranged on the fixed peripheral section 9.
  • the first of the retaining elements lies approximately diametrically opposite the predetermined breaking point 11.
  • the two tear-off webs 12 and 12 ' lie within an angle gamma of less than 90 °, starting from the predetermined breaking point 11.
  • the number of retaining elements 7, the tear-off webs 12 and the angles of the individual sections can obviously be adapted to the particular circumstances. In certain cases it would also be conceivable to provide more than one predetermined breaking point 11 on the guarantee band.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the guarantee band can also be adapted to the individual case.

Abstract

The screw cap (1) is provided with a tamper-evident band (3) which is subdivided into two sections. A circumferential section (9) is connected firmly to the lower cap-edge while a complementary section (10) is designed to be tear-off and is connected to the lower cap-edge only via tear-off tabs (12). At one end of the fixed circumferential section (9) a predetermined breaking point (11) with an elastic slotted element is arranged on the tamper-evident band (3). <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Schraubkappe aus Kunststoffmaterial zum Verschliessen einer Behältermündung gemäss dem Oberbegriff von Anspruch 1. Derartige Schraubkappen haben eine Garantiefunktion, indem ein erstmaliges Entfernen der Kappe durch ein Abreissen des Garantiebandes angezeigt wird. Schraubkappen mit mechanisch einrastenden Garantiebändern sind bereits seit längerer Zeit bekannt und gebräuchlich.The invention relates to a screw cap made of plastic material for closing a container mouth according to the preamble of claim 1. Such screw caps have a guarantee function in that a first removal of the cap is indicated by tearing off the guarantee band. Screw caps with mechanically locking guarantee bands have been known and used for a long time.

Ein Problem bei den bekannten Kappen besteht insbesondere darin, dass das Garantieband so ausgebildet wird, dass es beim erstmaligen Oeffnen an der richtigen Stelle reisst, dass es aber beim späteren Wiederverschliessen der Behältermündung den Verschliessvorgang nicht stört. Bei Mehrwegbehältern ist ein Verbleiben des Garantiebandes an der Flaschenmündung unerwünscht, so dass das Garantieband an wenigstens einer Stelle fest mit dem unteren Kappenrand verbunden sein muss. Gattungsmässig vergleichbare Schraubkappen sind beispielsweise durch die US-A-4,305,516 oder die US-A-4,744,479 bekannt geworden.A problem with the known caps is, in particular, that the guarantee band is designed in such a way that it tears at the right place when it is opened for the first time, but that it does not interfere with the closing process when the container mouth is subsequently closed again. In the case of reusable containers, it is undesirable for the guarantee band to remain at the bottle mouth, so that the guarantee band must be firmly connected to the lower edge of the cap at least at one point. Screw caps of the generic type are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 4,305,516 or US Pat. No. 4,744,479.

Bei der US-A-4,305,516 ist das Garantieband in zwei separate, halbkreisförmige Teile unterteilt, welche beide über verstärkte Stege am unteren Kappenrand angewachsen sind. Diese zweiteilige Ausgestaltung birgt jedoch die Gefahr in sich, dass die beiden Teile eine zu grosse Umfangselastizität erhalten, so dass die Kappe ohne Abreissen des Bandes abgeschraubt werden kann. Bei der Kappe gemäss US-A-4,744,479 ist das Garantieband zwar in zwei bogenförmige Abschnitte unterteilt, die durch einen vertikalen Schlitz und durch eine vertikale Sollbruchstelle voneinander getrennt sind. Ein Reissen der vertikalen Sollbruchstelle ist aber auch hier nicht in jedem Fall gewährleistet, so dass der Benutzer eventuell von Hand manipulieren muss, um ein vollständiges Lösen des Bandes herbeizuführen.In US-A-4,305,516 the guarantee band is divided into two separate, semicircular parts, both of which have grown via reinforced webs at the lower edge of the cap. However, this two-part design carries the risk that the two parts receive too great a circumferential elasticity, so that the cap can be unscrewed without tearing off the band. In the cap according to US-A-4,744,479, the guarantee band is divided into two arcuate sections which are separated from one another by a vertical slot and by a vertical predetermined breaking point. There is also a tearing of the vertical predetermined breaking point is not guaranteed in every case, so that the user may have to manipulate by hand to bring the tape to a complete detachment.

Gemäss der gattungsbildenden DE-A-24 39 414 ist der Abreisswiderstand zwischen Kappe und Band auf einem Bruchteil des Umfangs erhöht und das Band ist durch eine schräg verlaufende Sollreisslinie in der Form einer Kerbe geschwächt. Als Rückhalteelement dient eine Ringrippe, die sich über den gesamten nicht oder nur abreissbar verbundenen Abschnitt erstreckt. Die Sollreisslinie erstreckt sich praktisch über den gesamten Bereich des Abschnitts mit erhöhtem Abreisswiderstand. Bei dieser Ausführung besteht aber ebenfalls die Gefahr, dass das ganze Garantieband unter dem Flaschenwulst verbleibt, wenn der Reisswiderstand des Bandes grösser ist als die Verbindung zur Kappe.According to the generic DE-A-24 39 414, the tear-off resistance between the cap and the band is increased to a fraction of the circumference and the band is weakened by an oblique predetermined tear line in the form of a notch. An annular rib serves as a retaining element, which extends over the entire section that is not connected or can only be torn off. The nominal tear line extends practically over the entire area of the section with increased tear resistance. With this version, however, there is also the risk that the entire guarantee band remains under the bottle bead if the tear resistance of the band is greater than the connection to the cap.

Es ist daher eine Aufgabe der Erfindung, eine Schraubkappe der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, bei der das Garantieband beim erstmaligen Abschrauben der Kappe zuverlässig reisst, wobei es in jedem Fall mit dem Kappenkörper verbunden bleibt und ohne dass es das spätere Wiederverschliessen des Behälters beeinträchtigt. Ausserdem soll die Schraubkappe ein erstmaliges Verschliessen erlauben, ohne dass das Garantiesystem beeinträchtigt wird. Schliesslich soll die Herstellung der Schraubkappe in einem axial öffnenden Spritzgusswerkzeug möglich sein. Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäss mit einer Schraubkappe gelöst, welche die Merkmale im Anspruch 1 aufweist.It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a screw cap of the type mentioned, in which the guarantee tape breaks reliably when the cap is unscrewed for the first time, in any case remaining connected to the cap body and without impairing the subsequent reclosing of the container. In addition, the screw cap should allow a first closing without affecting the guarantee system. Finally, it should be possible to manufacture the screw cap in an axially opening injection molding tool. This object is achieved according to the invention with a screw cap, which has the features in claim 1.

Es hat sich überraschend gezeigt, dass es überhaupt nicht nötig ist, das Garantieband über seinen gesamten Umfang getrennt bzw. trennbar vom Kappenkörper auszubilden. Vielmehr kann das Garantieband über einen relativ grossen Umfangsabschnitt einstückig und fest mit dem unteren Kappenrand verbunden sein, wobei dieser Abschnitt nur eine Stütz- und Rückhaltefunktion hat und das symmetrische Aufsetzen der Kappe auf die Flasche ermöglicht, aber keine eigentliche Garantiefunktion übernimmt. Die Garantiefunktion wird durch den Komplementärabschnitt ausgeübt, der nur abreissbar mit dem unteren Kappenrand verbunden ist. Dieser Abschnitt kann relativ kurz ausgebildet sein, so dass beim späteren Wiederverschliessen der Behältermündung nicht die Gefahr besteht, dass sich das abgerissene Garantieband zwischen die Gewindegänge schiebt. Das Garantieband ist über seinen gesamten Umfang durchgehend ausgebildet, wodurch die nötige Umfangsspannung beim erstmaligen Oeffnen erzielt wird. Dadurch wird ein Reissen der Sollbruchstelle am Garantieband gewährleistet.Surprisingly, it has been shown that it is not at all necessary to form the guarantee band over its entire circumference separately or separably from the cap body. Rather, the guarantee tape can be integrally and firmly connected to the lower cap edge over a relatively large peripheral section, this section only having a support and retention function and the symmetrical placement of the cap allows on the bottle, but does not actually perform a guarantee function. The guarantee function is exercised by the complementary section, which is only tearably connected to the lower edge of the cap. This section can be made relatively short, so that when the container mouth is subsequently closed again, there is no danger that the torn guarantee band will be pushed between the threads. The guarantee band is continuously formed over its entire circumference, whereby the necessary circumferential tension is achieved when opening for the first time. This ensures that the predetermined breaking point tears on the guarantee tape.

Der fest verbundene Abschnitt des Garantiebandes erstreckt sich über einen Winkel von 120 bis 270°. Der nicht fest mit der Kappe verbundene Komplementärabschnitt des Garantiebandes ist über abreissbare Stege mit dem unteren Rand der Kappe verbunden. Dabei können jedoch bereits zwei Stege völlig ausreichen, um den Komplementärabschnitt in seiner Position festzuhalten.The firmly connected section of the guarantee tape extends over an angle of 120 to 270 °. The complementary section of the guarantee band, which is not firmly connected to the cap, is connected to the lower edge of the cap via tear-off webs. However, two webs can be sufficient to hold the complementary section in place.

Die Rückhalteelemente sind mehrheitlich am getrennt ausgebildeten Komplementärabschnitt des Garantiebandes angeordnet, erstrecken sich aber wenigstens teilweise auch über den fest verbundenen Abschnitt. Die Rückhalteelemente können dabei als verformbare Zungen ausgebildet sein, z.B. gemäss der EP-A-281 514 der Anmelderin. Alternativ können die Rückhalteelemente aber auch als einzelne Wulste ausgebildet sein, wie in der US-A-4305516 oder in der US-A-4,744,479 dargestellt.The retaining elements are mostly arranged on the separately formed complementary section of the guarantee band, but also extend at least partially over the firmly connected section. The retaining elements can be designed as deformable tongues, e.g. according to the applicant's EP-A-281 514. Alternatively, the retaining elements can also be designed as individual beads, as shown in US-A-4305516 or in US-A-4,744,479.

Weitere Vorteile können erreicht werden, wenn im Bereich des lösbaren Komplementärabschnitts wenigstens eine nach innen gerichtete Stütznase am unteren Kappenrand angeordnet ist. Diese Stütznase verhindert, dass sich der nur über wenige Stege mit dem Kappenrand verbundene Komplementärabschnitt des Garantiebandes beim erstmaligen Aufsetzen in die Kappenöffnung hineinschieben kann. Der obere Rand des Garantiebandes stützt sich vielmehr an der Nase ab, so dass ein Reissen der Abreissstege beim Aufsetzen der Kappe verhindert wird.Further advantages can be achieved if at least one inwardly directed support lug is arranged on the lower cap edge in the region of the detachable complementary section. This support lug prevents the complementary section of the guarantee band, which is connected to the edge of the cap only by a few webs, from being pushed into the cap opening when it is first put on. The upper edge of the guarantee band is rather supported on the nose, so that the tear Tear bars when putting on the cap is prevented.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist in den Zeichnungen dargestellt und wird nachstehend genauer beschrieben. Es zeigen:

Figur 1
eine Ansicht einer Behältermündung und einer Kappe mit gerissenem Garantieband,
Figur 2
einen Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Schraubkappe,
Figur 3
einen Querschnitt durch ein Rückhalteelement am Garantieband in vergrössertem Massstab,
Figur 4
einen Querschnitt durch die Sollbruchstelle am Garantieband in vergrössertem Massstab, und
Figur 5
eine Ansicht von unten auf die Schraubkappe gemäss Figur 2.
An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it:
Figure 1
a view of a container mouth and a cap with a torn guarantee band,
Figure 2
3 shows a cross section through a screw cap according to the invention,
Figure 3
a cross section through a retaining element on the guarantee tape on an enlarged scale,
Figure 4
a cross section through the predetermined breaking point on the guarantee tape on an enlarged scale, and
Figure 5
a bottom view of the screw cap according to Figure 2.

Figur 1 zeigt eine Schraubkappe 1 aus Kunststoffmaterial mit einem Innengewinde 5, die dazu bestimmt ist, eine Behältermündung 2 mit einem Aussengewinde 6 zu verschliessen. Derartige Schraubkappen werden bevorzugt zum Verschliessen von Flaschen mit Erfrischungsgetränken verwendet, wobei es sich in der Regel um Mehrwegflaschen aus Glas mit einer genormten Flaschenmündung handelt. Das Garantieband 3 besteht aus einem fest mit dem unteren Kappenrand verbundenen Umfangsabschnitt 9 und aus einem abreissbaren, bzw. nicht fest verbundenen Komplementärabschnitt 10. Die später noch erläuterten Rückhalteelemente auf der Innenseite des Garantiebands schnappen beim erstmaligen Aufschrauben der Kappe unter den Wulst 4 an der Behältermündung 2 und bewirken beim erstmaligen Abschrauben der Kappe die erforderliche Zugkraft zum Reissen des Garantiebandes.Figure 1 shows a screw cap 1 made of plastic material with an internal thread 5, which is intended to close a container mouth 2 with an external thread 6. Such screw caps are preferred for closing Bottles with soft drinks are used, which are usually reusable glass bottles with a standardized bottle mouth. The guarantee band 3 consists of a circumferential section 9 firmly connected to the lower edge of the cap and of a complementary section 10 which can be torn off or not firmly connected. The retaining elements, which will be explained later, on the inside of the guarantee band snap under the bead 4 at the mouth of the container when the cap is first screwed on 2 and when unscrewing the cap for the first time, cause the necessary tensile force to tear the guarantee tape.

Der Querschnitt der Schraubkappe ist aus den Figuren 2 bis 4 ersichtlich. Die Schraubkappe 1 selbst kann an ihrem Kappenboden eine Mündungsdichtung 16 oder aber auch ein anderes Dichtsystem wie z.B. eine eingelegte Dichtungsscheibe aufweisen. Die Querschnittsform der Schraubkappe und des Garantiebandes ist derart gewählt, dass eine Herstellung in einem axial öffnenden Spritzgusswerkzeug möglich ist.The cross section of the screw cap can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4. The screw cap 1 itself can have an orifice seal 16 or another sealing system such as e.g. have an inserted sealing washer. The cross-sectional shape of the screw cap and the guarantee strip is selected such that it can be manufactured in an axially opening injection molding tool.

Aus Figur 5 ist die Länge des fest mit der Unterkante 15 verbundenen Umfangsabschnitts 9 ersichtlich. Dieser erstreckt sich beim Ausführungsbeispiel über einen Winkel Alpha von ca. 240°. Dieser Abschnitt ist, wie aus Figur 2, rechte Seite ersichtlich, praktisch in seiner ganzen Wandstärke mit der Unterkante 15 verbunden und kann somit nicht abgerissen werden.FIG. 5 shows the length of the peripheral section 9 firmly connected to the lower edge 15. In the exemplary embodiment, this extends over an angle alpha of approximately 240 °. This section, as can be seen from FIG. 2 on the right side, is connected to the lower edge 15 practically in its entire wall thickness and therefore cannot be torn off.

Der nicht fest mit dem unteren Kappenrand verbundene Komplementärabschnitt 10 erstreckt sich demgemäss über einen Winkel Beta von ca. 120°. Die Querschnittsform des Garantiebandes in diesem Abschnitt ist aus Figur 2, linke Seite ersichtlich. Das Garantieband ist oben etwa keilförmig ausgebildet und an nur zwei Abreissstegen 12 und 12' mit dem unteren Kappenrand verbunden.The complementary section 10, which is not firmly connected to the lower edge of the cap, accordingly extends over an angle Beta of approximately 120 °. The cross-sectional shape of the guarantee band in this section can be seen from FIG. 2, left side. The guarantee band is approximately wedge-shaped at the top and connected to the lower edge of the cap at only two tear-off webs 12 and 12 '.

Als Rückhalteelemente dienen nach innen gerichtete Zungen 7, unter denen je ein Stützwulst 8 angeordnet ist. Beim erstmaligen Aufschrauben der Kappe werden die Zungen 7 nach oben gebogen und gleiten so über den Wulst 4 an der Flaschenmündung. Ein Umbiegen der Zungen 7 nach unten wird durch die Stützwulste 8 verhindert, so dass die einmal unter den Wulst 4 eingerasteten Rückhalteelemente ohne Zerreissen des Garantiebandes 3 nicht mehr über den Wulst geschoben werden können.Inwardly directed tongues 7 serve as retaining elements, under each of which a support bead 8 is arranged. When the cap is screwed on for the first time, the tongues 7 are bent upwards and thus slide over the bead 4 at the bottle mouth. Bending of the tongues 7 downward is prevented by the support beads 8, so that the retaining elements once engaged under the bead 4 can no longer be pushed over the bead without tearing the guarantee band 3.

An einem Ende des festen Umfangsabschnittes 9 ist eine Sollbruchstelle 11 am Garantieband angeordnet. Wie insbesondere aus Figur 4 ersichtlich ist, besteht diese aus einem horizontalen Steg 17, der den festen Abschnitt 9 und den losen Komplementärabschnitt 10 miteinander verbindet. Um eine Ueberdehnung der Sollbruchstelle 11 beim erstmaligen Aufsetzen zu verhindern, ist unmittelbar daneben am Abschnitt 9 eine Materialausnehmung 13 in der Form eines Schlitzes vorgesehen. Dieser Schlitz erstreckt sich nur ca. über die Hälfte der Garantiebandbreite, so dass keine völlige Unterbrechung des Garantiebandes besteht. Anstelle des Schlitzes könnte auch nur eine Kerbe angeordnet werden, mit welcher die Wandstärke des Garantiebandes stark reduziert wird. Die Materialausnehmung 13 entlastet die Sollbruchstelle 11, ohne dass dabei die ungleich grösseren Dehnungskräfte beim erstmaligen Abschrauben nennenswert reduziert werden.At one end of the fixed peripheral section 9, a predetermined breaking point 11 is arranged on the guarantee band. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, this consists of a horizontal web 17 which connects the fixed section 9 and the loose complementary section 10 to one another. In order to prevent the predetermined breaking point 11 from being overstretched when it is put on for the first time, a material recess 13 in the form of a slot is provided directly next to the section 9. This slot extends only about half of the guarantee bandwidth, so that there is no complete interruption of the guarantee band. Instead of the slot, only one notch could be arranged, with which the wall thickness of the guarantee tape is greatly reduced. The material recess 13 relieves the predetermined breaking point 11 without significantly reducing the disproportionately large expansion forces when unscrewing for the first time.

Aus Figur 3 ist auch noch die Stütznase 14 ersichtlich, welche auf der Innenseite der Kappe im Bereich des losen Komplementärabschnitts 10 angeordnet ist. Diese, etwas schräg nach unten geneigte Stütznase verhindert, dass sich der lose Komplementärabschnitt 10 beim erstmaligen Aufschrauben der Kappe in die Kappenöffnung hineinschieben kann. Damit werden vor allem die Abreissstege 12 und 12' entlastet.FIG. 3 also shows the support lug 14, which is arranged on the inside of the cap in the region of the loose complementary section 10. This support nose, which is inclined slightly obliquely downward, prevents the loose complementary section 10 from being able to slide into the cap opening when the cap is screwed on for the first time. In particular, the tear-off webs 12 and 12 'are relieved.

Aus Figur 3 ist die Anordnung der Rückhalteelemente 7 ersichtlich, die sich über einen Winkel Delta von etwa 180° erstrecken. Drei der Rückhalteelemente liegen auf dem losen Komplementärabschnitt 10, während zwei der Rückhalteelemente 7' bereits am festen Umfangsabschnitt 9 angeordnet sind. Das erste der Rückhalteelemente liegt der Sollbruchstelle 11 etwa diametral gegenüber. Die beiden Abreissstege 12 und 12' liegen innerhalb eines Winkels Gamma von weniger als 90°, ausgehend von der Sollbruchstelle 11. Die Anzahl der Rückhalteelemente 7, der Abreissstege 12 sowie die Winkel der einzelnen Abschnitte können ersichtlicherweise den jeweiligen Gegebenheiten angepasst werden. In bestimmten Fällen wäre es auch denkbar, am Garantieband mehr als eine Sollbruchstelle 11 vorzusehen. Auch die Querschnittsform des Garantiebandes kann dem jeweiligen Einzelfall angepasst werden.FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the retaining elements 7, which extend over an angle delta of approximately 180 °. Three of the retaining elements lie on the loose complementary section 10, while two of the retaining elements 7 'are already arranged on the fixed peripheral section 9. The first of the retaining elements lies approximately diametrically opposite the predetermined breaking point 11. The two tear-off webs 12 and 12 'lie within an angle gamma of less than 90 °, starting from the predetermined breaking point 11. The number of retaining elements 7, the tear-off webs 12 and the angles of the individual sections can obviously be adapted to the particular circumstances. In certain cases it would also be conceivable to provide more than one predetermined breaking point 11 on the guarantee band. The cross-sectional shape of the guarantee band can also be adapted to the individual case.

Claims (7)

  1. A screw cap (1) of plastics material for closing the mouth (2) of a container, comprising a peripherally extending guarantee strip (3) which is arranged at the lower edge (15) of the cap and which is formed integrally therewith and which is intented to engage under an annular lip (4) at the mouth (2) of the container when the cap is fitted, for which purpose the guarantee strip is provided on the inside with a retaining means (7) which can be pushed over the lip when the cap is screwed on for the first time and which engages under the lip (4) in the final position of the cap, wherein the guarantee strip (3) has a peripheral portion (9) which is tear-resistantly connected to the cap over an angle of at least 120° and less than 270°, and a complementary portion (10) which is connected to the cap in such a way that it can be torn away therefrom, and that the guarantee strip is divided in the peripheral direction by a desired-rupture location which can be torn open when the cap is unscrewed for the first time, characterised in that the guarantee strip is connected to the lower edge (15) of the gap at the tear-resistant portion by way of its entire wall thickness and by way of a plurality of limb portions (12) which can be torn away at the complementary portion which can be torn away, wherein the guarantee strip is of a substantially wedge-shaped configuration is cross-section tapering towards the edges of the cap at the complementary portion which can be torn away in its upper region that is towards the lower edge of the cap, that the retaining means has a plurality of individual retaining elements of which the majority are arranged on the complementary portion which can be torn away, and that the desired-rupture location (11) extends vertically and has a limb (17) which can be torn away, wherein said desired-rupture location is arranged at one end of the tear-resistant portion and wherein the adjacent ends of the two portions (9, 10) are connected together in the peripheral direction in a tear-resistant manner on one side and by the desired-rupture location on the other side.
  2. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that two tear-off limbs (12) are arranged within a complementary portion (10) of less than 90°, which adjoins the desired-rupture location (11).
  3. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the retaining elements are deformable tongues (7).
  4. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the retaining elements are individual lips.
  5. A screw cap according to claim 3 or claim 4 characterised in that the fixedly connected portion extends over an angle of more than 180° and that the retaining elements (7) are arranged within a portion of 180°, which adjoins the desired-rupture location (11), on the releasable complementary portion (10) and on the fixedly connected portion (9) of the guarantee strip (3).
  6. A screw cap according to claim 5 characterised in that a total of five retaining elements (7) are provided, of which three are disposed on the releasable complementary portion (10) and two on the fixedly connected portion (9).
  7. A screw cap according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that in the region of the releasable complementary portion (10) at least one inwardly directed support projection (14) is arranged at the lower edge (15) of the cap in such a way that when the cap is first fitted the guarantee strip (3) is prevented from being pushed into the cap opening.
EP89810883A 1988-11-28 1989-11-20 Screw cap with a tamper-evident band Expired - Lifetime EP0371920B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT89810883T ATE91264T1 (en) 1988-11-28 1989-11-20 SCREW CAP WITH WARRANTY STRIP.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH441188 1988-11-28
CH4411/88 1988-11-28

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91108998A Division EP0460557B1 (en) 1988-11-28 1989-11-20 Screw-cap with tamper-evident band
EP91108998.5 Division-Into 1989-11-20

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0371920A2 EP0371920A2 (en) 1990-06-06
EP0371920A3 EP0371920A3 (en) 1990-11-22
EP0371920B1 true EP0371920B1 (en) 1993-07-07

Family

ID=4275637

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89810883A Expired - Lifetime EP0371920B1 (en) 1988-11-28 1989-11-20 Screw cap with a tamper-evident band
EP91108998A Expired - Lifetime EP0460557B1 (en) 1988-11-28 1989-11-20 Screw-cap with tamper-evident band

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91108998A Expired - Lifetime EP0460557B1 (en) 1988-11-28 1989-11-20 Screw-cap with tamper-evident band

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0371920B1 (en)
AT (2) ATE91264T1 (en)
DE (2) DE58905985D1 (en)
ES (2) ES2041441T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4201997C1 (en) * 1992-01-25 1992-12-10 Stella Kunststofftechnik Gmbh, 6228 Eltville, De
DE4217539C2 (en) * 1992-05-27 1995-01-05 Frank Schellenbach Sealing cap
DE4221004A1 (en) * 1992-06-26 1994-01-05 Mouldtec Pvg Ag Meilen Cap for beverage bottles
EG21314A (en) * 1992-07-16 2000-10-31 Driutt Rodney Malcolm Tamper evident closure
CZ215696A3 (en) * 1995-07-21 1997-02-12 Nord Est Dev Bottle closure made of plastic material
FR2744988B1 (en) * 1996-02-21 1998-04-10 Nord Est Dev PLASTIC PLUG HAVING A tamper-evident ring, cap / container assembly, method for making such a cap, and method for making such a cap / container assembly
AUPO788597A0 (en) 1997-07-14 1997-08-07 Closures And Packaging Services Limited Closure
DE19730324A1 (en) * 1997-07-15 1999-01-28 Mouldtec Kunststoff Gmbh Screw cap with guarantee band
IT1300020B1 (en) 1998-05-08 2000-04-04 Sacmi SCREW CAP IN PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH GUARANTEE RING.
DE19827242A1 (en) 1998-06-18 1999-12-30 Mouldtec Kunststoff Gmbh Sealing cap, in particular screw cap made of plastic with a guarantee band
FR2813288B1 (en) 2000-08-23 2003-02-21 Rical Sa INVIOLABILITY SYSTEM FOR A PLUG COMPRISING MEANS FOR LOCKING THE RADIAL DEFORMATION OF THE INVIOLABILITY RING DURING ASSEMBLY
EP1397296B8 (en) 2001-06-18 2005-11-23 Bericap Holding GmbH Screw cap comprising a tamper-evident band
JP5007893B1 (en) * 2011-06-08 2012-08-22 村山 哲夫 Pilfer proof cap
USD747201S1 (en) 2013-09-18 2016-01-12 Bericap Closure
FR3015442B1 (en) 2013-12-24 2016-02-05 Bericap ARTICULATED CLAMPING DEVICE WITH FIRST OPENING INDICATOR
USD833278S1 (en) 2014-09-03 2018-11-13 Bericap Closure for a container

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0228618A2 (en) * 1985-12-19 1987-07-15 Pharma-Gummi Wimmer West GmbH Origin-protected container closure

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DE2439414A1 (en) * 1974-08-16 1976-03-04 Hohenzollern Huettenverwalt Plastics bottle stopper for bottles subject to internal pressure - is made from flexible plastic with raised tear off resistance between cap and ring
FR2457813A1 (en) * 1979-05-31 1980-12-26 Grussen Jean Screw cap bottle closure moulded with integral security lip - for containing carbonated drinks
US4278180A (en) * 1980-01-24 1981-07-14 Aluminum Company Of America Container closure with breakable annular ring
US4550843A (en) * 1982-12-14 1985-11-05 Maxcap, Inc. Bottle caps
GR850153B (en) * 1984-02-06 1985-03-29 Obrist Ag Crown
DE3531508A1 (en) * 1985-09-04 1987-03-12 Saier E Kunststoffwerk Gmbh Screw closure cap, in particular made of plastic, for bottles, beakers or the like
EP0254673B1 (en) * 1986-07-11 1990-04-18 Interplastic AG Container closure provided with a tamper indicating band
CH672109A5 (en) * 1987-01-30 1989-10-31 Wiedmer Plastikform W
CH671205A5 (en) * 1987-02-26 1989-08-15 Crown Cork Ag

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0228618A2 (en) * 1985-12-19 1987-07-15 Pharma-Gummi Wimmer West GmbH Origin-protected container closure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2041441T3 (en) 1993-11-16
DE58905985D1 (en) 1993-11-25
ATE96110T1 (en) 1993-11-15
ATE91264T1 (en) 1993-07-15
EP0460557B1 (en) 1993-10-20
ES2045988T3 (en) 1994-01-16
EP0371920A3 (en) 1990-11-22
DE58904871D1 (en) 1993-08-12
EP0460557A2 (en) 1991-12-11
EP0371920A2 (en) 1990-06-06
EP0460557A3 (en) 1991-12-18

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