EP0457107A1 - Closure cap for infusion or transfusion bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure cap (V) for infusion or transfusion bottles, with a stopper (6) which is adapted to the neck (3) of the bottle and which is covered by a cap (8) anchoring by means of engaging under the neck (3) of the bottle, and, in order to achieve a solution which is particularly advantageous from the design point of view, the invention proposes that the engagement of the cap (8) under the neck (3) be achieved by means of individual resilient tongues (10) which are secured in the engagement position by being supported by means of a sliding ring (15) which surrounds them, the supporting means at the same time serving to secure the sliding ring (15) in its supporting position. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a closure cap for infusion or transfusion bottles according to the preamble of claim 1.

A closure cap of this type is known for example from DE-PS 37 15 175. The stopper is secured there by the classic crimp cap. An opening left in the top of the crimp cap allows access for a cannula or transfusion set. In the original state, this opening is kept closed with the help of a plastic cover that also forms a germ barrier. The latter can be subtracted with will. Desired crease lines, which are realized by weakening the material thickness of the plastic cover, have a relieving effect.

From US Pat. No. 4,520,942 it is known to divide a metal cap overlaying a plastic cover for the purpose of access. For this purpose, the metal cap has predetermined breaking lines that define a transverse flap and run diametrically. The free ends of the part delimiting the transverse flap continue into a peripheral, free-standing pull flap on both ends.

From US Pat. No. 3,698,584, it is then known to provide a screw cap of a container with an axially displaceable ring collar which on the inside has bars blocking the rotation of the screw cap, which cooperate with counter-locking means of the container neck. This configuration realizes child safety.

The object of the present invention is to dispense with the usual flanging of the stopper cover structurally simple means to improve, while maintaining the usual classification.

This object is achieved by the invention specified in claim 1.

The subclaims are advantageous developments of the generic cap.

As a result of such an embodiment, a generic closure cap is created which takes account of the basic requirement of the aseptic seal and that of a stable assignment, but without the flanging which requires special devices. The assembly can be easily accomplished by simply plugging on the parts. Nevertheless, the number of parts has not been increased. Specifically, the procedure is such that the grip of the cap is achieved by resilient individual tongues which are secured in the grip position by support by means of a sliding ring comprising them, the supporting means also serving to secure the sliding ring in its supporting position in that the supporting means in turn locking tongues reach under the cap. The sliding ring, which advantageously acts as a support hoop, can be moved into its locked position with relatively low forces; a pull-off is only possible with visible damage to the parts conveying the catch; there is a clear tamper evidence. From a structural point of view and also with regard to a balanced load on the detent-imparting parts, it then proves to be advantageous for the individual tongues and the locking tongues to be provided in alternating order on the circumference of the cap. Appropriately, it is a rotationally symmetrical structure of corresponding caps, although other non-circular cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable. In terms of stabilization, it is also advantageous that the sliding ring is angularly profiled in cross-section and that the angled leg directed radially inwards towards the stopper leads on the outer surface of the cap in the area above the roots of the individual tongues and the locking tongues. With a corresponding angular cross-section, use can be made of a surprisingly small wall thickness; existing surfaces are used for guidance anyway, namely here the outer surface of the cap. Furthermore, a favorable configuration results from a tear-open tab formed by an annular surface in the central region of the cover of the cap. This means that an exactly defined central recess for the accessibility described at the beginning can be achieved in a flash. There is also no risk of injury when the tapping area is torn open and exposed. The tapping area also remains sterile until it is torn open. Such a pull tab is expediently continued in a pull tab, for example in the form of a pull ring. The ring area is limited by predetermined breaking channels pressed into the underside of the cap. These can easily be taken into account when the plastic part of the cap is molded. It is further proposed that the support means of the sliding ring are designed as ring ribs with a rounded apex in cross section. This brings a low-cost allocation into the basic locking position without any planing effect. The corresponding assembly is further optimized in that the lower flank of the ring rib is designed as a ramp. It also proves to be advantageous that the upper flank (bridge of the nose) of the ring rib is the locking flank interacting with the locking tongues. The latter can be much flatter; it expediently runs perpendicular to the direction of extension of the locking tongues. In addition, the invention proposes that the sliding ring is equipped with a predetermined breaking point. The slide ring can be loosened in no time via this, for example in connection with the so-called recycling. In order to reinforce the high inherent stability of the locking tongues, for example from a certain transverse rounding of the locking tongues, despite considerable thin walls, the invention finally proposes that the individual tongues have an angular profile in cross-section such that the outward-pointing angle leg has its end face forms the support point of the ring rib. The loads therefore arise at a point of increased material accumulation. The whole thing is further optimized in that the peripheral angular space of the individual tongues is stiffened by strips. Such strips connecting the two legs can easily be taken into account by injection molding. However, the strips fulfill a further advantageous function in addition to the stiffening function explained, in that the strips form with their upper end face the height limitation for the sliding ring in the locked position on the cap. This top-face loading of the end face also exerts an inward load on the individual tongues. The counter-stop on the sliding ring advantageously forms the angle leg mentioned.

Fig. 1

die einer Infusions- oder Transfusionsflasche zugeordnete Verschlußkappe im Halbschnitt,

Fig. 2

die Draufsicht hierzu,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht aus Richtung A in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

die Verschlußkappe in Explosionsdarstellung mit Darstellung des Flaschenhalses,

Fig. 5

die Kappe der Verschlußkappe im Halbschnitt,

Fig. 6

die Innenansicht hierzu,

Fig. 7

die Draufsicht auf die Kappe bei oberseitig angeordneter Abreißlasche,

Fig. 8

den Schnitt gemäß Linie VIII-VIIIin Fig. 6, und zwar in gegenüber Fig. 6 erheblich vergrößerter Wiedergabe unter Darstellung des unteren Abschnitts einer Einzelzunge,

Fig. 9

den Schiebering im Halbschnitt,

Fig. 10

die Unteransicht hierzu und

Fig. 11

den Schnitt gemäß Linie XI-XI in Fig. 10, und zwar den unteren Abschnitt der Sperrzunge zeigend, wiederum in erheblicher Vergrößerung.

The subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an illustrative embodiment. It shows:

Fig. 1

the half cap of an infusion or transfusion bottle,

Fig. 2

the top view of this,

Fig. 3

2 shows a side view from direction A in FIG. 2,

Fig. 4

the closure cap in an exploded view showing the bottle neck,

Fig. 5

the cap of the cap in half section,

Fig. 6

the inside view of this,

Fig. 7

the top view of the cap with the tear-off tab arranged on the top,

Fig. 8

6 the section according to line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6, namely in a considerably enlarged representation compared to FIG. 6, showing the lower section of a single tongue,

Fig. 9

the sliding ring in half cut,

Fig. 10

the bottom view of this and

Fig. 11

the section along line XI-XI in Fig. 10, showing the lower portion of the locking tongue, again in a substantial enlargement.

The bottle 2, which can be secured by means of a closure cap V and contains an infusion or transfusion liquid 1, merges with the section of the bottle neck 3 with a reduced cross-section in the form of a truncated cone. This is designed as a so-called flared neck, ie it has an annular bulge obtained by material accumulation peripherally, the lower flank of which forms an under-grip locking shoulder 4.

The infusion or transfusion bottle is usually made of glass.

A cross-sectional stopper 6 is pressed into the mouth cavity 5 of the bottle neck 3. This is made of rubber or similar elastic material. It is a hollow plug, the lower outer edge of which is chamfered to create an end cone. An edge collar 7 extends over the front end of the bottle neck 3. The front end slopes away at a slight acute angle. The essentially cylindrical circumferential surface of the edge collar 7 is somewhat recessed relative to the corresponding circumferential surface of the bottle neck 3 or the annular bead.

Another component of the closure cap V is a cap 8 which is anchored to the bottle neck 3 by means of a grip. This is made of plastic (PP). To anchor them, their annular cap wall 9 forms resilient, d. H. spring-loaded individual tongues 10. It is material flaps cut free from the lower edge of the cap wall 9. These material lobes, which act as locking fingers, form an inward-facing locking bead 11 in the lower end region, which, with its upper flank 11 ', interlocks with the lower gripping locking shoulder 4.

As can be seen from the graphic representations (cf. in particular FIG. 8), the individual tongues 10 are profiled practically at an angle in cross section. The shorter, outward-pointing angle apex results in a type of L-structure which, with the addition of the material accumulation forming the locking bead 11, can even be referred to as a hammerhead profile. The outward pointing, in the back of the locking bead 11 outgoing angle leg is designated 12.

Although the individual tongues 10 already have a high degree of stability due to the aforementioned hammer head profile, despite the relatively small wall thickness of the cap 8, good stability is present simply because of the ring curvature. But this is further increased by the fact that the peripheral angular space of the individual tongues 10 is still stiffened by a strip 13. The latter extends axially at least over the length of the individual tongues, and in particular in the middle. It ends at the top of the root of each tongue 10.

To secure the position shown in FIG. 1, in which the cover 14 of the cap 8 presses the edge collar 7 sealingly against the end face of the bottle neck 3, a sliding ring 15 which surrounds the individual tongues 10 is used. This also consists of plastic (PP). This sliding ring prevents a deflection of the resilient individual tongues 10 in the locked position, so that the closure cap V cannot be removed easily. So there is a fuse comparable to the classic flare grip. However, the securing position is achieved without the aid of a special device, namely simply by pushing the sliding ring 15 from above onto the jacket wall M of the cap 8, which guides the sliding ring 15.

Specifically, the supporting means of the sliding ring 15 securing the individual tongues 10 in the back against outward deflection is realized as an annular rib 16 with a nose-shaped cross section. Its apex 17, as can be seen in FIG. 11, is convexly rounded and is in contact Support system on the peripheral end face 18 of the angle leg 12 of the individual tongues 10 forming the support point.

To fix or secure the sliding ring 15 itself, the said support means are also used in that the annular rib 16 forming the support means in turn engages under locking tongues 19 of the cap 8. The locking tongues 19, like the individual tongues 10, are cut-free tabs of the cap wall 9. They are also directed downwards, but are angled outwards at an acute angle, as can be clearly seen from FIG. 1. The opening angle is approx. 20 °. However, the locking tongues 19 have a somewhat shorter length than the individual tongues 10, due to the spatial position of the annular rib 16, on the upper flank 16 'of which the free ends of the locking tongues 19 latch. In the drawing, the corresponding end face is oriented horizontally, while the corresponding upper flank 16 'runs obliquely inwards. The helix angle of the upper flank 16 'is 30 °. The outer edge of the locking tongue 19 enters into the inside vertex of the angular space formed by the upper flank 16 'and the inner surface of the sliding ring 15 in a cutting-like manner. Alternatively, one can of course also proceed in such a way that the end face of the locking tongues 19 sits snugly on the upper flank 16 '.

The inner edge of the end face of the locking tongues 19 is vertically flush with the end face 18 of the angle leg 12.

The lower flank 16 '' of the annular rib 16 is designed as a ramp surface or slope. Their outward and downward slope is 45 °.

The sliding ring 15 can be detached from the cap 8 by a predetermined breaking point 20, formed by two parallel predetermined breaking notches 21. This predetermined breaking point is oriented axially. The predetermined breaking notches 21 are about a finger's width apart. As can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 9, the predetermined breaking point 20 continues into an upwardly directed gripping tab 22. The latter projects above the top of the sliding ring 19 so that it can be gripped freely. In the area of the predetermined breaking lines, the otherwise continuous ring rib 16 is reduced in thickness. Reference is made to FIG. 10. The corresponding constrictions 23 are clearly visible on the inside. In this way, only a small cross-section of material remains in the ring wall, but is still so stable that a separation movement emphasized by the will is required.

The illustration in FIG. 9 also shows that the sliding ring 15 is angularly profiled in cross section. The one, longer angled leg, designated a, forms the vertical ring wall, while the other, shorter, angled leg adjoined at the top at right angles, designated b, with its inwardly directed end face 24 leads to the lateral surface M of the cap 8.

However, the angled leg b of the sliding ring which extends on said lateral surface M of the cap 8 fulfills yet another function. This consists in creating a counter stop surface in connection with the push-on limitation of the sliding ring. The construction of the cap side is such that the strips 13 with their upper end face 13 'form the height limit for the sliding ring 15 in the locked position on the cap 8. Without the strips or their supporting effect the sliding ring could be pushed down beyond the support position. Then the support would no longer exist and there would be jamming and inward pressing of the locking tongue on the inside diameter of the sliding rings 15, which lies against the outer surface M of the closure cap V.

The predetermined breaking point 20 continues uniformly into the inwardly directed angle leg b. About half the height of the cap 8 serves as a guide surface, that is to say it extends from the roots of the individual tongues 10 and locking tongues 19 which are at the same height to the ceiling 14.

In the interest of a balanced cap load, the individual tongues 10 and the locking tongues 19 are distributed in an alternating order on the circumference of the cap 8. A total of six individual tongues 10 are realized with a corresponding number of intervening, notched locking tongues 19. The width of the individual tongues 10 is one third greater than that of the locking tongues 19. The vertical free cuts dividing the tongues have the reference number 25.

In the vicinity of the cap edge of the cap, on the underside of the cover 14 of the cap 8, a cutting-like ring seal 26 is realized, which is pressed into the top of the relatively soft material of the plug 6. With regard to its softness, values are required which allow a cannula to penetrate and which provide such a reset that the pierced opening closes again automatically.

Appropriate access is provided by a tear-off tab formed by an approximately closed annular surface 27 in the central region of the ceiling 14 of the cap 8. The annular surface 27 goes somewhat radially outward into an axially extending web 28. A ring 29 adjoins this on the upper side. The latter overlaps the ceiling 14 of the cap 8 in a free-running, spaced-apart manner. Overall, there is an approximately question-mark-shaped ring course, defined by a paired predetermined breaking trough 30 that is also sprayed into the underside or the top of the ceiling 14. FIG. 5 shows it inside the cap 8 and Fig. 7 on the top.

The function is, briefly summarized, as follows: After inserting the stopper 6 into the mouth 5 in the bottle 2, the cap 8 is put on. The individual tongues 10 engage on the lower gripping locking shoulder 4. The end face 13 is pushed on 'and the underside of the angle leg b stop-limited sliding ring 15. The latter leads on the jacket wall M. The ring rib 16 overflows the back of the resilient, briefly evading locking tongues 19 and finally snaps under the front end of these locking tongues which return to the basic position 19. It lies an irreversible locking connection. The apex 17 of the annular rib 16 supports the back, i. H. the end face 18 of the individual tongues 10, so that the sliding ring 15 wraps around the individual tongue ring like a hoop. Upward pull on the cap V is generally unable to remove the crimp-like grip.

To remove content, however, only the ring surface 27 needs to be removed. The result is a central recess in the ceiling 14 that enables the cannula to be passed through, defined by the outer of the two concentric predetermined breaking channels 30.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, the drawing and the claims can be of importance both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention. All disclosed features are essential to the invention. The disclosure content of the associated / attached priority documents (copy of the prior application) is hereby also included in full in the disclosure of the application.

Claims (13)

Cap (V) for infusion or transfusion bottles, with a stopper (6) which is adapted to the bottle neck (3) and which is overlaid by a cap (8) which is anchored to the bottle neck (3) by means of a handle, characterized in that the handle of the Cap (8) of resilient individual tongues (10) is achieved, which are secured by support by means of a sliding ring (15) encompassing them in the gripping position, the supporting means also serving to secure the sliding ring (15) in its supporting position in that the supporting means in turn, engage under locking tabs (19) of the cap (8). Closure cap, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual tongues (10) and the locking tongues (19) are provided in alternating order on the circumference of the cap (8). Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding ring (15) is angularly profiled in cross-section and the angle leg (b) directed radially inwards towards the stopper (6) is located on the outer surface (M) of the cap (8) leads in the area above the roots of the individual tongues (10) and locking tongues (19). Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a tear-open tab formed by the annular surface (27) in the central region of the ceiling (14) of the cap (8). Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the annular surface (27) is delimited by predetermined breaking grooves (30) pressed in on the underside. Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting means of the sliding ring (15) are designed as an annular rib (16) with a rounded cross-section (17) with a nose. Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower flank (16 '') of the ring rib (16) is designed as a run-on slope. Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper flank (16 ') (bridge of the nose) of the annular rib (16) is the locking flank interacting with the locking tongues (19). Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding ring (15) is equipped with a predetermined breaking point (20). Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual tongues (10) are angularly profiled in cross section in such a way that the outwardly directed angle leg (12) forms the support point of the annular rib (16) with its end face (18). Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the peripheral angular space of the individual tongues (10) is stiffened by strips (13). Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strips (13) with their upper end face (13 ') form the height limit for the sliding ring (15) in the locked position on the cap (8). Closure cap, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle leg (b) of the sliding ring forms the counter stop on the sliding ring side.

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