EP0684189B1 - Tamper evident device for container closure - Google Patents

Abstract

An originality-ensuring device for container closures (32), having an indicator element (35) subdivided by predetermined breaking points (37) into individual segments (36), the indicator element (35) being formed as a separate part for self-holding arrangement in the container (23), at least partially embracing the latter, and the segments (36) being arranged with respect to one another in such a way that, when there is a relative movement of the segments or segment parts (40), owing to a clamping reception of the indicator element (35) between a container closure (32) and a container shoulder (21), there takes place a severing of the predetermined breaking points (37) for individual separation of the segments (36) and the latter are held in a clamping manner.

Description

The present invention relates to a tamper-evident device for container closures according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such indicator elements have been known for a long time and serve as a checking device in order to be able to determine whether a container is in the first closed state or whether it has already been opened. Such a possibility of checking can prove to be important both from a hygienic point of view, for example with food, and from a conservation point of view, for example with medicines and cosmetics.

The previously known indicator elements, as described, for example, in DE 42 07 996 A1, are based on a common functional principle which is based on making a previous opening of the container in the closed state of the container recognizable by the segments of the indicator element on predetermined breaking points provided for this are separated from one another. Here, however, the individual segments remain connected with a sealing cap even after the separation process. In such a system, the tamper-evident device is directly connected to the closure, for example by injection, or else in an upstream operation has been inserted into the closure. This means that the change in the tamper-evident device as an indication of an opening of the container which has already taken place is only possible if the container closure is closely examined. Particularly in the case of tamper-evident securing devices, which, like an associated sealing cap, are made of metal, for example aluminum, this opens up the possibility of subsequent manipulations on the indicator element, which make it almost impossible to recognize the separation of the segments at the predetermined breaking points when viewed more fleetingly; for example, if the segments are bent back into their original state by a bending process. This can give the impression that the predetermined breaking points are undamaged. All existing systems are based on the fact that the tamper-evident device is only destroyed when the container is opened for the first time.

In contrast, the present invention has for its object to provide a tamper-evident device so that it can be used with existing, commercially available containers and their closures.

This object is achieved by a tamper-evident device with the features of claim 1.

In the tamper-evident device according to the invention, the indicator element is preferably a component which is separate from the container and its closure and which does not require any special assembly tools and no change to tools for already existing container closure systems. Destruction of the individual segments of the indicator element that connect them Predetermined breaking points therefore necessarily take place when the container is closed for the first time after it has been filled with a product. Since the indicator element as a separate part is neither connected to the closure cap nor to the container, the individual segments of the indicator element become one after the destruction of the predetermined breaking points between the individual, adjacent segments between the closure cap and a support surface preferably formed by the container itself Shoulder of the container. This has the consequence that when the container is opened for the first time, the segments of the indicator element between the container closure and the container surface forming an abutment for the segments of the indicator element are released and the individual segments are released from their clamping position between the closure cap and by the force of gravity alone Fall out container. The difference between a container which is closed in the original state and a container in which the clamping effect has been released by loosening the closure and the segments of the indicator element have been at least partially lost is clearly visible. Since the indicator element dissolves into its individual components after it has been opened for the first time, subsequent manipulation of the indicator element to simulate a closed state of the container for the first time, as described above, is no longer possible.

Although the indicator element according to the invention can have different shapes, such as, for example, the shape of an arc or a straight, short bar, a preferred embodiment of the tamper-evident device according to the invention is directed to an indicator element which is annular. This can be both a closed ring and a slotted ring, which has the advantage over a closed version that the indicator element does not necessarily have to be placed on the container before the container closure is put on, but can also be placed on the container from the side while the container is being closed with the closure cap.

In a preferred embodiment of the tamper-evident device according to the invention, the segments of the indicator element are arranged on an imaginary cone surface and are connected to one another in the radially outer region of their end faces adjacent in the circumferential direction by predetermined breaking points. These predetermined breaking points secure the unloaded segments in their relative position to one another and tear off when the individual segments are folded into another plane as a result of pressure from the closure cap. In order to prevent the predetermined breaking webs from tearing out of their position on the container after the segments have been torn off, that is to say after the segments have been separated, the individual segments can be provided with a retaining device radially on the inside.

In a further embodiment of the tamper-evident device according to the invention, the segments of the indicator element each have a separating device formed integrally therewith, which serves to cut through a predetermined breaking point provided between two segments. This ensures that cutting through at the predetermined breaking points takes place only when the container closure already provides a clamping effect securing the individual segments in their position on the container.

The separating device can be a flexurally elastic lever arm with a separating cutting edge arranged at the free end, which enables a particularly easy severing of the predetermined breaking points. In addition, it also proves to be It is advantageous if the lever arm opposite the cutting edge has a stop surface which enables the container closure to rest securely during closing and to guide the cutting edge to safely cut through the predetermined breaking point.

In a further embodiment of the tamper-evident device according to the invention, the segments of the indicator element consist of first and second segment legs arranged in a V-shape in its circumferential direction, the segment legs of two adjacent segments in each case being connected to one another by a predetermined breaking point. In this embodiment too, when the individual segments are separated, they are clamped between the container closure and the container shoulder provided on the container, so that the segments cannot be lost during the first closing operation.

In each case, a segment leg of a segment can be provided at its upper end with a stop lug which projects beyond the adjacent segment leg of an adjacent segment in the region of the predetermined breaking point connecting it and is intended for contact with the container closure during the closing.

The first segment leg provided with the stop lug preferably forms a more acute angle with the main plane of the annular indicator element than the other, second segment leg of the same segment. This ensures that after the predetermined breaking point has been severed, the first segment leg provided with the stop lug pushes itself under the second segment leg and the latter is supported in a lever-like manner on the stop lug of the first segment leg as the indicator element is pressed further as a result of progressive pressure on the container closure. This ensures that the individual segments in the clamped state are wedged against each other under a certain pretension and are held particularly securely between the container closure and the container shoulder.

• Fig. 1 eine Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer ringförmigen Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung in ihrer im Mittellängsschnitt gezeigten, um einen Behälterhals herumgelegten Ausgangslage auf einer Behälterschulter;
• Fig. 2 eine Ansicht eines vertikalen, mittleren Querschnitts der Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 aber in durch eine Verschlußkappe eingeklemmter, abgeflachter Sicherungsstellung;
• Fig. 3 eine Draufsicht der unzerstörten Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1, mit einer im Kreis bezeichneten Einzelheit Z in vergrößerter Darstellung;
• Fig. 4 eine Draufsicht auf die in Fig. 2 dargestellte, durch Klemmung segmentierte Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung;
• Fig. 5 eine Seitenansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung in ihrer unzerstörten Ausgangslage, mit einer vergrößerten Darstellung einer eingekreisten Einzelheit Y;
• Fig. 6 die Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 5 in Draufsicht;
• Fig. 7 eine Ansicht der ringförmigen Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 5, die um einen Behälterhals herum auf einer Behälterschulter liegt;
• Fig. 8 eine Ansicht ähnlich Fig. 2 der Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 7 in einer zwischen einer Behälterschulter und einer Verschlußkappe eingeklemmten Sicherungsstellung, teilweise im Mittellängsschnitt;
• Fig. 9 eine Seitenansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform einer ringförmigen Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung, mit einer Einzelheit X in vergrößerter Darstellung;
• Fig. 10 die in Fig. 9 dargestellte Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung in Draufsicht;
• Fig. 11 eine Seitenansicht ähnlich Fig. 1 und 7 der ringförmigen Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 9 und 10, in ihrer um einen Behälterhals herumgelegten Ausgangslage auf einer Behälterschulter;
• Fig. 12 eine Ansicht ähnlich Fig. 2 und 8 der in Fig. 11 dargestellten Originalitäts-Sicherungsvorrichtung in einer zwischen einer Behälterschulter und einer Verschlußkappe eingeklemmten Sicherungsstellung.

The preferred embodiments of the tamper-evident device according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of a ring-shaped tamper-evident device in its starting position shown in the central longitudinal section and placed around a container neck on a container shoulder;
• FIG. 2 shows a view of a vertical, central cross section of the tamper-evident securing device according to FIG. 1, but in a flattened securing position clamped by a closure cap;
• 3 shows a plan view of the undamaged tamper-evident security device according to FIG. 1, with a detail Z denoted in a circle, in an enlarged illustration;
• FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the tamper-evident securing device shown in FIG. 2 and segmented by clamping;
• 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a tamper-evident device in its undamaged starting position, with an enlarged illustration of a circled detail Y;
• 6 shows the tamper-evident device according to FIG. 5 in a top view;
• 7 is a view of the ring-shaped tamper-evident device according to FIG. 5, which lies around a container neck on a container shoulder;
• 8 shows a view similar to FIG. 2 of the tamper-evident securing device according to FIG. 7 in a securing position clamped between a container shoulder and a closure cap, partly in the central longitudinal section;
• 9 is a side view of a third embodiment of an annular tamper-evident device, with a detail X in an enlarged view;
• FIG. 10 shows the tamper-evident device shown in FIG. 9 in plan view;
• 11 is a side view similar to FIGS. 1 and 7 of the ring-shaped tamper-evident device according to FIGS. 9 and 10, in its starting position on a container shoulder, which is placed around a container neck;
• FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 8 of the tamper-evident securing device shown in FIG. 11 in a securing position clamped between a container shoulder and a closure cap.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tamper-evident device, which consists of an annular indicator element 20. The indicator element 20 rests on a support device which is formed by a shoulder 21 of a container 23, from which a container neck 22 provided with an opening 25, which has an external thread 24, projects and is surrounded by the indicator element 20. Although it is naturally preferable to place or support the ring-shaped indicator element 20 directly on the container itself, depending on the container shape, such as a very slim, high container neck, it could possibly be. be necessary to provide a specially designed support device. Such a separate support device could, for example, be a separate ring which rests on knobs protruding from a container neck and serves as an abutment for the indicator element.

From Fig. 3 it can be seen that the indicator element 20 is composed of individual, cuboid or plate-shaped segments 26 and predetermined breaking points, which are designed as predetermined breaking webs 27. The surfaces formed by the underside of the individual segments 26 lie on an imaginary, conical envelope surface 28, which is dash-dotted in FIG. 1 and whose conical tip is arranged on the core S of the container opening 25.

From the detail Z in Fig. 3 it can clearly be seen that opposite end faces 30 of adjacent segments 26 form an outwardly opening angle and abut one another on their inner edges 29. The end faces 30 are connected to one another in their outer region which forms the angle or a gap by the thin predetermined breaking webs 27.

In Fig. 2, a closure cap 32 is shown as a container closure with a cylindrical, lower, outwardly projecting cap jacket 33 and an internal thread 31, with which the closure cap 32 is screwed onto the external thread 24 of the container neck 22. The lower edge of the cap shell 33 has the segments 26 pressed with its underside completely in the direction of arrow m onto the container shoulder 21, so that the segments 26 are firmly clamped between the closure cap 32 and the container shoulder 21.

4 shows that when the closure cap 32 was screwed on, the predetermined breaking webs 27 were destroyed by the pressure force of the closure cap 32 and can therefore no longer be seen. The segments 26 clamped between the container shoulder 21 and the lower edge of the cap jacket 33 are thus isolated and are held only by this clamping.

In order to prevent the segments 26 from slipping under the edge of the cap shell 33 before it is clamped on the segments 26 during the fitting, here screwing on, of the closure cap 32 and the resulting breaking off of the predetermined breaking webs 27, the segments 26 are here with retaining lugs 34 trained retention devices. However, if the clamping of the segments 26 is possible at a sufficient speed or the pitch of the screw thread is correspondingly steep, so that the segments 26 cannot slip under the lower edge of the cap shell 33 or the one shown in FIG. 2 before complete clamping is achieved Container shoulder 21 is flat or oppositely inclined, such retention devices can be dispensed with. Since the closure cap 32, as a rule for the first time after the container 23 has been filled with a flowable material screwed onto the container 23 and the segments 26 of the indicator element 20 were separated, the segments 26 will fall out of the gap between the lower edge of the closure cap 32 and the container shoulder 21 and, due to their lack, the actuation of the closure cap or the opening of the container 23 indicate when the cap has been moved in the opening direction.

5 to 8 and detail y, a second embodiment of a tamper-evident device with an annular indicator element 35 is shown. It can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 that the indicator element 35 consists of several, in the present case four, segments 36, which are connected by four predetermined breaking webs 37. The connection of the arcuate segments 36 through the predetermined breaking webs 37 is provided on a segment base 38. A separating device in the form of a separating lever 39 is connected in one piece to each segment base 38. Each of the separating levers 39 has a flexurally elastic lever arm 40, the free end of which points in each case in the same circumferential direction and has a separating cutting edge 41 which is arranged in the unloaded starting position at a distance above a predetermined breaking web 37.

As can be seen from the representation of the segments 36 or the lever arms 40 in a plan view in FIG. 6, the shape of the lever arms 40 is adapted to the segments 36, which are designed in the manner of rings. The top of each cutting edge 41 is designed as a horizontal stop surface 42, the function of which will be explained in more detail below.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, parts of the container 23 which correspond to FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided with identical reference numerals. The indicator element 35 shown in FIG. 7 in a starting position, that is to say unloaded, becomes as in FIG Fig. 8 shown, deformed by the pressure exerted by the lower edge of the cap shell 33 in the direction of arrow w. Here, the lever arms 40 are pivoted in the direction of the predetermined breaking webs 37 in such a way that the predetermined breaking webs 37 are destroyed or severed by the cutting blades 41. The stop surfaces 42 rest when the pressure is exerted on the lever arms 40 by the closure cap 32 against the lower edge of the cap shell 33, so that the pressure exerted by the lower edge of the cap shell 33 on the lever arms 40 is transmitted substantially uniformly to the associated cutting blade. After the predetermined breaking webs 37 have been severed, the four segments 36 separated thereby are clamped between the lower edge of the cap jacket 33 and the container shoulder 21. When the container 23 is opened by unscrewing or removing the closure cap 32, the clamping is released and the individual segments 36 fall off the container 23. As a result, the lack of the segments of the indicator element clearly shows the use. On the other hand, the container has a pleasing appearance after the indicator element has been omitted.

The third embodiment of a tamper-evident device in FIGS. 9 to 12 consists of an indicator element 43. From FIG. 9 and the detail X it can be seen that individual segments 44 have segment legs 45 and 46 arranged in a V-shape. The apex region 50 connecting the segment legs 45, 46 is so strong that the connection between the two segment legs 45, 46 that is present as a result cannot be impaired by pressure forces exerted on the indicator element 43 and is only stressed on bending. The angle α formed by the segment legs 45, 46 is asymmetrical. From Fig. 9 and its detail X it can be seen that the right segment leg 46 to that formed from the bottom The contact plane of the annular indicator element 43 forms a more acute angle than the associated segment leg 45.

One of these two segment legs 45, 46, preferably the one that forms the more acute angle with the support surface, namely in the present case the right segment leg 46 of a segment 44, is provided with a stop lug 47, which projects upwards beyond a predetermined breaking web 48 , through which a segment leg 46 provided with the stop lug 47 is connected to a segment leg 45 of an adjacent segment 44. FIG. 10 shows that the individual segments 44 of the indicator element 43 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the indicator element 43 again has a ring shape.

11 shows the indicator element 43 arranged on the container shoulder 21 and surrounding the container neck 22 in an undeformed initial position. The destruction of the predetermined breaking webs 48 of the indicator element 43 after the initial closure of the container opening 25 with the closure cap 32, in which the individual segments 44 are arranged individually and clamped between the lower edge of the cap shell 33 and the container shoulder 21, is shown in FIG. 12.

The process of separating the segments 44 when a compressive force is exerted by screwing the closure cap 32 onto the container neck 22 in the direction of the arrow 0 is explained in more detail below. When the closure cap 32 is screwed onto the container 23, the lower edge of the cap shell 33 first bears against the upper end of the stop lugs 47 of the indicator element 43. As a result of the downward pressure now acting on the stop lugs 47, the predetermined breaking webs 48 between the respective V-shaped segments 46 are destroyed. Right away After this destruction of the predetermined breaking webs 48, the segment legs 46 slide under the said segment legs 45 due to their angular position, which is more inclined relative to the segment legs 45. If the pressure continues in the direction of arrow 0 on the segments 44, the segment legs 46 with their stop lugs 47 slide further and further under the adjacent segment legs 45 of the adjacent segment 44, these being supported in a lever-like manner on the stop lugs 47. This ensures that the segments 44 are wedged against one another as long as the closure cap 32 is not loosened during the entire process.

In deviation from the described embodiments, it is also possible to inject the top of the indicator elements directly with the lower edge of the cap shell using predetermined breaking points as connecting elements made of plastic in such a way that the ring-shaped indicator element as part of the closure cap on the container neck up to the stop is screwed or pressed onto the container shoulder. When hitting the container shoulder, the predetermined breaking points between the closure cap and the indicator element as well as the predetermined breaking webs between the adjacent segments of the indicator element are destroyed. As a result, the isolated segments between the closure cap and the container shoulder are also firmly clamped in this case.

Furthermore, it is understandable that instead of a container neck protruding from the container shoulder, a container can also be used in which the container neck protrudes into the interior of the container and is provided with an internal thread which interacts with an external thread of a stopper-like container closure. In addition, the invention can also be used for closures for containers or bottles which are pushed onto the container neck or be pressed and snap into a closed position. Finally, the use of stopper-shaped closures is also conceivable, which are inserted into the container opening up to the stop at the opening edge or on a container shoulder.

The above-described embodiments of the tamper-evident device can be implemented particularly easily by indicator elements made of preferably biodegradable plastic; however, the use of other materials, such as metal, is also conceivable.

Claims (10)

1. Tamper-evident device for container closures comprising an indicator element, which is divided into individual segments by frangible links and which is arranged between a radial projection on the container and the container closure, characterised in that, in the state in which they are not stressed by the container closure, at least portions of the segments (26; 36; 44) of the indicator element (20; 35; 43) define an angle with a plane, which is directed perpendicular to the direction of the closure movement of the container closure such that, when a pressure is exerted on the segments of the indicator element as a result of the closure movement of the container closure, the segments (26, 36, 44) are separated and are held firmly clamped between the container closure (32) and the radial projection on the container (32).
2. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the indicator element (20, 35, 43) is of annular shape.
3. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the segments (26) of the indicator element (20) are arranged on an imaginary conical surface (28) and are connected together in the radially outer region of their end surfaces (30), which are adjacent in a peripheral direction, by frangible links (27).
4. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the segments (26) are provided in their radially inner region with a retaining device (34).
5. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the segments (36) of the indicator element (35) are provided with a separating device (39), which is constructed integrally with the latter and is actuable by the container closure (32), for severing a frangible link (37) connecting two segments (36).
6. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the separating device (39) has a lever arm (40) with a severing blade (41) arranged at its free end.
7. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the lever arm (40) has an abutment surface (42) for the container closure cap (32) on its free end on the upper surface opposite to the severing blade (41).
8. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the segments (44) of the indicator element (43) comprise segmental limbs (45, 46) which are arranged in a V shape in the peripheral direction of the indicator element, the upper ends of the segmental limbs (45, 46) defining a V being connected to the upper ends of the segmental limbs of adjacent V-shaped segments by a respective frangible link (48).
9. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that a segmental limb (46) of each segment (44) is constructed with an abutment nose (47), which projects above the adjoining segmental limb (45) of an adjacent segment in the region of the frangible link (48), for engagement with the container closure (32) during closing of the container (23).
10. Tamper-evident device as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the first segmental limb (46), which is provided with the abutment nose (47), is positioned at a more acute angle (α) to the main plane of the indicator element (43) than the other, second segmental limb (45).

Images