EP0759876B1 - Cap with self-closing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP95/01896 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 12, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 12, 1997 PCT Filed May 18, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/32129 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 30, 1995A closure with a self-closing valve is made available which is easily operable by exertion of pressure and has a simple design. A transport security is provided, which closes the valve reliably even in case of great stress.

Description

The invention relates to a closure with a self-closing Valve. The closure can be used especially for tubes, Cans, bags and bottles preferably with pasty or use liquid substances.

EP-A-395 380 describes a liquid dispenser with a self-closing valve. The self-closing valve has a circumferential flange, one extending therefrom Shell surface and a top surface with one in it provided slot on. The self-closing valve is arranged in the removal opening of a container, the Valve flange from a retaining ring at the edge of the removal opening is held. For dispensing liquid from the Container is exerted on this pressure, causing initially the self-closing valve is put out, i.e. the The valve is at rest in the area of its lateral surface so arched that the top surface emerges. In the upturned position is due to the on the container applied pressure of the slot to a removal opening expanded. When the pressure on the container decreases the slot closes automatically and the valve arrives by turning it into its rest position. The container ventilation takes place due to the negative pressure in the Container opening slot. This system is suitable in excellent for many use cases, in particular for use in containers with the opening facing down be stored so that the product to be removed by Pressure on the container can be taken immediately such as. for shower gel, shampoo and the like. In this well-known Locking system has been found to vent the container not always done reliably. Especially with thin-walled containers, this leads to the container does not return to its original form, but the container walls remain in the depressed position.

EP-A-0 545 678 discloses a closure with a self-closing one Valve known which has an annular flange, a cylindrical lateral surface adjoining the flange and has a top surface with a cross slot. The ring flange of the valve is L-shaped and is at the removal opening of a container with a retaining ring captured. The valve is in the neutral position Shell surface with the top surface inside the Intake opening slipped in. By pressure on the container the valve is turned outwards and at even higher Pressure of the cross-shaped slit opened. When the Pressure returns the valve to its rest position. The container ventilation is done by opening the cross slot in the Rest position. Furthermore, a cover or a slide is provided, the unintentional dispensing of the container contents avoids. When the lid is closed, this can be self-closing Valve should not be turned outside.

In US-A-5 115 950 a closure with a self-closing Valve described. The valve has one ring-shaped flange, which is trapezoidal in cross section and is thicker on the outside. To the ring flange closes an outward surface and with an inward arched cross recess Cover surface. Adjacent to the inside of the top surface a bowl is arranged inside at the removal opening. This bowl is made with the help of webs on the inner wall of the Removal opening held. The closure also has one Cover on the inside of two circumferential projections has the valve on the when the lid is closed Upper edge of the outer surface and in the area of the bowl-shaped Touch the indentation and press against the bowl. On this is intended to inadvertently dispense the contents of the container be avoided. With this known closure the annular flange between a contact surface and clamped in a bendable tab. You can either jagged projections on the contact surface or the tab be provided, which improve the hold of the ring flange should.

The invention has for its object a closure available with self-closing valve, the can be opened easily, seals reliably and low Has dimensions, as well as a container ventilation which is safe even with small pressure differences is working. The object is achieved with the features of the claims solved.

In the solution, the invention is based on the following basic ideas out.

The self-closing valve is in its rest position in the Closure arranged such that the ring flange at least one place in an existing one in a container Vacuum bent so that at this point tank ventilation takes place. According to the invention The concept is the self-closing valve in its rest position from a valve support member attached to the valve bottom or parts of the underside of the ring flange, biased such that the top of the ring flange with a corresponding annular sealing surface of the closure is in contact. Due to the preload in the lateral surfaces and the construction of the ring flange is one Sealing between the ring flange and the associated one Sealed surface ensured. Because at least part of the Underside of the ring flange is not supported this part of the ring flange in the previously mentioned Bend way, i.e. Lift off the sealing surface and through the resulting space between the top of the ring flange and the sealing surface air into the container stream.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention removable elastic valve between an upper part with a removal opening and a lower part arranged so that the area with the opening of the valve in its rest position rests on a pan in the lower part and the ring flange of the valve under tension, preferably self-centering the underside of the upper part around the removal opening is present. Between the top, the side wall of the valve and the lower part is formed with a side space, which in Connected to a container that makes up a product should be removed. By pressing on the container the Side room filled with the pressurized product will. This causes the valve flange to attach to the Upper part is pressed sealingly and the valve through Pressure exerted on its side walls through the removal opening and opened to dispense the product. At the Relieving the pressure causes the valve to be elastic, that it turns up again, leaving the rest of the product is sucked back by the restoring force of the container. The bottom surface of the valve is sealing again on the Pan of the lower part. The lock is in this position without further measures to prevent the product from escaping poetry. Only in this position of the self-closing Valve, i.e. in its rest position, causes a negative pressure in the container that the ring flange of the underside of the upper part lifts off and thereby air from the The discharge opening can flow through to the container. As soon as the pressure has been equalized, the ring flange is laid again sealing against the underside of the upper part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the valve support element arranged directly on the upper part. According to a further embodiment of the invention is used instead a pan that partially covers the slot area of the valve or completely covered, created a camp where the Slot area of the valve is exposed to the container. For this purpose, the upper part (lower part) extending arms provided which hold the valve in its rest position at four places in the edge area of the bottom side, for example store in such a way that the ring flange is under tension is held against an associated sealing surface on the upper part. In this embodiment too, the underside of the ring flange is free and this can be an existing one Lift off the vacuum in the container and thus for the container ventilation to care.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention Valve carrier element formed by a retaining ring on the Attacks the underside of the ring flange and this against a associated sealing surface presses, the bottom of the Ring flange is exposed at least at one point, whereby this area of the ring flange with a negative pressure can lift off in the container and thus for the container ventilation worries. Depending on the number of exposed positions can be the exposed area of the bottom of the ring flange are between 20 ° and 240 °. In other words the underside of the ring flange is only in parts pressed against the sealing surface with the retaining ring.

The invention has the advantage that a container ventilation is ensured even with small pressure differences, advantageously the bendability of the ring flange of the self-closing element as container ventilation is exploited

According to a development of the invention, a safe Sealing of the closure created, in particular as Transport lock is used. Here the upper part is against that Lower part designed to be axially displaceable, and the sealing surface comes with an associated around the removal opening in the upper part Sealing surface on the lower part engages in such a way that together with the self-closing in between Valve a tight seal is achieved. In a special one Embodiment of the invention is the ring flange of the self-closing valve between the upper part and the Lower part clamped. The ball socket on the lower part on the the valve is closed. Preferably on Edge of the ball socket in the direction of the removal opening provided in the upper part extending annular projection. When the upper part is axially displaced against the lower part the thin surface of the self-closing Valve with preload over this projection of the ball socket pulled and the outer edge of the ball socket presses the ring flange against the one surrounding the removal opening Sealing surface on the underside of the upper part. Here will the outer surface of the valve from the ring flange between the annular projection on the ball socket and the Inner wall of the removal opening and from there around the Projection to the ball socket. Will in this situation pressed the container, so the product can not escape. The self-closing valve remains in the fixed one Location.

Will the upper part from the transport position to the working position Moved axially upwards, the shape of the self-closing valve due to the resilient properties of the silicone. The self-closing valve wins his working form back. The flange of the valve presses continue upwards against the sealing edge of the upper part. Becomes now pressed on the container, product first passes through the side opening in the lower part and presses the flange firmly against the sealing edge at the removal opening in the upper part, then further against the lateral surface, i.e. the valve wall, which has the consequence that the valve to the removal process arched upwards. This will do the previously described Function.

The transport lock described above for the self-closing Valve can also be independent of the one previously described Container ventilation can be used. For example could be a completely encircling retaining ring the entire Underside of the ring flange firmly against the sealing surface Press on the removal opening in the upper part. Here too the transport lock can be used in the same way.

Further advantages of the invention are its light weight and easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture. The advantage of the invention particularly affects Containers such as tubes, cans, bags and bottles made of due to the material used and / or the wall thickness a weak restoring force to return to the starting position to have.

Fig. 1

eine erste erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform in auseinandergezogener Darstellung,

Fig. 2

der Verschluß gemäß Fig. 1 in der Ruhelage,

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt längs der Linie A-A' in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 2,

Fig. 5

die erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1 im gesicherten Zustand,

Fig. 6

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform in auseinandergezogener Darstellung,

Fig. 7

der Verschluß gemäß Fig. 6 in der Ruhelage,

Fig. 8

der Verschluß gemäß Fig. 6 im gesicherten Zustand,

Fig. 9

eine zweite erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform mit dem selbstschließenden Ventil in der Ruhelage,

Fig. 10

das Ventil gemäß Fig. 9 in Belüftungslage,

Fig. 11

eine dritte erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform mit dem selbstschließenden Ventil in der Ruhelage und

Fig. 12

eine Aufsicht der Ausführungsform von Fig. 11 ohne Haltering und ohne selbstschließendes Ventil.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of examples and the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment according to the invention in an exploded view,

Fig. 2

1 in the rest position,

Fig. 3

3 shows a cross section along the line AA 'in FIG. 2,

Fig. 4

3 shows a top view of the embodiment according to the invention according to FIG. 2,

Fig. 5

1 in the secured state,

Fig. 6

another embodiment according to the invention in an exploded view,

Fig. 7

6 in the rest position,

Fig. 8

6 in the secured state,

Fig. 9

a second embodiment of the invention with the self-closing valve in the rest position,

Fig. 10

9 in the ventilation position,

Fig. 11

a third embodiment of the invention with the self-closing valve in the rest position and

Fig. 12

a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 without a retaining ring and without a self-closing valve.

1 shows a first embodiment according to the invention an exploded view of a closure and Figures 2 to 5 show it in the assembled state. Between an upper part 2 and a lower part 1 is a self-closing valve 4 arranged. Preferably a valve is used, as in EP-A-545 678. The valve 4 is in the rest position with its bottom surface 4e on a closed ball socket in the lower part 1 and lies with its ring flange 4a under tension on a sealing surface 2a of the underside of the Upper part 2. There is a valve 4 above Removal opening 3 in the upper part 2. Between the upper part, the Side wall of the valve 4 and the lower part 1 is a side space 7 formed by openings 6 with the interior a container on which the closure is connected is (Fig. 2). As can be seen in Fig. 3, the Ball socket arranged by webs on the lower part, whereby the Openings 6 are arranged on a circular ring around the pan 5 are. The opening of the valve 4 is a cross recess 4f trained, which opens under pressure and automatically closes again. The lower part 1 is an integrated part of a container formed here as a tube 10.

The lock is in the position when it is removed as shown in Fig. 2. A pressure to be removed occurs on the tube Product in the side space 7, presses against the flange 4a and the outer surface 4d of the valve 4. The valve is lifted from the pan 5 and through the removal opening 3 turned outward, opening 4f for dispensing of the product opens. At the same time, the flange 4a its top 4b under pressure against the sealing surface 2a the underside of the upper part 2 sealed. No pressure Exercised more, the opening 4f, the valve 4 closes inverses itself automatically and the bottom surface 4e comes to rest on pan 5. This will be a rest Product through the gap 7 and the openings 6 in the Tube 10 withdrawn. Are preferably in the range of Rims on the ball socket extending radially provided that facilitate the sucking back of the product.

If there is negative pressure in the container, it rises the ring flange at at least one point from the associated one Sealing surface 2a on the underside of the upper part 2 and it takes place between the top 4b of the ring flange and the sealing surface 2a ventilation of the container. Once the If the pressure equalization has been reached, the ring flange lays down the existing voltage in the self-closing valve again against the sealing surface and thus ensures a seal. The sealing surface 2a has one of the top 4b of the Sealing flange 4a adapted slope. This will make one Self-centering of the valve 4 guaranteed.

The valve 4 is only under internal stress on the Upper part 2. This has the advantage that after emptying by lifting the ring flange 4a from the upper part 2 the container can be ventilated immediately and also small pressure differences can be compensated.

As a transport lock, the upper part 2 has a steep thread axially movable against the lower part 1, so that the valve 4 between the upper part 2 and the lower part 1 can be pinched (Fig. 5). The valve flange 4a between a projection 5a at the edge of the pan 5 and the underside 2a of the upper part is clamped so that the valve 4 even under heavy loads e.g. while transporting remains reliably closed. Before using it Screwed on the upper part 2 so that the valve 4 is free again becomes.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show an embodiment according to the invention, in which the upper part 2 to secure transportation as Slide with stops 9 to the lower part 1 to move is to clamp the valve 4. The lower part 1 is with screwed to the neck of a bottle 11.

When the upper part 2 is moved relative to the lower part 1 by means of thread 8 is the upper part 3 by stops 13 secured against over-tightening.

In a second embodiment according to the invention, which in 9 and 10 is shown, is on a lower part 1 an upper part 20 in which the self-closing Valve 4 is inserted. The upper part 20 has a circumferential sealing edge 20a, on which in Fig. 9 Ring flange 4a of the valve 4 is present. The top shows four arms 22 that arcuate toward the inside of the Extend container and in the edge area the bottom surface 4e support the valve 4 such that the flange 4a under Tension is pressed against the sealing surface 20a. In addition is in Fig. 9 for closing the removal opening in the upper part 20 a lid 24 is provided with a film hinge 26 is pivotable. The upper part 20 is on the lower part 1 connected by means of a locking connection 28. How it works can refer to the description above will. Here, too, the ring flange can be used to ventilate the container Lift off 4a from the sealing surface 20a, as with pivoted Lid 24 is shown in Fig. 10. Doing so opens there is a ventilation channel K between the flange 4a and the sealing surface 20a.

In a third embodiment according to the invention according to figures 11 and 12, the self-closing valve 4 in the area its ring flange 4a between the lower part 31 and clamped a retaining ring 32. The lower part points to this 31 a projection 34 with a sealing surface 34a, the at least part of the underside of the ring flange 4a supports and together with that on the top of the ring flange 4a engaging retaining ring clamped. In one area the underside of the ring flange is preferably from 20 ° to 240 ° 4a free and can be used in an existing container Lift off vacuum and ensure pressure equalization. 12 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG Fig. 11 shown, both the retaining ring 32 and that Valve 4 has been omitted for the sake of clarity are. The sealing surface 34a of the projection is clearly recognizable 34 on the lower part 31.

Before the first use it can be used as a tamper-evident device the removal opening 3 in the upper part 2 e.g. through an injection molded tearable plate or label are protected.

A tamper-evident tamper-evident device can also be provided be a shifting of the upper part 2 upwards in the secured condition before first use prevented.

Claims (11)

1. Closure for a container, wherein the closure comprises: an upper part (2) with a dispensing opening (3) and a sealing face (2a, 20a, 32a), a valve (4) with a bottom surface (4e) in which a self-closing opening (4f) is provided, and an annular flange (4a), and a valve support element (5, 22, 34) which prestresses the self-closing valve with the annular flange (4a) against the sealing face (2a, 20a, 32a) such that the annular flange can be lifted from the sealing face on at least one location.
2. Closure according to claim 1, with

   a) a lower part (1),
   wherein

   b) the valve (4) rests with the valve flange (4a) on the underside (2a) of the upper part (2),

   c) the valve (4) is supported with its bottom surface (4e) on a dish (5) in the lower part (1) in the resting position, and

   d) openings (6) are provided between the dish (5) and the inner wall of the lower part (1), through which openings a product to be dispensed can be pressed into a side space (7) between the valve flange (4a), the peripheral surface (4d) of the valve (4), the lower part (1) and the upper part (2) under pressure so that the valve flange (4a) is pressed against the underside (2a) of the upper part (2) and the valve (4) is turned outwards through the dispensing opening (3) and is opened for the discharge of the product.
3. Closure according to claim 1 with an upper part (20), which has a surrounding sealing face (20a) and arms (22) extending in a curve towards the inside of a container, wherein the valve (4) is prestressed by the arms (22) such that the annular flange (4a) rests on the sealing face (20a).
4. Closure according to claim 1 with a lower part (31), which has a projection (34), and a retaining ring (32), wherein the annular flange (4a) of the valve (4) is partly clamped between the projection (34) and the retaining ring (32).
5. Closure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper part (2) is axially displaceable relative to the lower part (1) so that the valve flange (4a) can be clamped between the edge of the dish (5) and the upper part and a turning-outwards and opening of the valve (4) is prevented and the valve (4) becomes free again in the opposite direction to the displacement.
6. Closure according to claim 5, characterized in that the edge of the dish (5) has a sealing shoulder (5a) for clamping and sealing the valve flange (4a).
7. Closure according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the upper part (2) is displaceable relative to the lower part (1) via a coarse thread (8), as a slide with stop (9) or as a bayonet system.
8. Closure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lower part (1) is an integrated component of a container (10).
9. Closure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower part (1) can be screwed or snap-fitted onto a container (10).
10. Closure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by a tamperproof security.
11. Closure according to claim 10, characterized in that the tamperproof security is a detachable cover of the opening (3) of the upper part (2) or a detachable barrier to the displacement of the upper part (2) relative to the lower part (1).

Images