EP0886606B1 - Container opening and cap - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container opening (1) having on the outside (2) cams (5) protruding radially outwards which can be engaged with retaining elements, in particular recesses (21) of the tamper-indicating strip (22) of a protective cap (20). The cams (5) and the recesses (21) each have a lateral retaining surface (6, 25) and a lower retaining surface (7, 26). If the tamper-indicating strip (22) is engaged via its recess (21) with the cam (5), it cannot move vertically or towards the periphery. To tighten the tamper-indicating strip (22) during the screwing-on process, expansion members (10, 11, 13) are also arranged above the cams (5) which expand the tamper-indicating strip (22) slowly and steadily.

Description

The invention relates to a container mouth and a closure cap according to the preamble of the independent claims.

To indicate the integrity of closures, for example Sealing containers with drinks is often mechanical guarantee tapes used. These guarantee bands are often about breaking points with the bottom of the Wall of a cap connected. They point to theirs Retaining elements on the inside, by means of which the guarantee band with retention elements in the mouth area of a Container can be engaged. When opening tears at least one predetermined breaking point, which becomes the guarantee band completely or partially separated from the cap and it indicates the opening process.

So that such mechanical guarantee tapes work reliably, on the one hand, they have to be so stretchy that they Put on the container mouth and do not tear not be too stretchy so that when you first start Removing the cap from the container reliably destroyed become.

Guarantee bands are known, which are on the inside have a bead or ring segments which with a Interact with the bead at the container mouth. The disadvantage of such restraint means is that by slow Rotate the guarantee tape so it can be stretched without it to jump over the retention bead.

Other guarantee bands have teeth on the inside, which with counter teeth on the outside of the container mouth are engaged in the direction of rotation. Such guarantee bands but can use a pointed object from below be expanded. There is also a guarantee band Teeth with sharp edges pose a risk of injury.

From FR-A-2 229 620 is a container neck and a cap known with a guarantee band, which with previous Cams engage on the outside of the neck of the container stands. The cams have a bevelled surface, which to make putting on the guarantee band easier. The guarantee band and the surface of the container mouth act in Circumferential direction (i.e. in the screwing or unscrewing direction) together.

From FR-A-2 682 084 is a sealing cap with a Guarantee band known, which with sawtooth-like projections interacts on the outside of a container. Because of the forces acting in the circumferential direction the first time The guarantee tape is screwed on from the sealing cap Cut. The container mouth also has a collar on the falling of the guarantee band when Avoid pouring the contents out of the container.

From FR-A-1 298 166 various embodiments of Retaining elements at container mouths known, which for Serve to hold a guarantee band. They are both sawtooth-like, retaining elements acting in the circumferential direction as bead-like retaining elements acting in the axial direction known.

The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the known avoid, especially a container mouth and a To create a sealing cap, which has a reliable guarantee function exhibit. The guarantee band of a closure is intended to be retained without restraining means on the Containers can be engaged. The first time The closure should then be removed from the container great security to be destroyed to the opening process display.

According to the invention, these tasks are carried out with a container mouth and a cap with the features of the characteristic Part of the independent claims solved.

A container mouth has retaining means on its outside on, which with complementary restraining means one Cap can be engaged. Below these retention elements are on the outside of the container mouth cams projecting radially outwards, which with complementary retention elements, in particular Cutouts on the inside of a guarantee band Cap can be engaged. The cams point a side and a lower retention surface. This Retention areas are closed on an original Closure in engagement with one side and one each horizontal retention area of the retention elements, in particular the gaps in the guarantee tape. In this way the guarantee tape is fixed in such a way that it is secured by both Rotational movement as well as an axial stroke movement reliably is separated from the rest of the cap. The separation can be complete or partial. For example can the guarantee band in segments or only in sections be separated. It can be solved completely or by one permanent bridge stay connected to the cap.

The retention means on the outside of the container mouth preferably consist of a bayonet thread. thanks of the bayonet thread can be precisely defined and be stopped at the desired time. At the Screwing on occurs the retention elements of the guarantee band with the cams on the outside of the container mouth engaged at a certain time. The stop of the Unscrewing movement must occur exactly at this time. If the unscrewing movement does not stop at this point there is a risk of overtightening the guarantee band to tear off already when screwing on.

However, it is also conceivable to use a normal restraint Thread. In this case, an additional Brake fluid in the area of the thread inlet for this be made sure that the screwing process is accurate defined time is stopped. When using a normal thread, it can also be advantageous to Cams not exactly on the outer surface of the container mouth radially outwards, but slightly in the screwing direction to be arranged at an angle. This ensures that the guarantee band gently engages with the cams and firmly arrives this is withheld.

Recesses are preferably used as retaining elements the inside of the guarantee band. It is also conceivable to use projecting retention elements.

In order to achieve good retention behavior, at least a cam can be attached. But it is advantageous, at least three cams symmetrically on the outer surface of the container mouth to provide. Due to the symmetrical arrangement several cams, the one used during the opening process Force more evenly on the different connection points, e.g. Breakaway webs, between the guarantee band and the Cap wall initiated.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment the container mouth also at least one separate, Expanding or centering element arranged above the cams for expanding and / or centering the guarantee band a cap. The following is by the term Expanding element with a centering element. The Expanding element has a slope on its top, so that during the unscrewing process the diameter of the guarantee band is stretched evenly at least in the area of the cams. The cams are immediately below the expansion element arranged. The expansion element extends in Circumferential direction at least over the entire width of the cam.

A circumferential ring can, for example, serve as an expansion element be used with a beveled top.

However, it is also conceivable to use individual ring segments as an expansion element to use. For example, each cam can Ring segment are assigned, which is in the circumferential direction preferably extends to both sides of the cams. It can also use several smaller ring segments that are evenly distributed over the circumference of the outer surface to distribute.

A particularly simple and material-saving embodiment results when the expansion element consists of a vertical with the cam aligned run-up slope.

The cams preferably consist of an upper and a lower section. The upper section tapers against radially inward at the top. The lower section has an approximately vertical outer edge. With the top, sloping Section, the guarantee band of the expanding element should be as possible be brought gently over the lower part of the cams.

Below the cams can also directly afterwards additional bead may be provided. This bead prevents expanding the guarantee band from below using a Tool.

If a cap on the above If the container mouth is put on, the guarantee band comes into effect at a certain time in engagement with the expanding element. Thanks to the expansion element, the guarantee band at axial screw-on movement radially widened. The restraint elements (Threads) of the container mouth and the sealing cap are designed so that the recesses in the Guarantee tape of the cap right at the end of the unscrewing movement with the cams on the outside of the container mouth engage. The guarantee tape snaps with the recesses over the cams. Both the side as well as the lower retention surfaces of the cams and the Recesses occur at the beginning of the unscrewing process engaged. This will cause any further axial movement or rotation of the guarantee band prevented.

If the cap has a bayonet thread on the Container mouth is attached, there is a special simple behavior when screwing on. In that moment, where the cutouts of the guarantee tape with the cams in If you engage, the cap only moves in axial direction and no longer rotates. In order to can be easily and reliably avoided that the Guarantee tape by unscrewing the cap when screwing on is already being torn down.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Behältermündung,

Figuren 2 bis 4

schematische Darstellungen von alternativen Ausführungsbeispielen,

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Verschlusskappe,

Figur 6

ein schematischer Ausschnitt eines aufgeschnittenen Garantiebandes im Eingriff mit einem Nocken, und

Figuren 7a und 7b

schematische Darstellungen von weiteren Ausführungsbeispielen von Nocken und Rückhalte-Elementen.

The invention is explained in more detail below in exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

1 shows a schematic representation of a container mouth according to the invention,

Figures 2 to 4

schematic representations of alternative embodiments,

Figure 5

1 shows a schematic illustration of a closure cap according to the invention,

Figure 6

a schematic section of a cut guarantee band in engagement with a cam, and

Figures 7a and 7b

schematic representations of further embodiments of cams and retaining elements.

Figure 1 shows a container mouth 1, on its outside 2 retaining elements 3 for attaching a closure cap having. Below the retention elements 3 are on cams 5 projecting radially outward on the outside 2 attached, which with recesses of a guarantee band a Cap can be engaged. The Cams 5 have an approximately vertical lateral retention surface 6 and an approximately horizontal lower retention surface 7. In an upper section 14 are the cams 5 towards the top slightly beveled radially inwards. Directly afterwards Above the cams 5 is an expansion or centering element 10 arranged in the form of a circumferential ring. The Expanding element 10 is used for the guarantee band of a closure cap evenly during the first unscrewing process expand and / or center so that the guarantee band can easily snap over the cams 5.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which the expansion element consists of ring segments 12. One ring segment each 12 is on both sides above and in the circumferential direction a cam 5 arranged. As always in the area of the cams 5 an expansion element is present, the guarantee band stretched enough. With this arrangement, however Making the container mouth material can be saved.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment in which especially on minimizing material consumption at the Manufacture of the container mouth 1 was respected. The expanding element is integrated in the cams 5 and consists of a run-up slope 13. In this way the guarantee tape stretched exactly at the point where the Cam 5 are located.

In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 3 three cams 5 each shown. Basically, cams can any number.

With a small number of cams or an irregular one Arrangement, it is recommended to use expansion elements, that evenly widen the guarantee band.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment with two (symmetrical arranged) cam (the second cam is not shown). Several small ring segments 12 are used as expansion elements provided a regular widening of the guarantee band allow.

Figure 5 shows schematically a cap 20 with the Features of the invention. The cap 20 is in essentially from a cap bottom 23, a circumferential Cap wall 24 and one at the lower edge 27 of the cap wall 24 attached guarantee band 22. The guarantee band is through Predetermined breaking points, for example predetermined breaking webs 19 or also a predetermined breaking line (perforation and / or material weakening / not shown) connected to the cap wall 24.

Restraining means 29 are provided on the inside, which engages with the retention means of a container mouth can be brought.

The guarantee band has cutouts 21 on its inside on with the cams 5 one of the shown in Figures 1 to 4 Container mouth can be brought into engagement. The cutouts 21 each have a lateral retention surface 25 and a lower horizontal retention surface 26. The cutouts 21 are not continuous and only on the inside of the guarantee band 22 is formed. Continuous cutouts 21 would an even better anchorage of the guarantee band 22 allow on the cam 5, but are off in many cases hygienic and manufacturing perspective less favorable.

Figure 6 shows a section of a guarantee tape a container cap on the cap 20. In Guarantee band is a part cut out so that the cam 5 is visible, which with the recess 21 in the guarantee band is engaged.

The cam 5 is with its lower retention surface 7 in Engagement with the lower, horizontal retention surface 26 of the Cutout 21. In addition, there are side retention areas 6, 25 of the cam 5 and the recess 21 with each other in Intervention. When the cap is removed from the If the container mouth is removed, the guarantee band can move neither circumferentially nor vertically. Thereby tear the predetermined breaking webs 19 with which the guarantee tape 22 was attached to the lower edge 27 of the cap wall 24. The the torn guarantee tape remains on the container mouth and indicates the first opening of the closure.

Figure 7a shows an embodiment of a guarantee tape 22, with which on the inside instead of recesses also a radially inwardly projecting cam 30 is attached is. The cam 30 has a lateral retention surface 25 and a horizontal retention surface 26.

The cam 5 of the container mouth has a lower retention surface 7 and a lateral retention surface 6. When screwing on when using a bayonet thread the guarantee band 22 vertically towards the bottom at the end of the process pushed over the cam 5. The beveled upper section 14 of the guarantee band facilitates the widening of the guarantee band. In the closed state, the cam 30 is over snapped the cam 5 and the lateral retention surfaces 6, 25 and the lower retention surface 7 and the horizontal Retaining surface 26 are in engagement with each other.

FIG. 7b shows a guarantee band 22, on the inside of which in angular cam 30 projecting radially inward is arranged. The cam 30 has a lateral retention surface 25 and a horizontal retention surface 26. At the The guarantee band is screwed on using a beveled upper section 14 of a cam 5 of a container mouth guided. At the end of the screwing on the snaps Cam 30 over cam 5 and the lateral retention surfaces 6, 25 and the lower retention surface 7 and the horizontal Retaining surface 26 are in engagement with each other.

It is also conceivable that the lateral and lower or lateral and horizontal retention surfaces on different Arrange elements. For example, instead of one Cam 5 with a lower and a lateral retention surface one rib each with a side and one lower retention area can be used. Through such arrangements can the material consumption for the production of Reduce container mouths.

Claims (14)

1. A container mouth (1) with an outside (2) which has retaining means (3) which can be brought into engagement with retaining means of a closure cap, wherein beneath the retaining elements (3) the outside (2) has at least one protruding projection (5) and wherein the projection (5) can be brought into engagement with retaining elements, in particular openings on the inside of an anti-tamper band of the closure cap, characterised in that the projection has a lateral retaining surface (6) and a lower retaining surface (7) and that on its outside the container mouth has at least one expansion or centering element (10, 12, 13) arranged above the projections for expanding and/or centering the anti-tamper band of a closure cap, wherein the expansion element (10, 12, 13) extends in the peripheral direction at least over the entire width of the projections (5).
2. A container mouth according to claim 1 characterised in that the expansion element (10, 12) extends in the peripheral direction over a larger angular region than the projection (5).
3. A container mouth according to claim 1 characterised in that the expansion element is a peripherally extending ring (10).
4. A container mouth according to claim 1 characterised in that the expansion element comprises at least one ring segment (12).
5. A container mouth according to claim 1 characterised in that the expansion element comprises an inclined run-on surface (13) which is vertically aligned with the projection (5).
6. A container mouth according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the retaining means (3) are a bayonet screwthread.
7. A container mouth according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the projection (5) has an upper portion (14) which tapers radially inwardly in an upward direction.
8. A container mouth according to claim 7 characterised in that the portion (24) forms a prolongation of the expansion element (10, 12).
9. A container mouth according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that the projection (2) has lateral retaining surfaces which can each be brought into engagement with a respective lateral retaining surface on the inside of an anti-tamper band of a closure cap.
10. A container mouth (1) and closure cap (20) for closing the container mouth, wherein the container mouth (1) has retaining means (3) on its outside (2) and wherein the closure cap (20) has an end portion (23), a cap wall (24) and an anti-tamper band (22) mounted to the lower edge (27) of the cap wall (24), and wherein the closure cap (20) can be brought into engagement by retaining means (29) arranged on its inside with the retaining means (3) of the container mouth (1), which anti-tamper band (22) has on its inside at least one lateral retaining surface (25) and a horizontal retaining surface (26), wherein the container mouth (1) has at least one radially outwardly protruding projection (5) with a lateral retaining surface (6) and a lower retaining surface (7), and wherein the lateral retaining surfaces (6, 25) and the lower retaining surface (7) and the horizontal retaining surface (26) can be respectively brought into engagement with each other, characterised in that the outside (2) of the container mouth (1) has at least one expansion or centering element (10, 12, 13) arranged above the projections, for expanding and/or centering the anti-tamper band, wherein the expansion element extends in the peripheral direction at least over the entire width of the projections (5).
11. A container mouth and closure cap according to claim 10 characterised in that the outwardly protruding projections (5) are each provided with two lateral retaining surfaces and that on its inside the anti-tamper band has at least two lateral retaining surfaces, wherein the retaining surfaces of the projections (5) can each be brought into engagement with a respective retaining surface at the inside of the anti-tamper band.
12. A container mouth and closure cap according to one of claims 10 and 11 characterised in that the retaining surfaces at the inside of the anti-tamper band (22) are in the form of side surfaces of an opening (21), wherein the opening (21) is in the form of a depression which does not pass through the anti-tamper band so that the anti-tamper band (22) has a closed outside surface.
13. A container mouth and closure cap according to one of claims 10 to 12 characterised in that the retaining means (3, 29) are formed by a bayonet screwthread.
14. A closure cap, in particular for closing a container having a container mouth according to claim 1, having an end portion (23), a cap wall (24) and an anti-tamper band (22) mounted to the lower edge (27) of the cap wall (24), characterised in that on its inside the anti-tamper band (22) has at least two lateral retaining surfaces (25) and a horizontal retaining surface (26), wherein the retaining surfaces (25, 26) can be brought into engagement with projections on the outside of the container mouth, wherein the retaining surfaces (25, 26) are in the form of side surfaces of a depression on the inside of the anti-tamper band (22), which depression does not extend through the anti-tamper band.

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