EP1071615B1 - Two-part multifunctional closing system for tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a two part multifunctional closing system for tubes. Said system is made of injection-molded plastic material and can be used particularly in containers (1) that are to be closed, preferably tubes and small bottles, especially those containing cream, salve or liquid material. Said system is tamper-proof and non-detachable and solves existing problems relating to the positioning of said systems. The closing element consists of a cylindrical bottom part (2) and an upper part (3) organically coupled by a flexible band (23) in such a way that the lower part (2) has a third cylindrical coating element (4) ending in a tubular dosing head (7) fitted with a thread on the inner jacket. A flange is formed above said coating element on the toothing (8) arranged on the outer jacket, which is inserted in the circular orifice (22) configured on the bottom part (2) of the closing element. The coating element is attached by a screw thread to free head part of the container (1) to be closed that is fitted with a thread. The top part (3) of the closing element has a tamper-proof element (20) having a wedge shape on its horizontal part and an U-shape suspending downwards from the opening and closing orifice (16) projecting downwards in the side opposite to the flexible band (23). Said tamper-proof element is attached to the two limbs by means of a tear-off point in the closing and opening orifice (16). The rotating wedge (10) formed on the top part (3) of the closing element prevents the material from smearing the surroundings of the mouth opening of the dosing head when the dosing head (7) is excessively bent.

Description

The invention relates to a closing element construction made of plastic by means of injection molding for tubes and bottles, in particular cream, ointment or can contain liquid material, which closing element construction to the Headboard or at the free end of the tube or bottle Screw thread is adjusted.

The closure according to the invention is used primarily for plastic tubes, the cream, Contain ointment or liquid material used. The invention However, the closing element can also be used for the closure of other materials, e.g. Glass or metal, etc., tubes, containers manufactured.

In addition, the closing element according to the invention can be originated and cannot be removed and also solves the previous problems related to positioning.

An important feature for closing tubes and containers is that that it ensures a more complete closure with less movement and that the danger is eliminated that after using the tube or the container Material of any small amount remains outside the tube and that A user's hand soiled.

Such a solution is described in the Hungarian patent specification HU 173809, where the tube has a stiff cup-shaped head, an outlet opening and has an outlet element with an outlet line leading to it. On the in The flexible wall part designed as an outlet member is on a rigid part of the cup-shaped part A joint-like nose part separated from the outlet opening connected, the free end of which is formed in the vicinity of the outlet opening is that it is suitable for realizing the connection with the flexible wall part is. On the cup-shaped head and / or on the nose part is in the area the outlet opening of the nose part one for pressing against the flexible Wall part suitably designed elastic spring construction connected. The Elasticity of the spring construction is selected so that in the outlet pipe overpressure directed towards the outlet opening to the spring construction Expansion forces and thus removes the nose part from the flexible wall part, so that the outlet opening is free and remains free until in the outlet line there is an overpressure.

The disadvantage of this solution is that the problem of positioning and Originability is not resolved.

A solution for the safety closure of bottles is in the Hungarian patent application with the application number P 9601119, which consists of a Unopened and a cap supplemented by a safety ring exists, with an inward and over on a lower part in a circle flange protruding the outer circumferential projection of the bottle neck is trained. It is characteristic of the construction according to the invention that the cylinder part surrounding the bottle neck and compressed by a ring the cap is divided into segments by means of vertical slots, so that the Ring on the cylinder part which is attached to the bottle. The Disadvantage of this solution is that it does not pose the problem of positioning Solves.

Originatable and non-removable caps are already used to close different containers and vessels used, but there is still no concrete Example of a combination of these two properties with positionability.

The previous caps have done the positioning by positive locking, but on the one hand, these solutions have none due to a missing screw thread appropriate closure guaranteed, since a closure by means of Snap-on closing element is not sufficiently secure. On the other hand the system of this previous training is not appropriate because the caps are not can be opened with one hand. Third was the aesthetic education in the case of the positionable locking elements which are produced by means of a positive lock not very variable, because in the case of positioning by means of positive locking, the number the positioning options are minimal and generally only two Possibilities exist. The criterion of non-removability or originability was not fulfilled so far.

The positioning was previously in the case of the screwed tubes realized in such a way that the termination point of the screw thread was trained that the end position specified the corresponding position. The The problem with this training is that as a result of manufacturing technology possible inaccuracies of the closing element and the tube the positionability was not always exact because of a deviation in the planned length or direction of the screw thread by just a few Millimeters could already lead to the closure - which is only and exclusively at one point in a predetermined manner - no more matched perfectly with the vessel to be closed, i.e. the match between the tube and the closing element was insufficient and the Positioning as a desired goal was not implemented satisfactorily. in the In the case of a tube and closing element made from different mate Due to these inaccuracies, even larger deviations can arise hen.

With the previously used screw-threaded fasteners With a fixed termination point, the undevelopability could only be with a tear-off Ring can be solved, which with comparatively high aesthetic requirements is not acceptable.

The best known solution so far is a one-handed, non-removable, locking element that can be originated and provided with a tear ring, in which the Positioning is not resolved because during storage and use of the Tube the cap can be rotated and therefore the opening direction of the Dosage serving element of the cap is not in the desired - with the inscription, Graphic of the tube matching - can be brought about because of the location So the cap cannot be positioned.

So there is a need for a closure that eliminates these problems are an aesthetic one with simple construction elements Training and at the same time an appropriate closure, positioning and Originability is guaranteed.

EP 0 812 777 A2 discloses a closure cap for tubes which consists of an upper part and a lower part, which are connected to each other via a hinge. On a locking element is provided on the inside of the lower part for fixing the position of the cap by snapping into an associated locking element, that is provided on the tube. This cap has no interior Use in the sense of this invention.

The object of the present invention is to provide a locking element which is secure against rotation create that can be positioned very variably and that is a control of the first Use of the tube should enable and easy and hygienic placement of the Should allow closing element.

This task is accomplished by a two-part multifunctional element with the features solved according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of back-related subclaims.

The closing element according to the invention is made of plastic by means of injection molding and is particularly applicable to tubes and flacons, the cream, ointment or contain liquid material. The closing element according to the invention consists from a cylindrical lower and upper part, which is organic by means of a Bending tape are connected to each other.

The lower part contains a third, also cylindrical, on Inner jacket with a thread and in a tubular dosing head inner insert that ends with a thread with the threaded one free head part of the vessel to be closed is connected in such a way that the closing element is able to move.

The upper part of the closing element - that by a bending tape with the lower part is connected - is complementary to that from the center of the clothing element of the lower part of the excellent dosing head so that it is under positive locking engages the lower part.

The controllability of the first closing of the lower and upper part of the Closing element, the integrity and originality of the closure is through an originating element ensures that on the opposite side of the bending tape Side of the upper part of the closing element on the lower part of a closing and Opening eyelet is formed.

Above the teeth that are formed on the outer shell of the inner insert a flange is formed, which is located in the lower part of the closing element and the negative form corresponding to the inner use is adapted.

The inner insert is designed with a on the inside of the cylinder jacket Thread on the free head part provided with the same screw thread adapted to the vessel to be closed.

The inner insert fits with the teeth formed on the jacket and the Flange to the lower part of the closing element, so that when attaching the inner use of the vessel to be closed, the inner use and the locking element behave as if it were a one-piece Element. That is why they twist together when they are turned in with the Screw thread matching direction all the way to the end point of the Screw thread, where the internal use is finally determined.

After reaching the end point of the screw thread, the inner behavior Insert and the closing element, however, as separate elements, so that if you open the shutter again after reaching the end point wants, the inner use is no longer removable, but as described above, connected closing element in the opposite direction to that Closing direction of the thread thanks to the formation of the internal teeth Insert and the inside of the negative flange of the lower part of the Closing element arranged, each enclosing an angle of 90 ° four positioning elements can be rotated and in this Free direction - without loosening the screw thread lock of the inner insert would - can be rotated.

The on the inner surface of the negative flange of the lower part of the closing element Arranged four positioning elements thus cause attachment of the closing element, that the closing element and the inner insert as one piece work and cause the inner use when loosening the locking element remains attached.

The positioning elements also allow the closing element to be in opposite directions The direction of the locking thread can be freely rotated gradually can.

The gradual twisting is achieved by the teeth on the inner insert allows because when moving the lower part of the closing element the four positioning elements formed on the inner surface of the closing element engage in the teeth, but due to the shape of the positioning elements further rotation is possible. Accordingly, the closing element be positioned in as many positions as the number of teeth on the outer circumference corresponds to the inner commitment.

Due to the shape of the four positioning elements, these can be used if the positioning elements when twisting once over on the inner insert trained teeth have been twisted, only under a twist around 360 ° to be returned to the previous position. The closing element can therefore brought into the desired position - matching the graphic of the tube - and be secured. Because to continue turning and to secure a new position of the closing element is an exercise of strength that goes beyond daily use is required, the locking element retains the selected one during use Position.

The closing element according to the invention can in particular be made of polypropylene and be made from coloring material corresponding to hygiene regulations.

The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings described where the embodiments of the closing element according to the Invention are shown.

in Fig. 1

der Querschnitt der Ausbildungsform der Erfindung;

in Fig. 2

die Vordersicht des Unterteils des erfindungsgemäßen Schließelementes;

in Fig. 3

die Draufsicht des Unterteils des erfindungsgemäßen Schließelementes;

in Fig. 4

die Vordersicht des Oberteils des erfindungsgemäßen Schließelementes; und

in Fig. 5

ein Teil des Querschnittes des Oberteils des erfindungsgemäßen Schließelementes und des Dosierkopfes des inneren Einsatzes.

The drawings show:

in Fig. 1

the cross section of the embodiment of the invention;

in Fig. 2

the front view of the lower part of the closing element according to the invention;

in Fig. 3

the top view of the lower part of the closing element according to the invention;

in Fig. 4

the front view of the upper part of the closing element according to the invention; and

in Fig. 5

a part of the cross section of the upper part of the closing element according to the invention and the dosing head of the inner insert.

I. The first basic essential element of the closure according to the invention is the subsequent positionability:

1.) The first basic element of the positionability training is the formation of the closing element from two parts and the novel connection of the two parts.

The closing element differs from the previously known solutions in that that - as can be seen in Fig. 1 - it is cylindrical and consists of two together parts connected organically by means of bending tape 23, namely lower part 2 and upper part 3, consists. The lower part 2 contains a likewise cylindrical, threaded on the inner jacket, in the tubular dosing head culminating inner mission 4.

The inner insert 4 engages in the free end or screw thread Head part of the vessel to be closed. The lower part 2 of the closing element is between the flange 5 formed on the inner insert 4 of the inner insert 4 and the vessel 1 to be closed pressed in such a way that the Closing element can move.

The upper part 3 of the closing element is based on the lower part 2 of the Closing element and the inner insert 4 from that it is formed in the lower part 2 Flange 6 of the lower part of the closing element engages.

The tube-like tapering dosing head 7 of the inner insert 4 resembles one from top to bottom evenly expanding cone frustum in the material Continuously with a short projection a flange 5 of the inner insert 4th forms. Radially set back under the flange 5 of the inner insert 4, settles the cylindrical shape continues in the vertical direction, one inside with the one to be closed Vessel matching screw thread is formed and A toothing 8 is provided on the outside in order to achieve the positionability. Inside the cylinder are from the lower level of the flange 5 of the inner insert 4 concentrically formed with the cylinder two support rings 9, which are accurate The closing element rests on the mouth opening of the one to be closed Promote vessel 1.

On the inside of the upper part 3 of the closing element is a rotationally symmetrical one Element with wedge-shaped cross section 10 arranged centrally, the inner diameter with the outer diameter of the dosing head 7 of the inner insert 4 matches. The dosing head 7 of the inner insert 4 ends in the positive torus 11, whereas the rotationally symmetrical one arranged in the upper part 3 of the closing element Element 10 represents a negative toroidal opening 12 so that due to the flexibility of the plastic after removing the upper part 3 the closing element closing the vessel to be closed by interlocking the negative torus-shaped opening 12 and the positive torus 11 (Connection of the upper part 3 and the lower part 2) can be accomplished.

The above-described design (see Fig. 5) of the dosing head 7 of the inner Insert 4 also ensures that the shape of the Upper part 3 of the closing element when it is supported on the lower part 2 when Close with the rotationally symmetrical element that hides the dosing head 7 10 with the same diameter as the dosing head 7 when using the im material to be sealed vessel 1 prevents the material is smeared next to the mouth of the dosing head 7. In contrast to this has been the case with the previous training when closing the lower and upper part the mandrel pushing into the mouth of the dosing head material located in the tube is squeezed next to the mouth opening of the tube.

In Fig. 1 it can be seen that the inner insert 4 from the lower part 2 of the closing element is surrounded such that the upper side of the flange 5 of the inner Insert 4 at the same height as the upper side of the lower part 2 of the closing element lies.

Accordingly, one with the flange 5 is in the lower part 2 of the closing element of the inner insert 4 identical circular opening 22 formed centrally, in the flange 5 of the inner insert 4 is inserted.

2.) The second basic element of positionability training are the four positioning elements 13 and their during the rotation of the Closing element produced effect.

On the inside of the circular formed in the lower part 2 of the closing element Opening 22 are each arranged at an angular distance of 90 ° four positioning elements 13 are arranged, each of which according to FIG. 3 a trapezoid 14 and a triangle 15 exist. The one shown in the figure The arrangement shows the difference to the locking element solutions used so far, namely that when the closing element is rotated clockwise the triangular parts 15 of the positioning elements 13 can avoid, whereby the further rotation of the closing element is made possible.

However, if the positioning elements 13 due to the rotation on the inner insert 4 trained toothing 8 are moved, turning back prevented by the trapezoid 14 of the positioning elements 13. The The locking element can therefore only be rotated back into the same by a rotation of 360 ° Position.

The above-described arrangement and function of those formed on the inner insert 4 Teeth 8 and those formed on the lower part 2 of the closing element Positioning elements 13 thus allow, deviating from those previously used Closures due to the engagement of the trained on the inner insert 4 Gearing 8 in the triangle 15 of the positioning elements 13 a movement of the closing element in only one direction. This way the bottom part 2 and the upper part 3 organically connected therewith by a bending band 23 positioned. However, this training also enables that property - that the basic novelty of this invention and its complete variation compared to the previously used closures that the closing element in as many positions can be arranged as the number of teeth 8 am Outer circumference of the inner insert 4 corresponds. After fixing the inside Insert 4 can therefore the closing element by turning it into the desired position can be transferred.

II. The second basic essential element of the closure according to the invention is the protection from first use and the prevention of one Foreign use (originability).

The previous solutions used to control the first use different training according to the invention can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. One protrudes from the flange of the upper part 3 of the closing element on the outside corrugated closing and opening eyelet 16, which in the outer jacket of the Lower part 2 of the closing element corresponds to the formed negative mold 17, so that the closing and opening eyelet 16 completely on the outer planes of the lower part 2 of the closing element hugs.

In Fig. 2 it can be seen that on the formed in the lower part 2 of the closing element Negative form 17, a "U" -shaped rectangular opening 18 is provided enables that to result from the formation of the "U" -shaped rectangular Opening 18 emerging rectangle 19 along its fixed side along its axis twisted.

4 shows that from the closing and opening eyelet 16, which protrudes down from the upper part 3 of the closing element, a "U" -shaped, on lower horizontal part a wedge-shaped originating element 20 down extends that at the end of the two legs of the "U" each by means of a tear point 21 is connected to the closing and opening eyelet 16.

The final phase of the complete assembly of the locking element is the Securing the first use (originating) in this new training deviating from the conventional solutions with the help of the and opening eyelet 16 of downwardly projecting "U" -shaped originating element 20 can be done in the following way.

That from the located on the upper part 3 of the closing element and Opening eye 16 protruding wedge-shaped origination element 20 presses Put on the upper part 3 of the closing element - due to its wedge shape - that on the lower part 2 of the closing element is a rectangle 19, which is because of the flexibility of the plastic first bends along its axis and then after the wedge-shaped originating element 20 over the free lower end of the Rectangle 19 has come out and in it because of the tension and friction the rectangle 19 bends back along its axis, takes its original position and thereby prevents the original element from being pulled out. After this process, the upper part 3 of the closing element can only be opened by tearing the origination element 20, whereby it can be checked whether it has already been used.

III. The third basic essential element of the closure according to the invention is indestructibility.

This essential element of the closure according to the invention consists in that after reaching the end point of the vessel 1 to be sealed Screw thread the inner insert 4 and the closing element behave like separate elements, which is why, if after fixing the inner insert 4 wants to open the closure by opening the entire closing element twisted against the closing direction of the thread, taking into account the the positioning described thanks to the teeth 8 of the inner insert 4th and the four positioning elements formed on the lower part 2 of the closing element 13 the closing element can no longer be removed, however can be freely rotated in stages.

The indestructibility is further described by the above and announced origination method secured. Because with putting on the Upper part 3 of the closing element and with the positioning of the wedge-shaped originating element 20 is the inner insert securing the closing element 4 - unscrewing it is the only possible way to dissolve the closure with the help of the closing element - is no longer accessible, so that Closing element no longer without removing or damaging the origin can be removed. There is only the possibility of a gradual rotation due to the positionability of the closing element Education.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vessel to be sealed

2

lower part

3

top

4

inner use

5

Flange of the inner insert

6

Flange of the lower part of the closing element

7

dosing

8th

gearing

9

supporting rings

10

rotationally symmetrical element with wedge-shaped cross-section

11

positive torus

12

negative toroidal opening

13

positioning elements

14

trapeze

15

triangle

16

Closing and opening eyelet

17

Negative form of the closing and opening eyelet

18

"U" shaped rectangular opening

19

rectangle

20

Originierungselement

21

tear points

22

circular opening

23

bending band

Claims (6)

1. A two part, multi-functional closing element for tubes which is manufactured out of plastic by means of injection moulding, which can be used for vessels (1) which need to be closed, usefully for tubes and small bottles containing in particular creams, salves or liquid material, and which consists of a cylindrical lower part (2) and a cylindrical upper part (3) connected to one another by means of a flexible strip (23), characterized in that,
      the lower part (2) comprises an inner insert (4) which is cylindrical in form and ends in a tubular dosing top (7), a flange (5) being formed above toothing (8) which is formed around the outer jacket of the inner insert, said flange (5) being inserted into a circular opening (22) which is formed in the lower part (2) and corresponds to the inner insert (4),
      the inner insert (4) has a screw thread which is intended to engage in a free part of the top of the vessel which has to be closed,
      the toothing (8) around the inner insert (4) co-operates with positioning elements (13, 14, 15) around the internal circumference of the circular opening (22) in such a manner that the lower part (2) can be rotated freely in relation to the inner insert (4) in the direction of opening of the inner insert (4),
      a negative version of the dosing top (7) projecting from the centre of the inner insert (4) of the lower part (2) is formed on the upper part (3) of the closing element and a rotationally symmetrical element of wedge-shaped cross-section representing a negative torus-shaped opening (12), the internal diameter of which is identical to the dimension of the dosing top (7) of the inner insert (4), is centrally positioned on the inside, the dosing top (7) ending in a positive torus (11) and the rotationally symmetrical element with the circular cross-section (11) covering the dosing top (7) when the upper part (3) is placed on the lower part (2),
      the upper part (3) has a U-shaped originating element (20) with a wedge-shaped horizontal part which projects downwards away from a closing and opening eye (16) on the side opposite the flexible strip (23), the two legs of the originating element (20) being connected to the closing and opening eye (16) at a snapping point (21) thereby enabling an initial closing of the closing element when the upper part (3) is placed on the lower part (2), and the originating element (20) fitting into a free area in a rectangle (19) extending along the lower part (2) due to tension and friction in such a manner as to prevent the originating element (20) from being pulled out.
2. A two part, mufti-functional closing element in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the dosing top (7) of the inner insert (4) which tapers in tubular fashion forms a truncated cone which widens progressively from the top down, with a continuation of the dosing top (7) forming a flange.
3. A two part, multi-functional closing element in accordance with claim 2 in which the screw thread is positioned on the inside of a cylindrical continuation of the flange and the flange is provided with toothing (8) around the outside.
4. A two part, multi-functional closing element in accordance with one of the preceding claims in which provided on the inside of the circular opening (22) formed in the lower part (2) of the closing element are four positioning elements (13) which are located at an angle of 90° in relation to one another and consist of a trapezium (14) and a yielding triangle (15) respectively such that the triangle (15) engages in the toothing (8).
5. A two part, multi-functional closing element in accordance with the preceding claim in which the closing element can be rotated further in stages, the number of positions in which the closing element can be positioned coinciding with the number of teeth on the toothing (8).
6. A two part, multi-functional closing element in accordance with one of the preceding claims in which, when the upper part (3) is placed on the lower part (2) and during the positioning of the wedge-shaped element (20), the toothing (8) on the inner inset (4) and the four positioning elements (13) engage in one another in such a manner that the inner insert (4) in inaccessible.

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